Colossal rocket-launching plane rolls toward testing

SAN FRANCISCO - A colossal aircraft capable of launching satellite-toting rockets into space is closer to testing, having been rolled out of a hangar in the desert, its creators said on Wednesday.

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Bomb blast kills at least 80, wounds hundreds

KABUL - China has joined a chorus of international condemnation after a suicide bombing in the Afghan capital Kabul left 80 dead and more than 350 wounded.

THAAD report claim causes China 'concern'

BEIJING - China is "gravely concerned" over reports that four more launchers for the THAAD anti-missile system were brought into the Republic of Korea without its President Moon Jae-in being informed, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Trump poised to withdraw from Paris climate pact, US media reports claim

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is expected to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord, a White House official said on Wednesday, confirming a move certain to anger allies that spent years negotiating the landmark agreement to reduce carbon emissions.

Abe admits being on school payroll in fresh scandal

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday said he had received a salary and been listed as an executive member of a school operator run by his close friend, which had been given preferential treatment to open a new department at a university.

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Iconic Route 66 revs back to life

LOS ANGELES - For decades, Route 66 captured the imagination of travelers the world over, offering a glimpse of a bygone era of US history, when people hit the road in search of adventure and a better life.

Ariana Grande to return to Manchester for benefit gig

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom - US pop star Ariana Grande announced on Tuesday she would return to Manchester to headline a star-studded benefit concert for the victims of the deadly attack on her show last week.

May, Corbyn clash over Brexit

LONDON - British Prime Minister Theresa May said she would walk away from divorce talks with the European Union without a deal if she had to, but her rival in next week's election, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn, said he would make sure an agreement was reached if he won power.

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Macron, Putin discuss crises

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron met on Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the former royal palace in Versailles, where they discussed the fight against terrorism as well as the Ukrainian and Syrian conflicts, the two leaders said.