GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.3.14 >>>

At least 42 people were killed in street battles between supporters and opponents of Russia in southern Ukraine, bringing the country closer to war. 

The Kremlin is receiving "thousands" of calls for assistance from Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

The United States has warned its citizens of a plan to attack one of two Sheraton hotels near Lagos, Nigeria's main commercial hub, which so far has been spared by the country's violent Islamist militants.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urged large NATO nations to step up their defense spending and contributions to the alliance as Russian military movements have shown Europe "still lives in a dangerous world."

What Obama should tell Americans about Ukraine.

Obama vowed to continue using his executive authority whenever possible this year, but Republicans countered that the commander in chief's lack of action on Ukraine hurts the U.S. at home and abroad.

Why American can't contain China.

Army prepares new tack for deploying forces in Pacific.

With lawsuits and mergers, U.S. space market primed for changes.

It took 18 months for Judicial Watch to unearth the emails on Benghazi.

Over the past four years, the Defense Department's logistics agency threw away a significant portion of the spare parts it purchased via a $21-million contract with the manufacturer of Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected trucks.

The Navy and Raytheon are looking at starting planned Tomahawk missile re-certification and modernization efforts at least one year ahead of the 2019 planned time frame.

Learning more about China's new massive warship plan.

Nine of the 10 Medals of Honor from the Afghanistan war have been earned in Nuristan and Kunar Provinces.

Army (and Boston) Strong: Colonel awarded for heroism at marathon.

Science has finally figured out how to win Rock-Paper-Scissors.

Passenger films one of his airplane's engines on fire.

Make some room on your periodic table, there's a new metal in town.

Don't forget Sunday is Star Wars Day. Why not celebrate with some Chewy cufflinks?

The five best new songs of the week.

Hundreds (if not thousands) of copies of a badly reviewed Atari E.T. game were found buried in the New Mexico desert.

How many days of your life would it take to whip through all of the TV that's worth binge-watching?

Cool ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. James Gulliver

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.2.14 >>>

Pro-Russian rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters today, killing two crew.

NATO official: Russia undermining global security.

U.S. military personnel knew early on that the Benghazi attack was a "hostile action" and not a protest gone awry, according to a retired general who served at U.S. Africa Command's headquarters in Germany during the attack.

How the Iraq War crippled U.S. military power.

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith of Washington urged his colleagues to embrace some of the Obama administration's proposed weapon program cuts, arguing the savings will allow the military to buy new platforms and remain ready for war.

American and Gulf Cooperation Council air defense commanders are still calling for development of an integrated missile defense system in the region as Iran reveals a new series of ballistic missile tests.

NATO leaders plan to push European countries to increase defense spending at September's meeting of alliance members in Wales.

A House Armed Services subcommittee passed its markup of its part of the annual defense bill that would - among many other things - freeze some funding for the Army's Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Program.

Pentagon officials unveiled a new sexual assault prevention strategy that directs the services to review alcohol policies after the military saw the number of sexual assault reports increase 50 percent last year.

Commissary case lot sales are returning.

Experiment grows new muscle in men's injured legs.

VA budget bill bonuses for senior executives.

Nine U.S. Army Air Forces airmen who were interned at the Wauwillermoos Camp in Switzerland seven decades ago finally were honored with the Prisoner of War Medal.

The Army's "Soldier for Life" website is designed to be a new online home for retired Soldiers.

An all-female team of four students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute recently developed a design to make the Army-issued rucksack hip belt more comfortable for female soldiers. 

A full-auto dart blaster that is a science-fueled dream play gun.

Watch a trailer for the new Elliott Smith documentary.

After domestic dispute, Paul Simon and Edie Brickell released a new duet.

Cool: New footage of Kim Deal and Kelley Deal playing "Gigantic" and "Cannonball."

List: 50 albums you may not know (but need to).

Finally Star Wars Vans.

Don't sweat it, Courtney. You're only human. ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. Laura Gauna

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.1.14 >>>

Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno say the fiscal year 2015 Army budget submitted to Congress "is lean, stark but critical to meeting the needs of our nation and our soldiers."

