(CNN) — Nations honored those who sacrificed their lives in wars on Wednesday, in many cases for the first time without any surviving veterans of World War I.

Services took place around the world to mark the 91st anniversary of the armistice signed between Germany and the Allies on November 11, 1918.

Depending on where it is celebrated, the day is alternatively known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Poppy Day or Veterans Day.

Read more ….

Yemen rebels urge Saudi ceasefire.

Now that parliament approved elections, Iraqis are ambivalent.

Iran’s opposition steers challenge toward the top.

Beneath Lebanon’s new political deal, a fear of violence.

Stalled talks may kill Israel’s Labor Party.

China ready to welcome President Obama.

Car bomb adds to toll in Northwest Pakistan.

Cambodia refuses Thai demand for Thaksin extradition.

In Sri Lanka, anger over detainees’ fate.

Pirates seize Greek vessel off Seychelles.

Cross-examination begins in war crimes trial of former Liberian President.

Zimbabwe PM attends cabinet after ending boycott.

French and German leaders mark Armistice Day.

EU to choose first president on Nov 19: Reinfeldt.

Is Russia playing both sides on Iran nukes?

Soldiers, family come together to grieve at Fort Hood.

Quebec nationalists interrupt Prince Charles tour.

Massive blackout leaves Brazil on edge.

US tries to salvage Honduras accord.

9 Colombia troops killed in clash with rebels.

In Afghanistan, Taliban surpasses al-Qaeda.

Algeria jails 3 Moroccans over Iraq al Qaeda plan.

U.S. Senator Dodd upsets banks with plan for a single bank overseer.

What’s behind rising oil prices?

World Bank warns unemployment threatens US economy.

World News Briefs — November 11, 2009 is a post from: News Updated Frequently

South Korea’s military is on high alert for possible retaliatory moves after a North Korean patrol boat was set ablaze Tuesday during a clash between the two Koreas’ navies.

A spokesman for South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff says the South’s army, navy and air forces are closely monitoring the activities of the North’s military.

But South Korean officials say so far they have not noticed any unusual troop movements by the North.

Read more ….

SKorea troops on high alert after navy skirmish — Yahoo News/AP
Tension high as Koreas bolster watch after naval skirmish — Yonhap News Agency
S Korea Sends 2 More Warships To N Korea Border – Sources — Wall Street Journal
Two Koreas’ naval clash won’t deter U.S. visit-Clinton — Reuters
‘US envoy to N Korea’ after clash — BBC
Obama will send top diplomat to North Korea for direct talks — Washington Post
US warns over Koreas naval clash — BBC
Clinton: US still to send envoy to North Korea — AP

South Korean Military On High Alert A Day After Naval Clash With North Korea is a post from: News Updated Frequently

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) is trying to bypass defense authorizers in order to fund a missile defense project in his state.

Inouye wants to use $68.5 million from last year’s missile defense budget for the construction of an Aegis Ashore test facility. He wants to ensure the money is available in the bill funding military construction projects for fiscal 2010, which is under Senate consideration this week.

Read more ….

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff addresses key mobility, Air Force issues at conference – U.S. Air Force

Plan Afoot to Halt F-35 Cost Hikes, Delays — Defense News

The truth about the F-35 program’s delusions of grandeur — ELP Defens(c)e Blog

Most advanced, expensive fighter jet headed to Israel — Haaretz

General Calls for Focus on Protecting Satellites — Defense Talk

The Future of Amphibious Lift Pt 2 — New Wars

Hill Loses; Pentagon Wins — DoD Buzz

US to send $100M worth of weapons to Georgia – intelligence — RT

Part Time Pilots Prevail – Strategy Page

Stitching a Stretchy Crotch — Defense Tech

Brazilian Blackout Traced to Sooty Insulators, Not Hackers. Calls 60 Minutes Piece BS — The Danger Room

But …..

Dam problem blacks out Brazil’s two largest cities — Reuters Alertnet

Free Veteran’s Day CD! — New Wars

Military And Intelligence News Briefs — November 11, 2009 is a post from: News Updated Frequently

From Global Security Newswire:

The head of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff yesterday rejected a report that Islamabad might allow U.S. forces to help secure its nuclear arsenal against an imminent threat from terrorists or military insiders, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Nov. 9).

The report, written by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh for the New Yorker, is “absurd and plain mischievous,” Gen. Tariq Majid said.

Read more ….

My Comment: I do not think Pakistan would let anyone close to their nuclear weapons …. and I mean no one. Seymour Hersh’s article is interesting …. but not convincing.

