International

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:01:08 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 27 January, 2009

U.S. WOMAN GIVES BIRTH TO EIGHT BABIES
A U.S. woman has given birth to eight children, surprising
doctors who were expecting only seven. The woman, who doctors
did not name, was 23 weeks pregnant when she was hospitalized
seven weeks ago and ordered to bed rest.

OBAMA REACHES OUT TO MUSLIMS
U.S. President Barack Obama said his administration will offer a
hand of friendship to the Muslim world but will hunt down
terrorist organizations that kill innocent civilians.

CONFLICTING REPORTS BLUR ZIMBABWE DEAL
African leaders announced Tuesday a deal that would allow
Zimbabwe's long-stalled power-sharing agreement to move ahead,
but the opposition said it had not signed off on the plan.

U.S. SWEARS IN TREASURY SECRETARY
The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Tim Geithner as the next
treasury secretary amid ongoing uncertainty about the nation's
economic future. Geithner, who will spearhead U.S. President
Barack Obama's response to the financial crisis that threatens
to unravel growth around the globe, was sworn in by U.S. Vice
President Joe Biden.

STIFF SECURITY PLANNED FOR IRAQI ELECTIONS
Security forces across Iraq plan to be on high alert this
weekend as the country holds its provincial elections.

REFUGEES ARRIVE IN THAILAND AMID ABUSE CLAIMS
A new boatload of Rohingya refugees washed up on the shores of
Thailand early Tuesday, raising questions about the type of
treatment they would receive.

BLAGOJEVICH CONSIDERED OPRAH FOR OBAMA SEAT
As Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment trial proceedings got
under way Monday, the embattled Illinois governor hit the media
circuit, answering questions about Oprah, foul language and why
he won't resign.

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BUSINESS

GEITHNER SWORN IN AS TREASURY SECRETARY
U.S. President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden swore in Tim
Geithner as Treasury Secretary shortly after his confirmation.
He will spearhead Obama's response to the financial crisis that
threatens to unravel economic growth around the globe.

ING CUTS UP TO 7,000 STAFF; CEO STEPS DOWN
The Dutch-based finance and insurance group ING is cutting up to
7,000 staff in an effort to help save $1.4 billion. It also
announced Monday that CEO, Michel Tilmant, was stepping down.

PHILIPS, CORUS AX THOUSANDS OF JOBS
The economic gloom continued on Monday as electronics giant
Philips and steel maker Corus both announced thousands of job
cuts.