Stories for January 2nd 2008

Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Pope calls peace 'divine gift' in New Year's mass

Peace is a “divine gift,” Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday in his traditional New Year's Day mass, stressing the role of the family as an agent of peace.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Hostage rescue in Colombia collapses

A Venezuelan-led mission to rescue three hostages, including a 3-year old boy, from leftist rebels in Colombia's jungles fell apart Monday as the guerrillas accused Colombia's military of sabotaging the promised handoff.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Stomach bug downs passengers on 'cursed' ship

Cunard's £300 million MS Queen Victoria - which was officially launched by Camilla in Southampton three weeks ago when she failed to successfully smash the champagne bottle on its side - has been struck by a potentially fatal stomach bug.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela launches new currency to stem inflation

Venezuela launched a new currency with the New Year, lopping off three zeros from denominations in a bid to simplify finances and boost confidence in a money that has been losing value due to high inflation.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Fidel Castro's New Year's message read on TV

Ailing leader Fidel Castro saluted the Cuban people for their “50 years of resistance” against the United States in a written message read on state television shortly before the first minutes of the New Year.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Ban Ki-moon struggles to raise UN profile

Flying 350,000km and visiting 39 countries, Ban Ki-moon has put tireless energy into his first year as UN secretary-general but has struggled to raise the profile of the much-criticized body.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Paris and Berlin ban cafe smoking beginning Jan 1

Smoking has been banned in bars in the capitals of France and Germany but the laws will not be enforced immediately.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Individual privacy protection worsened in 2007, report says

Privacy protection for individuals worsened around the globe in 2007, as governments stepped up surveillance and data-gathering to improve security, according to a report by two advocacy groups.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Russia looks to nuclear cooperation with Uruguay

Russia looks to cooperation in the nuclear energy sphere with Uruguay, the country's ambassador to the Latin American state said on Monday.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Analysts see prospect of 100-dollar oil in 2008

Oil prices of near 100 dollars per barrel caused alarm in consuming countries in 2007 and analysts forecast another tense crude market this year with triple-figure records a real prospect.