AP – War-ravaged Iraq needs around $100 billion in the next four to five years to recover and rebuild its infrastructure, a government spokesman said Tuesday at the opening of an international aid meeting.
Iraq says it needs $100 billion in aid (AP)
Blair dodges defeat in vote on Iraq war inquiry (AFP)
AFP – British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government survived a potentially damaging vote in parliament on whether he should order an inquiry into how Britain joined the war in Iraq.
U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 2,817 (AP)
AP – As of Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006, at least 2,817 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,259 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military’s numbers.
Bush blasts former rival’s Iraq comment (AFP)
AFP – US President George W. Bush blasted Democratic Senator John Kerry for saying that those who neglect their education "get stuck in Iraq" and demanded Kerry apologize to US troops there.
UK’s Blair defeats opposition call for Iraq probe (Reuters)
Reuters – British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S.
President George W. Bush’s strongest ally in the Iraq war,
defeated an opposition bid in parliament on Tuesday to force an
inquiry into his handling of the conflict.
Democrats, Republicans spar over Iraq as elections loom (AFP)
AFP – Leading Democrats and Republicans swapped charges that the other side lacks a plan for war-torn Iraq — the issue that pundits say will likely decide next week’s critical midterm elections.
3rd U.S. Marine to plead guilty in Iraqi death (Reuters)
Reuters – A third U.S. soldier accused in the
kidnapping and murder of an Iraqi civilian in Hamdania has
reached a plea deal to reduced charges, his lawyer said on
Tuesday.
British lawmakers reject Iraq probe (AP)
AP – British lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly rejected a proposal for an immediate inquiry into the role of Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government in the Iraq conflict.
US says easing of Baghdad security cordon was joint decision (AFP)
AFP – The United States contested claims that it had been forced to lift a blockade around the flashpoint Baghdad suburb of Sadr City, saying the decision to ease checkpoints was taken jointly by Iraqi and US authorities.
Ground prepared for Iran to discuss Iraq with US: Khatami (AFP)
AFP – The "ground is prepared" for direct talks between Iran and the United States over the situation in war-ravaged Iraq, former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami said on British television.
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