Rebels launch new attack on Damascus

BEIRUT - Rebels and jihadists on Tuesday launched a fresh assault on east Damascus, two days after Syrian government forces repelled an initial attack, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Macron seen winning French TV debate, clashes with Le Pen

PARIS - Centrist Emmanuel Macron solidified his status as front-runner in France's presidential election on Monday in a televised debate during which he clashed on immigration and Europe with his main rival, far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

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Brazil offers portion of comfort

BRASILIA - President Michel Temer, confronting a corruption scandal tarnishing Brazil's lucrative meat industry, met on Sunday with executives and foreign diplomats to assuage health concerns tarnishing a sector responsible for $12 billion in annual exports.

PM starts UK tour before Brexit trigger

LONDON - Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday began a tour of Britain as part of her ongoing engagement with devolved regions ahead of Brexit.

Japan PM to visit Russia for Putin talks

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Russia in late April for a summit with President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday.

Drugs, alcohol found in body of airport attacker

PARIS - Blood tests determined on Sunday that a suspected Islamic extremist consumed drugs and alcohol before a frenzied spree of violence that ended when he took a soldier hostage at Paris' Orly Airport and was shot dead by her fellow patrolmen.

Closure for groups at center of scandal

SEOUL - South Korea's Culture Ministry said on Monday it had canceled licenses for two nonprofit foundations at the center of a political scandal that led to the ouster of President Park Geun-hye.

Syrian army recaptures areas after rebel offensive

DAMASCUS - The Syrian army recaptured areas that had been taken during Sunday's wide-scale offensive by rebels in eastern Damascus, the military general command said on Monday.

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Red Star aiming to burn brighter

Construction by instruction ... with a little "religious" fervor thrown in for good measure.

Pogba's problem puts Mourinho on warpath

MANCHESTER, England - Jose Mourinho said "enemies" were undermining his team after Paul Pogba was injured in a 1-0 victory over Rostov on Thursday that sent Manchester United into the Europa League quarterfinals.