News Alert!

Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:05:24 -0800 (PST)

Prison employee sentenced to prison for having sex with inmate
01/30/09 10:30 PM, EST
A former prison secretary has been sentenced to six months in federal
prison for having sex with an inmate she was supposed to be
supervising, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in the
District of Colorado said Friday.

International

Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:01:07 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 31 January, 2009

VOTING UNDER WAY IN KEY IRAQ ELECTIONS
Voting began early Saturday in Iraq's important provincial
elections, an event the top U.N. official there called "iconic"
and could deliver "a symbolic message." The results should spell
out the status of the Sunni Arab "awakening" movement and the
popularity of the Shiite factions.

ZIMBABWE CHOLERA CASES PASS 60,000
More than 60,000 people have now been infected with cholera in
Zimbabwe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

REPUBLICANS GET AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHIEF
Michael Steele, former Maryland lieutenant governor, was elected
chairman of the Republican National Committee, the first
African-American to hold the post, as the party tries to recover
from a disappointing 2008 general election.

WATER CUTBACKS ON TAP FOR MEXICO CITY
Five million residents in Mexico City and its metro area could
soon start feeling the effects of water cutbacks imposed Friday
due to drought conditions.

COLOMBIAN HOSTAGES' RELEASE EXPECTED
A Colombian delegation, led by a federal senator, has left for
Brazil on the first leg of a multiday journey to obtain the
release of six hostages held by the FARC guerrilla group.

HOLOCAUST-DENYING BISHOP SAYS SORRY TO POPE
A bishop who denies that Jews were killed in Nazi gas chambers
apologized Friday that his remarks caused "distress" for the
pope.

DEADLY STORM LEAVES PARTS OF U.S. IN DARK
The brutal winter storm that caused havoc from Texas to Maine
has paralyzed swaths of Kentucky, where nine weather-related
deaths have been reported. The storm has caused the largest
power outage in Kentucky's history, with more than 607,000
customers out of power. Andrew Melnykovych, spokesman for
Kentucky's Public Service Commission, said it's "an
indescribable mess everywhere."

ANGER AT UK UNIVERSITIES OVER ANTI-ISRAEL SIT-INS
Britain's top student body has urged protesters to abandon
nationwide university sit-ins over Israel's military actions in
Gaza as others voice concern over increasing hostility towards
Jewish students.

------------------------------------
BUSINESS

WORST JANUARY EVER FOR WALL STREET
The Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500
finished their worst January ever, as investors eyed abysmal
reports on economic growth and quarterly earnings.

U.S. SENATOR: PAY CAP FOR BAILOUT EXECS
One day after President Barack Obama ripped Wall Street
executives for their "shameful" decision to hand out $18 billion
in bonuses in 2008, Congress may finally have had enough.

MERKEL WARNS U.S. OVER AUTO BAILOUT
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged global political and
business leaders to work together to fix the financial system as
the economic crisis returned to the top of the agenda at the
World Economic Forum on Friday.

Energy: Stocks in focus for Monday

Date: 31 JAN 2009 05:04:58 GMT

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in
Monday's session are Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Aflac Inc. and Humana
Inc.

Regulators close banks in Utah, Md. and Fla. as failure list grows

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:47:51 -0500

Regulators close banks in Utah, Md. and Fla. as failure list grows
1/30/2009 6:45:12 PM EDT

Tech: Amazon's gains can't lift tech sector out of red

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:00:22 -0500

Tech Stocks: Amazon's gains can't lift tech sector out of red
1/30/2009 4:50 PM ET
The tech sector finishes deep in the red despite big gains from
Amazon.com Inc.and Overstock Inc., as fears about the U.S. economy
outweigh upbeat earnings sentiment from the online retailers.

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John Dvorak's Second Opinion: The curious case of Rajendrasinh B. Makwana
1/30/2009 5:44 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- I suppose that as the case of the
programmer, Rajendrasinh B. Makwana, is brought out into the open
we'll discover whether he's just a disgruntled programmer irked at
being let go by Fannie Mae in October, or someone with more sinister
intentions.

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Corporate debt soars in January; Verizon on tap Friday
1/30/2009 5:40 PM ET
Companies brought a near record amount of debt to bond markets in
January, taking advantage of the thaw in investors' appetite for risk.

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Amazon shares jump on surprise earnings growth
1/30/2009 4:04 PM ET
Amazon.com's surprise gain in fourth-quarter earnings gives shares a
sharp boost on Friday.

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Benefits, challenges await Dell if it goes into mobile phones
1/30/2009 3:27 PM ET
In a mobile-phone market crowded with traditional players like Nokia
Corp. and Research In Motion Ltd., as well as upstarts like Apple Inc.
and Google Inc., analysts wonder where Dell Inc., which may reportedly
launch a smart phone, might fit.

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Telecom Stocks: Sprint, Ciena pace telecom decliners
1/30/2009 12:15 PM ET
Sprint Nextel Corp. and Ciena Inc. are among the most notable
decliners as telecommunications stocks slide.

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Juniper earnings up, but miss estimates
1/30/2009 10:25 AM ET
Juniper Networks Inc. posted profit and sales gains for what was
generally a challenging economic period by keeping tight control of
costs, though the network equipment maker's numbers still fell shy of
Wall Street estimates.

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Dell reportedly considering selling mobile phones
1/29/2009 9:48 PM ET
Embattled personal-computer maker Dell may release a mobile phone as
soon as next month, according to a news report.

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Stocks to Watch: Stocks in focus for Friday
1/29/2009 7:49 PM ET
Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in
Friday's session are Exxon, Procter & Gamble and Chevron.

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Amazon reports surprise earnings growth for fourth quarter
1/29/2009 6:34 PM ET
Amazon.com reports a surprise gain in fourth-quarter earnings thanks
to strong holiday sales, beating the consensus view of Wall Street
that had been predicting a decline in earnings for the period.

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Google delays stock option exchange for employees
1/29/2009 6:16 PM ET
Google slightly delays a controversial plan to offer an exchange of
underwater stock options to employees.

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Cisco expected to report 8% revenue drop
1/29/2009 5:30 PM ET
Cisco Systems Inc. is expected to report an 8% drop in revenue on Feb.
4 as it navigates through a difficult market marked by a dramatic
decline in consumer and corporate tech demand.

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Broadcom swings to loss, outlines cost-cutting measures
1/29/2009 5:09 PM ET
Broadcom Corp. reports a fourth-quarter loss, warning that it expects
more pain from the downturn, but also highlighting its efforts to cut
costs, including freezing pay and cutting its workforce.

Markets Friday, 01/30/2009

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:31:03 -0500

| Dow : 8000.86 down 148.15 | S & P : 825.88 down 19.26 |
| NASDAQ: 1476.42 down 31.42 | Bond (10Y): 2.86%, 107.63

MARKETS:
Worst January ever for Dow, S&P 500
Wall Street slumps Friday at the end of a brutal month.

Breaking News Fri., January 30, 2009

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:23:44 -0800 (PST)

Republican Party Elects First African-American Leader [4:16 p.m. ET]

Once a hot spot, Eastern Europe could face financial crisis

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:01:50 -0500
Once a hot spot, Eastern Europe could face financial crisis

Once a booming investment destination, Eastern Europe is now in
serious trouble, and some fear it's poised to re-enact its own version
of Asia's financial crisis.

METALS STOCKS: GOLD ENDS AT SIX-MONTH HIGH ON SAFETY BUYING

Gold futures surge to their highest level in six months as investors
seek the safety of the metal following government data that show the
U.S. economy contracted the most in 27 years during the fourth
quarter.

ECONOMIC REPORT: U.S. FOURTH-QUARTER GDP CONTRACTS 3.8%, BIGGEST SINCE 1982

The U.S. economy contracts at a 3.8% annualized rate in the fourth
quarter, Commerce Department data show. The decline in gross domestic
product would have been worse except that the government counts an
unwanted buildup of goods on
store shelves as growth. The data indicate particular weakness in
consumer spending.

ROCHE GOES HOSTILE ON GENENTECH BID, LOWERING PRICE

In a display of hostility toward a firm it mostly owns, Roche Holdings
on Friday lowers its takeover bid for Genentech and takes the offer
directly to. shareholders.

Dow ends week near 8,000, down 143 points Friday, as economy and bank woes weigh on stocks.

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:01:08 -0500

Dow ends week near 8,000, down 143 points Friday, as economy and bank
woes weigh on stocks.

Energy: Corporate debt soars in January; Verizon on tap Friday

Date: Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 2:12 PM

Companies brought a near record amount of debt to bond markets in
January, taking advantage of the thaw in investors' appetite for risk.

U.S. fourth-quarter GDP down 3.8%, biggest since 1982

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:01:24 -0500

U.S. fourth-quarter GDP down 3.8%, biggest since 1982

The U.S. economy contracts at a 3.8% annualized rate in the fourth
quarter, Commerce Department data show. The decline in gross domestic
product would have been worse except that the government counts an
unwanted buildup of goods on
store shelves as growth.

AMAZON SHARES JUMP ON SURPRISE EARNINGS GROWTH

Amazon.com's surprise gain in fourth-quarter earnings gives shares an
early boost on Friday.

ROCHE LOWERS GENENTECH BID, GOES HOSTILE

In a display of hostility toward a firm it mostly owns, Roche Holdings
on Friday lowers its takeover bid for Genentech and takes the offer
directly to
shareholders.

DAVOS NOTEBOOK: LONG LIVE PRIVATE EQUITY

Times are tough in the private equity business, but the industry will
survive, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts founding partner Henry Kravis insists
Friday at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting.

OBAMA CALLS WALL ST. BONUS BINGE SHAMEFUL

President Obama blasts Wall Street for shameful and irresponsible
behavior after reports that Wall Street paid $18.4 billion in bonuses
in 2008, even as the industry collapsed, costing taxpayers billions of
dollars and tens of thousands of job cuts.

Energy: Canadian stocks edge lower after grim GDP data

Date: 30 JAN 2009 16:36:59 GMT

Stocks in Canada edge lower, with mining and financial shares pacing
the decline, as data show economic growth fell sharply in November.

Gold jumps nearly $20 an ounce to 6-month high after GDP data; crude oil rises 2.2%

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:40:33 -0500

Gold jumps nearly $20 an ounce to 6-month high after GDP data; crude
oil rises 2.2%
1/30/2009 10:38:27 AM EDT

Energy: Oil futures rise after better-than-expected GDP data

Date: 30 JAN 2009 14:27:02 GMT

Oil futures surge Friday after data show that the U.S. economy turned
in its worst performance since 1982, but the contraction is still
better than the market expected.

International

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:02:03 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 30 January, 2009

TURKISH PM CHEERED AFTER WALKOUT AT DAVOS
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has returned home to
a hero's welcome after storming offstage during an angry
exchange about the Gaza conflict with Israeli President Shimon
Peres. The row erupted as the two leaders participated in a
debate at the Word Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

KENYAN ANGER AFTER STORE FIRE LEAVES 47 MISSING
Rescue workers continue to pick through the smoldering rubble of
a supermarket in search of 47 people still missing after a
massive fire engulfed the building in downtown Nairobi.

IRAN: WE'RE READY TO WORK WITH OBAMA
Tehran stood ready to work with U.S. President Barack Obama to
establish better relations with Washington, Iranian Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told a CNN-hosted panel at the World
Economic Forum.

HEZBOLLAH: BUSH TRIED TO CHANGE GAZA 'REALITIES'
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Thursday that the Bush
administration worked with its Arab allies "in order to take
advantage of the short time of Bush's term and before (Barack)
Obama takes office in order to change the realities" in Gaza.

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR OUSTED IN ROW OVER OBAMA SEAT
The Illinois Senate has voted unanimously to oust Gov. Rod
Blagojevich and to bar him from ever holding political office in
the state again. Earlier, Blagojevich appeared before the
senators at his impeachment trial and made his case.

OBAMA ENVOY HITS GAZA PEACE TRAIL
President Barack Obama's top envoy to the Middle East spent
Thursday conferring with Palestinian and Israeli officials in an
attempt to maintain the Hamas-Israel cease-fire and regenerate a
static peace process. George Mitchell said: "Lasting peace is
our objective."

5 IRAQIS KILLED AHEAD OF PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS
Attackers in Iraq killed three Sunni Arab provincial election
candidates and two election workers Thursday in violence that
has startled an eager electorate in the run-up to the polls
Saturday.

BUSH SHOE-THROWER MONUMENT UNVEILED IN IRAQ
For the war-beaten orphans of the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit,
this big old shoe fits.
------------------------------------------------
BUSINESS

BLOOMBERG TO ANNOUNCE NEW YORK BUDGET CUTS
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Friday will lay out
details of a plan to cut an additional $1 billion from the city
budget and lay off as many as 23,000 city employees, according
to a press release from the Mayor's office.

FORD REPORTS $5.9 BILLION LOSS
Ford reports that its ongoing losses soared in the fourth
quarter, but the company reiterates it still does not need the
federal bailout already received by its two U.S. rivals. Ford
reported a net loss of $5.9 billion, or $2.46 a share, up from a
loss of $2.8 in the same quarter a year ago.

SONY PROFITS FALL 95 PERCENT
Sony blamed the global economic slowdown, increased competition
and an appreciating yen for a 95 percent drop in third-quarter
profits, as the company announced its results Thursday.

Energy: Allstate, Exxon Mobil in focus

Date: 30 JAN 2009 13:43:27 GMT

U.S. stock futures gave up earlier gains and were pointing to a weaker
start for Wall Street on Friday, under the cloud of another heavy
earnings session and key economic data. The U.S. economy contracted at
a 3.8% seasonally adjusted annual rate in the fourth quarter, the
Commerce Department estimated Friday.

Breaking News: GDP down 3.8% in Q4, biggest drop since '82

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:50:47 -0600

The economy shrank at its fastest pace in nearly 27 years in the
fourth quarter, government data showed, sinking deeper into recession
as consumers and business cut spending.

Energy: Mitsubishi, GE considering power-turbine business tie-up

Date: 30 JAN 2009 05:12:12 GMT

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and General Electric will work together in
the "next generation" power-plant turbine business.

Honda third-quarter profit falls 90% to $222 million

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:08:21 -0500

Honda third-quarter profit falls 90% to $222 million
1/30/2009 1:06:15 AM EDT

Energy: Stocks in focus for Friday

Date: 30 JAN 2009 00:49:36 GMT

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in
Friday's session are Exxon, Procter & Gamble and Chevron.

Tech: Qualcomm, Dell pace declines as earnings weigh on sentiment

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:00:27 -0500

Tech Stocks: Qualcomm, Dell pace declines as earnings weigh on sentiment
1/29/2009 4:10 PM ET
Technology stocks take a sharp hit on a smattering of bad earnings
reports and a warning from PC maker Dell Inc.

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Cisco expected to report 8% revenue drop
1/29/2009 5:30 PM ET
Cisco Systems Inc. is expected to report an 8% drop in revenue on Feb.
4 as it navigates through a difficult market marked by a dramatic
decline in consumer and corporate tech demand.

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Broadcom swings to loss, outlines cost-cutting measures
1/29/2009 5:09 PM ET
Broadcom Corp. reports a fourth-quarter loss, warning that it expects
more pain from the downturn, but also highlighting its efforts to cut
costs, including freezing pay and cutting its workforce.

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Amazon reports surprise earnings growth for fourth quarter
1/29/2009 5:04 PM ET
Amazon.com reports a surprise gain in fourth-quarter earnings thanks
to strong holiday sales, beating the consensus view of Wall Street
that had been predicting a decline in earnings for the period.

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Juniper posts gains, but falls shy of estimates
1/29/2009 4:45 PM ET
Juniper Networks Inc. posts profit and sales gains for what was
generally a challenging economic period by keeping tight control of
costs, though the network equipment maker's numbers still fall shy of
Wall Street estimates.

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Dell shares fall after it warns expenses to cut into earnings
1/29/2009 4:34 PM ET
Dell shares fall almost 9% after the personal-computer giant reveals
it will record nearly $300 million in fourth-quarter expenses related
to restructuring efforts and stock-option expenses.

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Kodak shares sink 22% on big loss, job cuts
1/29/2009 4:28 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Eastman Kodak Co. shares dropped 29%
Thursday after the company swung to a big loss in the fourth quarter,
bruised by slumping sales of its digital cameras and other photography
equipment, and saidit will cut up to 4,500 jobs.

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More layoffs quietly underway at IBM, group says
1/29/2009 2:32 PM ET
While a number of technology giants have been making public
disclosures about job cuts in recent weeks, IBM Corp. has been quietly
eliminating positions in a number of divisions including its storied
research unit, according to an organization seeking recognition as a
union with the company.

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Amazon expected to see drop in earnings
1/29/2009 12:57 PM ET
Amazon.com is expected to report a decline in quarterly earnings when
it reports results Thursday, as the online retailer is believed to
have cut prices during the holiday season to maintain strong market
share.

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Telecom Stocks: Qualcomm, AT&T are top decliners after results
1/29/2009 12:40 PM ET
Qualcomm Inc., Alcatel-Lucent and AT&T Inc. spotlight declines in the
telecommunications sector as most industry stocks retreat along with
the broader U.S. market.

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Weak sales forecast hits Citrix Systems
1/29/2009 11:17 AM ET
Citrix Systems Inc. shares fall as much as 12% Thursday after the
virtualization and infrastructure software company reports a decline
in its fourth-quarter earnings and gives a first-quarter sales
forecast that falls shy of Wall Street analysts' estimates.

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Qualcomm shares stumble on soured investments, weak outlook
1/29/2009 10:35 AM ET
The provider of chip technology for wireless phones posts
lower-than-expected earnings tied to heavy losses on its investment
portfolio.

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Israel Stocks: Market lower; Mellanox beats estimate
1/29/2009 10:34 AM ET
Israeli stocks dropped on Thursday, led by weakness
in Israel Chemicals, a couple of the telecom companies, and the real
estate sector.

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Sony profit tumbles 95% on weak demand, strong yen
1/29/2009 2:40 AM ET
Sony Corp. reports Thursday its third-quarter profit was almost
entirely wiped out and it still expects to post its first full-year
loss in 14 years.

Breaking News

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:55:37 -0800 (PST)

The Illinois state legislature has ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich after
allegations of corruption.

Markets Thursday, 01/29/2009

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:31:03 -0500

| Dow : 8149.01 down 226.44 | S & P : 845.14 down 28.95 |
| NASDAQ: 1507.84 down 50.50 | Bond (10Y): 2.86%, 107.53

MARKETS:
Stocks break winning streak
Recession fears snap a 4-session rally for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq.

December new-home sales plummet to record low

Date: Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 2:01 PM

December new-home sales plummet to record low

Sales of new homes plummet to a record low in December, falling 14.7% to the
lowest level since the government began keeping track of the activity in 1963.

ECONOMIC REPORT: RECORD NUMBERS STANDING IN UNEMPLOYMENT LINES, U.S. DATA SHOW

U.S. unemployment lines stretch to the longest on record, Labor Department data
show, in a vivid sign that the conditions in the labor market continue to
worsen.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: 'GLOOM' IS THE MOOD IN DAVOS, NOT 'DOOM'

Movers and shakers who have gathered in the Swiss Alps for the annual meeting
of the World Economic Forum are downbeat but not despondent, India's commerce
minister tells MarketWatch.

FORD LOSES $6 BILLION BUT WON'T SEEK FED HELP

Ford Motor Co. posts a fourth-quarter loss of $5.9 billion, reeling from a
sales downturn that's engulfed automakers around the world.

SONY PROFIT TUMBLES 95% ON WEAK DEMAND, STRONG YEN

Sony Corp. reports Thursday its third-quarter profit was almost entirely wiped
out and it still expects to post its first full-year loss in 14 years.

The Dow tumbles 227 points on dismal corporate results, housing weakness and further job losses.

Date: Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 4:03 PM

The Dow tumbles 227 points on dismal corporate results, housing
weakness and further job losses.

Energy: Dominion fourth-quarter net income rises 16%

Date: 29 JAN 2009 17:24:15 GMT

Dominion Resources Inc.'s fourth-quarter net income rises 16% as the
power company benefits from lower costs and taxes.

December new-home sales plummet to record low

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:01:25 -0500
December new-home sales plummet to record low

Sales of new homes plummet to a record low in December, falling 14.7%
to the lowest level since the government began keeping track of the
activity in 1963.

ECONOMIC REPORT: RECORD NUMBERS STANDING IN UNEMPLOYMENT LINES, U.S. DATA SHOW

U.S. unemployment lines stretch to the longest on record, Labor
Department data show, in a vivid sign that the conditions in the labor
market continue to worsen.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: 'GLOOM' IS THE MOOD IN DAVOS, NOT 'DOOM'

Movers and shakers who have gathered in the Swiss Alps for the annual
meeting of the World Economic Forum are downbeat but not despondent,
India's commerce minister tells MarketWatch.

FORD'S QUARTERLY NET LOSS NEARLY DOUBLES AS REVENUE TOPS TARGET

Ford Motor Co. posts a fourth-quarter loss of $5.9 billion, reeling
from a sales downturn that's engulfed automakers around the world.

SONY PROFIT TUMBLES 95% ON WEAK DEMAND, STRONG YEN

Sony Corp. reports Thursday its third-quarter profit was almost
entirely wiped out and it still expects to post its first full-year
loss in 14 years.

Energy: Smith International falls, ending oil service buying spree

Date: 29 JAN 2009 15:14:32 GMT

Smith International's earnings miss and bearish sentiment in the
overall energy sector end a buying spree of late in oil service
shares.

U.S. new-home sales fall nearly 15% to lowest monthly level on record

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:04:01 -0500

U.S. new-home sales fall nearly 15% to lowest monthly level on record
1/29/2009 10:02:08 AM EDT

International

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:02:03 -0500

SONY PROFITS DOWN 95 PERCENT
Sony blamed the global economic slowdown, increased competition
and an appreciating yen for a 95 percent drop in third-quarter
profits, as the company announced its results Thursday.

GORE: CLIMATE CHANGE NEAR IRREVERSIBLE
Suggesting that the planet will soon reach an irreversible
"tipping point" of damage to the climate, former U.S. Vice
President Al Gore tells members of the American Congress on that
the United States needs to join international talks on a treaty.

JAPAN EXECUTES FOUR DEATH-ROW INMATES
Japan executed four convicted killers on death row on Thursday,
the government said, marking the first set of executions in the
country since October 2008.

U.N.: MYANMAR FACES FOOD SHORTAGE
Myanmar is facing a food shortage largely due to last year's
deadly Cyclone Nargis, which destroyed nearly all the rice crops
in the fertile Ayeyarwaddy delta, the United Nations said
Wednesday.

U.S. HOUSE PASSES STIMULUS BILL
The U.S. House has passed an $819 billion economic stimulus
package on a party-line vote, despite U.S. President Barack
Obama's efforts to achieve bipartisan support for the bill. The
final vote was 244 to 188. No Republicans voted for the bill,
while 12 Democrats voted against it.

WITH 5 KIDS, NO JOB, 'BETTER TO END OUR LIVES'
It was described as one of the most grisly scenes Los Angeles
police had ever encountered: the bodies of five young children
and their parents, all shot to death, in two upstairs rooms of
the family's home.

FRANCE BRACES FOR 'BLACK THURSDAY' STRIKE
France geared up for transportation disruptions ahead of a
nationwide labor strike dubbed "Black Thursday."

ISRAEL EXPELS VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR
Israel has expelled Venezuela's ambassador in response to
Venezuela's expulsion of an Israeli envoy and the rupture of
diplomatic relations earlier this month.
--------------------------------------------
BUSINESS

ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PROFITS FALL
International oil giant Royal Dutch Shell announced Thursday
that its net profits fell 27 percent in the last quarter of
2008, another indicator of the sickly global economy.

U.S. HOUSE APPROVES OBAMA STIMULUS BILL
The U.S. House of Representatives passed President Barack
Obama's economic stimulus package, sending the $819 billion bill
to the Senate, where it will face more opposition from
Republicans.

IMF PREDICTS WORST YEAR FOR ECONOMY SINCE WWII
The world's stock markets moved into positive territory
Wednesday despite an International Monetary Fund report which
said the global economy was heading for its worst year since
World War II.

Energy: OPEC chief: Ready for more production cuts if needed

Date: 29 JAN 2009 10:18:47 GMT

OPEC is ready to make further cuts in oil production in coming months
if prices and global demand don't stabilize, the oil cartel's
secretary general says at the World Economic Forum annual meeting on
Thursday.

Breaking News

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:19:08 -0500

Auto giant Ford reports a Q4 net loss of $5.9 billion due to 'sharp
global decline in vehicle demand.'

Number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose last week by 3,000 to 588,000, government reports.

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:33:06 -0500

Number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose last
week by 3,000 to 588,000, government reports.

U.S. durable-goods orders decline 2.6%

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:36:15 -0500

U.S. durable-goods orders decline 2.6%
1/29/2009 8:31:36 AM EDT

Stocks open lower following dismal reports on the job market and manufacturing industry.

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:32:12 -0500

Stocks open lower following dismal reports on the job market and
manufacturing industry.

Energy: Oil futures fall after more grim economic data

Date: 29 JAN 2009 14:14:17 GMT

Oil futures extended their decline after data showed a record number
of continuing jobless claims as well as a decline in orders for
U.S.-made durable goods.

Sony posts $197 million operating loss in third quarter

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:18:41 -0500

Sony posts $197 million operating loss in third quarter
1/29/2009 1:16:26 AM EDT

House votes along party lines to approve Obama's $819 billion economic stimulus bill. Senate likely to take it up next week.

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:14:03 -0500

House votes along party lines to approve Obama's $819 billion economic
stimulus bill. Senate likely to take it up next week.

Markets Wednesday, 01/28/2009

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:31:02 -0500

| Dow : 8375.45 up 200.72 | S & P : 874.09 up 28.38
|
| NASDAQ: 1558.34 up 53.44 | Bond (10Y): 2.66%, 109.25

MARKETS:
Stocks stage rally
Wall Street hangs on to gains after the Fed announcement. Rally
continues on optimism that the government is looking to stabilize the
banking system.

S&P 500 extends gains into a fourth day as financials rally

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:01:44 -0500
S&P 500 extends gains into a fourth day as financials rally

The rally in financial shares has the S&P 500 poised to extend its
longest winning streak yet this year. But the four-day run, while
positive, doesn't signal much of a break in a range-bound bear market.

THE FED: FED PREPARED TO BUY TREASURIES; SEES SECOND HALF RECOVERY

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday it was prepared to purchase longer
term Treasury securities if needed to improve conditions in private
credit markets.

FED READIES PLAN TO HELP CONSUMERS GET MORE CREDIT-CARD DEBT

The Federal Reserve's getting ready to launch a new program that
should make iteasier for consumers to get credit-card and auto loans
-- though not necessarily at lower interest rates.

GEITHNER SAYS BAILOUT PLAN SOON; BAD BANK REPORTED AMONG OPTIONS

The Obama administration considers setting up a so-called bad bank to
buy illiquid mortgages from troubled financial institutions as its
latest effort torestore confidence in the financial markets.

