itsjohntime

Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:02:08 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 23 December, 2008

ALLEGED MUMBAI ATTACKER SEEKS PAKISTANI HELP
The alleged surviving attacker from last month's Mumbai terror
attacks is seeking help from Pakistani officials, India said
Monday. More than 160 people died in the attacks, most of them
at the two luxury hotels.

GANG GUILTY OF PLOTTING TO KILL SOLDIERS IN U.S.
Five of six men were found guilty Monday of plotting to kill
U.S. soldiers at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

POLL: 23 PERCENT SAY CHENEY WORST VP EVER
A new national poll suggests that one of out of five Americans
think that Dick Cheney is the worst vice president in American
history.

U.S. POLL: PUBLIC BACKS AUTO BAILOUT, FOR NOW
A new national poll Monday finds a majority of Americans approve
of recent loans to big U.S. automakers, but less than 3 in 10
would support additional assistance.

SLUMPING SALES, SURGING YEN HITS TOYOTA
Japanese automaker Toyota warned Monday that it will post the
first operating loss in its 71-year history.

BUSINESS

REPORT: TATA TO BAIL OUT JAGUAR LAND ROVER
The Indian owners of car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
have agreed to pump "tens of millions" of dollars into the
luxury car brand to prevent a cash flow crisis, it was reported
Monday.

OBAMA RAISES JOBS GOAL TO 3 MILLION
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has decided to increase his
goal for new jobs after receiving economic forecasts suggesting
the economy was in worse shape than predicted.

CHINA TO PROVIDE $19B TO TAIWAN FIRMS
China will provide 130 billion yuan ($19 billion) in financing
over the next two to three years to Taiwan-based companies doing
business in the mainland, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State
Council said Monday, the latest sign of warming ties between
Beijing and Taipei.