Updated at 6:43 p.m. EDT, May 11, 2009 Six U.S. soldiers were killed in two alarming events today, one of them a mass murder by a fellow soldier. At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in other attacks. Meanwhile, Australia announced its Iraq mission will come to an end in July. Also, the U.S. demanded that Syria stop the flow of fighters through its borders, while Iran demanded that Iraq deal with Kurdish rebels near its border.

Updated at 7:05 p.m. EDT, May 8, 2009 This prayer day was particularly quiet. Only two Iraqis were reported killed and another four were wounded. One U.S. soldier died yesterday from wounds sustained in a May 5 accident. Back in the U.S., an American soldier was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl and murdering her along with her family. The girl’s remaining relatives are pressing for the death penalty. Also, the Kurdish Regional Government claimed it was ready to start exporting oil, but the central government said no permission was given to use national pipelines for the transfer. Oil has been the source of tensions between the Kurds and Shi’ite-led central government.

Updated at 7:25 p.m. EDT, Apr. 22, 2009 At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 30 more were wounded in the latest violence. A U.S. soldier was killed while on patrol in Baghdad. Meanwhile, the U.N. delivered a report on Kirkuk to the Iraqi government, while the U.S. Senate confirmed Christopher Hill to be the next ambassador.

Updated at 8:25 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2009 At least 19 Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded across the country. Eight U.S. soldiers were wounded alongside them during a brazen attack in Baquba.

Updated at 8:59 p.m. EDT, Apr. 13, 2008 Only three Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded in light violence today. A U.S. soldier was also killed during an incident near Karbala. In other news, the Islamic State in Iraq has claimed responsibility for last week’s bombing in Mosul that took the lives of five U.S. soldiers.

Updated at 10:48 p.m. EDT, Apr. 12, 2009 At least six Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Some Christians were able to enjoy the Easter holiday, but many remained at home. Meanwhile, a U.S. soldier was killed this morning in Salah ad Din province, and four American soldiers were injured during a separate bomb blast in Taji. Also, Gen. Raymond Odierno says it will be up to the prime minister whether or not U.S. troops will abandon Iraqi cities in June.