WWII-history-Russia-Georgia-US The peaceful revolution in the former Soviet republic of Georgia in 2003 was a model for other countries seeking democratic government and Russia will benefit from the emergence of democracies on its borders, US President George W. Bush said here. Iraq Two suicide car bombs exploded in central Baghdad, killing at least seven Iraqis, as 1,000 US forces backed by aircraft continued their large-scale offensive against insurgents in northwestern Iraq. Iraq-Australia No new information on the fate of an Australian held hostage in Iraq has emerged despite the passing of a deadline set by his kidnappers for his country's soldiers to be withdrawn from the country, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said. NKorea Communist North Korea dashed hopes it would attend talks to end the nuclear standoff any time soon and stoked global concern that it could be on the verge of carrying out an atomic test. Russia-EU European Union and Russian leaders met for a summit expected to approve an agreement to boost cooperation, with President Vladimir Putin hailing the development of a "greater Europe." Mideast Cracks widened in the government over Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's camp snubbed calls to freeze the pullout should Hamas triumph in Palestinian polls. Iran Iran said it will decide within days whether to resume some sensitive nuclear activities, despite the risk of bringing talks with the European Union to an end and possible UN sanctions.