International

Date: Sat, Feb 14, 2009 at 5:01 AM

CREW NOTED ICE BUILDUP BEFORE U.S. CRASH
Investigators say they have recovered flight data recorders that
might offer some clue into why a Continental commuter flight
crashed in New York State, killing 49 people on board and one
man on the ground.
.
CLINTON WARNS, WOOS NORTH KOREA
The United States is prepared to seek a permanent, peace with
North Korea as long as it pursues disarmament and does not
engage in aggression against neighboring South Korea, U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on the eve of her trip
across Asia.

U.S. CONGRESS APPROVES MASSIVE STIMULUS PLAN
The U.S. Senate gives final approval to a $787 billion
economic-stimulus package backed by President Obama, with
Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown returning from his mother's
wake to cast the 60th vote in favor of it.

2 HURT IN LONDON CITY AIRPORT CRASH
A British Airways jet carrying 67 passengers and five crew
members crashed on landing at London City Airport on Friday,
injuring two people.

PAKISTAN: 20 DEAD FROM AIRSTRIKE
Twenty people were killed early Saturday after a suspected U.S.
airstrike in northwest Pakistan, a intelligence official said.

G7 MINISTERS FOCUS ON REFORMS, TRANSPARENCY
Finance ministers from the world's leading industrialized
nations were holding their second and last day of meetings in
Rome on Saturday with an agenda squarely focused on the world
financial crisis.

WOMEN, KIDS AMONG 38 KILLED NEAR IRAQ FESTIVAL
A female suicide bomber detonated in a crowd of primarily women
and children on their way to a religious festival Friday,
killing at least 35 people and wounding 45 others, an Interior
Ministry official said.

__________________________________
BUSINESS

$250K MICROSOFT BOUNTY ON WORM CREATOR
Software giant Microsoft is offering a $250,000 reward for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of hackers
behind a powerful computer virus that could lead to millions of
PCs being hijacked.

AUSTRALIA APPROVES $26.5B STIMULUS PLAN
Australian leaders passed a $42 billion (US $26.5 billion)
stimulus package Friday in response to the global recession.

LLOYDS SHARES PLUNGE FOLLOWING HBOS LOSSES
Lloyds Banking Group saw its share price tumbled Friday after
reporting worse-than-expected profits for its subsidiary HBOS.

Fwd: FDIC takes over Sherman County Bank of Nebraska in 10th bank closure of 2009

Date: Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 6:06 PM

BULLETIN: FDIC takes over Sherman County Bank of Nebraska in 10th bank
closure of 2009
2/13/2009 5:56:44 PM EDT

Breaking News: Congress passes $787B stimulus plan

Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:53:48 -0600

WASHINGTON -- Congress passes President Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan.

Markets Friday, 02/13/2009

Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:31:04 -0500
| Dow : 7850.41 down 82.35 | S & P : 826.84 down 8.35 |
| NASDAQ: 1534.36 down 7.35 | Bond (10Y): 2.89%, 98.75

MARKETS:
Stocks slide at end of rough week
Wall Street retreats as investors eye the House's OK of the stimulus
plan. The Senate votes tonight.

Death toll in Buffalo crash rises to 50, including 9/11 widow

Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:01:38 -0500

Death toll in Buffalo crash rises to 50, including 9/11 widow

A commuter aircraft crashed as it was preparing to land in Buffalo,
N.Y., late Thursday night, killing 50, according to reports.

AS PRODUCT RANGE SLIMS, GOOGLE SCRAPS RADIO AD BUSINESS

In its latest effort to narrow a historically broad product range, the Internet
search giant says it's abandoning its radio advertising service.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH PROFIT TUMBLES AS SALES DROP, BUT SHARES UP

Abercrombie & Fitch shares rally in the face of a 68% drop in net
profit for the fourth quarter, as investors reward cost-control
efforts and applaud post-Christmas sales results.

ECONOMIC REPORT: SEVEN YEARS OF WEALTH GAINS GONE

The nest egg of the typical American family is smaller now than it was
seven years ago, according to Federal Reserve data.

ECONOMIC REPORT: EURO-ZONE ECONOMY SEES RECORD FOURTH-QUARTER CONTRACTION

The German economy contracted at its fastest quarterly pace since 1987
in the final three months of last year, government data showed Friday,
highlighting fears of a deepening recession for the 16-nation euro
zone.

Energy: The Spiral: Deflation brings bad news for almost everyone

Date: 13 FEB 2009 08:05:18 GMT

Bargain shoppers, beware. The last time a major economy experienced
repeat price cuts across a broad range of consumer goods, the stock
market lost 80% of its value and unemployment hit its highest level
since World War II.

Energy: HSBC Holdings, BP up in London, FTSE 100 on course for flat week

Date: 13 FEB 2009 09:34:22 GMT

London's top share index climbs as investors buy up banks and oil
producers such as HSBC Holdings and BP.

