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Mexico gained tens of thousands of jobs when U.S. and foreign automakers moved their plants to Mexico under the free trade pact to take advantage of much lower wages. But the idea that Chinese parts — or even whole cars — could be piggybacking on that arrangement to further hollow out the U.S. auto industry has enraged some people north of the border. Mexico hopes the rules of the agreement would prevent the U.S. or Canada from simply walking away when the trade pact comes up for review in 2026. Mexican officials say they have fewer imports of Chinese parts and products than the United States does. In the end, Mexico may be forced to crack down on Chinese imports, but it won't be easy.

Persons: Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, Claudia Sheinbaum, ” Sheinbaum, Sheinbaum, Marcelo Ebrard, ” Ebrard, Gabriela Siller, ” Siller, “, . Mahoney, ” Mahoney, Sen, Sherrod Brown, José María Ramos Organizations: MEXICO CITY, —, Canadian, Banco Base, Baker Institute, Ohio Democrat, Colegio, Associated Press Locations: MEXICO, — Mexico, North America, U.S, Mexico, Canada, Morena, China, Asia, United States, Mexican, Trump's, Texas, Ohio, Frontera Norte, Tijuana

PARIS (AP) — French farmers are mobilizing for widespread protests on Monday targeting the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Backed by their government, they argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards. A partial EU-Mercosur deal, with many of the parts that French farmers find unsavory, could be agreed over their heads since France does not hold veto power. Other nations like Germany and Spain would like to see a far-reaching deal with their South American counterparts. French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has publicly opposed the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing risks of deforestation and health concerns linked to hormone-treated meat.

Persons: Villacoublay, ”, Jean, Noël, Luis Planas Puchades, Annie Genevard, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: PARIS, EU, Mercosur, European Union, French, South American, Spanish Farm, North, TF1, South, Farmers, Associated Press Locations: Paris, Velizy, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, France, EU, Germany, Spain, Mercosur, European, Auch, Agen, Europe, South America, South American

They also agreed in principle to bring new electric-vehicle battery plants into the national union contract. After negotiations broke down in early July 2023, Atlanta-based UPS reached a contract agreement with the Teamsters just days before an Aug. 1 deadline. The Culinary Workers Union announced on the social platform X that the deal came together after a year of negotiations. The lead up to the tentative agreement included a three-day strike involving 75,000 workers in multiple states. The tentative agreement also included protective terms around subcontracting and outsourcing, as well as initiatives to invest in the current workforce and address a staffing crisis.

Persons: Martin Luther King Jr, Bethany Khan, AFTRA, Longshoremen Organizations: Boeing, International Association of Machinists, Aerospace Workers, Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell, Unions, UAW, Teamsters, Workers, United Auto Workers, Ford, General Motors, UPS, Teamsters UPS, Games, Screen, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, Las Vegas Resorts, Culinary Workers Union, Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, Kaiser Permanente, Health Care Worker Unions Unions, Hollywood Studios, SAG, International Longshoremen’s Association, U.S . Maritime Alliance, Associated Press Locations: Seattle, America, Atlanta, housekeepers, Kaiser, California, U.S, East

In a speech to Congress, also on Tuesday, with López Obrador sitting a few steps from her, the promises seemed more tangible. It is far less than the 2.6 million barrels per day López Obrador promised at the beginning of his term. Experts said Mexico would not be able to increase oil production using traditional methods, because its fields are getting tapped out. Mexico is almost out of oil,” said Adrian Fernandez, who holds a PhD in environmental science from Imperial College London and directs the Mexico Climate Initiative, a think tank. Before leaving office, López Obrador pushed through a constitutional reform that strongly favors the Federal Electricity Commission.

Persons: —, Claudia Sheinbaum, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ”, López Obrador, Sheinbaum, Rosanety Barrios, Enrique Peña Nieto, Adrian Fernandez, Fernández, Hurricane John, Hurricane Otis, Claudia, ” Barrios Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Federal Electricity Commission, Mexican Energy Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Energy, Imperial College London, Mexico Climate Initiative, United Nations, Hurricane, CFE, Associated Press Locations: MEXICO, López, Mexico, Paris, Dos Bocas, Acapulco, Guerrero, AP.org

Engineer Don Kramer is slated to testify as the investigation continues into the implosion of OceanGate's Titan submersible. The Coast Guard opened a public hearing earlier this month that is part of a high level investigation into the cause of the implosion. Coast Guard officials noted at the start of the hearing that the submersible had not been independently reviewed, as is standard practice. Wreckage of the Titan was subsequently found on the ocean floor about 330 yards (300 meters) off the bow of the Titanic, Coast Guard officials said. OceanGate said it has been fully cooperating with the Coast Guard and NTSB investigations since they began.

