EU-Mercosur trade deal takes provisional effect, boosting hopes for millions

SAO PAULO (AP) – The long-awaited trade deal between South American bloc Mercosur and the European Union took effect Friday, at least provisionally. The initiative creates a trans-Atlantic market estimated at $22 trillion with 720 million potential consumers, and some nations expect to boost their exports by more than 10% by 2038, once it is fully implemented.

Germany faces a fresh Trump threat to cut US troop numbers

MUNSTER, Germany (AP) – President Donald Trump has again threatened to pull U.S. troops out of Germany, a key NATO ally and the European Union’s largest economy. Europeans have heard this before.

Hegseth faces second day of Democrats grilling him over Iran war

WASHINGTON (AP) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face a second day of grilling from Democrats on Capitol Hill, with senators getting their first opportunity on Thursday to confront or praise the Pentagon chief over his handling of the Iran war.

Editorials from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Iran's monthslong internet shutdown is crushing businesses

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – At her studio in Iran’s capital, Amen Khademi prepared a fashion shoot for a jacket she designed with Persian-inspired motifs. But even as she applied lipstick to the model, she was distracted, worrying if her business would survive after four months without its main link to customers – the internet.

Royals boost Dutch military volunteers as Europe ramps up troop numbers

HAVELTE, Netherlands (AP) – Their faces daubed with camouflage, the troops emerge almost silently from a forest with Colt C7 rifles slung across their chests. They scan their surroundings for potential threats. The soldiers are members of the 10th Infantry Battalion Guard Security Corps National Reserve on a weekend exercise.

China holds combat patrols in the South China Sea

BEIJING (AP) – China said Thursday it conducted naval and air combat readiness patrols around a disputed area in the South China Sea, after the Philippines, the United States and other allied forces began annual drills in the region. China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the patrols took place at Huangyan Dao, China’s name for Scarborough Shoal, which is also claimed by the Philippines

Inflation hits 3% in Europe as Iran war spreads oil price shock

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – Soaring oil prices from the Iran war pushed inflation higher in Europe in April, as growth continued to underperform in a worrying combination both for consumers and policymakers at the European Central Bank.

Sheinbaum says Mexico will investigate US indictment alleging Sinaloa Cartel ties

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Thursday that she wouldn’t let the U.S. meddle in the country’s affairs, and that her attorney general would investigate allegations from a New York court indictment accusing 10 Mexican current and former officials of working with the Sinaloa Cartel to traffic drugs.