Current events of 9 December 2008 (2008-12-09) (Tuesday) edit history watch

Democratic Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents at his Chicago home, amidst allegations of corruption and pay-to-play regarding the replacement for United States President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate. (MarketWatch) Almost 1,400 workers are laid off in the Republic of Ireland as a result of the 2008 Irish pork crisis. (BBC) Sony Corporation announces plans to cut 8,000 jobs and close 10% of its manufacturing plants. (BBC) United Nations-mediated peace talks commence in Nairobi, Kenya, between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the National Congress for the Defence of the People. (CNN) Canadian Member of Parliament Bob Rae announces his withdrawal from the leadership campaign of the Liberal Party, leaving the position (and that of the Leader of the Opposition and the leadership of the proposed opposition coalition) open to fellow MP Michael Ignatieff. (CBC) Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Vlado Bučkovski is sentenced to three and a half years in jail for abuse of power. (Forbes)