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The Palestinian death toll rose to more than 500 as Israel announced it had prevented two more attempts by Hamas militants to infiltrate the nation via tunnels from the Gaza Strip. 

Science!: Why Israel's Iron Dome is overrated.

Secretary of State John F. Kerry cited what he calls an "enormous amount of evidence" tying separatists to downing of Malaysia Airlines in Ukraine.

The Buk that brough down MH17 is the high-tech equivalent of the ubiquitous AK-14, which almost started World War III.

Republicans and Democrats showed a rare display of bipartisanship last week when members of both parties criticized the Pentagon's $58.6 billion war budget request, but experts say Congress will likely approve the measure.

Obama wants $5 billion to boost foreign deployment of special operations forces.

The revival of the Pentagon's storied F-35 alternative engine program is unlikely despite a U.S. Senate panel raising that possibility.

China in the sky: 10 things to know about the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Tuesday will hold a confirmation hearing for Robert McDonald, President Obama's nominee to lead the troubled Veterans Affairs Department.

A small aircraft carrying U.S. military personnel made an emergency landing in the middle of a highway after running out of fuel.

The Kansas Adjutant General's office says federal authorities are investigating possible corruption involving outside medical companies' contracts with the Kansas Army National Guard.

Air Force officials are expected to decide by next month whether to go forward with a huge expansion of a bomber training area over the Northern Plains for B-1 bombers.

For the first time students from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School got to fly with the newly upgraded Sustainment Block-16 B-1B Lancer.

Military pride: These states boast the highest enlistment rates in America.

The definitive proof: Why the moon landings could have never ever been faked.

These photos of rest areas will make you want to jump in your car and go.

Actor James Garner has died.

Watch a trailer for the new season of Homeland.

See a trailer for Aaron McGruder's new Adult Swim comedy, Black Jesus.

Finally: Here's a cover of Queen's Another One Bites the Dust that consists of movie screams.

Here's today's Ugandan street dance battle ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. John A. Martinez Jr.

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.19.14 >>>

Rebels are accused of moving bodies from the site of the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, denying access to area.

Obama said the rebels "have received a steady flow of support from Russia," including antiaircraft weapons.

The U.S. will not take military action in response to the downing of a Malaysian passenger jet over Ukraine.

Iran faced Western pressure today to make concessions over its atomic activities after it and six world powers failed to meet a July 20 deadline for a deal to end the decade-old dispute but agreed to keep talking.

Israeli clashes with Hamas intensify in Gaza: Civilian casualties mount as fighting grows more fierce.

The U.S. military continues to draw down in preparation for the end of its combat mission in December, but the fight in Afghanistan is not over.

Afghanistan drawdown: Some lawmakers say they are uncomfortable with Obama's plan, which responds to the American public's war fatigue.

Lawmakers were quick to praise Senate appropriators' $550 billion defense spending bill, which rejected many proposed Pentagon cost-cutting measures and protected programs in their home districts.

The first congressional panel to take action on a White House-proposed counterterrorism program breathed life into the effort - but also raised a slew of questions the Obama administration is struggling to answer.

Air Force focuses fourth round of VERA/VSIP on headquarters reductions.

The U.S. subsidiary of the British defense giant BAE Systems Plc expects the Army to begin buying its guidance kits to convert unguided rockets into "smart" heat-seeking missiles.

The fighter jet we could have built instead of the F-35.

Next-generation combat pilot helmet: Say goodbye to night vision goggles.

Captain America: Steve Rogers is hanging up his shield and turning things over to the Falcon in the Marvel comic book series.

My Name Is New York, Woody Guthrie: An upcoming record features tunes the folk legend penned about the Big Apple, and this title track blows most of today's artists out of the water.

Badfinger demos: A bunch of recently uncovered demos from founding members Pete Ham and Tom Evans have been posted at poba.org, and they're worth a listen. Peruse the site to see more rare work from visual and musical artists.

Miley Cyrus may exist, but the jury's still out on whether or not she's a real person.

