IN BRIEF (Page 11)
Russia
Putin presents Arctic expansion program
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday put forward an ambitious program to secure Russia's foothold in the Arctic, including efforts to build new ports and other infrastructure facilities and expand an icebreaker fleet. Speaking at the Arctic forum in St. Petersburg attended by leaders of Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Norway, Putin said that Russia plans to dramatically increase cargo shipments across the Arctic sea route. He said that the amount of cargo carried across the shipping lane is set to increase from 20 million tons last year to 80 million tons in 2025. "This is a realistic, well-calculated and concrete task," Putin said. Russia currently has four nuclear icebreakers, and Putin said that three new such ships are currently under construction.
Turkey
Oldest shipwreck found in Mediterranean
Turkish archaeologists have found a 3,600-year-old shipwreck, which could be the oldest one in the world, off the shores of southern Turkey's Antalya province, Anadolu Agency reported Monday. The shipwreck, dated back to 1600 BC in the Bronze Age, was discovered off the coast of the Mediterranean by an underwater research team from Akdeniz University. The merchant ship is 14 meters long and loaded with 1.5 tons of copper bullion. A Greek merchant ship, which was found off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast and dates back more than 2,400 years, has until now been known as the world's oldest shipwreck.
Japan
Nation to introduce redesigned banknotes
Japan plans to introduce a series of banknotes featuring new designs and incorporating next-generation anti-counterfeiting technology, the government said on Tuesday. Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said that three bank notes will be revamped, with the update marking the first change since 2004. The government's latest decision to issue new banknotes coincides with the beginning of the new imperial era, Reiwa. The new era will begin on May 1 when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the throne.
Afp - Reuters - Xinhua
(China Daily 04/10/2019 page11)