Brazil scraps bid to mine Amazon natural reserve

The Brazilian government backed off a controversial proposal to authorize private companies to mine a sprawling Amazon reserve on Monday after blistering domestic and international criticism.

US ratchets up sanctions on North Korea

The United States on Thursday sharply ramped up sanctions aimed at curtailing North Korea's nuclear weapons drive, targeting the regime's trading partners with a sweeping ban on business.

Oil meeting at OPEC as strategy bears fruit

Oil-producing countries from inside and outside OPEC meet in Vienna on Friday as signs grow that their landmark agreement to cap output may finally be boosting the price of crude.

 

New Zealand election too close to call

New Zealanders go to the polls on Saturday in a cliffhanger election that sees conservative Prime Minister Bill English battling a challenge from charismatic young rival Jacinda Ardern.

New protests as France set to enshrine labour reforms

French unions will stage new protests on Thursday against an overhaul of the country's labour code, hoping to build pressure on President Emmanuel Macron days before his signature reform is expected to become law.

Landmark EU, Canada trade deal enters into force

A landmark free trade deal linking EU and Canada went into effect on Thursday despite lingering opposition from activists worried about the pact's consequences on the environment and health.

UN launches new push for Libya peace

The United Nations on Wednesday launched a new push to bring stability to Libya, which has been ravaged by chaos since the 2011 ouster of longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi.

Scandal-plagued Lula heads Brazil election poll

Brazil's scandal-plagued former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and a tough-talking rightwing congressman lead voter intentions ahead of next year's presidential elections, a poll said Tuesday.

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