For what is expected to be the strictest ban on veils to date on the European continent, Dutch cabinet officials say Friday they will instigate a ban on face-covering veils in all public places, including in the streets, on buses and on trains.   more »

The search continues Friday for four American civilians believed to have been amongst those taken as part of a captured convoy near Nasiriyah. The four, along with an Austrian hostage, are working as security personnel for Crescent Security Group, who was escorting the convoy and is based in Kawait.   more »