Stories for January 2008

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.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Volcano erupts in Chile, forcing the evacuation of dozens

A volcano in southern Chile erupted on Tuesday, spewing lava and ash, and forcing the evacuation of about 150 people, officials said.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Future is here: Brazilian economy at its best in 25 years

For years, the joke in this country was that Brazil's economy was the economy of the future. The morose punchline, of course, was that the future never arrives. But finally, it seems, the future is now.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Oil touches 100 US dollars a barrel on supply concern

Crude oil rose to $100 a barrel for the first time in New York as record global fuel consumption threatens to outpace production.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Somali kidnappers free Spanish doctor and Argentine nurse

Kidnappers in the north Somali region of Puntland have freed two aid workers from the Spanish branch of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).