Saturday, December 13, 2008
Breaking News: Sam Bradford wins the Heisman Trophy
Oklahoma's quarterback Sam Bradford wins the Heisman Trophy.
International News
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 14 December, 2008
OFFICIAL: MUMBAI SUSPECT ASKS PAKISTAN FOR HELP
The only surviving suspect in last month's bombings in Mumbai
has written a letter to the Pakistan High Commission, or
embassy, seeking legal aid, CNN's sister network in India
reported Saturday, quoting a Mumbai police official.
Investigators there say all 10 attackers were from Pakistan.
Pakistani officials, however, have blamed "stateless actors."
23 PIRATES CAPTURED OFF SOMALIA, INDIA SAYS
The Indian navy captured 23 piracy suspects who tried to take
over a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, Indian
officials said. Included in the seized items were seven AK-47
automatic rifles, three other automatic weapons and 13 loaded
magazines; a rocket-propelled grenade launcher along with
rockets, cartridges and grenades.
BRITAIN TO HELP FUND AFGHAN VOTER REGISTRATION
Britain will help Afghanistan with upcoming elections and has
offered to set up a task force to fight corruption, British
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Saturday in Afghanistan.
GATES: AFGHANISTAN WON'T NEED IRAQ TROOP LEVEL
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who arrived in Iraq in a
surprise visit on Saturday, said he doubts U.S. troop presence
in Afghanistan will reach the levels attained in Iraq.
BROWN CONDEMNS TALIBAN 'CHILD BOMBER'
Gordon Brown flew into Afghanistan's violent Helmand province
Saturday as four Royal Marines were killed in a series of
Taliban attacks one of which the British prime minister said was
carried out by a 13-year old suicide bomber. He added that
Britain's 8,100 troops in Afghanistan were preventing a "chain
of terror" sweeping across Europe.
OBAMA NAMES MAN TO TACKLE MORTGAGE CRISIS
President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Shaun Donovan, New York
City's former housing commissioner, to be his secretary of
Housing and Urban Development. Obama used his weekly radio
address to announce the selection. He said HUD is essential in
the effort to address the mortgage crisis, which he said "not
only shakes the foundation of our economy, but the foundation of
the American Dream."
170 ARRESTED IN GLOBAL CHILD PORN PROBE
More than 170 people around the globe have been arrested in a
major operation targeting international child pornographers,
U.S. officials said. The probe and arrests stretched from North
America and Europe to Australia.
U.S. COURTHOUSE KILLER JAILED FOR LIFE
A Georgia judge threw the book at Brian Nichols on Saturday,
giving him four consecutive sentences of life without parole for
a 2005 shooting rampage that started in an Atlanta courthouse.
BUSINESS:
WHITE HOUSE MAY BAIL OUT BIG 3
The Bush administration says it will consider using the money
set aside to help banks and Wall Street to rescue the auto
industry.
STOCKS SLIDE ON U.S. AUTO BAILOUT NEWS
World markets endured fresh punishment Friday as U.S. lawmakers'
rejection of a $14 billion bailout for the ailing Detroit auto
industry, weakening currencies in the U.S. and the UK and the
bleak economic outlook weighed on investors' minds.
EU APPROVES $267B BAILOUT PLAN
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels have approved a
€200 billion ($267 billion) stimulus plan for the 27-nation
bloc's battered economy.
News Alert!
Obama names choice for housing secretary
12/13/08 06:50 AM, EST
President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Shaun Donovan, New York City's
former housing commissioner, to be his secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.
U.S. military considers options to deal with Somali pirates
12/13/08 01:09 AM, EST
The Pentagon is looking at options, but there are no plans for U.S.
forces to go ashore in pursuit of pirates in Somalia, a spokesman for
the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Friday.
News Alert!
170 arrested in global child porn investigation
12/12/08 10:29 PM, EST
More than 170 people around the globe, including at least 61 in the
United States, have been arrested in a major operation targeting
international child pornographers, officials said Friday.
