Plumpang Raya

North Korea Incursion Leads To Warning Shots

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 20 Mei 2014 | 23.12

A South Korean naval ship has fired warning shots after three patrol vessels from the North crossed a disputed maritime border.

The incursion comes amid heightened tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang, which has previously led to an exchange of artillery fire.

In the latest incident, the South Korean vessel fired 10 warning shots causing the three boats to turn back, according to military chiefs.

It is not uncommon for patrol boats from the North to cross the unmarked Yellow Sea border.

A map showing the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas

The red line marks the Korean peninsula's de facto maritime border

Only last month two vessels ventured into South Korean waters, shortly before US President Barack Obama made a two-day visit to Seoul.

The Northern Limit Line (NLL) is an extension of the land border between the two countries, stretching into the sea west of the Korean peninsula.

It was drawn up by the US-led UN Command without Pyongyang's consent after the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended with a truce rather than a peace treaty, leaving the two nations still technically at war.

North Korea's west coast from disputed Yellow Sea waters

The disputed waters of the Yellow Sea west of the Korean peninsula

The North has refused to recognise the line as the sea border and has periodically challenged the South by violating it and demanding a new border be set further to the south.

The existing line curves northwards, effectively isolating five remote, South Korean-controlled islands from the mainland.

The furthest of those islands is closer to Pyongyang than Seoul.

In April, North Korea carried out live-fire drills close to the border.

The month before similar exercises saw forces in the North fire more than 500 artillery shells, including 100 that landed south of the border.

This led to the South to fire hundreds of rounds back into the North's waters.

23.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dead Fish Mystery Puzzles California Scientists

Marine biologists are working to determine what has caused the deaths of tens of thousands of fish along the coastal waters of Marina del Rey.

Dead anchovies and stingrays created a silvery blanket on the water's surface and a pungent smell that set off a feeding frenzy among harbour seals, pelicans and seagulls.

Wildlife workers have been removing the dead fish while biologists tried to look at the possible causes, including a recent Southern California heat wave, lack of oxygen in the water.

The dead fish caused a feeding frenzy

The incident is likely the result of a confluence of factors, said Dana Roeber Murray, a marine and coastal scientist with the environmental group Heal the Bay.

"They're not unheard of," she said.

"I would not tie it to a big indicator that bad things are happening in our environment. It's more like a multitude of circumstances happening at once."

Wildlife workers have scooped up the dead fish

With numerous boats and reduced water circulation, such marinas are more likely to harbour pollution, bacteria and other toxins, Ms Murray said.

Similar fish die-offs occurred in Ventura Harbor and at Redondo Beach in 2011.

23.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bushfire Victims Blame Tree In $200m Lawsuit

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

Devastating bushfires that destroyed 200 homes and damaged many more in Australia could have been started by a single tree falling on a power line, it has been claimed.

Now victims of the fires which tore across the Blue Mountains outside Sydney are planning a $200m (£110m) class action against an energy provider for failing to maintain the tree properly.

Lawyers for the victims claim Endeavour Energy inspectors spotted the tree was "hazardous" in the months before the fires last October.

Bushfires ravage New South Wales in October 2013

Hundreds of homes were destroyed or damaged by the bushfires

The company ordered the property owner to trim the tree and make it safe but it allegedly failed to follow up on the order.

About 150 people affected by the fire have so far joined a class action to sue the energy infrastructure firm in the NSW Supreme Court.

"We believe there are five to six hundred people affected and we believe the total quantum of loss is going to be in the order of $200 million," lawyer Brendan Pendergast said.

A helicopter drops water to prevent the flames spreading

"We're seeking compensation for anyone who suffered an injury - and that could be a psychological as well as a physical injury."

The blaze is alleged to have started after the tree at a private property on Linksview Road in Springwood fell in windy conditions last October and struck the power line.

The resulting bushfires were the worst in New South Wales since the 1960s, and two deaths were attributed to the blazes.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets firefighters in New South Wales

The Duchess of Cambridge met rural firefighters in New South Wales in April

Hundreds of volunteer firefighters battled for days to bring the blazes under control in dry, hot and windy conditions.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met some of the victims as part of their tour of Australia last month.

A directions hearing is expected to be held in the Supreme Court in August and the case, if it proceeds, could last two years.

The fires are currently the subject of a coronial inquiry.

A spokesman for Endeavour Energy told the AAP news agency: "We understand the devastating impact bushfires have on people and property and are committed to doing what we can to keep people safe.

