Fort Hood death toll could climb: PHOTO
T he civilian surgeon overseeing the care of some of the most gravely wounded victims from Thursday’s Fort Hood shootings warned today that the death toll from the incident could still climb. Dr. W. Roy Smythe, chief of surgery at Scott and White Hospital, which holds the nearest trauma centre to the massive Military post, said that six Military personnel cut down by the shooter remain in Hospital. “I would say that some of them are out of the woods, but some of them, their injuries...

Military officials: Obama leaning toward 34,000 more troops for Afghanistan
President Barack Obama has begun to favor a plan that would send an additional 34,000 U.S. Soldiers to Afghanistan, Military officials told McClatchy Newspapers according to a Saturday report. The president's current plan would require 23,000 Soldiers from Fort Campbell and Fort Drum to deploy. An additional 7,000 would support a division headquarters in Kandahar, with 4,000 more trainers coming with them, McClatchy reporter Jonathan S. Landay wrote . The report continued: "The first additional...

Suspect told 'There's something wrong with you'
There was the classroom presentation that justified Suicide bombings. Comments to colleagues about a climate of persecution faced by Muslims in the Military. Conversations with a mosque leader that became incoherent. As a student, some who knew Nidal Malik Hasan said they saw clear signs the young Army psychiatrist - who authorities say went on a shooting spree at Fort Hood that left 13 dead and 29 others wounded - had no place in the Military. After arriving at Fort Hood, he was conflicted...

Military, Docs Talk Hardships Of Soldier Support
FORT MEADE, Md. -- At Fort Meade, they held a moment of silence on Friday for those who were killed and wounded during a mass shooting at Fort Hood in Texas on Thursday, and Military officials said they're finding out how to better support Soldiers and their families. Video: Military, Docs Talk Hardships Of Soldier Support Dr. Maria Mouratidis said she knows the stress of handling the emotional needs of Soldiers. She previously worked in the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda as a...

Spy Who -Saved the World' Dies Age 71: PHOTO
Former Lieutenant-Colonel István Belovai, who revealed the existence of a widespread spy-ring within NATO to the US government and reportedly prevented a Soviet attack on Western Europe, has died aged 71. The former Army Hungarian People's Army Military Strategic Service (HPAMSS) officer died in Denver, Colorado, after a long illness, Hungarian media reported. The Freerepublic website, quoting an article in the US Military's official magazine, Stars and Stripes, says Belovai sabotaged a...

Charting the Fort Hood Shooter - Major Nidal Malik Hasan
Military personnel are struggling to retrace the steps of the suspected shooter in Thursday's massacre at the Fort Hood Military base in Texas. Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a devout Muslim, has been named as the gunman.  He allegedly opened fire shouting "Allahu Akbar" (god is great) before killing thirteen people and wounding 28 others.  He was shot down by police and is currently on a ventilator. Hasan has described himself as being of Palestinian descent (second generation), although...

Royal Visit: The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive in Vancouver: PHOTO
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall touched down at the Vancouver International Airport in a Military jet promtly at 11:15 a.m., arriving at the south terminal for their whirlwind tour of the city, which will include a visit to the Olympic Athletes village and an official reception. Only The Vancouver Sun was at the south terminal hangar when the Royals arrived within. Oddly enough search and rescue helicopters were conducting tests outside a neighbouring hangar...

George W. Bush visits Fort Hood, wounded soldiers
FORT HOOD, Texas (AP)

Some fear backlash against Muslims in US military: PHOTO
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's family says he confided in them that he felt harassed as a Muslim in the U.S. Military — and wasn't treated as an American and soldier should be.

Officer describes firefight that downed Hasan, ending deadly Fort Hood rampage
KILLEEN, TEXAS — One of two police officers who confronted the alleged Fort Hood killer says he shot the man before kicking his weapon away, cuffing him and thus ending the nation's worst Killing Spree on a Military base. Sgt. Mark Todd joined Sgt. Kimberly Munley, hailed as a hero for her actions, in a firefight with Hasan that lasted less than a minute. Todd was not wounded, but the exchange Thursday left Munley injured and Hasan critically wounded. Todd rejects the notion that he's a...

George W. Bush visits Fort Hood, wounded soldiers
Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, visited wounded Soldiers and their families near the site of the worst mass shooting on an Army post in the United States. The Bushes made their private visit to Fort Hood’s Darnall Army Medical Center on Friday night. Bush spokesman David Sherzer said in an e-mail that the couple thanked Fort Hood’s Military leaders and Hospital staff for the “amazing care they are providing.” An Army psychiatrist, Maj. Nidal Malik...

Fort Hood, community mourn shooting victims
FORT HOOD, Texas — A chaplain exhorted hundreds of mourners gathered at a candlelight vigil to not give up hope as Fort Hood and its surrounding community looked to each other for comfort after an Army psychiatrist allegedly went on a deadly shooting spree at the Military base. A grief counseling center was set up Friday at the Killeen Community Center to help residents struggling to make sense of one of the worst mass shootings ever on a base in the United States. At least 13 people died...