Persons: Don Kramer, Stockton Rush, David Lochridge, Rush, ” Lochridge, William Kohnen, Bart Kemper, Guillermo Sohnlein, ” Sohnlein, “, OceanGate, Titan Organizations: National Transportation Safety, Coast Guard, Titanic, Stockton, The Coast Guard, Hydrospace, Inc, Kemper Engineering, Rush, Polar, NTSB, Associated Press Locations: Washington, Polar, St, John’s, Newfoundland

Lawyers for Washington state will have past grocery chain mergers – and their negative consequences – in mind when they go to court to block a proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger. Albertsons and Kroger own more than 300 grocery stores in the state and control more than half of grocery sales there. They are trying to get the case dismissed, arguing a state court isn’t the proper venue to consider a nationwide ban. Albertsons and Kroger insist that their plan, including the sale of stores to C&S, will lower grocery prices and preserve competition. In 2016, Albertsons acquired a Haggen supermarket and then promptly closed an Albertsons store about a mile away in Birchwood.

Persons: general's, Haggen, ”, Tina McKim, Bob Ferguson, Kroger, Brad Weber, Locke, Judge Marshall Ferguson, Ferguson, Weber, McKim, ” McKim, “, She’s Organizations: Albertsons, Kroger, Federal Trade Commission, S Wholesale Grocers, Safeway, Fighters, Democrat, King County Superior Court, Walmart, Costco, U.S, FTC, Associated Press Locations: Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Bellingham , Washington, Washington —, Bellingham's Birchwood, King County, Seattle , Washington, Dallas, Birchwood

BRUSSELS (AP) — Trade unions and thousands of disgruntled workers are set to demonstrate through the Belgian capital Monday to protest the threat of thousands of layoffs in a state-of-the-art Brussels car factory and other key industries. There was a tide over the past year,” affecting major industries all over Belgium, said ACV union representative Lieve De Preter. To counter the industrial decline, unions are insisting on better company coordination across the 27-nation EU and more say of employees in the running of businesses. The demonstration is set to cause gridlock throughout Brussels for much of the day. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Persons: Lieve De Preter Organizations: — Trade, Belgian, Audi, EU, Associated Press Locations: BRUSSELS, Brussels, Belgium

Hogan's political ascendency resulted in large part from his criticism of tax increases that resonated with a tax-weary electorate in his upset victory in 2014. And Hogan, who was originally elected governor by railing against tax increases endorsed by the Maryland General Assembly, has already made the Maryland race unusually competitive in the heavily Democratic state. The Maryland Senate this month largely kept his budget plan intact, despite a drop in revenue estimates announced after the governor submitted his plan. The Senate has been mostly unreceptive to the House plan, with Ferguson ruling out the corporate tax component. He's also ruled out legalizing internet gambling this year, another part of the House plan.

Persons: Larry Hogan’s, Baltimore's, Francis Scott Key, Republican hasn’t, Hogan, Bill Ferguson, ” Hogan, Del, Ben Barnes, “ I’m, Larry Hogan, ” Barnes, “, ” Ferguson, David Trone, Angela Alsobrooks, Wes Moore, Ferguson, He's, Moore, haven't Organizations: Republican, Gov, U.S . Senate, Baltimore Democrat, Associated Press, Governor, Maryland General Assembly, Democratic, Washington Post, University of Maryland, Republicans, Maryland, Democratic U.S . Senate, U.S, Senate, Transportation Trust Fund, state's, ”, Maryland Democrats, GOP, Maryland Republican, U.S . Rep, Maryland Senate Locations: ANNAPOLIS, Md, Maryland, Baltimore, U.S, Senate, Prince George's

NEW YORK (AP) — The IRS says it's making progress with initiatives to claw back money improperly distributed under the Employee Retention Credit. The ERC was designed to help businesses retain employees during pandemic-era shutdowns, but it quickly became a magnet for fraud. Its complex eligibility rules allowed scammers to target small businesses, offering help applying for the ERC for a fee — even if they didn't qualify. An ongoing program that lets small businesses withdraw unprocessed claims has led to 1,800 businesses withdrawing $251 million worth of claims. “We remain deeply concerned about widespread abuse involving these claims that have harmed small businesses,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel.

