Lula says Mercosur eyeing fresh trade deals, increased regional commerce

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday he wants the Mercosur trade bloc to advance in talks for deals with Canada, South Korea and Singapore, while aiming to increase commerce with other countries in Latin America and Asia. The leftist president’s remarks during a summit of Mercosur leaders in…

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Brazil Senate approves Lula’s picks for central bank board

BRASILIA (Reuters) -The Brazilian Senate on Tuesday approved President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s first picks for the independent central bank, an institution he has clashed with since taking office in January. Former finance ministry official Gabriel Galipolo’s nomination for director of monetary policy was approved by a vote of 39 to 12 in the…

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As companies bring more jobs to Mexico, US wants labor rights safeguards

By Daina Beth Solomon MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The U.S. wants Mexico’s government to build strong institutions to protect worker rights as companies aiming to avoid supply chain disruptions in far-off production spots bring more jobs to the country, a top U.S. labor official told Reuters. Mexico has begun to benefit from “nearshoring” in which…

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Branson, Virgin Group reputations at centre of $250 million London court clash

By Sam Tobin LONDON (Reuters) – British billionaire Richard Branson severely damaged Virgin Group’s reputation by residing in a tax haven while UK-based airline Virgin Atlantic sought a government bailout during the pandemic, according to internal Virgin emails cited in a $250 million London lawsuit on Monday. The emails were cited by lawyers for U.S….

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Brazil economists foresee deeper monetary easing, lower inflation

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Private economists in Brazil anticipate deeper monetary easing this year and improved inflation prospects until 2026 following the government’s decision to maintain the country’s inflation goal at 3%, a weekly central bank poll showed on Monday. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has consistently blasted the country’s central bank for keeping…

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U.S. explores refugee program for non-Mexican asylum seekers in Mexico

By Ted Hesson and Dave Graham WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – U.S. and Mexican officials are discussing a new U.S. refugee program for some non-Mexican asylum seekers waiting in Mexico, four sources said, part of President Joe Biden’s attempts to create more legal avenues for migration. The program would likely be open to Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan…

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Mexico blasts new Florida immigration law; vows to help migrants

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s government on Saturday slammed a tough new state immigration law in Florida spearheaded by Republican Governor and U.S. presidential contender Ron DeSantis, and the country vowed to help protect undocumented Mexicans in that state. DeSantis is seeking the 2024 Republican nomination for president, and his new Florida law, which took…

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