The World in Review

1. Canada:

Resale prices on Toronto homes dropped 13% in October from the same month last year, the Toronto Real Estate Board said.

“Canada’s Conservative government is interested in negotiating a climate change pact with the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, which looks set to take a tougher line on the environment than did President George W. Bush, an official said...” (Reuters).

2. United States:

Democratic Senator Barack Obama gained 64,364,185 votes and 364 Electoral College points to secure the presidency of the United States over opponent John McCain who had 56,701,762 votes and 162 points. In his victory speech, Mr. Obama, who will be the nation’s first black president, told a sprawling crowd, “It’s been a long time coming, but tonight...change has come to America.” (See news brief: “World Reacts to Historic Presidential Win”)


Four marines, based in southern California, are in custody for allegedly ransacking the home of their sergeant, torturing him and his wife and killing them execution style.

“Adolescents who have high levels of exposure to television programs that contain sexual content are twice as likely to be involved in a pregnancy over the following three years as their peers who watch few such shows, according to a new RAND Corporation study” (Science Daily).
California citizens voted to ban same-sex marriages after the state’s top court had legalized it months earlier. Florida and Arizona also voted to add an amendment to their constitution banning homosexual marriages.

Ford Motor Company’s U.S. sales in October were down 30% from the same month in 2007. Toyota reported a 23% fall in U.S. revenue and Hyundai 31%.

A new study published in the medical journal Pediatrics showed that drug prescriptions for children and teens for obesity-related illnesses, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, have seen a sharp increase in the last years. (See news brief: “Study: Spike in Obesity-related Prescriptions for Children”

“In what some economists called a sure sign of recession, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday its manufacturing index fell to 38.9, the lowest reading since September 1982. Any reading below 50 signals contraction” (Associated Press).

3. Venezuela: The government announced that it will assume control of one of the country’s largest gold reserves, Las Cristinas (valued at $35 billion), from the Canadian company Crystallex. The decision is part of a push by President Hugo Chavez to nationalize strategic sectors, including the petroleum, cement, telecommunications, electric, iron and steel industries. (See related article: “Venezuela’s Shift to the Left”)

4. Iceland: The nation’s central bank raised interest rates from 6 points to 18%, to comply with conditions for a $2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. The Norwegian government is also ready to lend Iceland $635 million to help ease its economic crisis. Iceland’s prime minister has said the nation needs up to an additional $3.5 billion in long-term loans to keep the nation afloat.

5. United Kingdom: One of Britain’s last remaining World War I veterans died at the age of 108, leaving only four other veterans of the “Great War.”

In the city of Cardiff, 74 people were arrested in a two-day crackdown on robbery, drugs and car thefts. Over ₤90,000 of drugs were recovered during one bust on the apartment of a 20-year-old man, who was taken in custody (BBC).

6. Spain: According to the Labor Ministry, Spain’s unemployment rate is at 11.3%, a 12-year high.

7. France: A fully artificial heart was made public by French scientists, which closely mimics a real heart beat and uses electronic sensors for heart rate and blood flow regulation. The design has been tested in animals, and it is estimated the heart will cost $192,140. (See related article: “What Is Missing from the Genius of Mankind?”)

8. Hungary: “Hungary’s currency and stock market were rising Wednesday after the International Monetary Fund said the country would get an aid package of up to $25.1 billion (20 billion euros) to rescue its economy hit hard by the global financial crisis” (Associated Press).

9. Democratic Republic of Congo: At least 20 people were killed and 33 injured in North Kivu after fighting broke out between renegade forces led by General Laurent Nkunda, and government-backed militias in the eastern part of the country. According to the humanitarian organization Human Rights Watch, “…peacekeepers based in the area were apparently unable to protect civilians from attack” (IRIN).

10. Iraq: “The numbers of Iraqi civilians and U.S. troops killed in Iraq have hit their lowest levels since the war began in 2003, monthly tallies showed…Iraqi government figures showed 238 civilians were killed this month, the lowest number since U.S. forces invaded in 2003” (Reuters).

11. Russia: “President Dmitry Medvedev said…that Russia will deploy missiles in territory close to NATO member Poland in response to U.S. missile defense plans” (Associated Press).
12. Sri Lanka: The government announced that a group that broke away from rebel Tamil Tigers in 2004 will disarm and integrate into the police and Civil Defense Force. Despite the offshoot group negotiating with the government, the Tamil Tigers continue to bring conflict to northern Sri Lanka. (See related news brief: “25-Year Conflict Reignited in Sri Lanka”)

13. Taiwan: “Chen Yunlin, China’s top negotiator on Taiwan affairs, completed the highest-level visit to the island by a Communist leader since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. His visit, which included deals to open new trade and transit links and a brief meeting with President Ma Ying-jeou, eased official ties between two sides that had in the past come to the brink of war in one of Asia’s most dangerous flashpoints” (Washington Post).

14. Indonesia: Parliament passed a comprehensive anti-pornography law that gives power to authorities to criminalize any “bodily movements” decided to be obscene or offensive, which can then incur a 12-year jail sentence. A four-year penalty could await anyone who has pornographic materials in his possession.

15. Australia: The federal government cut its forecast for this year’s wheat crop by 11.4%, to 19.91 tonnes, citing a lack of spring rain across southeastern Australia (ABC News).
“Australia’s economy will slow, unemployment will rise and the Federal Budget will take a $40 billion hit from the global economic crisis, the Treasurer Wayne Swan told a media conference…‘The global financial crisis has smashed a $40 billion hole in the budget,’ said Mr Swan. ‘This is yet another dramatic reminder that we are not immune from the impact of the global financial crisis’” (Sydney Morning Herald).