Gen. Petraeus said U.S. officials are seeing signs in Afghanistan that Taliban members are preparing to take up forthcoming offers of reconciliation.

Petraeus: Senior Taliban leaders show interest in reconciliation talks

KABUL, Afghanistan — Gen. David Petraeus said U.S. offiicals are seeing signs in Afghanistan that many Taliban members, including those at the “very senior level,” are preparing to take up the Afghan government’s offer of reconciliation following recent news that an official policy is forthcoming.

Reports: Military exchanges ban popular war game

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — If you’re excited about playing the new release of the popular “Medal of Honor” combat game, don’t’ plan on buying it at your local base exchange.

Police say attacks on Pakistani minorities kill 44

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Suicide bombings targeting religious minorities killed at least 44 people in Pakistan on Friday, sharply driving up the toll of sectarian assaults in a country already battered by massive flooding.

GIs Quarantined Over Suspicious Powder

Six U.S. Soldiers and a Turk have been quarantined in an Istanbul hospital after a suspicious powder was found in a parcel at the city’s main airport, Anatolia news agency reported Friday.

General: Taliban Face Cash Flow Problem

Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan are facing a “financial crisis” as NATO-led troops have disrupted the center of their lucrative opium trade, a top U.S. general said on Thursday.

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.