A Taliban suicide car bomber kills at least 17, including 5 Americans, in Kabul on Tuesday; also today the Army recalls 44,000 “flawed” helmets.

Report: Conn. Dem misstated military record

WASHINGTON – Richard Blumenthal, the early favorite to win retiring fellow Democrat Christopher Dodd’s Senate seat from Connecticut, never served in the military in Vietnam despite his public comments indicating he had done so, the New York Times reported on Monday.

At least 17 die as Kabul bomb hits bus, convoy

KABUL, Afghanistan – A Taliban suicide car bomber struck a NATO convoy in Kabul Tuesday, killing six of its service members, five of them American, officials said. Twelve Afghan civilians also died — many of them in a public bus in rush hour traffic.

Security Brief: To track terrorists follow the money – if you can

“I’ll keep you in the right direction if I can, but that’s all. Just… follow the money.” So said Deep Throat, in the movie “All The President’s Men.”

It’s a lesson the U.S. government has taken to heart in pursuit of international terrorists. But it’s not always easy to “follow the money” when critical information is off-limits on another continent.

Coast Guard: Tar balls recovered from Key West, Florida

The Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will conduct shoreline surveys in Key West, Florida, Tuesday after tar balls were found on a beach there, officials said.

Thai ‘Red Shirt’ Offers Ceasefire As Deadline Passes

The Thai government said Monday it would accept a cease-fire offer from a Red Shirt protest leader if their fighters return to their camp in central Bangkok, as street battles that have killed 37 people raged for a fifth day.

The offer was made by Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuwa, who called the government’s chief negotiator, Korbsak Sabhavasu, on his cell phone, Korbsak said. It was the first direct talks between the two sides since the fighting started Thursday, but Korbsak said it was unlikely to achieve much as the two sides still remained far apart.

Army Recalls 44,000 Flawed Helmets

The Army is recalling 44,000 Advanced Composite Helmets after recent tests revealed that they fail to provide the required level of ballistics protection.

Japanese Encircle US Base in Protest

TOKYO — Thousands of Japanese linked hands and encircled a Marine Corps base in Okinawa on Sunday to protest its presence on the island, putting more pressure on Tokyo to resolve an impasse over the base’s future.

Unfit VA Facilities Assigned Ratings

NAPLES, Italy — Five Veterans Affairs hospitals can no longer perform certain surgeries after the VA determined the facilities were not properly equipped to carry out more complex procedures.