International

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:02:08 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 26 January, 2009

PROBE QUESTIONS FATE OF REFUGEES IN THAILAND
Bedraggled, hungry and dazed, Burmese refugees had arrived on
the shores of Thailand after fleeing their hard-line military
regime in Myanmar. But as a reporter explains in an
exclusive report, evidence suggests hundreds of refugees were
abused and abandoned at sea by Thai authorities.

CONGO MESSAGE TO REBELS: SURRENDER NOW
The Congolese government is broadcasting messages to Rwandan
rebels within its borders demanding they surrender, the
Democratic Republic of Congo's communications minister siad
on Sunday.

OBAMA LOOKS TO CASH IN SOME POLITICAL CAPITAL
President Barack Obama, who arguably won a large chunk of
political capital in the 2008 election, is now looking to cash
in as he urges Congress to pass a massive economic stimulus
package.

40 KILLED IN VIETNAM BOAT SINKING
At least 40 people died when a crowded river boat sank in
central Vietnam Sunday -- on the eve of the Lunar New Year.

DUTCH FINANCIAL GIANT CUTTING UP TO 7,000 STAFF
The Dutch-based finance and insurance group ING is cutting up to
7,000 staff in an effort to help save $1.4 billion.

BLAST HITS SCHOOL IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN
Suspected Taliban militants blew up a government-run school
Monday in Pakistan's violence-plagued Swat Valley, bringing to
183 the number of schools destroyed since fighting began in the
area six months ago, officials said.

INDIAN PM IN RECOVERY AFTER HEART SURGERY
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is recovering more quickly than
anticipated after having a coronary artery bypass Saturday in
New Delhi, the Indian government announced.

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BUSINESS

TOP RESIGNATION PUTS ICELAND UNDER PRESSURE
Iceland's Minister of Business Affairs Bjorgvin Sigurdsson,
pictured right with Prime Minister Geir Haarde in October, has
resigned three months after the collapse of several of the
country's leading banks and its stock market. Sigurdsson said
the government had failed to restore confidence following the
crisis.