AP Network News. I’m Tim Maguire.
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A view from the top on the year ending and the new one nearly upon us. President Bush meets with reporters today. Let’s get more from Lisa Meyer live from the White House.
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--- Tim, he talked about Iraq, Israel and his budget, but the president clammed up when asked to detail his plans to privatize a portion of the social security program. It wasn’t for lack of questions on that. (I will negotiate at the appropriate time with the law writers. And so, thank you for trying…) But no dice. Bush says that it’s because social security is such a tough nut to crack. (I didn’t duck the issue like others have done in the past. I said this is a vital issue and we need to work together to solve it.) Bush also gave a vote of confidence to defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld who’s taken some hits on Capitol Hill for his conduct of the war, and he said that Bernard Kerick did the right thing, withdrawing from contention for the post of homeland security secretary. Tim?
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You will no longer hear this commercial on radio, or see it on TV, or in print.
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--- Celebrate! Celebrate! If you’re experiencing acute pain, ask your doctor about Celebrex.
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Pfizer is pulling the arthritis painkiller after studies showed those taking two to four times the recommended dose run a higher risk of heart attack. FDA is considering warning labels for Celebrex or withdrawing the drug from the market completely.
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Where were the hoards of shoppers over the weekend? Well, the latest figures show retail sales were down 7% on Saturday compared to the same Saturday shopping day last year. Britt Beamer with America’s Research Group says a lot of customers are gambling the prices will plunge this week.
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--- Most people wanted to see 50% off, and they were seeing more 33-40% off. And I think those consumers that want the deals are telling us they’re going to wait ‘til Wednesday or Thursday, check out those retailers again, and then they’ll decide whether they’re going to buy this Christmas or postpone it indefinitely.
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A drop in sales hasn’t been seen online. Internet sales are expected to increase by 26% this season.
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This is AP Network News.
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(((2004. 12. 22. Wednesday - latter part)))
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Gulf War veterans exposed to oil well fires and other pollutants during their 1991 deployment face a higher risk of lung cancer.
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--- As part of a broader study commissioned by congress into a variety of illnesses plaguing Gulf War veterans, the Institute of Medicine looked into the possible effects from soldiers exposure to pollution from oil well fires. Hundreds had been set by fleeing Iraqi troops as they left Kuwait. The smoke mixed with exhaust and other pollutants, which have been shown to increase the danger of lung cancer. The panel also says it cannot prove if the exposure to pollutants is the root cause of most of the soldiers’ ailments. Jackie Quinn, Washington.
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World Health officials warned we are close to a global pandemic. A powerful and highly contagious mix of avian influenza and flu virus. The WHO also says the epicenter of the outbreak is likely to be in Asia. Authorities also warned humans would probably be the carriers, not animals as first thought in the possible coming pandemic.
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