Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

March 15, 2017     US military likely to send as many as 1,000 more ground troops into Syria, officials say The U.S. military has drawn up early plans that would deploy up to 1,000 more troops into northern Syria in the coming weeks, expanding the American presence in the country ahead of the offensive on the Islamic State's de facto capital of Raqqa, according to U.S. defense officials familiar with the matter.   Doctors '100 percent sure' chemical weapons used near Mosul Bullets zipped overhead and exploded bomb debris crashed down on the metal carport roof under which a team of U.S. medical volunteers were working last week, roughly a mile from the front lines. But the sudden arrival of an unarmed civilian also posed a serious threat.   Pentagon: US, Russian forces in close proximity in Manbij U.S. and Russian forces have been flying their country's flag and communicating more frequently to avoid mishaps as they operate within viewing distance of each other in the Syrian city of Manbij, a defense spokesman said Wednesday.   Senators want details on VA's plan to provide mental health care for 'bad paper' vets Eight Democrats in the Senate are seeking more details from the Department of Veterans Affairs about an announcement last week that the VA would provide urgent mental health care to veterans with other-than-honorable discharges.   Senate vote allows McMaster to retain 3 stars as Trump adviser The Senate voted Wednesday to allow Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster to stay on active duty and retain his three stars as national security adviser.   Sex assault reports up at Navy, Army academies Reports of sexual assaults increased at two of the three military academies last year and an anonymous survey suggests sexual misconduct rose across the board at the schools, The Associated Press has learned.   Students sing, play their way through DODEA honors music festival As a tuba player, Derek Hammond has learned to play loud without blasting notes. It’s a skill that Hammond, a sophomore at Vicenza High School, Italy, and his band mates are practicing this week as they prepare for a Thursday evening performance before family and friends — just a few days after meeting and first playing together.