VFW Urges 2 Million to Fight Benefits Changes

WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars on Tuesday urged its 2 million members to plead with Congress to spare military and veterans’ benefits as a special deficit-cutting panel looks to slash $1.2 trillion from the federal budget.

Coalition of companies vows to hire 25,000 veterans, spouses

WASHINGTON — A coalition of packaged goods companies has pledged to hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses over the next two years as part of White House initiatives to aid military families.

Report: US, Euro Arms Used Against Arab Protesters

NEW YORK — The United States, Russia and many European countries that have supported the swell of protests across the Middle East and North Africa this year also supplied some of the weapons used against demonstrators, Amnesty International said in a new report Tuesday.

Four Marine combat deaths are under investigation

The Marine Corps has launched at least four investigations into deaths in Afghanistan within the last month, a move typically reserved for casualties that occur under unusual circumstances, the Marine Corps Times reported.

Clinton in Libya to Offer New Aid Package

TRIPOLI, Libya — The Obama administration offered millions of dollars in new aid to Libya as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton encouraged the country’s unsteady new leadership to commit to a democratic future free of retribution, and acknowledged in unusually blunt terms that the United States would like to see former dictator Moammar Gadhafi dead.

Tuition assistance slashed by 75 percent for Marines

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The Marine Corps announced Tuesday it has slashed tuition assistance by 75 percent for servicemembers who take classes on their off-duty time.

New legislation addresses unemployment among veterans

Veterans benefits for the unemployed received a boost with the U.S. House of Representatives recently passing six pieces of legislation that aim to address rising unemployment among former service members, as well as other pressing veteran issues.

First Lady Marks Retrofit of Vet’s Home

WASHINGTON — A former Army medic officially became the 1,000 beneficiary of a program that retrofits the homes of disabled vets on Monday during a final touch-up ceremony that included First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the vice president.

Website showing African rebels’ movements attracts interest

STUTTGART, Germany — Just hours before the White House on Friday unveiled its plan to send 100 military advisers to the region, LRA fighters were in a clash with local security forces in the small Congolese village of Napopo. One Lord’s Resistance Army member was reportedly killed.

US: Afghan Attacks From Pakistan on Rise

Cross-border attacks emanating from Pakistan against U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan have increased since the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, the Pentagon said Monday.

Israeli Soldier, Palestinian Prisoners Freed In Swap

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, captured by Hamas and held in Gaza for more than five years, was freed Tuesday in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in the most lopsided prisoner swap in Israel’s history.