JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Putin reaffirms commitment to democracy
Prodded by President Bush to reaffirm his country's commitment to democracy, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted his government was not backsliding.

30 die in series of attacks across Iraq
A suicide bomber wearing a police uniform blew up his car at police headquarters in Tikrit, killing at least 15 people in Saddam Hussein's hometown in the bloodiest of several attacks Thursday that claimed 30 lives. Three American soldiers were among the dead.

U.N.: World population to hit 9B in 2050
The world's population will increase by 40 percent to 9.1 billion in 2050, but virtually all the growth will be in the developing world, especially in the 50 poorest countries, the U.N. Population Division said.

Israel to shorten evacuation timetable
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has ordered defense officials to drastically cut the timetable for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank this summer in an effort to hinder Jewish extremists bent on disrupting the pullout, security officials said.


The US News: Iraq News
Former minister demands Iraq probe
FORMER British cabinet minister Clare Short is demanding a parliamentary probe into Attorney-General Peter Goldsmith's advice on war with Iraq. Lord Goldsmith had breached the ministerial code by s... [in The Daily Telegraph] The US News: Iraq News

8-NATO summit opens with Iraq, Afghanistan on agenda .....
BRUSSELS, February 24 (Online): The NATO summit meeting opened here with its training mission in Iraq, peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and the future of the alliance high on the agenda, reports... [in Pak Tribune] The US News: Iraq News

U.S. moves to preserve Iraq coalition
The United States is planning increasingly to shift the duties of foreign troops in Iraq from providing security to training Iraq's new army and police to prevent more countries from abandoning the in... [in MSNBC] The US News: Iraq News

Suicide blast kills 10 Iraqi police, Ukraine to pull out all its troops
Photo: AFP BAGHDAD, (AFP) - A suicide bomber disguised as a policeman killed at least 10 people when he blew his car up at an Iraqi police headquarters, as Ukraine said it would pull out its 1,650 t... [in AFP via Yahoo] The US News: Iraq News

PM wont rule out more Iraq troops
IT was highly unlikely Australia would need to send more troops to Iraq but it could not be categorically ruled out, Prime Minister John Howard said today On Melbourne radio 3AW, Mr Howard said the... [in The Daily Telegraph] The US News: Iraq News


Iraqi forces capture terrorist responsible for beheadings
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Pope rests in hospital...Doctors question pope's health...Bush lands in U-S
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Bush arrives in U-S after European trip
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror


Ananova: War In Iraq
Abuse soldiers to be sentenced
Three British soldiers who abused Iraqi prisoners at an aid camp are to be sentenced. Ananova: War In Iraq

Israel plans 6,000 West Bank homes
The Israeli government is planning to build more than 6,000 new homes in the West Bank this year and to legitimise 120 illegal outposts. Ananova: War In Iraq

Blair faces grilling on terror laws
Tony Blair is expected to face a grilling over controversial new terror laws at his monthly press conference. Ananova: War In Iraq


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Iraqi Kurd Outlines Govt. Demands; Car Bomb Kills 12
A suicide car bomber killed 12 peopleThursday, underlining Iraq's dire security challenges, while aKurdish politician spelt out demands that could complicate theformation of the country's new government. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Insurgents step up attacks on Iraqi journalists
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Raeda Wazzan was headed home from work after picking up her 10-year-old daughter. That's the last her colleagues at Iraqiya, the state-run television station, know about her. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq


Weather
Weather information from The Weather Channel

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar


From Fox News
Iraq Terror-Cell Leader Nabbed; 3 GIs Killed by Bomb
Nine Afghan Soldiers Killed
Privacy Advocates Blast DHS
Bush, Putin Agree on Nukes
Defense Missile Hits Target
Saudi Network Supports Iraq Insurgency
Iraqi TV Airs Tape of Alleged Syrian Agent
Attacks Across Iraq Kill 30
2 British Soldiers Convicted of Iraq Abuse
Al-Jaafari Welcomes Allawi in PM Race
Chalabi May Get Senior Iraqi Cabinet Post


From the Department of Defense
Bush, Putin Renew Vow to Fight Terrorism
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2005 — President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed today to increase their cooperation in fighting terrorism, accelerating efforts to combat nuclear terrorism and cracking down on proliferation. Story
President Thanks Slovakia for Support

Patience, Resolve Needed in War, Myers Says
HUTCHISON, Kan., Feb. 24, 2005 — Patience and resolve were the messages Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers brought to the heartland today. Myers spoke as part of the Ray and Stella Dillon Lecture Series at Hutchison Community College here. Story

Iraqi Elections Ended any Insurgent Legitimacy

Myers: Troops Got 'Very Close' to Zarqawi
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2005 — U.S. forces got "very close" to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and are keeping the fugitive Jordanian terrorist with ties to al Qaeda on the run, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Feb. 23 on Fox News Channel. Story

ON THE GROUND
Legal Authorities Gather for Conference
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 24, 2005 — As Iraq's new Army continues to form and grow, the effort to build an accompanying justice system took a historic step forward Feb. 23 with the first-ever Military Law Conference. Story

Soldiers Help Ready Iraqi Forces
CAMP VOLUNTEER, Iraq, Feb. 24, 2005 — As the new Iraqi government continues to develop, the fledgling Iraqi Army is beginning to hold its own and take increasing responsibility for securing the country, with the support of U.S. troops from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry. Story

Seahawks 'Prowl,' Support Ground Forces
AL ASAD, Iraq, Feb. 24, 2005 — Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 Seahawks, currently based at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, have been flying an average of three to four, eight-hour missions per day since their arrival here in the Al Anbar province to protect Marines and soldiers on the ground. Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqi Brigade Takes Control of Area, Future
Army Corps of Engineers, Italians Assist Iraqi Police
Corps of Engineers Rebuilds Schools Across Iraq

IN AFGHANISTAN
Troops Provide Aid to Snowbound Afghans
MPs Maintain Presence in Afghan Community


WHY I SERVE
Soldier Feels He's Contributing to Terror War
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Feb. 24, 2005 — U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Bowe and his wife, Sgt. Brandy Bowe, spent their "honeymoon" on a Caribbean island. But this couple didn't visit Jamaica or the Bahamas. In fact, the only home they have shared so far in their short marriage has been in Cuba - at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Story

HOMECOMING
Marines Return to Camp Lejeune from Iraq
Photos: McChord Homecoming: 4th Airlift Squadron
Photos: Fargo Homecoming: Engineer Battalion Returns

Ski Weekend for Disabled Veterans
VAIL, Colo., Feb. 24, 2005 — Vail Mountain and the Vail community will host 19 soldiers Feb. 24-27. These soldiers are all recuperating from the loss of a limb, having been treated at the Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington, D.C. Story

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Iraqi Police Officers Graduate
U.S. Soldier, Eight Iraqis Killed
Australia to Send More Troops
Task Force Liberty Soldier Killed
Year in Review 2004 Fact Sheets (pdf)
Iraq Daily Update
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Detainee Procedures Examined
Abizaid Cites Differences
Bush: NATO 'the' Vital Relationship
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Bush Thanks Soldiers
First Lady Lauds Troops, Families
Group Helps Families Cope
Defense Dept.: No Flights Over Iran
Scam Targets Grieving Families
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualties
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2005 — Defense Department officials announced today the identities of three soldiers who were killed supporting Iraqi Freedom. Story