North Korea: ‘Mobile weapons’ capable of striking U.S.
A senior North Korean army official says his country is armed with “powerful mobile weapons” capable of striking America.
Vice Marshal Ri Yong Ho emphasized the importance of defending the North against the U.S. and South Korea as Pyongyang marked the 80th anniversary of the nation’s army April 25.
He told officials at the April 25 House of Culture that the weapons could defeat the United States “at a single blow.”
North Korea made another unusual claim April 23, promising “special actions” that would reduce Seoul’s government to ashes.
North Korea is believed to have nuclear weapons but not the technology to put them on long-range missiles. A rocket launch that the U.S. claimed was a North Korean attempt to test missile technology failed this month. AP
Pakistan tests upgraded nuclear-capable missile
The Pakistani military says it has successfully test-launched an upgraded intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
The military said in a statement April 25 that the missile was an improved version of the Shaheen 1 with a longer range. The Shaheen 1 is believed to have a range of 465 miles.
The military did not provide the exact range of the new Shaheen 1A.
The launch comes days after Pakistan’s neighbor and archenemy, India, announced that it had successfully test-launched a new nuclear-capable, long-range missile. The Agni-V has a range of 3,100 miles.
Pakistan and India have fought three major wars since they both achieved independence from the British Empire in 1947. AP
Georgia jail to open special unit for veterans
A new dormitory is being opened at a county jail in west Georgia for inmates who are military veterans.
Veterans in the dorm will have access to a variety of community services, such as a treatment program for post-traumatic stress disorder, officials said.
Muscogee County sheriff’s officials announced the opening of the new jail unit on Monday, The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported.
The dorm can house 16 veterans, Muscogee County Sheriff John Darr said. He said it’s the only program of its kind in a county jail that he’s aware of. The jail in Columbus is near Fort Benning and in a metro area that’s home to many veterans.
Jail officials are partnering with community agencies to offer mental health counseling and assistance with housing options for previously incarcerated veterans.
Ret. Col. Roy Plummer is involved in the new jail unit through the Plummer House, which provides housing for homeless and previously incarcerated veterans. Inmates in the veterans’ dorm will be able to talk and share their experiences with each other, Plummer said.
“Soldiers will find a way to link together,” he said. “They’ll find a way to revisit some of their experiences and share it.” AP
Boeing buys software company Inmedius
Boeing said April 26 it agreed to buy Inmedius, which makes software for managing and sharing information.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Privately held Inmedius has about 75 employees and is based in Pittsburgh, Penn., with field offices in Maryland, Colorado, the United Kingdom and India. Its CEO, Gary L. Schaffer, will continue to lead the business, Boeing said.
Inmedius has customers in the commercial aerospace and defense businesses and other industries. Boeing said the deal will expand its offerings for companies in those sectors. Inmedius will become part of Boeing subsidiary Continental DataGraphics. AP
