Influential US lawmakers on Thursday called for levying a new income tax to pay for the war in Afghanistan, warning its costs pose a mortal threat to efforts like a sweeping health care overhaul.

A US government report has warned that China is sharply stepping up espionage against the United States as the rising Asian power invests in cyber warfare and grows more sophisticated in recruiting spies.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a thorough investigation into the Fort Hood shootings to examine if warning signs were missed and to ensure such a rampage never happens again.

BUTLERVILLE, Indiana (Reuters) - They arrive at the meeting by U.S. military helicopter, politely accept a cup of tea and haggle over a U.S.-funded water project gone awry.

TOKYO (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier has admitted he may have run over a Japanese man found dead two weeks ago on the southern island of Okinawa, his lawyer said on Friday, in a case that may further strain ties between the two countries.

Hollywood disaster movie '2012' draws in Chinese patriotic fans. When the apocalypse comes, China will save the world.

Representative of Iraqi Shiite spiritual leader urges parties to break election law impasse. A top aide to Iraq's Shiite spiritual leader on Friday urged the country's fractious political blocs to resolve a crisis over a key election law that threatens to delay national polls planned for January.

Hollywood disaster movie '2012' draws in Chinese patriotic fans. When the apocalypse comes, China will save the world.

A suspected US missile attack targeting Al-Qaeda-linked militants killed eight people in Pakistan's mountains on the Afghan border as CIA chief Leon Panetta held talks in Islamabad on Friday.

A suspected US missile attack targeting Al-Qaeda-linked militants killed eight people in Pakistan's mountains on the Afghan border as CIA chief Leon Panetta held talks in Islamabad Friday.

A US missile attack killed eight people, including foreign militants on Friday in the second such attack in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt in two days, Pakistani security officials said.

The strike took place in the district of Mir Ali, northeast of Miranshah, the main town of the restive North Waziristan tribal district, officials said.

A US missile attack killed eight people, including foreign militants on Friday in the second such attack in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt in two days, Pakistani security officials said.

CIA chief Leon Panetta on Friday held talks in Pakistan and found agreement on intelligence cooperation as President Barack Obama nears a decision on troop deployments to Afghanistan, Islamabad said.

Defense chief says US will examine its own contracts in hopes of reducing Afghan corruption. The United States will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, even as it is demanding the same from the Afghan government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Reuters) - The United States must tighten control of Afghan aid contracts as a first step toward stemming rampant corruption, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday.

Canadian court orders refugee board to reconsider case of lesbian deserter from US army. A lesbian who deserted the U.S. military and fled to Canada must be given another chance to plead her case for refugee status, Canada's Federal Court ruled Friday.

A planned November hearing by the US Senate Armed Services Committee to consider ending a ban on gays serving openly in the US military will be postponed, a spokeswoman indicated Friday.

US and Canadian military commanders are reviewing whether to maintain elaborate air defenses set up after the attacks of September 11, 2001, a spokesman said on Friday.

US Senator John McCain predicted an allied win in Afghanistan in one year to 18 months if sufficient troops are sent, as the White House mulls sending tens of thousands of reinforcements.