Bush likely to pull 8,000 troops from Iraq in January

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush is expected to keep U.S. troop levels in Iraq near their current level through the end of the year, then pull home up to 8,000 combat and support troops by mid-January, The Associated Press has learned. ...

Congress to revisit fight over offshore oil drilling

"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill on Monday to resume their fight over legislation allowing more offshore oil drilling, in a bid to help relieve sky-high gasoline prices that are hurting the economy and infuriating voters. ...

Source: Bush considering 8,000 troop cuts in Iraq

"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The top U.S. general in Iraq is recommending nearly 8,000 troop cuts in Iraq because of the improving situation there, a source close to the process has told CNN. ...

End of council tax in Scotland to widen divide with England

The Scottish National Party, a party seeking independence for Scotland which gained power in the Scottish parliament last year, is going to try to abolish council tax in Scotland over the next 12 months. Council tax is payed by residents in the UK to their local council,...

Australia planning India tour sans Symonds

"Australia coach Tim Nielsen is working on a plan to deal with the feisty all-rounder’s absence in the forthcoming India tour. After Symonds was sent home for missing a compulsory team meeting, when he went fishing instead, Nielsen said he could not assume that the...