Stories for December 2019

Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:50 UTC
World Bank warns on wave of growing debt in emerging and developing nations

A wave of debt in emerging and developing nations has grown faster and larger than in any period of the last five decades and could end with another crisis, the World Bank warned on Thursday.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:49 UTC
Brazil mining regulator dismisses a Vale dam is in danger of collapse: “structurally sound”

A dam owned by iron ore company Vale SA that was the subject of an investigative report by a TV program last week is structurally sound and there is no reason for concern, Brazil’s national mining regulator said this week.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:46 UTC
IMF releases loan tranche to embattled Ecuadorean government

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday approved a delayed loan tranche for Ecuador, releasing nearly US$500 million under a three-year aid program. The IMF board gave the go-ahead for a US$4.2 billion loan in March to help support the oil-rich nation's economic reforms, but massive protests led by indigenous groups erupted in October when President Lenin Moreno scrapped fuel subsidies, causing gasoline prices to soar.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:43 UTC
UK Parliament ready to vote the Brexit divorce deal with the European Union

Britain's freshly-elected parliament prepared on Friday to move past years of partisan wrangling and initially approve Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with the European Union.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:40 UTC
US Lower House overwhelmingly approves the new North America trade deal

The United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a new North American trade deal on Thursday that includes tougher labor and automotive content rules but leaves US$1.2 trillion in annual United States-Mexico-Canada trade flows largely unchanged.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:36 UTC
Museum dedicated to Diego Maradona and his golden age in Napoli

For some Diego Maradona is the greatest footballer of the 20th century, for others - mainly English - he is the cheating possessor of the hand of God. In Italy, however, he is and always will be the patron saint of Naples.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:30 UTC
Japan boosts defense budget spending for eighth straight year

Japan's government on Friday approved an eighth straight annual increase in defense spending to a record high as it buys US-made stealth fighters, interceptor missiles and other equipment to counter military build-ups by North Korea and China.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:29 UTC
Falklands' lifestyle reveals overweight, less smokers and little physical activity

Nearly 600 residents have contributed to a major snapshot of health and lifestyle in the Falkland Islands. The Health and Lifestyle Survey 2019 has just been published by the Falkland Islands Government Public Health Unit.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 09:21 UTC
US Congress raised minimum age to buy tobacco and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21

The US Congress voted on Thursday to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21 across the country, a move intended to stem the rising tide of youth vaping.
Friday, December 20th 2019 - 08:56 UTC
Brazil central bank raises 2020 growth forecast to 2.2%

Brazil’s central bank on Thursday raised its 2020 gross domestic product growth forecast to 2.2% in its quarterly inflation report from 1.8% previously but cautioned it was conditional on continued progress on economic reforms.