French policeman praised for bravery

TREBES, France - The French police officer who swapped places with a female supermarket employee being held hostage had already received a lifetime of accolades by the time he walked unarmed into the store under attack by an extremist gunman.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Hyatt to expand Chinese presence

Tianfu Minyoun Hospitality and Hyatt Hotels Corp have announced a strategic partnership to expand Hyatt's brand presence in China.

Autograph Collection in Sanya marks 1st anniversary

The Shanhaitian Resort Sanya, the first Autograph Collection hotel in China, and the 118th worldwide, celebrated its first anniversary on March 18.

Spring snow slams US Northeast

NEW YORK - A fourth snowstorm in three weeks slammed the US Northeast on Wednesday, canceling flights and shutting federal offices on the second day of spring.

Thailand to legalize all foreign migrant workers

BANGKOK - The Thai government has reiterated its determination to register and legalize all of 3.8 million migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos by the end of March.

Rebels expected to evacuate eastern Ghouta

Buses waited outside a bombed-out town on Thursday in Syria's eastern Ghouta, east of Damascus, one day after a deal was announced by both rebels and the Syrian government media to evacuate rebels and civilians from the besieged town.

Sarkozy blasts 'lack of evidence' for corruption charges

PARIS - Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy blasted what he said was a lack of evidence for the corruption charges against him over allegations that late Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi funded his 2007 election campaign, in his court statement published on Thursday.

Palestinian teen gets 8 months in prison for striking Israeli soldier

OFER PRISON, West Bank - A teenage Palestinian girl who was filmed kicking and slapping an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank accepted a plea deal on Wednesday under which she will be sentenced to eight months in prison, her lawyer said.

US govt may avoid shutdown

Congress scrambles to pass funding bill before Friday deadline

Canada-China Year of Tourism kicks off

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China and Canada will strengthen cooperation and coordination in international affairs to usher in a new "golden decade" in bilateral relations.

G20 finance chiefs decry protectionism

BUENOS AIRES - G20 finance ministers and central bank governors met earlier this week to discuss ways to boost economic growth, as impending US import tariffs on steel and aluminum cast a pall over the gathering.