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James outlined the service's progress in leveraging the talent and capabilities of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve within the total force concept.

Reports of sexual assaults by members of the military rose 50 percent after the Pentagon began a vigorous campaign to get more victims to come forward.

The Philippines-China-U.S. Triangle: A precarious relationship.

A former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday that corruption, not the Taliban, is the worst threat to the future of the war-torn country.

Five Pakistani militants we should be paying more attention to.

Afghanistan needs more than U.S. troops to survive.

The number of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, deaths and injuries across the globe rose by 43 percent last year.

A top VA health official says there is no evidence the Phoenix VA hospital kept a list of patients unable to get appointments.

The commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division has been relieved of command.

The U.S. Senate late Wednesday confirmed Robert Work as deputy defense secretary.

Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and his deputy, David Shedd, will retire by early fall.

Natick researchers develop combat cooler.

Storied 4th Brigade Combat team "Currahee," 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), prepare to inactivate.

French flying car undergoes testing for Special Forces.

DoD official defends training Afghan military on Russian helos.

Sen. John McCain said the Air Force's recent contract with a Lockheed-Boeing joint venture prevents potential new competitors from bidding for some of the work.

House panel rejects commissary cuts, delays other changes.

Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) announced a bill Wednesday to push military operations to be more energy efficient and rely less on fossil fuels.

The fascinating untold history of war and prosthetics.

The filmmakers for Godzilla were given access to Navy flattops and other support from the Defense Department.

Google now can remember where you parked.

Vice catches up with the woman formerly known as Miss Cleo.

Tips: What to choose on Free Comic Book Day.

This abandoned igloo hotel in Alaska can be yours for $300,000.

Salon looks at the gender politics in Star Wars.

Why?: These album cover faces are a little creepy.

Nice: Guide to sitcom writers on Twitter.

The Simpsons' Lego Spectacular is here. ...

LINK: Original photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lavender

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.30.14 >>>

Masked gunmen in military fatigues took control of a government building in another Ukrainian town.

Unshaken by the latest surge in violence, Iraqis braved the threat of bombs and attacks to vote today in key elections for a new parliament amid a massive security operation as the country slides deeper into sectarian strife.

A new defense pact reflects closer U.S.-Philippine ties.

President Obama's pivot to Asia will lack a crucial military underpinning next year, when for four months, the Navy will not have an aircraft carrier in the region.

China's A2/AD capabilities have many in Washington worried. America's land forces could help. 

Senator: Benghazi e-mails reveal White House misinformation.

Secretary of State John Kerry accused Moscow of accelerating the crisis in Ukraine instead of sticking to an agreement to ratchet back tensions.

The United States has proof that the Russian government in Moscow is running a network of spies inside eastern Ukraine.

The fate of the A-10 close-air support platform has been the most contentious issue between the Air Force and Congress over the last six months. If comments made yesterday are any indication, it's a fight that isn't going away.

House lawmakers have rejected proposed cuts in housing allowances and commissary funding, as well as an overhaul of the Tricare system that would increase out-of-pocket costs for some beneficiaries.

The House Seapower subcommittee markup that was revealed yesterday offered at least one surprise - cutting the Navy's request for three littoral combat ships to only two - but the bill supports the other new ship requests, including two destroyers and two submarines.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed all of the services to review their hairstyle policies in response to a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus.

Hagel's defense cuts: a good idea.

The Air Force chief of staff explored the proper force ratio between the service's active duty and reserve components in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Army's most iconic helicopter is about to go pilotless.

Michael D. Shear examines how popular culture has incorporated the issues that President Obama has faced.

What happens when a normal guy gets to fly in a Thunderbird F-16.

Finally: Sunglasses that ping your phone when you leave them behind.

The cast of the new Star Wars movie has been announced.

Carrie Fisher is auctioning a bunch of her rare Star Wars stuff.

Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5), Bill Rieflin (Swans, Ministry), and Kurt Bloch (ex-Fastbacks) have formed the band super-Earth.

Finally: Road House fight chart.

OK, stop doing whatever the heck you're doing, because this is it. ...