International News
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 13 December, 2008
170 ARRESTED IN GLOBAL CHILD PORN PROBE
More than 170 people around the globe have been arrested in a
major operation targeting international child pornographers,
U.S. officials said. The probe and arrests stretched from North
America and Europe to Australia.
WHITE HOUSE MAY BAIL OUT BIG 3
The Bush administration says it will consider using the money
set aside to help banks and Wall Street to rescue the auto
industry.
ZIMBABWE: CHOLERA IS GENOCIDE BY UK
One of Zimbabwe's top officials blamed his country's spreading
cholera outbreak on what he calls "a genocidal onslaught" by
Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler -- Britain.
ECUADOR WON'T PAY FOREIGN DEBT INTEREST
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said Friday he will not pay
interest on the nation's foreign debt and that he was prepared
to accept any consequences.
TAIWAN'S EX-PRESIDENT CHEN RELEASED ON BAIL
Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was indicted Friday on
several corruption charges, including embezzlement and accepting
bribes.
PRESSURE GROWS ON EMBATTLED ILLINOIS GOVERNOR
Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, asked by reporters
today whether he plans to resign, said only that he'll "have a
lot to say at the appropriate time." Hours earlier, Illinois
Attorney General Lisa Madigan had asked the state Supreme Court
to remove Blagojevich -- accused of trying to sell off a U.S.
Senate seat -- temporarily from office.
PENTAGON WEIGHS OPTIONS OVER SOMALI PIRATES
The Pentagon is looking at options, but there are no plans for
U.S. forces to go ashore in pursuit of pirates in Somalia, a
spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Friday.
U.S. ENVOY URGES INTERNATIONAL MUMBAI PROBE
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte called Friday for
international support to help India investigate the deadly
terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
BUSINESS:
STOCKS SLIDE ON U.S. AUTO BAILOUT NEWS
World markets endured fresh punishment Friday as U.S. lawmakers'
rejection of a $14 billion bailout for the ailing Detroit auto
industry, weakening currencies in the U.S. and the UK and the
bleak economic outlook weighed on investors' minds.
EU APPROVES $267B BAILOUT PLAN
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels have approved a
€200 billion ($267 billion) stimulus plan for the 27-nation
bloc's battered economy.
FORMER NASDAQ CHAIRMAN CHARGED WITH FRAUD
Former Nasdaq chairman Bernard Madoff was arrested Thursday and
charged with a single count of securities fraud for allegedly
operating a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme from his investment
advisory business, federal authorities said.
Friday, December 12, 2008
International News
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 13 December, 2008
TEEN DISAPPEARS: 'MOM, I'M IN SOMALIA'
Seventeen-year-old Burhan Hassan told his family he was catching
a ride to school with a friend just before he vanished from his
home in the U.S. Midwest. A month later, he rang home to say:
"Mom, I'm in Somalia!" The FBI says he is not the only young
U.S. citizen heading to Somalia "potentially to fight."
ZIMBABWE: CHOLERA IS GENOCIDE BY UK
President Robert Mugabe was ridiculing what he believes are
Western designs to invade Zimbabwe when he said "there is no
cholera" in the country, a government spokesman says.
U.S. ENVOY URGES INTERNATIONAL MUMBAI PROBE
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte called Friday for
international support to help India investigate the deadly
terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
STOCKS SLIDE AS U.S. AUTO BAILOUT FAILS
Asian and European markets fell sharply on Friday after
Washington's automaker bailout plan floundered on Republican
opposition. More bleak economic data from the U.S. and news of
35,000 job cuts at Bank of America added to the gloom.
POLICE NOT CLEARED IN UK SUBWAY KILLING
Jurors at the inquest into the mistaken shooting of an unarmed
Brazilian man the day after the failed suicide bombings in
London returned an open verdict in the case Friday, the
coroner's spokesman said.
ROME ON FLOOD ALERT
Officials monitoring the River Tiber in Rome fear it could break
its banks as early as Friday evening after a spate of bad
weather in Italy, the country's Civil Protection Department has
said.
