Stories for April 2019

Monday, April 1st 2019 - 08:27 UTC
The Revoke Article 50 petition (to halt Brexit) has passed six million signatures

The petition calling on the UK Government to halt the Brexit process has passed six million signatures. The Revoke Article 50 petition, due to be debated by MPs this Monday, is the best-supported proposal in the history of the House of Commons and Government’s e-petitions website.
Monday, April 1st 2019 - 08:20 UTC
Venezuela collapses: no power, water or internet; Schools suspended, workday limited to 02:00 PM

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro announced 30 days of electricity rationing on Sunday, after his government said it was reducing the length of the workday and keeping schools closed due to devastating blackouts plaguing the country.
Monday, April 1st 2019 - 08:14 UTC
UK and Chile honor a shared naval hero: Admiral Thomas Cochrane

The First Sea Lord and head of the Chilean Navy have renamed a building inside Portsmouth Naval Base in tribute to a shared naval hero. Admiral Sir Philip Jones and special guest Admiral Julio Leiva Molina unveiled on Sunday the HQ Portsmouth Flotilla as the Cochrane Building.
Monday, April 1st 2019 - 06:39 UTC
Falkland Islands Tree Planting At RAF Mount Pleasant Fails To Branch Out

Personnel deployed in the Falkland Islands are met by the sight of trees, but they aren’t just any old trees, these trees grow …er, sideways. British Armed Forces personnel are pleasantly surprised upon arrival at their final destination when posted to RAF Mount Pleasant Complex on the windswept archipelago.
Monday, April 1st 2019 - 06:21 UTC
HMS Clyde to be transferred to the Brazilian navy at the end of 2019

Brazilian media are reporting that the country is to take over HMS Clyde when the Offshore Patrol Vessel leaves Royal Navy service in the Falkland Islands. The news was reportedly announced during a recent event, “Brazil-United Kingdom Defense Industry Dialogue”, held in the Brazilian Navy Cultural Center in São Paulo.
Monday, April 1st 2019 - 06:20 UTC
Brazilian armed forces paid tribute to the 1964 coup, soberly, despite Bolsonaro's encouragement

Brazil's armed forces on Sunday paid tribute to a 1964 coup leading to a two-decade dictatorship, after far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who argues that military intervention saved the country from communism, reversed an 8-year-ban on celebrations.
Monday, April 1st 2019 - 05:59 UTC
Tories unite to warn Theresa May to forget a snap election to overcome the Brexit gridlock

Tory MPs are warning Theresa May they will resist any attempt by the Prime Minister to call a snap general election in a bid to end the Brexit crisis engulfing the party. MPs from both the pro-Brexit and pro-EU wings of the party warned they could face an electoral disaster if she goes to the country early.
Monday, April 1st 2019 - 05:44 UTC
UK hit by “blue Monday” of new costs and tax reporting, claims federation of small businesses

UK small firms have been hit with “blue Monday” as new costs and tax reporting requirements kick in. While some firms in England will benefit from cuts in business rates, other changes mean additional costs. These include new rules on accounting under the Make Tax Digital program and auto-enrolment pension costs.