Moscow says US sanctions 'unpromising'

MOSCOW - The sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States are groundless and will not affect Moscow's foreign policy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday.

Thousands of Greeks protest in name dispute

ATHENS - Thousands of protesters hit the streets of the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki on Sunday to voice their objection to the use of the term "Macedonia" in any resolution to the name dispute with former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

US shutdown drags after no deal done

WASHINGTON - A US government shutdown will enter its third day on Monday as Senate negotiators failed to reach agreement late on Sunday to restore federal spending authority and deal with demands from Democrats that young "Dreamers" be protected from deportation.

Turkish troops now face fierce battles in Syrian Kurdish enclave

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Intense clashes erupted on Monday as Turkish troops and their allies advanced on a Kurdish enclave in Syria, the third day of the Ankara offensive aimed at ousting the US-backed Kurdish militia from the area.

ROK leader expects dialogue mood to continue

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea's President Moon Jae-in said on Monday a thaw in relations with Pyongyang ahead of next month's Winter Olympics presented a "precious chance" to bring about talks between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

French prison guards strike in dispute over conditions and pay

French trade unions called for a nationwide strike among prison guards and a "total blockade" of prisons on Monday in a dispute with the government about guards' safety and low pay.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Turkish forces push into Syria

AZAZ, Syria - Turkish ground forces pushed into northern Syria's Afrin province on Sunday, the army said, after Turkey launched artillery and air strikes on a US-backed Kurdish militia it aims to sweep from its border.

Death penalty sought in student killing

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Friday announced that the government will seek the death penalty against the man who is charged with the kidnapping and murder of Yingying Zhang, a 26-year-old University of Illinois student from China.

Macron: UK can't keep full access to EU

LONDON - French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested that Britain is likely to negotiate a unique relationship with the European Union before it leaves the bloc next year, while stressing that any agreement must be consistent with EU rules.

Germany's SPD to vote on coalition talks with Merkel's conservatives

BONN - Germany's Social Democrats will decide on Sunday whether to start formal coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, a move which would bring Europe's economic powerhouse one step closer to a stable government.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)