■ El Salvador
Troops likely to stay in Iraq
President Tony Saca said he is willing to prolong the stay of Salvadoran troops in Iraq if necessary next year. "We're helping the Iraqi people, and if there is the need to prolong our presence, if the authorities need it and we can help, I would not have a problem," Saca said Saturday. A decision will have to wait until after next month's elections in Iraq, he added. El Salvador is the only Latin American country to remain committed to Iraq despite the withdrawal of Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, all of whom served in the Spanish-led Plus Ultra brigade.
■ United States
Cash given out at shelter
Residents of Samaritan House in Denver didn't know what to expect when the bearded, middle-aged man parked his sport utility vehicle in front of the downtown homeless shelter Christmas Eve. The man walked into the building, pulled out a thick roll of US$100 bills and began passing them out to each of the approximately 300 residents. When he was finished, he had given out US$35,000. "It was like seeing Santa Claus and God all at once," said William Chengelis, who has lived at the shelter since November. As a crowd gathered, the man said he had once been homeless and knew what it was like to be in need.
■ United States
Brando sued posthumously
A half year after his death, Hollywood star Marlon Brando faces charges of sexual harassment and breach of contract from his one-time business manager, media reports said. Jo An Corrales, who worked for the "Godfather" star for three years, filed a complaint asking for US$3.5 million in restitution for her losses. The legendary but reclusive screen star whose method acting techniques inspired legions of other actors, died of lung failure on July 1. The case was filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Corrales claims that Brando wrote her out of his will as an executor, denying her executor fees. Hers is one of several claims filed against his estate, which was left to his nine children.
■ United States
Laura gets dessert plates
President George W. Bush gave his wife Laura dessert plates to complement her china pattern and she gave him a raincoat in their Christmas gift exchange on Saturday, a White House spokesman said. Joining the get-together at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains were Bush's father, former president George H.W. Bush, and mother, Barbara Bush, plus twin daughters Barbara and Jenna. Also on hand were virtually all of the expanded Bush family with the exception of Florida Governor Jeb Bush and his family. The party was to dine on turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries and gravy, followed by pecan and pumpkin pie.
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