Contributions from Carin Zissis
Amid concerns over global financial turbulence, Canadians cast their votes. Prime Minister Stephen Harper gained reelection and a stronger mandate, but economic worries made a dent in his party's gains as Conservatives once again won a minority government.
Voters in Brazil and Mexico turned out for local elections Sunday. Brazil's Worker's Party, buoyed by the president's popularity, made nationwide gains while in Mexico the Institutional Revolutionary Party won legislative seats and mayoralties. Security was a top concern on election day in both countries.
Wall Street's September 29 tumble sent shockwaves through Latin American markets, which saw recovery on Tuesday. Officials in several countries, particularly Brazil, maintain that their economies stand better prepared for crisis than in the past as a result of lower public debt and diversification of export markets.