 | | 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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 | Rabita wins FIVB world club title DOHA RABITA BAKU gained a sweet revenge, the Azerbaijan team crushed VakifBank Telekom of Turkey in straight sets to win the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship for the first time at the Women's Indoor Hall, on Friday.
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| | Midoun edges Waleed to gain slender lead on third day | | DOHA QATARI lad Waleed al Sharshani and Algerian Mohammad Amine Midoun kept up their ding-dong battle at the top of the Laser Radial in the Sail Trophy 2011 at the Doha Bay on Friday.
Sharshani and Midoun launched the Day Three with seven points each but after two races today, the home team sailor edged ahead with the first and second places.
But Midoun (11 points) finished the strongly and recovered all the lost points to wrest the No 1 position from Sharshani, who was third in the final race behind Kuwait's Ahmed Abdul Lateef.
With only races left to decide the winner and both Sharshani (12 points) and Midoun being one point adrift, the final day may put a lot of pressure on them. Any mistake may prove quite costly but this class is certainly all set for a grand finale. Lateef is in the third place with 18 points. It looks likely that these three should be on the podium tomorrow as well.
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| | Wales, France to clash in Rugby World Cup semis today | | 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.
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| | Manchester United faces Liverpool test at Anfield | | LIVERPOOL MANCHESTER United head to Liverpool at the weekend for a significant test of Sir Alex Ferguson's team's improved away form.
United won a record 19th league title last season — moving ahead of Liverpool's tally of 18 — despite their worst away record since the start of the Premier League.
They have improved that in the current campaign, with two wins and a draw from their three away games, with a 1-1 draw at Stoke the only points they have dropped so far.
But they will have to improve their record against their old rivals if they are to retain their unbeaten record.
They have lost three consecutive matches at Anfield, with Ferguson recently admitting that his team have been outfought on their recent trips to Merseyside.
Nemanja Vidic, who could return from a calf problem he sustained on the opening weekend of the season, was sent off in two of those three matches.
With Manchester City hosting Aston Villa, United know that they could lose ground in the title race without a positive result against Kenny Dalglish's team.
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