U.S. soldiers’ death toll climbs in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A string of car bombs and other blasts killed at least 54 Iraqis on Tuesday, including 17 outside Baghdad’s most venerated Sunni mosque, while U.S. troops battled Shiite militiamen in Baghdad.

Iraq court upholds Saddam death sentence
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraq’s highest court rejected Saddam Hussein’s appeal Tuesday and said the former dictator must be hanged within 30 days for ordering the killing of scores of Shiite Muslims in 1982.

Iran lawmakers vote to revise nuke ties
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s parliament voted Wednesday to urge the government to “revise” ties with the U.N. nuclear agency but stopped short of recommending a severing of relations.

Israel to renew Gaza pinpoint attacks
JERUSALEM – Israel will renew pinpoint attacks against Palestinian rocket-launching cells, but otherwise continue to adhere to a month-old truce in the Gaza Strip, the prime minister’s office said Wednesday.

Israel breaks settlement promise to U.S.
Israel has approved a new settlement in the West Bank to house former Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip, officials said Tuesday, breaking a promise to the U.S. to halt home construction in the Palestinian territories.

Putins Assertive Diplomacy Is Seldom Challenged
Russia, buoyed by oil and gas riches, has become so confident that it has become impervious to the criticism that once might have modified its behavior.
So when George Bush looked into Putin’s soul, was it his bullying nature that Bush felt made the two of them kindred souls?

Corruption blamed in China’s pollution
BEIJING – China’s top environmental official is blaming corruption for frustrating environmental protection efforts and worsening the country’s already severely polluted air and waterways, state media reported Tuesday.

Islamic forces retreat in Somalia; government offers amnesty to militia
Ethiopian and Somali government troops on Wednesday entered the strategic city of Jowhar, the last major town on the northern road to the capital, routing Islamic militiamen and forcing them to retreat, residents said.

Sudan president accepts U.N. peace deal
UNITED NATIONS – Sudan’s president said he accepts a U.N. package to help end escalating violence in Darfur and is ready to discuss a cease-fire, according to a letter circulated Tuesday.