JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Suicide bombings, attacks kill 55 in Iraq
Eight suicide bombers struck in quick succession Saturday in a wave of attacks that killed 55 people as Iraqi Shiites marched and lashed themselves with chains in ritual mourning of the 7th century death of a leader of their Muslim sect. Ninety-one people have been killed in violence in the past two days.

Israeli Cabinet meets to OK Gaza pullout
Israel's Cabinet convened on Sunday to approve a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the inclusion of two large Jewish settlements blocs on the Israeli side of the West Bank separation barrier — historic decisions likely to shape the nation's future borders.

Bush seeks to mend fences on Europe trip
President Bush is extending an olive branch to European leaders who opposed his Iraq policies. Recent international developments, plus a whirlwind charm offensive by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have bolstered the prospects for a trans-Atlantic reconciliation.

U.S. doubles its troops in Afghan army
The U.S. military has doubled the number of its soldiers embedded inside the Afghan army, a spokesman said Sunday, bolstering a force that's supposed to relieve American and NATO troops in warlord-plagued provinces and along the Pakistani border.

Iwo Jima re-enactment held in Texas
As the sound of artillery filled the air, about 200 performers carrying M1 carbines climbed a muddy hill on a central Texas ranch marking the nation's largest 60th-anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Iwo Jima.


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Indonesia pushes for release of journalists held in Iraq
Indonesia stepped up its efforts at the weekend to secure the release of two journalists being held hostage in Iraq, with the president making a public appeal for their safe return and dispatching his top crisis negotiator to the Middle East. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq


Ananova: War In Iraq
Spanish plea for EU poll turnout
Spain's prime minister made an emotional appeal for people to vote in the country's referendum on the European Union constitution -- the document's first test at grass-roots level -- saying it will make the continent safer. Ananova: War In Iraq


The US News: Iraq News
Demonstrators Flock to Rome to Press for Release of Italian Hostage in Iraq
ROME (AP) - Waving rainbow peace flags, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of central Rome on Saturday to press for the release of an Italian journalist abducted in Iraq ea... [in Tampa Bay Online] The US News: Iraq News

US Marine killed in combat in western Iraq
The soldier, who belonged to the 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, died on Saturday, the military said in a statement. It gave few details on grounds that information could help guerrillas and put US troo... [in Khaleej Times] The US News: Iraq News

Australia to take up new Iraq role
AUSTRALIA had never ruled out sending more troops to Iraq, Defence Minister Robert Hill said today. Senator Hill said now was not the time to consider winding down Australia's commitment to the str... [in The Daily Telegraph] The US News: Iraq News

Insurgency in Iraq Is Failing
AP Photo BAG124 By TODD PITMAN Associated Press Writer BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - As 55 people died in Iraq on Saturday, the holiest day on the Shiite Muslim religious calendar, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clint... [in The Guardian] The US News: Iraq News

American Senators Upbeat on Iraq Despite Deteriorating Security, Bombings
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - As 55 people died in Iraq on Saturday, the holiest day on the Shiite Muslim religious calendar, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said that much of Iraq was "functioning quite well" and... [in Tampa Bay Online] The US News: Iraq News

Soldier From Upstate New York Killed in Second Iraq Tour of Duty
Army Sgt. Christopher Pusateri was nearing the end of his second tour of duty in Iraq when his life ended in a fusillade of gunfire on a mission in Mosul. New York Times: World Special

Italy protesters seek hostage's release
ROME (AP) - Waving rainbow peace flags, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of central Rome on Saturday to press for the release of an Italian journalist abducted in Iraq earlier this month. Fresno Bee: Iraq


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Chirac Accused of Backing Lebanese Group
Two Cabinet ministers on Saturday angrily accused French President Jacques Chirac of supporting the Lebanese opposition's effort to unseat the pro-Syrian government, with one minister saying Chirac was leading the battle. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Egypt delays Mideast reform conference
Egypt said Saturday it was putting off a U.S-backed conference originally scheduled next month to discuss plans for political reforms in the Middle East, apparently over a dispute over the detention of a prominent opposition leader. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Hope Soars: But Will Democracy Fly In Iraq?
Can Iraq make it? The billion-dollar question isn’t merely one of intellectual curiosity. On it hinges not only the future of the 28 million Iraqis but the shape of global security and oil pr... [in Times of India] The US News: Iraq News


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
Sen. Clinton: Iraq Insurgency Failing
Italians March for Abducted Journo
Tight Security for Shiite Holy Day
Deadly Blasts Target Shiites in Baghdad
NATO Hopes All Members Will Help Train Iraqi Forces
Fast Facts: Deadly Attacks in Iraq
Video Shows Kidnapped Reporters
Shiites Reserved on Ashoura Holiday
Fatal U.S. Military Accidents Up in Iraq
Bush Preps for Europe- German Diplomat Optimistic
Israeli Cabinet Considers Withdrawal Plan
Blasts Leave 55 Dead in Iraq
Russian Forces Kill Suspected Militants
U.S. Bolsters Embedded Forces in Afghanistan
Egypt Delays Political Talks
Report: Bush Talks Strategy, Drugs in Secret Tapes
Italians March for Journalist Abducted in Iraq

From the Department of Defense
Bush to Visit Europe, Reaffirm Alliance
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2005 — President Bush will begin a trip to Europe on Feb. 20 to reaffirm the importance of the Transatlantic Alliance in American policy. In his radio address today, the president stressed what brings Americans and Europeans together. He said people on both sides of the Atlantic believe in freedom and democracy. Story

U.S., Japan Discuss Security Situation in Asia
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2005 — The United States and Japan today urged North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks, and both countries pledged to work more closely to defeat terrorism and ensure peace in Asia. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said the U.S. relationship with Japan has never been closer. Story

ON THE GROUND
IN IRAQ
Marines Improve Safety in Ramadi
Marines Visit Farming Village, Harvest Goodwill
Battalion Marines Open Doors in Fallujah

IN AFGHANISTAN
Soldiers, Airman Boost Morale During 'Off Time'
Tiger Soldiers Provide Construction Security
Combat Postal Unit Helps Redeploying Troops

IN KUWAIT
Small UAV Provides Eyes in the Sky for Battalions

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS
Bed Bath & Beyond, USO Team Up
Clubs to 'Ham it Up' for Troops
Group Supports Stennis Sailors
Salute Our Services' Expands

Special Report - Iraqi Elections
Iraq Certifies Election Results
Shiia Slates Win, Call for Unity
Commentary: Leaving Fear Behind
Fact Sheet: Timeline
Fact Sheet: Transitional Admin Law
Fact Sheet: Candidate List Regulations

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
3 Soldiers Killed; Mosque Attacked
Forces Cornerstone of Security
Rumsfeld, Myers Describe Enemy
Police Foil Kidnapping, Attack
Iraqi Ships to be Built in Baghdad
Iraq Daily Update
Year in Review 2004 Fact Sheets (pdf)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Missing Aircraft Search Continues
Enduring Freedom Marks 3 Years
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Detainees Get 'First-Rate' Care
Navy Dentist Stays Busy at Camp
Coast Guard Protects Waterways
Feith: Policy Promotes Security
Rice Outlines State's Budget
System Helps Track Detainees
Patience Vital in Terror War
Negroponte Nominated for Post
Civilians Put Language Skills to Use
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Idaho Reservists to Deploy
Future Military Doctors Hone Skills
Deployed Troops Get Tax Options
National Guard, Reserve Update