TOKYO: Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday after rising in the previous session on rekindled hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal and on the potential for conflict between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East after tanker attacks there last week. Brent crude futures were up 3 cents at $62.17 a barrel by 0330 GMT. They rose 2% on Tuesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 12 cents to $54.02 a barrel. The U.S. benchmark surged 3.8% in the last session. In a post on Twitter, U.S. President Donald Trump said preparations were starting for him to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, next week. That comes after talks to reach a broad deal on trade between the United States and China broke down last month after Washington accused the Chinese of backing away from previously agreed commitments. Interaction between the two sides since then has been limited, and Trump has threatened, repeatedly, to slap more tariffs on Chinese products in an escalation that … [Read more...] about Oil gains amid Middle East tensions, U.S.-China trade deal hopes
U s troops
Venezuela’s Guaido takes to streets in opposition uprising
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By Scott Smith And Christopher Torchia The Associated Press Tues., April 30, 2019 CARACAS, Venezuela - Anti-government demonstrators clashed with troops loyal to Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro at an air base in the capital hours after opposition leader Juan Guaidó took to the streets in a bold and risky attempt to lead a military uprising against the embattled socialist. The early-morning rebellion seems to have only limited military support. But it was by far the most-serious challenge yet to Maduro’s rule since Guaidó, with the backing of the U.S. and dozens of other countries, declared himself the country’s interim president in January in rejection of a government he accused of stealing last year’s presidential election. The dramatic events began early Tuesday when Guaidó, flanked by a few dozen national guardsmen and some armoured crowd control vehicles, released a three-minute video filmed near a Caracas air base in which … [Read more...] about Venezuela’s Guaido takes to streets in opposition uprising
News US says ‘fully supports’ Venezuelan people’s ‘quest for freedom’
The United States on Tuesday threw its full weight behind Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido, as the opposition leader said troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro. "Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operacion Libertad," or "Operation Freedom," tweeted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as Maduro's government vowed to put down what it called an attempted coup. "The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated," Pompeo wrote. Earlier, the White House urged Venezuela's armed forces to stand by the country's "legitimate institutions." "@vladimirpadrino: The FANB must protect the Constitution and the Venezuelan people," tweeted National Security Advisor John Bolton, addressing the country's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez. "It should stand by the National Assembly and the legitimate institutions against the usurpation of democracy. The … [Read more...] about News US says ‘fully supports’ Venezuelan people’s ‘quest for freedom’
News Venezuela’s Guaido says troops join him to oust Maduro; gov’t says it is in control
CARACAS—Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Tuesday he had begun the "final phase" of his plan to oust President Nicolas Maduro, calling on Venezuelans and the military to back him to end Maduro's "usurpation." A Reuters journalist later saw security forces firing tear gas at Guaido and around 70 mostly young armed men in military uniform outside the La Carlota air force base in Caracas. Hundreds of civilians also joined the group. But around two hours after Guaido tweeted his announcement, there was no sign of any other military activity, and the government dismissed any suggestion of an insurrection. "We reject this coup movement, which aims to fill the country with violence," said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino. He said the armed forces remained "firmly in defence of the national constitution and legitimate authorities," and that all military units across Venezuela "report normality" in their barracks and bases. The move was Guaido’s boldest effort yet to … [Read more...] about News Venezuela’s Guaido says troops join him to oust Maduro; gov’t says it is in control
Emperor Akihito prays ahead of Japan’s first abdication in two centuries
Japan's Emperor Akihito prayed to a Shinto sun goddess on Tuesday, starting a day of ceremonies to mark the end of a three-decade reign in which he sought to ease painful memories of World War Two and bring the monarchy closer to people. Akihito, 85, was the first monarch to take the Chrysanthemum Throne under a post-war constitution that defines the emperor as a symbol of the people without political power. His abdication is the first in two centuries. His father, Hirohito, in whose name Japanese troops fought World War Two, was considered a living deity until after Japan's defeat in 1945, when he renounced his divinity. Akihito, together with Empress Michiko, his wife of 60 years and the first commoner to marry an imperial heir, carved out an active role as a symbol of reconciliation, peace and democracy. "I think the emperor is loved by the people. His image is one of encouraging the people, such as after disasters, and being close to the people," Morio Miyamoto, 48, said as he … [Read more...] about Emperor Akihito prays ahead of Japan’s first abdication in two centuries