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Tuesday, November 29

Editor's Note: CNN News Update is a running log of the latest news from CNN World Headquarters, reported by CNN's correspondents, producers and Wires.CNN editors.

Israelis conduct raid in West Bank town of Nablus

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli forces said Wednesday they arrested a wanted person in the West Bank city of Nablus, entering the city and surrounding a house before calling on him to exit.

The person turned himself in, Israeli military sources said.

Palestinian security sources said about 40 Israeli Army jeeps entered Nablus at about 5 a.m. Wednesday and surrounded a number of houses. Eleven Palestinians were injured from bullets and rubber bullets, the security sources said. Both sides said the operation was ongoing. (Posted 4:50 a.m.)

Indonesian woman tests positive for bird flu, dies

From CNN's Taffy Santiago

JAKARTA (CNN) -- A 25-year-old Indonesian woman has died from what health officials believe was bird flu, authorities said Wednesday.

The woman died Tuesday at a government hospital, and had tested positive for the lethal H5N1 strain of avian influenza, said Dr. Runizar Roesin of Indonesia's Ministry of Health. Her blood samples have been sent for testing at the World Health Organization facility in Hong Kong, he said.

If confirmed by the WHO, the woman's death would be the eighth in Indonesia from bird flu. Overall, 133 people have been sicked by the H5N1 strain in Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Thailand and Cambodia according to the WHO; 68 have died. (Posted 3:30 a.m.)

New Orleans coroner: State has not signed contract for DNA testing to ID bodies

NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- New Orleans' coroner expressed outrage Tuesday that the process of using DNA to identify about 200 bodies left from Hurricane Katrina has not begun, because the state of Louisiana has not signed a contract with a firm that would do the testing.

"It's extremely frustrating," said Dr. Frank Minyard, given that so many dentists' offices were wiped out in the flood along with their dental records, which are commonly used in the identification process. "We have to rely on DNA and it should have been done, at least started, a month ago."

Three months after the storm ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, the bodies discovered in Louisiana remain at a makeshift morgue. At one point Louisiana and the Federal Emergency Management Agency locked horns over who should pick up the tab, but FEMA secured funding for DNA testing as part of a $12.8-million appropriations bill passed by Congress. According to FEMA, it's up to Louisiana to contract with a DNA testing firm to begin the identification process. The family members of missing persons have already provided DNA samples.

Attempts to contact Louisiana officials Tuesday night were unsuccessful.(Posted 3:27 a.m.)

NTSB: Trains carrying hazardous materials should slow down in populated areas

(CNN) -- Trains carrying hazardous materials should be required to slow down in populated areas, the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday in a report issued on a deadly train collision in South Carolina.

The Jan. 6 crash in Graniteville, S.C., in which a train rear-ended a second train because a crew failed to switch a railroad track, caused a deadly cloud of chlorine gas after a tanker car was punctured. Nine people died and about 5,400 were forced from their homes for nearly a week.

The NTSB said the speed the train was traveling as it entered Graniteville -- about 47 mph -- did not leave it enough distance to stop even if the crew had realized the tracks were misaligned.

The NTSB recommended that railroads implement operating measures including positioning tank cars further toward the rear of trains and reducing speeds through populated areas. In addition, the report said, in the absence of a switch-position indicator and in non-signaled territory, railroads should require that trains be operated "at speeds that will allow them to be safely stopped in advance of misaligned switches." (Posted 3:25 a.m.)

Mine blast death toll rises to 150 in northeast China

BEIJING (CNN) -- The death toll from a weekend coal mine explosion in northeast China climbed to 150 Wednesday, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. One miner remains missing.

At least 221 miners were inside the mine in Heilongjiang Province when the explosion happened Sunday evening. Two miners who were above ground died in the blast. Seventy-two of the miners are known to have survived.

The mine is owned by the Qitaihe Branch of the Dragon Coal Group, Xinhua said. (Posted 2:15 a.m.)

