itsjohntime

TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 11 December, 2008

TASTE FOR BUSH MEAT RISKS DEADLY EPIDEMIC

Unable to afford basic supplies, communities in Central Africa
are increasingly turning to the forests for food. In doing so,
hunters expose themselves to microscopic pathogens living in the
blood of forest animals. These viruses, which jump from animals
to humans, raise fears of a potential global epidemic.

INDIA MAINTAINS PAKISTAN LINK TO MUMBAI ATTACKS

India's top law enforcement official calls for an overhaul of
the country's intelligence and counterterrorism agencies,
declaring the country was in "the eye of a storm of terror."
Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram took office when his
predecessor resigned after the Mumbai attacks, which killed over
160.

U.S. HOUSE PASSES AUTO BAILOUT
The U.S. House passes a stopgap $14 billion bailout to U.S.
automakers, but Republican opposition cast doubts about its fate
as it moves on to the Senate. The bill sets strict oversight of
the companies.

SUSPECTED PIRATES FACE TRIAL IN KENYA
Eight suspected pirates arrived in a Kenyan court Thursday to
face trial on charges stemming from their attempted hijacking of
a Danish freighter in November.

U.N. SOURCES: U.S. PROPOSES PURSUING PIRATES
The United States is circulating a proposal that could allow
military forces to enter Somali territory in "hot pursuit" of
pirates, sources on the U.N. Security Council said Wednesday.

OBAMA CALLS ON ILLINOIS GOVERNOR TO RESIGN
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has called for Illinois Gov.
Rod Blagojevich to resign. Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on
federal corruption charges, including trying to sell Obama's
vacant Senate seat.

STELLAR SHOW FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER
A week of events to mark the presentation of the Nobel Peace
Prize to former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari continues
Thursday with a stellar concert in Oslo to be shown live on CNN
International.

WORLD BANK OFFERS $2B TO DEVELOPING NATIONS
The World Bank announced a "fast-track" assistance program for
countries in dire economic straits Wednesday, aiming to make $2
billion in financial aid available more quickly for struggling
nations.

~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

ASIA, PACIFIC MARKETS MIXED
Asian and Pacific markets opened generally down Thursday as
optimism faded that Washington would pass a bailout bill for
Detroit's ailing automakers, although a record low benchmark
interest rate in South Korea pushed the KOSPI index up in early
trading.

CHICAGO WINDOW PLANT SIT-IN TO END
Laid-off workers at a Chicago window factory ended a five-day
sit-in after banks agreed to lend the failed company $1.75
million for outstanding wages and benefits, union officials said
Wednesday.

IRISH PORK SALES GET ALL-CLEAR
The Republic of Ireland will resume sales of pork and bacon
following a food safety scare that prompted the recall of all
Irish pork, the country's Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith
announced Wednesday.