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AP Top News at 12:31 a.m. EST - November 30

Dubai crisis, holiday sales will dominate trading

NEW YORK (AP) - Investors may have to do some emotional juggling as the trading week begins. While markets around the world continue to assess the fallout from Dubai's worrisome debt problems, investors trying to get a handle on the global economy will also factor in some encouraging U.S. retail sales over the Thanksgiving weekend. The question for many is whether they should focus on the possibility of another spreading credit crisis, or signs that consumer spending in this country may indeed be stabilizing.

Police seek ex-con in Wash. police shootings

PARKLAND, Wash. (AP) - A man with an extensive criminal past - including a lengthy prison sentence commuted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee nearly a decade ago - was being sought Sunday in a deadly ambush on four police officers who were gunned down inside a coffee shop. Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters that Maurice Clemmons, 37, was believed to have been in the area around the time of the shooting, but declined to say what evidence might link him to the shooting.

UAE to back banks amid Dubai meltdown

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - The United Arab Emirates has pledged to stand behind foreign and domestic banks in the country, offering additional money while extolling the strength of the Gulf nation's financial sector as world markets brace for a potential day of reckoning Monday over Dubai's crushing debt. The UAE's immediate priority was arguably to avert any run, however unlikely, on banks by panicked depositors. But the promise of cheap funds also signaled to global investors that the country's federal government - backed by oil money - will do what it can to limit the fallout from its indebted emirate's woes.

For 3rd time, Woods cancels meeting with police

WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) - Tiger Woods finally gave his side of the story Sunday - on his Web site, not to police - and took the blame for an "embarrassing" car crash that gave him cuts, bruises and public scrutiny like never before. His statement failed to clear up any questions about the middle-of-the-night accident outside his Isleworth estate in which his wife told police she used a golf club to smash the back windows of the Cadillac SUV to help him out.

Iran plans enrichment sites in defiance of UN

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran approved plans Sunday to build 10 industrial scale uranium enrichment facilities, a dramatic expansion of the program in defiance of U.N. demands it halt enrichment and a move that is likely to significantly heighten tensions with the West. The decision comes only days after the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency censured Iran over its program and demanded it halt the construction of a newly revealed enrichment facility. The West has signaled it is running out of patience with Iran's continuing enrichment and its balking at a U.N. deal aimed at ensuring Tehran cannot build a nuclear weapon in the near-term future. The U.S. and its allies have hinted at new U.N. sanctions if Iran does not respond.

Senator says Afghan forces, not US, key to success

WASHINGTON (AP) - The leading Senate Democrat on military matters said Sunday that President Barack Obama's anticipated plan for significantly expanding U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan must show how those reinforcements will help increase the size of the Afghan security forces. Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said more Afghan army and police are central to succeeding in the 8-year-old war and more U.S. trainers and equipment can help meet that goal. But it's unclear, Levin said, what role tens of thousands additional combat troops will play, and Obama has to make a compelling case during a national address he's scheduled to give Tuesday night from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Turbulence ahead: Senate opens health care debate

WASHINGTON (AP) - The 60 votes aren't there any more. With the Senate set to begin debate Monday on health care overhaul, the all-hands-on-deck Democratic coalition that allowed the bill to advance is fracturing already. Yet majority Democrats will need 60 votes again to finish.

Swiss ban mosque minarets in surprise vote

GENEVA (AP) - Swiss voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on minarets on Sunday, barring construction of the iconic mosque towers in a surprise vote that put Switzerland at the forefront of a European backlash against a growing Muslim population. Muslim groups in Switzerland and abroad condemned the vote as biased and anti-Islamic. Business groups said the decision hurt Switzerland's international standing and could damage relations with Muslim nations and wealthy investors who bank, travel and shop there.

WHO: Treat HIV patients sooner

LONDON (AP) - People infected with the virus that causes AIDS should start treatment earlier than currently recommended, the World Health Organization said Monday. The U.N. agency issued new guidance advising doctors to start giving patients AIDS drugs a year or two earlier than usual. The advice could double the number of people worldwide who qualify for treatment, adding an extra 3 to 5 million patients to the 5 million already awaiting AIDS drugs.

Cundiff FG gives Ravens 20-17 OT win over Steelers

BALTIMORE (AP) - Third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon was doing a fine job for the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first NFL start - until he was forced to work overtime. An interception by rookie Paul Kruger set up a 29-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff with 6:42 left in the extra session, giving the Baltimore Ravens a 20-17 victory Sunday night.

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