Iraqi construction workers killed in minibus attack

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Eight construction workers were killed Wednesday when gunmen opened fire on a minibus in the Iraqi town of Abu Sayda, just northeast of Baquba, Iraqi police said.

The attack occurred about 7:15 a.m. (11:15 p.m. ET). All of the victims were Shia, according to local residents. (Posted 1:47 a.m.)

New Orleans mayor gets earful of post-Katrina woes

NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- Frustrated New Orleans residents appeared before Mayor Ray Nagin Tuesday with a litany of complaints about the response to Hurricane Katrina, with two of them demanding to know why a nation fighting to stabilize Iraq can't resolve a crisis in one of its states.

One woman suggested that New Orleans residents board buses and travel to Washington to complain to Congress, which has approved billions of dollars for relief efforts. Residents also complained about a lack of natural gas service and debris removal, inadequate or no response from police to calls, and price gouging by some landlords.

"As far as rent gouging, we're getting more and more complaints of that," Nagin said. (Posted 7:50 p.m.)

Army asking former troops to be all you can be ... again

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In an effort to keep once-lagging recruiting numbers up, the Army is looking at thousands of former service members in hopes they might want to sign up for another go in the military.

This month, the Army began mailing out brochures to plant the idea of returning to military life in the "Unity of Effort" program. Army officials said it is aimed at former soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors -- some 78,000 of them, including about 7,000 former officers -- and selling them on the idea of serving their country again, for some of them as a first-time soldier.

The new program is another attempt by the Army to bolster recruiting numbers and prevent a repeat of the 2005 recruiting year, which fell thousands short of the Army's recruiting goal. --From CNN Pentagon Producer Mike Mount (Posted 6:33 p.m.)

Decorated tree on Capitol grounds regains 'Christmas' name

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The lighted, decorated tree on the west front of the U.S. Capitol, formerly known as the "Holiday Tree," will be renamed this year as the "Capitol Christmas Tree" at the request of Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.

Hastert submitted a letter to the architect of the Capitol on Nov. 16 stating, "The first Capitol tree in 1964 was designated a Christmas tree, as were most subsequent trees. I strongly urge that we return to this tradition and join the White House, countless other public institutions and millions of American families in celebrating the holiday season with a Christmas tree."

Ron Bonjean, spokesman for Hastert, said that the switch from "Christmas Tree" to "Holiday Tree" was "made unceremoniously, without any documentation" in the mid 1990s. Bonjean said "the speaker believes a Christmas tree is a Christmas tree, and it's just as simple as that." --From CNN Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh (Posted 5:48 p.m.)

Al-Jazeera broadcasts video of 4 Western hostages

(CNN) -- Al-Jazeera Tuesday aired video from a previously unknown group showing four kidnapped Western aid workers affiliated with a Christian organization in Iraq, along with a statement from the group calling them spies.

The Christian Peacemaker Teams confirmed the men are affiliated with their group and disappeared Saturday in Baghdad.

CPT identified the men as Thomas W. Fox, 54, of Virginia; Dr. Norman Frank Kember, 74, of Britain; James Loney, 41, of Toronto; and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, a Canadian who was studying in New Zealand.

According to Al-Jazeera, the group, which calls itself "The Swords of Justice," said the four worked as spies under the cover of "the Christian Peace group."

"They are not spies; they're committed peaceworkers," said William Payne, a staff member in the group's Chicago office. (Posted 5:34 p.m.)

Virginia governor commutes death sentence

(CNN) -- Virginia Gov. Mark Warner on Monday commuted the death sentence of a convicted killer just two days before he was scheduled to become the 1,000th prisoner executed in the United States since the death penalty was restored in 1976.

Robin Lovitt, convicted of killing a man during a 1998 pool hall robbery in Arlington, will now face a life sentence instead of execution by lethal injection. He was scheduled to die Wednesday.

Attorneys for Lovitt had based their argument for clemency on the fact that a court clerk had destroyed evidence in the case, making it no longer available for DNA testing that might exonerate him. --From CNN National Correspondent Bob Franken (Posted 5:23 p.m.)

