Army

Twenty blocks from the Capitol sits a 60-by-40-foot model of Washington, D.C., that military officials and others are using to prepare for Inauguration Day festivities.

The D.C. model — complete with a two-foot-tall Washington Monument and toy-like recreations of the Capitol and White House — was being used for a military exercise to simulate the parade route on the real Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

In addition to the model monuments, there were pink placards that showed where the different divisions will be located along the parade route, including designations for everything from bathrooms to areas for floats.

Inouye is the president pro tempore of the Senate, making him third in line for the presidency. 

The commander of U.S. forces says the mission was ordered when intelligence showed the hostage was in imminent danger. 

The unemployment rate for all veterans rose slightly in November to 6.7 percent from 6.3 percent in October.

The increase for vets came as the overall unemployment rate dropped to 7.7 percent, the lowest it has been since December 2008.

Despite the three-tenths increase from October to November, the veterans’ unemployment rate has remained below 7 percent for five months, the first time it’s been that low since 2008.

Gen. Joseph Dunford was confirmed by the Senate Monday evening to replace Gen. John Allen as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan.


It's still unclear, however, when Dunford will succeed Allen in Kabul.


Allen was nominated at the same time at Dunford to become NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and the pair were supposed to change jobs next year. But Allen's nomination was placed on hold after he was ensnared in the scandal that brought down former CIA Director David Petraeus.


Allen is under investigation by the Defense Department Inspector General for "potentially inappropriate" e-mails with Jill Kelley, the woman who prompted the FBI investigation that uncovered Petraeus's extramarital affair.


The closure marks the beginning of the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

GHAZNI, Afghanistan -- Taliban reintegration programs have been "extremely challenging" due to the volatile security situation, U.S. officials say.

Federal agents are investigating whether Petraeus directed members of his staff to share military documents.

Allen's return to Kabul comes as the Pentagon investigates alleged "inappropriate" communications from the general.

Obama was told of the FBI probe — which began over the summer — two days after his reelection victory.