The best movie soundtracks of 2014, so far.

Not a good idea: Flying man flies so close to a cliff he can high-five someone.

Wh-What?: Man climbs a ladder with a morotcycle on his head.

Too much free time: Freaky animal hybrids.

How Tinder dating app works ...

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. David Edge

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.17.14 >>>

Kabul International Airport takes a beating: Militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades attacked Kabul International Airport in the Afghan capital in one of the most audacious assaults on the facility, used by both civilians and the military, in a year.

Residents of the Gaza Strip rushed out of their homes today to take advantage of a five-hour "humanitarian truce" between the Israeli military and Hamas militants, a respite that began just hours after Israel bombed what it called a "terror tunnel" under the Gaza border.

Rocket War: You wouldn't know it from the images of Israeli jets bombing Gaza. But for Hamas, the current war has produced a significant victory.

Today on Putin TV: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned new sanctions the United States imposed against Russian businesses a day earlier will backfire against U.S. companies operating in Russia.

5 things to expect from Gen. Dunford's confirmation hearing today: Duh, forces in Afghanistan is one of the things.

Lawmakers appeared gobsmacked by a request from the Obama administration for $60 billion in war funding next year, with several accusing the Pentagon of seeking a "slush fund" to use for other purposes.

With just two weeks to go before the August recess, House and Senate negotiators are struggling to reach a deal on legislation intended to improve healthcare services through the Veterans Affairs Department.

U.S. House Armed Services Committee leaders struck a skeptical - and bipartisan - tone about a $5 billion counterterrorism program proposed by President Barack Obama.

In the wake of an engine fire that grounded the F-35 fleet, a U.S. Senate subcommittee wants senior Pentagon officials to consider reviving an effort to develop a second power plant.

Need more F-35 news? How the F-35 dominated Farnborough, without ever being there.

Take this F-35: The British Royal Air Force plans to finish upgrades to as many as 59 Tornado aircraft by 2016.

The next big thing in aviation is small: Hummingbird-sized drones.

Things Vice President Sheikh Mohammed Bin-Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and minister of defense, says on Twitter: "Today we announce two epic projects in our history: establishing UAE Space Agency and sending the first Arab spaceship to Mars by 2021."

We love you but you got to go: The Air Force will soon begin offeringincentives to reduce its workforce by nearly 3,500 employees.

Chris Kyle vs. former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura continues: A former Navy SEAL testified he saw military sniper Chris Kyle punch the former wrestler.

Afghanistan Fabulous: The Army has altered its government-owned Scorpion camouflage pattern to look almost identical to MultiCam, the trademarked pattern the service has been using in Afghanistan since 2010.

Sgt. Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III recently issued guidance to help clarify the Army's position on commercial-off-the-shelf combat boots.

The world's first family robot could be like HAL in your home.

Mysterious giant hole suddenly appears in Siberia.

I was hidden in this guy's hard drive for six years.

Bowie Wowie: More new music from David Bowie could be on the way.

Smashing Amazon: Billy Corgan is angry at Amazon.

Fund the million dollar podcast: These joke Kickstarter campaigns are getting out of hand.

Feast your eyes on the trailer for Ouija, a film based on the Hasbro board "game" that enables players to communicate with the spirit world.

Why did Jason Segel quit Twitter? It involves a burrito ...

Finally: Here's a list of underrated Seinfeld episodes.

More summer Slip ‘N Slide fun ...

LINK: Original photo by Staff Sgt. Pablo N. Piedra

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Pakistani security forces captured a key Taliban commander linked to a 2003 assassination attempt on former President Pervez Musharraf as a U.S. drone strike killed 15 militants near the country's border with Afghanistan.

Fighting raged in Ukraine's east today when separatists tried to break through the lines of government forces near the border with Russia and a tentative step toward agreeing conditions for a ceasefire failed.

U.S. Senate panel proposes keeping A-10, 11 aircraft carriers with $547.9B defense bill.

Senate derails Army bid to take Guard helicopters.