BOEING POSTS QUARTERLY LOSS; SLASHES VIEW, PLANS 10,000 JOB CUTS

Boeing runs a fourth-quarter loss due mainly to the machinist strike
that ended last fall, the aerospace giant's financial results show.
Management also lowers profit target for 2009 and announces plans to
shed 10,000 jobs, up from 4,500
previously.

Stocks rally on reports of relief for beleaguered financial services companies. Dow rises 198 points, S&P and Nasdaq gain 3%.

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:01:12 -0500

Stocks rally on reports of relief for beleaguered financial services
companies. Dow rises 198 points, S&P and Nasdaq gain 3%.

Starbucks reports earnings and revenue that miss estimates. Company also says it will cut 6,000 jobs in '09.

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:13:06 -0500

Starbucks reports earnings and revenue that miss estimates. Company
also says it will cut 6,000 jobs in '09.

Energy: Major provisions of stimulus package

Date: 28 JAN 2009 17:58:15 GMT

The House is expected to approve an $825 billion economic stimulus
package Wednesday.

Fed holds rates near zero percent, says economy has weakened further in past month and global demand slows.

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:17:08 -0500

Fed holds rates near zero percent, says economy has weakened further
in past month and global demand slows.

Breaking News Wed., January 28, 2009

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:17:08 -0800 (PST)

Switch to Digital TV to Take Place as Scheduled: Delay Defeated in
House [1:08 p.m. ET]

Sector soars on talk that 'bad bank' notion will take flight

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:01:18 -0500

Sector soars on talk that 'bad bank' notion will take flight

Shares of U.S. banks surge on reports that the Obama administration
may adopt a plan to buy bad assets in the financial system and create
a so-called bad bank to hold them.

BAD BANK COULD BE RUN BY FDIC CHAIRWOMAN BAIR

The Obama administration considers setting up a so-called bad bank to
buy illiquid mortgages from troubled financial institutions as its
latest effort to restore confidence in the financial markets.

WELLS FARGO SWINGS TO $2.6 BILLION LOSS ON CREDIT WRITE-DOWNS

Wells Fargo & Co. on Wednesday reports a quarterly loss of about $2.6
billion as the banking giant is hit by credit write-downs and losses
at Wachovia, which it recently acquired.

BOEING SWINGS TO FOURTH-QUARTER LOSS ON MACHINIST STRIKE

Boeing has a fourth-quarter loss due mainly to the machinist strike
that ended last fall, aerospace giant's financial results show.

THE FED: FED THROWS KITCHEN SINK AT RECESSION, ECONOMISTS SAY

As it meets to discuss policy action, the Federal Reserve is trying to
convince the market that it is tough enough to combat this recession,
economists say.

Boeing to cut 10,000 jobs in commercial-plane unit

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:07:27 -0500

Boeing to cut 10,000 jobs in commercial-plane unit
1/28/2009 11:05:23 AM EDT

Oil prices fall after government reports bigger-than-expected rise in crude supplies.

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:32:07 -0500

Oil prices fall after government reports bigger-than-expected rise in
crude supplies.

Dow industrials up by triple digits; S&P 500 rises 1.9% to pace opening rally

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:37:45 -0500

Dow industrials up by triple digits; S&P 500 rises 1.9% to pace opening rally
1/28/2009 9:35:59 AM EDT

Stocks open higher after Wells Fargo reported better-than-expected earnings. Investors awaiting stimulus vote.

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:31:03 -0500

Stocks open higher after Wells Fargo reported better-than-expected
earnings. Investors awaiting stimulus vote.

International

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:02:07 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 28 January, 2009

RED CROSS: CRISIS UNFOLDING IN SRI LANKA
A major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in northern Sri Lanka
with 250,000 unprotected civilians trapped in the crossfire
between government troops and rebel forces, the Red Cross says.

REFUGEES IN THAILAND FACE TRIAL
A group of refugees who survived being at sea for a month, then
being beaten and burned, now await the next turn of their fates
in the Thai court system.

ISRAELIS STRIKE AT GAZA BORDER, REPORTS SAY
Israeli missiles struck near the Gaza border Wednesday morning,
even as George Mitchell, President Obama's envoy to the Middle
East, was scheduled to arrive in hopes of shoring up a fragile
cease-fire there.

SPECIAL ELECTIONS BEGIN IN IRAQ
Special provincial elections began Wednesday morning in Iraq, a
precursor to the monumental elections that will be held this
weekend in the country.

GATES BACKS DEADLINE TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO BAY
Closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility is necessary and
U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to set a one-year
deadline was probably the only way to get it done, U.S. Defense
Secretary Robert Gates says.

BOMB ROCKS BOGOTA NEIGHBORHOOD
An explosion killed two people and destroyed a building in an
upscale northern Bogota, Colombia, neighborhood Tuesday morning,
police said.

ROBINHO DENIES SEX ATTACK ALLEGATION
Brazilian football star Robinho denies any wrongdoing after
being interviewed by English police over allegations of a
serious sexual assault.

CHAVEZ WILL CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY WITH SUMMIT
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will celebrate 10 years in
power next week by holding a rare summit with some of his
closest leftist allies in Latin America.
---------------------------------------------
BUSINESS

JAPAN'S AUTOMAKERS CUT PRODUCTION
Japan's top three automakers all slashed global production last
month to the dismay of workers, as the world financial crisis
deepened.

YAHOO! BEATS ESTIMATES DESPITE LOSS
Yahoo Inc. reported a fourth-quarter net loss, but the Internet
search engine's earnings, after adjusting for certain one-time
charges, beat analysts' expectations.

OBAMA, REPUBLICANS TALK STIMULUS PLAN
U.S. President Barack Obama told Republican House leaders he
plans to stand firm on the part of his $825 billion economic
recovery plan that calls for tax rebates for nearly all working
Americans.

Boeing sees 2009 profit lower than 2008 adjusted earnings, posts quarterly loss

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:39:57 -0500

Boeing sees 2009 profit lower than 2008 adjusted earnings, posts quarterly loss
1/28/2009 7:37:55 AM EDT

Wells Fargo reports net loss due to Wachovia merger, maintains dividend and says it will not take further TARP funds.

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:07:06 -0500

Wells Fargo reports net loss due to Wachovia merger, maintains
dividend and says it will not take further TARP funds.

Shares of major banks rally on optimism over U.S. reportedly establishing 'bad bank'

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:12:28 -050S0

Shares of major banks rally on optimism over U.S. reportedly
establishing 'bad bank'
1/28/2009 8:10:20 AM EDT

Energy: Stocks in focus for Wednesday

Date: 28 JAN 2009 00:41:08 GMT

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in
Wednesday's session are AT&T, ConocoPhillips and Boeing.