Terrorism or Tragic Shooting? Analysts Divided on Fort Hood Massacre
It was one of the of the deadliest mass shootings on a U.S. base, but the shooting rampage at Fort Hood that killed 13 and 38 wounded this week has sparked a debate about whether it was an act of Terrorism . The alleged gunman, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a Palestinian-American and an Army psychiatrist, reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar! -- Arabic for "God is great!" when he opened fire. He was seriously wounded by police and is being treated in a Military Hospital.

As they grapple with strains of war, military therapists feel the pain, too
WASHINGTON — Amputations. Combat stress. Divorce. Suicide. For troubled service members, Military therapists are at their sides. But with the U.S. fighting two wars, an acute shortage of trained personnel has left these therapists emotional drained and overworked, with limited time to prepare for their own war deployments. An Army psychiatrist is suspected in the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, and the rampage is raising questions about whether there's enough help for the helpers, even...

After attack, Muslims in US military worry that violence could bring uncomfortable spotlight
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's family says he confided in them that he felt harassed as a Muslim in the U.S. Military — and wasn't treated as an American and soldier should be.

Missing in America Project brings remains of 13 veterans to Boise: PHOTO
BOISE -- Thirteen deceased veterans whose cremated remains were missing or abandoned in a funeral home in north Idaho were given a proper Military service in Boise.   The ceremony was held Friday at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Each veteran was interred by a member of their branch of service.   The ceremony was part of a movement that started in Idaho called the Missing in America Project.   The Idaho Division of Veterans Services says all veterans deserve this honor.  ...

List of Ft. Hood dead includes pregnant soldier, man working two weeks after heart attack
The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow Soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included a pregnant woman who was preparing to return home, a man who quit a furniture company job to join the Military about a year ago, a newlywed who had served in Iraq and a woman who had vowed to take on Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Here is a look at some of the victims. ——— Francheska Velez Velez, 21, of Chicago, was pregnant and preparing...

The Associated Press: Pakistan: 12 militants killed in offensive
Islamabad — Pakistani Soldiers killed 12 militants in gunbattles over the past day, officials said Saturday, as government forces pressed on with their offensive in the mountainous Taliban sanctuary of South Waziristan. The Military said while The Army has taken control of two former strongholds — Sararogha and Ladha — there were still occasional clashes with militants. The Army was still battling for full control of Makeen, which they call the "nerve center" of the...

Suspect Could Face Death Penalty in Fort Hood Shooting
The Army psychiatrist suspected in Thursday's deadly Fort Hood rampage in Texas could get the death penalty if he is convicted of multiple counts of first-degree murder - and Military law experts say the evidence against him will be substantial. American-born Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan has yet to be charged but is expected to face at least 13 counts of murder, one for each of the victims who died, as well as numerous assault and weapons charges in a court-martial.

As they grapple with strains of war, military therapists feel the pain, too
WASHINGTON — Amputations. Combat stress. Divorce. Suicide. For troubled service members, Military therapists are at their sides. But with the U.S. fighting two wars, an acute shortage of trained personnel has left these therapists emotional drained and overworked, with limited time to prepare for their own war deployments. An Army psychiatrist is suspected in the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, and the rampage is raising questions about whether there's enough help for the helpers, even...

Hasan seemed quiet -- except about beliefs
Army Maj . Nidal M. Hasan's anger was building. He felt stuck in The Army, and family members said the Military wouldn't let him out. He disagreed with American policy in Iraq and Afghanistan , telling colleagues that the war against terror was a war against Muslims and that his religion came first. He was a stranger to those with whom he prayed daily. And even those who liked Hasan and saw him every day viewed him as an odd recluse who was often standoffish. They didn't know him very well and...

List of Ft. Hood dead includes pregnant soldier, man working two weeks after heart attack
The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow Soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included a pregnant woman who was preparing to return home, a man who quit a furniture company job to join the Military about a year ago, a newlywed who had served in Iraq and a woman who had vowed to take on Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Here is a look at some of the victims. ——— Francheska Velez Velez, 21, of Chicago, was pregnant and preparing...

Russian military plane crashes in Pacific, 11 missing
Moscow, Nov 7

After attack, Muslims in US military worry that violence could bring uncomfortable spotlight
Some Muslim servicemembers are worried that the mass shooting at Fort Hood could unravel their work to be accepted as loyal, dedicated Soldiers.

San Diego family confirms loss of Fort Hood victim
The San Diego family of a psychiatric nurse who was killed at Fort Hood says the "citizen soldier" was killed a day after arriving at the base on his way to Iraq . In a statement read by the California National Guard Friday, the family said 56-year-old Capt. John Gaffaney was an avid baseball card collector and fan of the San Diego Padres. He liked to ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, restore his 1965 Ford Mustang and read Military novels. The Williston, N.D. , native served in the Navy from...