Turkey's refugee card game dicing with failure

ISTANBUL - The Syrian refugee card that Turkey is playing to push the European Union to grant visa-free travel for Turkish citizens risks failure, as many of the refugees choose to stay in Turkey instead of leaving for a hostile Europe, analysts said.

Opponents vow to halt contentious bill

TOKYO - The Cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday approved a bill that criminalizes the act of preparing for terrorism and other serious crimes, amid vast political and public opposition.

EU sets April date for negotiations on Brexit

BRUSSELS - The 27 European Union nations will hold a special Brexit summit on April 29 one month after Britain plans to trigger divorce proceedings with the EU to decide on the guidelines for the next two years of negotiations with the United Kingdom.

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.