George Washington portraits on the auction block

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A portrait of George Washington that was commissioned as a gift for Alexander Hamilton is to be sold at Sotheby's on Wednesday.

The painting by renowned artist Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) depicts the first American president during his final year in office. Washington is seated in a black velvet suit jacket with a sword resting across his lap and holding a document that he has signed.

Sotheby's predicted the painting will sell for more than $10 million.

The portrait is among a group of works being sold by the New York Public Library, including a second Stuart portrait of Washington that the auction gallery expects to go for a few million less. --From CNN's Phil Hirschkorn (Posted 4:31 p.m.)

French lawmakers back tougher anti-terror bill

PARIS (CNN) -- French lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Tuesday for a measure that would give police new powers to fight terrorism and expand the use of surveillance cameras in public places.

The National Assembly voted 373-27 to approve the anti-terror bill, which still must be approved by the French Senate.

The bill would allow police to hold suspected terrorists for up to six days without charges, and it would double sentences for most terror-related crimes. It would expand the use of video surveillance on streets and in public buildings, and encourage private companies to install their own surveillance cameras.

Internet providers would have to keep thorough records of e-mails and computer use, and government officials would have greater authority to cross-reference records from driver's licenses, immigration records and tax forms. The measure also would increase the amount of information gathered on passengers on planes, trains and boats. (Posted 4:14 p.m.)

Bush says no Iraq withdrawal without victory

EL PASO, Texas (CNN) -- The White House held out the prospect that some American troops could come home from Iraq soon, but President Bush insisted Tuesday that he would not withdraw U.S. forces "without having achieved victory."

Bush is scheduled to launch a new series of speeches aimed at bolstering public support for the increasingly unpopular conflict with a Wednesday address. Tuesday, during a visit to the U.S.-Mexican border, he said any decisions he makes will be based on the recommendations of top U.S. commanders.

"If they tell me we need more troops, we'll provide more troops," he said. "If they tell me we've got a sufficient level of troops, that'll be the level of troops. If they tell me that the Iraqis are ready to take more and more responsibility and that we'll be able to bring some Americans home, I will do that."

But he said he would not let the 2,100-plus U.S. troops killed in Iraq "die in vain" by withdrawing before a stable, democratic Iraq emerges. (Posted 2:57 p.m.)

Two men face first court hearing over leaked memo

LONDON (CNN) -- Two men appeared in court Tuesday for the first time after being charged with leaking a top secret memo which, according to a British newspaper, showed U.S. President George Bush considered bombing Al-Jazeera's headquarters in Qatar.

In its report, the Daily Mirror newspaper said Tony Blair persuaded Bush not to attack the satellite channel during an April 2004, meeting at the White House.

David Keogh, who was working as a civil servant in the British Cabinet Office, is accused of sending a confidential government file, originating in Tony Blair's Downing Street office, to Leo O'Connor, who worked as a researcher for a member of parliament, Britain's Crown Prosecution Service said. The member of parliament then handed the document back to Downing Street.

The charges said both men "made a damaging disclosure of a document relating to international relations." The case was adjourned to Jan. 10. --From CNN's Jonathan Wald (Posted 2:27 p.m.)

Channel 10: Long-time Laborite Shimon Peres to quit party, join Sharon

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres will resign from the Labor Party, Israeli Channel 10 reported Tuesday night. Peres' office would neither confirm nor deny the report.

The Channel 10 report said that while supporting the peace effort of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Peres will not run for another term in the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Peres is in Barcelona, Spain, and aides said he will return to Israel Wednesday afternoon. He is expected to talk then with reporters about his plans.

Peres was recently defeated by Amir Peretz in elections for Labor Party chairman. Peres, 82, has been a pillar of Labor for decades. During that time he and Sharon have been political rivals but personal friends.(Posted 2:15 p.m.)

French PM says Security Council next step if Iran rejects nuclear proposal

PARIS (CNN) -- French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said Tuesday if Iran does not accept Europe's current proposal aimed at preventing that country from acquiring a nuclear weapons program "then we will have to go then to the Security Council."

