Israel shoots down Syrian warplane

DAMASCUS - A pilot of a Syrian warplane which Israel said on Tuesday it shot down was killed, and the plane crashed in the Islamic State group-held Syrian territory near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a monitor group reported.

British PM takes personal control of Brexit talks

LONDON - UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Tuesday she will take personal control of Brexit negotiations with the EU, as time runs out to get a deal before Britain leaves the bloc in March.

Macron shoulders responsibility for scandal over aide's attack on protester

PARIS - Lawmakers from President Emmanuel Macron's party quoted him in tweets on Tuesday night as saying he takes full responsibility in a scandal surrounding a former security chief seen in a video beating a protester.

Palestine refutes US attack on Arabian aid

UNITED NATIONS - The Palestinian UN ambassador on Tuesday said the United States should not come to the United Nations "in an arrogant way" to say that they are the "only one who is helping and others are not doing anything".

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

26 dead in Laos dam collapse

At least 26 people have been confirmed dead after an under-construction dam collapsed in southern Laos, local media said, quoting reports from the Attapeu Administration office on Wednesday.

Blast kills 31 as Pakistan holds general elections

LAHORE/PESHAWAR, Pakistan - A blast near a polling station killed 31 people as Pakistanis voted on Wednesday in a knife-edge general election.

Trump tempers Iran rhetoric, says he's ready for 'real deal' with Teheran

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - President Donald Trump tempered his threatening rhetoric toward Iran on Tuesday, two days after he sent an all-caps warning of future conflict.

Death toll from wildfires near Athens rises to 80

MATI, Greece - Rescue crews were searching on Wednesday through charred homes and cars for those still missing after the deadliest wildfires to hit Greece in decades decimated seaside areas near Athens, killing at least 80 people, in one of the deadliest fire outbreaks in Europe's modern history.

Hundreds missing in dam collapse

BANGKOK - A hydroelectric dam collapsed in southeastern Laos, leaving an unknown number of people dead and hundreds missing, state media said on Tuesday.

EU offers money for taking migrants

BRUSSELS - The European Union proposed on Tuesday "full financial support" to member states to admit migrants from Mediterranean rescue boats as part of efforts to defuse a weeks-long showdown with Italy.

Cave boys to ordain as Buddhist novices

SYDNEY - The young soccer teammates and their coach who were rescued took part in a Buddhist ceremony on Tuesday as they prepared to be ordained to become Buddhist novices and monks.