Saturday, January 31, 2009
News Alert!
Prison employee sentenced to prison for having sex with inmate
01/30/09 10:30 PM, EST
A former prison secretary has been sentenced to six months in federal
prison for having sex with an inmate she was supposed to be
supervising, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in the
District of Colorado said Friday.
International
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 31 January, 2009
VOTING UNDER WAY IN KEY IRAQ ELECTIONS
Voting began early Saturday in Iraq's important provincial
elections, an event the top U.N. official there called "iconic"
and could deliver "a symbolic message." The results should spell
out the status of the Sunni Arab "awakening" movement and the
popularity of the Shiite factions.
ZIMBABWE CHOLERA CASES PASS 60,000
More than 60,000 people have now been infected with cholera in
Zimbabwe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
REPUBLICANS GET AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHIEF
Michael Steele, former Maryland lieutenant governor, was elected
chairman of the Republican National Committee, the first
African-American to hold the post, as the party tries to recover
from a disappointing 2008 general election.
WATER CUTBACKS ON TAP FOR MEXICO CITY
Five million residents in Mexico City and its metro area could
soon start feeling the effects of water cutbacks imposed Friday
due to drought conditions.
COLOMBIAN HOSTAGES' RELEASE EXPECTED
A Colombian delegation, led by a federal senator, has left for
Brazil on the first leg of a multiday journey to obtain the
release of six hostages held by the FARC guerrilla group.
HOLOCAUST-DENYING BISHOP SAYS SORRY TO POPE
A bishop who denies that Jews were killed in Nazi gas chambers
apologized Friday that his remarks caused "distress" for the
pope.
DEADLY STORM LEAVES PARTS OF U.S. IN DARK
The brutal winter storm that caused havoc from Texas to Maine
has paralyzed swaths of Kentucky, where nine weather-related
deaths have been reported. The storm has caused the largest
power outage in Kentucky's history, with more than 607,000
customers out of power. Andrew Melnykovych, spokesman for
Kentucky's Public Service Commission, said it's "an
indescribable mess everywhere."
ANGER AT UK UNIVERSITIES OVER ANTI-ISRAEL SIT-INS
Britain's top student body has urged protesters to abandon
nationwide university sit-ins over Israel's military actions in
Gaza as others voice concern over increasing hostility towards
Jewish students.
------------------------------------
BUSINESS
WORST JANUARY EVER FOR WALL STREET
The Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500
finished their worst January ever, as investors eyed abysmal
reports on economic growth and quarterly earnings.
U.S. SENATOR: PAY CAP FOR BAILOUT EXECS
One day after President Barack Obama ripped Wall Street
executives for their "shameful" decision to hand out $18 billion
in bonuses in 2008, Congress may finally have had enough.
MERKEL WARNS U.S. OVER AUTO BAILOUT
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged global political and
business leaders to work together to fix the financial system as
the economic crisis returned to the top of the agenda at the
World Economic Forum on Friday.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Regulators close banks in Utah, Md. and Fla. as failure list grows
Regulators close banks in Utah, Md. and Fla. as failure list grows
1/30/2009 6:45:12 PM EDT
Breaking News Fri., January 30, 2009
Republican Party Elects First African-American Leader [4:16 p.m. ET]
International
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 30 January, 2009
TURKISH PM CHEERED AFTER WALKOUT AT DAVOS
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has returned home to
a hero's welcome after storming offstage during an angry
exchange about the Gaza conflict with Israeli President Shimon
Peres. The row erupted as the two leaders participated in a
debate at the Word Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
KENYAN ANGER AFTER STORE FIRE LEAVES 47 MISSING
Rescue workers continue to pick through the smoldering rubble of
a supermarket in search of 47 people still missing after a
massive fire engulfed the building in downtown Nairobi.
IRAN: WE'RE READY TO WORK WITH OBAMA
Tehran stood ready to work with U.S. President Barack Obama to
establish better relations with Washington, Iranian Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told a CNN-hosted panel at the World
Economic Forum.
