 | | Dollar is Here to Stay | | THE dollar is here to stay, at least as far as pricing in oil markets is concerned. Certain countries _ including Iran, France and Russia _ have periodically floated the idea of transforming the markets by settling crude oil transactions in currencies other than the dollar.
But each time the notion is raised, it has been quickly dismissed on technical and economic grounds. And that remains the case today, more than ever.
''It's a red herring,'' said Leo Drollas, chief economist at the Center for Global Energy Studies in London. "The idea should be put back in its box for a while, especially with all the turmoil surrounding the euro.'' Various reasons have been cited for the calls to shift away from the dollar, which remains the world's reserve unit.
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|  |  | | 'THINK DIFFERENT' WAS JOBS' CREDO | | WHEN Steve Jobs died on October 5, many commentators wondered whether Apple _ the company he cofounded and led through many years of profit and innovation _ could continue to thrive without him.
After struggling with cancer, Jobs stepped down from his post as Apple's CEO in August, yet his impact on the company remained profound. After all, Apple's innovations _ from the personal computer to the iPod to the iPhone _ changed the way the world communicates and plays. Following Jobs' death at the age of 56, many argued that Apple's future was now in doubt.
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Wales, France to clash in Rugby World Cup semis today
AFP
AUCKLAND WALES go into its World Cup semi-final against France as favourites having hit a rich vein of form that mixes defensive nous with attacking flair.
Led by 23-year-old captain Sam Warburton, Wales rebounded from an opening 17-16 pool loss to South Africa to rack up victories over Samoa, Namibia and Fiji before outplaying Ireland in last weekend’s 22-10 quarter- final win.
But they’ve been forced into making a change in a key position following that match with utility back James Hook starting in his favoured role of fly-half after Rhys Priestland, one of Wales’s stars at this World Cup, was ruled out with a shoulder injury suffered against the Irish.
Wales coach Warren Gatland opted to start Hook instead of veteran stand-off Stephen Jones, who is on the bench instead.
“Time was against Rhys,” said Gatland. “We’re lucky we haven’t picked up too many injuries in this competition, and we’re lucky to have James to come in,” with the New Zealander adding it had been a “tough call” between Hook and Jones for the No 10 shirt.
Saturday’s match will be Wales’ first semi-final appearance since the inaugural World Cup in 1987, when they were well beaten by the All Blacks.
France have reached the last four despite losing twice in the pool phase, to New Zealand and, in their final group match, Tonga.
But they turned the formbook on its head with a gutsy display against a toothless England, winning 19-12 to advance to the final four and earlier this week France coach Marc Lievremont named an unchanged team.
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