AP – As of Friday, Aug. 11, 2006, at least 2,598 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 2,057 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military’s numbers.

AP – The Humvee hits an Iraqi woman crossing a busy road at night. The driver pulls over and turret gunner Spc. Mike Moriarty watches helplessly as supply trucks run over her, spreading her body parts across the road — and we watch with him.

With everything that’s been going on in our country, should we still be trying to save Iraq or should we be concentrating on saving our selves?

AP – Shortly after returning from Iraq last year, Army Sgt. Ricky Clousing gathered a few belongings and sneaked out of Fort Bragg, leaving only a note quoting Martin Luther King.

Reuters – A U.S. Army interrogator who deserted
his unit several months after returning from Iraq said he will
turn himself in to military custody on Friday.

AP – The bodies of two U.S. soldiers missing since a helicopter crash this week were found west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said Friday. That brought the number of U.S. troops to die this month in Iraq to at least 19 — most in insurgent-plagued Anbar province.

AP – Nearly 450 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division returned home from Iraq on Friday and more flights into Fort Campbell are expected soon, base officials said.

LAS VEGAS—-Aug. 11, 2006–Shuffle Master, Inc. today announced that Dr. Mark Yoseloff, the company’s Chairman and CEO, has initiated a structured trading plan to sell shares of SHFL’s common stock.

The dollar rose against most major currencies Friday after a retail sales report came in above expectations and investors continued to seek safety in the U.S. currency.

Reuters – President George W. Bush
condemned on Friday a suicide bomber’s attempt to blow up one
of Shi’ite Islam’s holiest shrines, which he called a symbol of
peace throughout the world.