HEZBOLLAH: BUSH TRIED TO CHANGE GAZA 'REALITIES'
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Thursday that the Bush
administration worked with its Arab allies "in order to take
advantage of the short time of Bush's term and before (Barack)
Obama takes office in order to change the realities" in Gaza.
ILLINOIS GOVERNOR OUSTED IN ROW OVER OBAMA SEAT
The Illinois Senate has voted unanimously to oust Gov. Rod
Blagojevich and to bar him from ever holding political office in
the state again. Earlier, Blagojevich appeared before the
senators at his impeachment trial and made his case.
OBAMA ENVOY HITS GAZA PEACE TRAIL
President Barack Obama's top envoy to the Middle East spent
Thursday conferring with Palestinian and Israeli officials in an
attempt to maintain the Hamas-Israel cease-fire and regenerate a
static peace process. George Mitchell said: "Lasting peace is
our objective."
5 IRAQIS KILLED AHEAD OF PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS
Attackers in Iraq killed three Sunni Arab provincial election
candidates and two election workers Thursday in violence that
has startled an eager electorate in the run-up to the polls
Saturday.
BUSH SHOE-THROWER MONUMENT UNVEILED IN IRAQ
For the war-beaten orphans of the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit,
this big old shoe fits.
------------------------------------------------
BUSINESS
BLOOMBERG TO ANNOUNCE NEW YORK BUDGET CUTS
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Friday will lay out
details of a plan to cut an additional $1 billion from the city
budget and lay off as many as 23,000 city employees, according
to a press release from the Mayor's office.
FORD REPORTS $5.9 BILLION LOSS
Ford reports that its ongoing losses soared in the fourth
quarter, but the company reiterates it still does not need the
federal bailout already received by its two U.S. rivals. Ford
reported a net loss of $5.9 billion, or $2.46 a share, up from a
loss of $2.8 in the same quarter a year ago.
SONY PROFITS FALL 95 PERCENT
Sony blamed the global economic slowdown, increased competition
and an appreciating yen for a 95 percent drop in third-quarter
profits, as the company announced its results Thursday.
Breaking News: GDP down 3.8% in Q4, biggest drop since '82
The economy shrank at its fastest pace in nearly 27 years in the
fourth quarter, government data showed, sinking deeper into recession
as consumers and business cut spending.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Breaking News
The Illinois state legislature has ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich after
allegations of corruption.
International
SONY PROFITS DOWN 95 PERCENT
Sony blamed the global economic slowdown, increased competition
and an appreciating yen for a 95 percent drop in third-quarter
profits, as the company announced its results Thursday.
GORE: CLIMATE CHANGE NEAR IRREVERSIBLE
Suggesting that the planet will soon reach an irreversible
"tipping point" of damage to the climate, former U.S. Vice
President Al Gore tells members of the American Congress on that
the United States needs to join international talks on a treaty.
JAPAN EXECUTES FOUR DEATH-ROW INMATES
Japan executed four convicted killers on death row on Thursday,
the government said, marking the first set of executions in the
country since October 2008.
U.N.: MYANMAR FACES FOOD SHORTAGE
Myanmar is facing a food shortage largely due to last year's
deadly Cyclone Nargis, which destroyed nearly all the rice crops
in the fertile Ayeyarwaddy delta, the United Nations said
Wednesday.
U.S. HOUSE PASSES STIMULUS BILL
The U.S. House has passed an $819 billion economic stimulus
package on a party-line vote, despite U.S. President Barack
Obama's efforts to achieve bipartisan support for the bill. The
final vote was 244 to 188. No Republicans voted for the bill,
while 12 Democrats voted against it.
WITH 5 KIDS, NO JOB, 'BETTER TO END OUR LIVES'
It was described as one of the most grisly scenes Los Angeles
police had ever encountered: the bodies of five young children
and their parents, all shot to death, in two upstairs rooms of
the family's home.
FRANCE BRACES FOR 'BLACK THURSDAY' STRIKE
France geared up for transportation disruptions ahead of a
nationwide labor strike dubbed "Black Thursday."
ISRAEL EXPELS VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR
Israel has expelled Venezuela's ambassador in response to
Venezuela's expulsion of an Israeli envoy and the rupture of
diplomatic relations earlier this month.
