AFP - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has directed the Pentagon to set more stringent standards for cluster munitions by 2018 to reduce the danger to civilians from unexploded munitions, a US defense official said Tuesday.

AP - As of Monday, July 7, 2008, at least 468 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures June 28 at 10 a.m. EDT.

Reuters - In his first public remarks since he and two other American hostages were freed in Colombia, a U.S. defense contractor on Monday branded their captors as terrorists and praised the Colombian army for a daring rescue.

AFP - One of three US defense contractors nationals held by Colombia's FARC rebels for more than five years said Monday the guerillas were not revolutionaries but "terrorists," using a crusade for the poor as a front for crime.

AFP - The United States may significantly cut its military presence in Iraq next year regardless of who is elected president in November because of improving security in the country, USA Today reported Monday.

AP - As of Friday, July 4, 2008, at least 468 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures June 28 at 10 a.m. EDT.

AFP - More than 1,200 US troops serving in Iraq signed up for extended service in the military to mark America's national day on Friday.

AFP - Three US defense contractors held hostage for more than five years by leftist rebels in Colombia are in good shape and have proved to be very resilient, the US military said Thursday.

Reuters - Three U.S. defense contractors freed after five years as rebel-held hostages in Colombia are in good health and could go home within a few days, U.S. Army doctors said Thursday.

AP - As of Thursday, July 3, 2008, at least 468 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures Saturday at 10 a.m. EDT.

AFP - Iraq said on Wednesday it was on the verge of agreeing a controversial pact with the United States to govern US troop levels and ground rules in the nation beyond 2008 when a UN mandate expires.

AP - Colombian spies tricked leftist rebels into handing over kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. military contractors Wednesday in a daring helicopter rescue so successful that not a single shot was fired.

Reuters - Three American defense contractors landed late on Wednesday in Texas, hours after they were freed from years of captivity in the jungles of Colombia.