House pushes ahead with $611 billion defense policy bill

The Republican-led House is pushing ahead with a $611 billion defense policy bill that prohibits closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, forbids the Pentagon from trimming the number of military bases and awards U.S. troops their largest pay raise in six years. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote Friday on the legislation, which authorizes military spending for the fiscal year that started Oct. 1. The defense bill includes an agreement that prevents the Defense Department from forcing thousands of California National Guard troops to repay enlistment bonuses and benefits they received a decade after they signed up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama Said Poised to Block Chinese Bid For Germany’s Aixtron

U.S. President Barack Obama is poised to block a Chinese company from buying Germany's Aixtron SE, people familiar with the matter said, which would mark only the third time in more than a quarter century that the White House has rejected an investment by an overseas buyer as a national security risk. The president is expected Friday to uphold a recommendation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. that the sale of the semiconductor-equipment supplier to China's Grand Chip Investment GmbH should be stopped, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the details aren't public.

US ambassador highlights links between airbase and community

The outgoing US ambassador urged people to focus on today's "inspiring" links between airbases such as RAF Lakenheath and their communities as he highlighted their important role in the UK's relationship with his country. Matthew Barzun, who was speaking to journalists just over five weeks before he returns to the US following the election of Donald Trump, highlighted the community bonds between US men and women in uniform and the communities they live in.

U.S. Blames Human Error For Mistaken Syria Airstrikes

A handout picture made available by the US Department of Defense on 29 September 2014 shows a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flying over northern Iraq early in the morning of 23 September 2014, after conducting airstrikes in Syria. The U.S. military blamed human error for a September airstrike in Syria that reportedly killed dozens of Syrian soldiers, but said there was no violation of international laws of war.

Stadium GM – Slooking to boost Toys for Tots collection this year

The Stadium GM Toys for Tots for 2016 got its kick-off Monday at the dealership with Santa Claus, owner Shorty Navarro and U.S. Marine Corps recruiter Staff Sergeant Julian Yost, whose office is located at 2789 E. State St. This is Stadium GM's third year with the Toys for Tots program that provides toys for disadvantaged kids. In 1995, Toys for Tots was approved as an official activity of the U. S. Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.

Topeka’s renewed downtown hosts Miracle on Kansas Avenue parade

The cavalcade of first responders, business vehicles, community organizations and decked-out marchers led by a U.S. Marine Corps color guard is a familiar sight for the holidays in downtown Topeka, but this year's Miracle on Kansas Avenue parade is special, organizers said. "This represents in every way what we're trying to do," said Vince Frye, president and CEO of Downtown Topeka Inc., as he stood surrounded by thousands of revelers downtown.

Veteran of the Month: Munford resident’s service spans 20 years

Serving his country for more than 23 years, Warren Richard "Rick" Willers was recently honored as the October Veteran of the Month during a ceremony held at the Tipton County Museum, Veterans Memorial and Nature Center. Originally from Pensacola, Fla., Willers has lived in Tipton County since his retirement from naval service in 1993, staying for the appreciation that grew for the county and for the love of his beautiful bride, the late Patricia Dianne Bomar, a Tipton County native.

This Day in Music History: The Band holds The Last Waltz, Band Aid…

By enlisting together, the brothers ensured that they would not be drafted - or separated. 1969 - As a protest against Britain's military involvement in foreign conflicts, John Lennon returns his Member of the British Empire medal, with an attached letter that reads: "Your Majesty, I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts.

Opening their homes to Coast Guard recruits for Thanksgiving

In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, file photograph, Jennifer Stanton, right, a drill instructor at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, shouts instructions to new recruits during boot camp at the base. U.S. Coast Guard recruits in New Jersey enjoy home-cooked Thanksgiving meals from strangers who welcome them into their homes in a tradition called Operation Fireside.