AP National News

Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Leaders of 18 Pacific island nations and areas have agreed to an enhanced role of Japan in the region’s development while opposing any attempted coercive activity, as Tokyo seeks greater engagement to counter China’s influence. In a joint declaration adopted at their summit Thursday, they agreed that Japan provides greater

Associated Press Activists in the Dominican Republic protested on Wednesday against a bill for a new criminal code that would keep in place the country’s total abortion ban. The Dominican Senate gave initial approval to the bill in late June and lawmakers are expected to give it final approval in the next few days. “We

Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Relatives of some of the 13 American service members killed during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan appeared on stage at the Republican National Convention. Their appearance Wednesday brought an emotional moment that revived one of the low points of President Joe Biden’s presidency and one of his biggest political liabilities.

AP Golf Writer TROON, Scotland (AP) — Scottie Scheffler might not be the biggest draw in golf but he’s the center of attention at every major. The world’s No. 1 player is a heavy favorite again going into the British Open at Royal Troon. Scheffler says he never sought this kind of attention. He only

Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Republicans were welcoming JD Vance as Donald Trump’s running mate on the same night devoted to blasting President Joe Biden’s leadership on the world stage. But even as Republicans talked of Vance as a potential heir to the “Make America Great Again” movement, Day 3 programming at the Republican National

Associated Press RENO, Nev. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a Republican-backed lawsuit that sought to bar Nevada from counting mail ballots received after Election Day. The challenge had been brought by the Republican National Committee, the Nevada Republican Party and former President Donald Trump’s campaign. A state law passed by Democrats in 2021

Associated Press ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Turkish parliamentary commission has begun debating a contentious bill to manage the country’s substantial stray dog population. Animal rights advocates fear the measure could result in a mass culling and are calling for its withdrawal. An estimated 4 million stray animals wander Turkey’s streets and rural areas. While

Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Security planners for the Republican National Convention have had to contend with the winding river that snakes through downtown Milwaukee and near the Fiserv Center convention site. Roughly half a dozen police departments, along with state and federal agencies, have boats patrolling the river 24-hours-a-day until the convention ends this

Associated Press SARVER, Pa. (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday to remember the former fire chief shot and killed at a weekend rally for former President Donald Trump in the rural area of Pennsylvania shaken by violence perpetrated by a local 20-year-old man. A sign outside Lernersville Speedway in Sarvar, Pennsylvania, where the vigil

Associated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia’s foreign minister blamed American journalists Wednesday for helping delay talks with his U.S. counterparts about a possible prisoner exchange involving imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. A day before Gershkovich is scheduled to appear in court on espionage charges, Sergey Lavrov told a U.N. news conference that

Associated Press FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to lift a judge’s order temporarily blocking the Biden administration’s new Title IX rule meant to expand protections for LGBTQ+ students. The ruling from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals kept in place a preliminary injunction issued last month by a