Stories for October 2019

Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:47 UTC
World Sight Day: 2.2 billion people have vision impairment or blindness

More than 1 billion people worldwide are living with vision impairment because they do not get the care they need for conditions like short and farsightedness, glaucoma and cataract, according to the first World report on vision issued by the World Health Organization.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:45 UTC
Global trade tensions have investment on hold and promote poverty, World Bank claims

As global trade tensions persist, investments are put on hold and without that cash to boost economic growth, poverty could surge, the World Bank's chief economist warned Tuesday. Without growth “inevitably, people will struggle”, Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg said in an interview.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:44 UTC
Chinese travelers overseas spent US$ 127.5 billion in first half of 2019

China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange reports that Chinese travellers spent US$ 127.5 billion abroad in the first half of 2019.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:39 UTC
Twitter apologizes for “inadvertently” abusing users email addresses and phone numbers

Twitter said on Tuesday email addresses and phone numbers uploaded by users to meet its security requirements may have been 'inadvertently' used for advertising purposes. The micro-blogging site said the issue was rectified as of Sep 17, without disclosing how many users were impacted.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:39 UTC
UN running out of funds for staff salaries next month, claims Antonio Guterres

The United Nations may not have enough money for staff salaries next month if member states don't pay what they owe, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday. He told the 193-member U.N. General Assembly's budget committee that if he had not worked since January to cut spending then the “we would not have had the liquidity to support” the annual gathering of world leaders last month.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:33 UTC
China's state media blasts NBA for endorsing Hong Kong violence and “secessionist pipe dream”

Chinese state media on Wednesday accused the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) of endorsing violence and peddling a “secessionist pipe dream” in an escalating row over comments by a team official in support of protests in Hong Kong.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:30 UTC
Levi Strauss suffers reduced sales in its main market, the Americas

Levi Strauss & Co reported a 4% drop in third-quarter profit on Tuesday, as the denim apparel maker struggled to grow its wholesale business in the Americas, where it generates most of its revenue. Reduced shipments to off-price stores and the impact of delayed acquisition of a South American distributor drove net revenue down about 3% in the region, the first fall since the 165-year-old company went public in March.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:26 UTC
Oil spill in 130 Brazilian northeast beaches, “the worst environmental tragedy”

The source of large blots of oil staining more than 130 beaches in northeastern Brazil remained a mystery on Tuesday despite President Jair Bolsonaro's assertions they came from outside the country and were possibly the work of criminals. Tamar, a group dedicated to the protection of sea turtles, said the oil spills were “the worst environmental tragedy” it has encountered since its formation in 1980.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:15 UTC
Johnson & Johnson must pay US$ 8 billion punitive damages for Risperdal drug

Johnson & Johnson must pay US$8 billion in punitive damages to a man who previously won US$680,000 over his claims that it failed to warn that young men using its antipsychotic drug Risperdal could grow breasts, a Philadelphia jury said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:11 UTC
Brexit “revenge”: someone in Britain won Euro Millions jackpot with €190 million

Someone in Britain became €190 million (US$208 million) richer on Tuesday when they won the maximum EuroMillions jackpot, the lottery company announced.