DEA names Colombian president 'priority target' as US probes drug ties

NEW YORK (AP) – Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been designated a “priority target” by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as federal prosecutors in New York probe his alleged ties to drug traffickers, according to people familiar with the matter and records seen by The Associated Press.

Wall Street has its worst day since the war with Iran started

NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks had their worst day since the war with Iran started. The S&P 500 fell 1.7% Thursday. The index is headed for a fifth straight losing week, which would be the longest such losing streak in almost four years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 2.4%.

US to set up 12 regional disaster response hubs

WASHINGTON (AP) – The State Department is setting up 12 regional hubs to coordinate disaster and emergency humanitarian responses under the auspices of a new bureau that will oversee some of the functions that had been handled by the now-dismantled U.S. Agency for International Development.

How the Iran war is landing with Republicans, according to new AP-NORC poll

It’s costing more and more to gas up the hot rods that Donnie Beson has spent a lifetime tinkering with. He’s not questioning his support for President Donald Trump, but he feels as though the war in Iran has distracted the Republican president from the issues that got him elected. “Come on, Trump. Worry about us,” said Beson, 68, of Woodland Park, Colorado.

Rio police pull 4 officers from street duty in a probe into a deadly raid

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Four Brazilian police officers have been removed from street duty in an investigation into their involvement in a deadly raid in a low-income part of Rio de Janeiro that killed seven suspected drug traffickers and also left one resident dead, authorities said Friday.

What we know about diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened Iran with devastating attacks unless it accepts a 15-point White House peace plan, possibly through indirect talks brokered by Pakistan. Pakistan’s top diplomat confirmed those negotiations were ongoing as military activity – and rhetoric – continued to escalate.

Brazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – A Brazilian law that seeks to shield minors from addictive, violent and pornographic online content took effect this week, with experts calling it a milestone in the protection of children and adolescents.

Editorials from The Washington Post, New York Times, The Guardian and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Venezuela's acting president names new defense chief

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced a major Cabinet shake-up Wednesday with the appointment of a new defense minister to replace Gen. Vladimir Padrino López, who had been a cornerstone of the military’s long-standing support for former President Nicolás Maduro.