International Headline News

Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:02:04 -0500
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 29 January, 2010

> 'CATCHER IN THE RYE' NOVELIST J.D. SALINGER DIES AT AGE 91
J.D. Salinger, the famously reclusive American author of "The
Catcher in the Rye" and other books, has died, according to his
literary agent. He was 91.

> AFGHAN TALKS SET NATO HANDOVER DATE
Afghanistan confernce ends with pledges to hand security
operations to Afghan command within five years as the country
takes "ownership" of its future.

> BERNANKE GETS SECOND TERM
After an impassioned debate, the Senate voted 70-30 to approve a
second term for Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke,
CNNMoney.com reports.

> U.S. 'WORKING TO PROTECT' HAITI CHILDREN
The United States will work with the Haitian government and with
international and private aid groups to protect Haitian children
who might be at risk because they were orphaned or separated
from their parents by the earthquake, the State Department said
Thursday.

> U.N.: PIRACY FIGHT PROVING EFFECTIVE
Pirate attacks off Somalia's coastline have "grown
exponentially" in the past five years, but pirates are claiming
fewer ships these days, according to the U.N.-backed European
Union naval operation tackling Somali piracy.

> IRAN: DEATH SENTENCES FOR 11 RIOTERS
Tehran's Revolutionary Court sentences 11 people to death for
protesting against the government in post-election riots, state
media reports.

> SARKOZY RIVAL BEATS SMEAR CHARGES
Former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has been found not
guilty by a court Thursday in an alleged smear campaign against
longtime political rival and current President Nicolas Sarkozy.

> ZUMA FACES POLYGAMY QUESTION
South African President Jacob Zuma was forced to defend his
right to have three wives Thursday, after he was put on the spot
during an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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BUSINESS
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> TOYOTA'S WOES ESCALATE
Toyota's recall troubles continue to grow, with the total number
of vehicles affected by two recalls involving gas pedals growing
to at least 5.3 million.

> APPLE MAY FACE 'IPAD' LEGAL BATTLE
Apple may face a legal battle with Fujitsu of Japan before it
can it can use the 'iPad' name for its new tablet computer.

> TOYOTA RECALL SPREADS TO EUROPE
Toyota's crisis over cars with malfunctioning accelerators
spread to Europe yesterday as the company said it was extending
a recall of affected vehicles.