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Recession Eases in Europe; Germany, France Resume Growth GDP grew three-tenths of a percent during second quarter in Germany and France - sharp improvement over earlier declines US Retail Sales Fall; Foreclosures Rise Thursday's gloomy data contrasts with Wednesday's US central bank report that seemed to show recession easing Clinton to Affirm US Support for Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Africa's sole female head of state; Liberian information minister tells VOA president will press for more bilateral cooperation Ex-Afghan President Survives Taliban Ambush Police say Taliban fighters attacked Berhanuddin Rabbani's convoy with rocket-propelled grenades, gunfire Thursday in Kunduz province HRW Urges Israel to Investigate Gaza Civilian Killings Report is latest in series of accusations that Human Rights Watch has made this year pointing to what group says was wrongful behavior of Israeli troops during Gaza offensive North Korea Releases Detained South Korean Executive Yu Seong-jin spent four months in detention in North Korea for allegedly insulting communist regime India, Southeast Asian Nations Sign Free Trade Agreement Agreement creates one of Asia's biggest trading areas, integrates India's fast growing economy with 10 of its neighbors India Steps Up Measures to Control Spread of Swine Flu Government warns against hoarding face masks, flu drugs as death toll from H1N1 virus reaches 20 Obama Awards Presidential Medal Of Freedom Nation's highest civilian honor went to 16 people who have made a difference in US and world Mexico Edges US in World Cup Qualifying Match Americans took shocking early lead that quieted crowd of over 100,000 fans but Mexican national team came back from behind to beat northern rivals 2-1