--------------------------------------------
BUSINESS
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PROFITS FALL
International oil giant Royal Dutch Shell announced Thursday
that its net profits fell 27 percent in the last quarter of
2008, another indicator of the sickly global economy.
U.S. HOUSE APPROVES OBAMA STIMULUS BILL
The U.S. House of Representatives passed President Barack
Obama's economic stimulus package, sending the $819 billion bill
to the Senate, where it will face more opposition from
Republicans.
IMF PREDICTS WORST YEAR FOR ECONOMY SINCE WWII
The world's stock markets moved into positive territory
Wednesday despite an International Monetary Fund report which
said the global economy was heading for its worst year since
World War II.
Number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose last week by 3,000 to 588,000, government reports.
Number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose last
week by 3,000 to 588,000, government reports.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
House votes along party lines to approve Obama's $819 billion economic stimulus bill. Senate likely to take it up next week.
House votes along party lines to approve Obama's $819 billion economic
stimulus bill. Senate likely to take it up next week.
Energy: Major provisions of stimulus package
The House is expected to approve an $825 billion economic stimulus
package Wednesday.
Fed holds rates near zero percent, says economy has weakened further in past month and global demand slows.
Fed holds rates near zero percent, says economy has weakened further
in past month and global demand slows.
Breaking News Wed., January 28, 2009
Switch to Digital TV to Take Place as Scheduled: Delay Defeated in
House [1:08 p.m. ET]
Boeing to cut 10,000 jobs in commercial-plane unit
Boeing to cut 10,000 jobs in commercial-plane unit
1/28/2009 11:05:23 AM EDT
International
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 28 January, 2009
RED CROSS: CRISIS UNFOLDING IN SRI LANKA
A major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in northern Sri Lanka
with 250,000 unprotected civilians trapped in the crossfire
between government troops and rebel forces, the Red Cross says.
REFUGEES IN THAILAND FACE TRIAL
A group of refugees who survived being at sea for a month, then
being beaten and burned, now await the next turn of their fates
in the Thai court system.
ISRAELIS STRIKE AT GAZA BORDER, REPORTS SAY
Israeli missiles struck near the Gaza border Wednesday morning,
even as George Mitchell, President Obama's envoy to the Middle
East, was scheduled to arrive in hopes of shoring up a fragile
cease-fire there.
SPECIAL ELECTIONS BEGIN IN IRAQ
Special provincial elections began Wednesday morning in Iraq, a
precursor to the monumental elections that will be held this
weekend in the country.
GATES BACKS DEADLINE TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO BAY
Closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility is necessary and
U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to set a one-year
deadline was probably the only way to get it done, U.S. Defense
Secretary Robert Gates says.
BOMB ROCKS BOGOTA NEIGHBORHOOD
An explosion killed two people and destroyed a building in an
upscale northern Bogota, Colombia, neighborhood Tuesday morning,
police said.
ROBINHO DENIES SEX ATTACK ALLEGATION
Brazilian football star Robinho denies any wrongdoing after
being interviewed by English police over allegations of a
serious sexual assault.
CHAVEZ WILL CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY WITH SUMMIT
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will celebrate 10 years in
power next week by holding a rare summit with some of his
closest leftist allies in Latin America.
---------------------------------------------
BUSINESS
JAPAN'S AUTOMAKERS CUT PRODUCTION
Japan's top three automakers all slashed global production last
month to the dismay of workers, as the world financial crisis
deepened.
YAHOO! BEATS ESTIMATES DESPITE LOSS
Yahoo Inc. reported a fourth-quarter net loss, but the Internet
search engine's earnings, after adjusting for certain one-time
charges, beat analysts' expectations.
OBAMA, REPUBLICANS TALK STIMULUS PLAN
U.S. President Barack Obama told Republican House leaders he
plans to stand firm on the part of his $825 billion economic
recovery plan that calls for tax rebates for nearly all working
Americans.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Breaking News Tue., January 27, 2009
Treasury Gives $386 Million to 23 Banks, First Awards Under Obama [4:20 p.m. ET]
Breaking News Tue., January 27, 2009
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author John Updike Has Died [1:30 p.m. ET]
worldNews
Iran condemns EU for delisting terror group
01/27/09 06:36 AM, EST
Iran has strongly condemned the decision by the European Union to
remove the People's Mujahedeen of Iran from its list of terrorist
organizations.
