Stories for July 4th 2019

Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 09:33 UTC
Labour leader Corbyn calls for an investigation following malicious reports about his health condition

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn had a frank talk with Britain’s top civil servant as he called for an independent investigation into a report citing unidentified officials expressing concerns over his health, his spokesman said.
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 09:10 UTC
Russian mini-sub loss a “state secret”: dead crew belonged to an elite force

The Kremlin on Wednesday refused to reveal the full story of a fire that killed 14 officers on what was reportedly a nuclear-powered mini-submarine, saying the details of the tragedy were a “state secret.”
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 09:01 UTC
Mexican police protest and block streets against “militarization” of the force

Hundreds of federal police blocked roads and protested in Mexico City on Wednesday against President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's plan to merge them into his new National Guard. The leftist leader is launching the new security force in a bid to fight violent crime fueled by drug trafficking and also curb chronic corruption in the police.
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 08:50 UTC
From Scotland, PM May will call for the strengthening unity and bonds of UK

Prime Minister Theresa May will urge her successor on Thursday to strengthen the bonds between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, in a veiled criticism of those in her party who are widely thought to prefer Brexit to the union.
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 08:46 UTC
Peru invites China, Russia, Cuba, Bolivia...to discuss Venezuela's situation

Peru has invited China, Russia, Cuba, Bolivia, Turkey and dozens of other countries to Lima on Aug 6 to discuss the political crisis in Venezuela, Peru's foreign minister said on Wednesday.
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 08:29 UTC
China and UK clash over the protests in ex-British colony Hong Kong

China bluntly told Britain on Wednesday to “refrain from further interference” and London summoned Beijing's ambassador for a dressing down in a rapidly-escalating diplomatic feud over Hong Kong.
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 08:11 UTC
Facebook says service has been fully restored: “problem during routine maintenance operation”

Facebook said on Wednesday an issue with uploading or sending media files on its apps and platforms has been resolved.
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 08:02 UTC
Brazil's currency Real turned 25 this month, a true feat for a country whipped for decades with inflation

Brazil’s Real turned 25 years on Monday, July first. It’s already the longest circulating currency in the contemporary history of Brazil, having achieved this feat without fanfare in 2018 when it surpassed the cruzeiro.
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 07:52 UTC
Brazilian trade secretary praises Bolsonaro for the Mercosur/EU trade deal

Brazil's Foreign Trade Secretary Marcos Troyjo says that Jair Bolsonaro's government was decisive in pulling off the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.
Thursday, July 4th 2019 - 07:33 UTC
Amazon deforestation keeps advancing; Brazil warned about EU/Mercosur accord clauses on climate change

Deforestation in Brazil's portion of the Amazon rainforest soared more than 88% in June compared with the same month a year ago, the second consecutive month of rising forest destruction under new President Jair Bolsonaro, who has called for the development of the region.