Mob Museum in Vegas lets visitors play police officer

LAS VEGAS - A home invader wearing a ski mask is holding a woman hostage in her bedroom. A police officer immediately starts giving verbal commands, ordering the man to let the woman go, but the intruder refuses and lunges toward the officer with a weapon in hand. The officer then raises her gun and shoots the man.

Avicii death at 28 a coming-of-age

NEW YORK - Rock 'n' roll had Buddy Holly, the psychedelic era had Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin and grunge had Kurt Cobain. Now electronic dance music has Avicii.

ROK, DPRK open hotline for leaders

The Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Friday opened a hotline of direct dialogue between the countries' leaders, the ROK's presidential office the Blue House said.

Merkel hints she's open to compromise on EU reforms

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel signaled her willingness to find compromises with France when it comes to reforming the European Union, as she hosted French President Emmanuel Macron for talks on Thursday in Berlin.

Cleanup hits Filipino island workers in pocket

BORACAY, the Philippines - As night falls on the Philippine resort island of Boracay, beach-goers eat, drink and watch a troupe of fire dancers twirling flames and performing acrobatics.

Moscow expects more hostile moves from West, Kremlin says

MOSCOW - Russian officials are working in the context of Washington's aggressive actions and Moscow expects the hostility to continue in the future, the Kremlin said on Thursday.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Japan's exports of canine cuties soar

TAKASAKI, Japan - Hollywood actor Richard Gere, French film star Alain Delon and Russian figure-skating sensation Alina Zagitova have one thing in common: They adore Japan's Akita dogs.

California moves Lunar New Year bill

The California State Senate on Thursday passed a bill to officially recognize Lunar New Year and encourage awareness of the day's cultural significance statewide. Now it's on to the Assembly.

Ivory ban brings the UK in line with China

Back in March, inside West London's Portobello Road antique market on a typical Saturday morning, a visitor picks up a white 10-centimeter-tall representation of a man playing a flute. The piece features intricately carved details, such as the man's gown and his facial expressions. Its edges are yellowing, a sign of aging.

Battle for elephants gains ground but hard work remains

MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK, Tanzania - The elephant staggered and keeled over in the tall grass in southern Tanzania, where some of the world's worst poaching has happened.

Shockwaves after Syria air raids

Though the dust raised by the joint Western airstrikes on Syria is settling, its shockwaves continue to ripple through Europe.