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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

1) Joblessness hits male vets of current wars

Unemployment for male Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans has tripled since the recession began, rising from 5 percent in March 2007 to 15 percent last month, Labor Department statistics show. IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff said a contributing factor is employers’ reluctance to hold jobs open because troops are routinely deployed for up to a year or more.Click here to read IAVA's Issue Report Careers After Combat outlining recommendations for addressing veteran unemployment.

2) Segway Inventor Introduces New Device for Injured Troops

Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway, appeared on the Colbert Report to show off a new advanced prosthetic arm he's developed to help people with missing limbs — specifically injured U.S. troops. Kamen explains how he ended up developing the technology, which allows users to control the thumb on the prosthetic hand,.

3) White House: Iraq troop withdrawal plan unchanged

The White House says a deadly spike in violence in Iraq is not expected to alter U.S. plans to withdraw combat forces this year. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. military official in Iraq, does not believe the violence threatens the ability of the U.S. military to draw down its forces this year.

AFGHANISTAN

Civilian anthropologists and other social science researchers are advising military commanders on how to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.

Afghanistan's military said 27 insurgents were killed in ground fighting and airstrikes in a western province on Tuesday, in what appeared to be a major blow to Taliban influence in the region.

IRAQ

Iraqi police and health officials say massive explosions at apartment buildings across Baghdad have killed at least 34 people and wounded more than 100.

The U.S. military said Tuesday it can't find its copy of a video that shows two employees of the Reuters news agency being killed by Army helicopters in 2007, after a leaked version circulated the Internet and renewed questions about the attack.

Iraq is seeking to reduce the amount of annual oil revenue it sets aside for war reparations, primarily to Kuwait, by 80 percent, the Iraqi ambassador to the United Nations told Reuters on Tuesday.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

Even as the price tag of a four-year college degree outpaces inflation, a handful of U.S. colleges and universities — most military academies — are going to extraordinary lengths to contain costs, by picking up full tuition for every student.

According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead plans are well under way to ban smoking aboard all Navy submarines and an official order will be made soon.

A new study found that the VA is an early adopter for electronic medical systems, heavily outspending the private sector and leading to significant cost savings, despite the steep investment in such technology.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

More than 20 years ago, Congress ordered a restoration of black Civil War veterans' graves at Arlington Cemetery. Now, after an investigation of old records hundreds appear to have disappeared or are mislabeled.

Decorated Army flight surgeon Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin says he will not comply with orders to deploy to Afghanistan until President Obama releases his birth certificate.

In recognition of the country's vulnerability to computer attacks, the Pentagon has established a new U.S. Cyber Command, due to be directed by a four-star general, and the Obama administration has designated a cybersecurity coordinator, with responsibilities that extend across all U.S. government agencies.

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

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

April 15, 2010 Senate Appropriations MilCon-VA Subcommittee Hearing: FY 2011 Budget. Witnesses from VA: The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki 2:00 p.m.; Location TBD

April 21, 2010 Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing: VA Disability Compensation: Presumptive Disability Decision- Making 9:30 a.m.; 418 Russell

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES 



The House is not in sessios
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

A wide-range of views, positions, and publications are represented in these articles. These views, positions and publications are not endorsed by nor do they necessarily represent the views of IAVA .