International

Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 05:02:08 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 07 January, 2009

ISRAEL OFFERS SHORT RESPITE FROM STRIKES
Israel will halt its bombardment of Gaza for three hours every
day to allow residents of the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory
to obtain much-needed supplies, a military spokesman says.

ISRAEL MULLS EXPELLING VENEZUELAN DIPLOMAT
Israel said Wednesday it may expel Venezuela's top diplomat from
the country in a tit-for-tat gesture after the South American
nation ordered the Israeli ambassador to leave over the
increasingly bloody ground war in Gaza.

AL QAEDA NO. 2 BLAMES OBAMA FOR GAZA
An audio message reportedly from al Qaeda's deputy chief vows
revenge for Israel's air and ground assault on Gaza and calls
the Jewish state's actions against Hamas militants "a gift" from
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama.

GAZA DOCTORS: HOSPITAL CROWDED WITH CIVILIANS
Far more civilians than Hamas fighters are arriving for
treatment of war wounds at Gaza's main hospital as Israel's
military incursion into the territory continues, two doctors
say.

FRENCH SHIP FREED AS ANTI-PIRATE PATROLS START
Two Chinese destroyers and a supply ship were patrolling the
waters in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on Wednesday, according
to news reports, and at least 15 vessels have requested their
protection.

RUSSIAN GAS DISPUTE SQUEEZES EUROPE SUPPLIES
Gas supplies to Europe from Russia remained cut or reduced
Wednesday as Russia and Ukraine continued their dispute over the
supply of natural gas.

VIDEO SPURS PROBE OF U.S. POLICE SHOOTING
A New Year's Day shooting in which a subway police officer fired
a deadly shot into the back of an unarmed man has the San
Francisco Bay Area demanding answers as authorities appeal for
patience.

BLACKWATER GUARDS DENY IRAQ SHOOTING CHARGES
Five former Blackwater Worldwide security guards plead not
guilty to voluntary manslaughter charges and other crimes
stemming from a shooting incident in Baghdad that left 17 Iraqis
dead.
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BUSINESS

BOA SELLS 5.6B SHARES IN CHINESE BANK
Bank of America has sold 5.6 billion shares, or $3 billion, of
its holdings in China Construction Bank, a spokesman for the
Chinese bank said Wednesday.

GERMAN BILLIONAIRE KILLS SELF
German billionaire Adolf Merckle, one of the richest men in the
world, committed suicide Monday after his business empire got
into trouble in the wake of the international financial crisis,
Merckle's family said Tuesday in a statement.