Hesitant Syria opposition begins talks with UN envoy

Syria's main opposition group met formally for the first time Monday with the UN special envoy although it was unclear whether they would agree to indirect peace talks with the Assad regime. The preliminary meeting between the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) and Staffan de Mistura came as the UN reported eight more deaths from insufficent medical care in one of the many towns besieged by government or rebel forces. The HNC is insisting that humanitarian aid reach towns under government siege b