Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

June 7, 2017     House seeks to pass VA accountability bill next week The House will vote next week on Senate-passed legislation to make firing employees easier for the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs, moving quickly on a long-sought accountability effort urged by President Donald Trump.   Pentagon: Airstrike hit mosque complex that should have been on 'no strike list' The Pentagon acknowledged Wednesday that a string of missteps led to a March 16 airstrike in Aleppo, Syria that targeted al-Qaida members in a mosque complex that should have been on the military’s “no strike list.”   Army: Increasing combat readiness more important than increasing force size The Army would like more soldiers, but only if Congress provides ample funding to train them properly, the service’s top general said Wednesday, warning that insufficiently prepared troops would lead to a “hollow Army.”   Study: Black troops are much more likely to be punished by commanders, courts Black service members were as much as two times more likely than white troops to face discipline in an average year, according to an analysis by Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy organization for victims of sexual assault and military justice.   South Korean president calls for THAAD deployment to be suspended The further deployment of a controversial U.S. anti-missile battery should be suspended pending an environmental impact assessment that could take more than a year, South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s office said Wednesday.   Trump taps seasoned law enforcement attorney to head FBI President Donald Trump surprised Washington on Wednesday with his choice to replace James Comey a day ahead of the ousted FBI director's blockbuster congressional testimony, tapping a white-collar defense lawyer with strong law enforcement background. Senate Republicans and some Democrats praised the nomination.   Jordan soldier hears murder charges in deaths of 3 US troops On Wednesday, the defendant, 1st Sgt. Marik al-Tuwayha, appeared in a military court in the Jordanian capital of Amman. Judge Mohammed al-Afif read the charges and then scheduled the next session for Sunday because the defense attorney had failed to attend.   U-2s, other aircraft redeploy while Osan’s Korean War-era runway is rebuilt U-2 spy planes, fighter jets and other aircraft have been deployed off the peninsula as the Air Force temporarily halts flights from Osan Air Base while it begins rebuilding a Korean War-era runway.   Why child abuse in military families may be going unreported Advocates for children celebrated last year when President Barack Obama signed a law meant to keep military officials from concealing child abuse and neglect on military bases. But U.S. Department of Defense officials say the law doesn't address one key reason why military children who are mistreated may not be getting all the help they need.   Cemetery offers burial spaces for combat dogs and their families Dubbed the Faithful Companions Honor Garden, the new plot will feature larger spaces where combat dogs and their families, or veterans and their service dogs, can be interred together.   Maine student selected to visit Normandy, tell story of WWII hero Before 2nd Lieutenant Carl Alexander, a Mainer, took his last breath in 1944 in France, he told medics to turn their attention to someone they could save and gave his men their orders. This month, it will be up to high school junior Madison Taylor to tell his story.