Toccara BuckleySenior army officers have announced that they plan to drastically cut back the number of American troops overseas in 2004. There are currently 130,000 troops in Iraq. This number will be cut to less than 100,000 by the summer and to less than 50,000 by “mid-2005,” according to the Washington Post.
Agency to assume some control of Iraqi
An agency, run by the World Bank and the United Nations and independent from the United States, was formed to delegate funding for Iraqi reconstruction. The change will be announced at the donor convention in Madrid, Spain later this month. The agency was a result of pressure from potential donors and their distaste for the U.S.’s occupation, according to the New York Times.
Mother Teresa beatified
Mother Theresa of Calcutta was beatified as an “icon of the good Samaritan” on Sunday, Oct. 19, by Pope John Paul, II. He declared her “close to sainthood” in front of an estimated 300,000 of people, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Mayor’s records subpoenaed
Mayor John Street’s financial records, as well as the records of his wife and oldest son, have been subpoenaed in the investigation of potentially racially motivated city contracts, according to the Washington Post. Street is currently running for reelection.
Pope celebrated 25th Anniversary
Pope John Paul, II, celebrated his 25th anniversary as the head of the Catholic Church on Friday, Oct. 17. More than 50,000 people packed St. Peter’s Square to hear the anniversary mass from the first non-Italian Pope in more than 450 years, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Bush seeks Iraqi supprt in Philippines
In an attempt to increase United States support in the war against terrorism, President Bush sent a message to the Philippino government saying that staying out of the war is comparable to supporting terrorism itself, on Oct. 18. More than 30,000 demonstrators protested outside the venue, in Manila, Thailand, causing the need for increased security, according to the Washington Post.
Grenade kills two in Iraq
Two U.S. soldiers were killed in an ambush on Saturday night, Oct. 18, the victims of a rocket-propelled grenade outside Kirkuk, Iraq. Other attackers struck an American ammunition truck outside Falluja, Iraq on the same morning. There is no word yet on casualties, according to the New York Times. An “improvised” explosive killed an American soldier and wounded five others on patrol in Falluja on Monday, Oct. 20, the Times reported.
Bush refuses non-aggression pact with North Korea
President Bush refused a formal non-aggression pact with North Korea on Sunday, Oct 19. He is, however, looking to make a deal with the North Korean government that would grant the country security if it were willing to resume negotiations concerning nuclear capabilities, according to the New York Times.
Posted to the Web by: Toccara Buckley
