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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 25 Nov 2009 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: November 24 AFNS 25 Nov 2009
• Iraqis Arrest 18 Suspected al—Qaida Associates AFPS 25 Nov 2009 -- Iraqi security forces arrested 18 suspected al-Qaida in Iraq associates today, and earlier this week captured a terrorism suspect they’ve been pursuing for three years, military officials reported.
• Lewis bound: I Corps analytical element completes year-long tour Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- In November 2008, Brig. Gen. Peter Bayer, Multi-National Corps-Iraq chief of staff, stood before the Corps Analysis and Control Element at Fort Lewis, Wash., to wish the Soldiers of I Corps' CACE well as they prepared to head to Iraq
• Tennessee Army National Guard maintains, operates critical northern Iraq aviation asset Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- they immediately drop anything they're doing, put on their protective equipment, run to the fuel trucks and [service the aircraft]. At other locations, Soldiers are on shift. Here Soldiers work when the aircraft are flying which is all the time, any time."
• US, Iraqi Navy Divers Conduct Survey, Clear Hazards From Iraqi Port Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- Members of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, currently deployed to Combined Task Group (CTG) 56.1 in Bahrain, worked alongside members of the Iraqi Navy to perform a salvage dive survey and hazard clearance in the Umm Qasr, Iraq harbor Nov. 14-16.
• U.S. Navy, Army Work Together to Provide Water for Iraqis Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- Today at Camp Bucca, Iraq, more than one hundred Iraqis and Americans celebrated the grand opening of water distribution and waste collection points for the citizens of Safwan and Umm Qasr, Iraq.
• CONTACT LOST WITH PREDATOR IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN AFNS 25 Nov 2009 -- Contact was lost with an Air Force MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aircraft System Saturday in southern Afghanistan
• US President Expected to Announce Afghanistan Policy Tuesday VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama will announce his new strategy for Afghanistan on Tuesday.
• Yuma's VMA-214, MALS-13 Marines return home from Afghanistan USMC News 25 Nov 2009 -- After a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan, approximately 200 Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 214 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13, along with 10 AV-8B Harriers, returned to the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 22, 2009
• UK minister blames Obama for dwindling support for Afghan war IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- Britain’s Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has put part of the blame on US President Barack Obama for the dwindling domestic support for the war in Afghanistan.
• US Troops Experiment with New Strategy for Afghanistan VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama plans to announce his new strategy for Afghanistan on Tuesday, and U.S. news organizations say he will most likely send between 30,000 and 35,000 additional troops. The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan earlier this year told the president that up to 40,000 additional troops are needed to combat Taliban and al-Qaida militants in the region. If General McChrystal does not get all of the troops that he seeks, U.S. commanders are already trying to make do with fewer numbers.
• Afghan Taliban Chief Rejects Talks With Government VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- A statement attributed to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar is again rejecting a call for peace talks aimed at ending the country's eight-year-old war.
• Marine engineers clear dangerous Afghan roads USMC News 25 Nov 2009 -- It is day one of Route Clearance Platoon 3, Mobility Assault Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion’s mission and one hour into their convoy an explosion can be seen.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD Announces Military Commissions Actions DoD 25 Nov 2009 -- Today, prosecutors in the Office of Military Commissions announced they intend to ask the convening authority to refer new charges under the recently-enacted Military Commissions Act of 2009 against Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Haza al Darbi, in connection with his alleged involvement in an al Qaeda conspiracy to attack military and commercial shipping in the Port of Aden and the Straits of Hormuz
• US Terror Trial Decision Sparks Opposition, Legal Questions VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- The Obama administration's decision to try five alleged plotters of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States in the civilian court system has sparked angry opposition from congressional Republicans, and many questions from legal analysts.
• British Officials: Little Pre-War Evidence of al-Qaida-Iraq Link VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- Two senior British officials say there was no evidence of serious cooperation between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and only sporadic contacts in the years before.
• UK to set out details of second Iraq abuse inquiry IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- The British government is due Wednesday to set out details of a second public inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by UK troops in Iraq following years of litigations.
• UK rejected al-Qaeda links with Iraq, inquiry told IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- The UK government rejected claims of links between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s regime prior to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Iraq war inquiry was told Wednesday.
• US Changes Its Stance on Landmine Policy VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- The United States says a review of its landmines policy is ongoing - a day after it had announced Washington would not sign an international convention that bans the weapons.
