International

Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:02:08 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 24 December, 2008

FEARS OF TUMULT AFTER GUINEA PRESIDENT DIES
The African country of Guinea, reeling after the death of its
leader, is staring at the prospect of political instability. A
journalist in Conakry said the Guinean military had staged an
apparent coup, and were holding talks to determine who will
succeed Lansana Conte, who ruled the country for nearly 25
years.

NASA CAPTURES STUNNING IMAGES OF EARTH
NASA's Earth Observatory has captured some stunning images of
the Earth in 2008 including Hurricane Bertha, a huge section of
the Wilkins Ice Shelf in Antarctica breaking away and cloud
being swept across the Caspian Sea (pictured above).

UGABE: U.S. AND WEST ARE 'STUPID AND FOOLISH'
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe described the U.S. government
and Western nations as "quite stupid and foolish" Tuesday for
trying to be involved in the African country's affairs.

DRIVERS TRAPPED IN FLOOD AFTER WATER PIPE BREAK
A harrowing rescue was under way Tuesday morning to save
motorists who were trapped in a fast moving flood created by a
water main break in suburban Maryland.

POPE'S MESSAGE ANGERS GAY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS
Pope Benedict XVI has reiterated the Roman Catholic Church's
opposition to homosexual behavior and warned that humanity could
destroy itself. The pope's year-end message to Church leaders
sparked anger among gay and lesbian religious groups.

IRAQ OKS CONTINUED PRESENCE OF FOREIGN TROOPS
Iraq's parliament on Tuesday approved a resolution that will
allow non-U.S. foreign troops to remain in Iraq after a U.N.
mandate expires at the end of the year.

REPORT: OBAMA, BLAGOJEVICH PROSECUTORS TALKED
Two Democratic officials are predicting that the long-awaited
report about aides to President-elect Barack Obama alleged
contact with the office of embattled Illinois Gov. Rod
Blagojevich will largely exonerate Obama's transition team.

IRAQI SOLDIERS SEIZE APPARENTLY STOLEN RELICS
Iraqi soldiers have seized 228 apparently stolen antiquities and
arrested seven members of a gang suspected of trafficking in
such items, a security official in Basra said Tuesday.

BUSINESS

PUTIN: 'CHEAP GAS ERA' ENDING
The sharp growth of costs in the gas industry will inevitably
lead to a significant increase in global gas prices, Russian
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

CHINA SET TO GUARD AFRICAN SHIPPING ROUTE
Two Chinese destroyers and a supply ship will set sail for the
Gulf of Aden on Friday to protect Chinese merchant ships from an
increasing number of pirate attacks in the waters off the coast
of Somalia, navy officials said Tuesday.