This week on Money Talks: The Economic Year in review – Euro zone welcomes its newest member – France debates Sunday shopping.2008: The Economic Year in ReviewFrom tax evading in Liechtenstein, the crumbling of the auto industry around the world, and the financial crisis rocking the globe, 2008 was an interesting business year.There’s no denying it, 2008 was certainly one of the worst financial years the world has seen in a long time. Between oil prices skyrocketing through the roof and banks on Wall Street crumbling down, there was never a shortage of financial news. Money Talks takes a look back on the economic happenings of the past year. Report: Clare AtkinsonEuro Zone Welcomes Its Newest MemberOn January 1, 2002 the euro was officially rolled out as usable currency. Now the 15 nations of the euro zone, the group of nations which use the euro, is welcoming in their 16th member, but are they ready?Slovakia becomes the 16th member of the Eurozone on January 1st, when it trades in the national currency – the koruna – for the euro. It's been a long and painful path to euro adoption – fiscal reforms introduced by the previous centre-right administration were deeply unpopular – but now the small Central European country, which joined the EU in 2004, could be about to reap the benefits of security at a time of great financial turmoil. Report: Rob CameronFrance Debates Sunday ShoppingOn most Sundays shops and markets in Europe are closed for a day of rest. Germany has been fighting for years to have the rule rescinded, but has only gotten as far as having a select number of Sundays declared open for business. In France it’s much the same, but that might change is President Nicolas Sarkozy has his way.The holidays are coming to an end and that can only mean one thing: sales, sales and more sales. Across the world people will flock to their local markets and mega malls looking for bargains on the things the shops are trying to get rid of before next year’s items roll in. Because New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday this year, most people will only have Friday and Saturday to do their shopping before returning to work next week. But at this time next year that may not be the case in France. A proposed new law was debated earlier this month by the French parliament. It calls for stores to be able to open their doors on 10 Sundays a year, instead of the current five. President Nicolas Sarkozy was forced to significantly water down the legislation after he found himself under attack from the left and right. Opponents said getting rid of the nation’s collective day off would change an important part of French culture. Report: Eleanor Beardsley read less