US troops kill three civilians in Afghanistan: official:

 Three civilians were killed and two others injured when their house was attacked by US soldiers in eastern Afghanistan
http://tinyurl.com/3mtz7g

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Afghan leader sends demands to US on troop conduct:

The Afghan president has sent a list of demands to the United States government about troop conduct ahead of the arrival of more U.S. forces, pressing for cooperation with his government.
http://wire.antiwar.com/2008/12/18/afghan-leader-sends-demands-to-us-on-troop-conduct/

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Pakistan justifies US drone attacks:

Experts say Zardari may have hinted that the US drone strikes in the tribal areas were being conducted with the consent of the government
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=78858§ionid=351020401

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'ISI cleared of Mumbai involvement':

After interrogating the sole surviving gunman, The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concluded that the ISI was cleared of any involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26, Pakistani daily The Dawn quoted diplomatic sources as saying on Thursday.
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=78821§ionid=351020401

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Hamas throws in the towel on Gaza cease-fire:

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for the militant group that governs Gaza, said the truce was expiring at 6 a.m. today. He said it was not being renewed because "the enemy refused to comply" with promises to lift a crippling blockade of the Palestinian enclave.
http://www.twincities.com/national/ci_11266272?nclick_check=1

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Russian air defence deal with Iran under way - report:

Russia is currently fulfilling a contract to deliver S-300 air defence systems to Iran, RIA news agency quoted confidential sources as saying on Wednesday.
http://tinyurl.com/45yu3k

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Russia to give Lebanon 10 MiG-29 jets as gift:

Russia will give 10 MiG-29 fighter jets to Lebanon as a gift, Russian news agencies quoted the head of Russia's Federal Military and Technical Cooperation Service as saying on Wednesday.
http://tinyurl.com/47yzje

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Eleven killed in fighting in Somalia's capital:

Eleven people were killed on Wednesday in fighting between Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian forces in the north of Somalia's capital Mogadishu, residents and witnesses said.
http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre4bg6bx-us-somalia-conflict/

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US says piracy resolution allows for air strikes in Somalia:

The 15-member Security Council unanimously approved Tuesday a new resolution authorizing for one year international military operations on Somali territory in agreement with the transitional government.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081217/pl_afp/somaliapiracyunus

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Cheney faces 'torture' criticism:

A senior US Democrat has condemned Dick Cheney, the US vice-president, for his defence of waterboarding "terror" suspects, saying the abuse amounted to torture and warning there could be prosecutions over the issue under a new administration.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/12/20081218155537836929.html

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Guantanamo closure plan ordered:

Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, has ordered his staff to draw up plans to close the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/12/2008121822716620698.html

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Castro offers to exchange dissidents for 'Cuban 5':

Cuban President Raul Castro made an unprecedented offer Thursday to exchange political dissidents jailed in his country for five Cubans imprisoned in the U.S. for espionage.
http://wire.antiwar.com/2008/12/18/castro-offers-to-exchange-dissidents-for-cuban-5-2/

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US gives Nicaragua 90 days to clear election concerns:

MCC chief John Danilovich on November 25 suspended the 175-million-dollar aid program launched in Nicaragua in 2005, after the ruling Sandinista party of President Daniel Ortega won most of the mayoral elections, amid allegations of widespread fraud.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081216/wl_afp/nicaraguauspoliticsaid

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Impeachment drive slowed against Illinois governor:

Illinois lawmakers could be forced to build their impeachment case against Gov. Rod Blagojevich on a raft of relatively small grievances, rather than the blockbuster Senate-seat-for-sale allegations, for fear of undermining federal prosecutors' criminal investigation.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor

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Bush 'considering' auto bankruptcy:

The Bush administration has said it is seriously considering allowing struggling major US vehicle manufacturers to go bankrupt despite their plea for government aid.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/12/200812181746743740.html

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Federal spending soars 25% before bailout:

The government's spending commitments exploded by 25 percent in 2008, putting taxpayers more than $1 trillion in the hole even before the astronomical costs of the economic bailout were taken into account, according to an annual report released Monday by the White House.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/dec/16/spending-soars-25-before-bailout/

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GM Opens Eighth China Plant, Won't Add Further Capacity Soon:

GM expects to boost China sales about 9 percent next year as it adds new models and an economic stimulus plan helps revive overall demand. Auto sales in China have declined in three of the past four months because of the global economic slowdown.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aWHbmXZFhiEs&refer=asia

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Credit-Card Users Feel Pain as U.S. Banks Reap Gain:

Credit-card companies, facing an increase in defaults and a decline in consumer spending, are raising some rates, adding fees and cutting credit lines as the Federal Reserve makes the most sweeping changes to the industry in 30 years.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ap_9fTPViwzU&refer=us

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Let us work towards Peace and Joy
 
Tom Feeley