LINK: Original photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.29.14 >>>

A pair of back-to-back bombs ripped through an outdoor market northeast of Baghdad today, killing at least 17 people and wounding 42.

Negotiators from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have arrived in Ukraine to try and win the release of an international observer team that has been held hostage by separatist forces in the town of Slavyansk in the eastern Ukraine since April 25.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel during a phone call yesterday that Russian forces would not invade Ukraine, according to the Pentagon. 

The U.S. will focus on economic sanctions against Russia and put Ukraine's pleas for U.S. weaponry on the backburner.

North Korea conducted live-fire artillery drills near its disputed western sea boundary today.

How will the Ukraine crisis affect the defense budget? The more US Reps. Mac Thornberry of Texas and Rick Larsen of Washington state spoke yesterday, the more clear it became just how far apart the former's Republican Party and the latter's Democratic Party stand on national security issues.

While Obama scored points with skeptical Asian allies simply by showing up, not everything followed the White House plan. 

Foreign Policy: From bad to none.

U.S. Special Operations Command issued a formal request for "Advancement of Technologies in Equipment for Use by U.S. Special Operations Forces."

The mystery jets that were spotted over Amarillo, Texas, and Wichita, Kan. earlier this year are in fact Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on a training sortie.

Army increases in-flight situational awareness for rapid response forces.

Marine dirt bike "gangs" of Afghanistan.

The U.S. Navy announced a record $17.645 billion contract to build 10 new SSN 774 Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Defense Department CIO Teri Takai is set to step down in the coming days.

Report backs The New York Times op-ed piece linking vets to hate groups.

Amazing timelapse of massive 7-ft long Lego Serenity spaceship.

This bastard kills more humans than all the deadliest animals combines.

A 3,500-year-old NYC monument is being cleaned with freaking lasers.

Craig Ferguson is leaving The Late Late Show.

The Daily Show just hired a new correspondent.

Showtime put the premiere of its new monster-themed series, Penny Dreadful, on YouTube.

If Jedis from Star Wars fought wizards from Harry Potter, who wins?

Finally: Check out a comprehensive list of all of Don Draper's clients on Mad Men.

It's a looking glass into the past...

LINK: Original photo by Spc. Mike MacLeod

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.28.14 >>>

Obama administration imposed a new round of targeted economic sanctions against cronies of Russian President Vladimir Putin and 17 companies in response to Russia's involvement in the crisis in Ukraine.

The Philippines and the United States announced they would sign an agreement today to allow a greater US military presence on Filipino soil for the next decade.

America's Treaty Allies: worth going to war over?

U.S. Official: Iran must prove it's not building nuclear weapon.

An Iranian newspaper is reporting that the country's military plans to target a mock-up American aircraft carrier during upcoming war games.

Sequestration is forcing the Defense Department to "literally build two budgets" and, if the automatic cuts are continued, will damage the quality of U.S. weapons systems and deter innovation.

Report: Pentagon to destroy $1B in ammo.

The U.S. Air Force's decision to divest itself of the A-10 has created a massive headache to the service.

An investigation is underway into whether Marine Corps higher-ups retaliated against an officer who accused the commandant, Gen. James Amos, of meddling in a prosecution.

America's gazillion-dollar Joint Strike Fighter is supposed to go virtually unseen when flying over enemy turf. But that's not how things are working out.

More leaders in government, industry and academia disapprove of U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's job performance than approve.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Bassett: the decades-old Paladin 155mm mobile howitzer system has undergone such a radical upgrade that it's managed essentially as a new program.

Soldier Pay: How much is enough?

West Point wants more women to keep the academy ahead of the curve as the Pentagon lifts restrictions for women in combat jobs.

What Google's really working on.

The Food Luminati have you everywhere you turn: Exposing the Satanic roots of energy drinks.

List: 15 words "you didn't know were coined by famous writers."

John Oliver's new show, Last Week Tonight, has posted a bunch of clips from the premiere on YouTube.

Are These Real?: Lost art of the lurid VHS cover.

Thanks!: Game of Thrones handy family tree.

