Stories for December 8th 2010

Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 17:14 UTC
China creates and awards “Confucius Peace Prize” ahead of Oslo’s ceremony

A newly formed Chinese organization says it will award its own peace prize on Thursday, a day before the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Norway to imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 17:11 UTC
US dollar to strengthen, but US fiscal health worse than Europe’s warns China

The U.S. dollar will be a safe investment for the next six to 12 months because global markets are focused on the Euro zone's troubles but the US fiscal health is worse than Europe's, an adviser to the Chinese central bank said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 17:04 UTC
Brazilian iron-ore giant Vale traded at a premium in Hong Kong market debut

Brazilian corporation Vale, the world's biggest iron ore miner, listed on Wednesday at the Hong Kong stock exchange where it traded at a premium to New York's close, as the company looks to raise its profile among Asian investors.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 16:47 UTC
Madrid’s position on Gibraltar territorial waters “lacks legal basis” says former ambassador

A retired Spanish diplomat has sparked controversy after circulating a number of opinion articles that contradicted the official Spanish position on key issues including Gibraltar.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 16:27 UTC
Mercosur/EU trade negotiations on track for Brussels meeting in March

Trade negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur are making progress and are on track for a possible trade agreement by mid-2011, following coincidences on several controversial points.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 07:25 UTC
Assange remanded in custody; Wikileaks promises to continue publishing material

The founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has been refused bail by a court in London but vowed to fight extradition to Sweden. Mr Assange denies sexually assaulting two women in Sweden. He was remanded in custody pending a hearing next week.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 07:19 UTC
Obama defends tax deal with Republicans: “real money for real people”

President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the tentative tax deal he struck with Republicans is a good deal for the American people and a long political fight over tax cuts would have been bad for the US economy.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 05:10 UTC
US and Israel criticize Mercosur members’ recognition of the state of Palestine

United States disapproved of the recognition of a Palestine state from the part of several Latin American countries, saying that direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians are still “the only way” to reach peace in the Middle East.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 05:07 UTC
Argentina discovers in Patagonia largest gas reserve in 35 years

Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was in charge of leading the Tuesday ceremony in which Repsol-YPF announced the discovery of a massive shale gas reserve, the largest in 35 years that could help the country reduce its imports of the fuel.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 04:56 UTC
IMF criticizes Europe’s disjointed response to the Euro debt crisis

The head of the International Monetary Fund criticized Europe's disjointed response to the Euro zone debt crisis after Germany and other states resisted his calls for bolder action.