Kerry heading to Europe, Mideast

WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of State John Kerry travels next week to Europe and the Middle East to meet with NATO officials and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Topics for discussion with the Israeli leader include negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and a recent agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu has denounced the agreement with Iran.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Friday that Kerry will leave Monday for Brussels to attend a NATO meeting for foreign ministers Dec. 3 and 4.

Kerry also will make stops in Chisinau, Moldova, to discuss bilateral issues and that country's path toward European integration. He'll go on to Ramallah, West Bank, to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the Mideast peace negotiations.

He is to return to Washington Dec. 6.