International Headlines

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 20:02:03 -0400

>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 19 May, 2010

> TROOPS ON MOVE IN CENTRAL BANGKOK
Military troops began massing in central Bangkok early Wednesday
-- the largest movement of forces since clashes broke out last
week.

> CLINTON: DEAL REACHED ON IRAN SANCTIONS
The United States, Russia, China and other key nations have
reached agreement on a "strong" Iran sanctions resolution, U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says.

> OFFICIAL: BOMB SUSPECT HAD OTHER TARGETS
The man accused of attempting to set off a car bomb in Times
Square considered other targets in and around New York before
the failed attack, an investigator said.

> 18 VICTIMS IN AFGHANISTAN SUICIDE BLAST
A suicide car bomb exploded near a registration center for
Afghan Army recruits Tuesday, an Afghan defense ministry
pokesman said.

> SPILL CLOSES MORE OF GULF TO FISHING
A big chunk of the Gulf of Mexico is now off limits for fishing
because of the massive BP oil spill, the U.S. government has
announced.

> GOOGLE FACES PROBES OVER WI-FI DATA FLUB
Authorities in both Germany and the US are expected to begin
inquiries into Google's "accidental" collection of Wi-Fi payload
data by its Street View cars.

> FRANCE FREES KILLER OF FORMER IRAN PM
A French court has authorized the release and deportation of Ali
Vakili Rad, the convicted assassin of former Iranian prime
minister Shahpour Bakhtiar, the French prosecutor's office said
Tuesday.

> POLITICIAN HELD OVER COCAINE 'SCHEME'
A Nigerian politician has been arrested for trying to smuggle
almost five pounds of cocaine in his stomach in a scheme to
finance his election campaign, authorities said Monday.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> EU MINISTERS BACK NEW HEDGE FUND RULES
Controversial new rules for hedge funds and private equity funds
were backed on Tuesday by European Union finance ministers in
Brussels.

> 'SHOCK AND AWE' EURO PLAN WORKING?
It is just over a week since the "shock and awe" international
rescue package was launched to save the eurozone bond markets.
But already investors are worried that the unprecedented bailout
may not be enough.

> UNION TO APPEAL BA STRIKE RULING
The union representing British Airways cabin crew planned
Tuesday to appeal a ruling that prevents them from going on
strike.