CIA thwarts new underwear bomb plot against jet - Los Angeles Times "The CIA thwarted an ambitious plot by Al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen to destroy a U.S.-bound airliner using a bomb with a sophisticated new design around the one-year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden, U.S. officials said."
Pentagon Quit The Avengers Because of Its ‘Unreality’ - Wired.com "The Pentagon halted its cooperation with Marvel Studios’ blockbuster movie The Avengers because the Defense Department didn’t think a movie about superheroes, Norse Gods and intergalactic invasions was sufficiently realistic in its treatment of military bureaucracy."
Secret U.S. program releases high-level insurgents in exchange for pledges of peace - The Washington Post "The United States has for several years been secretly releasing high-level detainees from a military prison in Afghanistan as part of negotiations with insurgent groups, a bold effort to quell violence but one that U.S. officials acknowledge poses substantial risks."
Military spending paid for by social programs cuts in Republican plan - The Associated Press "The Republicans who control the House are using cuts to food aid, health care and social services like Meals on Wheels to protect the Pentagon from a crippling wave of budget cuts come January."
Mechanic who claims he was fired for joining Marine Reserves faces bumpy road, experts say - Fox News "The Connecticut mechanic who lost his job after joining the Marine Reserves may not have a slam dunk case in his legal bid to reclaim his job, experts said."