Breaking News Tue., January 27, 2009
Citigroup to Refuse Delivery of New Jet Under Pressure From White
House [8:43 a.m. ET]
News Alert!
'Americans are not your enemy,' Obama tells Muslims
01/27/09 02:45 AM, EST
President Obama said his administration will offer a hand of
friendship to the Muslim world, but will hunt down terrorist
organizations that kill innocent civilians.
International
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 27 January, 2009
U.S. WOMAN GIVES BIRTH TO EIGHT BABIES
A U.S. woman has given birth to eight children, surprising
doctors who were expecting only seven. The woman, who doctors
did not name, was 23 weeks pregnant when she was hospitalized
seven weeks ago and ordered to bed rest.
OBAMA REACHES OUT TO MUSLIMS
U.S. President Barack Obama said his administration will offer a
hand of friendship to the Muslim world but will hunt down
terrorist organizations that kill innocent civilians.
CONFLICTING REPORTS BLUR ZIMBABWE DEAL
African leaders announced Tuesday a deal that would allow
Zimbabwe's long-stalled power-sharing agreement to move ahead,
but the opposition said it had not signed off on the plan.
U.S. SWEARS IN TREASURY SECRETARY
The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Tim Geithner as the next
treasury secretary amid ongoing uncertainty about the nation's
economic future. Geithner, who will spearhead U.S. President
Barack Obama's response to the financial crisis that threatens
to unravel growth around the globe, was sworn in by U.S. Vice
President Joe Biden.
STIFF SECURITY PLANNED FOR IRAQI ELECTIONS
Security forces across Iraq plan to be on high alert this
weekend as the country holds its provincial elections.
REFUGEES ARRIVE IN THAILAND AMID ABUSE CLAIMS
A new boatload of Rohingya refugees washed up on the shores of
Thailand early Tuesday, raising questions about the type of
treatment they would receive.
BLAGOJEVICH CONSIDERED OPRAH FOR OBAMA SEAT
As Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment trial proceedings got
under way Monday, the embattled Illinois governor hit the media
circuit, answering questions about Oprah, foul language and why
he won't resign.
--------------------------------------------------------
BUSINESS
GEITHNER SWORN IN AS TREASURY SECRETARY
U.S. President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden swore in Tim
Geithner as Treasury Secretary shortly after his confirmation.
He will spearhead Obama's response to the financial crisis that
threatens to unravel economic growth around the globe.
ING CUTS UP TO 7,000 STAFF; CEO STEPS DOWN
The Dutch-based finance and insurance group ING is cutting up to
7,000 staff in an effort to help save $1.4 billion. It also
announced Monday that CEO, Michel Tilmant, was stepping down.
PHILIPS, CORUS AX THOUSANDS OF JOBS
The economic gloom continued on Monday as electronics giant
Philips and steel maker Corus both announced thousands of job
cuts.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Breaking News Mon., January 26, 2009
Senate Approves Four-Month Hold on Digital TV Conversion [7:10 PM EST]
Breaking News Mon., January 26, 2009
Senate Confirms Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary [6:20 EST PM]
International
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 26 January, 2009
PROBE QUESTIONS FATE OF REFUGEES IN THAILAND
Bedraggled, hungry and dazed, Burmese refugees had arrived on
the shores of Thailand after fleeing their hard-line military
regime in Myanmar. But as a reporter explains in an
exclusive report, evidence suggests hundreds of refugees were
abused and abandoned at sea by Thai authorities.
CONGO MESSAGE TO REBELS: SURRENDER NOW
The Congolese government is broadcasting messages to Rwandan
rebels within its borders demanding they surrender, the
Democratic Republic of Congo's communications minister siad
on Sunday.
