Today's Headlines from Stars and Stripes

Stars and Stripes, the U.S. Military's Independent News Source: Saturday, December 26, 2009
Top headlines from Stars and Stripes. See the rest of today's news at www.stripes.com Pope knocked down by woman at Christmas Eve Mass Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica got off to a tumultuous start Thursday after an apparently deranged woman jumped the barriers and knocked him down on his way to the altar.In his homily, delivered unflappably after the incident, Benedict urged the world to "wake up" from selfishness and petty affairs, and find time for God and spiritual matters. Yemen strikes al-Qaida chiefs in U.S.-backed assault Yemen's military hit suspected al-Qaida hideouts Thursday and targeted a gathering of top militant leaders, possibly killing a radical cleric linked to the U.S. Army major accused of the Fort Hood mass shooting, in strikes carried out with U.S. intelligence help, officials said. Obamas salute military in their Christmas message President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama offered Christmas wishes to the nation on Thursday, including a special thanks for the U.S. military. They urged Americans to help support military families this holiday season. Some struggles, a lot of hope, for tsunami orphans Five years after the December 24, 2004 tsunami, Pipit still has moments of sadness, especially during holidays. But like many of Indonesia's more than 5,200 known tsunami orphans, she is making a life for herself. Senate OKs health care measure Senate Democrats passed a landmark health care bill in a climactic Christmas Eve vote that could define President Barack Obama's legacy and usher in near-universal medical coverage for the first time in the country's history. The 60-39 vote on a cold winter morning capped months of arduous negotiations and 24 days of floor debate. Pentagon promises study on burn pits Military health officials who have steadfastly denied that burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan cause serious health problems will launch a massive study next year to see if they're wrong. Three U.S. teens cleared in Japan motorcycle crash case Japanese prosecutors dropped cases Friday against three of the four American teens suspected of attempted murder, according to U.S. and Japanese officials. The fourth case was referred to family court. As the need for child care centers grows, base officials wonder who will staff them Nearly every overseas U.S. military base reported child-care staffing shortages when queried in recent weeks. And many are scrambling to find ways to hire and keep employees. Tiny Estonia keen to make large contribution in Afghanistan fight NAD ALI DISTRICT, Afghanistan — n hour earlier, the tiny patrol base had been rocked by the low thud to which the soldiers here have become grimly accustomed. It was the fatal sound of a comrad... For troops in Iraq, 'just another wonderful day in the neighborhood' On Christmas Day, the American soldiers trundled along dirt roads beside irrigation canals, passing palm groves and fields of alfalfa and potatoes. Iraqi families working the fields stopped and stared, farm implements hanging from their hands. In places, children came running, hoping for candy or, best of all, a soccer ball.
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