Stories for July 17th 2018

Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 21:59 UTC
Zica epidemic and recession have hit the infant mortality rate in Brazil

The infant mortality rate in Brazil, which consistently went down since 1990, started going up in 2016. It is believed that the rate for 2017 will also be higher than the 2015 rate. Both the Zika epidemic and the country's economic recession have been highlighted by the Ministry of Health as causes for the rising infant mortality rate.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 15:31 UTC
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay US$ 4.7bn in damages to 22 women

Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay US$ 4.7 billion in damages to 22 women who alleged that its talc products caused them to develop ovarian cancer. A jury in the US state of Missouri initially awarded US$ 550m in compensation and added US$ 4.1bn in punitive damages.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 15:22 UTC
Ford agrees settlement covering faulty Takata airbags in 6 million cars

Ford Motor Co agreed to a so-called economic loss settlement of US$ 299.1 million covering at least 6 million U.S. vehicles with potentially faulty Takata air bag inflators, court documents filed in a federal court in Miami on Monday show.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 11:26 UTC
Tierra del Fuego infighting over the Malvinas Question Observatory

Last week's meeting in Buenos Aires of the Malvinas Question Observatory from the province of Tierra del Fuego with the Malvinas Department at the Argentine foreign ministry has not been without consequences.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 11:11 UTC
UK assumes presidency of G13 group of donors to the development of Guatemala

The UK has assumed the Presidency of the G13, a forum of countries and multilateral organizations representing the largest donors to the development of Guatemala. UK’s six months’ presidency, which starts this month, reflects our desire to keep building a strong relationship with Guatemala, and our shared commitment to peace and prosperity.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:49 UTC
US Congress furious after Trump sides with Putin, saying “no Russian meddling in US elections”

There has been a barrage of criticism in the United States after President Donald Trump defended Russia over claims of interference in the 2016 elections. At a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Finland, on Monday, Trump contradicted US intelligence agencies, saying Russia had no reason to meddle.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:49 UTC
Nicaragua: UN Secretary General deplores and condemns violence against civilians

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday deplored and condemned the ongoing violence against civilians, including against students, in Nicaragua.Speaking on behalf of Mr. Guterres at the UN Headquarters, Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters that “the use of lethal force is not only unacceptable but is also in itself an obstacle to obtaining a political solution to the current crisis”.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:41 UTC
Brexit debate: government manages to save Customs Bill, and on Tuesday must defend the Trade Bill

The British government has narrowly avoided a defeat on its Customs Bill after agreeing to Brexiteers' demands to change its wording. It twice survived by just three votes after a backlash from pro-EU Tories who accused Theresa May of “caving in” to the party's Eurosceptic MPs.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:36 UTC
China files WTO case against the US arguing tariffs are an illegal attempt of protectionism

China's Ministry of Commerce announced it is pursuing legal remedy against the U.S. in a brief statement on its website — the latest in an escalating trade conflict between the world's two largest economies.
Tuesday, July 17th 2018 - 09:35 UTC
Cuban new constitution expected to support foreign investment, free markets and private property

Cuba is planning a series of potentially far-reaching changes, with a new constitution set to recognise the free market and private property, while dividing political powers between a president and a prime minister.