Top Stories: New Clashes In Syria; No Softening In North Korea

Good morning.

Our early headlines on this last Friday of 2011 (except in Samoa):

-- Clashes Resume In Syria, Activists Say.

-- 'Outrage' Over Verizon's Plan For $2 Payment Fee.

-- Romney, Paul Are 1 And 2 In Another Iowa Poll, Santorum Rising.

-- Fireworks, Celebrations As Samoa Skips Friday.

Other stories in the news:

-- "North Korea Vows No Softening Under Its New Leader." (The Associated Press)

-- "Russia Nuclear Sub Fire Extinguished, State Media Say." (CNN)

-- "Egyptian Military Raids Foreign-Funded NGO Offices." (Morning Edition)

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