Stories for December 2019

Tuesday, December 3rd 2019 - 09:15 UTC
The 2019 Literature Nobel Prize award implodes in the scandal-hit Swedish Academy

Two external members of the Nobel literature prize committee quit on Monday after criticizing the scandal-hit Swedish Academy. The 233-year-old Academy was forced to introduce several new measures after a sex scandal involving the husband of a former member escalated into a bitter row that meant it had to postpone the award for 2018.
Tuesday, December 3rd 2019 - 08:52 UTC
US react to French digital services tax threatening with duties on champagne and cheese

The U.S. government on Monday said it may slap punitive duties of up to 100% on US$2.4 billion in imports from France of Champagne, handbags, cheese and other products, after concluding that France’s new digital services tax would harm U.S. tech companies.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 19:23 UTC
Trump reinstates tariffs on Argentine, Brazilian metals to stand for US farmers

United States President Donald Trump Monday announced he would be reimposing tariffs on imports of metals from Argentina and Brazil as a result of those two countries' devaluing their respective currencies “which is not good for our farmers.” Trump made the statement through his Twitter account.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Guaidó admits “acts of corruption” among legislators from his opposition coalition

Venezuela's opposition on Sunday said it will investigate alleged wrongdoing within its ranks after a media outlet reported that a group of opposition lawmakers had unduly advocated for a businessman linked to the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:49 UTC
Keiko Fujimori out of prison struggling to recover her party's position as leader of the Peruvian opposition

Peruvian opposition leader Keiko Fujimori, who was released from prison on Friday, grew up during her father Alberto Fujimori's deeply divisive reign as president from 1990 to 2000. Keiko, now 44, sided with her father when her mother Susana Higuchi accused Alberto's men of torturing her and divorced him in 1994. Keiko Fujimori took over first lady duties at the age of just 19.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:48 UTC
Johnson expects Trump to avoid comments on UK election while in London for NATO summit

US President Donald Trump leaves on Monday for a NATO summit in London and he is under pressure from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resist the temptation to wade into the British election campaign coming up later in December.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:37 UTC
Bolsonaro accuses Di Caprio of helping fund groups linked to fires in the Amazon rainforest

American actor Leonardo DiCaprio denied a claim by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that he had helped fund groups allegedly linked to fires in the Amazon rain forest.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:35 UTC
Peru says the country is ready to responsibly begin mining uranium

A representative from the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines said this weekend that the country is ready to start mining uranium in the southern Puno region. During a workshop on uranium mining targeted at public service personnel, Martha Vásquez, head of the Mining Management Division at the ministry, said that the country is well-equipped to responsibly exploit the radioactive mineral.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:30 UTC
Several people trampled to death in Sao Paulo favela during a police raid

At least nine people were trampled to death and two others were injured early on Sunday in the chaotic aftermath of a police raid in a poor Sao Paulo neighbourhood, authorities said. Residents blamed the police for causing the panicky stampede, local media reported.
Monday, December 2nd 2019 - 09:29 UTC
3 reasons why Latin America has erupted in protests

From Chile to Venezuela and Bolivia to Nicaragua, it’s no understatement to say that Latin America is on fire.