As the federal government shutdown appears to be close to an end, military advocates are warning of long-lasting effects to National Guard troops and their readiness, while the military services are grappling with an inability to fully discharge active duty service members.

LATEST | The Senate began its final votes Monday evening on legislation to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in history closer to an end after a small group of Democrats struck a deal with Republicans.

Thousands of small, privately funded memorials stand at sites where Americans fought and died during the world wars. Experts say maintaining many of them has never been more difficult. For Eric Mueller and Maarten Otte, the upkeep of these forlorn markers has become a labor of love.

U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers deployed over the weekend to a base in Spain that will serve as a launching pad for operations along NATO’s eastern flank and into the High North.

The Philippine marine corps has unveiled a new anti-ship missile unit that could strengthen the country's defenses in the disputed South China Sea but is likely to draw attention from Beijing.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington departed South Korea this weekend after a four-day stop in the port city of Busan that North Korea condemned as a "brazen" provocation. (from @alexmwilson.bsky.social)

Congress this week is set to vote on a spending package that would reopen the government and provide full-year funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and Pentagon construction programs that modernize facilities and build troop housing.

A judge has allowed the continued deployment of more than 300 West Virginia National Guard members to the nation’s capital.

FREE SCREENING: Legion M and Penske Media are hosting a special #VeteransDay screening of the acclaimed film My Dead Friend Zoe on Tuesday, November 11, at the historic Hollywood American Legion Theater. #Flashes RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/my-dead-fr...

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is seeking a new training center location to help it reach its goal of adding up to 15,000 more personnel. The initiative comes as the Coast Guard reported it had recruited 5,204 active-duty enlisted service members — exceeding its goal for fiscal 2025.

We honor veterans’ service, but too often overlook them when their invisible wounds lead to the justice system. In @starsandstripes.bsky.social, CCJ Veterans Justice Commission Director David “Mac” MacEwen shares how government can better support them: www.stripes.com/opinion/2025...

NOW STREAMING: Netflix has unveiled another series about the Marine Corps, this time a four-part documentary about a rapid-response task force on Okinawa. #Flahes Read more: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...

In a life filled with milestones, Irving Locker celebrated a new, unexpected one last week: He became a published songwriter. Read his incredible story:

Despite being closed for weeks because of the government shutdown, the National Museum of the Marine Corps opened to celebrate 250 years of Marine Corps service, sacrifice and tradition.

ANALYSIS: China has undertaken a massive expansion of missile production facilities. Over 60% of the 136 sites linked to missile production or the Chinese army - which also controls the nuclear arsenal - show signs of ongoing or completed expansion.

History was being made in Tokyo Bay that day in September 1945, and Leo “Sheek” Bowden Jr. was slated to play a small role in the formal end of World War II. Read the full story:

No holiday spirit at Tyndall AFB... yet. Privatized housing residents at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida were reminded that the conditions of their rental agreement prohibit holiday decor from being displayed more than 30 days before the event being celebrated.

UPDATE | Britain is sending anti-drone equipment and personnel to Belgium after a spate of sightings near airports and military bases.

Representatives of European, Latin American and Caribbean nations will meet in Colombia to try to strengthen ties amid divisions in the Western Hemisphere over the U.S. military operation targeting alleged drug-carrying vessels.

Stationed in the KMC? Here’s a look at American Battle Monuments Commission ceremonies on Veterans Day 2025:

KTOWN NOW | The Mu Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha is hosting a fundraiser that includes a screening of ‘Wicked: For Good.’ Check it out:

SPORTS: Hertha BSC Berlin handed the Red Devils their first home defeat of the season, winning 1-0 in front of 48,555 spectators at Fritz Walter Stadium.

SPORTS | Basketball summaries from DODEA-Pacific schools in action Nov. 8. Catch up on what you missed:

SPORTS: Black Forest Academy comes up short in a battle of Falcons at the DODEA-Europe volleyball championships.

SPORTS | Panthers win the first DODEA-Europe boys volleyball championships held north of the Alps.

SPORTS | Kennedy Lange wins a DODEA-Europe title on the volleyball court every year of her high school career.

SPORTS | It’s the first DODEA-Europe girls volleyball title for the Falcons in at least a decade.

SPORTS | Ramstein outlasts Stuttgart in four sets to win its first DODEA-Europe Division I volleyball title since 2019.

The annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Durnbach War Cemetery drew about 100 attendees. Army Maj. Adam Moore and his family traveled 250 miles round trip to pay their respects to four American service members in WWII interred alongside the fallen of other Allied nations.

The Federal Aviation Administration has reduced flights as some air traffic controllers — unpaid for weeks — have stopped showing up for work. President Donald Trump pressured air traffic controllers on Monday to “get back to work, NOW!!!”

STORM TRACKER: Typhoon Fung-wong continues traversing the South China Sea as a CAT-1 typhoon, on a wide arc toward Taiwan after its Sunday night-Monday morning rampage over Luzon in the northern Philippines. We'll track the storm for you. Stay informed here: www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...

PER FDA: Hormone-based drugs used to treat hot flashes and other menopause symptoms will no longer carry a bold warning label about stroke, heart attack, dementia and other serious risks.

Actor. Musician. Philanthropist. Gary Sinise had already signed on to donate $1 million through his foundation to help nonprofits CreatiVets purchase a building. But his mere involvement sealed the deal. Read more:

AFTER HOURS: Mühle am Schlossberg has a rare sense of sophistication befitting a suave British secret agent. The food is just as elegant as the setting. Read our review here:

From the Stars and Stripes #archives: South Korean riot police walk near protesters before a press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and South Korean Defense Minister Cho Young-kil in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 17, 2003.

AFTER HOURS: The Pantry, nestled among the wealth of shopping and dining choices on Market Street in Newcastle, offers delicious fish-based dishes and seasonal fare in an elegant yet inviting atmosphere.

National Weather Service forecasters said frigid Arctic air will pour into the eastern two-thirds of the country, bringing with it the chance for record low temperatures in the U.S. Southeast, including all of Florida.

The U.S. struck two alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Sunday, killing six people. No U.S. forces were harmed in the strikes.

US military eyeing way to promptly pay Italian on-base staff amid moves to end shutdown

‘These guys deserve better’: Upkeep of forlorn tributes to US soldiers is duo’s labor of love

FROM THE ARCHIVES | South Koreans climb atop a utility pole and wave flags to welcome U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to Seoul, South Korea, June 19, 1960.

Air Force deploys B-52s to base in Spain for NATO bomber task force training

Philippine’s new anti-ship missile force aims to deter China in disputed waters

The Navy described USS George Washington’s visit to South Korea as an opportunity to strengthen the US-South Korea alliance. But North Korea said the deployment heightened tensions.

The Senate took the first step to end the government shutdown after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who say Americans want them to continue the fight.

The U.S. is ready to back Lebanon’s army to help implement a plan to disarm militant groups, which was announced in August but has yet to make tangible progress amid a spat with the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah.

President Donald Trump became the first sitting president in nearly a half-century at a regular-season NFL game, attending the Washington Commanders’ contest against the Detroit Lions.

“Marines” is scheduled to premiere Monday — the service’s 250th birthday — on the streaming service in the United States. Its story focuses on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Hansen. www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...

Sunday marked the third year of the Veterans National Parade in the heart of D.C. The celebration held ahead of Veterans Day on Tuesday is the only national parade dedicated to honoring veterans. www.stripes.com/veterans/202...

The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday announced it blew past its recruiting goals for the fiscal year with the addition of 5,204 enlisted service members, the highest figure since 1991. www.stripes.com/branches/coa...