US strikes another alleged drug-trafficking boat in Eastern Pacific

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. military said Thursday that it has carried out another deadly strike on a vessel accused of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. U.S. Southern Command said on social media that the boat “was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”

Wall Street steadies after its AI-induced sell-off

NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks steadied on Friday after an encouraging update on inflation helped calm a Wall Street that's been wracked by worries about how artificial-intelligence technology may upend the business world. The S&P 500 barely budged. The Dow Jones Industrial rose 48 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2%.

Panama will not be threatened by China over Panama canal court ruling

PANAMA CITY (AP) – Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Thursday said he hoped an ongoing legal battle with a Hong Kong firm over operations of Panama Canal ports would “not escalate,” but that Panama’s government would remain firm in its ruling against the company.

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Morning Edition

BANGKOK (AP) – Myanmar ‘s military government ordered East Timor ‘s senior diplomat to leave the country after judicial authorities from the fellow Southeast Asian country accepted a criminal complaint against Myanmar’s armed forces, state media said Monday.

Hong Kong firm begins arbitration proceedings over Panama Canal contract

HONG KONG (AP) – Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings said Wednesday its subsidiary has started arbitration proceedings against Panama, after that country’s Supreme Court ruled a concession for the subsidiary to operate Panama Canal ports was unconstitutional.

North Korea opens housing for families of soldiers killed in Russia-Ukraine war

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea said Monday it completed a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of North Korean soldiers killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, the latest effort by leader Kim Jong Un to honor the war dead.

Preliminary results put Costa Rican president's handpicked successor ahead

CARTAGO, Costa Rica (AP) – Preliminary and partial results put the Costa Rican president’s handpicked successor well ahead in a crowded field after Sunday’s election.

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

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Costa Ricans vote on outgoing president's conservative populist program

CARTAGO, Costa Rica (AP) – Costa Rican voters choose Sunday between continuing the policies of outgoing conservative populist Rodrigo Chaves by electing his selected successor or giving a new chance to parties seeking to shed a self-serving, establishment image.