KASTRO, Greece (AP) – Farmers in Greece escalated nationwide protests Thursday, launching a 48-hour blockade of major highways, junctions and toll stations over soaring production costs and a contentious European Union trade deal with South American nations.

NEW YORK (AP) – New York City parents may soon have access to free child care for their 2-year-olds, under a plan set to be unveiled Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The two Democrats are expected to detail the program Thursday morning, along with a pledge from Hochul to pursue a wider, statewide child care initiative.

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a wide-ranging royal commission into antisemitism, weeks after two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish holiday event at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people. The commission will investigate the nature, prevalence and drivers of antisemitism generally as well as the Bondi mass shooting.

PARIS (AP) – Dozens of angry farmers demonstrated in France and Greece Thursday, halting traffic and blocking key roads with tractors to protest European Union plans to move forward with a free trade deal with five South American nations.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A federal immigration operation in Minneapolis turned deadly this week when a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during a confrontation involving her vehicle.

NEW YORK (AP) – NASA canceled its first spacewalk of the year and may bring its crew back early from the International Space Station due to an onboard medical issue.

PRETORIA (AP) – Dozens of people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in the South African capital Thursday to protest the U.S. intervention in Venezuela and the capture of former president Nicolas Maduro. The protests were led by members of the South African Communist Party, an ally of the African National Congress.