Found below are a few news items that caught my attention this past week. I am hopeful that the titles and short commentary will encourage SFTT readers to click on the embedded links to read more on subjects that may be of interest to them.

Note:  Off traveling in Europe and back next week.  Editing is a little difficult so please cut me a little slack if your reading experience is not up to par.

Drop me an email at [email protected] if you believe that there are other subjects that are newsworthy.

Man Ejected at VA Center When Service Dog Growls

White City, Ore. — An air force veteran is without services tonight after having to choose between his service dog or the VA facility in White City. Frank Rodela says his service dog Oso growled at a staff member who came into his room while Rodela was sleeping. The VA says that kind of behavior violates their service animal policy. But Rodela says that’s what Oso is trained to do.  Read more . . .

Service dog booted from White City VA

 U.S. Troops and Afghan Civilians Killed in Clash with Taliban

Two U.S. soldiers and at least 30 Afghan civilians were killed during a firefight while working to drive Taliban militants from the city of Kunduz. U.S. and Afghan special forces soldiers were ambushed during a raid in Kunduz, and at least six soldiers and 30 civilians, in addition to more than 20 Taliban, were killed by airstrikes called in to assist in the operation, according to the Pentagon.The raid was part of U.S. Special Forces working with Afghan soldiers to clear the Kunduz area, possession of which has passed into and out of Taliban control in recent months.  Read more . . .

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/11/04/Two-US-troops-30-Afghan-civilians-killed-during-battle-with-Taliban/6751478236837/

Iraqi Troops Press Deeper into Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq (AP) — Iraqi special forces began their assault into more urban neighborhoods of Mosul from its easternmost district on Friday, the military’s latest push to drive Islamic State fighters from the city.The advance started with artillery and mortar strikes on the Aden, Tahrir, and Quds districts, just west of special forces’ footholds in the Gogjali and Karama neighborhoods, Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Timimi told The Associated Press. ISIS responded with mortar fire, he added, kicking off small arms clashes between the two sides. Smoke from artillery strikes rose over the city.  Read more . . .

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAQ?

Vets Back Trump Plan for More Private Healthcare

About three in four veterans back Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s plan to give them greater access to private health care, a new Military.com reader survey has found. Of the nearly 11,000 respondents who identified themselves as veterans and likely voters, 74 percent said they support Trump’s plan to allow them to use private health care instead of services through the Veterans Affairs Department. The Republican proposed reforming the department in part by ensuring that “every veteran has the choice to seek care at the VA or at a private service provider of their own choice. Under a Trump Administration, no veteran will die waiting for service.”  Read more . . .

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/11/02/survey-vets-back-trumps-plan-for-more-private-health-care.html

U.S. to Deploy 1,700 Paratroopers to Iraq

The U.S. Army announced Thursday it will deploy 1,700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division this winter to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces currently trying to retake Mosul from Islamic State fighters. The 82nd Airborne’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to take part in Operation Inherent Resolve, according to an Army press release. The unit will replace the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, in training, advising and assisting the Iraqi forces.  Read more . . .

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/11/03/army-to-deploy-1700-paratroopers-to-iraq.html

Getting North Korea to Give Up Nukes is “Lost Cause”

National Intelligence director James Clapper said Tuesday that the U.S. goal of persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons is probably a “lost cause” and the best hope is to cap its capability. Clapper’s comments come amid mounting concern that the North is moving closer toward having a nuclear-tipped missile that could reach the American mainland. It has conducted two atomic test explosions this year and more than 20 ballistic missile tests. The State Department said Tuesday there had been no change in policy. U.S. administrations have long demanded that North Korea agree to denuclearization, although aid-for-disarmament negotiations have been stalled for years and sanctions have failed to stop the North’s weapons’ programs.  Read more . . .

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/10/25/getting-north-korea-to-give-up-nukes-lost-cause-us-intel-chief-says.html

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