Aide to Radical Cleric Sadr Held Over Killing of 5 U.S. Soldiers

ByABC News
March 22, 2007, 12:32 PM

March 22, 2007 --

Official: Iraqi Govt, Insurgents Talking
The government has been indirectly talking to several Sunni insurgent groups over the past three months in a bid to persuade them to lay down their arms and join the political process, a senior government official said Thursday. (AP)

U.N. Chief Visits Baghdad for Talks
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held talks in Baghdad on Thursday with Iraq's prime minister just as his government disclosed that it had been in indirect talks with Sunni insurgent groups over the past three months to persuade them to lay down their arms. (AP)

Sex Assault Reports Rise in Military
Reports of sexual assaults in the military increased by about 24 percent last year and more than twice as many offenders were punished. There were nearly 3,000 sexual assault reports filed in 2006, compared with almost 2,400 the previous year, a Pentagon report said Wednesday. Action was taken against 780 people, from courts-martial and discharges to other administrative remedies. (AP)

Afghan Hostage Deal Is Condemned
The US and UK have criticised a deal made with the Taleban by Italy and Afghanistan to secure the release of a kidnapped Italian journalist. (BBC)