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AP Top News at 6:55 a.m. EST - December 02

Congress scrutinizes Obama's Afghanistan plan

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats are complaining about President Barack Obama's escalation of the war in Afghanistan and Republicans are unhappy with his promise to withdraw troops in 18 months, but Congress appears willing to approve the buildup's $30 billion price tag. Lawmakers planned to use two days of high-profile hearings on the war, beginning Wednesday, to express their misgivings about the plan, which calls for a quick infusion of troops through July 2011, when the U.S. will begin to withdraw its forces.

US commander supports Afghan surge timeline

KABUL (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday he's "absolutely supportive" of the 18-month timeline for President Barack Obama's troop surge even though Taliban forces may try to wait out the increased U.S. commitment. He said the U.S. and its partners need to convince the Taliban they cannot win. The Afghan government welcomed Obama's announcement that he was sending 30,000 more U.S. troops, but cautioned against setting a deadline for Americans to hand over to Afghan security forces and start withdrawing. Obama said if conditions are right, U.S. troops could begin leaving Afghanistan in 18 months.

WH gate-crashers went without confirmed invitation

WASHINGTON (AP) - Copies of e-mails between the White House party crashers and a Pentagon official undermine theirclaims that they were invited to President Barack Obama's first state dinner. Tareq and Michaele Salahi pressed the friendly Pentagon aide for four days to score tickets to the big event. By their own admission in the e-mails, they showed up at the White House gates at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 24 without an invitation - "to just check in, in case it got approved since we didn't know, and our name was indeed on the list!"

GM CEO resigns as board demands faster turnaround

DETROIT (AP) - The leader of the new General Motors was done in by an old problem at the nation's largest car maker: Change wasn't happening fast enough. GM's board and CEO Fritz Henderson parted ways Tuesday, the board upset that the automaker's turnaround wasn't moving more swiftly and Henderson frustrated with second-guessing, two people close to the former CEO said.

Manhunt ends with cops slayings' suspect's death

SEATTLE (AP) — An ex-con accused of gunning down four police officers patched the gunshot wound to his belly with gauze and duct tape and managed to elude a massive manhunt until a lone officer stopped to check out a suspicious vehicle in the middle of the night. Moments later, Maurice Clemmons was dead.

Case closed but Woods scrutiny continues

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Tiger Woods didn't have to say a word to get Florida troopers off his case. The same strategy may be harder to pull off when it comes to the tabloid media probing his private life. The police inquiry into the early morning car crash involving the world's most famous athlete came to a close Tuesday, even though Woods refused to talk to the Florida Highway Patrol. Woods was charged with careless driving, which carries a $164 fine and four points on his driving record.

Tempers flare as Senate debates health care

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Republican senator asserted Tuesday during a rancorous floor debate that President Barack Obama's health care overhaul will shorten the lives of America's seniors by cutting Medicare. "I have a message for you: You're going to die sooner," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., an obstetrician-turned-lawmaker.

Iran releases 5 British sailors detained at sea

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran freed five British sailors detained last week when their racing yacht drifted accidentally into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. Britain said it was delighted with Wednesday's release and praised Tehran's handling of the incident. The 60-foot yacht was in the Persian Gulf on its way from Bahrain to Dubai last Wednesday for the start of its first offshore race when it ran into a problem with its propeller, said Andrew Pindar, whose Team Pindar owns the yacht. It drifted into Iranian waters and was seized by the elite Revolutionary Guard's navy

Demjanjuk trial day canceled due to illness

MUNICH (AP) - The trial of John Demjanjuk on charges of accessory to the murder of 27,900 Jews as a death camp guard was called off for the day Wednesday after a doctor determined he was too ill to come to court. Presiding Judge Ralph Alt said the doctor examined Demjanjuk, 89, in a prison hospital two hours before the session due to begin, and determined that he had a fever caused by an unidentified infection. The fever continued to rise despite medication, and the doctor decided it was not safe to transport him to court, Alt said.

FSU's Bobby Bowden to end 44-year coaching career

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Bobby Bowden orchestrated one of the great runs in college football, building Florida State into a powerhouse that produced two national titles, dozens of All-Americans and some of the most memorable missed field goals ever. Bowden said Tuesday he will end his 44-year coaching career after the Seminoles play in a bowl game. Bowden was done in by a combination of off-field woes, too many defeats and coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher ready to take over.

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