Nigeria, Canada set to partner in various sectors

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Nigeria is set to partner with Canada in the development of its mining sector, power generation, the aviation sector and film production, according to Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga.

Canadian Dollar Strengthens on Speculation of Flows From Japan

The Canadian dollar strengthened against the U.S. dollar for the third day as investors seek higher-yielding currencies of commodity-exporting nations.

The loonie, as the currency is nicknamed, gained on speculation heightened demand from Japan for cross-border assets will result from a stimulus package announced last week by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda. The Australian and New Zealand dollars also advanced.

4 charged in deadly Brazil nightclub fireBy Lateef Mungin and Marilia Brocchetto, CNN

CNN) -- Prosecutors this week indicted four people connected to a deadly blaze at a Brazilian nightclub that left hundreds dead.

The four suspects now face homicide and attempted homicide charges in connection with the January inferno at the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, Brazil, prosecutors said.

The suspects were identified as club owners Elissandro Spohr and Mauro Hoffman, vocalist Marcelo de Jesus dos Santos, and show producer Luciano Bonilha.

Inside of destroyed nightclub revealed

Deadly blazes: Nightclub tragedies in recent history

The musicians are accused of using pyrotechnics that they knew were for outdoor use to save money, prosecutors said. The club owners are accused of allowing an overcrowded, dangerous environment that added to the deadly outcome, prosecutors said.

The nightclub was filled well beyond its legal capacity with the crowd of 2,000 people, who packed the club to hear the band play.

When the fire raged the crowd panicked, broke into a stampede, and clogged the club's the only exit.

Authorities have said that at least 235 people died in the blaze and many others were critically injured.

4 Latin American elections: What to watch

BOSTON — Much attention has turned again to Venezuela ahead of its April 14 presidential election, but it isn't the only Latin American country gearing up for a critical vote this year.

Several nations in the Americas will head to polls in 2013 to choose a leader, with some predicted to swing left and others right.

Here's what to watch in the coming weeks and months.

April 14: Venezuela's voodoo vote
It seems like yesterday Venezuela was embroiled in a bitter campaign. That was October. After that election winner, Hugo Chavez, died last month, officials called a snap election for April 14.

To think, if it were the United States, then-Vice President Nicolas Maduro would serve out the president's six-year term.

Instead, Maduro, who became acting president after "el Comandante" died (some say before), is running against Henrique Capriles, the same youthful candidate who gave Chavez his toughest race in 14 years of rule.

A grisly crime surges into spotlight as Mexico shifts drug war strategy

By Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN

updated 11:50 PM EDT, Thu March 28, 2013

(CNN) -- It was a staggering sight, even in a Mexican city that has seen its share of violence in recent years as drug-related crimes surged.

Seven bodies sat slumped in white plastic chairs placed near a central plaza in Uruapan, Mexico.

Local media reported messages were left behind, written on poster board and pinned to some of the victims' bodies with icepicks.

The men appeared to have been killed by gunfire, and investigators believe organized crime groups are to blame, Mexico's state-run Notimex news agency said. Investigators haven't provided details about who they suspect was responsible or why they targeted the men -- windshield washers and farm workers, according to Notimex.

LAAD: South American countries partner to develop new trainer

Seven South American countries have pledged to develop and fly a new basic trainer by 2015 to replace ageing fleets of aircraft such as the Brazilian Neiva T-25 Universal.

The agreement was announced on 9 April by the defence ministers of Argentina and Brazil, and also includes participation from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The project, named Unasur 1 - an adaptation of the acronym for the Union of South American Nations - was unveiled with a long list of specifications, but few details about who will be responsible for designing and building the aircraft.

Stephen Trimble/Flightglobal

The manufacturer must be a company other than Embraer, however. The manufacturer designed the T-26 Tucano trainer for the Brazilian military, but the T-25 replacement is a step below the Tucano in capability and outside the company's interests.

The Unasur 1 is listed with a 1,590kg (3,505lb) maximum take-off weight, a 210kt (388km/h) performance in level flight, and a glass cockpit. It will feature a piston engine for primary training, and a turbine engine for basic and primary training

Mexican congressman Ricardo Monreal delivers a speech prior to the Mexican president's inauguration on December 1.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• A group of suspected hitmen are arrested in Mexico City
• They are accused of plotting to kill two brothers who are lawmakers
• Authorities did not reveal a possible motive

(CNN) -- Mexican authorities say they've foiled a plot to assassinate two lawmakers.

A group of suspected hitmen was arrested at a Mexico City hotel and accused of planning to kill Rep. Ricardo Monreal and Sen. David Monreal, brothers who are both federal legislators, Mexico's Attorney General's Office said.

Authorities did not reveal a possible motive or specify how many people were arrested.

Both lawmakers are from Mexico's Zacatecas state.