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It is 15:00 Universal Time and here is the news from the Voice of America.

I'm Sarah Williams from the VOA news center in Washington.

The US military in Iraq says coalition forces have killed 20 suspected al-Qaeda militants including 2 women during a ground and air operation in central Iraq. A military statement said the operation took place today in the Tharthar region, north of Baghdad. It said ground forces called on air strikes when they came under heavy gunfire while searching building in the targeted area. The military also issued pictures of weapons cache that it said was confiscated during the operation. Seperately, British and Danish troops in southern Iraq / 5 militia leaders in a coordinated raid on five houses on the outskirts of Basrar city. A spokesman for coalition forces in the region said more than 1,000 troops carried out the raids, confiscated a large cache of arms including rockets, rocket-prepared grenades and assault rifles.

President Bush is meeting with Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress today as he consders a new strategy for Iraq. Thursday at the White House, Mr. Bush said the situation in Iraq was bad and that a new approach was needed. Speaking after talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr. Bush said his decisions will be based on the recommendations of seperate studies conducted by the Defense Department, State Department and National Security Council as well as the Iraq Study Group. The by-partisan group released its report on Wednesday. The president said he will seriously consider the group's report but refuse to accept all its suggestions. Regarding the suggestion of holding direct talks with Iraq's neighbors, Iran and Syria, Mr. Bush said Tehran and Damacus must first stop funding terrorists and pledge support for the Iraqi government and economy. The President previously has rejected talks with Iran and Syria.

Philipine officials have postponed the summit of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian nations because of concerns about tropic storm / which is approaching with winds of 75 kilometers an hour. The move comes as Philipine is still recovering from much stronger storm a week ago that left more than 1,000 dead or missing. D B reports from Malina.

Ambassador M of the National Organizing Committe for the ASEAN summit announced the postponement to reporters in / where the meeting is to be held.

"As the leaders participate in this summit, we're determined to continue with the work of building, carrying and sharing community the / summits will be held in January 2007."

Specific dates for the new summit are yet to be determined. He said that ASAN ministers' meetings for which people have already arrived would go ahead. Tropic storm / is heading for northern / Saturday when leaders began flying in. And ambassador / said they were concerned with their wellfare. However, as major summit meeting was actually set for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The announcement comes just a day after Britain, the United States and Australia warned against travel to S over concerns of a possible terro attack at the summit. However, ambassador / denied security played a role in the postposement and said it was entirely based on the weather. D B for VOA news, Manila.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh says his Hamas-led goverment will never recognize Israel and will continue resistance until the Palestinians as he put it liberate Jerusalem. He was adressing worshippers at Tehran after Friday prayers. The Palestinian Prime Minister arrived in Tehran Thursday for a 4-day official visit and meetings with Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran, a key supporter of Hamas, has provided 120 million dollars in aid to Palestinian government to make up for the shortfall when western nations cut off assistance. The West suspended aid after Hamas took power in March, demanding that the militant group recognize Israel and accept interim Israeli-Palestinian accords. The United States, the European Union and Isreal consider Hamas a terrorist organization. Hamas's Chadr calls for the destruction of Israel.

Fili's ousted Prime Minister is calling for peaceful demonstrations against the military regime. They toppled the elected governemt earlier this week.

More news on the internet at voanews.com.

I'm Sarah Williams. VOA news.