Afghanistan – Karzai won’t offer Taliban offer a share in government in turn for peace deal. In Egypt, chaos erupts in Cairo as Mubarak supporters clash with opponents.

Panel rejects ‘don’t ask’ for Va. National Guard

A state lawmaker’s attempt to keep gays from serving openly in the Virginia National Guard was rejected decisively Tuesday by a House committee.

Karzai won’t offer Taliban ‘power-sharing,’ top aide says

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan won’t offer a share in the government to Taliban insurgents in return for a peace deal, and they’ll have to lay down their arms and contest elections to gain power, a top aide to President Hamid Karzai declared in an interview.

Chaos in Cairo as Mubarak backers, opponents clash

CAIRO (AP) — Thousands of supporters and opponents of President Hosni Mubarak battled in Cairo’s main square Wednesday, raining stones, bottles and firebombs on each other in scenes of uncontrolled violence as soldiers stood by without intervening. Government backers galloped in on horses and camels, only to be dragged to the ground and beaten bloody.

Iraq urges approval of settlement for US victims

BAGHDAD (AP) — The Iraqi government called on parliament Wednesday to approve a $400 million settlement for Americans who claim they were abused by Saddam Hussein’s regime.

US Military ‘Watching Egypt Closely’

On Jan. 29, Adm. Jim Stavridis, commander of U.S. European Command, tweeted: “Watching Egypt closely. Talking with Gen. Jim Mattis of U.S. Central Command about it.”

Bank Under More Fire Over Troop Loans

WASHINGTON — Mortgage lender JP Morgan-Chase may face at least three investigations for overcharging thousands of servicemembers on their mortgage loans and improperly foreclosing on 14 military families.

VA creates automated system for education benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently launched a new automated system that will speed up delivering Post 9/11 GI Bill veterans benefits and be more accurate with payments.

Your Weapons Are On Cairo’s Streets

On the streets of Cairo and around the world, everyone’s waiting to see if the Egyptian Army is going to crack down on the demonstrators demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. Whatever Egypt’s military does next, chances are they’ll do it with American weapons.

Afghan Villagers Return Home To Devastation

This summer, U.S. troops surged into southern Afghanistan, pushing into Taliban territory and setting off some of the fiercest fighting since the war began.

Exclusive: Honors says admirals backed videos

The former carrier commander fired for producing and starring in controversial shipboard videos says the films were made with the “affirmative and tacit approval of senior Navy leadership,” according to an official statement the former skipper, Capt. Owen Honors, has provided to investigators.

War wounded: Father, son suffer brain injuries

MOORPARK, Calif. (AP) — The crisply ironed uniforms of the father and son hang side by side in what they have dubbed the “Marine Corps closet,” a dark space filled with vestiges of their tours of duty.

Naval Academy Admissions Under Scrutiny

The Naval Academy will send appointment letters to the Class of 2015 this week, and nearly all of the successful applicants will likely accept.

Ivy League Preps for ROTC’s Return

Reserve Officer Training Corps programs may soon return to Ivy League campuses after an absence that’s spanned nearly two generations. Officials at Harvard, Yale and Stanford are considering asking the services to start ROTC programs at their campus now that the ban on gays serving openly in the military has been repealed. 

Afghan troop proposal may cost $2 billion more: U.S. aide

Washington and its allies are struggling to balance mounting budget pressures at home with the need to stand up a capable local fighting force in Afghanistan that can take over more security responsibilities as foreign forces withdraw.