US-backed fighters launch final push to defeat IS in Syria

QAMISHLI, Syria - US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian forces said on Saturday they have launched a final push to defeat the Islamic State group in the last tiny pocket the extremists hold in eastern Syria.

Abe vows to tackle child abuse in Japan

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday vowed to crack down on the increasing number of child abuse cases in Japan after the death of a 10-year-old girl, allegedly killed by her abusive father, shocked the country.

Illicit-liquor death toll rises to 58

NEW DELHI - The death toll from consumption of illicit liquor in two northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand has risen to 58, officials said on Saturday.

Outraged Palestinian mourners bury 2 teens killed by Israeli gunfire near Gaza's border

GAZA - Hundreds of grieved and outraged Palestinian mourners buried on Saturday two teenagers, who were shot and killed on Friday by Israeli soldiers' gunfire near the border between the eastern Gaza Strip and Israel.

Italy-France ties hit a low as protests go on

While the European Union is haunted by an uncertain Brexit less than 50 days away, its two founding members, France and Italy, are adding fuel to the fire with their escalated diplomatic spats.

Heat waves rocking Australia seen as climate change warning

The hottest month in Australian history, the worst floods in a region, coral bleaching and extended wild bush fires are among the already visible impacts of climate change, with more to come, a senior researcher said.

Evidence of bloody handprint found in alleged killer and kidnapper's apartment

Evidence of handprint-shaped bloodstains was found in the apartment of the man accused in the kidnapping and presumed killing of Zhang Yingying, a graduate student from China, said prosecutors.

Trump may not meet Khashoggi report deadline

WASHINGTON - The White House signaled on Friday it was unlikely to meet a deadline to report to Congress on whether it intends to impose sanctions on those responsible for the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, prompting an angry backlash on Capitol Hill.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Chinese 'clock in' to develop good habits

A new year, lunar or otherwise, is traditionally a time to ponder some resolutions.

Campus newcomers set goals together

Some students from Tsinghua University launched a project in 2014 called Partnership Plan that aims to help students on campus develop new habits with others who have the same goal.

Key is self-discipline, not showing off

CHU ZHAOHUI: A SENIOR RESEARCHER AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES