LEBANON: Tens of thousands of flag waving mourners are crowding Beirut's streets outside the funeral of assassinated anti-Syrian politician Pierre Gemayel. Thousands of troops are also in the streets of Beirut in an effort to preserve order before and after the ceremony at Beirut's Saint George Cathedral. Lebanese Patriarch of the Maronite (Christian) Church, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir led the funeral service. French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa were among the dignitaries attending.
IRAQ: Vice President Dick Cheney's office in Washington is denying reports that he is in Iraq to spend Thanksgiving with U.S. troops. The office issued the denial shortly after Iraqi state television reported Cheney was in Baghdad for a previously unannounced visit. Meanwhile, the U.S. military says coalition forces in Iraq killed one terrorist during a raid in Balad. It says two others were captured in the operation.
ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS: Palestinian medical officials say Israeli troops killed a Palestinian man during a raid in the Gaza Strip today (Thursday). They say the man was killed when Israeli soldiers and tanks moved into the town of Beit Lahiya. Another man was wounded in the raid. Israeli forces moved into the town a day after Israel's security cabinet agreed to continue military raids in Gaza in an effort to stop Palestinian rocket attacks. Two Israelis have been killed by rockets in the past week.
THAILAND-BURMA: Thailand's military- appointed Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont, is making his first visit to neighboring Burma today (Thursday). Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram says discussions between the two nations will include economic relations and border security. The minister said Thailand is seeking a more transparent relationship with Burma's military government, as opposed to what he said was a cozy (comfortable) commercial relationship that existed between Burma and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
US THANKSGIVING DAY: Americans are celebrating the annual Thanksgiving holiday today(Thursday), a day set aside to reflect on one's blessings. The nation has observed the November holiday since a proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill in 1942 officially designating the fourth Thursday in the month as Thanksgiving Day.
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