The International Monetary Fund (IMF ) has downgraded its forecast for global economic .

It now expects economic activity to increase 3.4% this year followed by 3.6% in 2017.

 

That means growth of 0.2% less each year than when the agency last published a forecast in October.

And there are warnings about the risks. The report says that if key challenges are not successfully managed, "global growth could be derailed".

British Chambers of Commerce cut its UK Econmic Growth Forecast.

The business lobby group has cut its growth forecast for this year to 2.4% from 2.6%.

In addition, it has has lowered its forecast for both 2016 and 2017 to 2.5% from 2.7%.

It said the manufacturing sector, which it expects to contract this year, had been hit by "falling global prospects".

"Our persistently weak trade performance and current account balance are impacting our overall growth," the BCC's director general John Longworth said.

Slowing growth in the third quarter contributed to the downgrade, the BCC said.

Health predictions for 2016 include more apps and remote doctors

Next year, expect people to take more control of their health -- virtually.

 

More doctors will check in with patients from remote locales and more people will monitor their health through apps on their phones, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCooper's.