Polish capital registers its first same-sex marriage

WARSAW, Poland (AP) – Poland’s capital, Warsaw, registered its first same-sex marriage on Thursday, implementing court rulings that require the country to recognize same-sex marriages registered abroad. The European Union’s highest court in November ordered Poland to register same-sex marriages.

Americans love their iPhones (though they wish they could live without them)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The American obsession with the iPhone is complicated, as most love-hate relationships are. It sometimes seems like a talisman so magical that we can’t fathom living without all the pleasures and conveniences that it bestows almost anytime or anywhere.

The barista is human but an AI agent runs this experimental Swedish cafe

STOCKHOLM (AP) – The coffee might be poured by a human hand, but behind the counter something far less traditional is calling the shots at an experimental cafe in Stockholm.

Slow-cooked, sticky-glazed pork ribs go with cucumber slaw

Slow-cooked pork ribs, grilled with a sticky glaze… you just can’t beat it! This recipe is from the “Quick Prep, Slow Cook” chapter of my cookbook, “Sam’s Eats.” It’s a very versatile chapter.

Do these four things before buying a hybrid in 2026

Does the high price of gas have you considering a hybrid for your next vehicle? We don’t blame you, especially if you drive a lot. Fortunately, there are lots of hybrids to choose from, and many don’t cost much more than their non-hybrid counterparts.

Adults relive the musical camaraderie of their youth at band camps

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – As a high school student in the 1970s, Lori Guess looked forward to packing up her oboe for a summer music camp in Sidney, Maine. The lakeside location and loon calls appealed to her, and it was a chance to connect with kindred spirits.

Venice Biennale opens without a jury over Russian and Israeli participation

VENICE, Italy (AP) – Geopolitical tensions spilled over into the Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition, which opens its most chaotic and contested edition in memory Saturday with no Golden Lions after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation and loud protests outside their pavilions.

Olivia and Liam top the list of most popular US baby names for seventh year

WASHINGTON (AP) – Olivia and Liam for a seventh year in a row topped the list of names for babies born in the United States in 2025. The Social Security Administration annually tracks the names given to girls and boys in each state, with lists dating back to 1880.

A massive 11,000-carat ruby has been unearthed in Myanmar

BANGKOK (AP) – Miners in Myanmar have discovered a rare ruby of enormous size, considered to be the second-largest by weight ever found in the conflict-battered Southeast Asian nation, state media reported Friday.