National and International News-Thursday, Feb. 22nd

LONDON (AP) - Within the next several months, thousands of British troops could be leaving Iraq. Prime Minister Tony Blair says about 16-hundred troops will be pulled out in the coming months, and another five-thousand will leave by late summer, if Iraqi forces can secure the southern part of the country. But he
says British troops will stay in Iraq until at least next year.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - At least 13 people are dead in Iraqi city of Najaf after a suicide car bomber struck a police checkpoint. More than 40 other people are injured. It's the first large-scale attack in months for the Shiite holy city, which is heavily guarded by police and Shiite militiamen.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has fired a Sunni government official
who demanded an investigation into rape allegations brought forth by a Sunni Arab woman. The woman says she was attacked by members of the Shiite-dominated security force. Al-Maliki's office has been
casting doubts on that.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Testimony continues today in the court battle over who gets custody of Anna Nicole Smith's body. The presiding judge in Florida says he'll have a decision by Friday. He's been warned by a medical examiner that Smith's body is rapidly decomposing, even though it's been embalmed.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Three hikers who were rescued from Oregon's Mount Hood say they did exercises while waiting for help on the mountain so their muscles wouldn't tighten. They tell A-B-C's "Good Morning America" that they also called 9-1-1 frequently, and kept warm with the help of a dog named Velvet.