"We understand the NSW Rural Fire Service preliminary investigations indicate the Linksview Road, Springwood, fire was started by a large tree falling across power lines during high winds."

23.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thailand Army Declares Martial Law After Unrest

Timeline Of Thai Political Crisis

Updated: 11:15am UK, Tuesday 20 May 2014

Thailand has a long history of political unrest with the army staging at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

The latest crisis has its roots in the 2006 military overthrow of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was embroiled in a telecoms corruption scandal.

September 2006: Thailand's armed forces oust Thaksin in a bloodless coup and impose martial law.

December 2007: The People Power Party made up of Thaksin's allies, wins elections and forms a coalition government.

May 2008: Royalist anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts relaunch street protests that led to the 2006 coup.

September 2008: State of emergency declared after clashes between pro and anti-government groups leave one person dead and dozens wounded.

Constitutional Court strips Thaksin-allied prime minister Samak Sundaravej of his powers, ruling he illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking shows. Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat takes his place.

October 2008: Clashes between police and demonstrators leave two people dead and nearly 500 wounded.

Court sentences Thaksin in his absence to two years in jail for corruption after he flees the country.

November-December, 2008: Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockade Bangkok's airports. State of emergency imposed for nearly two weeks.

December 2008: Constitutional Court dissolves Somchai's party, forcing him from office. British-born Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrats becomes premier in a parliamentary vote with army backing.

January-March 2009: Red Shirts loyal to Thaksin stage mass protests in the capital against Abhisit's government.

April 2009: Red Shirts storm an Asian summit in the beach resort of Pattaya, forcing the evacuation of regional leaders. Riots and a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok ensue, leaving two people dead.

March 2010: Tens of thousands of Red Shirts begin rolling demonstrations calling for Abhisit's government to step down, saying it is elitist and undemocratic.

April-May 2010: Street clashes between Red Shirt protesters and armed troops leave more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians, in the country's worst civil unrest in decades.

July 3 2011: Thaksin's allies sweep to power in elections on a wave of support from their Red Shirt followers.

August 2011: Parliament elects Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra as Thailand's first female prime minister.

November 2012: Police fire tear gas at demonstrators as clashes erupt at the first major street protests against Ms Yingluck's government.

October 2013: Protests break out against an amnesty bill which critics say is aimed at allowing Thaksin - who went into self-imposed exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction - to return home and escape prison.

November 2013: Opposition protesters occupy the finance and foreign ministries demanding Ms Yingluck resign.

December 2013: Police use water cannon and tear gas on protesters who storm the government and police headquarters. Opposition politicians resign en masse from parliament.

Ms Yingluck calls early elections as demonstrators return to the streets. Opposition announces a poll boycott.

February 2, 2014: Opposition demonstrators prevent 10,000 polling stations from opening for the election.

March 21, 2014: Constitutional Court declares February elections invalid.

April 30, 2014: Government announces new elections for July 20.

May 7, 2014: Constitutional Court removes Ms Yingluck and several cabinet ministers from office. New caretaker premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan appointed by remainder of cabinet.

May 15, 2014: The Election Commission says a general election scheduled for July 20 is "no longer possible" as polls cannot be held without the support of the protesters.

May 20, 2014: Army declares martial law, stressing the move "is not a coup".

23.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pistorius Ordered To Go To Psychiatric Hospital

Pistorius' Mental Health At Heart Of Trial

Updated: 9:56pm UK, Wednesday 14 May 2014

By Emma Hurd, Sky Correspondent, in Pretoria

In a hasty, whispered exchange with his lawyer, Oscar Pistorius was given the news of the judge's ruling just moments before she delivered it in court.

His expression - grim resignation - said it all: the defence had lost their legal fight to prevent the South African athlete being ordered to undergo a full evaluation of his mental health.

Judge Thokozile Masipa said she had a duty to refer the athlete for tests by a panel of government psychiatrists after one of the defence's own witnesses raised the issue of his mental condition.

From the defence's perspective, it was an unintended and undesirable consequence of their decision to call psychiatrist Merryl Vorster to the witness box.

She had told the court the athlete suffered from "Generalised Anxiety Disorder", a condition that might have influenced his actions on the night he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The prosecution leapt on the diagnosis and immediately demanded the full, independent evaluation, warning that without it any conviction could be vulnerable to appeal.