International

Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:01:07 -0500

PLANE CRASHES IN NEW YORK, KILLING 49 PEOPLE
Police say 44 passengers and four crewmembers on Continental
Flight 3407 were killed when their plane crashed in New York
State. The plane was en route from Newark, New Jersey, to
Buffalo when it went down. Authorities say a person on the
ground was also killed.

MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON IN AUSTRALIA WILDFIRES
Police have arrested a man in connection with one of the myriad
wildfires that have laid waste to parts of southeastern
Australia and killed at least 181 people.

ANOTHER OBAMA CABINET NOMINEE WITHDRAWS
U.S. Republican senator Judd Gregg has withdrawn his nomination
as U.S. President Barack Obama's commerce secretary, citing
"irresolvable conflicts" over Obama's stimulus bill and the
upcoming 2010 census.

HAMAS: GAZA TRUCE AGREEMENT NEAR
Israeli and Hamas negotiators have "almost reached agreement" on
a long-term truce for Gaza, a spokesman for Hamas told CNN early
Friday. Tahir Annono, who is in Cairo for the truce meetings,
said an announcement would be made on Sunday. It was not
immediately clear if Israel was in agreement.

KARZAI: U.S. MUST STAY IN AFGHANISTAN FOR NOW
President Hamid Karzai said that with a resurgent Taliban, a
still-flourishing drug trade and a border with Pakistan believed
to be home base for al Qaeda, Afghanistan can't afford for U.S.
troops to leave any time soon.

U.S. 'SOUGHT GENEVA CONVENTIONS LOOPHOLES'
The Pentagon tried to find loopholes in the Geneva Conventions
for its "ghost detainee" program of housing people at secret
facilities, and to delay the release of Guantanamo Bay
prisoners, three human rights groups contend.

DEAD RODENTS AT PEANUT PLANT LEAD TO RECALL
The Texas Department of State Health Services on Thursday
ordered the recall of all products ever shipped from the Peanut
Corporation of America's plant in Plainview, Texas, after
discovering dead rodents, rodent excrement and bird feathers in
the plant.

REBELS ACCUSED OF COLOMBIAN INDIAN KILLINGS
Marxist guerrillas in southwest Colombia are believed to have
killed a second group of Indians the rebels accused of helping
the government, a state governor said.
---------------------------------
BUSINESS

CRUNCH TIME FOR U.S. STIMULUS
Congress is set to send a $789 billion economic stimulus package
to President Obama's desk by Monday after lawmakers worked
around a disagreement over education funding in the package.

CHINALCO TO INVEST $19.5 BILLION IN RIO TINTO
Global mining giant Rio Tinto announced Thursday that China's
state-owned aluminum producer Chinalco would invest $19.5
billion in the Anglo-Australian resource giant.

Stocks open lower as financial shares remain under pressure and stimulus plan heads to votes in House and Senate.

Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:32:03 -0500

Stocks open lower as financial shares remain under pressure and
stimulus plan heads to votes in House and Senate.

Breaking News Thu., February 12, 2009

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:44:49 -0800 (PST)

A Continental Plane With 48 People Onboard Has Crashed in Buffalo,
N.Y. [12:15 a.m. ET]

Breaking News Thu., February 12, 2009

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:39:07 -0800 (PST)

Senate Confirms Leon Panetta as CIA Director [8:27 p.m. ET]

Sen. Judd Gregg withdraws from consideration to be Obama's commerce secretary

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:26:09 -0500

Sen. Judd Gregg withdraws from consideration to be Obama's commerce secretary
2/12/2009 4:23:41 PM EDT

Stocks recover after reports describe housing rescue plan being considered by the Obama administration.

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:53:03 -0500

Stocks recover after reports describe housing rescue plan being
considered by the Obama administration.

Market Thursday, 02/12/2009

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:31:04 -0500

| Dow : 7932.76 down 6.77 | S & P : 835.19 up 1.45
|
| NASDAQ: 1541.71 up 11.21 | Bond (10Y): 2.78%, 99.66

MARKETS:
Stocks stage a comeback
The Dow bounces after touching a 3-month low amid worries about the
stimulus and bank bailout plans.

Passage of stimulus eyed before weekend recess

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:01:38 -0500
Passage of stimulus eyed before weekend recess

U.S. lawmakers are scrambling to pass the $789 economic stimulus bill
before this weekend, with a vote in the House possible on Thursday.

MORTGAGES: FIXED MORTGAGE RATES DROP FURTHER: FREDDIE MAC

Average interest for a fixed-rate mortgage drops further, encouraging
refinancing, according to Freddie Mac.

COCA-COLA PROFIT DOWN ON CHARGES, BUT VOLUME RISES

Coca-Cola earnings per share fall 17% in the fourth quarter, but
overseas. business boosts results.

VIACOM'S QUARTERLY NET TUMBLES 69%, HURT BY LOWER AD REVENUE

Viacom's fourth-quarter profit tumbles 69%, hurt by weakness in
advertising sales at MTV and the media conglomerate's other cable
channels, financial results show.

