After missing for a few days due to travelling and no prolonged access to the internet, the Daily Verdict is back and will be continue regularly.
- Markets have slow opening
Markets had a slow, but positive day as most hovered around par with minimal point additions to the major indexes. The Dow is currently up 18 points, FTSE100 up 65 points, CAC40 also up 40 points and the IBEX having a slightly better day up 115 points. The TSX also climbed 62 points as did the DAX 38 points. The Nikkei had a bad opening though, now down close to 450 points. Consistent news about falling consumer spending and confidence, along with reports of a huge drop in US manufacturing has limited the potential positive effect of cash infusions and bank guarantees from world governments. The fear of a long and drawn out recession is countering the effects of increased confidence in banking and financial institutions.
- One more day
With one more day left until the national elections, most US polls have closed dramatically, following decades of pre-election day trends which show that polls always get closer as the big day dawns. Still, there no polls showing McCain winning or even close to securing enough electoral votes. As the two candidates are now whisking through battleground states trying to make one last appeal to voters, there are many Democrats growing increasingly nervous. Here is an interesting article which highlights the main fears of Democratic voters.
- Congo truce under threat as aid comes in
As some aid has begun trickling into the affected regions in Congo, the fragile truce between rebels and the government is beginning to deteriorate as threats to resume the violence have been made by rebel leaders. Goma, the most affected province, is under a night curfew and more violence is inevitable if the president, Joseph Kablia, attends direct negotiations. The option has been expressly ruled out by the president and faces the threat of a country-wide coup as no clear solution or possible peace alternatives are currently available.
- Zambian elections contested
Zambia, arguably one of the wealthiest and most stable countries in the African continent, has been shaken by political controversy as the results of the most recent presidential elections has been contested by the opposition party. Interim president Rupiah Banda, who had taken over from the deceased yet very popular former president Levy Mwanawasa, was declared the winner in a very tight contest that the opposition claims was rigged and manipulated. The final result had Banda winning with 40.8% as opposed to 38.1% for the opposition.
- Hamilton youngest F1 winner
23 year-old Lewis Hamilton has become the youngest ever Formula One Championship winner after a dramatic finish to the Brazilian GP on Sunday. With Massa leading the race and the real-time championship points race with one more lap to go, Hamilton passed Toyota’s Timo Glock with only a few hundred meters before the finish line to secure the one extra point he needed to secure the title. Some consolation for Ferrari fans can be the Constructor’s title as they handily won it from McLaren by 21 points.
- Caffeine harmful during pregnancy
A new study published in the British Medical Journal shows studies that indicate even small amounts of caffeine during pregnancy can result in the birth of an underweight baby. The relatively slower fetal growth is a result of any type of caffeine, including from tea and chocolate, and can result in underweight children more likely to develop health conditions ranging from blood pressure problems to heart conditions and even diabetes. Additionally, pregnant women that drink two or more cups of coffee a day are at twice the risk of having a miscarriage.