Senate panel backs 1 percent pay increase.

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James: Top 3 Air Force tough money choices.

Senate Defense Bill doubles Obama's request for Israel's Iron Dome.

Iron Dome - savior or sales job?

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., called on the Pentagon to shift dollars from its war spending accounts back into its base budget.

The F-35 joint strike fighter will not be flying at the Farnborough International Airshow, to the disappointment of attendees, program supporters and partnered militaries.

Navy tests stealth-like features for Super Hornet.

Adm. Jonathan Greenert, the U.S. chief of naval operations, met his Chinese counterpart, Adm. Wu Shengli, commander in chief of China's navy, for talks aimed at improving cooperation between their fleets following concerns over regional territorial disputes and potential armed conflict.

The U.S. Air Force's top civilian said she wants $100 million in funding this year to hold a rocket launch competition.

The Defense Health Agency is launching a pilot program Friday that will allow Tricare to pay for some medical tests developed by laboratories.

Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Tuesday called on the Senate to pass legislation to prevent soldiers from being given notice while serving in a combat zone.

DARPA's $40 million plan to save soldiers' brains.

Futurama in 3D is absolutely stunning.

Newly discovered species could be the last one standing on Earth.

We wish we had a magical shadows pop up book when we were kids.

Marvel's Thor is going to be a woman.

The cast of The Wonder Years reunited on Good Morning America.

Here's a list of the best beers of 2014 (so far).

A banana pudding donut sounds too good to be true.

The Cave Singers play Tacoma's New Frontier Lounge Sunday. Click play and go about your duties.

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Mary Junell, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment

It was a day for having fun, meeting new friends and finding help.

That's the focus of the 446th Airlift Wing's annual Family Day symposium and picnic. With an emphasis on fun, it was a mix of kid's games, a tasty barbeque lunch and a morning of hearing about support programs for families.

"It's one of our ways to say thank you," Lt. Col. Anna Sullivan said. "These families put up with so much."

About 3,200 people, from parents to grandparents to kids, took part in the day for reservists at Heritage Hill on McChord Field, July 12.

There were three pieces to the event. In the morning, there was a spouse flight around Mount Rainier in a C-17. Then there was the education piece in the morning that worked as a conduit, connecting families with helpful programs from health care to counseling to employment.

The free picnic, which was catered by Dickey's Barbecue, and games, which included a bouncy castle, paper airplane throw, ball toss through a hoop, jewelry making, putt-putt golf, ping pong and volleyball, put the fun into the event.

"This is also a good way for all the families to get together," Sullivan said.

There was information on programs that covered airmen and family readiness, military family counseling, fitness and employer support for those in the Reserves. There were symposiums on 13 different programs, which included Air Force Aid Society, Hero 2 Hire and the Wingman Tool Kit.

Another program was Yellow Ribbon, a congressional mandate that has a mission to tell reservists about employment and connect them with potential employers. It's for pre- and post-deployment. To attract families to Yellow Ribbon, an expense-paid trip to Disney World for the reservist's family is offered.

"It's bait," Sullivan said.

The objective is to find employment for the reservists.

"If they work here, they stay here, and we don't have to get other people, that helps keep everyone happy," Sullivan said. "We want them to be happy and employed. Lots of the programs are good to our people."

Representatives from these different programs gave presentations to show the resources available to them.

The day was also about reservists getting a chance to bring their family to the picnic and introduce them to co-workers.

"Typically, we're coming out one weekend a month or coming out on our annual tour," Sgt. Minnette Mason said. "What we do each year is set up an event that is family friendly."

It was mission accomplished. The food and games, which was coupled with a beautiful sunny 90-degree summer day, was certainly crowd-pleasing.

"Today is about the families of our reservists," Mason said. "It gives the airmen a chance to come together and get to know the families. They're the ones who allow us to do our job."

Michelle and Daniel Faust stood in a long line with their children waiting to get a hearty barbeque lunch.

