Airfield repairs delayed as Okinawa protests Kadena parachute training

The Marine Corps may finish runway repair work in the fall at an offshore airfield at the center of a dispute with Okinawa prefecture over parachute training at Kadena Air Base.

Apple, Google Restore TikTok App After Assurances From Trump

Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google are restoring ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok to their app stores on Thursday following assurances in a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi that a ban wouldn’t immediately be enforced. 

Democratic lawmakers, veterans and union leaders rally against VA staff cuts

Veterans, lawmakers and union leaders protested a hiring freeze at the VA that is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to reduce the federal workforce. An executive order that Trump signed Tuesday will limit hiring by the VA and many other federal agencies.

Ramstein boys bounce Stuttgart to stay in title contention

Stuttgart girls advance to the semifinals, along with Wiesbaden, Vilseck and Kaiserslautern, while unbeaten Wiesbaden boys are joined by Royals, Vilseck and SHAPE.

More than 100-vehicle pileup near Portland in whiteout conditions leads to injuries

More than 100 vehicles were involved in a pileup on a snowy highway near Portland, Ore., as officials in the state’s biggest city and in Idaho opened emergency shelters ahead of the snow.

Baumholder, AFNORTH hoping for a return to glory

Programs that have won multiple titles in recent years are back in the D-III semifinals after upending No. 2 seeds to finish pool play.

Military commanders short on answers about costs, readiness for expanded mission at southern border

Senators at a Thursday hearing questioned whether using troops for border-related jobs drastically increases costs and cuts into the preparation for them to fight wars. Some senators said the use of military aircraft to deport migrants can cost about $30,000 an hour.

Russian crypto expert Alexander Vinnik returns to Moscow in Russia-US prisoner swap, reports say

Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cryptocurrency expert who faced Bitcoin fraud charges in the United States, returned to Russia on Thursday after being freed in a swap that saw Moscow release American Marc Fogel, Russian news agency reported.

Judge extends stay of order that would pull most USAID staffers off the job

A court order halting plans to pull all but a fraction of USAID staffers off the job worldwide will stay in place for at least another week.

Roving Titanic exhibition extends Stuttgart-area stop amid boatload of popularity

When I learned about a traveling Titanic exhibition in the German city of Ludwigsburg, just outside Stuttgart, I jumped at the chance to visit, with fond memories of the film in mind. Visitors can get a look at hundreds of relics recovered from the ocean floor where the Titanic now rests. The exhibition also explains the ship’s history in detail.

Sensory immersion is free at Gunsan Public Market in South Korea

From fresh produce and seafood to traditional snacks and handmade goods, Gunsan Public Market near Kunsan Air Base offers something for everyone.

Pacific War author’s ‘Guam,’ due in March, fills a void

“Guam: The Battle for an American Island in World War II” sets the scene not only for the Japanese takeover and occupation from Dec. 10, 1941, but the 20 days of battle in July and August 1944 and the complete, post-war change that came over the island.

How I became a believer in the V-22 Osprey

As a Marine pilot, my highest duty was the safety of my fellow service members and accomplishing our missions in service of America. I became a believer in the V-22 Osprey — a tiltrotor aircraft — despite my initial skepticism, because it improves our armed forces’ ability to achieve these goals.

At this restaurant near Vicenza, a three-course lunch is for everyone

Le Quattro Stagione in Longare isn’t a restaurant we would have considered if we’d had other options. But now it’s a new favorite.

Tours from Europe bases

Here are a few of the upcoming trips scheduled by military bases.

Trump wants denuclearization talks with Russia and China, hopes for defense spending cuts

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he wants to restart nuclear arms control talks with Russia and China and that eventually he hopes all three countries could agree to cut their massive defense budgets in half.

Recently announced concerts and events for Feb. 14 and beyond

Listings for recently announced concerts, special concerts and shows and on-base theater.

119th Congress should restore veterans’ education rights 

Bureaucrats at the Department of Education and Department of Veterans Affairs seem to have adopted the presumption that veterans and military members are not smart enough to choose higher education options that are right for them, argues retired Navy captain Bob Carey.