HEDGE FUNDS: INDUSTRY WAS STILL DOGGED BY INVESTOR REDEMPTIONS IN JANUARY

Investor redemptions again dog the hedge fund industry in January, but
withdrawals slowed from the levels seen in November and December,
reports HedgeFund.net.

International

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:01:08 -0500

OCTUPLETS' MOM SEEKS ONLINE DONATIONS
Nadya Suleman, the single mother of newborn octuplets, is using
the Internet to help support her family of 14 children. She's
started a Web site seeking donations.

PAKISTAN: ARRESTS MADE OVER MUMBAI ATTACKS
The Pakistani government acknowledgesay that "some part of the
conspiracy" behind the November attacks in India's financial
capital, Mumbai, took place in Pakistan.

AUSTRALIA PM SETS DAY OF MOURNING
A national day of mourning and a memorial service will honor the
victims of the past week's wildfires in southeastern Australia,
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced Thursday.

CLINTON MAY NAME N. KOREA ENVOY BEFORE TRIP
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could appoint a special envoy
for North Korea before leaving for Asia next week, senior
administration officials said.

POWERFUL QUAKES RATTLE INDONESIA
A powerful series of earthquakes shook northeastern Indonesia
Thursday, injuring at least 11 people and damaging a number of
homes and other buildings, officials said.

SOURCES: U.S. STIMULUS BILL SNAG RESOLVED
Negotiators have worked out a disagreement between the U.S.
Senate and House over education funding that threatened to throw
a last-minute roadblock in front of the economic stimulus bill,
Democratic leadership sources have said.

U.S. NAVY ARRESTS PIRATE SUSPECTS OFF AFRICA
The U.S. Navy has captured seven suspected pirates in the Gulf
of Aden, the first arrests by a U.S.-led task force set up to
curb rampant piracy off the Horn of Africa, a Navy spokesman
said Wednesday.

REPORT: COLOMBIAN GUERRILLAS KILL 17 INDIANS
Guerrillas in Colombia tortured and killed 17 Indians who they
believed were helping the government, a governor and two human
rights organizations said Wednesday.

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

SECOND SWISS BANK LOSES BILLIONS
Switzerland's Credit Suisse joins the list of banks revealing
disastrous results for 2008 after it reports losses of $7.1
billion (8.2 billion Swiss francs).

CHINA FARMERS STRUGGLING UNDER SEVERE DROUGHT
Fifty-year-old farmer Du Jianmin says if it doesn't rain soon in
his corner of northern China, his winter wheat crops -- which
his village of 120 people relies on for food for the year --
will die.

Government: Retail sales unexpectedly rose 1% in January - and 8,000 fewer people filed for 1st time jobless benefits last week.

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:33:03 -0500

Government: Retail sales unexpectedly rose 1% in January - and 8,000
fewer people filed for 1st time jobless benefits last week.

Selling accelerates on Wall Street - Dow sinks more than 200 points - after report shows home prices dropped 12.4% in 2008.

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:05:08 -0500

Selling accelerates on Wall Street - Dow sinks more than 200 points -
after report shows home prices dropped 12.4% in 2008.

FMarkets Wednesday, 02/11/2009

Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:32:06 -0500

| Dow : 7939.53 up 50.65 | S & P : 833.74 up 6.58
|
| NASDAQ: 1530.50 up 5.77 | Bond (10Y): 2.78%, 108.19

MARKETS:
Stocks rise on stimulus
Wall Street manages gains after lawmakers say compromise on economic
aid package has been reached.

U.S. stocks turn higher after deal on economic stimulus is reached

Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:08:07 -0500

U.S. stocks turn higher after deal on economic stimulus is reached
2/11/2009 3:05:49 PM EDT

Breaking News Wed., February 11, 2009

Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:10:56 -0800 (PST)

Deal Reached Between House and Senate on Stimulus Bill [3:00 p.m. ET]

Energy: Canadian stocks rise, as gold rally boosts miners

Date: 11 FEB 2009 16:34:06 GMT

Stocks in Canada rise, as the mining sector leads the market higher
amid rallying gold prices, while Research In Motion shares fall
sharply after the company says its earnings will be at the low end of
its target.

Credit Suisse posts $5.2 billion loss, sees good start to 2009

Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:01:42 -0500

Credit Suisse posts $5.2 billion loss, sees good start to 2009

As Credit Suisse swings to a net loss of 6.02 billion Swiss francs ($5.2
billion) in the fourth quarter on further heavy losses at its
investment banking arm, CEO Brady Dougan points out that the Swiss
banking giant's off to strong start in 2009.

ARCELORMITTAL SWINGS TO SURPRISE $2.6 BILLION LOSS

ArcelorMittal on Wednesday posted an unexpected $2.6 billion loss in
the fourth quarter as the world's largest steelmaker spoke of a
"collapse" in demand and a sharp drop in prices.

BANK OF ENGLAND READY TO BOOST MONEY SUPPLY IN RECESSION FIGHT

The Bank of England is prepared to further ease monetary policy and
could buy British government bonds in an effort to boost the money
supply as it battles a "deep recession," the central bank's governor,
Mervyn King, said Wednesday.

