Obama taps Panetta to head CIA - Taipei Times
US president-elect Barack Obama¡¦s selection of an old White House hand to head the CIA shows a preference for a strong manager over an intelligence expert. Obama¡¦s decision to name Leon Panetta to lead the premier US intelligence agency surprised the spy community and signaled the Democrat
Source: www.taipeitimes.com

Travolta’s family returns to U.S. with son’s remains - Vindicator
FREEPORT, Bahamas (AP) — Actor John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston have returned to Florida with the remains of their 16-year-old son, Jett, who died at the family vacation home in Grand Bahama. The couple received an urn with his ashes and left the island chain Monday night, according to Obie
Source: www.vindy.com

Gas stopped for swathe of states - BBC News
Seven European and Balkan countries have reported a complete halt in Russian gas supplies via Ukraine as the two countries' energy dispute worsens. They join countries as far west as Italy and Austria suffering supply shortages since Russia halted its exports to Ukraine in a prices row. Russia's
Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Oil hovers above $48 as demand, Gaza clash mulled - PR Inside
SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices were steady above $48 a barrel Wednesday in Asia as investors juggled tensions in the Middle East and more bad U.S. economic news suggesting slowing crude demand. Light, sweet crude for February delivery rose 4 cents to $48.62 a barrel in electronic trading on the New
Source: www.pr-inside.com

Senate Rejects Blagojevich Pick on a Chaotic Day - Wall Street Journal
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate formally rejected Roland Burris, the man nominated by Illinois's embattled governor to fill the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, only to have a ranking Democratic senator later contradict her party's leadership, asserting that Mr. Burris is entitled to the
Source: online.wsj.com

Two men, teen charged in gang rape of Calif. lesbian - 10 News
MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) -- Two men and a teenager have been charged in the alleged gang rape of a lesbian in the San Francisco Bay-area. Prosecutors Tuesday charged 31-year-old Humberto Hernandez Salvador and 21-year-old Josue Gonzalez with kidnapping, carjacking and gang rape in the attack last month
Source: www.tampabays10.com

Fiesta Bowl Speaks Volumes About Ohio State - Bleacherreport.com
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor runs a short fade route to the corner of the end zone, jumps over a Texas defender, and hauls in a touchdown pass from his predecessor and now backup Todd Boeckman, cutting the Longhorn's lead to 17-15. On the subsequent drive, running back Daniel "Boom" Herron
Source: bleacherreport.com

Nikkei likely to edge up, tech shares strong - CNBC
TOKYO, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average is likely to edge higher on Wednesday, buoyed by expectations for a U.S. economic stimulus package, with Kyocera Corp and other techs expected to remain in favour after gains by their U.S. peers. Regional banks are expected to be in focus after the
Source: www.cnbc.com

Chinese bank says Bank of America selling shares - Boston Globe
BEIJING— Bank of America Corp. is selling part of its stake in China Construction Bank Ltd., China's second-largest state-owned lender, in a deal that could be worth up to $3 billion as the U.S. institution raises money to cope with trouble at home. Bank of America will sell 5.62 billion
Source: www.boston.com