The European Commission announced it will delay the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement until the new year after Meloni asked for more time. No date has been set. Backers hope deal won't be further derailed.

Brussels

The European Union has postponed the signing of the Mercosur trade deal, which would open markets between the EU and South American countries, until January. The decision follows a request from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is seeking further assurances for Italian farmers before agreeing to the deal.

The delay has caused frustration among supporters such as Germany and Spain, who argue the agreement is urgent due to increased tariffs on the EU by the United States. Critics, including France, maintain that the deal needs significant revisions to protect European farmers from unfair competition.

Mercosur signature delayed to January after Meloni asked for more time

European leaders have decided to delay a vote on the controversial Mercosur trade deal until January. The Mercosur is a massive trade deal that could open up the markets of Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. But that will now have to wait until the new year. The original plan was for the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to travel to Brazil this Saturday, this weekend, to finally sign it after more than 20 years of negotiations. But that will now have to wait. A lot of this now depends on the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. She holds the key to make this deal fly or establish a blocking minority alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. After a phone call with the Brazilian President, Lula da Silva, Meloni says she still wants to get this trade deal done. She still wants to sign it, but she needs more time to work out more assurances for the Italian farming community. At this point, the Mercosur is not going to happen now. It will have to wait until the new year. No set date for it for the supporters of this deal, including Germany and Spain. That is a source of frustration, disappointment, because they argue this needs to get done as soon as possible. It is imperative. In a world in which President Trump now has more than tripled tariffs on the European Union, that means the bloc needs to open up new markets for exports as soon as possible. For the critics, including France, they argue this deal has to be massively reworked, because it would be unfair to European farmers on both pricing and practices when it comes to farming.

Under a law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump, the Justice Department has until Friday to release its files on the Jeffrey Epstein case. House Democrats released more photos from the estate of the convicted sex offender. Scott MacFarlane reports.

Washington

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Providence

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Rio de Janeiro

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Ukraine Invasion

EU leaders urge swift decision on frozen Russian funds for Ukraine

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Los Angeles

Nick Reiner appears in court on murder charges in killing of parents

The United States on Wednesday (December 17) approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the largest ever U.S. weapons package for the island, which is under increasing military pressure from China.

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Nick Reiner made his first court appearance on Wednesday since being arrested for the killings of his parents, Rob and Michele.

Nick Reiner makes first court appearance since parents' deaths

Vladimir Putin said Russia would achieve its goals by diplomatic or military means and would seek to expand a “security buffer” zone in Ukraine.

Moscow

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Newly-released surveillance video shows Nick Reiner at a gas station convenience store just hours after he allegedly fatally stabbed his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, and minutes before he was taken into custody.

New surveillance video shows Nick Reiner before his arrest

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media a "total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers" going in and out of Venezuela. Some details remain unclear, including when the order would be implemented and how many tankers could be involved.

Caracas

Trump orders blockade on Venezuela oil tankers

A man who allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism, New South Wales Police said.

Council of the City of Sydney

Accused Bondi Beach gunman formally charged with 59 offences

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Australia mourns victims of the Bondi Beach shooting – As police prepare charges against the surviving gunman.

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Rob Reiner's son to be charged with first degree murder of parents

U.S. military actions in international waters near Venezuela are under scrutiny following a September 2nd strike on a boat the U.S. claimed was transporting drugs, though no evidence has been provided.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has followed through on his threat to sue the BBC over a misleading video edit of a speech he made on January 6, 2021, and filed a lawsuit against the media corporation on December 15. He will be seeking 10 billion dollars in damages.

London

Trump sues BBC over misleading video editing of speech

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a proposal to end his country's nearly four-year war with Russia are "very workable" and could be finalized within days, but he warns key issues remain.

Kyiv

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On December 16, the Paris labour court ruled on the long-running dispute between Kylian Mbappé and his former club, PSG. It ordered PSG to pay over 60 million euros to the player in unpaid wages and bonuses.

Paris

Mbappé to be awarded over 60 million euros by PSG, French court rules

Police say the alleged gunmen who opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney's Bondi Beach had traveled to Mindanao in the Philippines last month, as investigators probe ties to extremist networks.

Bondi Beach

Islamic State link eyed after Bondi Beach gunmen's Philippine visit

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Berlin

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Australia's prime minister said a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach appears to have been motivated by ISIS ideology. Meanwhile, mourners flocked to the site to lay flowers and grieve for the people killed, including a 10-year-old child.

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Four people have been arrested in California - charged with plotting a series of bombing attacks on multiple targets on New Year's Eve.

Breakdown