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WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Rep. Dennis Kucinich said that the U.S. government's war on terror had unfairly targeted Muslim-Americans.

KIRKUK, Iraq, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A powerful explosion late Wednesday destroyed a restaurant in central Baghdad, killing at least five people, the BBC reported.

BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Argentine bank workers went on strike Wednesday demanding higher wages in what should be the final protest of a turbulent 2003.

BRASILIA, Brazil, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Brazil is sending humanitarian aid to earthquake-ravaged Iran, the second South American nation to do so, Brazilian officials said Wednesday.

MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Haitians in Miami and elsewhere in the United States celebrate their homeland's bicentennial Thursday with festivals and church services.

JERUSALEM, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Syria reacted angrily Wednesday to plans announced by Israel to build homes for thousands of new settlers on the occupied Golan Heights.

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Alcoholic beverage makers in Britain are using the holidays, a traditional time for drunkenness, to urge moderation and caution.

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe has repossessed about 400 farms from black owners who occupied more than one property seized from white farmers, Ireland Online reported Wednesday.

TOKYO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The number of babies born in Japan in 2003 marked a record low for the third year in a row, the Japan Times reported Wednesday.

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- In his New Year's message Wednesday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed to continue as leader for a third term, the Financial Times reported.

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ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- French soldiers have begun peace-keeping duties in northern Ivory Coast, Radio Free Europe reported Wednesday.

JERUSALEM, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Police arrested three Israelis, including two 16-year-olds, Wednesday in the West Bank on suspicion of threatening Palestinians, Ha'aretz reported.

CONCORD, N.H., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New Hampshire nearly got its sixth full meningitis case in the last two weeks, the Manchester Union Leader reported Wednesday.

NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A man was found dead Tuesday night in the wheel well of a British Airways plane at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, officials said.