Obama names pick for personnel office
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is nominating a new director for the Office of Personnel Management.
It’s the official who’s been in charge temporarily ever since the previous director resigned after a massive government data breach during her tenure.
Obama says Beth Cobert has already taken steps to boost cybersecurity and improve the way government serves the public.
Cobert would succeed Katherine Archuleta. Archuleta resigned in July after hackers stole the Social Security numbers, health histories and other highly sensitive data belonging to millions during what’s believed to be the largest data breach in U.S. history.
Russia plans to build new weapon systems
MOSCOW – Russia will counter NATO’s U.S.-led missile defense program by deploying new strike weapons capable of piercing the shield, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
Putin told defense officials that by developing defenses against ballistic missiles Washington aims to “neutralize” Russia’s strategic nuclear deterrent and gain a “decisive military superiority.”
He said that Moscow will respond by developing “strike systems capable of penetrating any missile defenses.”
His statement comes amid a severe strain in Russia’s relations with the U.S. and its NATO allies, which have plunged to the lowest point since the Cold War over the crisis in Ukraine.
Associated Press
