Stories for April 2019

Saturday, April 20th 2019 - 08:51 UTC
China's Belt and Road forum becomes the main world event during three days in April

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host nearly 40 heads of state next week at the second Belt and Road forum, which is expected to produce more deals for companies and banks that want in on the latter-day Silk Road mega-project. The strong showing is a testament to the project's standing despite its multiple criticisms, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday.
Saturday, April 20th 2019 - 08:45 UTC
Japan joins the mid-sized commercial aircraft market: right plane at the right time

A new, long-delayed 88-passenger jet from Japan may finally be the right airplane at the right time. More cities in Asia and Europe are seeking to link up with each other and the global air travel network. The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), the first airliner built in Japan since the 1960s, began certification flights last month in Moses Lake, Washington, to satisfy that demand.
Saturday, April 20th 2019 - 08:37 UTC
Alan Garcia in suicide note denies all charges: “I leave my body as a sign of my contempt for my opponents”

Peru's late former president Alan Garcia left a suicide note denying the corruption charges against him before taking his own life, one of his children revealed on Friday. Garcia, who was 69, died on Wednesday after shooting himself in the head when police came to his home to arrest him over allegations of money laundering during his time in office.
Saturday, April 20th 2019 - 08:24 UTC
Guaido calls on Venezuelans for the mother of all demonstrations on Labor Day

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaidó called on Friday for the “biggest demonstration in history” to put pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to step down. The National Assembly head launched a challenge to Maduro's authority in January, declaring himself acting president.
Saturday, April 20th 2019 - 07:58 UTC
Five French refurbished Super Etendard fighter bombers en route to Argentina

Argentina will be receiving in a few weeks time five refurbished Dassault-Breguet Super Etendard (SEM) fighter bombers decommissioned from the French navy. The 13 million Euro purchase also includes a flight simulator, engines and spares and are currently sailing across the Atlantic en route to Bahía Blanca.
Friday, April 19th 2019 - 09:31 UTC
Falklands record season of cruise visitors: 62.505 and expects 70.000 in 2019/20

Representatives from all sectors of the Falkland Islands tourism industry met at Government House on Wednesday evening for the annual presentation of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB) awards and to celebrate a cruise ship season which brought 62,505 passengers to the islands.
Friday, April 19th 2019 - 09:30 UTC
Top Foreign Office diplomat visits Falklands to address Brexit and consequences

Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service at the Foreign Office (FCO) this week assured that the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and the FCO are “working on a common agenda, which is to secure the future of the Falkland Islands.”
Friday, April 19th 2019 - 09:29 UTC
Brazil to put up new pre-salt oil blocks for auction in October

Brazil will hold an offshore oil deposit auction in October featuring blocks that were the object of a long-running dispute with state energy giant Petrobras. Reuters reports, citing Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, that participants in the auction will need to cough up a signing bonus of a total US$26.9 billion for the four blocks.
Friday, April 19th 2019 - 09:27 UTC
ConocoPhillips pulling out of the North Sea oil exploration and production

ConocoPhillips is pulling out of UK exploration and production after selling its North Sea oil and gas assets to Chrysaor for US$ 2.68bn (£2bn). The sale will boost Chrysaor's production by about 72,000 barrels a day to 177,000 - making it one of the UK's biggest operators.
Friday, April 19th 2019 - 09:26 UTC
Londonderry “terrorist incident”: young journalist shot dead

A journalist has been shot dead in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in what police are treating as a “terrorist incident”. Dissident republicans are being blamed for killing 29-year-old Lyra McKee during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Petrol bombs were also thrown at police Land Rovers.