iraq

Two U.S. soldiers killed in separate Baghdad attacks

Two American soldiers were killed Thursday in separate attacks in Baghdad — one a bold daylight shooting at close range and the other a sniper attack, military officials said.

In addition, at least one soldier was injured when a U.S. vehicle hit an explosive in part of the capital believed to have been cleared of land mines.

The incidents demonstrate Iraq is still fraught with danger for U.S. forces a month after Saddam Hussein’s government fell.

The soldiers were not identified.

JERUSALEM

Israel kills Hamas militant in advance of peace mission

Israel killed a senior Hamas fugitive Thursday in a missile attack in northern Gaza, in a clear signal that it would not wait for a promised Palestinian crackdown on militants.

The missile strike killed Iyad al-Baeck, 30, and was similar to dozens of others in 31 months of Palestinian-Israeli violence. It was carried out despite the coming arrival of Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is trying to persuade both sides to take up an international peace plan.

Also Thursday, a Palestinian blew up a car bomb after crashing into an Israeli tank in the Gaza Strip, killing himself, the Israeli military said. The Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s mainstream Fatah organization, claimed responsibility in a call to The Associated Press. Three other Palestinians died in separate incidents.

WASHINGTON

Congressman says space shuttle not safe to fly

The space shuttle has cost the lives of 14 astronauts in just 113 flights and is not safe enough to keep flying with people on board, a Texas congressman said Thursday.

Rep. Joe Barton, a member of the House Science Committee’s space and aeronautics panel, wants the government to build a new, safer space vehicle or modify the shuttle so it can be flown unmanned.

Barton, R-Texas, said the space shuttle accident rate of one every 62.5 missions “is simply not acceptable.” In comments at a subcommittee hearing on NASA’s plans, he urged the space agency to abandon the shuttle and find a safer way to fly into space.