Senate approves defense bill, defies White House veto threat

Defying a White House veto threat, the Senate voted decisively Tuesday to approve a defense policy bill that authorizes $602 billion in military spending, bars shuttering the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and denies the Pentagon's bid to start a new round of military base closings. The GOP-led Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act passed 85 to 13, with all but seven members of the Democratic caucus backing the legislation.

Terror Tag Team Al Qaeda chief appears to back Afghan Taliban

The leader of Al Qaeda has reportedly backed Afghan Taliban in a move to boost the group's efforts after President Barack Obama approved the expansion of the U.S. military's role in battle-torn nation. According to Reuters , Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri announced the he would "pledge allegiance" to Taliban guerrillas fighting in Afghanistan in an online audio recording.

More support for Afghan troops part of latest Obama strategy

In this May 27, 2016 file photo, a member of a breakaway faction of the Taliban fighters guards a gathering in Shindand district of Herat province, Afghanistan. After months of debate, the White House has approved plans to expand the military's authority to conduct airstrikes against the Taliban when necessary as the violence in Afghanistan escalates, senior U.S. and defense officials said Thursday.

Clinton Within Striking Distance of Democratic Presidential Nomination

On June 4 at 11:16 a.m., the Nebraska State Patrol with assistance from the Sioux County Sher... -- More than 60 million East Coasters from Georgia to New York were under the threat of severe weather Sunday, as a potentially damaging storm system moved eastward... -- NPR photographer David Gilkey and NPR Afghan translator Zabihullah Tamanna were killed on assignment in Afghanistan, NPR said Sunday.NPR said they had been travel... This year's Cattlemen's Ball featured Southeast Nebraska as the host location was the Lienemann Cattle Co. just south of Princeton.

Museum Visitors Caught on Camera Accidentally Breaking Wooden Clock

On June 4 at 11:16 a.m., the Nebraska State Patrol with assistance from the Sioux County Sher... -- More than 60 million East Coasters from Georgia to New York were under the threat of severe weather Sunday, as a potentially damaging storm system moved eastward... -- NPR photographer David Gilkey and NPR Afghan translator Zabihullah Tamanna were killed on assignment in Afghanistan, NPR said Sunday.NPR said they had been travel... This year's Cattlemen's Ball featured Southeast Nebraska as the host location was the Lienemann Cattle Co. just south of Princeton.

Afghanistan: New Taliban leader between Drones, ISIL & Negotiations

The May 21 drone strike that killed Taliban leader Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor was no ordinary assassination; it was an act of armed politics against an acutely political war strategist. The Taliban has already named Mansoor's successor, Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada , and is reassuring its members that the status quo will endure - but Mansoor kept a steady hand on the tiller and, now he's gone, the movement could struggle to hold the line.

Mullah Akhtar Mansoor related news and updates on one click

It was not immediately confirmed that he had been killed, but the Associated Press reported an American official saying the US believed Mansoor and another male had been killed in the strike, which was carried out by a drone and authorized by Barack Obama. The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the operation, told the AP the attack was carried out by unmanned aircraft operated by US special operations forces, at about 6am ET, south-west of the Pakistani town of Ahmad Wal.

After Taliban leader’s assassination, where do Afghan peace talks stand?

The White House, finally confirming the death of Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, announced Monday the Taliban "should seize the opportunity to pursue the only real path for ending this long conflict - joining the Afghan government in a reconciliation process that leads to lasting peace and stability." That is some optimism.

US shifts tactics, takes war on terror to Taliban HQ in Pakistan

A US drone strike killing Taliban chief Mullah Mohammed Akhtar Mansour signaled a major break with precedent as the United States circumvented Pakistan in an effort to disrupt the strengthening insurgency. KABUL: After months of failed Pakistani efforts to broker peace talks with the Taliban , a US drone strike against the leader of the Afghan militants signaled a major break with precedent as the United States circumvented Pakistan in an effort to disrupt the strengthening insurgency, officials said on Sunday.

Airstrike on Taliban leader escalates U.S. involvement in Afghanistan war theater

The U.S. airstrike thought to have killed Taliban chief Akhtar Mohammad Mansour over the weekend represents another escalation in U.S. involvement in the war in Afghanistan and signals a new willingness to target senior Taliban leaders on Pakistani soil, analysts and officials said Sunday. Although U.S. officials were awaiting final confirmation of Mansour's death, the strike early Saturday marks the most aggressive U.S. military action in Pakistan since the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

Afghanistan probes Mansour’s fate after deadly US drone attack

Afghan authorities scrambled Sunday to confirm the fate of Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour after US officials said he was likely killed in drone strikes -- a potential blow to the resurgent militant movement. The Taliban have so far not commented on the unprecedented American bombardment on Saturday, authorised by President Barack Obama, in Pakistan's remote southwestern province of Balochistan.

Pentagon: US airstrike targets Taliban leader Mullah Mansour

The U.S. conducted an airstrike Saturday against Taliban leader Mullah Mansour, the Pentagon said, and a U.S. official said Mansour was believed to have been killed. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said the attack occurred in a remote region along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Afghan official: 6 dead in insider attack in volatile south

A massive space shuttle external propellant tank is squeezing through the streets of Los Angeles to join a display of the retired orbiter Endeavour at the California Science Center. A U.S. Secret Service officer shot a man with a gun who approached a checkpoint outside the White House and refused to drop his weapon, the Secret Service said.

Mansour’s brief reign as chief marked by turmoil

The U.S. conducted an airstrike Saturday, May 21, 2016, against the Taliban leader the Pentagon said, and a U.S. official said Mansour ... . FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2015 file photo, an Afghan man reads a local newspaper with photos of the leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Mansour, in Kabul, Afghanistan.