Netanyahu and Abbas to begin direct Mideast peace talks Thursday, working to end a six decade long conflict. Also, Vets may receive ecstasy to treat PTSD.

Netanyahu and Abbas to Begin Direct Mideast Peace Talks

WASHINGTON — The Israeli and Palestinian leaders were to open direct peace negotiations Thursday after committing to work to end the conflict that has endured for six decades.

As U.S. deaths in Afghanistan rise, military families grow critical

Some families of service members killed in the war say the rules of engagement protect Afghan civilians at the expense of American troops. U.S. combat tolls have peaked this summer.

Vets Get Ecstasy to Treat Their PTSD

A pair of psychiatric experts think they’ve got the answer to the soaring number of troops coming back from war with PTSD: have them undergo intensive psychotherapy — while they’re rolling on ecstasy.

Pakistan Shiites mourn those killed in triple bomb

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Thousands of Shiite Muslims, thumping their chests and crying, mourned Thursday at funeral prayers for victims of a triple bombing that heaped more tragedy on Pakistan, which is already struggling to cope with devastating floods.

Military police maj. found dead at Stewart

FORT STEWART, Ga. — Investigators at Fort Stewart are trying to determine what caused the death of a military policeman whose body was found on the Army post.

Employment program takes top nonprofit award

A nonprofit group dedicated to training military spouses, wounded warriors and their caregivers for careers in health care is this year’s overall winner of the Newman’s Own Awards.

Worries about US data on Iraqis

WASHINGTON — Over the past seven years, US soldiers in Iraq have used sweeping wartime powers to collect fingerprints, iris scans, and even DNA from ordinary people and suspected insurgents, an effort that has helped the Pentagon amass one of the world’s most comprehensive databases of biometric information collected during a war.

Petraeus: Taliban retain momentum in some areas

BRUSSELS (AP) — Taliban guerrillas still retain the initiative in some parts of Afghanistan despite recent successes by coalition forces, the top U.S. and NATO commander in the country said Tuesday

Rights Groups Sue to Block Targeted Killings

NEW YORK — Two civil liberties groups sued the federal government on Monday to try to block its attempts overseas of a targeted killing of a U.S.-born cleric believed to have inspired recent attacks in the United States.

US Expands Sanctions Against North Korea

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration expanded sanctions against North Korea on Monday by freezing assets of individuals, companies and organizations allegedly linked to support for Pyongyang’s nuclear program.