Monday, January 19, 2009
International
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 19 January, 2009
OBAMA: 'THE DREAM OF OUR FOUNDERS WILL LIVE ON'
Inauguration revelry has begun as thousands of people packed the
National Mall in Washington for a concert featuring big-name
stars. It was nothing but good vibes for Barack Obama -- a
respite for the incoming president who faces huge problems after
he takes office Tuesday.
BODIES DUG FROM RUBBLE DURING GAZA CEASE-FIRE
Palestinians in a Gaza neighborhood are using their hands and
bulldozers to unearth bodies of people killed during an Israeli
attack that happened a week into Israel's three-week Gaza
offensive, reports CNN's Karl Penhaul.
CHURCH ROOF COLLAPSES KILLING WORSHIPPERS
Brazilian firefighters used search dogs to comb the rubble of a
church early Monday after the building's roof collapsed during a
service, killing seven and injuring nearly 100, authorities said
in Sao Paulo said.
UK ANNOUNCES SECOND BANK BAILOUT
The British government Monday announced new plans to help
British banks affected by the global financial crisis, only
months after a previous multi-billion-dollar bank bailout.
WOMAN IS CHINA'S 2ND 2009 BIRD FLU FATALITY
A 27-year-old woman from eastern China has died of bird flu,
Chinese authorities said, making her the second person to die
this year from the deadly virus. Two tests on the woman were
positive for H5N1 avian influenza, said the ministry, which did
not say how she might have contracted the virus.
EX-PRESIDENT PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN GRAFT CASE
Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian pleaded not guilty to
corruption charges Monday during a pre-trial hearing in Taipei.
TAIWAN CITIZENS GET SHOPPING VOUCHERS
More than 90 percent of eligible Taiwan residents took up the
government's offer of 3600 New Taiwan Dollars (USD $108) to go
shopping, government officials said Monday.
GAS SUPPLIES GO UP IN SMOKE IN DEPOT BLAZE
Firefighters extinguished a massive blaze at a fuel depot in the
Indonesian capital Monday morning after a day-long fire burned
hundreds of thousands of gallons of gasoline.
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BUSINESS
CHANGES EYED ON U.S. BANK BAILOUT
As the U.S. economy worsens and banks rack up multi-billion
dollar losses, incoming President Barack Obama will face tough
choices in deciding what to do with the $350 billion remaining
in the bailout plan.
RUSSIA, UKRAINE AGREE TO RESUME GAS FLOW
The prime ministers of Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement
to resume gas supplies to Europe by early next week.