Tech: Texas Instruments leads technology sector higher

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:00:36 -0500

Tech Stocks: Texas Instruments leads technology sector higher
1/27/2009 4:44 PM ET
Most tech stocks advance as investors play off better-than-expected
financial results reported by Texas Instruments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Global Investor: Ten European stocks that will hold up well in these
1/27/2009 6:40 PM ET
Things could be gloomier in Europe, but it's hard to see how. In
addition to an unusually cold winter, the economic outlook has also
gone into the deep freeze,with the European Union predicting a 1.9%
fall in growth across the 16-nation euro zone this year.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Altera reports a 27% jump in fourth-quarter profit
1/27/2009 5:12 PM ET
Altera Corp. reports a 27% increase in fourth-quarter net profit but
lower sales as the company feels the impact of the global slowdown.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sun Micro swings to loss as revenues fall
1/27/2009 5:11 PM ET
Sun Microsystems Inc. on Tuesday said it swung to a quarterly loss as
the computer server and software company reported a decline in sales
due to falling demand for its high-end products.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo swings to loss as Bartz era begins
1/27/2009 5:08 PM ET
Yahoo Inc. reports it swung to a loss in the fourth quarter, as the
flagging economy helped crimp sales of online advertisements and the
Internet company continued efforts to mount a turnaround under former
Chief Executive Jerry Yang.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Texas Instruments jumps on better-than-expected results
1/27/2009 4:50 PM ET
Shares of Texas Instruments Inc. close higher after the chip maker
posted results that exceeded Wall Street projections.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lexmark earnings fall 82% on restructuring charges
1/27/2009 4:28 PM ET
Lexmark International Inc., the Lexington, Ky., provider of printing
and imaging technology and services, reports that fourth-quarter net
income declines 82% on 17% lower revenue.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
EMC earnings fall 45% as charges take a toll
1/27/2009 4:26 PM ET
EMC Corp. reports fourth-quarter earnings that tumble 45% from a year
ago, as well as sales that are basically in line with the
storage-technology company's previously announced preliminary results.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Netflix shares jump on strong results, outlook
1/27/2009 4:12 PM ET
Netflix Inc. shares jumped 13% Tuesday morning after the online
DVD-rental service reported better-than-expected fourth quarter
results and said it's on pace to surpass most revenue forecasts in the
current quarter.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Verizon quarterly earnings rise 15%, but slump fears persist
1/27/2009 3:24 PM ET
Verizon Communications Inc. said fourth-quarter profit jumped 15%
owing to strong wireless growth, with record subscriber gains in the
company's fiber-TV and fiber-Internet services.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
European court denies Intel's bid to slow antitrust probe
1/27/2009 2:27 PM ET
An EU court spurns Intel's request to delay an ongoing antitrust probe
based on allegations that the chip giant abused its market position in
competing with rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo expected to see earnings fall as new CEO Bartz makes debut
1/27/2009 12:45 PM ET
Yahoo Inc. is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings after the
market's close Tuesday, shedding light on what was a troubled period
for the company's core business while also providing a platform for
new Chief Executive Carol Bartz to address Wall Street.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Telecom Stocks: Verizon, phone stocks fall; Nokai gains
1/27/2009 12:17 PM ET
Shares of most phone companies fell after Verizon
Communications Inc. posted slightly lower profit than Wall Street
expected, but most equipment stocks edged higher.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Europe Markets: European shares end higher as Siemens, KPN rise
1/27/2009 11:59 AM ET
European shares edge higher on Tuesday, extending the previous
session's strong gains, as investors welcome news that Siemens and KPN
are sticking to fiscal-year guidance despite the gloomy economic
backdrop.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging-market telecom players get picky in M&A
1/27/2009 11:27 AM ET
As international telecommunications operators shelve expansion plans
to preserve cash and the myth collapses that emerging-market economies
are independent from their western counterparts, the face of
dealmaking in telecom is changing rapidly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Therese Poletti's Tech Tales: Microsoft, Google deal with slowdown in
their own ways
1/27/2009 12:01 AM ET
The growing rivalry between Microsoft Corp. and Google Inc. was on
full display last week when the two tech giants announced
fourth-quarter results within hours of each other -- and offered
wildly divergent responses to the recession.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Senate approves delay in digital TV transition: reports
1/26/2009 9:00 PM ET
The Senate reportedly approves a bill that would delay the transition
to all-digital television transmissions in the U.S. until June.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
IBM cuts over 2,800 jobs, labor group says
1/26/2009 7:42 PM ET
IBM has cut over 2,800 jobs in its software and sales departments,
according to an organization seeking recognition as a union at the
technology giant.

Markets Tuesday, 01/27/2009

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:31:03 -0500

| Dow : 8174.73 up 58.70 | S & P : 845.71 up 9.14
|
|NASDAQ: 1504.90 up 15.44 | Bond (10Y): 2.53%, 110.50

MARKETS:
Wall Street on the upswing
Stocks advance for third straight session as investors breathe a sigh
of relief that some earnings have been OK and that Geithner has been
approved.

Yahoo swings to loss as Bartz era begins

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:01:44 -0500
Yahoo swings to loss as Bartz era begins

Yahoo Inc. reports it swung to a loss in the fourth quarter, as the
flagging economy helped crimp sales of online advertisements and the
Internet company continued efforts to mount a turnaround under former
Chief Executive Jerry Yang.

MARKET SNAPSHOT: STOCK INVESTORS FIND SOME CHEER IN SPIKE IN HOME SALES

While focused in part on quarterly earnings and a report showing a
drop in consumer confidence, investors also take comfort from the
afterglow of surprisingly positive data on the U.S. housing market
released on Monday.

ECONOMIC REPORT: U.S. HOME VALUES DOWN RECORD 18.2% IN PAST YEAR

Home values in 20 major U.S. cities fell a record 18.2% in the 12
months ending in November, Standard & Poor's reports. See full story.

THE FED: NEW YORK FED TAPS DUDLEY TO REPLACE GEITHNER AS PRESIDENT

The New York Federal Reserve promotes William Dudley, a key architect
of its unconventional monetary policy, to serve as its new president.

DUPONT SWINGS TO $629 MILLION QUARTERLY LOSS, CUTS OUTLOOK

DuPont cut its 2009 outlook as the chemicals giant reports a
fourth-quarter loss, results highlighting declines in construction,
motor-vehicle sales and consumer spending.

Breaking News Tue., January 27, 2009

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:47:51 -0800 (PST)

Treasury Gives $386 Million to 23 Banks, First Awards Under Obama [4:20 p.m. ET]

Yahoo reports profits and sales that beat estimates. Including charges company reports net loss of $303 million.

Date: Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Yahoo reports profits and sales that beat estimates. Including charges
company reports net loss of $303 million.

Stocks finish with gains as investors cheer moves toward stimulus package. Dow up 55 points, S&P and Nasdaq up more than 1%.

Date: Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 4:01 PM

Stocks finish with gains as investors cheer moves toward stimulus
package. Dow up 55 points, S&P and Nasdaq up more than 1%.

