Brazil's Lula launches $2 billion anti-organized crime project ahead of elections

SAO PAULO (AP) – Brazil’s government Tuesday launched an anti-organized crime program seen by some politicians as an attempt by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to beef up his public security credentials ahead of October’s elections.

Global shares gain and oil prices fall after talks on war

TOKYO (AP) – Global shares mostly rose Monday and oil prices sank more than $4 after U.S. President Donald Trump said talks on ending the war with Iran are progressing.

Brazil says the EU has moved to block its animal product exports

SAO PAULO (AP) – Brazil said Tuesday that the European Union has moved to block its animal product exports from September, just days after a mega deal between the South American trade bloc Mercosur and the EU on a trans-Atlantic market estimated at $22 trillion went into effect, at least provisionally.

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Latest Updates

ANGELES, Philippines (AP) – Rescuers pulled out three people Monday from an immense pile of rubble that was all that remained of a nine-story hotel which collapsed while under construction in a northern Philippine city, bringing the death toll to four with 17 others still missing, officials said.

In Brazil's Amazon, forest degradation is a looming threat

SAO PAULO (AP) – The administration of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva frequently touts how it has sharply slowed deforestation in the Amazon, and indeed it has. When the next official annual numbers are released in October, the deforestation rate is expected to be the lowest since 2012.

Pope Leo XIV makes historic apology for Vatican's role in legitimizing slavery

VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Leo XIV made a historic apology on Monday for the role the Holy See played in legitimizing slavery and for having failed to condemn it for centuries, calling the Vatican’s record a “wound in Christian memory.” Past popes have apologized for Christians’ involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Brazil's Lula to discuss fighting organized crime, tariffs with Trump

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will discuss cooperation in the fight against organized crime and tariffs with U.S. President Donald Trump, Brazil’s finance minister Dario Durigan said Wednesday, one day ahead of the scheduled meeting between the presidents.

Editorials from The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Trump will host Brazilian president for talks on economy and security

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump will host Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Thursday for talks about shared economic and security issues, a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity about a meeting that has not been officially announced.