But he expressed optimism that "a deal is possible" despite Iran's announcement that it will resume its program of uranium enrichment.

In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour, de Villepin said that France and the international community must put "all its forces together" to prevent a civil war in Iraq and to blunt terrorism.

As to whether the United States should withdraw its troops from Iraq, the French prime minister said any withdrawal would have to be coordinated, taking into account "the situation on the ground" in Iraq. (Posted 2:02 p.m.)

Ground broken for new Lower Manhattan tower

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Hailing another sign of progress at the World Trade Center area, New York political leaders joined Goldman Sachs executives to break ground Tuesday on a 43-floor office building that will rise across the street from ground zero.

Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg were joined by Goldman CEO Henry Paulson and U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer in what Pataki called "another powerful demonstration of Lower Manhattan's resurgence."

The steel and glass building, which will stand 740 feet high and have 2.1 million square feet of space, is due to be completed in 2009. --From CNN's Phil Hirschkorn & Chris Browne (Posted 11:54 a.m.)

Venezuelan opposition parties to boycott Sunday's congressional elections

CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- Venezuela's largest opposition parties said Tuesday they will not participate in congressional elections Sunday because voting rules are unfair.

Officials from the Democratic Action party told CNN en Espanol that the voting process is not transparent, and claimed election procedures and software will allow voters to be identified by party affiliation.

The decision by Democratic Action to pull out will raise questions about the fairness of the election because DA had planned to post observers at polling stations around the country.

A short time after Democratic Action said it would not participate, another large opposition party, Project Venezuela, said it was also pulling out. Three other opposition parties, Copei, Podomos and MAS, also are expected to boycott Sunday's vote. (Posted 11:38 a.m.)

Miami police launch campaign to raise public's terrorism awareness

MIAMI (CNN) -- Holiday shoppers in Miami could get a free terrorism awareness lesson from city police, who plan to start descending upon malls and other possible civilian targets as part of "Miami Shield."

Miami City Police Chief John Timoney told CNN's "American Morning" the program is an educational effort and not a response to any terrorism threats. It was unveiled Monday, before the holiday season, after a two-month delay due to the active hurricane season.

Timoney denied allegations that police would ask citizens to show their identification as part of the campaign, saying that would be illegal. "Nowhere in America, whether it's terrorism or ordinary crime, without probable cause can you demand identification," he said.

However, police hope their presence will help to call attention to the terrorism awareness campaign. (Posted 11:25 a.m.)

Brutal hurricane season comes to a close

MIAMI (CNN) -- A brutal and record-setting hurricane season that repeatedly pounded the United States, devastated the lives of tens of thousands and spawned the historic Hurricane Katrina ends Wednesday, at least on paper.

The hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to the end of November, but December storms are still a possibility, said CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.

"The hurricane season is not an on and off switch," he said. "If the water is still warm enough, we could still get a tropical storm in December, and this could be one of those years where that could happen."

There have been 26 named storms this year, surpassing the record of 21 set in 1933, and exhausting the official list of storm names. Thirteen of the storms were hurricanes, edging by one the previous record set in 1969. At least five of the hurricanes were considered major. --By CNN.com's Manav Tanneeru (Posted 11:18 a.m.)

New home sales rise unexpectedly

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- New home sales posted a surprising jump to the highest on record in October, according to a government report Tuesday that bucked other recent readings suggesting that the white-hot housing market has been cooling.

New homes sold at an annual rate of 1.42 million in October, the Commerce Department said, up from a revised 1.26 million pace in September.

The 13 percent increase was the biggest jump since April 1993. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast that sales would slow to a 1.20 million rate.

The report follows earlier reports showing a drop in housing starts and building permits in October, as well as a bigger-than-expected decline in sales of existing homes and a drop in home builder confidence. (Posted 11:01 a.m.)

Consumer confidence surges in November

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Consumer confidence surged in November, the business research group The Conference Board said Tuesday, with its index coming in well above estimates.

The board's consumer confidence index rose to 98.9 for the month, up from a revised 85.2 in October. Economists had expected a rise to 90, according to Briefing.com.