FRANCE BACKS PLAN AS PEUGEOT LOSES $1.4 BILLION

France on Wednesday defended its heavily criticized support for the
auto industry as its second-largest automaker, PSA Peugeot Citroen,
recorded a second-half loss of 1.08 billion euros ($1.4 billion).

U.S. trade deficit falls to six-year low

Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 8:33 AM

BULLETIN: U.S. trade deficit falls to six-year low
2/11/2009 8:31:06 AM EDT

Stocks open higher - a day after hitting 3-month lows - as investors await testimony from 8 bank CEOs.

Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Stocks open higher - a day after hitting 3-month lows - as investors
await testimony from 8 bank CEOs.

International

Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 5:01 AM

ISRAELI ELECTION RIVALS CLAIM VICTORY
Israel's elections end in rival claims of victory by Tzipi
Livni's ruling Kadima party and conservative Benjamin
Netanyahu's Likud -- a standoff likely to delay the formation of
a ruling coalition and hamper peace initiatives in the region.

TSVANGIRAI TO BE SWORN IN AS ZIMBABWE PM
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to be sworn in
as prime minister Wednesday as part of a new unity government
that Zimbabweans hope will signal an end to the political and
economic crises that have gripped the nation for months.

WINDS SPREADING AUSTRALIAN WILDFIRES
Through a smoky haze, flames continue to dance around the
remains of a house, a shed and the blackened trunks of trees on
remarkable video footage filmed by a local resident Brad Price,
moments after a deadly firestorm swept through the rural
Victorian town of Kinglake, in southeast Australia.

U.S.: N. KOREA MISSILE SITE SHOWS ACTIVITY
A U.S. spy satellite snapped an image within the last several
days of preparations at a North Korean missile site previously
used for Taepodong-2 missile launch operations, a senior U.S.
official said.

MILITANT ATTACKS IN AFGHANISTAN LEAVE 13 DEAD
Taliban militants carried out attacks on two government
buildings in Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing 10 civilians and
three officials.

CHINA KILLS 13,000 BIRDS TO CONTROL 'EPIDEMIC'
China has killed 13,000 birds in the country's far northwest to
control what it called an epidemic of bird flu, state media
reported Tuesday.
.
BELGIAN 'AL QAEDA CELL' LINKED TO AIRLINE PLOT
Last December 11, fourteen individuals were arrested in the
early hours of the morning in one of the largest
counterterrorism operations in Belgian history. Six were
eventually charged with participation in a terrorist group. The
others were released.

ASIAN MARKETS FOLLOW WALL STREET'S DECLINE
Asian and Pacific stocks dipped Wednesday following Wall
Street's negative reaction to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy
Geithner's plan to overhaul the nation's bank bailout plan.

_______________________________
BUSINESS

UBS POSTS RECORD LOSS, CUTS 1,600 JOBS
Switzerland's biggest bank UBS on Tuesday posted a worse than
expected loss of nearly $17 million -- the largest ever by a
Swiss group -- and announced 1,600 new job cuts.

REPORT: CHINA'S EXPORTS, IMPORTS DOWN
China's exports plunged 17.5 percent, to $90.45 billion, in
January, compared with the previous year, state-run media
reported Wednesday.

OBAMA URGES ACTION ON STIMULUS PROPOSAL
U.S. President Barack Obama used his first prime-time news
conference to push the American Congress to approve his
administration's economic stimulus plan.

Tech: Broad losses hammer sector at market close

Date: Tue, Feb 10, 2009 at 6:00 PM

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Stocks: Broad losses hammer sector at market close
2/10/2009 4:19 PM ET
Technology stocks end the day sharply lower amid a broader market sell-off as
investors fail to get behind a plan by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to
rescue the U.S. banking system.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Openshaw: Thinking stocks with Jonas Brothrs, Jessica Simpson, the Boss
2/10/2009 7:03 PM ET
There are many different ways to put together a stock portfolio: Some people
scrutinize earnings reports, P/E ratios, and more financial minutia. Some
people close their eyes and throw a dart at the financial page.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Stocks to Watch: Stocks in focus for Wednesday
10/2009 5:59 PM ET
Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in
Wednesday's session are Ingersoll-Rand, Credit Suisse, Activision Blizzard and
ArcelorMittal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Microchip withdraws plan to acquire Atmel
2/10/2009 5:32 PM ET
Microchip Technology Inc. says it is ending its bid to acquire Atmel Corp. and
is withdrawing its slate of director-nominees for the company's upcoming board
elections.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Nvidia turns in a loss as sales plunge
2/10/2009 5:29 PM ET
Nvidia Corp. reports a big loss in its fiscal fourth quarter as sales for the
graphics chip maker plunge 60% in what the company calls a "difficult and
uncertain" business environment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Applied Materials swings to loss on dramatic demand drop
2/10/2009 5:06 PM ET
Applied Materials Inc. reports a big fiscal first quarter loss, stung by a 36%
drop in sales as the company reels from what its chief executive describes as
"an unprecedented decline in demand."

