WORLD AGENDA APRIL 2019

1 Apr 3, U.S.: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg addresses the U.S. Congress ahead of the alliance’s 70th anniversary. Many lawmakers see the invitation as a chance to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to NATO, often derided by President Donald Trump

2 Apr 11-May 19, India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party heads into the world’s largest election boosted by the recent standoff with Pakistan.
The opposition, led by the Indian National Congress under Rahul Gandhi, could yet benefit from recent economic setbacks

3 Apr 28, Spain: Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called today’s snap election after
his budget bill failed to pass. Separatist MPs, retaliating for his refusal to discuss
independence for Catalonia, voted with opposition parties to bring down the bill

4 Apr 9, Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seeking a record fifth term but facing indictment for bribery, has called an early election to capitalize on positive economic news. His immediate worry is the rising poll numbers of his top rival, former army chief Benny Gantz (above)

5 Apr 30, Japan: Emperor Akihito becomes the first emperor to abdicate in 200 years, passing
the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Crown Prince Naruhito

6 April, China: Xi Jinping hosts the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, with trade routes now extending into some 76 countries. The initiative aims to resurrect the ancient Silk Road, with bullet trains, supertankers and pipelines replacing
camels and watercraft of times past

7 Apr 14, U.S.: Game of Thrones begins its final season after a 541-day hiatus – an eternity for the TV series’ vast universe of fans

8 April, UK: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are expecting
their first baby later this month. The child will be seventh in line to the throne


Sources: NewsAhead, Julie Mullins 
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images, HBO 
© GRAPHIC NEWS