Stories for April 2026

Thursday, April 9th 2026 - 07:40 UTC
Uruguay considers relocating HIF Global's green hydrogen megaplant to ease tensions with Argentina

Uruguay's government is considering relocating within the department of Paysandú the synthetic fuels plant planned by multinational HIF Global, in an effort to simultaneously defuse diplomatic tensions with Argentina and advance what would be the largest private investment in the country's history, estimated at $5.385 billion in its final phase.
Thursday, April 9th 2026 - 07:31 UTC
Falklands launches consultation on proposed National Nature Reserves

The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has launched a public consultation to seek views on its proposal to designate or expand National Nature Reserves. The proposal seeks to designate 10 new National Nature Reserves and expand 5 existing National Nature Reserves.
Thursday, April 9th 2026 - 07:13 UTC
FAO food commodities prices up in March; concern with energy and fertilizer costs

World food commodity prices rose in March for the second month in a row, due largely to higher energy prices linked to the conflict escalation in the Near East, according to the latest benchmark measure released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Thursday, April 9th 2026 - 01:13 UTC
Latin America faces fertilizer vulnerability; IICA and TFI agree joint plan amid Hormuz crisis

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the U.S.-based Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced a partnership to secure fertilizer supply across the Americas, amid logistical disruptions and price volatility worsened by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Thursday, April 9th 2026 - 01:08 UTC
Brazilian judge suspends 12% crude oil export tax for five international oil companies

A federal judge in Rio de Janeiro issued a preliminary injunction suspending the 12% crude oil export tax for five international companies operating in Brazil: Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, Repsol Sinopec and Petrogal. The ruling represents an initial court victory for the oil companies in their dispute with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government over a levy they consider unconstitutional.
Thursday, April 9th 2026 - 00:54 UTC
Britain’s Obsession with El Dorado Charts Centuries and May Still be Alive Today

El Dorado is one of the most famous cities that, supposedly, never existed. Spurred on by the search for riches and need to validate several conquests to the region, the idea of El Dorado was popularised by the Spanish in the early 16th Century. Towards the very end of the century, a famed Brit took on the quest for El Dorado.
Wednesday, April 8th 2026 - 21:11 UTC
QatarEnergy and Chevron join Shell in Uruguay's offshore oil exploration

QatarEnergy and Chevron have formally entered as non-operating partners in offshore hydrocarbon exploration blocks off Uruguay's coast, in areas operated by Shell, state energy company Ancap announced. The incorporation of two of the world's largest energy companies reinforces international interest in Uruguay's offshore petroleum potential, a frontier exploration area that has gained prominence over the past two years.
Wednesday, April 8th 2026 - 20:55 UTC
Iran re-closes Strait of Hormuz after Israeli strikes in Lebanon, putting ceasefire at risk

Iran suspended tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz just hours after its ceasefire with the United States took effect, in response to continued Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The move jeopardizes a truce that had barely begun to ease the worst global energy crisis in decades.
Wednesday, April 8th 2026 - 10:27 UTC
US and Iran reach ceasefire deal with both sides claiming victory

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday night, just 90 minutes before a deadline President Donald Trump had set to launch massive strikes against Iranian civilian infrastructure. The deal, brokered by Pakistan, pauses a six-week conflict that has killed thousands and triggered a global energy crisis.
Tuesday, April 7th 2026 - 21:40 UTC
“The Moon became a sponge of light”: Artemis II astronauts share their observations

The four Artemis II astronauts shared their lunar flyby observations with NASA's science team on Tuesday, reporting meteoroid impact flashes, levitated lunar dust, unexpected surface colors and an unprecedented total solar eclipse witnessed from the Moon's orbit.