-----------------------------------------------------------------
After Hours: Applied Materials, Nvidia fall on quarterly losses
2/10/2009 5:03 PM ET
Shares of Applied Materials and Nvidia fall in the evening trading session
after the technology companies report quarterly losses.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
DirecTV profit slips 5% as costs rise
2/10/2009 4:47 PM ET
DirecTV, the largest U.S. satellite broadcaster, said
Tuesday that its fourth-quarter profit fell 5% as the cost to acquire and
retain subscribers increased sharply.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo shares slide following analyst downgrade
2/10/2009 4:43 PM ET
Shares of embattled Internet company Yahoo Inc. fall more than 8%, as
a Needham & Co. analyst downgrades the stock, citing a "softening"
online advertising market.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
AMD shares plunge on delay of spin-off plan
2/10/2009 4:11 PM ET
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices fall sharply after the company says it needs
more votes for the approval of its planned spin-off.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Intel to invest $7 billion in U.S. facilities
2/10/2009 4:06 PM ET
Semiconductor maker Intel Corp. plans to spend $7 billion over the next two
years to build advanced manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

-----------------------------------------------------------------1
London Markets: U.K. miners pace retreat as U.S. financial plan
2/10/2009 12:13 PM ET
Shares listed in the FTSE 100, London's top index, fell sharply on Tuesday,
with mineral extractors among the lead decliners as investors fretted over the
U.S. government's latest plan to shore up its financial system and economy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Qwest profit cut in half, looks to cut costs
2/10/2009 10:48 AM ET
Qwest Communications International posts sharply lower earnings in the fourth
quarter as more landline customers disconnect phone service.

Markets Tuesday, 02/10/2009

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:31:03 -0500

| Dow : 7888.88 down 381.99 | S & P : 827.16 down 42.73
| NASDAQ: 1524.73 down 66.83 | Bond (10Y): 2.81%, 107.88

MARKETS:
Wall Street: Thumbs down on bailout
Stocks slump as new version of the bank rescue plan fails to soothe
jittery investors.

Breaking News: Stocks plunge on bank bailout news

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:15:55 -0600

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks fell more than 4% Tuesday as investors turned
skeptical about the government's latest bank bailout plan. Financial
stocks led the market lower after Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner
unveiled his revamped plan to deal with the country's financial
crisis. The Dow Jones industrials were down 382 at 7,889. The Standard
& Poor's 500 index is down 42 at 827, and the Nasdaq composite is down
66 at 1,524.

Breaking News Tue., February 10, 2009

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:35:06 -0800 (PST)

Dow Drops More Than 400 Points as Investors Express Frustration With
New Bailout Plan [3:23 p.m. ET]

Dow sinks 4.3% - more than 350 points - S&P 500 loses 4.5% and Nasdaq falls 3.6% as Wall Street reacts to grim economic news.

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:28:06 -0500

Dow sinks 4.3% - more than 350 points - S&P 500 loses 4.5% and Nasdaq
falls 3.6% as Wall Street reacts to grim economic news.

Wal-Mart to cut 700-800 jobs at headquarters: report

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:42:43 -0500

Wal-Mart to cut 700-800 jobs at headquarters: report
2/10/2009 1:40:24 PM EDT

Senate moves economic recovery plan big step forward, passing $838 billion bill that must now be reconciled with House version.

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:45:03 -0500

Senate moves economic recovery plan big step forward, passing $838
billion bill that must now be reconciled with House version.

News Alerts!

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:05:01 -0800 (PST)

FBI raids peanut butter plant suspected in outbreak
02/10/09 03:52 AM, EST
FBI agents Monday raided a rural Georgia peanut butter plant suspected
as the source of a nationwide salmonella outbreak : reports.

International Headline News

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:02:08 -0500
TOP STORIES

OBAMA: U.S. LOOKING FOR DIALOGUE WITH IRAN
The United States is looking for opportunities for
"face-to-face" dialogue with Iran after nearly three decades
without diplomatic ties, President Barack Obama said Monday, but
still has "deep concerns" about Tehran's actions.

PALESTINIANS DESPAIR AHEAD OF ISRAEL ELECTION
As Israel prepares to vote Tuesday after an election campaign
dominated by issues of security and war, CNN's Ben Wedeman finds
a pervasive mood of hopelessness and despair amid growing
pessimism about the prospects of Palestinian statehood.

U.S. STIMULUS BILL CLEARS KEY SENATE HURDLE
The Senate will continue debate Monday over the proposed $800
billion stimulus package while President Obama's top economic
advisers said action must be taken now to avert disaster.

OBAMA URGES ACTION ON STIMULUS PROPOSAL
U.S. President Barack Obama used his first prime-time news
conference to push the American Congress to approve his
administration's economic stimulus plan.