Wedding crashers apologize after their drunken antics go viral.

This movie looks cool ...

Original photo by Lt. Col. Keith Moore, Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.26.14 >>>

Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri has called on Muslims to kidnap Westerners, particularly Americans.

Russian jets cross into Ukraine airspace.

With Ukraine in turmoil, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel can't get Russian counterpart to take his calls.

Hagel is taking a backseat to other players in the Obama administration when it comes to the crisis in Ukraine. 

Leaders of the Group of Seven major economies agreed to impose extra sanctions on Russia over its intervention in Ukraine.

Five NATO-led service members were killed when a helicopter crashed due to technical failure in southern Afghanistan.

Did Obama just draw another red line in the East China Sea?

Military officials in Europe are pushing back against reports the U.S. was conducting humanitarian assistance projects in Crimea as a ruse to establish a military base in the region.

North Korea denies drones were sent to South.

Military suicides down for active duty, up for reservists.

Army's basic training is no longer basic: Lessons for business.

SpaceX has filed a protest against the U.S. Air Force over the service's decision to award the United Launch Alliance a sole-source block buy of 36 launch cores.

Reserve soldiers augment active-duty drill sergeants.

Cadet Command looking for professors of military science.

With final approach, U-2 pilot's career makes celebrated landing.

5 best submarines of the Cold War.

New rule: Recruits must buy U.S.-made athletic shoes.

The Internet is buzzing right now with the latest, greatest (and potentially fake) Worst Thing Ever. Meet Code Babes, the stripping amalgam of everything that's wrong with tech culture today.

Chances are, you missed Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends comedy special that aired late last night on Adult Swim, but you can catch up online. Guests at the wonderfully random table include True Blood's Dale Dickey, Gilbert Gottfried, Fred Melamed, The Newsroom's Alison Pill and Girls' Alex Karpovsky.

The world premiere of Jim Gaffigan: Obsessed debuts on Comedy Central April 27. Here's a taste.

Hmmm: Beer lollipops

The British Pathé on YouTube newsreel archive has posted more than 80,000 clips of cultural milestones and memories. Check 'em out, even just for all the Mick Jagger stuff.

The former member of Joy Division and New Order has a new book out about one of England's most famous clubs in the '80s and '90s.

Finally: Thanks to Petit Tube, we can graze the surface of all the weird, wonderful, an often disturbing YouTube clips.

Star Wars as you've never seen it before: with really terrible sound effects dubbed in...

Original photo by Defense Imagery Management Operations Center

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.25.14 >>>

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of wanting to start a third world war. 

President Obama encountered setbacks to two of his most cherished foreign-policy projects on Thursday, as he failed to achieve a trade deal that undergirds his strategic pivot to Asia and the Middle East peace process suffered a potentially irreparable breakdown.

Be Afaird: China can't control North Korea.

North Korea represents a threat not just to Asia but to the United States, Pres. Obama said today, as he and South Korea's President Park Geun-hye warned they would respond firmly to any "provocations".

Rates of suicide in the military were slightly worse during the war years than what the Pentagon previously reported, according to new calculations released by Defense Department officials today.

Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) said the former watchdog at the Department of Homeland Security should be fired and possibly prosecuted if allegations over his misconduct are true

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called on Congress to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act to address military sexual assaults.

U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command's effort to grasp morale problems and outline steps to improve the nuclear community is moving beyond missileers to bomber crews.

The Navy will conduct a battle exercise off the West Coast next month that could help determine whether another 22 more EA-18G Growler aircraft will be built.

Group links military to cyber, robotics innovators.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel got a first-hand look at a life-size robot Tuesday that resembles Hollywood's "Terminator," the latest experiment by the Pentagon's hi-tech researchers.

Boeing has worked to offer the Navy an escape hatch from the costly Joint Strike Fighter program.

Many retirees and active duty families may stop shopping on base if DoD is allowed to slash commissary budgets.

The Army has taken a step toward officially acknowledging "humanists" among other faiths and belief systems, ending years of resistance to the idea.

Probe of Army general calls insular military culture into question.

Video: The science of tsunamis.