Pakistan Refutes Report On U.S. Nuclear Security Assistance is a post from: News Updated Frequently

From Popular Science:

In February, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) in Great Britain unveiled its plans for modernizing its military. Curiously similar to the US Army’s recently killed Future Combat System, the British program looks to bring a new generation of unmanned vehicles, advanced sensors and energy weapons to the battlefield.

However, unlike its American counterpart, it looks like this project is a go.

Read more ….

My Comment: I commented on this UK procurement proposition before …. this is not going to fly for the simple reason that the UK does not have the funds to develop this program in order to make it viable for manufacturing …. hell …. they do not even have the funds to manufacture such a product line.

UK Calls For A Transforming, Laser-Toting Stealth UAV is a post from: News Updated Frequently

From Slate:

A Taliban member who’d infiltrated the Afghan police force killed five British soldiers in Helmand Province Tuesday afternoon. A similar incident occurred last month when a policeman on patrol with U.S. troops opened fire on American soldiers, killing two. How does the United States make sure the Afghan policemen aren’t really terrorists?

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My Comment: This is an uphill battle.

Good Cop, Bad Cop? How Do We Make Sure Afghan Police Officers Aren’t Taliban? is a post from: News Updated Frequently

MOSCOW — What’s powering your home appliances?

For about 10 percent of electricity in the United States, it’s fuel from dismantled nuclear bombs, including Russian ones.

“It’s a great, easy source” of fuel, said Marina V. Alekseyenkova, an analyst at Renaissance Capital and an expert in the Russian nuclear industry that has profited from the arrangement since the end of the cold war.

But if more diluted weapons-grade uranium isn’t secured soon, the pipeline could run dry, with ramifications for consumers, as well as some American utilities and their Russian suppliers.

Read more ….

My Comment: I guess we are also getting stuck with the nuclear waste.

Where Old Soviet Nuclear Weapons End Up Going is a post from: News Updated Frequently

President Barack Obama says he wants to visit the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki sometime during his presidency, but will not have time when he travels to Japan later this week.

In an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK, Mr. Obama said he would be honored to have the opportunity to visit the two cities that were devastated by U.S. atomic bombs at the end of World War II.

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Update: Obama says he wants to visit Hiroshima in future — AP

My Comment: Cannot say that I am surprised. I will also put a wager with anyone that he will be apologizing for the U.S. atomic attack against these Japanese cities …. conveniently ignoring Japan’s history of genocide and mass murder during this time that had to be stopped using American might and firepower …. including using the atomic bomb …. to stop them.

President Obama Wants To Visit Hiroshima And Nagasaki is a post from: News Updated Frequently

Analysts expect Modern Warfare 2’s first week sales to breach $500 million. To provide perspective, The Dark Knight made $155.34 opening weekend. A movie ticket is certainly cheaper than a video game, but half a billion dollars, any way you spin it, screams mainstream hit.

So, if you’re reading this, we can assume you’re one of three types: One, someone who’s already bought Modern Warfare 2; Two, someone who’s boycotting Modern Warfare 2 for any of a number of reasons, but will still probably buy it; Or three, a non-gamer who buys three or four titles a year and has been struck with curiosity by an unavoidable hype machine, including but not limited to television commercials, online take over ads and word of mouth.

Number 3, this one’s for you.

Read more ….

My Comment: When I was young I was into these games …. no more now. But the young …. especially the young soldiers that I know …. for their own reasons they love these games.

So the above is my little contribution to those who may wonder what their “young” soldier will want for Christmas.

On a side note …. the Onion has done a great spoof on this fad. Check out the video below. (Hat Tip: Small Wars Journal)

Ultra-Realistic Modern Warfare Game Features Awaiting Orders, Repairing Trucks

Note To All Wives And Girlfriends: This Is What Every (Young) Soldier Will Want For Christmas is a post from: News Updated Frequently

Hugo Chavez has intensified his country’s threat of conflict with Colombia after accusing its South American neighbour of “lies” and “hypocrisy” over hosting US bases.

Venezuela says that Alvaro Uribe, the Colombian president and close ally of Washington, is allowing the US government a dangerous foothold in the region by giving its troops access to Colombia’s military bases.

Mr Uribe reacted angrily and urged the United Nations to investigate this week when Mr Chavez told his army to prepare for war with Colombia.

Read more ….

Chavez steps up Colombia war talk — BBC
Venezuela keeps up war of words with Colombia — Reuters
Chavez: American deal with Colombia means war — Hot Air
Chavez won’t take Uribe’s calls: Foreign Minister — Colombia Reports
Brazil, US urge talks in Venezuela, Colombia spat — AP
US urges dialogue between Venezuela, Colombia — AFP
Fears of a New Cold War in Venezuela and Colombia — Atlantic Wire

Venezuela Ratchets Up The Talk Of War With Colombia is a post from: News Updated Frequently