Stories for May 19th 2014

Monday, May 19th 2014 - 21:00 UTC
WHO's Dr. Chan targets childhood obesity: “our children are getting fatter”

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan voiced deep concern about the increase worldwide of childhood obesity, with numbers climbing fastest in developing countries. “As the 2014 World Health Statistics report bluntly states, ‘Our children are getting fatter,’” she said during her opening speech to the Health Assembly on Monday in Geneva.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 13:54 UTC
People living longer, both in rich and poor countries, says latest WHO report

People everywhere are living longer, according to the World Health Statistics 2014 published this week by the World Health Organization (WHO). Based on global averages, a girl who was born in 2012 can expect to live to around 73 years, and a boy to the age of 68. This is six years longer than the average global life expectancy for a child born in 1990.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 12:04 UTC
British MEP alleges UK torpedoed Spain's 2020 Olympics' bid because of Gibraltar

The British Government torpedoed Spain’s bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games as a reprisal for the Spanish Government’s hard line stance on Gibraltar, Sir Graham Watson has claimed.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 09:50 UTC
Gibraltar: Spain hits back at UK accusing the Rock of increased tobacco smuggling

The Spanish Government has accused Britain of failing to tackle a sharp rise in tobacco smuggling at the border. In a statement marking the six-month deadline set by the European Commission following its visit last year, Spain also said that cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Gibraltar had deteriorated.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 09:44 UTC
New Commons' Defense Committee chairman supported by Labor and Lib-Dem

Conservative MP Rory Stewart has been selected to chair the British House of Commons defense committee. In a short statement to the Commons, Speaker John Bercow said 479 MPs voted in the election for the post. In the final round of voting, Mr Stewart got 226 votes. His rival, Julian Lewis received 212 votes. There was one spoilt ballot paper.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 09:15 UTC
Falkland Islands governor 'disrespectful' towards Argentina; Islanders would be better off under Argentina

Argentine ambassador in London, Alicia Castro blasted Falklands Governor Colin Roberts claiming he has been disrespectful towards Argentina, insisted every country is aware that Argentina would never again invade the Falklands and underlined Islanders would be much better off under Argentine sovereignty since, “as all other provinces they could elect their own governor, and not have to live under an envoy from the Queen”.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 09:09 UTC
ATT to acquire DirecTV for 48.5bn dollars; shareholders must approve

US telecommunications firm AT&T will acquire satellite television provider DirecTV in a cash and stock deal valued at $48.5bn (£29bn). If approved, the deal gives AT&T access to DirecTV's 40 million digital TV customers in the US and Latin America.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 08:57 UTC
Berlusconi claims he was forced out of office by a 'plot', according to Geithner's book

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he was forced out of office as a result of a “plot” by European Union officials. Berlusconi made the remarks last week following the publication of a book authored by former US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 08:45 UTC
Argentine Vice-president under criminal investigation; calls for Boudou to step down

Argentine Vice-president Amado Boudou said he was not planning “an absence of leave” from office because that is not the style of President Cristina Fernandez' administration following a federal court confirmation of a criminal investigation into his alleged involvement in the sale of a minting company.
Monday, May 19th 2014 - 07:58 UTC
Calls for Colombian opposition presidential candidate to quit over spying

A candidate in Colombia's presidential elections next Sunday has called on the leading opposition candidate, Oscar Ivan Zuluaga, to quit the race after new video evidence of spying by his campaign consultant on peace talks with leftist rebels.