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.

Possible end to war with Iran send US stocks higher

NEW YORK (AP) - Hope for a possible end to the war with Iran pushed stocks higher again, while oil prices eased. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% Wednesday in its latest flip-flop. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8%. Stock indexes rose more than 1% across Europe and Asia.

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.

Middle East War: The Latest Updates

Iran on Wednesday dismissed an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East, issuing its own counterproposal instead, as it launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries. The 15-point U.S. proposal addressed sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, limits on missiles and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

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.

Conservatives gather for CPAC with the right openly divided over Iran war

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) – Conservatives are holding one of their largest annual gatherings at a perilous political moment for President Donald Trump and with open division on the right over the war he launched in Iran.

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.