"It's fun, but the lines are a little long," said Daniel, a reservist in the 446th Airlift Wing.

The lines were about 300 people deep. Michelle was among the 40 spouses who took the airplane ride in a C-17 around Rainier in the morning.

"It was a wonderful day," Michelle said. "It's a fun, fun day. It gives you a chance to connect with the other families."

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.15.14 >>>

F-35 cleared for flight.

Lawmakers warn President Obama is shortchanging the military by calling it into action at the U.S. border without providing a boost in funding.

Cease-fire ends as Israel resumes attacks in Gaza.

Report: Benghazi suspect found dead in Libya.

89 Killed in suicide blast in east Afghanistan.

Special Forces teams have finished sizing up the Iraqi military and now await decisions on possibly moving into an advisory role.

Iraq army launches Tikrit offensive, politicians elect speaker.

Kerry: Wide gaps persist in Iran nuke talks.

Why the world's armies don't want U.S. tech anymore.

Qatar will buy U.S. Patriot missiles for the first time in a major arms deal worth $11 billion.

VA cites progress on backlog; Congress disagrees.

Sgt. Bergdahl returning to active duty with administration job.

Toward a new U.S. defense model.

Want to fix retention? Start by making the military a real meritocracy.

Researcher leading PTSD-pot study loses job.

Army Performance Triad app now available.

"Game-changing" device gets veteran back on his feet.

First, she made headlines in 2011 by taking Justin Timberlake to the Marine Corps ball. She did it again when she became a professional mixed martial arts fighter upon leaving the Corps in 2012. Now, Kelsey DeSantis has her eyes set on winning a beauty pageant.

Could Fox's Enlisted be brought back from cancellation?

Blink-182 is releasing a new album.

Watch Tacky, "Weird Al" Yankovic's parody of Happy.

Are seductive abs really worth more than Netflix?

Must-see: "Giant dead parrot unveiled in London to pay tribute to Monty Python."

Finally: 10 greatest Han Solo moments.

Hello awesome summer!

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Logan Pierce

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.14.14 >>>

Ukraine accused Russian army officers of fighting alongside separatists in the east of the country and said Moscow was once more building up its troops on the joint border.

Rand Paul to Rick Perry on Iraq: Get some new glasses.

America and the A-10: It's complicated.

F-35 investigation finds no fleet-wide design flaw.

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl could return to active duty as soon as today after finishing therapy and counseling at a medical center in San Antonio.

The U.S. Air Force released its Long Range Strike Bomber request for proposal to industry with a contract award expected in spring 2015.

The $10B next generation jammer on track.

Air Force office puts all military aircraft names through the wringer.

Reports: Taiwan starts using drones to spy on China.

The U.S. Coast Guard is facing a dilemma at the North Pole.

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno taps captains for talent-management ideas.

Col. Chris Toner is taking the helm of a Warrior Transition Command that is reorganizing to better serve a somewhat smaller population of wounded, ill and injured soldiers.

Keeping up with the Kardashians stars Kim, Kourtney and Khloé gave back to the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community during an Operation Shower event.

Why the British don't refrigerate eggs.

Biggest dome ever built.

It's so hot in Yellowstone that a road literally melted.

Every episode of South Park is streaming for free on Hulu right now.

Sounds like the next season of True Detective will have four lead roles.

Watch the trailer for Are You Here, which stars Zach Galifianakis, Amy Poehler and Owen Wilson.

"Weird Al" Yankovic is releasing one new music video every day this week.

The Flaming Lips made a crazy video with Moby and Miley Cyrus.

Finally: Star Wars-themed video featuring Neko Case, KellyHogan and Ellie Kemper

Here's your soundtrack for today ...

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry scrambles to produce a deal today to end Afghanistan's election crisis, meeting for the second day with the country's two presidential candidates and incumbent President Hamid Karzai.

Ukrainian war planes bombarded separatists along a broad front today, inflicting huge losses.

