The United States says it is prepared to support Russia's mediation efforts in Libya, as France signals its frustration with the lack of progress in reaching a political solution to the crisis.

U.S. President Barack Obama thanked Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for his country's negotiation efforts in Libya, and said the United States supports talks that lead to a democratic transition and the departure of leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Pakistani officials say suspected U.S. drone strikes have killed at least 38 militants in Pakistan's northwest in the last two days, in one of the heaviest barrages on suspected militant compounds in recent months.

The strikes targeted three suspected compounds late Monday and early Tuesday in the North and South Waziristan tribal areas, which border Afghanistan. The militants are believed to shelter inside Pakistan while conducting attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan.

The fear of attacks by Islamic militants in Nigeria is spreading south to the commercial capital, Lagos, where city buses are being checked for bombs. A group that says it is fighting for a separate Islamic state is thought responsible for a series of attacks across the north.

Bomb attacks and ambushes in the northern city of Maiduguri have indefinitely closed the university there and led to an exodus of civilians, some of whom are newly unemployed motorbike taxi drivers after all motorbikes were banned in Maiduguri because Islamic militants were using them to throw bombs.

A senior official of the International Committee of the Red Cross reports a significant increase in violence throughout Pakistan since former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was killed on May 2 by U.S. special forces. The outgoing head of the ICRC delegation in Pakistan says tensions are spreading throughout the country.

The commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Gen. David H. Petraeus, extends his deepest personal condolences to President Hamid Karzai on the death of the President’s brother, Ahmad Wali Karzai, who was killed in Kandahar earlier today.

“My personal sympathy and condolences go out to President Karzai and his family during this extremely difficult time,” said Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, International Security Assistance Force.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed numerous insurgents during a security operation in Azrah District, Logar province, yesterday.

The Afghan-led force was searching for a Taliban leader when a group of insurgents, armed with a machine gun and AK-47 rifles, opened fire. The security team returned fire, killing the insurgents.

The security force confiscated one rocket-propelled grenade launcher with several rounds, roadside bomb materials and several grenades following the engagement.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- There is no doubt that deadly weapons being used against American forces in Iraq originated in Iran, a U.S. Forces Iraq spokesman said here.

Maj. Gen. Jeff Buchanan led reporters traveling with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta on a tour of Joint Task Force Troy here, where they were free to talk to the men and women who examine all enemy ordnance to determine its origin and to look for ways to defeat the threat or prosecute those who launch attacks.

Part of the unit is the combined explosive exploitation cell laboratories.

The Soldiers of Bandit Troop, 6th ‘Saber’ Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, along with their Iraqi Security Force partners, sought out insurgents attempting to use indirect fire assets against the local security forces in Wasit province, Iraq, by conducting area reconnaissance, July 6, 2011.

DoJ announces gun reporting requirements; Issa, Grassley respond

Late Monday, the Department of Justice announced that it will begin requiring gun dealers in four Southwest Border states to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines.

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/breaking-doj-announces-gun...

Article by Dave Workman