MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazil
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Sunday, January 18th 2026 - 02:20 UTC
With Milei present and Lula absent, Mercosur and EU sign landmark deal in Asunción
The European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc signed their long-negotiated association and free trade agreement on Saturday in Paraguay, with Argentina’s President Javier Milei attending the ceremony and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva absent, represented instead by his foreign minister.
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Saturday, January 17th 2026 - 10:55 UTC
Mercosur and EU sign historic trade agreement in Asunción after 26 years of negotiations
On January 17, 2026, the Mercosur bloc and the European Union (EU) will formalize a comprehensive association and free trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay, marking the culmination of nearly 26 years of negotiations, according to international and regional news outlets.
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Friday, January 16th 2026 - 19:07 UTC
Lula and von der Leyen say Mercosur-EU deal advances multilateralism
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed on Friday that the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU), due to be signed Saturday in Asunción, will benefit global trade, democracy and multilateralism, EFE reported.
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Friday, January 16th 2026 - 11:02 UTC
Brazil transfers military equipment to Uruguay and Paraguay to bolster regional security
Brazil has enacted two laws formalizing the transfer of military aircraft and equipment to Uruguay and Paraguay, as part of an initiative to upgrade operational capabilities of neighboring countries and enhance regional security, Agência Brasil reported.
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Thursday, January 15th 2026 - 15:41 UTC
US to suspend immigrant visas for 75 countries, including Uruguay; Orsi calls it a “worrying signal”
Uruguay’s President Yamandú Orsi said he was concerned by Washington’s decision to pause immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries —including Uruguay— starting January 21, with no end date announced. “In numerical terms it’s not very important, but as a signal it certainly worries us,” Orsi said after meeting US Ambassador Lou Rinaldi at the presidential residence in Montevideo.
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Wednesday, January 14th 2026 - 10:28 UTC
Wellington Cesar becomes Brazil's new Justice Minister
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed on Tuesday the appointment of Wellington César Lima e Silva as the new Minister of Justice and Public Security in lieu of the resigning Ricardo Lewandowski, who cited personal reasons and political hurdles.
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Wednesday, January 14th 2026 - 10:22 UTC
Pressure mounts for Foreign med students in Paraguay to be proficient in Spanish and Guarani
The Paraguayan Medical Circle (CPM) has issued a formal demand for strict linguistic competency requirements for all foreign medical students. The guild insists that non-native speakers must obtain official certifications in Spanish and Guaraní as a prerequisite for enrollment and clinical practice.
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Wednesday, January 14th 2026 - 08:59 UTC
No more buildings casting shadows on Rio beaches
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes signed this week a new law prohibiting the construction of any building that casts shadows on the city’s sand or boardwalks, a measure unanimously approved by the City Council last month.
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Tuesday, January 13th 2026 - 10:22 UTC
Brazil's health watchdog gives nod to HIV vaccine
Brazil's Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) approved on Monday the use of the drug Sunlenca (lenacapavir) for HIV-1 prevention as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Agencia Brasil reported.
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Tuesday, January 13th 2026 - 10:00 UTC
Trump spoils Lula's celebration of trade surplus with Iran
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that any nation conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all trade with Washington, thus crushing earlier celebrations by Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose government proudly announced a substantial trade surplus with Tehran, totaling US$2.8 billion in 2025, driven by corn and soybeans.
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