Bush thanks troops at gala event Calls Iraq, Afghanistan 'landmark events in history of liberty'01/18/05 07:44 PM, ESTPresident Bush expressed his gratitude to U.S. armed forces Tuesday for their efforts in defending the nation and carrying out his policies abroad.FULL STORY

Uncertain state of securityComplexities abound in protecting homeland01/18/05 05:47 PM, ESTThe three and a half years since the September 11, 2001, attacks have brought no new terrorist acts on U.S. soil, but questions continue about the state of the nation's security.FULL STORY

First U.S. charges expected in oil-for-food probe 01/18/05 12:23 PM, ESTAttorney General John Ashcroft plans to announce the first U.S. criminal charges in the federal investigation of the U.N. oil-for-food program for Iraq, CNN has learned.FULL STORY

By Jaine Treadwell, The Messenger

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) has announced that he will introduce legislation when the Congress reconvenes later this month that would greatly expand the death benefits for America's military personnel and their families.

Sessions unveiled the details of the Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service (HEROES) Act of 2005 during a luncheon speech to the Hunstville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 11.

The legislation would include raising the death gratuity from $12,420 to $100,000 for military personnel killed in combat.

"We must be generous when a soldier gives his or her life in our nation's defense," Sessions said. "We can and should do much more for these heroes."

This bill would fix a number of serious inadequacies in military compensation policies and Sessions said he will insist that Congress act on it soon.

Sessions said his bill would also increase the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance maximum benefit from $250,000 to $400,000.

Under the proposal, the military would cover the cost of the first $150,000 of insurance for service members once they enter a combat zone.

Randy Ross, Pike County veterans' service officer, said Sessions' bill is probably long overdue.

"When men and women put their lives on the line for their country, they deserve to know that their families will be taken care of if their lives are lost," Ross said. "The United States has lost more than 1,300 troops in Iraq and many of them left spouses and children. There is no amount of money that can compensate them for their loss or parents for the loss of a son or daughter. But that's not what this is about. The $100,000 death gratuity is simply to lessen the financial burden that is the result of such a loss."

Ross said he is proud that an Alabama senator is taking the lead on the bill.

"Sen. Joe Lieberman is chief co-sponsor of the bill and I would be very surprised if it does not pass," Ross said. "I don't think there is a member of Congress that doesn't agree that we need to do more to help families with the financial burdens when loved ones are lost while fighting for their country."

The increase in the maximum benefit of the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance is a justifiable proposal Ross said.

"With the cost of living increasing, this additional benefit would be a great help to those left behind," he said. "And, I certainly agree that the initial cost of the insurance should be covered once a soldier enters a combat zone. That soldier is being put at a high risk for loss of his or her life. Our country owes them at least that much."

The death gratuity would be retroactive to cover those killed while deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department estimated the cost of the legislation at about $460 million the first year, though that figure would be expected to drop in future years by more than half once the retroactive benefits are paid.

Sessions said he wants to expedite passage of an enhanced death benefits package and will introduce his bill on Jan. 24, the day Congress reconvenes.

Please contact your Senators and Congressional Reprentatives to let them know that it is imperative that they support this bill!! The Senate will review the bill first.

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Iraq to close borders, extend curfews
Iraq will close its borders, extend nighttime curfews and restrict movement inside the country to protect voters during the Jan. 30 national elections, election officials announced Tuesday.

Iraq, terrorism, to be top Rice questions
Condoleezza Rice's televised job interview to be the next secretary of state presents a rare opportunity for senators to ask President Bush's most trusted foreign policy confidante to explain her views and her role combatting terrorism and waging war in Iraq.

Abbas summons militants for Gaza talks
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas summoned militant leaders to cease-fire talks in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday and said he is hopeful he can persuade them to halt attacks on Israel.

Iraqi expatriates register for election
Hussan Al Taee woke before the crack of dawn and drove seven hours from Arizona, but he was all smiles Monday after registering to vote in an Iraqi election for the first time.

Center focal point for inaugural security
Miles from the Capitol where President Bush will take the oath of office, dozens of officials from 50 federal, state and local agencies will work side by side in a high-tech command center keeping close tabs on the security situation for the first presidential inauguration since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Weather
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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
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From the BBC:
New political violence hits Iraq
A car bomber attacks a Shia political party, hours after a Christian Church leader is kidnapped. BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)

Iraqi bishop kidnap sparks anger
The Vatican voices outrage at the abduction of Georges Casmoussa, one of Iraq's most senior Christian clerics. BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Three British soldiers face court accused of abusing Iraqis
Three British soldiers accused of mistreating Iraqis in their custody will face a court martial at a British military base in western Germany. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraq to Close Land Borders Over Jan. 30 Election
Iraq will close its land borders fromJan. 29 to 31 and impose a curfew banning all non-officialvehicles from the roads over the same period to try to preventattacks on election day, officials said on Tuesday. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraq to close borders, extend curfews
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi officials announced Tuesday that they will close the nation's borders, extend nighttime curfews and restrict internal movement to protect voters during the Jan. 30 elections - which insurgents have targeted in a deadly campaign of intimidation and terror. Fresno Bee: Iraq

