If you’re one of the nearly 71 million Americans who live in the four southwest border states, some of your gun purchases could soon be reported to the federal government. And whether you live in one of those states or elsewhere, your help is needed now to stop the federal government’s plan to register Americans’ gun purchases.

It was 18 days of sometimes violent demonstrations that forced the man who ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years to step down. Friday was the day the demonstrators had been awaiting. The announcement of Mr. Mubarak’s resignation drew an immediate roar of cheers and honking automobile horns throughout Cairo that went on for hours.

The announcement came from Vice President Omar Suleiman on state television.

He said Mr. Mubarak was stepping down and had asked the military to take control of the country. He ended his statement with the words “May God help everyone.”

Thailand and Cambodia plan to present their positions next week to the United Nations Security Council over recent fighting on their border.

A ceasefire held Friday along the Cambodian-Thai border, though the armies of both governments remain on alert.

Latest fight

A week ago, fighting erupted near a 900-year-old Hindu Khmer temple on the border. Several died before fighting halted Tuesday, and thousands on both sides were forced to flee their homes.

Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa said remarks by a top U.S. Army official this week were "totally unacceptable" and do not reflect the cooperation both governments had been building during the past years.

Espinosa was referring to a statement made by U.S. Under Secretary of the Army Joseph Westphal on Monday that compared Mexico’s drug war to an "insurgency" and suggested that the United States might send troops to Mexico to keep organized crime from taking over the government.

Remarks retracted

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The DUSTOFF Association’s motto is “dedicated, unhesitating support to our fighting forces.” This Task Force Phoenix Medevac Company displays this support every day in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Company C DUSTOFF, Task Force Phoenix, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, had displayed their duty, selfless service, and personal courage Feb. 3 when they evacuated a wounded Soldier from an area under fire from the enemy.

A tip generated by the 3rd Company, 1st Kandak, Afghan National Army pointed ANA and U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Lethal to a large weapons cache in Sarmast Kheyl, Zormat District Jan. 31.

The ANA and 1st Platoon of Company C, TF Lethal, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, uncovered a significant amount of homemade explosives, improvised explosive device-making materials, several pressure plate IEDs, triggering devices for IEDs and miscellaneous IED parts.

Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan — U.S. Marines fired the first rounds using the Expeditionary Fire Support System during combat operations, Jan. 29. In support of the International Security Assistance Force, Marines with F Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, fired the new 120mm mortar system from Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan.

The announcement that pro-gun Representative Denny Rehberg will take on first-term Senator Jon Tester is welcome news for gun owners and sportsmen.

Rep. Rehberg earned an "A" rating from Gun Owners of America for his strong support of Second Amendment rights.

A suicide bomber struck a military facility in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 31 soldiers and wounding more than 40 others.

Pakistani authorities say the soldiers were busy in their early training session in Mardan, when a teenage bomber dressed in a school uniform walked up to them and detonated the explosives.

The powerful blast is said to have instantly caused most of the deaths. Doctors fear the toll could rise because some of those wounded are in critical condition.

Witnesses say several schools are also located near the military base, called Punjab Regiment Center.