The top U.S. commander in Europe said the DoD must reconsider the drawdown of forces following Russia's provocative actions.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Iran and Russia were helping Iraq battle a Sunni extremist insurgency but that the U.S. was not coordinating its own assistance with either country.

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) warned Thursday that Sunni militants in Iraq could build a dirty bomb with uranium seized during their march on Baghdad.

Kurdish security forces took over two major oil fields outside the disputed northern city of Kirkuk before dawn Friday.

The Senate passed a bipartisan resolution aimed at altering China's behavior toward U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Why the next great war won't happen on China's doorstep.

Two of the four U.S. deaths in Benghazi might have been prevented, military leaders say.

Hundreds of Marines set sail when the Navy's newest amphibious assault ship departed from the shipyard in Mississippi on Friday, their historic transit taking them around South America to the ship's home port in the Pacific.

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2014

Army on the hunt for new weapons.

The Selective Service System mistakenly sent notices to more than 14,000 Pennsylvania men born between 1893 and 1897.

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura has testified he doesn't remember any confrontation with the American Sniper author who claimed to have punched out Ventura in a bar.

The Budweiser ad "Hero's Welcome," featuring a surprise homecoming parade for an Army lieutenant, has been nominated for an Emmy award for outstanding television commercial.

LeBron James has announced his decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Angelina Jolie's newest film looks unbearably cheesy.

The worst pop culture moments in 2014 (so far).

If Google was a real guy, part 3.

Here's every Transformers robot fight scene in one video.

Clever golf trick shots activate a fun Rube Goldberg machine.

It's OK, there's no need to call PETA. The elephants are not real.

LINK: Original photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano

California chicken producer Foster Farms is recalling an unspecified amount of its chicken products because the products may be contaminated with a strain of salmonella Heidelberg, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent July 9.

The U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture said Thursday it has found evidence directly linking Foster Farms boneless-skinless chicken breast to a case of Salmonella Heidelberg, an antibiotic-resistant strain of the disease that has sickened more than 500 people in the past 16 months and led to pressure from food safety advocates for federal action against the company.

As a result, Foster Farms issued a recall for 170 different chicken products that came from its Fresno facilities in March.

The Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall to all its stores. Whenever a commissary has a recalled or withdrawn product in its inventory, the product is immediately removed from store shelves.

Read more...

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.11.14 >>>

A rocket attack by pro-Russian rebels on a border post on Ukraine's border with Russia today may have killed as many as 30 soldiers and border guards.

A fourth day of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip killed 11 more Palestinians, raising the death toll in the coastal enclave to at least 96.

Demand for Air Force spy planes, fighters and bombers from Eastern Europe to the Far East is spiking.

A U.S. Army general defended his service's decision to buy 100 Airbus UH-72 Lakota helicopters for pilot training.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill to help prevent veteran suicides and reform the way the Veterans Affairs Department treats those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. 

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has released a new score for a House bill to overhaul the Veterans Affairs Department that is dramatically lower than its previous estimate.

The blaze on an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that grounded the military's fleet might be an isolated incident, the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer told lawmakers Thursday.

Months after the Army implemented a more stringent tattoo policy, recruiters say they are the ones feeling the pinch.

The U.S. Army conducted flight testing of an unmanned airborne electronic attack capability known as NERO, or the Networked Electronic Warfare Remotely Operated.

Air Force officials announced the Total Force Commissioning Process.

The Army has started migrating all its enterprise applications and systems to designated core data centers.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is exploring the possibility of partnering with the private sector for projects involving America's waterways and ports.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command launched a new centralized recruiting program.

Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, Army surgeon general and commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Command, hosted the first Army Medicine Virtual Town Hall on Facebook. 

World's first climate-controlled neighborhood to be built in Dubai.

Scientist find that 80 percent of all light in the Universe is missing.

171 reasons why the Matrix Reloaded was crap.

15 music videos filmed in one shot.

How many more Seinfeld 25th anniversary pieces do you need? The answer is actually: just this one, which lays out why Elaine Benes is a feminist icon.

OMG

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger