International

Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 20:02:08 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 07 January, 2009

ISRAEL TO OPEN GAZA AID 'HUMANITARIAN CORRIDOR'
Israel has agreed to establish a "humanitarian corridor" to
supply residents of Gaza with aid as international concerns
about conditions among civilians mount, according to a
government statement.

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.

SYRIA: HAMAS WILL TALK PEACE IF ISRAEL LEAVES GAZA
Any cease-fire in the Gaza conflict will require "clear and
definitive action" to halt the smuggling of weapons and money
into the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory, former British Prime
Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday.

VENEZUELA EXPELS ISRAELI AMBASSADOR
Venezuela expelled Israel's ambassador to the country Tuesday
and accused Israel of attempting to carry out "genocide" against
the Palestinian people.

GAS ROW FLARES AS SUPPLIES TO EUROPE CUT
Several European countries said Tuesday their supply of natural
gas from Russia had been cut or reduced amid a dispute over
payments between Russia and Ukraine.

GERMAN BILLIONAIRE KILLS SELF, FAMILY SAYS
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.

JUDGE: ZIMBABWE ACTIVISTS MUST REMAIN IN JAIL
A leading Zimbabwean human rights activist must remain in
custody until the Supreme Court decides whether the charges
against her are valid, a judge ruled Tuesday.

APPLE PRESENTS ILIFE AT MACWORLD SWANSONG
When Apple vice president Philip Schiller takes the stage here
Tuesday morning for the keynote address at the Macworld
Conference & Expo, he'll face a good-news, bad-news scenario.
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BUSINESS

U.S. ECONOMIC STIMULUS MEETING RAISES HOPES
Congressional leaders from both parties are optimistic that U.S.
President-elect Barack Obama's package of tax cuts and spending
proposals will revive the beleaguered economy.

OBAMA: $300 BILLION IN TAX CUTS
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama launched his campaign for a
massive package of tax cuts and spending proposals aimed at
reviving an economy mired in recession.

GLOBAL MARKETS BUILD ON GAINS
European stocks traded mostly higher Tuesday morning, adding to
Monday's gains. London, Paris and Frankfurt were all up about
half a percent.