International Headlines

Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 20:02:06 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 23 May, 2010

> AUTHORITIES PROBE CAUSE OF AIR INDIA PLANE CRASH
An investigation is underway into the cause of an Air India
plane crash that claimed at least 158 lives in India Saturday.

> SHARAPOVA WINS AS ROLAND GARROS NEARS
Maria Sharapova completed her French Open preparations with a
straight sets win over Germany's Kristina Barrois to win the WTA
tournament in Strasbourg on Saturday.

> BA, UNION HOLDING STRIKE TALKS
British Airways and the union representing its cabin crew were
holding talks Saturday aimed at heading off a series of three
planned strikes, the group mediating the talks said.

> U.N. TO CHECK FOR KOREA ARMISTICE BREACH
The U.N. Command is investigating whether the sinking of a South
Korean warship, allegedly by North Korea, violated the armistice
between the two nations.

> REPORT: IRAN TO TELL U.N. OF TURKEY DEAL
Iran says it will formally notify the U.N. nuclear watchdog
agency on Monday of its nuclear swap agreement with Turkey,
according to state-run media.

> OBAMA FORMS PANEL TO PROBE OIL SPILL
The "top kill" method intended to stop the runaway flow of oil
spewing into the Gulf of Mexico will likely be tried early next
week, BP's chief operating officer said.l

> FATHER DENIES SON'S ROLE IN BOMB PLOT
The father of a man arrested in Pakistan in connection with the
Times Square bombing attempt case vehemently denied that his son had
anything to do with the plot.

> AZNAR ON EUROPE NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE
The economic crisis in Europe is leading to a shift in which the
northern countries increasingly will make decisions over fiscal
and monetary matters to be implemented by the southern
countries, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> GERMANY BACKS BAILOUT; EU HOSTS TALKS
European Union finance ministers will meet in Brussels Friday to
discuss tougher rules for eurozone economies as German lawmakers
back a near-trillion dollar rescue package.

> BA PROFITS, REPUTATION IN TAILSPIN
British Airway's bitter battle with the nation's largest union
is bruising the balance sheet of the UK's flagship carrier,
leaving the airline -- once the envy of the industry -- with a
tarnished reputation amid record losses.

> SARKOZY: GERMANY, FRANCE UNITED ON EURO PLAN
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday that he and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel agree on how to handle Europe's
financial woes.