International

Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:02:03 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 14 January, 2009

ROCKETS FALL ON ISRAEL, GAZA FIGHTING CONTINUES
Three rockets fell on Israel from Lebanon for the second time in
a week, striking open fields, Israeli police said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, sporadic fighting continued as Israeli troops pushed
into Gaza City and international efforts to end the conflict
ramped up.

PENTAGON: EX-GITMO DETAINEES RESUME TERROR
Dozens of suspected terrorists released by the United States
from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are believed to have returned to
terrorism activities, according to the Pentagon.

BUSH: TERROR THREAT IS OBAMA'S PRIORITY
The commander in chief's priority is preventing another
terrorist attack in the United States, President Bush told CNN's
"Larry King Live" Tuesday.

BUSH AWARDS MEDALS TO WARTIME ALLIES
Three former wartime allies were reunited at the White House for
one last time when President George W. Bush awarded America's
top civilian honor to the former prime ministers of Britain and
Australia.

PIRATES RELEASE TWO SHIPS OFF EAST AFRICA
Somalia-based pirates on Tuesday released a Turkish-flagged ship
carrying 4,500 tons of chemicals that was seized two months ago
off Yemen's coast, the International Maritime Bureau said.

BARCLAYS CONFIRMS WORLDWIDE JOB CUTS
Barclays is believed to be cutting about 2,100 jobs worldwide in
investment banking and money management as it slashes costs to
cope with the fall-out from the credit crisis.

SPANISH COURT OPENS 'JESUIT MASSACRE' CASE
Spain's National Court opened an official investigation into 14
former military officers in El Salvador accused of killing six
priests, their housekeeper and her daughter in November 1989.

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BUSINESS

GEITHNER QUESTIONED ON TAXES, HOUSEKEEPER
Members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee met with treasury
secretary nominee Tim Geithner over concerns involving his
personal taxes and the immigration status of a former
housekeeper, transition officials said.

ACCUSATIONS REIGNITE EUROPE'S GAS ROW
A deal to resume gas supplies to Europe appeared to break down
on Tuesday after Russian state energy giant Gazprom said Ukraine
was blocking onward transit.