Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

June 25, 2017     They were smokejumpers when the CIA sent them to Laos; they came back in caskets Their families didn't know they were in Laos, and didn't know that they'd started working for the CIA in addition to their jobs with the U.S. Forest Service.   Trump: Not 'that far off' from passing health overhaul Making a final push, President Donald Trump said he doesn't think congressional Republicans are "that far off" on a health overhaul to replace "the dead carcass of Obamacare."   Russia's still targeting US elections, Sen. King warns, and experts say we're not prepared For weeks, U.S. Sen. Angus King has been telling anyone who’ll listen that the biggest, most worrisome thing about Russian interference in the 2016 election isn’t getting enough attention and has nothing to do with President Trump.   Small defense increase dismays firms The people who make jets, aircraft carriers and surveillance technology for the U.S. military thought they were going to cash in when Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton on Election Day. Now they're not so sure.   Navy’s collision investigation delays Hawaii command change A Navy Region Hawaii change-of-command ceremony scheduled for Friday had to be postponed after the incoming commander, Rear Adm. Brian Fort, was selected to lead the investigation into the June 17 fatal collision of the USS Fitzgerald with the Philippine-flagged merchant vessel ACX Crystal.   Turkey rejects Arab terms on Qatar, US urges sides to talk Turkey's president on Sunday rejected a demand by major Arab states to remove Turkish troops from Qatar, among a sweeping list of ultimatums that the United States has described as "difficult to meet."   Admiral: Upgrades coming for Norfolk Naval Shipyard Improvements will focus on aging dry docks, new equipment and rethinking yard layouts, said Vice Adm. Tom Moore, who heads Naval Sea Systems Command. The investment in dry docks alone would be $3 billion to $4 billion over 30 years at these yards.   Family's legacy of flight stretches from World War II to today Ken Underwood has an incredible story to tell. It's an unbelievable tale of service, love, devotion and determination, so full of impossible twists that Hollywood producers would reject it as too far-fetched, nigh onto impossible.   Gilmon D. Brooks dies; Montford Point Marine made history As a young Marine, Gilmon D. Brooks witnessed history when the American flag was raised on Feb. 23, 1945, on Iwo Jima during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.   Roswell, New Mexico festival celebrates 70th anniversary of UFO incident  There were reports of Unidentified Flying Objects before whatever happened in New Mexico in the summer of 1947 happened. But the Roswell Incident planted the seed out of which today’s fascination with extraterrestrial visitation sprouted.   An Afghan bird refuge comes back to life after decades of neglect The 470-acre site, known as Kol-e-Hashmat Khan, is one of the rare recognized wetland areas in central Afghanistan. Once it drew wealthy sightseers and royal hunting parties, but during four decades of war and turmoil it lay abandoned and neglected. The water filled with sludge, unauthorized settlements sprang up around the edges, and fewer birds stopped to rest or breed in the desiccated marsh.