Stories for January 2nd 2020

Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:59 UTC
Argentine president calls for “social responsibility” from business people, otherwise government will intervene

Argentine president Alberto Fernandez called for “social responsibility” from business people demanding they don't increase prices above reasonable levels, since “fighting inflation is a battle that involves all of us”.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Challenging second year ahead for Brazilian president Bolsonaro

Beginning his second year as Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro has held firm to his combative culture-warrior policies while feuding with critics at home and abroad — an approach that has thrilled many supporters while eroding his efforts to win allies and lift the world’s ninth-largest economy out of its doldrums.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:57 UTC
Mendoza reinstates law that protects water resources following public uproar over a bill favoring mining

A controversial mining law that sparked massive protests in the province of Mendoza in Argentina’s western-central region was finally abolished. The province's governor Rodolfo Suárez presented a formal request before the legislature on Monday, and with 34 votes in favor and 2 against, the Senate approved the annulment.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:52 UTC
US/China Phase One trade deal to be signed 15 January at the White House

A partial new US-China trade agreement will be signed in the middle of next month, US President Donald Trump said, announcing that he will also then travel to China for continued talks.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:48 UTC
Australia on fire: thousands evacuate coastal communities; political storm brewing

Thousands of tourists have been given less than 48 hours to evacuate fire-ravaged coastal communities as Australia braces for a heatwave on Saturday expected to fan deadly bushfires.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:44 UTC
People killed in large commercial airplane crashes fell by over 50% in 2019

The number of people killed in large commercial airplanes crashes fell by more than 50% in 2019 despite a high-profile Boeing 737 MAX crash in Ethiopia in March, a Dutch consulting firm said on Wednesday.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:41 UTC
Mexican president openly admits the power of drug lords

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador declared an end to the days of collusion between crime and government, saying in a holiday address there was a time when drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was as powerful as the country's president.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:35 UTC
Colombia's capital first woman mayor promises to fight “racism, class distinctions and xenophobia”

Bogota's first woman mayor Claudia Lopez took office on Wednesday, promising leadership in the troubled Colombian capital and pledging to fight “racism, class distinctions and xenophobia.”
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:30 UTC
Pope apologizes for slapping a woman who had grabbed him, “we lose patience many times”

Pope Francis apologized on Wednesday for slapping a woman who had grabbed him as he greeted a crowd of devotees, shortly before he delivered a speech denouncing ”every form of violence against women.