Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

June 12, 2017     VA compensation service analyst downplays Agent Orange risks, questions critics A key official who helps adjudicate claims by veterans who say they were exposed to Agent Orange has downplayed the risks of the chemical herbicide and questioned the findings of scientists, journalists and a federal administrative tribunal that conflict with his views.   Veterans issues spotlighted in Congress this week Several key veterans issues will be the focus of congressional hearings this week, with lawmakers set to address the firing of bad employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the agency’s 2018 budget and benefits reform.   Pentagon's top leaders to face Congress on defense spending President Donald Trump's proposed budget for the military tops the agenda as the Pentagon's top leaders testify before a congressional panel, but the session is likely to veer into questions about Russia, Qatar's alleged support for terrorism, the Syrian civil war and other thorny subjects   'A hero, a father, 'best of us all;' Pentagon identifies 3 soldiers killed in Afghanistan The three American soldiers killed by an Afghan soldier in an apparent insider attack Saturday in eastern Afghanistan belonged to the Fort Campbell, Kentucky-based 101st Airborne Division, the Pentagon announced Monday.   'All-star lineup' of US strategic bombers make historic deployment to Europe No specific threat prompted the historic deployment of all three Air Force Global Strike Command strategic bombers to the European theater, 3rd Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Richard Clark said Monday.   Russia has developed cyber weapon that can disrupt power grids, new research finds The malware, which researchers have dubbed CrashOverride, is known to have disrupted only one energy system - in Ukraine in December — when hackers briefly shut down one-fifth of the electric power generated in Kiev.   Air Force again considering grounding some A-10s, congresswoman says The Air Force has again signaled it wants to eliminate three squadrons of A-10 Thunderbolt II jets, permanently grounding the aging aircraft, according to U.S. Rep. Martha McSally.   USS Lake Erie aids disaster-relief efforts after floods in Sri Lanka The USS Lake Erie has arrived in Sri Lanka to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of last month’s deadly floods and mudslides.   US troops kill 3 Afghan civilians, spokesman says American troops opened fire after a roadside bomb hit their convoy in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province on Monday, killing three civilians, a spokesman for the provincial government claimed.   Navy children dress in kimonos, raise money for disaster victims in Japan Children of Navy personnel in Japan tried on kimonos Sunday to help raise money for earthquake and tsunami victims.   School district apologizes to Army reservist told not to wear uniform at graduation A district superintendent for a high school that prevented a student from participating in graduation ceremonies apologized to him and his family on Saturday.