Costa Rica debates stripping President of immunity

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) – Costa Rica’s congress debated Monday whether to strip a sitting president of his immunity for the first time in the Central American nation’s history.

US stocks drift to more records on holiday-shortened day of trading

NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street closed higher and reached more records Wednesday on a holiday-shortened trading day. The S&P 500 index rose 22.26 points, or 0.3%, to 6,932.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 288.75, or 0.6%, to close at 48,731.16, and the Nasdaq composite added 51.46, or 0.2%, to 23,613.31

 

14,000 US-Bound Migrants Return South

MEXICO CITY (AP) – More than 14,000 mainly Venezuelan migrants who hoped to reach the United States have reversed course and turned south since U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown began, according to a report published Friday by the governments of Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica.

Public release of Epstein records puts Maxwell under fresh scrutiny

NEW YORK (AP) – Days after Ghislaine Maxwell asked a judge to immediately free her from a 20-year prison sentence, the public release of grand jury transcripts from her sex trafficking case returned the spotlight to victims whose allegations helped land her behind bars.

US seeks to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Immigration officials said they intend to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda, after he declined an offer to be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges, according to a Saturday court filing.

North Korea displays new nuclear-powered submarine

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea on Thursday displayed apparent progress in the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine, with state media photos showing a largely completed hull, as leader Kim Jong Un condemned rival South Korea’s push to acquire the technology.

Costa Rican President Denies Corruption

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) – For the first time in Costa Rica’s history, a sitting president defended himself Friday before three lawmakers considering a petition to lift his immunity so he can be prosecuted on corruption charges.

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

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Costa Rica accuses president of illegal campaign finance

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) – Costa Rican prosecutors accused President Rodrigo Chaves, the vice president, foreign affairs minister and four lawmakers from Chaves’ party of illegal campaign finance Monday. The accusations stem from their use of funds in the 2022 election that carried Chaves to power.