ATHENS ROCKED BY 7TH DAY OF CLASHES
Youths smashed windows and threw rocks at police in central
Athens Friday, the seventh day of clashes that erupted after a
police officer killed a 15-year-old boy last Saturday.
ZIMBABWE UNVEILS $500 MILLION NOTE
Zimbabwe's central bank is introducing a $500 million note --
the highest current denomination -- as the once-prosperous
southern African nation battles against spiraling
hyperinflation.
BUSINESS
EU APPROVES $267B BAILOUT PLAN
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels have approved a
€200 billion ($267 billion) stimulus plan for the 27-nation
bloc's battered economy.
FORMER NASDAQ CHAIRMAN CHARGED WITH FRAUD
Former Nasdaq chairman Bernard Madoff was arrested Thursday and
charged with a single count of securities fraud for allegedly
operating a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme from his investment
advisory business, federal authorities said.
DIAMOND SELLS FOR RECESSION-BUSTING $24.3M
What recession? Christie's, the famed auction house, this week
sold a nearly 36-carat diamond for $24.3 million, which it said
was the highest price for a diamond sold at auction.
FDIC, state regulators seize Sanderson State Bank of Texas, 25th bank to fail this year
FDIC, state regulators seize Sanderson State Bank of Texas, 25th bank
to fail this year
12/12/2008 6:32:10 PM EDT
Haven Trust Bank of Duluth, Ga., is 24th U.S. bank failure of year
Haven Trust Bank of Duluth, Ga., is 24th U.S. bank failure of year
12/12/2008 5:14:43 PM EDT
Energy: Obama energy team to boost solar, wind, biofuel, analyst predicts
President-elect Barack Obama's expected nominee for energy secretary,
Steven Chu, boasts a résumé that includes not only a 1997 Nobel prize
for physics, report analysts at Lazard, but a record of solar, wind
and ethanol support.
News Alerts
1950s pin-up model Bettie Page dead at 85
12/12/08 03:57 AM, EST
Legendary pin-up queen Bettie Page died of pneumonia at the age of 85
in a Los Angeles, California, hospital Thursday, a week after
suffering a heart attack, according to her agent.
Japan extends Indian Ocean mission
12/12/08 02:47 AM, EST
Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean has been extended for
another year by the country's parliament.
Environmentalists blast changes to Endangered Species rules
12/12/08 01:19 AM, EST
The Bush administration cleared the way Thursday for federal agencies
to skip consultations with government scientists when embarking on
projects that could impact endangered wildlife, the interior secretary
said.
White House says it will consider using money from $700B bailout to 'prevent a collapse of troubled automakers.'
White House says it will consider using money from $700B bailout to
'prevent a collapse of troubled automakers.'
International News
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 12 December, 2008
STOCKS PLUNGE AS U.S. AUTO BAILOUT FAILS
Asian and European markets fell sharply on Friday after
Washington's automaker bailout plan floundered on Republican
opposition. More bleak economic data from the U.S. and news of
35,000 job cuts at Bank of America added to the gloom.
TAIWAN'S EX-PRESIDENT CHEN INDICTED
Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was indicted Friday on
several corruption charges, including embezzlement and accepting
bribes.
JAPAN EXTENDS NAVAL REFUELING MISSION
Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean has been extended
for another year by the country's parliament.
FEMALE 'AL QAEDA LEGEND' SEIZED IN BELGIUM
Belgian police Thursday arrested a woman they called an "al
Qaeda living legend" as part of an operation to thwart a terror
attack being planned to coincide with an EU summit in Brussels. : Report.
NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR DEAL MAY ELUDE BUSH
The Bush administration signaled Thursday that it may not be
able to reach an agreement with North Korea on its nuclear
program before President Bush leaves office next month but said
it will continue to try.
PAKISTAN DETAINS TERROR GROUP FOUNDER
The founder of the terrorist group India blames for last month's
Mumbai attacks has been placed under house arrest.The move comes after the
Pakistani government banned his group, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a charity
affiliated with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba that India says is behind the
deadly siege.
