Rebels push forward in southern Syria

BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian rebels backed by the United States are making their biggest gains yet south of the capital Damascus, capturing a string of towns from government forces and aiming to carve out a swath of territory leading to the doorstep of President Bashar Assad's seat of power The advances appear to be a rare visible success story from efforts by the U.S. and its allies to train and arm moderate rebel fighters.