Breaking News Tue., January 27, 2009

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:40:55 -0800 (PST)

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author John Updike Has Died [1:30 p.m. ET]

worldNews

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:06:35 -0800 (PST)

Iran condemns EU for delisting terror group
01/27/09 06:36 AM, EST
Iran has strongly condemned the decision by the European Union to
remove the People's Mujahedeen of Iran from its list of terrorist
organizations.

Breaking News Tue., January 27, 2009

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:54:15 -0800 (PST)

Citigroup to Refuse Delivery of New Jet Under Pressure From White
House [8:43 a.m. ET]

U.S. home values down record 18.2% in past year

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:01:16 -0500

U.S. home values down record 18.2% in past year

Home values in 20 major U.S. cities fell a record 18.2% in the 12
months ending in November, Standard & Poor's reports.

FUTURES MOVERS: OIL SLUMPS 5% AS DATA FAN ECONOMIC WORRIES

Oil futures fall below $44 a barrel, pressured by ongoing concerns
over slowing energy demand.

SIEMENS NET DROPS 81% AFTER LAST YEAR'S ASSET SALE

German conglomerate Siemens on Tuesday reports an 81% drop in fiscal.
first-quarter profit after last year's sale of its automotive
electronics arm, but by other measures records a solid quarter behind
strong growth at its energy division.

DUPONT SWINGS TO $629 MILLION QUARTERLY LOSS, CUTS OUTLOOK

DuPont cut its 2009 outlook as the chemicals giant reports a
fourth-quarter loss, results highlighting declines in construction,
motor-vehicle sales and consumer spending.

SENATE CONFIRMS GEITHNER AS TREASURY SECRETARY

Obama's economic team is now complete, even as it moves to grapple
with ways to tackle economic woes on multiple fronts, from a worsening
recession to failing banks to the millions of U.S. homeowners facing
foreclosure.

News Alert!

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:07:16 -0800 (PST)

'Americans are not your enemy,' Obama tells Muslims
01/27/09 02:45 AM, EST
President Obama said his administration will offer a hand of
friendship to the Muslim world, but will hunt down terrorist
organizations that kill innocent civilians.

Stocks turn lower after dismal consumer confidence report. U.S. says unemployment rose in December in all states and D.C.

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:10:03 -0500

Stocks turn lower after dismal consumer confidence report. U.S. says
unemployment rose in December in all states and D.C.

Consumer confidence index falls to lowest level since its start in 1967.

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:01:03 -0500

Consumer confidence index falls to lowest level since its start in 1967.

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.

--------------------------------------------------------
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.

November home prices down a record 18.2% for the year, according to a closely watched 20-city index.

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:01:03 -0500

November home prices down a record 18.2% for the year, according to a
closely watched 20-city index.

Energy: Oil futures fall as demand concerns weigh

Date: 27 JAN 2009 14:04:30 GMT

Oil futures fall below $46 a barrel Tuesday, pressured by ongoing
concerns over slowing energy demand.

Stocks open higher as investors continue to look for opportunities for the second session in a row.

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:32:07 -0500

Stocks open higher as investors continue to look for opportunities for
the second session in a row.

Energy: Stocks in focus for Tuesday

Date: 27 JAN 2009 00:38:43 GMT

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in
Tuesday's session are Yahoo, Verizon, and DuPont.

Breaking News Mon., January 26, 2009

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:41:22 -0800 (PST)

Senate Approves Four-Month Hold on Digital TV Conversion [7:10 PM EST]

Breaking News Mon., January 26, 2009

Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:28 PM

Senate Confirms Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary [6:20 EST PM]

Tech: Apple, IBM lead sector higher

Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:00 PM

Tech Stocks: Apple, IBM lead sector higher
4:11 PM ET
Most technology stocks advance, as Apple Inc., Intel Corp. and International Business Machines post gains.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Netflix profit jumps 45% as expenses decline
5:59 PM ET
Quarterly profit rose 45%, mostly reflecting lower costs to sign up new subscribers, and the online video-rental service indicates it's on pace to surpass most revenue forecasts in the current quarter.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Texas Instruments posts big profit drop, will cut 3,400 jobs

5:00 PM ET
Texas Instruments posts sharp drop in quarterly profit and a plan to eliminate 3,400 jobs as the chip giant warned it expects a "prolonged economic weakness."

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sales growth leads VMware earnings to rise
4:46 PM ET
Vmware Inc. reports a fiscal fourth-quarter profit that rose 42% from a year ago as the maker of virtualization-technology software reports better sales led by increases in both software license and services revenue.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sprint Nextel to eliminate 8,000 jobs
1:25 PM ET
Sprint Nextel Corp. on Monday says it will purge 8,000 jobs as part of an effort to reduce costs in the face of a deepening U.S. recession.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Texas Instruments expected to post big drop in quarterly sales
1:23 PM ET
Texas Instruments is expected to report a 33% decline in sales for the fourth quarter, a reflection of the cell-phone chip maker's struggle with slumping demand and mounting competition.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Telecom Stocks: Sprint, Ericsson lead telecoms higher
12:04 PM ET
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Telecommunications stocks mostly advanced in Monday trades, with smaller issues outpacing larger ones. Sprint Nextel Corp.'s move to cut 15% of its workforce was seen as a positive step by investors.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Philips to cut 6,000 jobs after first loss in five years
10:30 AM ET
Royal Philips Electronics, Europe's largest consumer-electronics firm, on Monday says it swung to a fourth-quarter loss of 1.5 billion euros ($1.9 billion) as it wrote down the value of its stakes in LG Display and NXP and demand for its products continues to deteriorate.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Israel Stocks: Market higher for second day before Bank of Israel rate call
9:11 AM ET
Israeli stocks are higher for a second day on Monday, led by strength in banks and in Israel Chemicals, a few hours before the Bank of Israel makes its next rate decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Before the Bell: Pfizer, Caterpillar, McDonald's in the spotlight
8:35 AM ET
Stock market futures were broadly flat Monday as Caterpillar lowered its earnings outlook and Pfizer agreed to buy rival Wyeth in a $68 billion deal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Israel Stocks: Tel Aviv shares end higher ahead of interest-rate decision
12:54 PM ET
Israeli stocks rise, led by strength in telephone-service provider Bezeq and
selected technology and real-estate issues.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
India detains 2 Price Waterhouse partners in Satyam case
4:09 AM ET
Indian police on Saturday detained for questioning two partners from the consulting firm Price Waterhouse in connection with the fraud case at Satyam Computer Services Ltd., news reports say.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Outlook: AT&T, Verizon keep heads above water
4:00 AM ET
AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. are weathering the recession better than most U.S. companies, but both phone giants could show some nicks and cuts in the coming days as they report quarterly results.