Persons: “, ”, Danny Werfel Organizations: IRS, ERC

DETROIT (AP) — Tesla sales fell sharply last quarter as competition increased worldwide, electric vehicle sales growth slowed, and price cuts failed to draw more buyers. In its letter to investors in January, Tesla predicted “notably lower” sales growth this year. In March it temporarily knocked $1,000 off the Model Y, its top-selling vehicle. During the quarter, Tesla lost production time in Germany after a suspected arson attack cut its power supply. But sales growth slowed toward the end of the year.

Persons: Tesla, FactSet, Dan Ives, ”, Elon Musk, ” Ives, Ives, Itay Organizations: DETROIT, Tesla, Citi, U.S, EV Locations: Austin , Texas, Fremont , California, Red, China, Germany

United Airlines is asking its pilots to take time off in May because of delays in receiving new planes that the airline ordered from Boeing, which is struggling with production due to manufacturing problems. A United spokesperson said Monday that the offer is voluntary. Almost all of the shortfall consists of Boeing 737 Max planes, including a new, larger model. United CEO Scott Kirby is one of several airline executives who have called out problems at Boeing and sought a meeting with Boeing directors. Shares of Boeing Co. fell 2%, while United Airlines Holdings was up less than 1% in midday trading Monday.

Persons: Leslie Scott, United, Max, Scott Kirby, David Calhoun Organizations: Boeing, United, Max, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Alaska Airlines Max, Alaska Airlines, Boeing Co, United Airlines Holdings

UPS will become the primary air cargo provider for the United States Postal Service. The Atlanta shipping company said Monday that it had received an air cargo contract from the U.S. UPS will move the majority of air cargo in the U.S. for the postal service following a transition period, according to UPS. USPS’s current air cargo contract with FedEx Corp. is set to expire in late September. Last month the International Air Transport Association said that total demand for air cargo, which is measured in cargo ton-kilometers, climbed 18.4% in January compared with the prior-year period.

Persons: Brie Carere, Louis DeJoy Organizations: United States Postal Service, U.S . Postal Service, UPS, FedEx Corp, FedEx, USPS, FedEx Express, U.S . Mail, International Air Transport Association, United Parcel Service Inc Locations: Atlanta, U.S, Puerto Rico, airfreight

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. After years of negotiations to join the Schengen area, there is now free access for travelers arriving by air or sea from both countries. The Schengen Area was established in 1985. Before Bulgaria and Romania’s admission, it was comprised of 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Truck drivers are frequently stuck in kilometers-long queues at the borders of both Romania and Bulgaria.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Siegfried Muresan, ”, Marcel Ciolacu, ” Kalin, “, ___ McGrath Organizations: —, European Union, EU, Schengen, Associated Press, European Commission, The Union of International Carriers Locations: SOFIA, Bulgaria, — Romania, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Romania, Croatia, Romanian, Europe, Sofia, The, Sighisoara

Fast food was her full-time job until last year. “Because I would not have been looking for so many other jobs in different places.”The law was supported by the trade association representing fast food franchise owners. For many fast food restaurants, this means the jump to $20 per hour will be smaller. At first, it appeared the bread exemption applied to Panera Bread restaurants. Also, Flynn has announced he would pay his workers at least $20 per hour.

Persons: Ingrid Vilorio, ” Vilorio, Alex Johnson, Anne's Pretzels, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, ”, Michael Reich, ” Reich, Reich, Greg Flynn, Newsom, Flynn, ___ Organizations: San Francisco Bay Area, University of California, Bloomberg News Locations: LIVERMORE, Calif, California, United States, San Francisco Bay, Berkeley, Sacramento , California

The official purchasing managers index, or PMI, rose from 49.1 in February to 50.8 in March. The monthly manufacturing PMI has mostly been under 50 over the past 12 months: Other than this month, factory activities only recorded an expansion in September. Zhao said the survey also showed some problems for companies remained, including increasing competition in industries and a lack of market demand. And it said 10.4 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) would go to upgrading industries and modernizing manufacturing. According to the survey released Sunday, the non-manufacturing PMI rose to 53 from 51.4 in February.

