International

Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:02:08 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 18 December, 2008

'WE HOPE SHE SMILES AGAIN'
Surgeons have successfully performed the first near-total face
transplant in the United States, doctors announced Wednesday.
The procedure replaced 80 percent of the face of a woman
disfigured by severe trauma. "Our hope is she should be able to
smile again," one doctor said.

CHRYSLER SHUTS PLANTS FOR A MONTH
Chrysler said late today that it is stopping all vehicle
production in the United States for at least a month,
CNNMoney.com reports. All 30 of the carmaker's plants will close
after the last shift on Friday, and employees won't be asked
back before January 19 -- about two weeks longer than the
company's typical holiday break.

LAWMAKERS ARGUE OVER SHOE-THROWING JOURNALIST
In a chaotic session, Iraqi lawmakers have argued over the fate
of the man who threw a shoe at U.S. President George W. Bush.

OIL DROPS DESPITE OPEC CUT
The OPEC group of oil-producing nations is to reduce output by
2.2 million barrels a day from next month in a bid to stabilize
oil prices which have fluctuated wildly during the last year.
But shortly after the much-anticipated cut was announced, the
price of a barrel of U.S. crude for January delivery slipped
$1.55 to $42.05.

'TALIBAN AMERICAN' ASKS BUSH FOR RELEASE
The man dubbed the "Taliban American" is asking the president to
commute the remaining years of his federal prison sentence,
according to a statement released by his attorneys Wednesday.

WHITE POWDER ALERT AT 16 U.S. EMBASSIES
A "suspicious letter" containing white powder prompted an alert
at the U.S. embassy in Madrid, Wednesday, an official said.

OBAMA ADDS ANOTHER REPUBLICAN TO CABINET
President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday will announce former
Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as his choice for agriculture secretary
and Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar as his choice for secretary of the
interior.

STUDENTS FORCED INTO CELL-LIKE SECLUSION ROOMS
A few weeks before 13-year-old Jonathan King killed himself, he
told his parents that his teachers had put him in "time-out."

BUSINESS

MORGAN STANLEY HIT BY Q4 LOSS
Morgan Stanley, the second biggest U.S. investment bank, has
reported a massive $2.3 billion loss for the fourth quarter
which far exceeded analysts' predictions.

BRITISH AIRWAYS, VIRGIN CUT FUEL SURCHARGE
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have announced they are
reducing their fuel surcharges as the price of oil has
plummeted.

HONDA CUTS EARNINGS, SITUATION 'WORSENING'
Honda Motor Co. slashed its earnings forecast for 2008 on
Wednesday, citing "no prospect for recovery" in the midst of a
global recession and slumping worldwide auto sales.