US military to hand detained AP photographer over to Iraqis; FBI says hate crime up 7% in US; Chávez threatens $200 oil if Iran attacked...

20 November :: US military to turn over AP photographer to Iraqi authorities for prosecution, accusing him of links to terrorist groups; AP says no such links have even been demonstrated, Iraq native —who won Pulitzer Prize with team of AP photographers— was detained by US after offering shelter to people fleeing a bombing raid in Ramadi, allegedly knowing none of them; AP further says identity of alleged militants among those sheltered has never been demonstrated, calls process "a sham of due process"... FBI reports 7% rise in hate crimes across US last year, to more than 7,700 officially recognized cases nationwide; 19% are reported to have been cases where individuals were targetted for their religious beliefs... While Iowa is reported to be "up for grabs", a Wash. Post/ABC News poll shows Obama leading Democrats with 30% support, Clinton with 26%, Edwards with 22% support; the poll represents an overall gain for Obama, but also, according to the Post, "strategic gains for Obama. His support is up eight percentage points since July among voters 45 and older -- who accounted for two-thirds of Iowa caucus-goers in 2004. He also runs evenly with Clinton among women in Iowa, drawing 32 percent to her 31 percent, despite the fact that her campaign has built its effort around attracting female voters"... Hugo Chávez says oil prices will double, to $200/barrel, if the US takes military action against Iran, also calling on OPEC to drop the dollar-based pricing scheme, use "basket" of currencies; Chávez made declaration as he, Iran pres. Ahmedinejad annoucned binational joint bank, invited other OPEC members to join... Pakistan announces 8 January date for parliamentary, regional assembly elections; opposition leaders say they will boycott if emergency rule not lifted, jailed opposition figure Khan on hunger strike until ousted supreme court justices reinstated...