A decline of more than 40 cents in gasoline prices this month and the improving job outlook have combined to help restore consumers' confidence," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. "While the index remains below its pre-Katrina levels, the shock of the hurricanes and subsequent leap in gas prices has begun wearing off just in time for the holiday season. Despite this latest boost in confidence, holiday spending will be driven by the bargains consumers have come to expect." (Posted 10:45 a.m.)

2 U.S. soldiers killed north of Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Two Task Force Baghdad soldiers were killed when their patrol struck a roadside bomb north of Baghdad shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, the U.S. military said. No further details were provided. The deaths bring to 2,110 the number of U.S. troops who have died since the U.S. invasion of Iraq. (Posted, 10 a.m. ET)

Mosul shooting kills two, U.S. military asks Iraqis to e-mail and call in tips on terror activity

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Two members of the Assyrian Democratic movement, a Christian political party, were killed Tuesday and two other members were wounded when gunmen opened fire at them in Mosul, a hospital official told CNN.

The gunmen began firing while the party officials were pasting posters on walls for the coming parliamentary elections in al-Shuhadaa neighborhood in northeast Mosul around 1:30 p.m. local time, a al-Jamhouri hospital official said.

In addition, the U.S. military said Tuesday that one member of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle crew sustained minor injuries when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb around 8 a.m. Monday in east Baghdad. The wounded member of the crew was quickly returned to duty, the military said.

The U.S. military said Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Baghdad officials continue to encourage all Iraqis to report suspicious behavior by e-mailing baghdadtipshotline@yahoo.com or calling one of the TIPS hotlines at 07901737723 or 07901737727. (Posted 7:55 a.m.)

Minister says Sharon ready for final status negotiations; Palestinians grapple with fraud charges in party primaries

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli parliament member Meir Sheetrit, Israel's transportation minister and a supporter of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, told Israeli Radio Tuesday Sharon is ready to reach a final status agreement with the Palestinians.

He said that agreement will mean a Palestinian state will be created.

In Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority was grappling with fraud charges that halted primaries for the ruling Fatah party.

Ahmed al-Deik, the head of the Fatah Election Committee, told CNN, "We decided to suspend the Fatah primaries in Gaza and the West Bank as a result of the events which took place in Gaza yesterday. "There were signs of fraud with the electoral lists -- some names were canceled and others added. The committee will meet later with President Mahmoud Abbas when he returns from Barcelona, and than we will decide on what steps will be taken later on." (Posted 7:54)

Judge remands 4 Algerians to prison on charges of collaborating with terrorist group

MADRID (CNN) - A Spanish judge remanded four Algerian nationals to prison Tuesday on charges of collaborating with a terrorist group linked to al Qaeda and said some of them had tried to obtain explosives early this year in exchange for drugs, a National Court spokeswoman told CNN.

The four were among 11 Algerians arrested on Nov. 23 in an anti-terror operation. The National Court judge handling the investigation, Fernando Andreu, released the other seven on Tuesday, but with the requirement that they report weekly or biweekly to judicial authorities.

The court identified the suspects ordered to remain in jail as Khaled Bakel, Salim Zerbouti, Lyies Sihamida and Said Bouchema.

Spain's largest-circulation newspaper, El Pais, reported Monday that Bouchema had been deported to Spain by Holland in 2004 after the assassination there of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, an attack authorities blamed on Islamic terrorists.

Bouchema, considered a threat in Holland at the time, was not immediately arrested in Spain because there were no pending charges against him, El Pais reported. --From CNN Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman (Posted 7:53 a.m.)

German chancellor says German woman has apparently been kidnapped in Iraq

BERLIN (CNN) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters Tuesday her government believes a German woman and her driver have been kidnapped in Iraq.

The woman and her driver have been missing since Friday. "We must conclude they have been kidnapped," Merkel said following an emergency cabinet meeting. "The federal government condemns this act in the strongest terms. We send an urgent appeal to the perpetrators to release the two to safety immediately."

