Stories for 2026

Tuesday, March 3rd 2026 - 13:06 UTC
Uruguay activates Mercosur–Singapore FTA on a bilateral basis, opening preferential access to Southeast Asia

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Mercosur and Singapore entered into force on a bilateral basis between Uruguay and the city-state on 1 March 2026, after both sides completed domestic procedures and deposited their instruments of ratification, according to a joint statement.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2026 - 12:45 UTC
France and Greece dispatch warships to Cyprus after Iranian attack on UK base

France will deploy anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus and send a frigate after drones struck the UK’s RAF Akrotiri air base on the island, citing Cyprus’ state-run CNA news agency and a Cypriot government source. The move comes amid a fast-moving regional escalation tied to fighting involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2026 - 04:31 UTC
Uruguay: Orsi defends “stability” in first-year address, announces justice ministry and new projects

Uruguay’s President Yamandú Orsi addressed the General Assembly on Monday to present a first-year account of his administration and set priorities for 2026, combining legislative announcements with infrastructure pledges across security, health, transport and technology.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2026 - 02:57 UTC
Paraguay central bank cuts rates as inflation runs below target

Paraguay’s central bank chief Carlos Carvallo says the country is dealing with a “nice problem”: inflation is converging to the official goal “from below,” an unusual pattern in the region that has prompted policymakers to start trimming interest rates to prevent price growth from staying too low.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2026 - 02:42 UTC
Haddad says Iran conflict should not immediately hit Brazil’s economy

Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on Monday that U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran should not have an immediate impact on Brazil’s macroeconomic indicators, while cautioning that the conflict’s trajectory remains hard to predict and is being monitored “carefully” by his ministry.
Tuesday, March 3rd 2026 - 01:53 UTC
France to boost nuclear arsenal and extend “advanced deterrence” to European partners

President Emmanuel Macron said France will increase the size of its nuclear arsenal and roll out a new “advanced deterrence” doctrine that would involve a group of European partners more directly in exercises, deployments and supporting capabilities—moves Paris framed as a response to a more unstable strategic environment.
Monday, March 2nd 2026 - 21:16 UTC
Revolutionary Guard say Strait of Hormuz is “closed”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Monday the Strait of Hormuz is now “closed” and threatened to attack any vessel attempting to transit, in the most explicit warning yet against the Gulf’s main maritime chokepoint. A Guards commander said they would set any ship “ablaze” if it tried to pass, according to remarks carried by Reuters.
Monday, March 2nd 2026 - 12:38 UTC
Oil jumps and shares fall as Iran warnings chill Strait of Hormuz traffic and shipping reroutes spread

Global oil prices rose sharply on Monday and European equities fell as the regional conflict intensified, following attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian warnings to shipping in a chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade moves.
Monday, March 2nd 2026 - 12:27 UTC
Iran hits UK’s RAF Akrotiri base in EU-member Cyprus after Starmer announces support for US

An Iranian-made drone struck the UK’s RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus overnight, causing no casualties and only limited damage, in an incident that brought the Middle East conflict directly onto European Union territory. British authorities raised force-protection measures and ordered non-essential personnel to leave and disperse, while the base continued operating, according to official information reported by Reuters.
Monday, March 2nd 2026 - 06:11 UTC
Orsi’s first year in power: unemployment and crime fall, wages edge up, growth moderate in Uruguay

Uruguay’s President Yamandú Orsi is set to address the General Assembly on Monday to deliver a first-year account of his administration and outline priorities for the year ahead. Parliament scheduled the session for 18:30 at the Legislative Palace in Montevideo.