Markets Monday, 01/26/2009

Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009

DOW 8,116.03 +38.47 +0.48%

NASDAQ 1,489.46 +12.17 +0.82%

S & P. 836.57 +4.62 +0.56%

10YR. 109 17/32 -6/32 Yield: *2.63%*

5:15 PM ET, 1/26/2009

Stocks bounce
Stocks managed gains Monday, ending a volatile session higher, as
investors looked beyond massive job cuts at Caterpillar, Home Depot
and others, and. opted to scoop up stocks hit in last week's selloff.

Stocks see-saw higher as job cuts spread to more sectors

Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 2:01 PM

Stocks see-saw higher as job cuts spread to more sectors

The large wave of layoffs gives added impetus to President Obama's call for quick action on his economic stimulus proposals but has little impact on the market, which is anticipating another 500,000 job losses this month.

AFTER HOURS: AMGEN, VMWARE SHARES HURT AFTER REPORTS DISAPPOINT INVESTORS

Shares of Amgen Inc. struggle after the biotech giant's quarterly results missed Wall Street's outlook, and a weak sales forecast from VMware Inc. weighs on its shares.

PFIZER LINES UP BIGGEST BANK DEAL SINCE MARCH, TAPPING U.S. AID

Pfizer's pact to acquire Wyeth gives taxpayers a glimpse into how banks are using some of the Treasury Department's $200 billion in bank aid.

CATERPILLAR POSTS 32% DECLINE IN QUARTERLY PROFIT, CUTS JOBS

Caterpillar Inc. posts a 32% drop in fourth-quarter profit and announces 20,000 job cuts.

EMERGING MARKETS REPORT: RUSSIAN STOCKS RALLY, LED BY MINERS, ENERGY FIRMS

Stocks in Moscow rally, as surging commodity prices boost energy and mining companies, while Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, reports a rise in third-quarter net profit.

Texas Instruments to cut 3,400 jobs as earnings decline

Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 1:48 PM

Texas Instruments to cut 3,400 jobs as earnings decline
1/26/2009 4:46:04 PM EDT

Stocks end higher on positive economic data and the Pfizer-Wyeth deal. Dow up 36 points, Nasdaq and S&P gain, too.

Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 1:01 PM


Stocks end higher on positive economic data and the Pfizer-Wyeth deal. Dow up 36 points, Nasdaq and S&P gain, too.

Stocks rebound as financial companies recover. Dow, Nasdaq and S&P all modestly higher.

Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:16 PM

Stocks rebound as financial companies recover. Dow, Nasdaq and S&P all modestly higher.

Existing-home sales rise 6.5% as prices plunge

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:01:26 -0500

Sales of existing homes rise 6.5% in December to a seasonally
adjusted. annualized rate of 4.74 million as prices continue to plunge
at a record pace, the National Association of Realtors reports.

SPRINT TO ELIMINATE 8,000 JOBS

Sprint Nextel Corp. on Monday says it will purge 8,000 jobs as part of
an effort to reduce costs in the face of a deepening U.S. recession.

PFIZER BUYING WYETH FOR $68 BILLION IN CASH AND STOCK

Pfizer reaches agreement to buy drug-making rival Wyeth for $68
billion with the aim of restocking its producti pipeline, as the
blue-chip component also reports a 90% decline in fourth-quarter net
profit.

CATERPILLAR POSTS 32% DECLINE IN QUARTERLY PROFIT, CUTS JOBS

Caterpillar Inc. posts a 32% drop in fourth-quarter profit and
announces 20,000 job cuts.

HOME DEPOT TO CLOSE EXPO, SLASH JOBS

In another sign of the worsening economic downturn, Home Depot Inc.
says it is throwing in the sponge on its Expo design and décor
business, closing stores and laying off thousands of employees.

Energy: Obama takes aim at greenhouse gas emissions

Date: 26 JAN 2009 16:49:25 GMT

President Barack Obama acts to give states more power to set tough
emissions rules, saying Washington has stood in their way in the past.

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.

Obama says he'll implement 35mpg standards for automakers; EPA to review California request to toughen greenhouse gas rules.

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:47:09 -0500

Obama says he'll implement 35mpg standards for automakers; EPA to
review California request to toughen greenhouse gas rules.

Stocks open mixed as news of Pfizer-Wyeth merger is offset by slew of job cuts.

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:31:08 -0500

Stocks open mixed as news of Pfizer-Wyeth merger is offset by slew of job cuts.

Caterpillar lowers 2009 outlook; 20,000 workers targeted for cuts

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:39:07 -0500

Caterpillar lowers 2009 outlook; 20,000 workers targeted for cuts
1/26/2009 7:37:10 AM EDT

International

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:01:08 -0500T
OP STORIES as of 1000 GMT -- 25 January, 2009

CARTEL 'STEWMAKER' SAYS HE DISSOLVED 300 BODIES
A suspect in police custody calls himself a "stewmaker" for a
Mexican drug lord, saying he disposed of about 300 bodies by
dissolving them in acid.

OBAMA: ECONOMY IS 'AN UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS'
U.S. President Barack Obama has painted a bleak economic picture
of the country, hours before he is to meet with his economic
team. Speaking in his first weekly address as president, Obama
said: "We begin this year and this administration in the midst
of an unprecedented crisis."

HUDSON CRASH PILOT GETS WARM WELCOME HOME
The pilot who made a treacherous crash-landing on New York's
Hudson River look like a routine maneuver got a hero's welcome
Saturday in his California hometown.

TWO SUSPECTED PAKISTANI MILITANTS SLAIN IN INDIA
Two terror suspects were killed in a shootout early Sunday on
the outskirts of New Delhi, according to Indian police.

'COWARDLY' BOMBING KILLS 15 IN MOGADISHU
A car bomb exploded Saturday in Somalia's capital, killing 15
people and wounding 24, a government spokesman said.

INDIAN PM RECOVERING AFTER HEART SURGERY
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is "stable, comfortable
and making rapid progress" after a successful heart surgery, his
office said Sunday.

JANKOVIC DOWNED IN AUSTRALIAN OPEN STUNNER
World number one Jelena Jankovic slumped out of the Australian
Open on Sunday with a disappointing 6-1, 6-4 loss to Marion
Bartoli of France, dashing her bid to win her first Grand Slam
tournament.

CHILD ABUSE ON RISE IN JAMAICA
The number of child abuse reports in Jamaica increased
dramatically in 2008, the nation's Office of Children's Registry
reported Saturday.

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BUSINESS

BRITISH ECONOMY NOW OFFICIALLY IN RECESSION
The British economy is officially in a recession, according to
statistics released Friday. The British gross domestic product
declined by 1.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008, the
British government announced. That followed a decline of 0.5
percent in the third quarter.

BOLIVIA NATIONALIZES BP SUBSIDIARY
Bolivian President Evo Morales nationalized the Chaco petroleum
company Friday, taking over the British Petroleum subsidiary
with the military on standby.

GEITHNER HEADS TO FULL SENATE VOTE
A U.S. Senate panel recommended the full Senate confirm Tim
Geithner as the next Treasury secretary, but five Republican
senators opposed going forward, including the committee's
ranking member.