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LONDON/WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Facebook's plans to launch its Libra cryptocurrency faced a new hurdle on Thursday, when the Group of Seven wealthy nations said such "stablecoins" should not be allowed to launch until the profound international risks they pose are addressed. When launched on a wide scale, stablecoins - digital currencies usually backed by traditional money and other assets - could threaten the world's monetary system and financial stability, a G7 working group said in a report to finance ministers gathered in Washington for the IMF and World Bank fall meetings. The emerging technology, which is now mostly unregulated, like other cryptocurrencies, could also hinder cross-border efforts to fight money laundering and terror financing, and throw up problems for cyber security, taxation and privacy, the report said.

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:55:41 -0400

A Colorado woman suspected of trying to sell three human fetuses from the 1920s and a fetal skeleton online has been indicted in California on charges of violating a U.S. law prohibiting the transfer of human fetal tissue. Emily Suzanne Cain, 38, pleaded not guilty to charges Tuesday, KUSA-TV reported . The case has been delayed until Nov. 20 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, according to court records.

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:44:07 -0400

Heavy gunfire on Thursday rocked several neighborhoods in the Mexican city of Culiacan, home to Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's Sinaloa cartel, after security forces detained a son of the notorious kingpin. Mexican networks Televisa and Milenio both said security forces had confirmed the capture of Ovidio Guzman, who, along with his brothers, is believed to be influential in the cartel since their father was jailed in the United States. Milenio broadcast a photograph that it said showed Ovidio Guzman in detention.

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:38:47 -0400

Noteholders of PG&E Corp and a committee for victims of the wildfires that pushed the power producer into bankruptcy filed a formal reorganization plan on Thursday for the company, proposing they get effectively all of its new shares. The plan, filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Francisco over PG&E's wishes, proposes the noteholders buy $15.5 billion in new shares, giving them 59.3% of equity. The plan also proposes issuing 40.6% new PG&E stock to fund a fire victims trust valued at $12.75 billion.

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:32:20 -0400

When Japan's youngest prince, Hisahito, visited Bhutan in August on his first overseas trip just months after his uncle Naruhito became emperor, his trip was regarded as the debut of a future monarch on the world stage. Emperor Naruhito, 59, who became monarch on May 1 following the abdication of his father, Akihito, will proclaim his enthronement in an Oct. 22 ceremony before foreign and domestic dignitaries. Japan only allows males to ascend the ancient Chrysanthemum Throne and changes to the succession law are anathema to conservatives backing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:30:12 -0400