The judge agreed and, suddenly, the 10-week long murder trial that was inching to a conclusion was adjourned.

The details of process will be determined when the court reconvenes on Tuesday.

But it is expected - likely much to the athlete's relief - that he will be examined as an "out-patient" rather than admitted to a psychiatric facility for observation.

The panel of assessors will be made up of at least three psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.

The usual period of observation is 30 days and it could then take a similar amount of time for the report to be compiled.

The key, in terms of the case, is whether the psychiatrists diagnose any disorder which might indicate "diminished capacity".

In layman's terms - that the athlete's mental problems meant he could not be held responsible for the shooting.

That seems unlikely, but even a lesser "condition" might be a factor in the case and the court cannot proceed until the matter is settled so the trial may be delayed for months.

What has baffled many watching the trial - criminal lawyers among them - is why this was not all dealt with at the beginning of the case if it was a consideration.

And why Pistorius' own lawyers did not realise the implications of the evidence their own psychiatrist would give?

Some argue, and this is an allegation that's been raised by the prosecution, that the athlete's legal team is so concerned by how the case is going that the net has been cast wide for any new defence - including his mental state.

Alternatively, they had hoped to introduce the "anxiety disorder" not as a determining factor in the case but simply as context for the events of the shooting on Valentine's Day last year.

Either way, the athlete's mental health is now right at the heart of the trial and only verdict that matters, at least for now, is that of the psychiatrists.

23.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

China Angry Over US Spy Charges 'Hypocrisy'

US And China Spy Row: Diplomatic Fallout 'Huge'

Updated: 7:32pm UK, Monday 19 May 2014

By Mark Stone, China Correspondent

America's decision to file charges against five Chinese individuals and to publish 'wanted' posters for them is as serious as it is unprecedented.

These are allegations levelled not just against China but against the Chinese State.

The United States government is, for the first time ever, accusing another nation of state-sponsored economic espionage or as they called it "21st century burglary".

The diplomatic fallout will be huge.

The officials from the Department of Justice not only singled out individuals from Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), but they named the unit within the PLA which they say has been doing the hacking: Unit 61398.

It is not the first time the unit 61398 has been in the frame.

Last February, an American internet security firm called Mandiant published the results of several years research and intelligence analysis.

Working on behalf of their clients - multinational companies in both the US and in the UK - they analysed instances of hacking and commercial espionage.

Using sophisticated technology and cyber forensics, Mandiant collated evidence and 'digital crumbs' from hundreds of investigations.

They mapped the IP addresses from many different cyber attacks. Remarkably, they all popped up in one small neighbourhood in the Chinese city of Shanghai, and the location of the headquarters of Unit 61398.

Mandiant was not able physically to prove that the hackers were inside the building but analysts were convinced that they could not be anywhere else.

"Either they are coming from inside Unit 61398 or the people who run the most-controlled, most-monitored internet networks in the world are clueless about thousands of people generating attacks from this one neighbourhood," the Mandiant's founder Kevin Mandia said at the time the report was released.

At the time, the US government said that it was aware of Mandiant's report.

They said they were talking to the Chinese at the highest level about their concerns over cyber espionage of intellectual property. But it was also made clear that the diplomatic sensitivities were huge.

The Chinese have been unusually swift with their angry response to the American move.

A Foreign Ministry statement, published at nearly midnight in Beijing, said the allegations were "made up".

The Chinese cries of 'hypocrisy' will be deafening. After all, as Edward Snowden revealed, America has hacked China - the NSA allegedly hacked into the HQ of Huawei, the Chinese tech giant.

But the US says its agencies only 'cyber spy' when it concerns national security - and they say Huawei is a national security concern.

America insists it doesn't steal intellectual property for commercial gain. In China, the distinction is a little more blurred.

America's allegations are bound to be of concern to companies, big and small, who do business in China and those wanting to break into China.

It's the world's second largest economy and a market to win. But it's hard to trust who you're working with in China.

Hugo Swire, a British Foreign Office minister, is on a trade trip to China this week trying to help UK companies break into the country.

But he and his staff leave their smartphones at home - UK government advice states that the chances they may get hacked into are too high to risk taking them.

Some of the companies who the Americans say had intellectual property stolen are in the business of nuclear power and solar panels.

It just happens that China's nuclear power and solar panel industries are becoming increasingly successful. Is that through their own innovation or is it "21st century burglary"?

23.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Is Coup Number 19 On The Cards For Thailand?