Good luck coins prove fatal for Thai turtle

BANGKOK - A 25-year-old Thai sea turtle died from blood poisoning on Tuesday, never recovering from an operation to remove 915 coins from her stomach, thrown into her pool for good luck, veterinarians said.

Funds raised to protect heritage sites

PARIS - Seven countries and a donor have pledged $75.5 million (70 million euros) to a UNESCO-backed fund aimed at protecting the world's cultural heritage against war and terrorism.

Devices banned on flights over terror fears

WASHINGTON - The United States has banned electronic devices such as laptops and tablets from cabin luggage on flights originating from eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa, local media reported.

Trump aide defends wiretapping claim

WASHINGTON - The White House on Monday defended President Donald Trump's claim that his predecessor Barack Obama had ordered wiretapping Trump Tower and played down FBI's probe into Russian election meddling.

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.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

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.