Witnesses at Hasan hearing, recall the Fort Hood shooting during the first day of testimony. And, U.S. aid Taliban leaders to attend initial peace talks in Kabul.

Witnesses at Hasan hearing recall Fort Hood shootings

FORT HOOD, Texas — The popping of rapid gunfire, groans of the wounded and terrified pleas for help could be heard on a harrowing 911 call played in court Wednesday during the first day of testimony in the pretrial Article 32 hearing for the Army psychiatrist accused of perpetrating last year’s massacre here.

U.S. Aids Taliban to Attend Talks on Making Peace

BRUSSELS — United States-led forces are permitting the movement of senior Taliban leaders to attend initial peace talks in Kabul, the clearest indication of American support for high-level discussions aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan, senior NATO and Obama administration officials said.

Pakistan Foils Militant Plot to Kill PM

MULTAN, Pakistan — Pakistani police said Thursday they have foiled a plot to kill the country’s prime minister, foreign minister and other senior police, army and government officials by arresting a group of seven militants in central Pakistan.

‘DADT’ ruling gives White House a legal quandary

WASHINGTON — White House officials again this week insisted they’re committed to repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” law. But government attorneys may now be forced to argue the opposite in court.

UN extends Afghan force amid terrorist concerns

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Security Council voted unanimously Wednesday to extend U.N. authorization for the NATO-led force in Afghanistan for a year, expressing “strong concern” at the increase in terrorist activities by the Taliban, al-Qaida and other armed groups.

Man Defrauded Navy on Inferior Sub Metal

A Pennsylvania contractor has pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. government by selling the Navy metal for use in submarine construction that didn’t meet specifications.

Judge orders injunction barring ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ enforcement

SAN DIEGO  — A federal judge issued a worldwide injunction Tuesday stopping enforcement of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, ending the military’s 17-year-old ban on openly gay troops.

MoH Recipient David McNerney Dies at 79

David H. McNerney, a Medal of Honor recipient whose Vietnam War heroics later became the subject of a documentary, died Sunday after a battle with lung cancer. He was 79.

U.S. Army Looks to Lighten Troops’ Load

Weight remains a major obstacle for the U.S. Army as it tries to equip soldiers with all of the gear needed to remain safe and connected to other soldiers on the battlefield.

Services Exceed 2010 Recruiting Goals

The Pentagon’s top adviser on recruiting offered a positive assessment on Oct. 12 of the services’ efforts to bring in new troops during fiscal 2010.

Barely off the ground: Iraqi Air Force not ready to defend nation

BAGHDAD — If Iranian war planes crossed Iraq’s eastern border today, a fleet of Cessnas and a handful of Russian helicopters is all the Iraqi military would be able to muster in response. Instead, Iraq’s de facto air defense — the U.S. Air Force — would likely scramble fighters to meet the threat.

2 Killed, 10 Wounded in Helo Explosion

KABUL, Afghanistan — NATO says two people have been killed and 10 others injured in an explosion aboard a coalition helicopter just after it landed in eastern Afghanistan.