Stories for October 23rd 2008

Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Asbestos on watch list of hazardous substances says FAO

Ministers and officials will decide whether to add three hazardous chemicals – including the world's most widely used form of asbestos – to a trade “watch list” under a United Nations-backed treaty, aimed at helping developing countries more effectively manage potentially harmful imported substances.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
US election: fears of problems with new voting machines

Researchers are warning of potential problems during the United States election with record numbers set to vote and many states using new voting machines.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Rockhopper denies FT; no agreement entered with BHP Billiton

Rockhopper Exploration plc the AIM traded (RKH) oil and gas explorer with licences in the North Falkland Basin, notes the report in the Financial Times today entitled “Smaller producers get ready for consolidation”.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela's budget based on petroleum at 60 USD a barrel

Venezuela's budget is forecasting 15% inflation and is based assuming oil prices of 60 US dollars per barrel next year, Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez told the National Assembly this week.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Global recession fears have Latam markets on free fall

Latinamerican markets plunged on Wednesday on fears of consequences from Argentina's plan to nationalize retirement funds spread to the region increasing risks of an already highly volatile global situation.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine contagion helps Madrid market plummet 8%

Shares in Spanish companies with investments in Argentina slumped on the Madrid bourse on Wednesday after proposals to nationalize the country's pension funds were announced.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Ban Ki-moon to discuss global crisis with economists

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will meet with a group of eminent economists tomorrow as part of his evaluation of the impact of the global financial crisis on United Nations efforts to achieve the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine Navy tests successfully mid range missiles

The Argentine Navy successfully launched two ground-air mid range Aspide missiles, according to an official release on Wednesday from the Ministry of Defence.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Oil price at a 16-month low as energy demand contracts

Oil prices tumbled on Wednesday to a 16-month low amid more evidence that the economic downturn was drying up energy demand. Light, sweet crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange - the benchmark price - settled at 66.75 US dollars, around five dollars lower than the day's high.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
PM Brown admits the “r-word” is round the corner

Prime Minister Gordon Brown finally admitted that Britain is likely to suffer a recession - hours after a similar warning from the Bank of England sent the value of the pound plunging to a five-year low.