Time unveiled its annual "Influential People" feature.

Three digital images produced by Andy Warhol have been recovered on floppy discs.

Awesome: Giant robot sound effect slippers make your cyborg fantasies come true.

Take a journey into Homer's brain and push the boundaries of animation.

Ronald McDonald has gone a (still-creepy) wardrobe change.

Finally: What if Forrest Gump were a Wes Anderson film?

Keep your chin up ...

Original photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roger Dey

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.24.14 >>>

Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Moscow separatists in the east of the country, the Interior Ministry said. 

Russia insists that Kiev pull back its troops from eastern Ukraine.

Paratroopers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade are now in Poland.

Afghanistan is not a country known for its aeronautical industry, but at least Gen. Mark Welsh, U.S. Air Force chief of staff, believes that could change.

Welsh also defended the service's plan to retire the A-10 attack plane, even as lawmakers continue to voice opposition to the idea.

And ... Welsh says the Air Force is simplifying the way it grades nuclear-missile officers on their monthly exams.

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is beginning Operation Agile Eagle II, designed to localize and implement the larger Department of the Army-directed Brigade Combat Team 2020 initiative.

The U.S. Air Force needs to do more for its overworked drone pilots, a specialized force that has little time to train and suffers from low morale, according to a recent report by a government watchdog.

The next step toward autopilot in combat.

The Pentagon wants a cheap cruise missile that can strike anywhere in the world without risking American soldiers or aircraft. It's a great idea. As long as it doesn't inadvertently start a destabilizing arms race.

At least 40 U.S. veterans died waiting for appointments at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care system, many of whom were placed on a secret waiting list.

The military is looking to roboticize the most exhausting aspects of flying jets.

A White House petition calling for the president to order the Army to reconsider its new grooming regulation fell short of its goal.

First lady announces one-stop job site for vets.

Ten of the most exotic and weird calculators on the Internet.

Finally: The coolest visualization of Pi

Awesome chemical reactions that look like impossible sorcery.

The new Star Wars movie will have the biggest budget of all the Star Wars movies.

Hear Seth Meyers interviewed on Fresh Air.

Sad: The drama surrounding the Gregg Allman biopic.

Super Dad!

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.23.14 >>>

U.S. President Barack Obama said engagement with Beijing would not come at the expense of its Asian allies.

Why Obama's Asia tour is bad news for China.

The Pentagon has laid out plans for how it would cut $66 billion in procurement and research-and-development projects between 2016 and 2019 should U.S. defense spending caps remain in place.

Ukraine's president ordered the country's forces to renew a military operation against pro-Russian militants in East Ukraine after the killing of two men and a shooting at a plane.

Four Army units heading to Eastern Europe.

Germany helped prep Russia for war.

Commercial satellite imagery shows increased activity at North Korea's nuclear test site.

Report: U.S. may leave fewer troops in Afghanaistan.

New recruits in the U.S. military are getting slightly older.

U.S. Army denies it will lay off 3,000 officers to meet force reduction goals.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program personnel demonstrated five technologies under development to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

Defense officials agree that the military must change the way it buys satellites and space services. They just can't settle on exactly how it should be done.

Buying in bulk is key to lowering the cost of the F-35 joint strike fighter, the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program.

Rising jet production lifted Boeing's profit above Wall Street estimates, and the company notched up its full-year forecast.

As the Department of Veterans Affairs nears officially ending vet homelessness in 2015, job training, sustainment is critical.

Watch where 26 asteroids recently slammed into Earth.

The simplest explanation of climate change you'll ever see.

You'll Watch the Whole Thing: The formation of the United States of America in one cool animated map.

Future: We got the doors from Star Trek. The ones that go swooooosh - and that's about it.

Putt like Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Finally: Tiny desktop-sized version of Jupiter.

Researchers from the University of Colorado Denver have been looking into the most common unfriendings on the social network.

See what Stephen Colbert had to say to Dave Letterman last night.

Read GQ's new interview with Louis C.K.

Listen: New Pixies record is streaming at NPR.

Finally: An oral history of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

In case you missed it yesterday ...