PHILIPPINES WORKS TO SAVE 200 DOLPHINS
Authorities in the Philippines were trying to drive back to sea
a pod of about 200 dolphins that had swarmed to shallow waters
in Manila Bay on Tuesday morning.

1 KILLED, 7 WOUNDED IN CHINA HOTEL FIRE
Police in China say a fireworks display may be to blame for a
massive fire at a newly constructed, unoccupied luxury hotel
that killed a firefighter and wounded seven other people in
central Beijing Monday.

TOLL RISES FROM AUSTRALIA BUSH FIRES
The number of people confirmed killed in Australian bushfires
has risen to 170, and officials warn it could go higher. Arson
investigations have begun into some of the blazes sweeping
through the state of Victoria. More than 3,000 people have been
displaced, and Australian troops are being deployed to help
rescue and recovery.

LIBERIANS FACE MASS DEPORTATION FROM U.S.
Thousands of Liberians living in the United States face
deportation March 31 when a federal immigration status created
for humanitarian purposes expires.
-----------------------------
BUSINESS

ECONOMY: STARBUCKS OFFERS COFFEE PERKS
Starbucks, better known for amusingly complicated premium coffee
offerings, took a cue from fast-food chains and announced a plan
Monday to sell pairings of coffee and breakfast for $3.95,
citing the economic downturn.

WORKERS WALK OUT OF HONG KONG'S PCCW
Hundreds of workers from one of Hong Kong's largest
telecommunications companies stormed out of work Tuesday,
chanting protests about possible job cuts.

DISNEY STRIKES DEAL WITH DREAMWORKS
Walt Disney Studios has reached a distribution deal with Steven
Spielberg's DreamWorks Studios, the companies announced Monday.

Geithner unveils rescue: Spurs private investors to buy toxic assets; commits $1 trillion to boost lending; adds bank 'stress test.'

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:10:07 -0500

Geithner unveils rescue: Spurs private investors to buy toxic assets;
commits $1 trillion to boost lending; adds bank 'stress test.'

If GM gets much smaller it won't be 'too big to fail'

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:01:36 -0500
If GM gets much smaller it won't be 'too big to fail'

General Motors will reportedly cut another 10,000 jobs as it struggles
to avoid bankruptcy and qualify for more federal bailout dollars. But
if it gets much smaller, it won't be "too big to fail."

TREASURY, FED UNVEIL $1.5 TRILLION RESCUE PLAN

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner produced his financial stability
plan on Tuesday, saying the Treasury and other federal agencies will
partner with private capital to create a fund for troubled bank assets
that could produce up to $1 trillion in financing capacity.

NEW BAILOUT MAY BE LESS ATTRACTIVE TO SOME BANKS

A new bank bailout plan to be unveiled by the Treasury Department is
set to create incentives for private sector investment into troubled
banks, but regulatory observers worry the incentives might not be
strong enough to bring in the kind of participation the administration
hopes for.

UBS TO SLASH MORE JOBS AFTER REPORTING $7 BILLION LOSS

Troubled Swiss banking group UBS says it will cut another 2,200 jobs
at its investment banking arm and restructure its wealth management
operations as it reported a hefty 8.1 billion Swiss francs ($7
billion) fourth-quarter loss.

OBAMA SAYS STIMULUS PLAN NOT PERFECT BUT URGES PASSAGE

President Barack Obama used prime-time television Monday night to
press his case for an economic stimulus package, saying the $800
billion-plus plan moving through Congress isn't perfect but is
urgently needed to help the staggering U.S. economy.

Selling gains steam on Wall Street: Dow sinks 300 points, falling below 8,000; Nasdaq and S&P 500 both off 3%.

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:38:07 -0500

Selling gains steam on Wall Street: Dow sinks 300 points, falling
below 8,000; Nasdaq and S&P 500 both off 3%.

GM to cut 10,000 more jobs in 2009: report

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:04:54 -0500

GM to cut 10,000 more jobs in 2009: report
2/10/2009 9:03:12 AM EDT

Stocks open lower as jittery investors await Geithner's plan to bail out banks. Dow off 70 points at the start.

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:33:08 -0500

Stocks open lower as jittery investors await Geithner's plan to bail
out banks. Dow off 70 points at the start.

Breaking News: Stimulus bill advances in Senate

Date: Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 6:05 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) - The economic stimulus legislation backed by
President Obama has passed a key test in the Senate over strong
Republican opposition. The vote late Monday was 61-36, one more than
the 60 needed. The $827 billion bill is expected to pass the Senate on
Tuesday, then go to the House for a final compromise.

