Nation briefs 9/26/06

Government watchdog appeals to Congress

WASHINGTON -- The internal watchdog for the government's legal aid service said Monday that program officials who are supposed to help the poor should not be eating $70 meals paid by taxpayers. And he's appealing to Congress to prevent those under investigation from firing him. Inspector General Kirt West, in a new report, said lavish spending on meals, first-class airfares and business entertainment was inappropriate for a program that pays for lawyers for the poorest Americans. West is set to appear today before a House Judiciary subcommittee, where he will accuse Legal Services Corp. directors of threatening his job in retaliation for his investigations.

Army extends combat tour of a brigade in Iraq

WASHINGTON -- The Army is stretched so thin by the war in Iraq that it is again extending the combat tours of thousands of soldiers beyond the promised 12 months -- the second such move since August. Soldiers of the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division had been expecting to return to their home base in Germany in mid-January. They will stay an extra 46 days in Iraq, until late February, the Pentagon announced Monday.

U.S. troops deal with more attacks in Sadr City

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. soldiers in Baghdad say the sprawling Sadr City slum has once again become a haven for anti-American militants -- and the source of most of the gunfire and mortars directed at them. In the last two weeks, U.S. forces have suffered several casualties from dozens of shootings, mortar attacks and roadside bombings. Yet instead of venturing into Sadr City in strength, U.S. troops are concentrating instead on the mostly Shiite neighborhoods that surround the militia stronghold. All the while they are drawing fire from Sadr City.

-- From wire reports