Wikinews Shorts: December 8, 2008
A compilation of brief news reports for Monday, December 8, 2008.
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New sub-population of critically endangered species of monkey found
Biologists from Fauna and Flora International say that they had discovered up to twenty critically endangered monkeys in a remote forest in northwestern Vietnam.
The group, which belongs to the species of Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys, included three infant monkeys, an indication that they were breeding and increasing in their numbers.
Before the discovery, less than 250 of the animals were thought to inhabit the planet.
Sources
- Michael McCarthy. "A glimpse of hope for rare monkey" — The Independent, December 5, 2008
- "Glimmer of hope for rare monkey" — BBC News Online, December 7, 2008
India announces $4 billion stimulus package
India has announced that it will release a stimulus package worth $4 billion, or 200 billion rupees, to help its economy, as the global economic slowdown continues.
This comes as the Reserve Bank of India cut its key interest rate by 1%, from 7.5% to 6.5%, on Saturday to, encourage more spending. The rates are at their lowest since June of 2006. This is the third time since October that the bank has cut its rates.
Business confidence in India has also been lowered after an attack on Mumbai last week left at least 170 people dead.
Sources
- "India unveils $4bn stimulus plan" — BBC News Online, December 7, 2008
- "India announces $4 billion stimulus package" — Associated Press, December 7, 2008
High turnout in Ghanian elections
Officials say that a high turnout has been recorded for elections for president and parliament in Ghana.
Despite long queues at polling stations, the election has been reported as peaceful. 12.4 million voters, approximately half the country's population, have cast their ballots.
"Voter turnout is going to be very high," said Electoral Commission Chairman Kwadwo Afari-Gyan. "I should expect a higher number than we saw in the last elections because I could see this one is very competitive." Turnout in 2004 was a record 85%.
The election results are expected to come in on Monday.
Sources
- "'Turnout high' in Ghana elections" — BBC News Online, December 7, 2008
- "Mass turnout in Ghana elections" — Press TV, December 7, 2008
Sudan deploys more troops to oil-rich state
The army of Sudan has deployed additional troops to the state of Kordofan, which is rich in oil. The army told state media that it wanted to prevent "feverish attempts" to attack the area by Darfur rebels, members of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
The army's announcement comes just days after officials in semi-autonomous southern Sudan accused the north of creating a large force in southern Kordofan over the period of the last three weeks.
The Sudanese army has been on alert since JEM launched an unprecedented attack on the Sudanese capital of Khartoum in May of this year.
Sources
- "Sudan build-up in oil-rich state" — BBC News Online, December 7, 2008
- "Sudan builds up troops in oil region" — Welt Online, December 7, 2008
Walmart.com to stock up on Wiis starting Monday
On December 7, 2008, Walmart.com announced that it will have thousands of Wiis in stock online starting Monday. The console will be sold for $249.24 alone, or for $329 in a "value bundle," which includes the Wii console and other Wii items such as an extra pair of controllers.
The Wii has been one the most popular electronic items this season. On Black Friday, retailers ran out of stock, forcing consumers to go online to sites such as Yahoo! Shopping, eBay, and other big retailer sites.
By nightfall on Friday, the Wii console sold out on all big retailer sites including Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, and CircuitCity.com.
Sources:
- Nicole Maestri. "Walmart.com offers "thousands" of Wiis from Monday" — Reuters.com, Dec 7, 2008
- Luigi Lugmayr. "Huge Wii Sale on Walmart to happen on Monday" — I4U News, Dec 7, 2008
- John Lester. "Walmart Stocks Nintendo Wii For Online Sale" — NewsOXY, Dec 7, 2008
