Internationa

Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 20:02:05 -0500>TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 04
January, 2009

ISRAELI TROOPS, TANKS ENTER GAZA
Israeli ground forces crossed into Gaza on Saturday night, in
the second phase of its assault on the Hamas-ruled territory, an
Israeli spokeswoman said. Earlier Saturday, the Israelis began
firing artillery into Gaza, following a week of in airstrikes.

7.6 EARTHQUAKE STRIKES OFF INDONESIA
A major earthquake struck Sunday near the northern coast of West
Papua, Indonesia, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

MARS ROVERS MARK 5 YEARS ON RED PLANET
NASA's Mars rovers are celebrating their fifth birthday on the
Red Planet, with no end yet in sight to their work

AUTOPSY MONDAY FOR JOHN TRAVOLTA'S SON
The 16-year-old son of actor John Travolta has died after
suffering a seizure while vacationing with his family in the
Bahamas.

AUSTRIA TAKES OVER BANK HIT BY MADOFF CASE
The Austrian government has taken control of a private bank with
significant exposure to the alleged fraud by Bernard Madoff.

IRAQIS: AMERICANS SHOT WOMAN WITHOUT WARNING
An Iraqi TV employee who was shot and critically wounded on New
Year's Day said the U.S. soldiers who fired at her gave no
warning, her supervisor said Saturday.

GAZPROM ACCUSES UKRAINE OF SIPHONING GAS
Russian energy giant Gazprom has accused Ukraine of siphoning
off gas intended for European customers as the standoff between
them worsens.

114-YEAR-OLD U.S. WOMAN TO BE WORLD'S OLDEST
Gertrude Baines, a spry 114-year-old California resident, will
likely be crowned the world's oldest woman, according to the
organization that keeps track of such honors.

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BUSINESS

WALL STREET STARTS YEAR WITH A BANG
Stocks rallied today, with investors starting off the new year
on the right foot after an abysmal 2008. The Dow closed above
9,000 for the first time since November. Analysts and investors
are cautiously optimistic that Wall Street will recover some in
2009, but the extent of any recovery will depend on a variety of
factors.

FORMER SANLU CHIEF FAULTS POOR REGULATION
The head of major Chinese dairy firm Sanlu Group argues that
the country's lack of regulations regarding a toxic chemical
contributed to a tainted milk scandal that sickened nearly
300,000 infants, state-run media reports.

SINGAPORE'S GDP SLUMPS 12.5 PERCENT
In a further indication of the weakening Asian economy,
Singapore on Friday said GDP had declined by 12.5 percent in
real terms in the fourth quarter of 2008 and revised downwards
its growth estimates for 2009.