Merkel announced an establishment of a crisis unit at the foreign ministry, which solo purpose is to deal with the situation.

ARD, the German public television network, said it had obtained a videotape showing a kneeling, blindfolded woman and a man surrounded by three armed and masked gunmen. (Posted 7:51 a.m.)

Kidnapped Western aid workers affiliated with Christian nonviolence group

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Four Western aid workers, kidnapped in the Iraqi capital over the weekend, were all affiliated with a Christian organization dedicated to nonviolence, a statement on the group's Web page said.

According to Monday's statement, "On November 26, 2005, two members of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) and two members of a CPT visiting delegation were taken in Baghdad."

The group provided no other details on the abductions or the identities of those taken, but their governments have said the aid workers include two Canadians, one American and a Briton.

The British Foreign Office in London identified the British citizen as Norman Kember. (Posted 5:30 a.m.)

Irregularities suspend Fatah primaries in Gaza and West Bank

RAMALLAH, West Bank (CNN) -- Fatah party officials postponed primary elections scheduled for this week, following electoral irregularities, the head of the Fatah Election Committee said Tuesday.

According to Ahmed Al Deik, the names of candidates were added and removed without authorization.

Palestinian parliamentary elections are scheduled for January.

"We decided to suspend the Fatah Primaries in Gaza and the West Bank as a result of the events which took place in Gaza yesterday. There were signs of fraud with the electoral lists," Deik said.

"The committee will meet later with (Palestinian Authority) President Mahmoud Abbas when he returns from Barcelona and than we will decide on what steps will be taken later on." (Posted 4:15 a.m.)

Suicide Bombings Kill 13, wound more than 100

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CNN) -- Suicide bombings targeting courts in Bangladesh Tuesday morning killed at least 13 people and wounded scores more, police and local media reports said.

In Gazipur, a bomber detonated in a court library building around 9:30 a.m., police said, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 100 others.

According to authorities, the bomber is believed to be a member of the banned Islamic militant group Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB).

In the port city of Chittaagong, two men attempted to enter a court building when they were challenged by police at a security checkpoint. At least one bomb exploded, killing a bomber and two policemen, witnesses said. (posted 2:45 a.m. )

Mine blast death toll rises to 140, 11 remain missing in northeast China

BEIJING (CNN) -- A weekend coal mine explosion in northeast China has killed 140 miners and left another 11 missing, state-run television reported Tuesday.

At least 223 miners were inside the mine in Heilongjiang Province when the explosion happened Sunday evening, according to CCTV. Seventy-two of the miners are known to have survived the blast, the report said. (posted 1:25 a.m.)

The mine is owned by the Qitaihe Branch of the Dragon Coal Group, Xinhua said. (posted 1:31 a.m.)

China reports new H5N1 bird flu outbreaks

BEIJING (CNN) -- China's Agriculture Ministry Tuesday reported two new outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu -- one in northwestern Xinjiang province and another in central Hunan province -- a statement on the ministry's Web site said.

To this point, the cases have been limited to poultry, but officials, working under emergency plans, have culled more than 127,000 foul within two miles (3 km) of the outbreaks in hopes of limiting its spread, the ministry said.

China's Ministry of Health has reported four cases of bird flu in humans, with three of them resulting in deaths. The World Health Organization has only confirmed three of the cases -- no tissue samples were saved for testing from a girl who died in October. (posted 1:25 a.m.)

Canadian government toppled by no-confidence vote

(CNN) -- After months of political instability, the government of Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin finally fell Monday evening when three opposition parties united to topple him with a no-confidence vote in the House of Commons.

Martin, whose center-left Liberal Party had been dogged by a corruption scandal, will now face voters in a expected January election that could end 12 years of Liberal rule in America's largest trading partner -- after a campaign over the Christmas holidays that the prime minister argues most Canadians don't want.

The Liberals have run Canada since 1993. Recent polls give them the edge over the Conservatives -- but with fewer than 40 percent support among those polled, indicating that another minority government is likely. (posted 1:25 a.m.)

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