AP - Army investigators concluded in a report Monday that a series of mistakes led to the friendly fire death of a British soldier that put pressure on Britain's government to better equip soldiers serving in Iraq.

AP - Peering over piles of sandbags, U.S. Marines sometimes see more gunmen on the streets than municipal employees coming to work. The provincial governor regularly arrives at his office — with armed guards in tow. But young Marines notice few others on his staff trail behind.

AP - In 109-degree weather, Sgt. Ronald Delrosario is already dreaming of the mashed potatoes, stuffing and turkey he'll have this Thanksgiving when he takes off for one of the most anticipated parts of any soldier's life in Iraq — home leave.

AP - Gunmen wearing military fatigues on Monday kidnapped 25 employees and customers from a mobile phone store in the main shopping area of the capital, Baghdad, police said.

AP - Iraq's top Shiite cleric Sunday demanded an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, warning the Muslim world will "not forgive" nations that stand in the way of stopping the fighting.

AP - As of Sunday, July 30, 2006, at least 2,577 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,036 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

AP - Iraq's top Shiite cleric Sunday demanded an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, warning the Muslim world will "not forgive" nations that stand in the way of stopping the fighting.

AP - Peering over piles of sandbags in this ravaged city, U.S. Marines sometimes see more gunmen on the streets than municipal employees going to work.

AP - AP Correspondent Rebecca Santana is embedded with the New Jersey National Guard at Camp Anaconda, Iraq. And AP Correspondent Robert H. Reid covers Iraq events from Baghdad for The Associated Press.

AP - He was 5 when he first fired an M-16, his father holding him to brace against the recoil. At 17 he enlisted in the Marine Corps, spurred by the memory of 9/11. Now, 21-year-old Galen Wilson has 20 confirmed kills in four months in Iraq — and another 40 shots that probably killed insurgents. One afternoon the lance corporal downed a man hauling a grenade launcher five-and-a-half football fields away.

AP - Four U.S. Marines were killed in combat in western Iraq's Anbar province, the U.S. military said Sunday.

AP - CAIRO, Egypt — For Arab news media, the war between Israel and Hezbollah is a fresh chapter in a tale with strong emotional pull and well-defined enemies, and has pushed Iraq to the back of newscasts and off front pages.

AP - AP Correspondent Robert H. Reid covers Iraq events from Baghdad for The Associated Press.

AP - The first Japanese troops deployed to a combat zone since World War II marked the end of their mission Saturday by celebrating the return of the army flag that flew over them for more than two years in Iraq.

AP - Three U.S. Marines assigned to the Army's 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division have been killed in action in Anbar province, the U.S. military said Saturday.

AP - Construction of a children's hospital supported by first lady Laura Bush has been put on hold after it fell behind schedule and went over budget, one of dozens of halted or delayed U.S. health projects, Iraqi health officials said Friday.

AP - Construction of a children's hospital championed by first lady Laura Bush has been put on hold after it fell behind schedule and went over budget, one of dozens of halted or delayed U.S. health projects, Iraqi health officials said Friday.

AP - Fearing sectarian death squads, Iraqis are trading homes with trusted friends from the other sect, surrounding themselves with those who share their faith but creating segregated neighborhoods increasingly wary of one other.

AP - A Salvadoran soldier was killed in Iraq on Thursday, the second soldier from this Central American nation to be killed in the conflict in eight days.

AP - Iraq's prime minister said Thursday that efforts to improve security in his country include plans to disband all militias and stop the flow of militants across the border.