U.S. DEATHS: The U.S. military death toll hit a seven-month high of 50 Wednesday, with more than half the losses in Baghdad as American forces wage growing street battles against Shiite fighters. At least five American soldiers have been killed in the city since Tuesday, bringing the monthly count to at least 50 — 27 in Baghdad. It was deadliest month since September, when 65 U.S. troops died.
MISSION ONGOING: The White House said President Bush has paid a price for the “Mission Accomplished” banner that was flown in triumph five years ago. Thursday is the fifth anniversary of Bush’s landing in a Navy jet on the homebound aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended,” Bush said at the time. After shifting explanations, the White House eventually said the phrase referred to the carrier’s crew completing its 10-month mission, not the military mission in Iraq.
