RAY SUAREZ: A war spending bill with a timetable for bringing troops home from Iraq passed in the U.S. Senate today. It cleared the House late last night by a narrow margin. The bill totals $124 billion, some $100 billion of that for funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And it has the goal of bringing all combat forces in Iraq home by April 1st of next year.
The president has vowed to veto the bill, and a spokesman for the Iraqi government said it "sends the wrong signals." We'll have more on this story right after the news summary.
The top U.S. commander in Iraq warned today of an "enormous commitment" still ahead. General David Petraeus said conditions in Iraq may get harder before they get easier. He spoke to reporters at the Pentagon.
GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS, Commander, U.S. Forces in Iraq: As you move into areas that you've not operated in before, as you contend with elements that were in those areas that, in some cases, were not challenged, as that takes place, I think there is the very real possibility that there's going to be more combat action and that, therefore, there could be more casualties.
RAY SUAREZ: Across Iraq today, violent attacks killed 72 people. The worst was a suicide car bomb, killing 10 Iraqi soldiers at an Army checkpoint north of Baghdad.
In the capital city, eight Iraqis were killed when a car bomb exploded near Baghdad University; 19 others were wounded.
In other developments, a U.S. officer in Iraq has been charged with aiding the enemy and eight other offenses. The U.S. military announced the charges against Army Lieutenant Colonel William Steele today. He commanded a Baghdad detention center until last March. One of the counts accuses him of having an improper relationship with a detainee's daughter. Steele now awaits a military hearing and could face the death penalty.
Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended an arms treaty today, over U.S. plans to build a missile shield in Eastern Europe. Putin made the remarks during his final annual address to parliament.
The U.S. wants to install radar scanners in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland. The shield is intended to counter threats from North Korea and Iran. The pact Putin froze was negotiated toward the end of the Cold War, and the Russian leader charged NATO members have ignored alliance guidelines.
VLADIMIR PUTIN, President of Russia (through translator): They're using the situation to strengthen military bases close to the border of our country. Moreover, they are planning to deploy anti-missile defense elements in the Czech Republic in Poland. Besides, new NATO member states, such as Slovakia and the Baltic states, in spite of a preliminary agreement with the alliance, have not joined the treaty on conventional forces in Europe, and this creates for us a real danger of unforeseen surprises.
RAY SUAREZ: But Secretary of State Rice dismissed Russian concerns at a NATO meeting in Norway. There, she reminded Russia of its obligations to the treaty, and she said U.S. anti-missile plans posed no threat to Russia.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, U.S. Secretary of State: Let's be real about this and realistic about this. The idea that somehow 10 interceptors and a few radars in Eastern Europe are going to threaten the Soviet strategic deterrent is purely ludicrous, and everybody knows it.
The Russians have thousands of warheads. The idea that you can somehow stop the Russian strategic nuclear deterrent with a few interceptors just doesn't make sense.
RAY SUAREZ: The missile defense issue dominated the NATO meeting, which was intended to discuss operations in Afghanistan.
Lawmakers in New Hampshire voted today to allow civil unions for gay couples starting January 1st. The governor was poised to sign the legislation, making New Hampshire the fourth state to offer civil unions. It also makes New England the only region in the country to have every state grant some form of legal recognition to same-sex couples.
Housing aid for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was extended today to March of 2009. The program had been scheduled to end this August, but the Bush administration announced a $1 billion infusion to extend it.
More than 100,000 Gulf Coast households rely on the federal government for housing. Under the new plan, those who can afford to pay rent must start by next March. Those who can't will receive waivers.
On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 15 points to close at 13,105. The Nasdaq rose six points to close at 2,554.
