Germany seizes tons of cocaine and suspects are arrested in Spain

BERLIN (AP) – German authorities said Wednesday they have seized more than 8 metric tons of cocaine from a container that was supposed to be carrying cacao beans, and two suspects were later arrested in Spain. German customs investigators put the street value of the cocaine seized in the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven at about 500 million euros ($582 million).

What to know: Protests grow over Trump family-linked resort in Albania

TIRANA, Albania (AP) – A massive coastal development project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, is facing growing resistance from protesters in Albania.

Fear shadows Peru's runoff vote as extortion and killings surge nationwide

TRUJILLO, Peru (AP) – In a desert area along northwestern Peru’s Pacific coast, Gladys Saavedra eyed with suspicion the strangers who arrive at the small market where she works alongside a group of women who, despite meager sales, must collectively give $300 a month to extortionists or risk paying an even higher price.

Attitudes toward same-sex marriage and transgender issues are shifting

Acceptance of same-sex marriage and relationships in the U.S. has flattened after more than two decades of steadily increasing support, with an ongoing decline among Republicans, according to a new Gallup poll.

'Out of my lane.' Dr. Oz ducks questions during his turn in the White House briefing room

WASHINGTON (AP) – He spoke fast, hammering through the Trump administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices, combat health care fraud, and curb the spread of Ebola overseas. But when reporters tried to ask Dr. Mehmet Oz about the most-pressing issues of the day the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services had little to offer, and said so again and again.

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra freed early after receiving royal pardon

BANGKOK (AP) – Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra formally completed all his obligations related to a prison sentence on Wednesday, when a royal pardon ended his four-month probation early. The 76-year-old billionaire populist, who was a dominant force in Thai politics for more than two decades, was released from a Bangkok prison last month to cheering crowds.

Raúl Castro turns 95 as Cuba celebrates enigmatic figure

Raúl Castro turned 95 on Wednesday, a landmark birthday for a man still helping lead one of the last communist countries in the world. His name and face became synonymous with the 1959 revolution led by his brother, Fidel Castro. Decades after the triumphant revolution, Fidel Castro stepped down, and Raúl Castro served as Cuba’s president for 12 years.

MAHA candidate beats Trump's choice in Republican primary for Iowa governor

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Businessman Zach Lahn’s win in Iowa’s Republican gubernatorial primary over President Donald Trump’s pick, Rep. Randy Feenstra, delivered a rare electoral setback for Trump in a primary season that had previously handed him back-to-back victories.

Kenyan president defends US Ebola quarantine center amid protests

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – Kenya’s President William Ruto has defended the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility by the U.S., a move that led to further protests on Tuesday despite a court order blocking the plan.