• Third Army transitions medical services to Shaw Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- With the relocation of Third Army/U.S. Army Central to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., right around the corner, questions have arisen about healthcare services
• U.S. Army meets with industry representatives to conceive a ground combat vehicle Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli re-emphasized details of the Army's Modernization Plan and what is "necessary" in conceiving the Army's Ground Combat Vehicle as he met with more than 200 industry representatives at the second Ground Combat Vehicle Industry Day held at the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren, Mich., Nov. 24.
• G-6 says iPhone approach could help Army Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- Using Apple's iPhone application approval process as an example, the Army's chief information officer said emulating industry could help speed up the development and approval of Army network applications.
• TCM-Soldier puts sharper eye on equipment, uniform issues facing women in the ranks Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- For some time, TRADOC Capability Manager-Soldier considered bringing in its own czar of sorts dedicated to gaining the female perspective in clothing and individual equipment across the Army
• International exercise 'Forging Sabre' concludes at Sill Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- Fort Sill's total force training capability provided the backdrop for more than 600 Singapore armed forces personnel who rehearsed their military capabilities here during Exercise Forging Sabre Nov. 1-24.
• 1st HBCT, 3rd ID Cooks Fight Elements, Other Obstacles to Keep Soldiers in the Fight Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- At the National Training Center in the Mojave Desert, little can be seen at 2 a.m. except lights in the distance
• Investigation ongoing into threat against Fort Benning Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- The Army's Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate a potential threat against Fort Benning that was discovered Nov. 19
• Ordnance Opens First Doors to Training at Fort Lee Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- Ordnance leaders, students and community members gathered with the Family of the late Maj. Gen. Jackson E. Rozier in one of the state-of-the-art training bays at the new Tactical Support Equipment Department building Nov. 20 for the official ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony.
• Soldiers prepare to react at new IED training village Army News 25 Nov 2009 -- Fort Benning Soldiers have a new place to learn about improvised explosive devices - a training village on Sand Hill
• Former USS Chafee XO Detached, Reassigned Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- The commander of Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31 requested on Nov. 20 that the former executive officer of USS Chafee (DDG 90) be detached for cause.
• USNS San Jose Makes Last Visit to Guam Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- Combat stores ship USNS San Jose (T-ASF 7) made its last port visit to U.S. Naval Base Guam Nov. 10 before it heads to Pearl Harbor for deactivation.
• U.S. Fleet Forces Commander Calls Sailors in Horn of Africa 'Cutting Edge' Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- The commander of U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command addressed Sailors serving as individual augmentees (IA) and in global war on terror support assignments (GSA) at Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa Nov. 24.
• Three Combined Task Forces Meet in the Gulf of Aden Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- Three commanders of counterpiracy task forces met Nov. 21 to discuss future efforts and to welcome their newest member.
• Whidbey Patrol Squadron Home for the Holidays Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- Many "Fighting Marlins" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 have an extra reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving. They are home from Iraq.
• JTF Guantanamo Goes Green Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- Navy and civilian engineering and technical personnel work together at the wind turbines and at the water and power plant in Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba, to provide green energy for approximately 7,000 people stationed at Naval Station (NAVSTA) GTMO.
• SEAL Team Commanding Officer Relieved Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- The commanding officer of an East Coast-based SEAL team located at Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek, Va., was relieved of command Nov. 25 due to a loss of confidence in his ability to perform his duties.
• NSWC Crane Joins Powerhouses in Nanoscience Technology Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- Presenters from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) joined experts for a collaborative conference to share the latest research and technologies related to batteries and power sources at Indiana University, Nov. 13.
• Chinese Admiral Visits Coalition Warship Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- The commander of Task Force 529 of the People's Liberation Army Navy, embarked aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65), the flagship for Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, Nov. 19.
• Enterprise Passes Crew Certification Phase Three Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed the third phase of the crew certification process Nov. 18.
• CMF Participates in Counterpiracy Conference in Beijing Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) participated in an international counterpiracy conference held recently Beijing. Piracy off the coast of Somalia continues to be a major concern for international shipping operating within 1,000 miles of the coast.
• US Minesweeps Participate in Exercise Clear Horizon Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- The mine counter-measures ships USS Defender (MCM 2), USS Guardian (MCM 5), USS Patriot (MCM 7) and Helicopter Minecountermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14) are participating in exercise Clear Horizon, an annual, bilateral, mine counter-measures exercise conducted
  with the Republic of Korea.
