Thursday, January 22, 2009
International
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 22 January, 2009
DEATH SENTENCES IN CHINA TAINTED MILK SCANDAL
A court sentenced the former board chairwoman and general
manager of dairy firm Sanlu Group, to life in prison for her
role in a tainted milk scandal that killed at least six infants
and sickened 300,000 others. Three men received death sentences
for their roles in the case, which put a global spotlight on
China food safety.
OBAMA TAPS ENVOYS FOR MIDDLE EAST, IRAN
The Obama administration has asked former U.S. Senator George
Mitchell to be a special envoy to the Middle East, sources close
to the administration and diplomats said.
PAKISTAN ARRESTS LONDON BOMBINGS SUSPECT
Pakistan has arrested a suspected al Qaeda militant who
intelligence officials say is tied to the London subway bombings
in 2005, authorities there said Thursday.
SONY FORECASTS OPERATING LOSS
Electronics manufacturer Sony announced Thursday that it will
close out the year in the red -- the first time in 14 years that
the company will report an operating loss.
PASSENGERS FEEL LIKE 'HOSTAGES' DURING 16-HOUR ORDEAL
Some passengers on a diverted Aeromexico flight finally reached
their destination in Seattle, Washington, on Wednesday after
spending 16 hours in limbo.
OBAMA RETAKES OATH AFTER INAUGURATION MISTAKE
President Obama retook his oath of office Wednesday after Chief
Justice John Roberts flubbed while delivering it at Tuesday's
inauguration.
OFFICIALS: OBAMA SET TO ORDER GITMO CLOSED
The Obama administration is drafting executive orders calling
for the closure of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, two
administration officials said. The revelation coincided with a
judge's decision on Wednesday to halt the September 11 terrorism
cases at the behest of U.S. President Barack Obama.
CHINA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH SLOWS TO 9 PERCENT
China's economic growth slumped to 9 percent for 2008, according
to numbers released by the government -- the slowest rate the
nation has seen in seven years. Tens of thousands of Chinese
factories have closed, and millions are looking for jobs.
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BUSINESS
GEITHNER VOWS BOLDNESS ON ECONOMY
U.S. Treasury Secretary-designate Tim Geithner, appearing at his
confirmation hearing, called for bold action to blunt the
economic downturn and promised to tighten the terms for
companies getting federal financial help.
