Slovaks vote in a referendum on lifelong payments for populist leader Fico

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) – Slovaks will cast the ballot on Saturday in a referendum to decide whether to cancel lifelong payments for populist Prime Minister Robert Fico and other leaders after their terms in office expire.

Today in History - What Happened on this Day

Today in History - What Happened on this Day

A California farmer is giving away tons of nectarines that he's not allowed to sell

Thousands of visitors have flocked to Cesar Mora’s farm in central California this week to gather free nectarines. He’s giving his harvest away rather than watching it rot as he’s locked in a legal battle with a company that claims exclusive rights over the variety of white nectarine he grows. He’s shared more than 100,000 pounds (45,359 kilograms) since Monday.

Small business having a good summer as Americans travel closer to home

NEW YORK (AP) – Small business owners in U.S. tourist destinations say they’re seeing more Americans sticking closer to home this summer, trading overseas travel for road trips, choosing daylong sojourns over extended beach stays, and cooking instead of eating out while on vacation to save money.

Robotic elephants draw crowds and controversy in India's Hindu temples

CHALAKUDY, India (AP) – The life-size robotic elephants in Prasanth Prakashan’s backyard workshop have ears that flap, tails that swish and trunks that squirt water. But that’s about all they have in common with their real-life counterparts revered across India as manifestations of the divine.

Autism remains widely misunderstood in parts of Africa. A mother in Guinea fights for her child

FRIA, Guinea (AP) – Kazaliou Balde’s parents started worrying about him when as a small child he avoided eye contact and had difficulty communicating.

People race through Madrid in high heels during Pride

MADRID (AP) – Participants wearing shoes with heels of at least 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) compete in an annual high heel race during Madrid’s Pride week on Thursday, July 2.

Mali government reports rebel attacks targeting northern towns

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) – The Malian army said Saturday that several northern towns, including Gao and Sévaré, were targeted by rebels. The statement came as a rebel group announced a new offensive to capture a northern town.

Putin shrugs off fuel shortages in Russia as he ramps up attacks on Ukraine

Despite severe fuel shortages across Russia, President Vladimir Putin appears unbothered by Ukraine’s increasing attacks on his country’s oil refineries. He has shrugged off the setback for one of the world’s leading oil-producing nations as “not critical,” dismissed ceasefire proposals and insisted the war will continue until his goals are met.