Tech: Apple rises in volatile technology trading

Date: Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 6:00 PM

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Stocks: Apple rises in volatile technology trading

Apple Inc. rises on an analyst upgrade even as the rest of the tech sector
struggles through a volatile trading session.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon debuts e-book reader Kindle 2; same price as original
2/9/2009 4:48 PM ET
Amazon unveiled a slimmer, lighter version of the Kindle, its electronic book
reader, with a host of new features but with the price the same as the original
device: $359.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft lends rival Google a license for Sync
2/9/2009 3:56 PM ET
Microsoft licenses its mobile software to rival Google, a move that highlights
the increasing ability of large technology companies to use intellectual
property for more than simply developing products for their own customers.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon shares looking expensive again
2/9/2009 1:53 PM ET
The Kindle e-book reader is not the only pricey thing known about Amazon.com --
the online retailer's stock has become one of the most expensive among large
technology companies.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the Box: In Tuesday election, Israeli voters plan an economic statement
2/9/2009 8:04 AM ET
Israel's frequently stormy elections have seldom been about economics. Even the
1984 election, which took place against the backdrop of 400% inflation, was
more about foreign affairs than about economics. Now the mess is as big as the
entire global economy, and the candidates are talking business ad nauseam.
While the Palestinian attacks on southern Israel and the recent fighting in
Gaza remain on all minds, the economy this time is a major issue.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Vodafone and Hutchsion to merge Australian operations
2/9/2009 4:09 AM ET
Vodafone, the world's largest wireless carrier, and Hutchison
Telecommunications, a unit controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing,
said Monday they will merge their telecommunications businesses in Australia,
forging an equal-share wireless operator.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Israel Stocks: Tel Aviv extends gains, but UBS cuts economic outlook
2/8/2009 10:42 AM ET
Israeli stocks surge for a fourth day of increases, led by the chemicals
companies, the banks and real estate, even as UBS trims its outlook for
Israel's economy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
AT&T, cellular workers' union continue labor talks as pact ends
2/8/2009 7:09 AM ET
AT&T and its wireless-service workers agreed to continue bargaining over a new
labor contract after their previous agreement expired just after midnight
Sunday, the Communications Workers of America said.

Market for Monday, 02/9/2009

Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 17:31:03 -0500
| Dow : 8270.87 down 9.72 | S & P : 869.89 up 1.29
|
| NASDAQ: 1591.56 down 0.15 | Bond (10Y): 2.98%, 106.41

MARKETS:
Choppy session on Wall Street
Stocks sway on stimulus debate while bank stocks rally for the third
session ahead of the bailout plan.

Stocks flatline as Wall Street waits for President Obama's press conference on economy and Treasury's bank rescue plan.

Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 16:02:07 -0500

Stocks flatline as Wall Street waits for President Obama's press
conference on economy and Treasury's bank rescue plan.

Breaking News Mon., February 9, 2009

Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:29:40 -0800 (PST)

Alex Rodriguez Admits Using Performance Enhancing Drugs in Exclusive
ESPN Interview [2:18 p.m. ET]

Energy: Stocks in Canada rise, led by miners, energy shares

Date: Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 10:45 AM

Stocks in Canada rise early Monday, with mining and energy shares
leading the gains, as investors shrugged off data showing a plunge in
January housing starts.

OBAMA PITCHES FOR STIMULUS AS SENATE NEARS VOTE

Date: Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 12:01 PM

OBAMA PITCHES FOR STIMULUS AS SENATE NEARS VOTE

President Barack Obama goes back on the campaign
trail Monday to hustle for the economic stimulus plan, while a crucial
procedural vote looms in the Senate later in the day.

HASBRO NET DROPS 30%, HIT BY WEAK HOLIDAY SALES AND DOLLAR'S RISE

Hasbro details weak results, as the holiday sales season proved to be
a disappointment and the dollar gained strength.

DOWNGRADES WEIGH ON BUILDERS, BUT BEAZER RALLIES ON SMALLER LOSS

Home-builder stocks trade lower after announcements on an economic
stimulus package and a plan to help troubled banks are pushed back.

STARBUCKS TO OFFER DISCOUNT DEALS

Starbucks is rolling out its version of the value menu.

International

Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 05:02:03 -0500

DEATH TOLL RISES IN AUSTRALIAN BUSH INFERNO
Australia mobilizes its armed forces as wildfires continue to
decimate huge swathes of land in the southeastern state of
Victoria, claiming at least 131 lives and leaving thousands more
homeless. "This has been a devastating event for our state,"
said state premier John Brumby, whose own parents narrowly
escape the flames.

ISRAEL LAUNCHES FRESH GAZA AIR STRIKES
Israel launched air strikes against a number of targets in Gaza
Monday to retaliate against Palestinian militants who have fired
a "barrage" of rockets inside the Jewish state in recent days,
the military said.

BOMBER KILLS 17 IN SRI LANKA REFUGEE CAMP
At least 17 people were killed and 45 others wounded Monday when
a female suicide bomber blew herself up at a camp where
civilians had sought refuge from the fighting between government
troops and Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka, the defense
ministry said.

NISSAN TO SLASH 20,000 JOBS WORLDWIDE
Nissan, Japan's third-largest automaker, announced a series of
steps Monday to deal with the economic downturn, including
slashing its workforce by 20,000.

