Victory signs...Reed: war too expensive...Obama heading home

BAGHDAD (AP) With signs the U.S. is winning the war in Iraq, top U.S. commander General David Petraeus has told The Associated Press there are early indications that al-Qaida may be considering shifting its main focus from Iraq to Afghanistan. And Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, tells the AP the insurgency as a whole has withered to the point where it's no longer a threat to Iraq's future.

Washington (AP) In the Democrats' weekly radio talk, Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, who was with Barack Obama in Iraq, says America can't afford the GOP strategy of continuing to write blank checks for the Iraq war. Reed says 10 billion dollars each month for the war in Iraq is too expensive with Americans paying 4 dollars a gallon for gasoline, and the economy struggling.

LONDON (AP) After meeting today in London with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Barack Obama is flying home, brushing aside negative reviews of his trip by rival John McCain. Standing outside 10 Downing Street, Obama said President Bush and McCain are moving his way on the key issues of Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama also said his poll numbers could dip because he's been out of the country.

WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate has passed mortgage relief for 400,000 homeowners at risk of foreclosures. The measure also props up wobbly mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The White House says President Bush will sign the measure despite concerns it rewards irresponsible lenders.

WARREN, R.I. (AP) The Providence Journal reports a family member has been arrested after police found the bodies of a missing Rhode Island couple in a septic tank in their yard. James and Marian Soares had been last seen at the beginning of the month.

They were reported missing by family members July 15th after they missed a family reunion.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-26-08 1846CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list