• ESG-5 Commander Visits Cleveland, Rushmore at Sea Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- The commander of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5 visited Sailors and Marines aboard USS Cleveland (LPD 7) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47) Nov. 18-20, while traveling in the Gulf region to express appreciation to coalition partners participating in theater security cooperation engagements and exercises.
• Local Vendors Invited for Bazaar at Camp Lemonier Navy NewsStand 25 Nov 2009 -- For the first time in more than two years, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), invited various local Djiboutian vendors onto camp for the opportunity to sell items and build relationships with American consumers during a bazaar Nov. 20-22.
• Realistic Training Gets Soldiers Ready for Iraq AFPS 25 Nov 2009 -- In the midst of a nondescript Middle Eastern-style village, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team soldiers interact with the local inhabitants the same as they have done day in and day out on routine patrols.
• VA Initiative Aims to Improve Veteran Health Care AFPS 25 Nov 2009 -- Officials with the nation’s two largest electronic medical records systems announced a pilot program today designed to further enhance health-care services for military veterans.
• Records transfer marks historic milestone AFNS 25 Nov 2009 -- The transfer of approximately 177,000 official military personnel files from the Air Force to the National Archives and Records Administration here Nov. 18 marked a milestone as the final service to make its historical documents a part of the public record.
• Transfer of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits easier with new virtual application AFNS 25 Nov 2009 -- A new module in the virtual Military Personnel Flight that will simplify the process of transferring Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to dependents is set to launch this month.
• Air Force secretary discusses state of force at Global Warfare Symposium AFNS 25 Nov 2009 -- The Air Force's top civilian leader delivered a key note speech regarding the service's future with special attention to the space mission at the 2009 Air Force Association Global Warfare Symposium here Nov. 20.
• ‘First-strike Ration’ Aims for Better Nutrition AFPS 25 Nov 2009 -- Several military organizations are working together to provide soldiers with healthy, good-tasting, sustainable and nutritionally sound combat rations.
• Joint Program Aims to Reduce Firefighter Injuries AFPS 25 Nov 2009 -- Firefighting may be near the top of the Defense Department’s list of high-risk occupations, but there’s a move afoot to make it safer.
• NATO yet to respond to Russia's confidence-building initiative RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- Russia has yet to receive a reply from NATO to its proposal to sign an agreement on the prevention of "dangerous" military activities in border areas, Russia's envoy to the alliance said on Wednesday.
• Iran starts third stage air-defense drills RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- Iran on Wednesday completed the first day of the third stage of an air-defense exercise, which saw the test firing of modern missile systems, the ISNA news agency said.
• Iran launches third phase of aerial maneuver IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- Air forces of the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps jointly launched the third phase of a nationwide aerial war game code-named “Defenders of Velayat-2” on Wednesday.
• Sophisticated missiles tested in third round of nationwide exercise IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- The Hawk, Tour-M and Sam-6 missiles were successfully tested in the third round of the 'Modafean-e Aseman-e-Velayat 2 (Sky Defenders 2)' wargame on Wednesday.
• Iran's ability to build own S-300 air-defense systems queried RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- A Russian military expert questioned on Wednesday Tehran's claims that it could build its own S-300 surface-to-air missile systems.
• China has yet to deploy anti-carrier guided-missiles: official CNA 25 Nov 2009 -- A Taiwan national defense official said Wednesday that China has not yet deployed guided missiles aimed at preventing U.S. aircraft carriers from entering waters surrounding Taiwan
• Talks Held between DPRK and Chinese Defense Ministers KCNA 24 Nov 2009 -- Talks were held here Tuesday between Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and minister of the People's Armed Forces, and Col. General Liang Guanglie, minister of National Defense who doubles as a state councilor of the People's Republic of China.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 25 Nov 2009
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs; Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Mike Froman; and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Carol Browner The White House 25 Nov 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 25, 2009
• Boeing and Australian Defence Force Sign Deed for Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Services Boeing 25 Nov 2009 -- Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has signed a Deed of Standing Offer to provide Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) testing and design services for Australian Defence Force (ADF) aircraft and systems.
• Thales Deutschland to equip all German Navy supply ships Thales 25 Nov 2009 -- The German Navy trusts Thales’s expertise and technology when it comes to developing and outfitting its largest ships. Thales has been selected to be the main contractor on the project that will see the "Berlin" and "Frankfurt am Main" supply ships (EGVs) equipped with a new radar system for air surveillance and helicopter guidance . Thales was also chosen to install the same radar technology and additionally will provide the command and control system and the internal communication system on the "Bonn", a third EGV scheduled for launch in 2012.
