The Bush administration, in its final days, has issued a federal rule reinforcing protections for doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions and other procedures because of religious or moral objections.

Critics of the rule say the protections are so broad that they limit a patient's right to get care and accurate information. For example, they fear the rule could make it possible for a pharmacy clerk to refuse to sell birth control pills and face no ramifications from an employer.

http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2008/12/18/new_rule_for_health_providers_stirs_objections/

***************************

Citing danger to the national economy, President Bush approved an emergency bailout of the U.S. auto industry Friday, offering $17.4 billion in rescue loans in exchange for tough concessions from the deeply troubled carmakers and their workers.

The government will have the option of becoming a stockholder in the companies, much as it has with major banks, in effect partially nationalizing the industry.

Source: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/12/19/paulson_orderly_auto_bankruptcy_might_be_best/

*********************

President Robert Mugabe has said that "Zimbabwe is mine" and rejected calls from some African leaders to step down.

Zimbabwe is currently gripped by economic collapse and a cholera epidemic. The UN on Thursday reported that the death toll from the disease had risen to 1,123 and that 20,896 people had been infected.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7791574.stm