AP - As of Thursday, July 10, 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 - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed optimism Tuesday that US troop cutbacks will continue in Iraq, saying the transition of control to Iraqi security forces was going well.

AFP - Four former US generals have joined a growing call to end a policy barring homosexuals from openly serving in the military, after a study showed it was out of step with the times and harming the armed forces.

AFP - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Tuesday for United States military bases across the world to be "eradicated" and said there must be "fundamental change" in the next US government.

AFP - Four former US generals have joined a growing call for a policy that bars homosexuals from serving openly in the military to be axed, after a study showed it is out of step with the times and harming the armed forces.

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.