Friday May 09, 2008
AMERICAS 
Special prosecutor targets polygamy 'epidemic'
The United States has appointed a federal prosecutor to work with state and local authorities on bringing an end to lawlessness in polygamous communities, an investigation that may extend to finding a way to stop the so-called polygamy underground railway across the Canada-U.S. border.
U.S. economy puts brakes on Toyota
Toyota Motor Corp. has spent billions of dollars over decades to develop ''American'' credentials. Now the auto maker is finding out just how difficult it is to be American.Toyota, duking it out with General Motors Corp. for the title of the world's largest auto maker, issued a grim outlook yesterday, forecasting that profit will plunge by as much as 30 per cent this fiscal year, driven down in part by a slump in the U.S. market it has spent so much money and effort to conquer.
Dissolving the dead
Since they first walked the planet, humans have either buried or burned their dead. Now a new option is generating interest - dissolving bodies in lye and flushing the brownish, syrupy residue down the drain.
Gitmo judge irate over withholding of Khadr's records
A U.S. military judge threatened to suspend the war-crimes trial of a Canadian detainee, scolding the government yesterday for failing to provide records of his confinement at Guantanamo.
Discounters' sales rise as U.S. economy falters
Caught in the maelstrom of higher gas and food prices, Americans - even more affluent ones - are seeking shelter in wholesale clubs and discount apparel chains.Low-price operators Costco Wholesale Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and TJX Cos. reported better-than-expected sales yesterday, while traditional apparel chains J.C. Penney Co. Inc. and Limited Brands Inc. struggled.
Hong Kong investors eye south China plant closings
Hong Kong investors may close 10,000 factories in southern China because of falling U.S. demand and higher costs, according to a local industry association. Operators of labour-intensive businesses such as textiles, shoes and electronics are among those most severely affected by increasing costs from China's new labour law and appreciation in China's currency, Stanley Lau, deputy chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said yesterday. Factories seeking to close or cut operations employ a total of more than one million workers, he said. Hong Kong, the largest contributor of foreign direct investment in China, operates about 70,000 factories in the Pearl River Delta in southern China, Mr. Lau said.
Detained man may be Iraqi al-Qaeda leader
Iraqi and U.S. forces have detained a man suspected of being the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Iraqi security officials said today.The U.S. military in Baghdad said it was checking reports that Abu Ayyub al-Masri, an Egyptian also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, had been caught in the northern city of Mosul. Iraqi Defence Ministry spokesman Major-General Mohammed al-Askari said the head of the local province's security operations had told him Mr. Masri had been detained.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Cholera stalks Myanmar storm survivors
Cholera began to emerge in Myanmar's devastated villages yesterday as desperate survivors were forced to drink contaminated water from flooded areas where thousands of decaying bodies were floating.It was the latest horrific problem to hit the country in the aftermath of a catastrophic cyclone that is believed to have killed more than 100,000 people and destroyed the homes of another 1.5 million.
Canada offers to send relief team to Myanmar
Canada has told the United Nations that it is prepared to send its disaster assistance response team to Myanmar to help the starving survivors of a cyclone that some observers say could claim as many as 100,000 lives.
Ex-Nintendo head cashes in on Wii revolution
After a few million waves of magic Wii wands, Hiroshi Yamauchi suddenly finds himself transformed into the richest man in Japan.The former chairman of video game maker Nintendo Co. Ltd., Mr. Yamauchi's net worth ballooned by an estimated $3-billion (U.S.) to about $7.8-billion in 2007, allowing him to blow past property magnate Akira Mori and claim the top spot on the Forbes.com list of Japan's 40 Richest people.
India halts futures trade in staple foods, rubber
India's government halted trading yesterday in futures contracts for key staple foods and for rubber as it battles to avoid an election drubbing due to high inflation. The government suspended futures trade in basic foods such as lentils, soya and potatoes for four months, saying the move was aimed at stopping price rises driven by speculators. It also halted futures trade in rubber. The ruling Congress party-led coalition said further efforts were also under way to fight inflation, as cement producers yesterday joined steel makers in pledging price cuts. The Congress party is desperate to wrestle down inflation to avert a voter backlash in general elections that are due to be held by next May.
Chinese leader aims to build ties with Japan
Chinese President Hu Jintao, on a symbolic visit to cement warming ties with Japan, urged the two Asian powers to look to the future as partners, not rivals. Mr. Hu wants to build goodwill after a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in which they agreed to focus on co-operation after years of rancour over Japanese wartime aggression.
Rotating NATO command could end, general says
NATO could change its rotating command of southern Afghanistan and give the role to one country, amid concern that the system is boosting the Taliban insurgency, NATO's top U.S. general said yesterday.
AFRICA-MIDEAST
Gunfights herald 'declaration of war' in Beirut
Lebanon's fragile national unity appeared to have disintegrated yesterday as pro-government gunmen clashed with fighters from the Hezbollah-led opposition after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah accused the government of ''declaring war'' on his movement.
Israeli PM denies taking bribes, says he'll resign if indicted
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert acknowledged yesterday that he took cash from an American businessman but refused to resign over a police investigation into hundreds of thousands of dollars of alleged bribes.
