麻豆约拍

The 12 months of 2004 resulted in a considerable focus on the state of the US economy. George W Bush was re-elected as president. Continuing worries about the longer-term stability of the US economy led to a sharp fall in the value of the dollar. In China, growth slowed only slightly from a high of 10% per year. Nigeria's finance minister Nosi N-kujo Owayla says her country is being judged harshly over past corruption. Microsoft received a $600 million fine from the European Union - the equivalent of a rap on the knuckles. Apple entered the music business by launching the iPod and the iTunes. There was turmoil at Royal Dutch Shell as accounts overstated its oil and gas reserves by 20%. The nephew of the Disney founder criticised the decision to close its last studio that drew cartoons by hand.

(Picture: US President George W. Bush makes remarks at a campaign rally on 15 October 2004 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Credit: Getty Images)