Persons: Zhao Qinghe, Zhao Organizations: BEIJING, —, PMI, National Bureau, Statistics, National People’s Congress, Communist Locations: China

Other Republicans in the House and Senate often simply shrug when asked about Trump’s agenda, pointing to policies they like and others they might support. Trump himself has suggested having a “very tiny little desk” on the Capitol steps so he can sign documents on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2025. “On Day 1 of President Trump’s new administration, Americans will have a strong leader," said Karoline Leavitt, the campaign’s national press secretary. Republicans and Democrats resisted a White House effort to commandeer funds for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, leading to the longest government shutdown in history. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who died in 2018, famously gave a thumbs-down to Trump's effort to repeal the health law known as the Affordable Care Act.

Persons: Donald Trump, “ We’re, ”, Republican Sen, JD Vance, Ohio, Trump, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell of, Mike Johnson, Vance, wasn't, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Trump . Greene, Johnson, it’s, Paul Dans, “, Trump’s, Karoline Leavitt, John McCain of, Biden, Sen, Mitt Romney, Jason Chaffetz, GOP Sen, Josh Hawley, ” Hawley, Ted Cruz, Cruz, Eisenhower, Marco Rubio, Rubio, they’re, Vanessa Cardenas, Jill Colvin Organizations: WASHINGTON, Capitol, Republicans, Trump, Republican, Democratic, Republican Party, GOP, Trump’s, Biden, Trump ., Senate, Trump White House, Heritage Foundation's, Democrats, Affordable, Republican National Committee, Justice Department, America’s, Press Locations: Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Washington, U.S, Mexico, John McCain of Arizona, Utah, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Texas, New York

DETROIT (AP) — Dalton Knecht had 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, and Tennessee moved within a victory of its first trip to the Final Four, beating Creighton 82-75 in a Midwest Region semifinal on Friday night. When Tennessee lost last year in the regional semifinals for the second straight season, Knecht was at Northern Colorado and Zeigler was out with a torn knee ligament. The Bluejays advanced to the second weekend of the tournament with a rout of Akron and a double-overtime win over Oregon. Tennessee: Barnes had his team prepared and made sound adjustments, but he needs another win to quiet his critics. UP NEXTThe Vols will play in front of a pro-Boilermakers crowd when Purdue tries to make its first Final Four since 1980.

Persons: — Dalton Knecht, Creighton, Zakai Zeigler, Knecht, Zeigler, Rick Barnes, Baylor Scheierman, Steven Ashworth, Ryan Kalkbrenner, . Tennessee, Greg McDermott, Scheierman, Tobe Awaka, Saint Peter’s, Larry Johnson, pesky, didn’t, Barnes Organizations: DETROIT, Volunteers, Tennessee, Northern Colorado, Vols, Michigan State, Purdue, Gonzaga, Midwest, Baylor, America, Oregon, Northeastern Junior College, San, Boilermakers, ___ Locations: Tennessee, ., . Tennessee, Texas, Akron, Northern, San Diego State

Although both Blevins and Patterson are Republicans, the race is nonpartisan and open to all registered voters in the ward. The recall effort in Oklahoma was launched by two longtime Enid residents, best friends Connie Vickers and Nancy Presnall, both Democrats in a county where Republicans have a nearly 4-to-1 advantage in voter registration. The two helped spearhead a signature drive to qualify Blevins’ recall for the ballot, getting 350 signatures from voters in the ward, far more than the 240 they needed. "The people who support that ideology are very passionate and very dedicated, and up until this point we haven't been. “We determined that we have a good group together that wants to do good things for the community,” Presnall said.

Persons: ENID, Judd Blevins, Cheryl Patterson, Blevins, Patterson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar of, Connie Vickers, Nancy Presnall, ” Presnall, It's, ” Blevins, ”, Evropa, Donald Trump, “ I'm, Patrick Anderson, Enid, Anderson, James Neal, ” Neal, “, ___, Sean Murphy Organizations: Southern Poverty Law Center, Reps, Enid, Republicans, Republican, Democrat, Nazi, University of Virginia, Enid News & Eagle, Air Force, Holy Orthodox Catholic Church, Enid Social Locations: Okla, Oklahoma, Enid, Iraq, Charlotesville , Virginia, United States, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Paul Gosar of Arizona

