Stories for April 2018

Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:58 UTC
UK and US alert about “malicious cyber activity” by Russia

Britain and the US have issued a formal alert about “malicious cyber activity” by Russia amid warnings that relations with Moscow have hit an all-time low. The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) combined with the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security to issue an unprecedented joint “technical alert” setting out the threat across the public and private sectors.
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:51 UTC
NAFTA round of negotiations expected to resume this week

The ministers leading the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could meet again on Thursday in Washington as they push for quick progress, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo advanced. Guajardo said he had spoken to Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday and would talk to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to see about agreeing a trilateral meeting in Washington on Thursday.
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:44 UTC
Chilean president Piñera learns from past mistakes: free technical education

Chile’s President Sebastian Piñera proposed a bill to boost free technical education, days ahead of a planned student march in Santiago, the first such protest since he took office a month ago.
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:38 UTC
Chinese economy expands at an annual rate of 6.8% in the first quarter, says Beijing

China's economy grew at an annual pace of 6.8% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, according to official data, beating forecasts for the period. The growth figures for January to March were also above Beijing's 2018 annual growth target of “around 6.5%”
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:32 UTC
China opens its car manufacturing and market to foreign ownership

China will allow full foreign ownership of car firms by 2022 in a move that could open up the world's biggest car market. The plans will change rules that require global carmakers to work through state-owned partners. The US says this forces them to share technology with potential competitors.
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 07:56 UTC
IMF semi-annual report warns of choppy waters ahead: protectionism and trade wars

While the world economy continues to show broad-based momentum, a new report released on Tuesday by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is warning that there may be choppy seas ahead, caused by increasing protectionism or tit-for-tat trade wars.
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 07:50 UTC
OAS mission will observe the Mexican elections of July first

The Organization of American States (OAS) and Mexico signed an agreement on the privileges and immunities of the Mission of Foreign Visitors that will observe the July first federal and local elections.
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 07:45 UTC
UK welcomes Guatemala's referendum decision to take Belize's dispute to the ICJ

The United Kingdom has welcomed the result of April 15 referendum on taking Guatemala’s territorial, maritime and insular dispute with Belize to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 07:37 UTC
Who is Miguel Díaz-Canel who is expected to lead Cuba after 60 years of the Castro dynasty

Cuba is set to undergo a historic shift this week, elevating a relatively unknown Communist Party official to replace retiring President Raúl Castro. But who is Miguel Díaz-Canel? And what does his ascension to the top of Cuba's government mean for a country that has been run by the Castro brothers for nearly 60 years?
Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 07:29 UTC
FARC dissidents challenge Ecuador with a new abduction: a couple of civilians

A group of Colombian rebels active on the Ecuadorian border has sent a “proof of life” video of a kidnapped couple, the Ecuadorian government said, the second kidnapping by the group this month.