• Ground breaking milestone for FSTA synthetic training requirement Thales 25 Nov 2009 -- FSTA Groundbreaking ceremonyA break ground ceremony has today been held at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, to initiate the construction of a building that will house the synthetic and ground training facility for flight, ground engineering and support personnel for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Nov 2009
• UN peacebuilding body ready for expanded role, Security Council told UN News Centre 25 Nov 2009 -- The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) – tasked with marshalling resources to support recovery and development efforts in countries emerging from conflict – could be put to greater use by the world body, the Security Council was told in a briefing today.
• Israeli PM Declares Settlement Freeze VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday declared a moratorium on construction in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, in what he says is a bid to restart the stalled peace process. Palestinians have criticized the plan in part because it does not include a halt to building in East Jerusalem.
• US Welcomes Israeli Settlement Move, Urges Palestinians to Enter Negotiations VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- The Obama administration says the 10-month moratorium on new settlement construction starts in the West Bank announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday falls short of the complete freeze. But the administration is welcoming the action and is urging Israel and the Palestinians to seize on the opportunity to resume peace talks.
• Palestinians reject Israel offer on settlement construction RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- The Palestinian leadership does not believe that an Israeli offer to limit settlement construction for ten months is sufficient for peace talks to restart, a PNA spokesman said on Wednesday.
• Middle East peace process in "deep and worrying impasse" - UN RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- The Middle East peace process and political efforts for a negotiated two-state solution have reached "a deep and worrying impasse," the UN assistant secretary general has said.
• UN boosts food aid to thousands uprooted by tribal violence in DR Congo UN News Centre 25 Nov 2009 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today it is ramping up efforts to feed tens of thousand of Congolese who fled a recent outbreak of tribal violence in north-western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• UN Report Critical of DRC Operation VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- A United Nations report leaked to several news organizations says support for Congo's army has failed to deliver a knockout blow to Rwandan rebels while local insurgents have seized new territory.
• Iran's Maleki rejects UAE official's claims on three islands IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- Former Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbas Maleki on Tuesday dismissed claims made by a leading official of the United Arab Emirates who alleged Iran had illegally seized the three Persian Gulf islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Moussa.
• Darfur: over 300 former combatants discharged through UN-backed programme UN News Centre 25 Nov 2009 -- More than 300 former combatants in Darfur, including women and disabled persons, have participated in a three-day discharge programme organized by the Government of Sudan with support from the joint African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur.
• Trial of Serb politician to resume at UN war crimes tribunal in January 2010 UN News Centre 25 Nov 2009 -- The United Nations tribunal set up to deal with the worst war crimes committed during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s has ordered that the trial of Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Šešelj, which had been adjourned in February amid allegations that witnesses had been intimidated, resume on 12 January 2010.
• AU Envoy Says AMISOM Troop Payments Remain In Arrears VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- Hard line Islamic insurgent group, Al-Shabaab with links to Al-Qaeda has vowed to overthrow the internationally-backed Somali government.
• Cambodia: Duch Apologizes as Prosecutors Demand 40 Years in Prison VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- In Cambodia, final arguments are being heard in the trial of a senior Khmer Rouge leader blamed for the deaths of at least 12,000 people.
• Philippine Police Name Massacre Suspect as More Bodies Recovered VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- Philippine authorities have found more bodies in a shallow grave on the southern island of Mindanao, bringing the total number of victims in a massacre there to at least 57, including 18 journalists. Police have named a suspect, a member of a powerful political family, but there are doubts that authorities will bring those responsible to justice. And there are wider concerns about democracy in the Philippines.
• Somali Insurgents Order Halt to Imported Food Aid VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- Islamist insurgents in Somalia have told the United Nations' World Food Program to stop importing food aid into the country.

News Reports

• Singh: India Will Not Let Hatched in Pakistan Mumbai Terror Attacks Happen Again VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says he welcomes Pakistani steps to rein in extremists. But he says Pakistan must do everything it can to punish those who planned and carried out the Mumbai attacks last year.
• President: Iran, Brazil can cooperate on nuclear power plants IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran’s nuclear technology is indigenous, adding that Iran and Brazil can cooperate in the field of nuclear power plant construction.
