Top News Stories
January 5, 2009
Israel deaf to truce calls as Gaza battles rage on
GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli troops backed by air strikes fought to seize ground from Hamas militants deep inside the Gaza Strip on Monday despite international calls for a ceasefire in a conflict that has killed more than 540 Palestinians in 10 days.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:51:07 -0500)
Prosecutors seek to jail Madoff
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors asked a judge to jail accused swindler Bernard Madoff on Monday, saying he sent jewelry and other items worth more than $1 million to family and friends in violation of his bail.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:36:56 -0500)
Obama picks former Clinton aide Panetta for CIA
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama has chosen former White House chief of staff Leon Panetta to lead the CIA, which has been widely criticized for harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects, Democratic officials said on Monday.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:17:27 -0500)
U.S., Germany mull tax cuts
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The prospect of new tax cuts in the United States and Germany injected a measure of New Year cheer on Monday, even as automakers wrapped up 2008 as their worst in more than 15 years with yet another month of slumping U.S. sales.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:45:02 -0500)
Obama seeks swift passage of fiscal package
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama pressed congressional leaders on Monday to pass his huge spending and tax-cut package amid signs the centerpiece of his economic stimulus plan may face delays.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:30:04 -0500)
Apple's Jobs reassures investors about his health
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Apple Inc Chief Executive Steve Jobs sought to soothe investor concerns about his health on Monday, saying his weight loss was caused by a hormone imbalance that is relatively simple to treat.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:26:27 -0500)
Democrat wins Minnesota Senate seat in recount
MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Democrat Al Franken beat Republican incumbent Norm Coleman to win the U.S. Senate seat from Minnesota, officials conducting a final recount said on Monday, though the loser promised to challenge the result.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:58:53 -0500)
U.S. anti-kidnap expert's vanishing spins Mexico mystery
MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - The abduction of a U.S. anti-kidnap expert in northern Mexico last month remains a mystery with no clues to the man's whereabouts and no ransom demanded by his captors, police said on Monday.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:28:35 -0500)
Russia reduces gas flows to Europe via Ukraine
MOSCOW/KIEV (Reuters) - Russia reduced gas flows to Europe via Ukraine on Monday, a measure it said was to stop its neighbor siphoning off fuel but which Kiev said could jeopardize supplies to European countries including Germany.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:57:01 -0500)
U.S. opens new Iraq embassy
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States dedicated its new embassy building in Baghdad on Monday, a step meant to symbolize its transition from occupying power to an ally of a sovereign Iraqi government.
Read More... (Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:15:13 -0500)