Today's Headlines from Stars and Stripes

Stars and Stripes, the U.S. Military's Independent News Source: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Top headlines from Stars and Stripes. See the rest of today's news at www.stripes.com French, Afghan troops push into hostile valley Hundreds of French and Afghan troops on Sunday pushed into a hostile valley in eastern Afghanistan where militants launch quick attacks, then disappear into hillside villages. The mission: secure the area for a planned bypass road around the Afghan capital to move supplies from neighboring Pakistan. S. Koreans eager for answers from Obama When President Barack Obama arrives Wednesday in Seoul, most of the world will be watching to see what he says about tempestuous North Korea. But many South Koreans will be paying as much attention to what he says about a stalled trade agreement with the United States and their country's unpopular involvement in the war in Afghanistan. Japanese official on Okinawa to review U.S. base options Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada arrived Sunday on Okinawa to investigate the feasibility of moving Marine air operations on the island to Kadena Air Base. During the two-day visit he will view Camp Schwab, the controversial site of a replacement airstrip designed to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and hold talks with local and military officials. Dozens of Gitmo detainees finally get day in court In courtrooms barred to the public, dozens of terror suspects are pleading for their freedom from the Guantanamo Bay prison, sometimes even testifying on their own behalf by video from the U.S. naval base in Cuba.Complying with a Supreme Court ruling last year, 15 federal judges in the U.S. courthouse here are giving detainees their day in court after years behind bars half a world away from their homelands. Gates blocks release of detainee abuse photos Defense Secretary Robert Gates has blocked the public release of any more pictures of foreign detainees abused by their U.S. captors, saying their release would endanger American soldiers. Obama, Hu talk about global challenges as world watches Seeking help with an array of global troubles, President Barack Obama said Tuesday that his closely watched talks with his Chinese counterpart are vital not just for their nations but the world. Soldier mom refuses deployment to care for baby An Army cook and single mom may face criminal charges after she skipped her deployment flight to Afghanistan because, she said, no one was available to care for her infant son while she was overseas. Air Force plans to reduce ranks by 3,700 The Air Force announced plans on Monday to cut 3,700 airmen, saying the mix of a poor economy and good retention has swelled its ranks beyond manageability. The service will cut 2,074 officers and 1,633 enlisted airmen through "voluntary and involuntary early separation and retirement programs." Schwarzenegger drops in on US troops in Iraq California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dropped in on U.S. troops in Iraq on Monday, thanking them for the sacrifices they and their families are making. Chinese censors block Obama's call to free the Web President Barack Obama prodded China about Internet censorship and free speech, but the message was not widely heard in China where his words were blocked online and shown on only one regional television channel.
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