Stories for December 4th 2019

Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Chilean economy contracts 3.4% during October compared to a year ago

Chile's economy contracted 3.4% in October from the same month a year ago, the central bank said, posting the single biggest drop in a decade as weeks of violent protests began sending shockwaves through the Chilean economy.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:49 UTC
Bolivia creates new anti-terrorist force to dismantle foreign groups threatening the country

Bolivia's interim government on Tuesday unveiled a new anti-terrorism police force it said was aimed at dismantling foreign groups “threatening” the troubled country.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:48 UTC
Beijing's gift to El Salvador for Taiwan cut off: Stadium, library, water plants

China has agreed to pay for a new national stadium and library in El Salvador as part of an infrastructure package promised to the country after it switched allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:47 UTC
Brazil approves the sale of cannabis-based products for medical use

Brazil's health watchdog on Tuesday approved the sale of cannabis-based products for medical use in pharmacies to people with a prescription. The regulation, which takes effect in the coming months, also allows for the manufacture of such products in a laboratory, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) said in a statement.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:40 UTC
Brazil celebrates: 0.6% expansion in third quarter: rebound of agriculture and industry

Brazil's economy expanded in the third quarter at its fastest pace since early last year, official data showed on Tuesday, with 0.6% growth over the previous quarter driven by a strong performance in agriculture and a sharp rebound in the industry.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:20 UTC
Huge national strike challenges Macron's pension system overhaul

Trains cancelled, schools closed: France scrambled to make contingency plans on Tuesday for a huge strike against pension overhauls that poses one of the biggest challenges yet to President Emmanuel Macron's sweeping reform drive.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:20 UTC
Trump promises to stay out of Britain's election, “ I don't want to complicate it”

President Donald Trump on Tuesday promised to “stay out” of Britain's election campaign during a two-day visit, while also seeking to defuse a key attack line against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over healthcare.
Wednesday, December 4th 2019 - 09:20 UTC
Rare Gauguin painting from his time in Tahiti fetches €9.5 million

A rare canvas by French artist Paul Gauguin from his time in Tahiti fetched €9.5 million (US$10.5 million) in Paris on Tuesday, nearly twice its estimated value, the auction house said.