Kurds: We will defend civilians
BAGHDAD – Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq said Wednesday that their forces would defend civilians if they were caught up in any fighting between Turkish troops and Kurdish rebels from the outlawed PKK in the area.

Angry Kurdish president won’t meet with Rice
BAGHDAD — The president of Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government refused to meet Tuesday with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, charging that the United States had given Turkey the “green light” to attack separatist Kurdish guerrillas in northern Iraq.

Despite drop in violence, Pentagon finds little long-term progress in Iraq
WASHINGTON — Despite significant security gains in much of Iraq, nothing has changed within Iraq’s political leadership to guarantee sustainable peace, a Pentagon report released Tuesday found.

UN extends US-led force in Iraq
UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the U.S.-led multinational force in Iraq for one year, a move that Iraq’s prime minister said would be his nation’s “final request” for help.

Hamas seeks truce talks with Israel
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Gaza’s embattled Hamas leaders are seeking a cease-fire after months of Israeli attacks and sanctions, going so far as to make an unprecedented appeal through the Israeli media, a Hamas official confirmed Wednesday.

Millions of Muslims mark high point of hajj in Saudi Arabia
MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia – Millions of Muslims marked the zenith of the annual hajj yesterday, praying for God’s forgiveness on a rocky desert hill here where in Muslim tradition Adam and Eve were reunited after leaving Eden. The ritual of standing at Mount Rahma is the most spiritual moment of the pilgrimage, when Muslims believe God will grant whatever prayers they make. Among the faithful this year is President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, who yesterday stopped by the vast tent city where pilgrims are housed on the plateau called Mount Arafat to visit with Iranians there, Tehran’s state broadcasting company said.

Iran: Russia nuclear fuel enhances ties
TEHRAN, Iran – Russia’s first shipment of nuclear fuel for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant will strengthen strategic ties between Tehran and Moscow, a top nuclear official said Wednesday.

 In S. Korea, Lee Wins Landslide Victory
SEOUL, Dec. 19 — Lee Myung-bak, a former construction boss known as “the bulldozer,” won a landslide victory Wednesday in South Korea’s presidential election, promoting a brand of pro-American, pro-business politics that voters here were eager to buy. “I know what you want so well,” Lee told the nation after his opponents, including Liberal Party candidate Chung Dong-young, had conceded. “I will revive Korea’s economy at the bidding of the people. I will unify our society, which has been torn apart.”

8 former Argentina officers convicted
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Seven former army officers and an ex-police official were convicted Tuesday and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for human rights abuses during Argentina’s bloody dictatorship.

Sarkozy meets unions and employers on 2008 reforms
PARIS (Reuters) – President Nicolas Sarkozy meets union leaders and employers on Wednesday to discuss sweeping social and labor reforms planned for 2008, hoping to head off the strikes that have sunk previous efforts to change France.

German finance minister calls for minimum wage
FRANKFURT (AFP) – Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck called for a common minimum wage for workers in Germany in an interview Wednesday, taking up an key issue that divides the coalition government.

South Africa heads into uncertainty with Zuma victory
POLOKWANE, South Africa (Reuters) – South Africa faced deep uncertainty on Wednesday after the greatest political shake-up since the end of apartheid set populist Jacob Zuma on the road to the state presidency.