Mexico to propose five-year review of NAFTA

MEXICO CITY — Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said the nation will propose a review of the North American Free Trade Agreement every five years, on the condition that the evaluation not lead to automatic withdrawal from the deal.

The proposal comes after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration proposed a sunset clause, under which NAFTA would expire after five years unless the parties can agree to extend it. Mr. Guajardo told Radio Formula on Wednesday that the clause is unnecessary because any of the nations already has the ability to withdraw by giving six months’ notice.

Haiti embezzled $2B?

A special Haitian Senate commission is accusing more than a dozen former government officials and heads of private firms of embezzling $2 billion in Venezuelan oil loans — money that could have helped the country rebuild after its devastating earthquake in 2010.

An anti-corruption investigation concluded that charges should be filed against two former prime ministers, several ex-ministers and the owners of private firms on grounds they misappropriated and embezzled money that left post-quake Haiti with unfinished government buildings, poorly constructed housing and overpriced public works contracts.

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French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday invited Saad Hariri and his family to come to France after the Lebanese prime minister’s surprise resignation earlier this month, amid allegations that Saudi Arabia is holding him prisoner. ... Nearly two-thirds of Australians supported gay marriage in a postal survey that ensures Parliament will consider legalizing same-sex weddings this year. ... Police have blocked some 200 migrants and asylum-seekers from leaving a city in northern Greece for the Macedonian border in hopes of traveling on to other European Union countries.