The food-stamp economy
On the last day of every month, shoppers at Walmart load their carts with food and household items and wait for the midnight hour. Is this the new normal in America? Full Article
FACTBOX: Military and civilian deaths in Iraq
(Reuters) - A U.S. Marine died in combat in western Anbar province on Thursday, the U.S. military said.
Following are the latest figures for military deaths in Iraq and Iraqi civilians killed in attacks since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003:
U.S.-LED COALITION FORCES:
United States 3,666
Britain 164
Other nations 129
IRAQIS:
Military Between 4,900 and 6,375#
Civilians Between 68,347 and 74,753*
# = Think-tank estimates for military under Saddam Hussein killed during the 2003 war. No reliable official figures have been issued since new security forces were set up in late 2003.
* = From www.iraqbodycount.net (IBC), run by academics and peace activists, based on reports from at least two media sources. IBC says on its Web site that the figure underestimates the true number of casualties.
The U.S-led military coalition toll includes casualties from Iraq and the surrounding area where troops are stationed.
