International Headlines

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:01:08 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 26 April, 2010

> IRAN FLEXES MILITARY MUSCLE WITH MISSILE TEST
Iran says it fired five new types of locally-made coast-to-sea
and sea-to-sea missiles in the last stage of its "Great Prophet
5" military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf.

> THAI PM'S SURPRISE OVER VIOLENT PROTESTS
Embattled Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says he did not
expect protesters to use violence against the authorities.

> UK SORRY FOR POPE-BRAND CONDOM MEMO
Britain apologizes to Pope Benedict XVI for a Foreign Office
memo suggesting he could launch Benedict-brand condoms or bless
gay marriages during his visit.

> AL QAEDA CONFIRMS DEATH OF IRAQ LEADERS
Al Qaeda in Iraq has confirmed in a statement posted online that
two of its two most senior leaders have been killed.

> TALIBAN ACCUSED OF POISON ATTACKS
Afghan authorities will investigate the sudden illness of
students and staff at three schools in the past week in northern
Afghanistan, the Afghan Human Independent Rights Commission said

> DEATH TOLL RISES IN CHINA EARTHQUAKE
The death toll rose to 2,203 in the massive earthquake that
struck China this month, state media reported late Saturday.

> PARAGUAY ENACTS EMERGENCY POWERS
Paraguay's president is expected to meet with human rights
groups Sunday to clarify the effects of a law that temporarily
suspends constitutional rights in the north of the country.

> CHELSEA HIT SEVEN TO REGAIN TOP SPOT
Chelsea regained top spot from champions Manchester United in
the English Premier league title race with a thumping 7-0 win
over Stoke at Stamford Bridge with Salomon Kalou grabbing his
first hat-trick for the west London giants.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> STEEL MAGNATE TOPS UK RICH LIST
Indian-born steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal tops the Sunday Times
annual UK Rich List, as the number of British billionaires rises
from 43 to 53.

> IRAN LEADER LEAVES UGANDA WITHOUT OIL DEAL
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left Uganda without
striking a deal on the African nation's oil, President Yoweri
Museveni indicated Sunday.

> GREECE SEEKS 30BN EURO RESCUE
Greece will ask its eurozone partners to activate a €30bn
rescue package following a week of intense pressure on financial
markets.