International

Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:02:09 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 20 December, 2008

U.S. TO SEND MORE TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has signed a deployment
order to move an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan next
year, U.S. military officials said.

IRAQI MILITARY 'PLOTTERS' RELEASED FROM JAIL
Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani said the recent arrests
of military and security officers linked to Saddam Hussein's
Baath Party were based on fabricated charges and rebutted
implications that those seized were plotting to overthrow the
government.

BAMA TEAM WORKING ON NEW STIMULUS PLAN
Senior Democratic congressional staffers met Friday with senior
aides from President-elect Barack Obama's transition team to
discuss the broad outlines of an economic stimulus package.

GOVERNOR DENIES TRYING TO SELL OBAMA'S SEAT
The U.S. state governor who allegedly tried to sell the vacant
Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama denied any
wrongdoing. "I have done nothing wrong ... I have on my side the
most powerful ally there is, and it is the truth," he said Friday.

U.S. NORTHWEST BRACES FOR WINTER STORM
After blanketing parts of the Southwest with snow, a major
winter storm headed eastward late Thursday with new strength,
the National Weather Service said.

GROUP AIMS TO NULLIFY CALIFORNIA GAY MARRIAGES
Sponsors of the California ballot measure that banned same-sex
marriage are seeking to nullify thousands of marriages performed
between gay and lesbian couples.

BELGIAN GOVERNMENT OFFERS RESIGNATION
Belgium's Prime Minister Yves Leterme has offered his
government's resignation amid a row over the break-up of the
stricken Fortis bank, according to national media reports.
Leterme is en route to the Royal Palace to offer his
resignation, state TV reported.

BUSH STARTS AUTOMAKERS' BAILOUT
President George W. Bush announced a short-term $13.4B rescue
plan for ailing U.S. automakers. "In the midst of a financial
crisis and a recession, allowing the U.S. auto industry to
collapse is not a responsible course of action," Bush said.

BUSINESS

MEXICAN AUTOMAKERS LOOK FOR BAILOUT
Mexicans welcomed Friday's report that U.S. automakers will get
federal money to help them survive the economic crisis, but
industry here is already talking about a possible bailout for
the Mexican market as well.

LABOR UNIONS PRAISE OBAMA PICK
Labor unions praised U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's
selection to head the Labor Department, California Congresswoman
Hilda Solis.

MONEY WOES HITS WORLD'S RICHEST LEAGUE
The falling value of the pound against the euro might be good
for British exporters, but for the country's football clubs it's
a kick in the teeth.