National and International News-Thursday, Nov. 16th

SINGAPORE (AP) - President Bush has begun a three-nation swing through Asia with a push in Singapore for free trade. He's also underscoring the importance of cooperation in meeting such challenges as poverty, disease and terrorism. Tomorrow Bush goes to Vietnam.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The military says four more Americans have died in combat in Iraq. That pushes the toll so far this month to 44. At least 15 Iraqis have been killed in scattered violence today; the worst incident, an attack by gunmen, killed nine people at a Baghdad bakery.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The commander of all U-S forces in the Middle East has told Congress U-S troop strength in Iraq is about right. General John Abizaid says the goal is to get more Iraqi soldiers and police up and running so they can take over their nation's security.

UNDATED (AP) - Wide parts of the eastern half of the U-S are dealing with intense weather. One thunderstorm yesterday collapsed a skating rink in Montgomery, Alabama, right after 31 preschoolers and four adults had fled to the only part of the building that turned out to be safe.

GREENLEAF, Idaho (AP) - The town council in Greenleaf, Idaho, has passed a law urging citizens to keep guns in their houses. The idea is to make sure people can defend themselves from outsiders if need be. Still Greenleaf doesn't have much of a crime problem. The worst violence in the past couple of years was a fist fight.