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• Young Swedes Flock to Newly Rich Norway for Work
  Norway has surpassed Sweden to become one of the richest countries in the world. The number of Swedes living and working in Norway has almost doubled between 1990 and 2007.
• China Lets Currency Appreciate a Bit Faster
  The increase fed speculation that China was yielding to international pressure and the state of its economy.
• In Japan, Inflation Surges and Job Market Sags
  Japan’s inflation rose at the fastest pace in more than nine years in November while industrial production and household spending declined.
• UBS Cancels Buyout of Indian Bank
  UBS, shaken by the mortgage crisis, said that it was walking away from a proposed takeover of Standard Chartered Bank of India.
• Air France a Step Closer to Buying Alitalia
  The Italian government approved exclusive talks between Alitalia and Air France-KLM, paving the way for the sale of the troubled national carrier.
• Berkshire to Buy ING Unit for $441 Million
  In its second acquisition this week, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway agreed to buy the NRG reinsurance unit of ING, the Dutch financial services company.
• China Finds American Allies for Security
  For the Olympics, some American companies are helping to design one of the most high-tech surveillance systems.
• China Moves to Improve Quality of Its Seafood
  China said this week that it would introduce an array of production standards to improve safety and guard against the use of illegal veterinary drugs in its seafood.
• Europe Charges Airlines With Price Fixing
  The air cargo haulers All Nippon Airways, Air New Zealand and the Malaysian Airline System were charged Thursday with violating European competition rules.
• Another Big Order for Boeing’s Dreamliners
  Boeing said that it had sealed a deal with British Airways, raising the number of orders for its long-awaited 787 Dreamliner plane to 790 during the last three years.
• In Europe, Tighter Lending but Not a Squeeze
  An outright credit squeeze has not arrived in Europe, but some bankers there are finding it trickier to navigate the global credit crisis.
• 2 Chinese Automakers Uniting Operations
  Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and Nanjing Automobile Corporation said they will combine their production assets in hopes of creating a globally competitive firm.
• China to Levy Tariffs on Some Exported Steel Products
  China said it would introduce export tariffs and increase rates on other items to rein in a record trade surplus and cut energy consumption and pollution.
• Both Sides Cite Science to Address Altered Corn
  A proposal to ban the planting of a genetically modified corn strain sets up a bitter war within the European Union.
• Toyota Aims to Be No. 1 in 2008 Vehicle Sales
  Toyota said it’s aiming to sell 9.85 million vehicles worldwide in 2008, setting an ambitious target despite worries about a slowing U.S. car market.
• The Ink Fades on a Profession as India Modernizes
  Cellphones made the services of the professional letter writer obsolete, but G. P. Sawant isn’t complaining.
• Denmark Feels the Pinch as Young Workers Flee to Lands of Lower Taxes
  Often educated abroad and fluent in English, young Danes are primed to quit Denmark for greener pastures. One reason is the income tax rate, which can reach 63 percent.
• Gum That Won’t Stick to Shoes? It’s in the Works
  Inspired by the gum-splotched sidewalks of New York, a British professor is taking on the sticky problem and developing a nonstick chewing gum.