McDonald must clean house at VA, experts say

Bob McDonald, President Barack Obama’s pick to head up the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs, faces such a hidebound bureaucracy that experts say the way forward is clear: He must clean house.

VA nominee McDonald goes before Congress

Ryan Pitts awarded Medal of Honor for a day when ‘valor was everywhere’

For his fighting prowess and dedication to protecting his buddies, Ryan Pitts on Monday became the ninth living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Afghan War during a White House ceremony.

Previously: Medal of Honor recipient wants son to know about outpost attack

ANALYSIS

As US draws curtain on combat role, Taliban plans patient comeback

In the twilight of a U.S.-led combat mission that has claimed the lives of more than 3,300 foreign troops and tens of thousands of Afghans, the Taliban’s military position is in many ways as strong as ever.

TIMELINE | History of the Taliban

Train with bodies from Malaysia Airlines flight leaves rebel town

A refrigerated train carrying Malaysia Airlines victims' bodies pulled away Monday from a rebel-held town in eastern Ukraine, one small step forward in easing the agony of their grieving families.

COVERAGE OF THE UKRAINE CRISIS
Stories and photos: The latest on the border unrest and downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.

Army intelligence system pulled from key test

Army officials have withdrawn their intelligence network from a major testing exercise this fall because of software glitches, in the latest setback for the troubled system.

Previously: Army leaders defend flawed intelligence system

Texas governor sending National Guard troops to border

Gov. Rick Perry said Monday he is deploying up to 1,000 National Guard troops over the next month to the Texas-Mexico border to combat criminals that Republican state leaders say are exploiting a surge of children and families entering the U.S. illegally.

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Ernie Gates, Stars and Stripes' ombudsman

Official 2014 military pay tables

Ex-soldier undecided on murder-conviction appeal

Lawyers for a former Hawaii-based soldier who avoided a death sentence for his 5-year-old daughter's death want him to consult with an appellate attorney before deciding whether to appeal his murder conviction.
Militant gains highlight 'aggressive' use of water as weapon of war
Eyes on Ukraine, Poland presses for more support from NATO
At veteran homeless center, sketches of war, regret and mistakes
Afghan army's rusty tank relics still roll into battle
Obama urges immediate access to Ukraine crash site
Bahrain files lawsuit to suspend opposition group
Israeli shells hit hospital in Gaza, official says
Palestinian death toll in Gaza fighting at 508
A surge of fighters into Iraq and Syria stokes worry about plots targeting US

American Jews, other 'lone soldiers' serve Israel

The two Americans killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip followed in the footsteps of scores of Jews from around the world who have volunteered to fight for Israel.
Suicide bomber kills 4 foreign guards in Kabul

A suicide bomber on a motorcycle targeted a police compound housing foreign advisers in Kabul on Tuesday, killing four foreign security guards and wounding six, Afghan officials said.
Egypt calls for Israeli, Palestinian peace talks
Israeli official: Soldier missing in Gaza

Russians feed conspiracy theories on Ukraine crash

An assassination attempt against Russian President Vladimir Putin. A desperate ploy to draw the West into the battle for Ukraine's east. A botched mission to commit mass murder against Russian citizens.
EU meets as some countries seek tougher sanctions

European Union foreign ministers are meeting to consider further sanctions against Russia because of the downing of the Malaysian jetliner, with Britain and some other countries demanding much tougher measures.
Eyes on Ukraine, Poland presses for more support from NATO
Air Force’s only F-15 wing in Europe gets new commander

NCIS investigating shooting that injured 4 troops on Okinawa

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is probing a shooting that injured four U.S. servicemembers at Camp Schwab in northeast Okinawa, officials said.
Protesters at Russian embassy in Malaysia seek justice

Protesters marched on the Russian embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, waving placards and demanding justice for the victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight that was shot down over Ukraine last week.
Philippines: 17 rebels, 1 soldier dead in clashes
Forensic experts gather material to ID victims in Ukraine crash

VA nominee McDonald goes before Congress

President Barack Obama's choice to lead the beleaguered Veterans Affairs Department is going before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for a confirmation hearing as Congress considers a bill to help the next VA leader do his job.
Suspect in Irish soldiers' deaths arrested in US

Federal agents have arrested a man who the Irish government says is a suspect in the abduction, torture and killing of two Irish soldiers serving as United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon 34 years ago.
Local police departments acquire more military surplus firepower
Local organizations work to provide aid to homeless Grand Strand Veterans
Bill would fund Hampton Roads veterans care center
Ex-soldier undecided on murder-conviction appeal
Ryan Pitts awarded Medal of Honor for a day when ‘valor was everywhere’
Texas Gov. Rick Perry sending National Guard troops to border

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NCIS investigating shooting that injured 4 troops on Okinawa

Ryan Pitts awarded Medal of Honor for a day when ‘valor was everywhere’

Cavoli takes command of 7th Joint Multinational Training Command

McDonald must clean house at VA, experts say

ANALYSIS

As US draws curtain on combat role, resilient Taliban plans patient comeback

Former Marine uses ‘bogus as hell’ service record; walks away free man

Nevadans burned by the rants of hotheads

I watched as a small community was transformed into a hotbed for extremism. That did not happen organically but in an environment created by nonstop attention and demagoguery from media and politicians alike.

‘Weird Al’ on his weirdly successful week

Army vet Kotwica aims to turn around Redskins’ abysmal special teams unit

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Army intelligence system pulled from key test July 21, 2014
Medal of Honor recipient wants son to know about outpost attack July 20, 2014
Ryan Pitts awarded Medal of Honor for a day when ‘valor was everywhere’ July 21, 2014
NCIS investigating shooting that injured 4 troops on Okinawa July 21, 2014
As US draws curtain on combat role, resilient Taliban plans patient comeback July 21, 2014
2 Americans killed in fighting in Gaza Strip July 21, 2014
Legendary actor James Garner, reluctant hero and Purple Heart veteran, dies July 20, 2014
Ex-soldier undecided on murder-conviction appeal July 21, 2014
Texas Gov. Rick Perry sending National Guard troops to border July 21, 2014
McDonald must clean house at VA, experts say July 21, 2014

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