International News

Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:01:05 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 15 December, 2008

U.S.: INDIA PREPARED FOR STRIKE ON PAKISTAN
The United States believes that India's air force began
preliminary preparations for a possible attack against Pakistan
in the immediate aftermath of the recent massacre in Mumbai, CNN
has learned.

KIDNAPPED DOCTOR FREED FROM PARENTS
A British-based doctor has been freed by the courts in
Bangladesh after being held captive by her family and put under
pressure to marry against her will, media reports said Monday.

THAI PARLIAMENT PICKS NEW PM
Thailand's parliament chose opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva
as the country's new prime minister, drawing angry protests from
supporters of the recently banned ruling party outside.

BUSH DUCKS SHOES ON FINAL IRAQ VISIT
U.S. President George W. Bush headed back to Washington on
Monday after a farewell visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, where
American troops are still fighting the wars that dominated his
presidency.

FERRY CAPSIZES OFF PHILIPPINES, KILLING 23
A ferry capsized off the coast of the northern Philippines near
the town of Aparri, killing 23 people and leaving 29 others
missing, authorities said.

MCCAIN WON'T SAY HE'D BACK PALIN FOR PRESIDENT
Sen. John McCain said Sunday he would not necessarily support
his former running mate if she chose to run for president.

GREEK PROTESTERS: WE WILL NOT STOP
Greek students have called for daily protests starting Monday,
10 days after the police killing of a 15-year-old boy in Athens
sparked demonstrations that have thrown the country into
turmoil.

IRANIAN TO BE BLINDED FOR BLINDING WOMAN
An Iranian woman, blinded by a jilted stalker who threw acid in
her face, has persuaded a court to sentence him to be blinded
with acid himself under Islamic law demanding an eye for an eye.

BUSINESS

ASIA, PACIFIC MARKETS RISE ON BAILOUT HOPES
Asian and Pacific markets soared on Monday, riding higher on
hopes of a bailout for America's troubled automakers.

CHINA, TAIWAN REOPEN REGULAR TRANSPORT LINKS
Regularly scheduled commercial flights, shipping, and mail
between Taiwan and China resumed Monday for the first time since
the 1949 revolution that brought the Communist Party to power on
the Chinese mainland.

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.