President George Bush and his wife, Laura, were praying for Pope John Paul and that world’s concern over his failing health was “a testimony to his greatness,” the White House said today.

President George Bush prepared to declare re-election victory today even though Democratic rival John Kerry refused to concede as results in the key state of Ohio remained uncertain.

Basing their facts on the same presidential election results, US TV networks diverged today in projecting a winner in the key state of Ohio.

NATO will deploy AWACS early warning aircraft to enforce a no-fly zone over Istanbul during the alliance’s summit in the Turkish city later this month.

As the deadline for transfer of power in Iraq nears, US senators are pushing for quick approval of Washington’s ambassador in Baghdad.

Russia has vowed to hunt down the terrorists responsible for the suicide bombing of a train that killed 42 people near Chechnya.

American soldiers sealed off the village where Saddam Hussein was born today and ordered adults to register for identity cards that will allow them to move in and out of the community.

US Vice President Dick Cheney defended the invasion of Iraq as a critical strike against terror, saying today that the US still faced enemies that could inflict hundreds of thousands of American deaths in a single day.

President George Bush is likely to face a close campaign for re-election next year, according to a poll that shows his strength on fighting terrorism and his popularity matched by Democrats’ advantages on the economy and other domestic issues.

President George Bush told Palestinians today that they must have a leader who fights terror if they want peace.

War started in Iraq early today with a bold attempt to assassinate Saddam Hussein with cruise missiles and precision guided bombs.

Wall Street notched its longest winning streak in nearly three years yesterday, as investors picked up shares before the deadline President George Bush set for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to flee or face war.

Bowing to pressure from his fellow senators and the White House, Republican Trent Lott resigned his position as US Senate majority leader today.

Yemeni foreign ministry officials said tonight the shipment of North Korean-made Scud missiles seized by the US navy at gun point had been freed and was headed for port in Yemen.

Iraq’s report on chemical, biological and nuclear programmes will not include any admission that Baghdad still maintains weapons of mass destruction, a senior Iraqi official said today.

The world was almost united today as people around the globe reflected on last year’s terror attacks against the United States.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela today spoke out “in the strongest terms” against US threats to attack Iraq, warning that the Washington was “introducing chaos in international affairs.”