Brazil sees the Mercosur-EU deal as relief in a turbulent world US appears cold to Iranian proposal to end the war EU says Mercosur free trade deal will start May 1, linking 700 million people Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz if US lifts blockade and ends war EU will 'provisionally implement' trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur
UK leader Starmer faces more pressure over Mandelson appointment
Uruguay and Argentina Ratify EU Trade Pact
Trump's upcoming large, public events may present fresh security challenges
EU Ready to Implement Mercosur Trade Deal
Russian drone attack wounds 14 while Ukrainian drones kill 2 in Russia-held area
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – A Russian drone attack before dawn on Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa wounded 14 people, including two children, authorities said Monday, in the latest barrage of civilian areas that have been a hallmark of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor.
EU lawmakers vote to hold up Mercosur trade agreement

BRUSSELS (AP) – European Union lawmakers on Wednesday voted to hold up ratification of a major free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries over concerns about the legality of the deal.

US stocks edge up to more records, while oil prices rise

NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. stock market's record-breaking rally slowed after uncertainty rose over the weekend about what will happen next in the Iran war. The S&P 500 edged up 0.1%. The Dow Jones dipped 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to its own record. Crude prices climbed more than 2%.

EU and South American Nations Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (AP) – The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday, capping more than a quarter-century of torturous negotiations to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world.

King Charles III to meet Trump and address Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) – King Charles III will embrace some of Washington’s most formal ceremonial trappings on Tuesday as he tries to emphasize a bond between the United Kingdom and the United States that is so strong it can withstand the political turmoil of the moment.

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.

Prime Minister Mark Carney unveils $18 billion Canadian investment fund

TORONTO (AP) – Canada is developing a government-owned investment fund, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday. Carney said the fund will invest in major Canadian industrial projects in areas such as energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture and technology. It will begin at 25 billion Canadian dollars ($18 billion).

Farmers Drive Tractors Through Paris and Block Highways

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.

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:

Brazil's Lula hopes EU-Mercosur trade deal will be signed in January

SAO PAULO (AP) – Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Saturday he hopes the massive free-trade deal between South American bloc Mercosur and the European Union will be signed in January. Protests on Friday by European farmers and opposition from France and Italy threatened to quash an agreement that has been under negotiation for more than 26 years.

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Italy may not support EU-Mercosur free trade deal without changes
Argentina's leader bars journalists from government HQ, raising concerns