NK Fires 4 Missiles; Marines Launch Afghan Operation; Crash Survivor Speaks

By Mark Memmott

Good morning.

There's breaking news from the Korean peninsula, where South Korean defense officials tell Reuters and other news media that North Korea has fired two short-range missiles from its east coast into the Sea of Japan. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says it has been told by Defense Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae about the launches.

Update at 11:37 a.m. ET: Reuters and the Associated Press are now reporting that four short-range missiles were fired. We've updated the headline to this post.

Also breaking this morning: Word that an American soldier has been captured by insurgents in eastern Afghanistan. Capt. Elizabeth Mathias, a U.S. military spokeswoman, tells the Associated press that the soldier disappeared Tuesday. The news comes as U.S. Marines launch a major offensive in southern Afghanistan (more on that below).

And, sticking with news from overseas, police in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, tell the AP that at least five people were killed there today in a suicide attack on a government bus.

Looking a couple hours ahead, watch for the Bureau of Labor Statistics to issue its report on the June unemployment rate and (expected) job losses at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Meanwhile, among the stories making headlines are:

-- Morning Edition -- Marines Take Fight To The Taliban: NPR's Graham Smith, who is embedded with U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan, reported today that "waves of helicopters" descended on parts of the area as thousands of Marines moved in. Graham also said the Marines are determined to stay in the region to deter any future Taliban resurgence. He spoke with Morning Edition's Renee Montagne:

-- Reuters -- Hardliners In Iran Urge Legal Action Against Mousavi: "Iranian hardliners pressed on Thursday for legal action against moderate leaders accused of inciting post-election turmoil that has dimmed Western hopes of engaging Tehran on its disputed nuclear program. 'Those who hold illegal rallies and gatherings should be legally pursued,' parliament member Mohammad Taghi Rahbar was quoted as saying by the hardline Javan newspaper. It said he was among several lawmakers preparing to write to the judiciary complaining about defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi's activities after the disputed June 12 election."

-- The Guardian -- Girl Who Survived Plane Crash Tells Her Story: "The girl who is the only known survivor of the Comoros plane crash that killed up to 152 people has described how she floated in the Indian ocean clutching a piece of debris for 12 hours before her rescue. ... Kassim Bakari told French news outlets that he had spoken to his daughter on the telephone. 'I asked her what happened and she said: We saw the plane fall in the water. I found myself in the water. I was hearing people speak but I couldn't see anyone. I was in the dark. I couldn't see anything. Daddy, I couldn't swim very well. I grabbed on to something but I don't know what.' "

-- Los Angeles Times -- Jackson Memorial Likely Tuesday At Staples Center; DEA Assisting In Death Investigation: "The discussions over Michael Jackson's public memorial have now focused on a possible Tuesday service, though sources stress that the Jackson family has not made a final decision. ... The Drug Enforcement Administration is now assisting the L.A. County coroner's office and the Los Angeles Police Department in the probe into the circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson's death, two sources told The Times today."

-- NPR News -- California In 'Fiscal Emergency'. As NPR's Ina Jaffe reports, California is among several states in deep financial trouble because they haven't been able to settle on new budgets. California is giving vendors IOUs. NPR's Jean Cochran introduces Ina's report:

-- The Washington Post -- SEC Staffer "Had Warned Of Madoff": "An investigator at the Securities and Exchange Commission warned superiors as far back as 2004 about irregularities at Bernard L. Madoff's financial management firm, but she was told to focus on an unrelated matter, according to agency documents and sources familiar with the investigation. ... Madoff confessed in December to running "a giant Ponzi scheme" worth potentially $50 billion, and he was sentenced Monday to 150 years in prison after victims told a judge about how Madoff had destroyed their lives. Authorities are continuing to investigate other people and firms that might have abetted the fraud."

Related story on Morning Edition -- "Point System" Will Determine Where Madoff Serves His Time. NPR's Laura Sullivan reports about how officials will decide where to send Madoff and on the life he can expect behind bars:

-- BBC News -- Leaders In Honduras Reject Deadline: "The newly installed government in Honduras has rejected international calls to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya to power. The Organization of American States gave Honduras until the weekend to act or face suspension from the group. Mr Zelaya has delayed his planned return home on Thursday."