U.S. ENDANGERED SPECIES RULES RELAXED
The Bush administration cleared the way Thursday for federal
agencies to skip consultations with government scientists when
embarking on projects that could impact endangered wildlife, the
interior secretary said.
MASSIVE INAUGURAL TURNOUT PLANNED FOR OBAMA
Federal and local officials are bracing for an expected massive
turnout for the January inauguration of President-elect Barack
Obama, but say predictions of 4 or 5 million visitors to
Washington are too high.
BUSINESS
FORMER NASDAQ CHAIRMAN CHARGED WITH FRAUD
Former Nasdaq chairman Bernard Madoff was arrested Thursday and
charged with a single count of securities fraud for allegedly
operating a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme from his investment
advisory business, federal authorities said.
U.S. JOBLESS CLAIMS AT 26-YEAR HIGH
The number of Americans filing new unemployment insurance claims
jumped last week to a 26-year high, surpassing economists' worst
expectations. The U.S. economy has lost 1.9 million jobs so far
this year.
U.S. producer prices decline sharply for second consecutive month
U.S. producer prices decline sharply for second consecutive month
8:31:59 AM EDT
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Breaking News
The $14 billion auto bailout bill is set to die in the U.S. Senate
after compromise talks collapse, sources said.
International News
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 12 December, 2008
'AL QAEDA LEGEND' SEIZED IN RAID
Belgian police Thursday arrested a woman they called an "al
Qaeda living legend" as part of an operation to thwart a terror
attack being planned to coincide with an EU summit in Brussels:
a Belgian police source
NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR DEAL MAY ELUDE BUSH
The Bush administration signaled Thursday that it may not be
able to reach an agreement with North Korea on its nuclear
program before President Bush leaves office next month but said
it will continue to try.
PAKISTAN DETAINS TERROR GROUP FOUNDER
The founder of the terrorist group India blames for last month's
Mumbai attacks has been placed under house arrest, a senior
Pakistani government official said. The move comes after the
Pakistani government banned his group, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a charity
affiliated with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba that India says is behind the
deadly siege.
MUGABE: CHOLERA CONTAINED IN ZIMBABWE
A South African province has declared a health emergency after
more than 600 refugees from Zimbabwe arrived with cases of
cholera, a government official said Thursday.
55 DIE IN IRAQ RESTAURANT BOMBING
A suicide bomber killed at least 55 people Thursday at a
restaurant in northern Iraq where Arab and Kurdish politicians
were working on ways to ease tensions. The attack on the eatery
outside Kirkuk wounded 109 others, but none of the politicians
was seriously hurt.
OBAMA: SENATE SEAT NOT FOR TRADE
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Thursday she is
prepared to "take action" against Gov. Rod Blagojevich if he
does not resign.
INVENTOR BUILDS HIS OWN ROBOT GIRLFRIEND
An inventor who claims he has never had time to find a human
girlfriend has created his own perfect woman -- a robot.
BUSH OPENS UP ON STRUGGLE WITH ALCOHOL ABUSE
President Bush reflected on his own struggle with alcohol in a
White House meeting Thursday that touted gains in the war on
drug abuse.
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. JOBLESS CLAIMS AT 26-YEAR HIGH
The number of Americans filing new unemployment insurance claims
jumped last week to a 26-year high, surpassing economists' worst
expectations. The U.S. economy has lost 1.9 million jobs so far
this year.
SONY UNVEILS PLAYSTATION COMMUNITY SITE
Electronics giant Sony launched its eagerly anticipated
social-networking site Thursday for PlayStation 3 users.
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.
Bank of America says it plans to slash up to 35,000 jobs over the next three years, citing Merrill merger and weak economy.
Bank of America says it plans to slash up to 35,000 jobs over the next
three years, citing Merrill merger and weak economy.
Breaking News Thu., December 11, 2008
New Jobless Claims Jump to 573,000, Highest Level in 26 Years [8:40 a.m. ET]
International News
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.
