Hong Kong company's concession for Panama Canal ports unconstitutional

PANAMA CITY (AP) – Panama’s Supreme Court ruled late Thursday that the concession held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings to operate ports at either end of the Panama Canal was unconstitutional, an outcome that advances a U.S. aim to block any influence by China over the strategic waterway.

US stocks soar to their best day since May as the Dow tops 50,000

NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. stock market roared back, as technology stocks recovered and bitcoin halted its plunge, at least for now. The S&P 500 jumped 2% Friday for its best day since May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared roughly 1,200 points and topped the 50,000 level for the first time, while the Nasdaq composite rallied 2.2%.

Costa Ricans support Chaves' successor in presidential election

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) – Despite Costa Rica’s highest homicide rates occurring under outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, Costa Ricans appeared poised to throw their support to his handpicked successor Laura Fernández in Sunday’s presidential election to continue Chaves’ efforts to tackle the crime.

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Morning Edition

TOKYO (AP) – The governing party of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a more than two-thirds majority in a key parliamentary election on Sunday, Japanese media reported, citing preliminary results. Takaichi, in a televised interview with public television network NHK, said that after the sweeping victory she is now ready to pursue her policies.

Latin American leaders call for unity against growing political polarization

PANAMA CITY (AP) – Latin American leaders, who gathered for a development forum Wednesday, called for regional unity in the face of increasing political polarization and the recent U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

FBI: Jeffrey Epstein wasn't running a sex trafficking ring for powerful men

NEW YORK (AP) – The FBI pored over Jeffrey Epstein’s bank records and emails. It searched his homes. It spent years interviewing his victims and examining his connections to some of the world’s most influential people. Investigators found scant evidence the well-connected financier led a sex trafficking ring serving powerful men.

Trump-backed businessman Nasry Asfura sworn in as president of Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) – Trump-backed businessman Nasry Asfura was sworn in Tuesday as president of Honduras, and pledged to create jobs, crack down on crime and improve key social services like education and health care.

Editorials from New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

US sanctions Costa Rican drug network, including a beauty salon

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. imposed sanctions on five Costa Ricans and five Costa Rican entities for allegedly helping to transport tons of cocaine from Colombia, storing the drugs in Costa Rica, then shipping them to the U.S. and Europe.