Today's Headlines from Stars and Stripes

Stars and Stripes, the U.S. Military's Independent News Source: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Top headlines from Stars and Stripes. See the rest of today's news at www.stripes.com Relatively untouched DMZ is home to a number of natural wonders The water deer nibbled away on the vegetation on the gently sloping bend along the Imjin River, seemingly unaware of the dozen people pointing and staring at it through a field scope from the opposite shoreline. Official: Obama wants his war options changed President Barack Obama does not plan to accept any of the Afghanistan war options presented by his national security team, pushing instead for revisions to clarify how and when U.S. troops would turn over responsibility to the Afghan government, a senior administration official said Wednesday. Obama honors veterans at Arlington cemetery President Barack Obama carried out the traditional Veterans Day role Wednesday, then made a surprise visit to a part of Arlington National Cemetery reserved for troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, walking among the grave sites and talking to mourners. Afghan future threatened by ex-warlords in government Warlords helped drive the Russians from Afghanistan, then shelled Kabul into ruins in a bloody civil war after the Soviets left. Now they are back in positions of power, in part because the U.S. relied on them in 2001 to help oust the Taliban after the Sept. 11 attacks. Gates launches IED task force Defense Secretary Robert Gates is establishing a Defense Department-wide task force to focus on counter-IED efforts in Afghanistan, where roadside bombs account for 80 percent of U.S. casualties. Okinawa police question U.S. sergeant suspected in fatal hit-and-run A U.S. soldier suspected of driving a car involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident was questioned by Okinawa police for seven hours this week, U.S. Army officials confirmed Thursday. DODEA looks for boost to stagnant math scores Recent scores on a national mathematics test for Defense Department schools fourth- and eighth-graders were essentially unchanged from 2007, further evidence that DODEA math programs need a boost. Hasan charged with 13 counts of murder The military charged Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan with 13 counts of premeditated murder on Thursday as President Barack Obama ordered all federal agencies to scour their intelligence files for any clues that might have been missed prior to the Nov. 5 shooting rampage at Fort Hood. Landstuhl staff busy as Afghan fight intensifies On a drizzly, frigid morning, about 20 injured servicemembers were unloaded from buses at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.Some walked off. Others lay on gurneys covered in green blankets that had kept them warm on the long flight from Afghanistan. As the hospital staff eased the wounded off the buses, the mood grew solemn, as it often has lately. Philippines takes aim at juicy bar trafficking Philippine women would no longer be allowed to work in South Korean "juicy bars"— where prostitution is often a byproduct — if Philippine Embassy officials' efforts to tighten up immigration regulations succeed. 5,000 more European troops expected for Afghan war Europe may send 5,000 more soldiers to Afghanistan, Britain's prime minister said Friday - affirming support for the NATO mission as the Obama administration nears a decision on increasing American troop levels. Army survey: Troop morale is down in Afghanistan The Army needs to more than double the number of mental health providers in Afghanistan where troops are widely dispersed and reporting falling morale and increasing difficulty getting the care they need, the Army said Friday. Despite Marines' presence, fear of Taliban persists in Afghan town U.S. troops and the civilian specialists who recently joined them seem to have hit a wall in trying to build trust with the local residents and promote some sort of civilized society. Allegation of 'lost accountability of some graves' prompts Arlington probe Army Secretary John McHugh has ordered an investigation into allegations of poor record keeping and "lost accountability of some graves" at Arlington National Cemetery, the Defense Department announced Friday afternoon. P-47 remains excite Italian aviation buffs It doesn't look like much today. In fact, casual observers might be hard-pressed to figure out it used to be a plane. But on closer inspection, the wings and cockpit can be identified. Perhaps with closer inspection, clues might be found to help identify the aircraft and the pilot that disappeared into the Adriatic Sea during World War II. President pledges stronger Asia ties Nuclear threats from North Korea, rising extremism in island nations, growing trade between the United States and Asia, concerns about climate change, and continued human trafficking all unify interests on both sides of the Pacific, Obama said. Mourners grieve for soldiers killed at Fort Hood The hundreds of people who lined the main street of a small Indiana city Saturday fell solemnly silent as a white hearse passed by on its way to the church. Mourners streamed into a Wisconsin gymnasium to remember a soldier who once promised to take down Osama bin Laden. A risky setting for NYC trial of 9/11 suspects The venue for the biggest trial in the age of terrorism means prosecutors must balance difficult issues such as rough treatment of detainees and sensitive intelligence-gathering with the Justice Department's desire to prove that the federal courts are able to handle terrorism cases. Informal service: In the Israeli military, gays serve openly, women can let their hair down and everyone is on a first-name basis The Israeli women's appearance reflected just one of the differences between the military forces of a long-standing alliance: the U.S., in which all troops are volunteers, and Israel, the only Western power in the Middle East and one of a handful of countries that conscripts women as well as men. Informal service: In the Israeli military, gays serve openly, women can let their hair down and everyone is on a first-name basis The Israeli women's appearance reflected just one of the differences between the military forces of a long-standing alliance: the U.S., in which all troops are volunteers, and Israel, the only Western power in the Middle East and one of a handful of countries that conscripts women as well as men.

news 15/11/2009 from BBC

WORLD

Apec leaders drop climate target
Asia-Pacific leaders say it will not be possible to reach a climate change deal ahead of the UN conference in Copenhagen.

UK child migrants apology planned
Gordon Brown plans to apologise for the government's role in sending thousands of British children to former colonies.

Pacquiao win makes boxing history
Filipino star Manny Pacquiao becomes the first boxer in history to win seven world titles in seven weight divisions after beating Miguel Cotto in the 12th round.

EUROPE

Kosovo votes in local elections
Kosovo holds local elections, the first poll since independence was declared from Serbia in early 2008.

Slovenia signs Russian gas deal
Slovenia signs a deal with Russia for the massive South Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Europe to run through its territory.

Sweden returns skulls to Hawaii
Sweden returns 22 skulls taken from indigenous cemeteries in Hawaii in the 19th Century, where they will now be reburied.

UK

UK child migrants apology planned
Gordon Brown plans to apologise for the government's role in sending thousands of British children to former colonies.

Speaker defends expenses reforms
Commons Speaker John Bercow defends the reform of expenses, saying MPs have to accept an element of "rough justice".

Concert-goers condemn crush chaos
An inquiry begins into how 60 people were injured in a crowd surge as JLS sang at Birmingham's Christmas lights switch-on.

BUSINESS

More complaints of rogue traders
The Office of Fair Trading says it received a record number of complaints about rogue traders in the past year.

Bankers' deals could be 'torn up'
Alistair Darling confirms the City watchdog will be able to "tear up" bankers' contracts if pay deals reward undue risk-taking.

BA merger 'good for passengers'
British Airways says its planned merger with Iberia will be good news for customers, and pledges no cuts to its service standards.