International Headline News

Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:01:07 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 18 March, 2010

> NIGERIA'S ACTING PRESIDENT SACKS CABINET
Nigeria's acting president dissolves his Cabinet, asserting his
authority over the country's government while ailing President
Umaru Yar'Adua remains sidelined.

> CARDINAL SORRY FOR CHILD ABUSE FAILURES
The head of the Irish Catholic Church, Cardinal Sean Brady,
admits that the church's response to child sex abuse allegations
has been "hopelessly inadequate."

> THAI PM'S HOME SPLATTERED WITH BLOOD
Anti-government protesters break through a heavy police cordon
and splatter blood on the gates of Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva's Bangkok residence.

> 'D.C. 5' CHARGED IN PAKISTAN TERROR CASE
Five Americans accused of plotting terror attacks in Pakistan
were formally charged Wednesday with several terrorism-related
counts, the prosecutor in the case said.

> HAITIAN KIDS REUNITED WITH FAMILIES
Nearly all of the 33 Haitian children whom American missionaries
allegedly tried to take out of the earthquake-ravaged nation
were reunited Wednesday with their families, weeks after they
were separated.

> U.S.-BORN CLERIC: 'AMERICA IS EVIL'
American-born Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki is calling for jihad
against America, claiming "America is evil" in a new audio
message obtained exclusively by CNN.

> KEY LIBERAL BACKS U.S. HEALTH CARE BILL
Health care reform advocates inched closer to victory Wednesday
morning as a high-profile liberal Democrat switched his position
and announced his intention to vote for a sweeping $875 billion
plan under consideration in the House of Representatives.

> UGANDAN ROYAL TOMBS DESTROYED BY FIRE
Tensions were high in Uganda on Wednesday after fire destroyed a
cultural site of major significance to the country's biggest
tribe.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> TIGER'S GOLF COURSE PLANS BUNKERED
The golfing industry may be breathing a collective sigh of
relief after Tiger Woods penciled in his return to the game at
the Augusta Masters, but it may not be enough to help golf
courses bearing his name around the world.

> BA SLAMS STRIKE UNION'S GLOBAL BID
British Airways on Wednesday criticized attempts by the union
representing the airline's cabin crews to internationalize their
planned strike among sympathetic labor organizations around the
world.

> COUNTRIES CANCEL $1B AFGHAN DEBT
Countries are canceling more than $1 billion in debt that
Afghanistan owes them, the Paris Club of creditor nations
announced Wednesday.