“US B-1 bombers fly over South Korea”

Four days after North Korea's fifth and possibly most powerful nuclear weapons test, the US Air Force responded with a show of force on Tuesday, flying two powerful, battle-tested B-1 bombers over South Korea. North Korea claimed Friday's test showed it had a nuclear warhead that could be mounted on ballistic missiles, a possibility that increases fears for US allies in the region and also poses a threat to US bases in South Korea, Japan and Guam. "North Korea's nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat," Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, U.S. Forces Korea commander, said in a statement Tuesday. "The United States has an unshakable commitment to defend allies in the region and will take necessary steps to do so, including operations like this one today.” The B-1s were joined by US F-16 and South Korean F-15 fighters in the low-level flyover of Osan Air Base, 40 miles south of the South Korean capital of Seoul. “Today's demonstration provides just one example of the full range of military capabilities in the deep resources of this strong alliance to provide and strengthen extended deterrence," Brooks said. It is the first time the B-1s, which have the largest payload of any US bomber, have been part of the Pacific bomber force in a decade.

In Other News A conversation between dolphins may have been recorded by scientists for the first time, a Russian researcher claims. Two adult Black Sea bottlenose dolphins, named Yasha and Yana, didn't interrupt each other during an interaction taped by scientists and may have formed words and sentences with a series of pulses. "Essentially, this exchange resembles a conversation between two people," Ryabov said. There will need to be more research before scientists can be sure whether dolphins are chatting. Bubble Wrap is so beloved that it even has its own appreciation day. Mark your calendars now — the next one rolls around on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. Sure, plastic cushioning's purpose is to protect fragile items from damage, but there are a lot of people who get plenty of enjoyment from popping it. It was that "POP POP!" sound which was apparently mistaken for gunfire Monday at an Eastern University apartment building located on the property of Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pa. Officials at the academy in suburban Philadelphia said in a statement that a student heard what she thought were shots fired and called 911. The military academy as well as Eastern University and Cabrini University were locked down for a short time. Authorities say they found no weapons or evidence of any weapon being fired. Officers said they were "thankful this event was not an actual gun related situation." Adding, "The student took the correct action in calling 911."