Stories for March 4th 2026

Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 22:50 UTC
Brazil completes its legislative process and ratifies the EU–Mercosur deal

Brazil’s Congress on Wednesday ratified the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, completing the legislative step in the South American bloc’s largest economy. The Senate approved the treaty unanimously, after the lower house cleared the text last week, according to local reporting and wire-service coverage.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 22:47 UTC
US interior secretary highlights Venezuela’s mineral wealth, says cooperation has “no limits”

US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in Caracas on Wednesday that opportunities for cooperation between Washington and Venezuela “have no limits,” highlighting the South American country’s mineral potential during a visit focused on mining and access to critical minerals.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 22:04 UTC
Released Argentine gendarme alleges “psychological torture” at Venezuela’s Rodeo I prison

Nahuel Gallo, the Argentine gendarme freed after 448 days in detention in Venezuela, urged the release of “24 foreign nationals” he said remain imprisoned at the Rodeo I facility and asked for time before detailing what he endured during captivity. “Until they release those 24 foreign nationals, I’m not free,” he said in a short statement to reporters, without taking questions.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 17:43 UTC
Bolivia jails 19 after people scooped up cash from crashed military plane

A Bolivian judge ordered the pre-trial detention of 19 people accused of taking banknotes scattered after a military Hercules C-130 aircraft skidded off the runway while landing at El Alto international airport, adjacent to La Paz. The suspects will spend four months in prisons in the La Paz department as investigators build the case, according to El Deber.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 13:27 UTC
Uruguay cuts policy rate to 5.75% after external shock, with inflation still below target

Uruguay’s Central Bank cut its benchmark policy rate by 75 basis points to 5.75%, from 6.5%, in a unanimous decision and the seventh consecutive reduction, as it weighed the market impact of the renewed Middle East conflict and a rebound in the U.S. dollar.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 13:04 UTC
Argentina hits oil output record on Vaca Muerta as Brent tops $80 on Iran war

Argentina posted its highest monthly crude output on official record in January, at a time when global energy markets are again under strain from the Iran–Israel–US conflict and renewed pressure on key supply routes.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 10:52 UTC
Greens bash PM Starmer and Labour party in a Manchester stronghold

The Green Party has comfortably won a by-election for a vacant parliamentary seat, an embarrassing defeat for embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party in one of its former strongholds.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 10:50 UTC
FIH Group sells Portsmouth Harbor Ferry Company for £11.6m.

The Portsmouth Harbor Ferry Company (PHFC), which takes passengers between Gosport and Portsea, was bought by the parent company of Collins River Enterprises – trading as Uber Boat by Thames Clippers – from Falkland Islands Holdings Group.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 04:52 UTC
US says it has struck “nearly 2,000” targets in Iran and adds B-52 bombers to the air campaign

The United States intensified its air campaign against Iran on Tuesday as Operation Epic Fury entered its fourth day, introducing B-52 strategic bombers into combat operations and reporting that “nearly 2,000” targets have been hit so far.
Wednesday, March 4th 2026 - 03:18 UTC
Paraguay steps up intelligence and financial controls in the Tri-Border Area amid Middle East tensions

Paraguay’s government has activated intelligence, prevention and financial-control measures in the Tri-Border Area it shares with Argentina and Brazil amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to Internal Security Vice Minister Óscar Pereira.