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American consumers spent less money on Christmas trees in 2008 than they did the previous year, according to a recent consumer tracking poll released by the National Christmas Tree Association.

Consumers here purchased 28.2 million farm-grown Christmas trees and 11.7 million artificial trees last year, according to the study. Both are declines from 2007, with the artificial tree category showing a decline of 35 percent, while real trees were down about 10 percent.

“It was

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U.S. news organizations say President Barack Obama plans to announce his new strategy for Afghanistan on Tuesday evening, during a prime-time television address.

The reports say the president is most likely to back a plan to send between 30,000 and 35,000 additional U.S. troops to the country.



The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan earlier this year told the president that up to 40,000 troops are needed to combat Taliban and al-Qaida militants in the region.

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We know. You hate "Twilight." You don't want to hear anything more about "Twilight." That's why this is not another story about the "Twilight" or "New Moon" mania, nor will it rhapsodize on the vampire craze, nor does it contain an interview with Robert Pattinson.

This is a story about shame.

All across the country, there were women who managed to avoid Stephenie Meyer's series about a star-crossed human/vampire teen couple. (Vampire Edward lusts for mortal Bella, but also for her blood; the b… Continue

The new Twilight vampire movie took a record $26.3m (?15.9m) in midnight showings at North American box offices, studio Summit Entertainment has said.

That beats the previous North American record of $22.2m (?13.5m) for midnight openings, taken by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in July.

Experts have predicted that New Moon will have one of the biggest opening weekends for a non-summer film.

The first movie in the series, starring Robert Pattinson, made $69.6m (?42.1m).

It is expected… Continue