Saturday marks the final day of early voting before Tuesday’s presidential primary and turnout so far has been light. Delaware previously allowed early voting, but a state court struck it down as unconstitutional in a Feb. 23 ruling. Marya Ursin finally got the chance to vote early in Connecticut and at a time that suited her busy schedule. Connecticut came close in 2014 to finally amending its constitution to grant the General Assembly the authority to eliminate restrictions on early voting and allow expanded eligibility for absentee ballots. “Too much opportunity for cheating,” JoLynn Brochu said of the early voting option.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, ’, Stephanie Thomas, Marya Ursin, ”, Biden, “, Peggy Roberts, they’re, Roberts, JoLynn, Dan Brochu, ” JoLynn Brochu, Brochu Organizations: Republicans, Stonington Town, Assembly, Republican Locations: STONINGTON, Conn, Connecticut, — Alabama, Delaware , Mississippi, New Hampshire, Delaware, Stonington, Stonington Town Hall

The weeklong Koyukon Athabascan burial ceremony in September was traditional in all ways but one: McCormick died in 1931. The 2,500-mile (4,000 km) journey ended at Morningside Hospital. For more than 15 years, volunteers in Fairbanks and in Portland have been working to identify the people who were committed to the hospital. Most records at the private hospital were lost in a 1968 fire, and territorial officials didn’t document those who were committed. McCormick died within weeks from a post-surgery infection.

Persons: — Lucy Pitka, McCormick, “, ”, Lucy, Wally Carlo, Karen Perdue, Niesje Steinkruger, Meg Green, Ellen Ganley, Robin Renfroe, Eric Cordingley, Ganley, Perdue, Gilford Kriska, Kriska, Henry Waldo Coe, Steinkruger, Cordingley, “ I’m, Baby Louise Haven, Lucy McCormick’s, —, Fairbanks, Helen Callahan, Carlo, Grandma Lucy, they’re Organizations: Morningside Hospital, Interior, National Archives, Alaska Natives, Morningside Locations: ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Fairbanks, Portland , Oregon, Valdez, Portland, Morningside, Oregon, College Park , Maryland, Nulato, Juneau, www.findagrave.com, Rampart

Most Jewish men are required to serve nearly three years in the military, followed by years of reserve duty. Netanyahu asked the court Thursday for a 30-day extension to find a compromise. Israel’s Channel 12 reported Friday that the state provides only 7.5% of all funding for the institutions. “Without the Torah, we have no right to exist," said Yitzchak Goldknopf, leader of the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism. But the powerful bloc of ultra-Orthodox parties — longtime partners of Netanyahu — want draft exemptions to continue.

Persons: —, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Netanyahu, David Ben Gurion, Anshel Pfeffer, Israel's, “, ”, Aryeh Deri, Haredim, Yitzchak Goldknopf, NETANYAHU, Benny Gantz, Netanyahu — Organizations: JERUSALEM, Jewish, Haaretz, Shas, Cabinet Locations: Gaza, Israel, Jewish

☆ Israeli Strike Hits Car Carrying UN Observers Near South Lebanon Border, Security Sources Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

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Organizations: U.S . News, U.S News

☆ Jordan Says Gaza 'Famine' Can Be Tackled Quickly if Israel Opens Crossings
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

Organizations: U.S . News, U.S News

BEIRUT (AP) — Four United Nations military observers were wounded Saturday while patrolling the southern Lebanese border after a shell exploded near them, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said. The military observers are part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, which supports the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL. Local Lebanese media, citing security officials, said an Israeli drone strike targeted the observers in the southern village of Wadi Katmoun near the border town of Rmeich. Hezbollah-run television station Al-Manar said the drone strike wounded three officers from Australia, Chile, and Norway, as well as a Lebanese interpreter. UNIFIL was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978 invasion.

Persons: Manar, Andrea Tenenti, ” Tenenti Organizations: United Nations, United Nations Truce, Organization, Local, IDF, Associated Press Locations: BEIRUT, Lebanese, Lebanon, UNIFIL, Local Lebanese, Israeli, Wadi Katmoun, Rmeich, Australia, Chile, Norway, Israel, Gaza

The video was broadcast earlier this week by the Al Jazeera television network. Al Jazeera said at least two of the three men seen in the blurry videos were waving white flags before being shot at. Al Jazeera said both shootings took place close to each other on a beachfront southwest of Gaza City. Palestinians and human rights groups say the Israeli military has used disproportionate or indiscriminate force in its Gaza offensive, leading to heavy civilian casualties. They say that even when such killings are caught on video, military investigations rarely result in indictments of the soldiers involved.

Persons: Al Jazeera Organizations: JERUSALEM, Al, Health Ministry, Hamas Locations: Al Jazeera, Gaza, Israeli, Al, Gaza City, Israel, israel

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