Chilean media report state miner Codelco has temporarily suspended the El Teniente expansion project citing seismic risk.

US Southern Command on the 4th announced the launch of a Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force to replace the former 'Southern Spear' joint task force that US forces used to target so‑called 'drug terrorists'.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s General Council unanimously approved Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s large-scale food consumption tax cut, clearing the way for cabinet approval later Wednesday; implementation is slated to begin April 2027 after review in a special Diet session. The plan cuts the food consumption tax rate from 8% to 1% over two years and adds a further 1% rebate/subsidy, effectively creating a zero tax burden on food purchases. The measure is expected to create about ¥5 tln (~$31.7 bln) in fiscal revenue shortfall, increasing pressure to identify funding sources.