Breaking News
Belgian police arrest 3 people with alleged al Qaeda links close to
committing terrorist act, local media report.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
U.S. House approves $14 billion automaker bailout on 231-170 vote
U.S. House approves $14 billion automaker bailout on 231-170 vote
12/10/2008 9:00:24 PM EDT
Breaking News Wed., December 10, 2008
House Approves Bill to Lend Up to $14 Billion to Bail Out U.S. Auto
Companies [8:55 p.m. ET]
International News
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.
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.
GHANA PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ON DECEMBER 28
A presidential runoff election in Ghana will be held December
28, the nation's electoral commission announced Wednesday.
ASSISTED SUICIDE BROADCAST SPARKS ROW
A British TV channel was scheduled to air a controversial
documentary Wednesday night showing a terminally ill man
committing assisted suicide. The film follows retired university
professor Craig Ewert during the last four days of his life in
2006, when he visited a Swiss clinic with his wife, Mary, in
order to die.
CLASHES, STRIKE SHUT DOWN ATHENS
Riot police and protesters clashed in central Athens on
Wednesday during demonstrations to mark a nationwide labor
strike called following the fatal police shooting of a teenager.
Images showed protesters lobbing missiles at lines of police
wearing body armor and carrying riot shields. Police retaliated
by firing tear gas, according to reports.
OFFICIALS: DEAL ON U.S. AUTO BAILOUT
The White House and leading congressional Democrats reach an
agreement on legislation to provide a stopgap $14 billion
bailout to ailing U.S. automakers, according to officials from
the administration and Congress. But strong Republican
opposition in the Senate make prospects there less certain.
PAKISTAN ARRESTS 'LEADERS' OVER MUMBAI ATTACKS
Pakistani authorities have arrested two top leaders of the
Islamic militant group India blames for the November massacre in
Mumbai, Pakistan's prime minister confirmed Wednesday.
HUGE BLACK HOLE FOUND AT CENTER OF GALAXY
German astronomers say they discovered conclusive proof of a
supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy
~~~~~~~~~~~
BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
MINING GIANT RIO TINTO TO CUT 14,000 STAFF
British-based mining giant Rio Tinto announced plans to cut
14,000 jobs on Wednesday, just weeks after a planned buyout by
rival BHP Billiton collapsed.
CHINA SLOWDOWN PROMPTS UNREST FEARS
China's sharp economic slowdown is set to cause more labor
unrest amid factory closures and mass layoffs triggered by the
global financial crisis, a government minister and economists
have warned.
Breaking News Wed., December 10, 2008
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. : 'No Involvement Whatsoever' in Gov.
Blagojevich Scandal [4:25 p.m. ET]
Treasury: U.S. budget deficit reaches $402B in first 2 months of fiscal year – compared to a $455B shortfall for all of last year.
Treasury: U.S. budget deficit reaches $402B in first 2 months of
fiscal year – compared to a $455B shortfall for all of last year.
Congressional Democrats and the White House have struck deal to provide $15 billion bailout to U.S. auto industry.
Congressional Democrats and the White House have struck deal to
provide $15 billion bailout to U.S. auto industry.
International News
PAKISTAN ARRESTS 'LEADERS' OVER MUMBAI ATTACKS
Pakistani authorities have arrested two top leaders of the
Islamic militant group India blames for the November massacre in
Mumbai, Pakistan's prime minister confirmed Wednesday.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
International News
INDIA IDENTIFIES MUMBAI ATTACKERS
Indian authorities in Mumbai have released the identities of the
10 gunmen responsible for the three-day siege in India's
financial capital that killed more than 160 people.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich taken into federal custody: report
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich taken into federal custody: report
12/9/2008 9:27:46 AM EDT
Monday, December 08, 2008
Breaking News Mon., December 8, 2008
F-18 Military Jet Crashes Into Residential Neighborhood in San Diego
[3:29 p.m. ET]
