Stories for March 20th 2019

Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 09:53 UTC
Hundreds killed by cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi

Cyclone Idai has triggered a “massive disaster” in southern Africa affecting hundreds of thousands if not millions of people, the UN says. The region has been hit by widespread flooding and devastation affecting Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 09:49 UTC
Mrs. May, with a divided cabinet, writes to EU requesting postponing Brexit; she flies to Brussels on Thursday

Prime Minister Theresa May is writing to the EU to formally ask for Brexit to be postponed. One ministerial source told the BBC the longer delay could be up to two years, amid reports of a cabinet row, but No 10 said no decision had been made.
Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 09:47 UTC
Bolivia will host the World Travel Awards Latin American ceremony in June

World Travel Awards (WTA) has revealed that its Latin American Ceremony 2019 will be hosted in La Paz, Bolivia on 13th July 2019. The leading figureheads, decision-makers and influencers of Latin America’s travel and tourism industry are scheduled to attend the ceremony, which will mark WTA’s first visit to Bolivia.
Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 09:43 UTC
Armando, a Belgian star racing pigeon, auctioned for 1.25 million Euros

A star racing pigeon named Armando has fetched a record 1.25 million Euros in an online auction, Belgian media reported. The prized bird -- Belgian's best long-distance racer of all time according to those in the know -- was snapped up by a Chinese buyer for a princely sum that caused a flutter of excitement among fanciers.
Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 09:35 UTC
Dead whale with 40 kilos of plastic in its stomach found off the Philippines coast

A dead whale with 40 kilograms of plastic in its stomach has been discovered off the coast of the Philippines. Marine biologist Darrell Blatchley was called to recover the 4.7m Cuvier’s beaked whale, which was trapped in the shores of the Mabini Compostela Valley.
Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 09:29 UTC
US and Brazil agree to lower barriers to agricultural trade, mainly wheat and beef

The United States and Brazil have agreed to steps aimed at lowering barriers to agricultural trade, focusing on wheat, pork and beef, the presidents of the two nations said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 09:14 UTC
Brazil: convoy with nuclear fuel came under fire; police escort repel attack

Armed men shot at members of a convoy transporting uranium to one of Brazil’s two working nuclear power plants on a coastal road in Rio de Janeiro state on Tuesday, police and the company managing the plant said.
Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 08:54 UTC
“Fall armyworms” have reached Asia and are munching crops; FAO meeting to address the challenge

Farming in several Asian countries is under threat from a type of crop-damaging insect that has munched its way from the Americas and across Africa, the United Nations' food agency said on Wednesday as global experts commence a three-day meeting to discuss ways to limit the damage.
Wednesday, March 20th 2019 - 08:17 UTC
Costa Smeralda launched in Finland; first Costa cruise powered by Lng

Costa Crociere celebrated the technical launch of the new flagship Costa Smeralda at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland. During the ceremony, the ship officially touched the sea for the first time. The celebration, which saw the participation of the top management of Costa Cruises and the Meyer shipyards, followed the protocol established by the maritime tradition, with the flooding of the basin where the ship has taken shape in recent months.