News In Brief

Herbicide suit against US dismissed by federal judge

A federal judge threw out a lawsuit against the federal government Monday by thousands of Vietnam veterans who claim they were injured by the herbicide Agent Orange.

US District Judge Jack B. Weinstein, who last month prodded the veterans into a $180 million settlement with seven chemical companies, said the courts determined more than two years ago that the law bars such claims by the veterans against Washington.

''The court has no alternative under this circumstance but to issue an order of judgment dismissing the complaint,'' Judge Weinstein told attorney Victor J. Yannacone Jr.