OBAMA LOOKS TO CASH IN SOME POLITICAL CAPITAL
President Barack Obama, who arguably won a large chunk of
political capital in the 2008 election, is now looking to cash
in as he urges Congress to pass a massive economic stimulus
package.
40 KILLED IN VIETNAM BOAT SINKING
At least 40 people died when a crowded river boat sank in
central Vietnam Sunday -- on the eve of the Lunar New Year.
DUTCH FINANCIAL GIANT CUTTING UP TO 7,000 STAFF
The Dutch-based finance and insurance group ING is cutting up to
7,000 staff in an effort to help save $1.4 billion.
BLAST HITS SCHOOL IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN
Suspected Taliban militants blew up a government-run school
Monday in Pakistan's violence-plagued Swat Valley, bringing to
183 the number of schools destroyed since fighting began in the
area six months ago, officials said.
INDIAN PM IN RECOVERY AFTER HEART SURGERY
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is recovering more quickly than
anticipated after having a coronary artery bypass Saturday in
New Delhi, the Indian government announced.
----------------------------------------------------------
BUSINESS
TOP RESIGNATION PUTS ICELAND UNDER PRESSURE
Iceland's Minister of Business Affairs Bjorgvin Sigurdsson,
pictured right with Prime Minister Geir Haarde in October, has
resigned three months after the collapse of several of the
country's leading banks and its stock market. Sigurdsson said
the government had failed to restore confidence following the
crisis.
Obama says he'll implement 35mpg standards for automakers; EPA to review California request to toughen greenhouse gas rules.
Obama says he'll implement 35mpg standards for automakers; EPA to
review California request to toughen greenhouse gas rules.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
International
OP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 25 January, 2009
CARTEL 'STEWMAKER' SAYS HE DISSOLVED 300 BODIES
A suspect in police custody calls himself a "stewmaker" for a
Mexican drug lord, saying he disposed of about 300 bodies by
dissolving them in acid.
OBAMA: ECONOMY IS 'AN UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS'
U.S. President Barack Obama has painted a bleak economic picture
of the country, hours before he is to meet with his economic
team. Speaking in his first weekly address as president, Obama
said: "We begin this year and this administration in the midst
of an unprecedented crisis."
HUDSON CRASH PILOT GETS WARM WELCOME HOME
The pilot who made a treacherous crash-landing on New York's
Hudson River look like a routine maneuver got a hero's welcome
Saturday in his California hometown.
TWO SUSPECTED PAKISTANI MILITANTS SLAIN IN INDIA
Two terror suspects were killed in a shootout early Sunday on
the outskirts of New Delhi, according to Indian police.
'COWARDLY' BOMBING KILLS 15 IN MOGADISHU
A car bomb exploded Saturday in Somalia's capital, killing 15
people and wounding 24, a government spokesman said.
INDIAN PM RECOVERING AFTER HEART SURGERY
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is "stable, comfortable
and making rapid progress" after a successful heart surgery, his
office said Sunday.
JANKOVIC DOWNED IN AUSTRALIAN OPEN STUNNER
World number one Jelena Jankovic slumped out of the Australian
Open on Sunday with a disappointing 6-1, 6-4 loss to Marion
Bartoli of France, dashing her bid to win her first Grand Slam
tournament.
CHILD ABUSE ON RISE IN JAMAICA
The number of child abuse reports in Jamaica increased
dramatically in 2008, the nation's Office of Children's Registry
reported Saturday.
-------------------------------------------
BUSINESS
BRITISH ECONOMY NOW OFFICIALLY IN RECESSION
The British economy is officially in a recession, according to
statistics released Friday. The British gross domestic product
declined by 1.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008, the
British government announced. That followed a decline of 0.5
percent in the third quarter.
BOLIVIA NATIONALIZES BP SUBSIDIARY
Bolivian President Evo Morales nationalized the Chaco petroleum
company Friday, taking over the British Petroleum subsidiary
with the military on standby.
GEITHNER HEADS TO FULL SENATE VOTE
A U.S. Senate panel recommended the full Senate confirm Tim
Geithner as the next Treasury secretary, but five Republican
senators opposed going forward, including the committee's
ranking member.
