Stories for January 2018

Saturday, January 13th 2018 - 09:53 UTC
US$ 451 million jackpot for a 20-year old from Florida

A US$ 451 million mystery is over. 20-year-old “retired” background screening worker from Florida claimed the fourth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions lottery history, lotto officials confirmed. Shane Missler, of Port Richey, was the lone winner of the Jan. 5 jackpot. He elected to take a lump sum payout of US$ 281.2 million, officials said.
Saturday, January 13th 2018 - 09:47 UTC
Paraguay confirms remains found belong to Mennonite kidnapped by guerrilla EPP

Remains found in a mass grave in the northern province of San Pedro correspond to a Mennonite settler kidnapped two and a half years ago by the self-styled Army of the Paraguayan People (EPP), authorities in Asunción said on Friday.
Saturday, January 13th 2018 - 09:40 UTC
Four churches attacked in Santiago ahead of Pope Francis visit to Chile on Monday

Four Catholic churches in Santiago were attacked with fire bombs before dawn on Friday, causing minor damage and leaving notes threatening Pope Francis just three days ahead of the pontiff’s visit to Chile next week, police said.
Saturday, January 13th 2018 - 09:33 UTC
Record breaking year for London Heathrow Airport: 78 million passengers

A record breaking 78 million passengers travelled through London Heathrow Airport in 2017, up 3.1% on last year with passenger volumes driven by larger and fuller aircraft. Heathrow became one of the fastest growing major European hubs for cargo, with 1.7 million metric tons travelling through the airport – equivalent to the weight of 134,000 London buses or 136 London Shards.
Saturday, January 13th 2018 - 09:28 UTC
PwC banned from auditing in India following country's major corporate scandal

PwC's Indian unit has been banned from auditing listed companies for two years, over one of the country's biggest corporate scandals. Price Waterhouse was auditor for Satyam computers when company owner Ramalinga Raju admitted to inflating earnings.
Saturday, January 13th 2018 - 09:17 UTC
EU sigh of relief: Germany's grand coalition en route to a “renewed marriage”

Chancellor Angela Merkel struck a deal with Social Democrat (SPD) rivals on Friday to open government coalition talks, easing months of uncertainty that has undermined Germany’s global role and raised questions about her political future. But the deal to revive a “grand coalition” that has governed since 2013 must be approved by an SPD congress planned for January 21.
Saturday, January 13th 2018 - 07:58 UTC
Argentine union leaders warn Macri, and forecast he may not end his mandate

The Argentine government approach to the power challenge from strong unions has managed so far to have several of its leaders indicted for money laundering, fraud, racketeering and widespread corruption, including one who is jailed in neighboring Uruguay and which the Argentine justice expects to extradite.
Saturday, January 13th 2018 - 07:31 UTC
Trump cancels February visit to UK; Downing Street says invitation stands

Donald Trump has cancelled a planned visit to the UK in February, where he had been expected to open a new US$1bn (£738m) US embassy in London. The US president tweeted he was not a “big fan” of the new embassy - which is moving from Mayfair to south London.
Friday, January 12th 2018 - 10:58 UTC
S&P downgrades Brazil's credit rating; delay of pension system reform takes the blame

Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s cut Brazil’s credit rating further below investment grade on Thursday as doubts grew about a presidential election in October and a push to trim its costly pension system, seen as vital to closing a huge fiscal deficit. S&P lowered its long-term rating for Brazil sovereign debt to BB- from BB previously, with a stable outlook, citing less timely and effective policymaking. S&P also cited a risk of greater policy uncertainty after this year’s elections.
Friday, January 12th 2018 - 10:50 UTC
Argentina inflation reached 24.8% in 2017, well above central bank's target

Consumer prices in Argentina rose 24.8% in 2017 after a sharp 3.1% increase in December, government data showed on Thursday, well above the central bank's target range for annual inflation of 12-17%t. The monthly reading, which was above median expectations in December of 2.5%.