Stories for November 21st 2007

Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Concern in Argentina over voters' turnout and lack of interest

Argentina's recent general elections marked the lowest voters' turnout since 1922 according to one of the country's leading political analysts Rosendo Fraga. Turnout last October was 71.8%, compared to the 78.2% of the previous election in 2003.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Global mine clearance operations demand 400 million in 2008

Proposed initiatives to remove landmines and explosive remnants of war in some 30 countries and three territories around the world are expected to cost 404 million US dollars next year, according to a report jointly published by three United Nations agencies and released Tuesday.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina/Brazil to jointly explore for South Atlantic oil

Brazil's Petrobras and Argentina' energy company, Enarsa will cooperate in offshore hydrocarbons exploration in the South Atlantic was announced Monday in Brasilia following the meeting in Brasilia of President Lula da Silva with visiting elected president Cristina Kirchner.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Elections and further step for the Cuban regime transition

Cuba announced Tuesday it has set January 20 for national elections that are part of the process of determining whether ailing leader Fidel Castro continues as president. The ruling, signed by interim leader Raul Castro and read on state television, set the date for elections to provincial and national assemblies ÃÂ¢€” voting that is held every five years.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuadorian leader in control of charter reform assembly

Ecuador's populist President Rafael Correa will control more than 60% of an assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution for the politically unstable nation, according to official election results released earlier this week.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US mortgage defaults to worsen in 2008, warns Paulson

United States Treasury secretary Henry Paulson said mortgage defaults will worsen in 2008 and lenders should act “aggressively” to offer new loan terms to avert an economic calamity, the Wall Street Journal online said.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Copper prices fall to 8 month low below 3 dollars benchmark

Copper prices fell on Wednesday to an eight-month low, below 3 US dollars per pound, on the London Metal Exchange after rising dramatically last week due to several earthquakes in northern Chile's mining region. However the monthly average for copper remains at 3.21 US dollars.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
OECD warns of mortgage debacle on equity markets

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD said on Wednesday that overall losses caused by the U.S. mortgage market crisis could hit 300 billion US dollars and the broader credit crunch could yet inflict greater damage on equity markets.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Amazon basin strayed minke whale was found dead

A minke whale that had strayed deep into the Amazon rainforest has been found dead. The 5.5 meters whale was believed to have become lost in the Amazon's many tributaries after leaving the Atlantic more than 1.600 kilometers away.
Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
China forecasts boom in cooking oil and grains markets

China's soy oil purchases will represent 45% of world's imports by the end of last September up 25% from seven years ago according to a report from the Beijing government supported Shanghai Daily”.