Open letter before European Parliament election: Prioritize democracy as authoritarianism grows

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Nearly 300 signatories have signed an open 10-point letter before next month's European Parliament election, saying lawmakers should be putting democracy at the top of their agenda in an increasingly authoritarian world. The letter, which was released on...

Senators urge $32 billion in emergency spending on AI after finishing yearlong review

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan group of four senators led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is recommending that Congress spend at least $32 billion over the next three years to develop artificial intelligence and place safeguards around it, writing in a report released Wednesday that the U.S....

Shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sends shockwaves across Europe

The shooting Wednesday of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in the town of Handlova following a political event sent shockwaves across Europe three weeks before EU parliament elections are scheduled to be held. Leaders from across the political divide denounced the apparent...

2 journalists in detention in Tunisia as authorities launch wave of arrests against critics

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Two journalists were kept under detention in Tunisia on Wednesday, following a raft of arrests targeting government critics including lawyers and the press that has drawn concern from the country's international allies. Authorities in the north African...

Europe's Stellantis and China's Leapmotor will sell electric cars in Europe in September

HONG KONG (AP) — European carmaker Stellantis on Tuesday said it had formed a joint venture with the Chinese electric vehicle startup Leapmotor that will begin selling EVs in nine European countries later this year. Sales will begin in September for Belgium, France, Italy, Germany,...

EU agrees on a new migration pact. Mainstream parties hope it will deprive the far right of votes

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union nations endorsed sweeping reforms to the bloc’s failed asylum system on Tuesday as campaigning for Europe-wide elections next month gathers pace, with migration expected to be an important issue. EU government ministers approved 10 legislative parts...

Protesters throng streets of Georgia's capital after parliament passes so-called 'Russian law'

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Huge throngs of protesters blocked streets in the capital of Georgia and milled angrily outside the parliament building after lawmakers on Tuesday approved a “foreign influence” bill that critics call a Russian-style threat to free speech and the country’s...

Amsterdam university cancels classes after violence erupted at a pro-Palestinian rally

THE HAGUE (AP) — The University of Amsterdam canceled classes Tuesday and shut buildings for two days after the latest pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the war in Gaza turned destructive. Protests continued to simmer at several European universities where students faced off with...

What is the newly passed 'Russia law' that has divided people in Georgia for months?

Georgia's parliament has passed a law that critics see as a threat to media freedom and the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Lawmakers defied weeks of large demonstrations in the capital that also featured anger at neighboring Russia. Here is a look at the law and...

European Union nations endorse a major overhaul of the bloc’s migration rules as campaigning heats up for elections