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.

Intel leads the US stock market to more records

NEW YORK (AP) - A surge for Intel following a blowout profit report led the U.S. stock market to more records Friday, while oil prices kept yo-yoing in the wait for what's next with the Iran war. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 79 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 1.6%.

Activist in Costa Rica denies plot to assassinate president

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (AP) – A Costa Rican activist and government critic accused of plotting to kill President Rodrigo Chaves said Wednesday that the allegations were ridiculous and politically motivated. Costa Rica’s national security chief Jorge Torres told prosecutors Tuesday that a hitman allegedly received a payment to assassinate the president.

Palestinians vote in local elections in West Bank and part of Gaza

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – Palestinians lined up outside polls in tents and donated buildings on Saturday to vote in the first elections held in part of Gaza in more than two decades. More than 70,000 people are eligible to vote for municipal government in Deir al-Balah.

Plot to assassinate Costa Rica's president uncovered

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (AP) – Costa Rica’s national security chief on Tuesday revealed details of an alleged plot to assassinate President Rodrigo Chaves ahead of presidential and legislative elections.

Despite Iran tensions, King Charles III will celebrate US-UK bonds

LONDON (AP) – The challenge for King Charles III when he embarks on next week’s state visit to the U.S. is, as always, to live up to his mother’s example. The late Queen Elizabeth II wowed Congress in 1991 with a speech that celebrated the shared democratic traditions of Britain and the United States.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain free while Judge considers immigration issues

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) – A federal judge on Monday questioned whether government officials could be trusted to follow orders barring them from taking Kilmar Abrego Garcia into immigration custody or deporting him.

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

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Costa Rica's congress blocks prosecution of president for election interference

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) – Costa Rica’s legislature on Tuesday blocked an effort by the country’s electoral authority to make President Rodrigo Chaves face charges that he has been using his power to meddle in upcoming elections.