In Iraq, the Pentagon has announced the deaths of five U.S. troops in a coordinated attack in southern Baghdad. Ninety-nine servicemembers have been killed this month. The toll for the last three months has reached 329, making it the deadliest quarter for the U.S. military in Iraq since the invasion. On Thursday, President Bush insisted the Iraq War is showing signs of progress.

President Bush: “In Baghdad, our military reports that despite an upward trend in May, sectarian murders are now down substantially from what they were in January. We’re finding arms caches at more than three time the rate a year ago. Although the enemy continues to carry out sensational attacks, the number of suicide attacks has been down in May and June. And because U.S. and Iraqi forces are living among those who they are secure, many Iraqis are now coming forward with information about where the terrorists are hiding.”