U.S.

Furlough Friday: Unpaid day off for many in gov't

No one answered the tax-help hotline at the IRS on Friday. And you could forget about getting advice on avoiding foreclosures at the 80 Housing and Urban Development field offices nationwide.
22:35 May 24, 2013

In 2009 redux, Obama faces thorny issue of detainees at prison in Cuba

At the beginning of his first term, President Barack Obama announced his intention to close the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. By returning to the intractable and charged issue of closing the facility, Obama has regenerated a political battle that could prove as demanding as gun control, immigration or health-care reform — and as defining for his legacy.
Military will look into whether judge’s comments tainted trials

A former Marine Corps judge who allegedly called those accused of sexual assault “scumbags” who deserve to be “crushed” is at the center of a widening inquiry into the impartiality of his court-martial rulings.
19:39 May 24, 2013
Lawmakers step up pressure on military footwear

Members of Maine's congressional delegation are trying to keep up the pressure on the Department of Defense to buy footwear from U.S. manufacturers, a move that would likely benefit the state's New Balance sneaker factories.
04:04 May 25, 2013

Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs

Most of the 247 military commissaries will be closed on Mondays when civilian defense worker furloughs begin July 8, and many will be closed on Tuesdays as well, the Defense Commissary Agency said Friday.
13:58 May 24, 2013
Hagel pays tribute to fallen commander in speech

On Feb. 2, 1968, a 21-year-old American private witnessed his first combat death up close — the sudden, shocking killing of another young soldier by a Vietnamese sniper.
02:24 May 25, 2013
Does military culture foster environment of sex abuse?

Nearly a decade into the Pentagon’s efforts to stop sexual assault and harassment in the military, some parts of the armed services still allow — and even encourage — the kind of anti-woman sentiment that directly contradicts the Defense Department’s oft-cited “zero tolerance” policy.
16:56 May 23, 2013
Wounded troops get free Segways in annual ceremony honoring Memorial Day May 23, 2013
Congress vows close scrutiny of VA's backlog progress May 22, 2013
DODEA to announce dates for school closings related to furloughs May 22, 2013
Hagel: No furloughs for sexual assault prevention staff May 22, 2013

GAO: Military propaganda efforts flawed May 24, 2013
US senator urges look at security in Sprint deal May 24, 2013
IRS replaces official who revealed targeting
Biographer regrets affair with former CIA director May 24, 2013
A safe haven for military pets May 24, 2013
Acupuncture now a staple at Nellis AFB hospital May 24, 2013
UN nuke agency's Iran probe driven by US-led intel May 24, 2013
Unlike Boston, questions for suspects in London hospitals are limited May 24, 2013
Civilian medical providers learn about military medic trauma care May 24, 2013
Fort Bragg honors fallen Special Operations soldiers May 24, 2013
Henry Kissinger turning 90, his mind sharp as ever May 24, 2013
Woman meets Air Force NCO who shared the shirt off his back after tornado May 24, 2013

Washington Bureau photos

Busy lawmakers take time to help Muppets and the USO
House moves to block another BRAC round

Defense budget language introduced by House lawmakers forbids DOD from planning or initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure.
Fort Bliss gets on the microgrid, a first for DOD
Blue Star Families survey shows stress over finances, deployments

A by-the-numbers look at the annual survey, which surveys troops and their spouses about the successes and challenges they see while serving

Live now on the Tablet Edition

Germans prep for post-2014 role in Afghanistan

The German armed forces will continue an assist-and-advise mission in the Afghanistan's north.
For S. Korean police, a primer on Americans in 238 pages

New book looks to ensure USFK-Korean relations don't get lost in translation.
Gallery

From the archives: Cold War chronicles

Throughout the Cold War, Stars and Stripes reporters were at the ready to report every rise in temperature.
Improved grenade design on the way

Troops can soon look forward to small improvements, even a possible complete redesign, of the fragmentation hand grenade.

Latest Blog Postings

Spouse Calls

Homeward bound

An Army wife writes about the journey she and her children shared with a soldier finally coming back to his loved ones
The Ruptured Duck

House Republicans push for backlog commission

The 15-person panel would weigh in on VA’s claims processing and evaluation problems.
Stripes Central

Busy lawmakers take time to help Muppets and the USO

When Cookie Monster asks for a favor, even Congress listens.
Europe Traveler

Hear some free music in Europe this summer

What beats an outdoor music concert? A free one! As summer kicks in, enjoy loads of musical performances at no cost during several weeks. Here's a hearty sampling.
Stripes Central

House moves to block another BRAC round

Defense budget language introduced by House lawmakers forbids DOD from planning or initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure.
Good Game

All for One and One for all?

Microsoft unveiled the successor to its Xbox 360 on Tuesday and showed off a console that tries to do it all.

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Female Marine gets reprimand, loss of pay in adultery case April 25, 2013
Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs May 24, 2013
Audio: Confusion reigned before destroyer Porter's collision May 23, 2013
DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss May 24, 2013
Hagel pays tribute to fallen commander in speech May 24, 2013
DODDS-Europe baseball - Day 3 May 24, 2013
DODEA director to retire May 24, 2013
Favorites survive scares to advance in baseball May 24, 2013
Female Marine convicted of 'attempted adultery,' lying April 25, 2013
Slain British soldier’s family didn't think he’d face danger at home May 24, 2013

VA researcher quits over burn pit studies 17:36 May 19, 2013
DODEA to announce dates for school closings related to furloughs 17:26 May 22, 2013
Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs 13:58 May 24, 2013
WWII-era Navy photographer Wayne Miller dies 23:43 May 22, 2013
Military expert: Boston bombing 'not an anomaly' 07:25 May 20, 2013
Kenya police kill 'terror couple' 08:25 May 19, 2013
Does social media add fuel to servicemembers' degrading actions? 04:01 May 20, 2013
Welsh: Open to all options to stop military sexual assault 19:17 May 19, 2013
Air Force aims to reduce alcohol-related incidents by 20% in 2007 22:31 May 11, 2010
US senator urges look at security in Sprint deal 17:04 May 24, 2013

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Graduation Tab

Don’t miss your chance to send your favorite grad a note of congratulations, printed in the pages of Stars and Stripes’ keepsake publication. The deadline for submissions is May 23rd.