International

Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:02:08 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 28 December, 2008

GAZA DEATHS RISE IN ISRAELI STRIKES
At least 275 people have died, and 600 others have been wounded
in Gaza since Israeli air strikes began, Palestinian medical
sources in the territory say. Meanwhile Israeli airstrikes are
continuing against Hamas targets, as United Nations Security
Council members express "serious concern" and seek "an immediate
halt to all violence."

PAKISTAN PLAYS DOWN TENSIONS WITH INDIA
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari plays down cross-border
tensions with India in a speech, telling citizens democracy and
dialogue will end discord and increase regional stability.

GHANAIANS SET TO ELECT NEW PRESIDENT
Ghanaians are voting in a presidential runoff election to choose
a successor to President John Kufuor, who will step down after
two terms.

U.S. TEEN SPARKS STOVE AID FOR DARFUR
In Sudan's Darfur region, where violence and genocide are
rampant, women risk their lives every day performing tasks as
seemingly mundane as seeking out firewood. But one American
teenager has decided to raise money to purchase fuel-efficient
stoves to send to Darfur. The stoves burn 75 percent less
firewood.

24 HITCHHIKERS KILLED IN TRUCK CRASH
At least 24 day laborers who had hitched a ride on a truck
loaded with iron rods were killed Sunday when the vehicle
flipped over into a ditch, impaling some and crushing others
under the weight of its load, police in northern Bangladesh
said.

POLICE: BLAST KILLS SRI LANKA OFFICERS
Sri Lanka's navy on Sunday said it had destroyed a Tamil Tiger
rebel boat allegedly attempting to smuggle in military supplies
through the northern coast.

CHINA DAIRIES TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS
Victims of tainted baby formula, which caused hundreds of
thousands of infants to become sick, six of whom died, are
expected to be compensated by 22 Chinese dairy producers that
made the milk.

SENIOR REPUBLICAN SLAMS 'MAGIC NEGRO' SONG
A senior member of the U.S. Republican party says he is
"appalled" by a song called "Barack the Magic Negro" on a CD
distributed by one of his political rivals.

BUSINESS

JAPAN'S INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT SEES RECORD FALL
Japan's industrial output took the largest drop in history in
November over October, tumbling 8.1 percent -- nearly double the
previous high of 4.3 percent in January 2001, according to a
report from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

AMERICANS KEEP TIGHTER GRIP ON CASH
In a troubling sign that U.S. consumers are retrenching this
holiday season, consumer spending and orders for durable goods
fell further in November, according to government reports.

POLL: MOST BACK OBAMA'S $800B STIMULUS PLAN
A new national poll suggests most Americans favor an economic
stimulus package even if it comes with an $800 billion price
tag, although that support doesn't indicate the public wants to
see a new era of big government.