AP-National

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has agreed to start membership negotiations with embattled Ukraine and Moldova. It’s another step in the nations’ long journey to move closer to the West and mute Russia’s influence. Belgium said Friday that member states have agreed that talks will start June 25 in Luxembourg. Belgium currently holds the

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s police watchdog says it has begun an investigation into police conduct during protests against a government plan to impose new taxes. The chairperson of Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Anne Makori, lauded protesters for demonstrating peacefully and urged police to exercise restraint while noting the

By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press GENEVA (AP) — An Indian-born billionaire and three family members have been sentenced to prison for exploiting domestic workers at their lakeside villa in Switzerland. Prosecutors said they seized workers’ passports, barred them from going out and made them work up to 18 hours a day. A Swiss court dismissed

By ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL and JIM GOMEZ Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam says it’s ready to hold talks with the Philippines to settle their overlapping claims to the undersea continental shelf in the South China Sea. Vietnam’s diplomatic approach, reported Thursday by the official Vietnam News Agency, contrasts with China’s increasingly assertive actions to

By NICK PERRY Associated Press VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. (AP) — High housing costs on Martha’s Vineyard are forcing many regular workers to leave and threatening public safety. Sheryl Taylor works as an administrator for Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School but says that each summer she has to leave the island or stay with friends because

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics have celebrated their 18th NBA championship with the customary duck boat parade through the city. The amphibious vehicles are normally ridden by sightseeing tourists but have been used by all four of Boston’s major professional sports franchises to celebrate championships in recent years.

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — A Czech man has been detained in Croatia for allegedly allowing his 9-year-old child to take an explosive device from a military zone which later killed him. Police say that the 46-year-old man on Wednesday entered a restrictive military training ground without authorization where he allowed his child to pick up

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Police in northwestern Pakistan have registered a case against hundreds of people who attacked a police station and killed a man being questioned there on suspicion of desecrating the Quran, Islam’s holy book. A police official said Friday that officers are trying to identify the people who attacked and burned the

By The Associated Press The cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has denied it is a security threat after the U.S. Commerce Department banned the use of its software in the United States. The Moscow-based company, whose CEO is Russian, said in a statement that the Commerce Department’s decision, announced Thursday, would not affect its ability to sell

By BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England (AP) — Britain has become notorious as a place where a casual swim could lead to an extended visit to the toilet, if not the hospital. A torrent of news on dirty water has spilled over into next month’s election. While not a top campaign issue, it stinks

ROME (AP) — Retired Italy star Roberto Baggio was robbed at gunpoint at his home while watching the national team’s game against Spain at the European Championship. At least five armed robbers burst into Baggio’s villa near the northern city of Vicenza at around 10 p.m. on Thursday, according to Italian media reports. One struck

By MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Officials say Japan’s space agency has suffered a series of cyberattacks since last year, but sensitive information related to rockets and satellites was not affected and it is continuing to investigate and take preventive measures. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi acknowledged Friday that the Japan Aerospace Exploration

By STAN CHOE AP Buinsess Writer NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks coasted to the close of their latest winning week on Friday, as Nvidia ’s stock continued to cool from its startling, supernova run. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, but it remained close to its all-time high set on Tuesday and capped its eighth

By DIDI TANG and KEN MORITSUGU Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — With no obvious options, China appears to be keeping its distance as Russia and North Korea move closer to each other with a new defense pact that could tilt the balance of power among the three authoritarian states. Experts say China’s leaders are likely

By JAMES BROOKS Associated Press KRIEGERS FLAK OFFSHORE WIND FARM, Denmark (AP) — Researchers are exploring multiple uses for wind parks far out at sea, such as producing fresh seafood. A four-year project that started in 2023 at Scandinavia’s largest wind farm off Denmark’s east coast is showing signs of early success with its first

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Eleven people have been killed and dozens injured when a fire that apparently started in crop stubble spread through settlements in southeastern Turkey. Officials say the blaze erupted in an area between the provinces of Diyarbakir and Mardin. The fire was fanned by winds and it moved quickly through several villages.

By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A New Zealand lawmaker says the government will overhaul the gun laws tightened after the mass shooting by a white supremacist five years ago. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee told The Associated Press in an interview this week that the tighter gun laws put excessive

By ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — During daytime, entire districts of Ukraine’s capital are disconnected from the power grid to save energy. Traffic lights stop, choking traffic, accompanied by the constant rumble of generators installed outside cafes and shops. Ukraine, including Kyiv, is struggling to cope with a new wave of rolling

By JOSEPH WILSON and LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Parents across Europe are rallying to make it normal for young kids to live smartphone-free. From Spain to Ireland and England, groups are ballooning on chat groups like WhatsApp and agreeing to link arms and refuse to buy children younger than 12 smartphones.

By JOSEPH WILSON and LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Try saying “no” when a child asks for a smartphone. What comes after, parents everywhere can attest, begins with some variation of: “Everyone has one. Why can’t I?” But what if no pre-teen in sight has one — and what if having a