SRI LANKA SAYS 10,000 CIVILIANS FLEE FIGHTING
The Sri Lankan government said Sunday that more than 10,000
civilians have fled fighting between government forces and Tamil
rebels in northern Sri Lanka over the past week, a "sudden
increase" in people displaced by the violence.

SOURCES: IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN PULLOUTS DELAYED
Decisions about withdrawing troops from Iraq and sending more
troops to Afghanistan have been delayed until the Pentagon
provides U.S. President Barack Obama with more detail about the
risks and implications of the issues confronting him, according
to two senior Pentagon officials.

KHATAMI TO CHALLENGE IRAN'S AHMADINEJAD
Ending weeks of speculation, former Iranian President Mohammad
Khatami announced Sunday that he will run against the hardline
incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to Iranian
media reports.

PLANT, KRAUSS WIN GRAMMY RECORD OF THE YEAR
The Grammy Award broadcast may not have happened yet, but there
already quite a number of people with awards.

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

U.S. JOB LOSSES WORST SINCE 1974
U.S. employers slashed another 598,000 jobs in January, pushing
the unemployment rate up to 7.6 percent, according to the U.S.
Labor Department -- the largest monthly loss since December
1974.

STIMULUS WILL LEAD TO 'DISASTER,' SENATOR SAYS
Leading Republicans warned Sunday that the Obama
administration's $800 billion-plus economic stimulus effort will
lead to what one called a "financial disaster."

KBR CHARGED WITH BRIBING NIGERIAN OFFICIALS
The former Halliburton subsidiary KBR has been charged with
bribing Nigerian government officials with "tens of millions of
dollars" to obtain "billions of dollars in contracts," according
to court documents filed late Friday in Houston, Texas.

Fwd: Stocks open lower after the Obama administration delays rollout of its bank bailout overhaul.

Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 09:31:05 -0500

Stocks open lower after the Obama administration delays rollout of its
bank bailout overhaul.

Treasury Department says Timothy Geithner's announcement about the new bank bailout plan will be postponed until Tuesday.

Date: Sun, Feb 8, 2009 at 1:10 PM

Treasury Department says Timothy Geithner's announcement about the new
bank bailout plan will be postponed until Tuesday.

International

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 05:01:08 -0500

DOZENS KILLED IN RAGING AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES
The death toll from bushfires in southeastern Australia rises to
76 as thousands of firefighters continued to battle the flames,
police say. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced the
creation of a $6.5 million relief fund to help assist the more
than 600 families that have lost homes to the blaze.

EX-INDIAN PM 'STABLE,' REMAINS ON VENTILATOR
Former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has been
on a ventilator since Friday, is responding to his treatment,
according to his doctors.

CREWS SEARCH FOR BRAZIL PLANE CRASH SURVIVORS
Brazilian rescue teams brave strong currents looking for
survivors of a plane that crashed a day earlier into a river in
the Amazon.

GERMAN BISHOPS: HOLOCAUST DENIER MUST GO
Germany's Catholic bishops are calling for the expulsion of a
former bishop, recently brought back into the church by Pope
Benedict XVI, after new reports that he denies the Holocaust.

23 DEAD IN MADAGASCAR PROTEST SHOOTINGS
At least 23 people died when a protest rally turned violent
outside Madagascar's Presidential Palace. Some media reports
blamed foreign mercenaries for the shootings; others said army
guards were responsible or that the army was firing at the
mercenaries to protect the crowd.

BIDEN VOWS 'NEW TONE' IN U.S. FOREIGN AFFAIRS
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden emphasizes a "new tone" in
Washington and around the world as he gives his first major
speech in Germany. Biden told delegates at a security conference
that the United States will work "preventively, not
pre-emptively" whenever possible to avoid conflict, and at the
same time "vigorously defend" the nation's security.

ROADSIDE BOMB KILLS 2 IRAQI PILGRIMS
A roadside bomb targeting Shiite pilgrims headed to Karbala for
a religious holiday killed two and wounded 11 others Sunday, the
interior ministry said.

U.S. SENATORS TO TAKE UP STIMULUS DEBATE MONDAY
U.S. senators continue to debate the massive economic recovery
package after a group of lawmakers reached a compromise
agreement that trimmed billions in spending from an earlier
version.

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

U.S. JOB LOSSES WORST SINCE 1974
U.S. employers slashed another 598,000 jobs in January, pushing
the unemployment rate up to 7.6 percent, according to the U.S.
Labor Department -- the largest monthly loss since December
1974.

KBR CHARGED WITH BRIBING NIGERIAN OFFICIALS
The former Halliburton subsidiary KBR has been charged with
bribing Nigerian government officials with "tens of millions of
dollars" to obtain "billions of dollars in contracts," according
to court documents filed late Friday in Houston, Texas.

ITALY SPURS NEW CAR SALES
The Italian government approved a stimulus package Friday that
aims to encourage consumers to purchase durable goods,
especially cars and trucks, but also household appliances and
furniture.

Breaking News

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 03:58:03 -0500

Death toll from Australian bushfires rises to 65 as thousands of
firefighters continue to battle the flames