Suicide car bomber kills three in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A suicide driver detonated a car bomb Tuesday outside the offices of Iraq's largest Shiite political party, killing three other people, police and the U.S. military said. Fresno Bee: Iraq

Deadly cold...Annan urges action...Iraq to close its borders
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Iraq to close borders for election
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Four dead in Iraq blast...Bush inaugural...Colon cancer warning
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Funeral of slain family brings Muslim-Christian tensions to boil
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Three victims and bomber killed in suicide car blast in Baghdad
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Suicide Bomb Attack on Iraq Shi'ite Party Kills 1
A suicide car bomber attacked a Baghdadoffice used by a major Shi'ite party on Tuesday in the latestinsurgent attack aimed at stoking sectarian strife ahead ofJan. 30 polls expected to be dominated by Shi'ites. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraq looms large as Bush to focus on legacy
US President George W. Bush opens his second four years in office on Thursday with an eye on his legacy, looking to overhaul major domestic programs and patch up ties with allies unhappy with the war in Iraq. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Suicide car bomber targets Shiite offices
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A suicide car bomber set off a large blast Tuesday outside the offices of a leading Shiite political party, killing two other people, police and witnesses said. Fresno Bee: Iraq

Italians train Iraqis to secure election
NASIRIYAH, Iraq (AP) - Election workers and U.S.-trained security troops have become Iraq's most hunted, facing slaughter by insurgents out to ruin this month's landmark vote. But in less volatile swaths of the country's south, the long oppressed Shiite Muslim majority is readying to seize power in what's expected to be largely peaceful balloting. Fresno Bee: Iraq

Senate begins hearings on Condoleezza Rice
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Iraq Explosion UPDATE
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Bomber strikes...Delegates work on warning system...Rice faces questions
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Kuwaitis realize terrorism has hit home
A prominent Kuwaiti fundamentalist's unexpected call for moderation is a reflection of the soul-searching here sparked by deadly clashes between alleged Muslim militants and police. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Suicide car bomber targets Shiite offices
A suicide car bomber set off a large blast Tuesday outside the offices of a leading Shiite political party, killing two other people, police and witnesses said. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Abbas heads to Gaza for crucial talks
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas summoned militant leaders to cease-fire talks in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, with his political survival depending on agreement by the armed groups to halt attacks against Israel. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Italians train Iraqis to secure election
Election workers and U.S.-trained security troops have become Iraq's most hunted, facing slaughter by insurgents out to ruin this month's landmark vote. But in less volatile swaths of the country's south, the long oppressed Shiite Muslim majority is readying to seize power in what's expected to be largely peaceful balloting. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq


The US News: Iraq News:
Iraq violence spreads to 'safe' areas
Insurgents in Iraq intent on derailing elections due in less than two weeks stepped up a campaign of violence across the country yesterday, claiming dozens more lives in shootings and car bombings. A ... [in The Guardian] The US News: Iraq News

Gunmen kidnap Catholic archbishop in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq (January 17, 6:21 pm AST) - Insurgents kidnapped a Catholic archbishop and targeted security forces in a series of brazen assaults Monday that killed more than 20 people. A suicide ... [in Anchorage Daily News] The US News: Iraq News

Italy to Extend Iraq, Afghan Missions Through End of June .....
ROME: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government today extended its foreign missions, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan, through the end of June. [in Pak Tribune] The US News: Iraq News

Rumsfeld dismisses 'Salvador option' for Iraq
said the Pentagon, under pressure in Iraq, was intensively debating an option to use special squads to target insurgents much the way "death squads" were used to kill rebel leaders in El Salvador duri... [in General Sources] The US News: Iraq News

Archbishop seized in Iraq
18 January 2005 Gunmen in Iraq kidnapped a Catholic archbishop and targeted security forces in a series of brazen attacks yesterday, killing more than 20 people. US Marines suffered undisclosed casual... [in Independent] The US News: Iraq News

Iraqi Sets Up Polling Station in Egypt
Once exiled and stripped of his Iraqi citizenship, Talib Murad now sees hope in his country's new democracy. He is so eager to take part in the Jan. 30 election for an Iraqi national assembly that he ... [in Yahoo] The US News: Iraq News

Highlights of the Jan. 30 Iraqi elections
Highlights of the Jan. 30 Iraqi elections: WHAT'S AT STAKE: Voters will choose a 275-member National Assembly and members of 18 provincial legislatures. Iraqis living in the Kurdish-ruled region ... [in 5PIX] The US News: Iraq News


From Fox News:
Report: Pro-Democracy Movement Afoot in N. Korea
Spain Indicts Eight for Supporting 9/11 Terrorist
Intel Creates New Units
Travel Banned for Some Tsunami Aid Workers
Abbas Looks to Stop Attacks- Suspected Hezbollah Sites Hit