Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

 

National Guard vows to extend same-sex benefits in all states The National Guard’s top officer said Tuesday that the number of states refusing to provide equal benefits to same-sex couples in guard units has dropped in recent weeks, but he promised to keep pushing until all states comply with Defense Department policies.   WWII foes US, Japan back in Philippines to help storm victims Almost 70 years after fighting what may have been the biggest naval battle in history, U.S. and Japanese forces are back in the same area — this time as allies working together to help the typhoon-ravaged Philippines.   USS Nimitz, not needed for storm relief, will head home to Washington The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz almost had its unusually long 10 ½-month deployment extended to help relief efforts in the Philippines, but improving road conditions mean a carrier presence isn’t needed much longer, top Navy officials said Tuesday.   On foot and on guard through Zhari district Soldiers with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment deployed to Forward Operating Base Pasab in southern Afghanistan’s Zhari district partnered with Afghan police to conduct a foot patrol through some of the farmland to the north of FOB Pasab in order to survey the locals about the security in the area, population and the upcoming elections.   Sequestration still topic No. 1 as Senate opens defense bill debate The Senate began debating a 2014 defense bill this week by taking aim at possible controversial amendments on federal spending cuts and the prosecution of sexual assaults in the military.   Report: For 1st time, female Marines to graduate from enlisted infantry training For the first time, four female Marines have successfully completed the service's enlisted infantry training and will graduate from the program, the Marine Corps Times is reporting.   Soldier arrested, accused of causing two crashes on same night A South Korea-based soldier with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team was arrested Sunday on charges he caused two separate vehicle collisions in one night, according to the Army.   Marines ID lance corporal who died in apparent fall from Okinawa building The Marine Corps has released the name of a 23-year-old Marine who died after an apparent fall from a building in the Okinawa capital of Naha.   US, Afghans work toward agreement on night raids In a phone call Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged "mistakes" and asked Afghan President Hamid Karzai to allow American forces to enter Afghan homes in "exceptional circumstances" as the two sides rushed to finalize the wording of a draft security agreement ahead of a meeting of tribal elders who must approve the deal.   As Pentagon invests in green fuel, critics focus on the cost When the U.S. Navy sailed an imposing fleet near Hawaii that was powered in part by algae and used cooking grease, environmentalists weren’t the only ones who were thrilled.