New Year's News 2008/2009

Russia's row with Ukraine slashed gas flows to Greece by a third and reduced supplies to Bulgaria and Croatia placing Moscow's reputation as a reliable gas supplier to Europe under new scrutiny. Which I would have thought should have been under scrutiny since 2006.

Celebrations to bring in the New Year were cancelled in Dubai.

New Year celebrations were postponed for a day in Aspen, Colorado, after a former resident unhappy his home town had become a resort playground for the wealthy vowed "mass death" and planted four bombs before killing himself.

The Czech Republic took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union from France.

At least 61 people were killed in a fire in Bangkok during New Year celebrations.

Vilnius and Linz become the European Capitals of Culture.

Slovakia adopted the euro and becomes the 16th member of the Eurozone.

In 2008 we said goodbye to:

Edmund Hillary; New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist, Heath Ledger; Australian actor, Baba Amte; Indian social activist, Arthur C. Clarke; English author, inventor, and futurist, Paul Scofield; English actor, Irena Sendler; Polish humanitarian, Paul Newman; American actor, Tony Hillerman; American writer, Harold Pinter; English playwright, Eartha Kitt; American singer and actress.

 

 

British New Year