• Speaker: We should not be deceived by US IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said Iran should not be deceived by the US tactics assuming that it has changed its behavior and attitudes towards Iran.
• Supreme Leader highlights Basij role in protecting Iran from threats IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here Wednesday that no threat will work against the Islamic Republic system as long as Basijis (volunteer forces) remain on the scene.
• Russia rejects US expert claim on Moscow-Tehran relation IRNA 25 Nov 2009 -- Russia Foreign Ministry, by issuing a statement on Tuesday evening, rejected a US expert claim on Moscow nuclear military assistance to Tehran and said the issue is baseless.
• Iran says Russia honors NPP construction contract RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- Moscow fulfills its commitments concerning the launch of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant at the moment, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization has been quoted by the ILNA news agency as saying.
• Iran's Ahmadinejad In Venezuela For Talks With Chavez RFE/RL 25 Nov 2009 -- Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad is in Venezuela for talks with President Hugo Chavez, another outspoken anti-American leader, on the final stop on his Latin America tour
• Rights Group: Iran Arrests Students to Curb Expected Protests VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- An Iranian rights group says Iranian police have arrested students in an apparent attempt to discourage protests expected on National Student Day, December 7.
• Ahmadinejad Visits Venezuela to Boost Business Ties VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Venezuela on the latest stop of a regional tour aimed at boosting ties with supporters of Iran's controversial nuclear program.
• Obama to Attend Copenhagen Climate Talks VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark next month to attend a worldwide climate change summit. The president plans to lay out U.S. goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• UN Climate Chief Calls For 'Compromise' As Copenhagen Summit Nears RFE/RL 25 Nov 2009 -- Less than two weeks before the critical climate-change conference in Copenhagen, the top United Nations climate-change official is urging "cooperation and compromise."
• Iraqi Plan To Draw Up Voter Rolls Under Scrutiny RFE/RL 25 Nov 2009 -- Sunni Arab and Kurdish politicians in Iraq have warned that creating voter rolls in the country's 18 provinces based on ration cards is an unreliable method that can be manipulated, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports.
• AIT chief concludes visit to Taiwan CNA 25 Nov 2009 -- The top U.S. liaison officer with Taiwan returned to the United States on Wednesday, concluding his four-day visit to Taipei to brief Taiwanese officials and opposition leaders on U.S. President Barack Obama's recent visit to China.
• Muslims Flock to Mecca for Annual Hajj Pilgrimage VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- The annual season of Hajj is now under way. Every Muslim who is financially capable is required by the Koran - the Muslim holy scripture - to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at the annual season of Hajj at least once is his lifetime. The culmination of the Hajj is the Id-Al Adha, the festival of sacrifice, which this year falls on November 28.
• Some 2.5 Million Muslims Begin Hajj RFE/RL 25 Nov 2009 -- Millions of Muslims have gathered in Saudi Arabia to perform the hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina that begins today
• Russia's Health Ministry reports 600 flu deaths in 2009 RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- About 600 people have died in Russia from flu, including the H1N1 virus, since the start of the year, the health minister said on Wednesday.
• Atlantis separates from ISS, landing due Friday RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- U.S. space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday and is set to return to earth on Friday, NASA said.
• US Shuttle Atlantis Returning to Earth After Space Station Visit VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis is returning to Earth after spending a week at the International Space Station to deliver tons of spare parts to the orbiting outpost.
• Kazakhstan moves to play down Baikonur spat with Russia RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- Kazakhstan moved to play down a spat with Russia over a delay in a rocket launch from the Russian-leased space center in the Central Asian republic earlier this week, saying it was a result of a misunderstanding.
• Pakistan Charges 7 in Mumbai Attacks VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- Pakistani prosecutors have charged seven men with planning and helping to carry out last year's terror attacks in Mumbai, which killed more than 160 people.
• GLOBAL: $8.8 billion the magic malnutrition number? IRIN 25 Nov 2009 -- It would take US$8.8 billion annually over several years to halve the number of malnourished children worldwide, currently at some 178 million, says Save the Children in a new eight-point action plan.
• Successful launch for Eutelsat’s W7 satellite built by Thales Alenia Space Thales 25 Nov 2009 -- Eutelsat’s W7 satellite was successfully launched last night by International Launch Services (ILS) from the Baïkonour Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan. Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor of the spacecraft which will deliver services at the 36 degrees East longitude orbital position.