International News

Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:02:08 -0500

TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 16 December, 2008

SHOE-THROWER WANTED 'TO HUMILIATE TYRANT'
The brother of the journalist who hurled his shoes at U.S.
President George W. Bush said his sibling's actions were
"spontaneous" and represented millions of Iraqis who want to
"humiliate the tyrant." Muntadhar al-Zaidi, pictured above,
remains in jail after the incident, a government official said.

ARMIES RAID REBEL CAMP IN EASTERN CONGO
Three African armies launched a raid on a rebel camp in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, the three armies announced on
Monday. Targeting rebel hideouts in Garamba, the force from
Congo, Uganda and Sudan said it was trying to rescue hostages
and hunt down rebel leaders.

BANKS FACE HUGE LOSSES FROM $50B 'SCAM'
Some of the biggest names in global finance say they have lost
hundreds of millions of dollars in an alleged $50 billion
"pyramid scheme" that led to the arrest of a New York financier
last week. Former Nasdaq chairman Bernard Madoff, pictured
above, has been arrested and charged with a single count of
securities fraud.

OBAMA NAMES ENERGY TEAM
President-elect Barack Obama unveiled his energy and environment
team on Monday, ushering in what's likely to be a dramatic shift
in the way the nation tackles the challenges of climate change,
energy efficiency and the development of cleaner sources of
fuel.

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.

TOXIC SMOKE WORRIES RETURNING TROOPS FROM IRAQ
The pervasive smoke spewing from the junk heap at Balad Air
Force Base in Iraq is causing many returning troops to be
concerned about the effects on their long-term health.

ANTI-KIDNAPPING CONSULTANT SEIZED IN MEXICO
An American anti-kidnapping consultant was kidnapped in Mexico,
according to the Houston-based security firm he works for.

U.N.: ZIMBABWE CHOLERA DEATHS NEARLY 1,000
The number of cholera deaths in Zimbabwe is approaching 1,000,
according to U.N. figures published Monday.

BUSINESS

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.

SUZUKI QUITS WORLD RALLY SCENE AS SALES DIP
Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation has pulled out of
next year's FIA World Rally Championship citing a drop in sales
due to the global financial crisis.

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.