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Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA. Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom or subscribe to receive the brief in your inbox each morning at www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief.

MUST READS

2) Female veterans still lack privacy at VA

Veterans Affairs Department officials are promising to improve privacy for female veterans who use its medical facilities after a new report discovered that some old problems have not been fixed. A new report from the Government Accountability Office cited lack of privacy in rooms and at front desks, among other concerns.

 3) Airport honors Maine Troop Greeters’ as it reaches one-million milestone

The Bangor International Airport unveiled a new sign for the Maine Troop Greeters as the organization was honored for meeting its 1 millionth service member. Since 2003, group members have been at the airport for every military transport flight coming from and going overseas.

 4) Karzai rails against foreign presence

President Hamid Karzai lashed out at the U.N. and international community Thursday, accusing them of interfering in last year's fraud-tarnished presidential election and seeking to weaken his authority. Karzai also said the Western coalition fighting in Afghanistan was close to becoming invaders. The U.S. embassy and UN mission in Kabul had no comment.

AFGHANISTAN

The Pentagon is pouring millions of dollars into equipment and training for its smaller partner nations in the Afghanistan war, a new effort that could encourage some countries not to abandon the increasingly unpopular conflict.

After eight years and billions of dollars spent on building Afghanistan's military, coalition officials have concluded a lack of quality leaders is now the biggest obstacle to creating a fighting force capable of standing on its own.

IRAQ

Gunmen armed with silenced pistols fatally shot a Health Ministry official at his home in Baghdad in an apparent targeting of government employees, according to Iraqi police.

A civilian Army employee kidnapped while working as a linguist in Iraq released a statement Wednesday saying he is delighted to be back in the United States and is focused being able to reintegrate back into his normal life.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

Female Engagement Teams of female servicemembers have been operating in Afghanistan for a year, mostly engaging Afghan women in rural conservative areas in southern Afghanistan where men are not allowed to talk to women.

About 86,000 Vietnam War veterans, their surviving spouses or estates will be eligible for retroactive disability compensation from the VA under a draft rule to expand the number of diseases presumed caused by herbicide exposure in the war.

Camp Lejeune officials violated the rights of a military veteran who came to his job on base in a vehicle emblazoned with anti-Islamic decals after his son died in a terrorist bombing, a federal judge ruled.

A group of suspected pirates was captured Thursday after attacking a U.S. Navy frigate in the Indian Ocean, according to a statement released by the U.S. Sixth Fleet.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

During a recent speech, President Obama praised efforts by the U.S. military to “go green” and called on the military to continue adopting biofuels.

In the first visit by a DEA administrator to an active war zone, Michele Leonhart is spending three days meeting with U.S., coalition and Afghan officials.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate is not in session
Reconvenes at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 12

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

No issues today

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

April 5, 2010 Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing on services available to Veterans in Ohio, especially Appalachia 11:15 a.m.; Scottish Rite Auditorium, Cambridge OH Veterans 9:30 a.m.

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES 



The House is not in session
Reconvenes at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



No issues today

FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



April 7, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Field Hearing: Serving America’s Aging Veterans: Is the VA doing Its Part? 10:00 a.m.; Fishkill Town Hall

April 15, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Hearing: Status of Veterans Employment 1:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon HOB

May 5, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing: Status Update on the National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon House Office Building

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