International

Wednesday, January 9th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Possible alternative 2008 “Dakar Rally” in central Europe

Dakar Rally organizers are considering a race through central Europe this spring to replace the event that was cancelled due to security concerns, the head of the Czech KM Racing Team said on Monday to French sources.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Central bankers' dilemma: liquidity or inflation risks

European Central Bank (ECB) chief Jean-Claude Trichet is “very satisfied” with central banks' coordinated action to help banks hit by the credit crunch. The US Federal Reserve, the ECB and central banks from the UK, Canada and Switzerland injected billions to calm money markets in December.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Australia to begin sea-air surveillance of Japanese whalers

Australia will begin sea- and air-based surveillance of Japan's whaling fleet this week foreign affairs minister Stephen Smith announced this week. Australia's center-left Labor government anticipated it would step up action to block Japan from its annual whale hunt, including sending a surveillance plane and a customs ship to gather evidence for a possible international legal challenge.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Believe it or not: Brits richer than US citizens in 2008

United Kingdom living standards are set to overtake those in the United States this year for the first time since the 19th century, research has claimed. The UK's GDP is expected to rise to £23,500 per person during 2008, £250 more than the £23,250 GDP per head predicted for Americans, according to Oxford Economics.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Australian announces first permanent air link to Antarctica

Australia's civil aviation regulators announced on Tuesday they have given final approval for the country's first permanent air link to Antarctica, although it will be for scientists rather than tourists.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
QE2 final world cruise before becoming Dubai floating hotel

One of the world's most famous cruise ships, the Queen Elizabeth 2 set sail Sunday on its final global voyage before being turned into a floating hotel, British media reported. The vessel left with a fireworks send-off from the port city of Southampton for her last winter trip, the domestic Press Association news agency said.
Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Bluefin tuna sells for 202 US dollars a kilo in Tokyo market

A Hong Kong sushi restaurant owner paid a record 55.700 US dollars for a massive blue-fin tuna in the first auction of the year at the world's largest fish market in Tokyo, an official and media reports said.
Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Ban Ki-moon: 2008 should be the year of the “bottom billion”

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed Monday that 2008 should be the year of the “bottom billion,” citing the need for renewed determination to address the needs of the poorest of the world's poor who have been left behind by global economic growth.
Sunday, January 6th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Cooling inflation, China's central bank main task for 2008

China's central bank said it will take more steps this year to cool inflation and prevent the world's fastest growing major economy from overheating. A “tighter monetary policy” will “help prevent the economy from overheating and prevent price increases from spreading”, the central bank said in a statement last week after concluding a two-day annual work meeting in Beijing.
Sunday, January 6th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Euro-zone inflation challenges ECB monetary policy

Record oil prices and continuing high food costs kept Euro zone inflation at 3.1% in December, reported the European Central Bank (ECB).