In other news, Pakistani forces pummeled key Taliban bases near the Afghanistan border, and a double suicide bombing in Iraq killed at least 21 people.

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Fewer Americans filed claims for unemployment benefits last week and retail sales grew in May for the first time in three months, raising expectations that the recession could be abating.

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Government reports show the number of new jobless benefit claims dropped to a seasonally adjusted 623,000, from 631,000 the previous week, while U.S. retail sales jumped 1 percent in January, reversing a six-month downward trend.

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Retail sales dropped more than expected in December -- a sixth straight monthly slide -- as consumers took heed of an economy pummeled by a recession, credit squeeze and continuing job losses.

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