Italy Gives Key Support to EU Trade Deal With South American Nations

BRUSSELS (AP) – Italy on Friday gave crucial support to plans by the European Union to seal a huge free trade deal with five South American nations neighboring Venezuela that has been negotiated for over 25 years.

US, Venezuela Take Initial Steps Toward Restoring Relations

GUATIRE, Venezuela (AP) – The United States and Venezuela said Friday they were exploring the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations, as a Trump administration delegation visited the South American nation.

More Diplomatic and Economic Tensions Surface Between China, Japan

BEIJING (AP) – A week in which longtime tensions between neighbors China and Japan ratcheted up economically and politically drew to a close with no sign of improvements Friday as the Chinese ambassador in Tokyo rebuffed his host nation and the Japanese reported delayed shipments to suppliers in China because of the spat.

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

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Federal officers leaving Louisiana immigration crackdown for Minneapolis

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Federal immigration officers are pulling out of a Louisiana crackdown and heading to Minneapolis in an abrupt pivot from an operation that drew protests around New Orleans and aimed to make thousands of arrests, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Minnesota calls on public to share Renee Good shooting evidence

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Friday called on members of the public to send any video or other evidence in the fatal shooting of Renee Good directly to her office, challenging the Trump administration’s decision to leave the investigation solely to the FBI.

Winter storm slams UK and France as cold snap spreads across Europe

LONDON (AP) – Thousands of homes and businesses across northern France and southern England were without power Friday morning and residents faced widespread travel delays after a storm swept in off the Atlantic, bringing high winds, rain and snow to the region.

Syria Announces Ceasefire in Aleppo

ALEPPO, Syria (AP) – Syria’s Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire on Friday after three days of clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters in the northern city of Aleppo that displaced over 140,000 people.

US Says Argentina Has Repaid its US Credit Line in a Win for Milei

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Argentina has repaid the funds it drew from a $20 billion credit line with the Trump administration, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Friday, in a crucial step for Argentine President Javier Milei to restore confidence in his chronically distressed economy.