Around the World (November 18, 2008)

[Kamal_Farran]

***GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS OF 2008***
Citigroup will lay off 53,000 workers by early 2009 for a total of approximately 75,000.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,453104,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7733575.stm

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude oil futures contracts fell by 3.7% to close at $54.95 per barrel, their lowest level in 22 months.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Oil-futures-close-a-22/story.aspx?guid=%7BDA646B83%2D80A6%2D42E0%2D9131%2DCF9C5D96FABF%7D

The Japanese economy posts consecutive second-quarter contraction for the first time since 2001, officially putting the country in a recession.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/japan-in-the-red-joins-club-of-nations-in-crisis/78313-7.html?from=rssfeed


***2008 RUSSIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS***
The Russian Trading System stock exchange was suspended after the indexes fell by more than 5% and remained closed for rest of the session.
http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/11/17/afx5702572.html


***OTHER NEWS***
Israel - Tel Aviv municipal elections - a Pyrrhic victory for the Right
http://www.marxist.com/israel-tel-aviv-municipal-elections-2008.htm

MV Sirius Star, a Saudi oil tanker, is captured off Eyl by Somali pirates, becoming the largest vessel to be hijacked near the Horn of Africa region.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7733482.stm

Pakistani military launches new offensive in border areas
http://wsws.org/articles/2008/nov2008/paki-n17.shtml


***YOUTUBE TODAY***
george bush is funny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqLvBUSJucg