US condemns Pyongyang missile plan, warns against 'provocative' actions

January 2, 2017

WASHINGTON: The United States on Sunday (Jan 1) sharply condemned a North Korean plan to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile and warned Pyongyang against “provocative actions. “
The toughly worded US statement called on “all states” to show the North that any unlawful actions would have “consequences. “
It was issued by the Pentagon at a sensitive time – just weeks before President Barack Obama is due to hand power over to his successor, Donald Trump.
The statement came hours after Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, said his country was close to testing such a missile, which would be capable of reaching American shores.
“We are in the final stages of test-launching the intercontinental ballistic missile,” Kim said in a televised New Year’s speech, pointing to a string of nuclear and missile tests last year.
He said Pyongyang was now a “military power of the East that cannot be touched by even the strongest enemy. “
The Pentagon statement noted that “multiple UN Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibit North Korea’s launches using ballistic missile technology. “
It urged Pyongyang to “refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric that threaten international peace and stability. “
The statement reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad commitment” to defend its allies, using “the full spectrum of US extended deterrence capabilities. “
Pyongyang has never successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and analysts are divided over how close it is to doing so.
But all agree it has made enormous strides in that direction since Kim took over as leader from his father Kim Jong-il, who died in December 2011.

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‘Totally framed’: South Korean President Park Geun-hye denies any wrongdoing, plays down aide’s influence

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January 2, 2017

South Korea’s impeached President Park Geun-hye on Sunday repeated denials of involvement in a snowballing corruption scandal and said rumours have been “getting out of hand”, Yonhap news agency reported. “Rumours, stories and broadcasts have been distorted and false information has been getting out of hand,” she was quoted as telling reporters at the presidential Blue House. Parliament voted on December 9 to impeach Park over the scandal. She is accused of colluding with close friend Choi Soon-sil to strong-arm big companies into handing over tens of millions of dollars to dubious foundations which Choi controlled. Park denied the accusations, saying she was “totally framed,” according to Yonhap. “The matter is under investigation, so I can’t make detailed explanations that might put both sides in trouble, but what I can assure you is that I have never conspired with anyone or did anything to give favours to someone, not even by a bit,” Yonhap quoted Park as saying. Choi is now on trial for coercion and abuse of power, largely related to the corporate funding of the two foundations which she allegedly plundered. The impeachment case is being considered by the constitutional court – which has up to six months to reach a ruling – but hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have joined weekly protests calling for Park’s immediate departure from office. If the impeachment is confirmed, a presidential election will have to be held within 60 days. Park also allegedly ordered aides to leak state documents to Choi, who has no official title or security clearance, and allowed her to meddle in state affairs including the appointment of top officials. Since the scandal came to light, Park had apologised several times for her conduct in tearful televised addresses. She admitted seeking advice from Choi on some presidential speeches and PR material at the beginning of her term in 2013. Media reports have depicted Choi as having a “Rasputin-like” influence over Park, saying she controlled everything from the president’s wardrobe to crucial decisions on state affairs – allegations denied by Park. “I have known Choi for decades. But that doesn’t mean that she has access to everything,” Yonhap quoted Park as saying, citing her “duties as president”. Park’s rare meeting with reporters was her first public appearance since she was suspended from executive duties. The country has a temporary leader, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. A former health ministry official was arrested on Saturday over suspicions that he forced the National Pension Service to support a merger between two Samsung affiliates last year. The deal shaved the fund’s stake in one of the companies by an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars, but allowed Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong to promote a father-to-son succession of leadership and increase the group’s corporate wealth. Investigators are trying to confirm whether Park instructed government officials to help the merger go through and then had them press Samsung to provide Choi money and favours. The constitutional court’s first hearing on the impeachment is scheduled for Tuesday.

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Kim Jong Un hints at North Korea test of intercontinental ballistic missle

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January 2, 2017

TOKYO – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hinted Sunday that Pyongyang may ring in the new year with another bang – the test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
In his annual New Year’s address, Kim said that after testing what the North claims was its first hydrogen bomb last year, preparations for launching an intercontinental ballistic missile have “reached the final stage”
North Korea’s capital city has maintained a veneer of strength amid international opposition and economic sanctions over its nuclear program. CBS…
Kim did not explicitly say an ICBM test, which if successful would be a big step forward for the North, was imminent. But he has a birthday coming up on Jan. 8, and last year Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test on Jan. 6.
Kim threatened in the address to boost North Korea’s military capabilities further unless the U. S. ends war games with rival South Korea. But he also said efforts must be made to defuse the possibility of another Korean war and stressed the importance of building the economy under a five-year plan announced in May.
“The political and military position of socialism should be further cemented as an invincible fortress,” Kim said, according to an outline of the speech carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency. “We should resolutely smash the enemies’ despicable and vicious moves to dampen the pure and ardent desire of the people for the party and estrange the people from it.”
The address was shown on television mixing video with Kim speaking and stretches of audio only, as still photos were broadcast. It was less than 30 minutes long.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry said in a statement that it “strongly condemns” Kim’s threat to proceed with a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile and strengthen North Korea’s nuclear-strike capabilities. It said that the international community will not tolerate North Korean efforts to develop nuclear weapons, and that the North will only face tougher sanctions and pressure if it continues to go down that path.
Under Kim, who rose to power following his father’s death in 2011, North Korea has seen steady progress in its nuclear and missile programs , including two nuclear tests in 2016. It recently claimed a series of technical breakthroughs in its goal of developing a long-range nuclear missile capable of reaching the continental United States.
The supreme leader of North Korea, who reportedly turned 33 on Jan. 8, 2016, is fond of media moments showcasing his hands-on approach to governi…
U. N. resolutions call for an end to North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests. Kim appears uninterested in complying.
The year ahead could be a tumultuous one in north Asia, with Donald Trump set to become the new U. S. president on Jan. 20, and South Korea’s politics in disarray over a scandal that brought the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.
Kim indicated there will be no change in the North’s nuclear policy unless Washington makes a big, conciliatory first move, which, even with the advent of Trump, would seem unlikely.
Mr. Trump has somewhat offhandedly suggested he would be willing to meet with Kim – but not in North Korea – and has at the same time indicated that he wants China to exert significantly more control over Pyongyang to get it to abandon its nuclear program.
Demands from Pyongyang for the U. S. to stop its joint military exercises with the South and enter into negotiations to sign a peace treaty formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War have fallen on deaf ears in Washington for years amid an atmosphere of distrust and deepening hostility.
Kim is in his early 30s and is now in his fifth year as the North’s leader.
His New Year addresses, and a marathon speech at the May ruling party congress, are a contrast with his enigmatic father, Kim Jong Il, who rarely spoke in public. But he has yet to meet a foreign head of state or travel outside of North Korea since assuming power, and remains one the world’s most mysterious national leaders.

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Thousands in Hong Kong march for pro-democracy lawmakers

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January 1, 2017

Nearly 5,000 people in Hong Kong marched in a New Year’s Day protest against an attempt by the semi-autonomous Chinese city’s government to disqualify four pro-democracy lawmakers, police said.
Hong Kong’s government has started legal proceedings against the four recently elected legislators, who altered their swearing-in oaths to stage apparent protests against the Chinese government in Beijing.
In November, the Hong Kong government won a similar challenge against two newly elected separatist lawmakers after Beijing said that anyone who doesn’t properly take their oath should be barred from office. Beijing’s intervention fueled growing concern among many Hong Kong residents that China’s government is eroding the city’s wide autonomy.
Some protesters on Sunday held flags reading “Hong Kong independence” and placards in support of the four lawmakers. One of the legislators, Edward Yiu, added phrases about democracy during his oath-taking.
Yiu said that the Hong Kong government’s legal move was destroying the city’s democratic system, and that lawmakers “must be protected because they are elected by hundreds of thousands of voters. ”
“It’s not just about injustice; it’s about protecting our democratic system,” Yiu said.
Police said around 4,800 people took part in the march. Organizers said 9,100 participated.

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Beijing starts 2017 under a cloud

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January 1, 2017

Beijing woke on the first morning of the New Year covered in thick toxic fog, with a concentration of harmful particles 20 times higher than international standards.
After a long period of pollution in December, the Chinese capital was again smothered Sunday in an acrid grey haze which limited visibility to a few hundred meters.
Luminous signs on top of the skyscrapers seemed to float in the fog, while some tourists wore respiratory masks.
Levels of PM 2.5 — microscopic particles harmful to human health — exceeded 500 on Sunday morning, according to US Embassy estimates, vastly above the maximum threshold of 25 recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a 24-hour exposure.
On Sunday, the exasperation of people in Beijing overwhelmed social networks.
“Why didn’t they trigger the red alert? Because it would be a bad omen for the first day of the year?” wrote a surfer on the Weibo microblogging platform.
“Pollution now has its hukou (residence permit) in Beijing. It’s made. It will never leave again,” replied another.
Most of China’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the burning of coal for electricity and heating, which spikes when demand peaks in winter and is the main cause of smog.
Between December 16-21, Beijing along with some 30 other major cities in northern China was on “red alert”, a maximum alarm level triggered when severe pollution is likely to last more than 72 hours.
Across the region, construction sites and schools closed and authorities reduced the number of vehicles allowed on the roads in hopes of reducing the thick haze.
On Friday and Saturday 24 Chinese cities in the north and east were again placed on red alert, according to media reports.
Almost all of the alerts were dropped on Sunday, according to official sites, with the notable exception of various districts of Shijiazhuang, the capital of the highly industrialised province of Hebei, where in mid-December pollution was 40 times the maximum recommended WHO threshold.
The issue is a source of enduring public anger in China, which has seen fast economic growth in recent decades but at the cost of widespread environmental problems.
According to official meteorological predictions, the pollution haze will disperse “progressively” from January 5.
China has set a target of reducing its annual coal capacity by 800 million tonnes, according to a government plan reported Saturday by state media.
Despite the target, Beijing expects total coal output to rise to around 3.9 billion tons by 2020, compared to 3.75 billion tons in 2015, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing a document from the country’s top economic planning body.

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Don't worry about Donald Trump starting a nuclear arms race. Do worry about him starting a trade war with China My review of the football year, 2016

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January 1, 2017

In a pattern that may become increasingly familiar, the world has received a jolt in the shape of a tweet from Donald Trump.
“The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability,” the President-Elect tweeted, “until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes.”
Coupled with Vladimir Putin’s comments the same day that Russia must “strengthen the military potential” of its nuclear arsenal, it adds to the worry that we may not look back on 2016 as a year of convulsions – in fact, we may not look back on it at all.
But – strange as it may seem when the words “Trump” and “nuclear weapons” appear so closely together in a news story – on this occasion, the worries are somewhat overstated.
Both the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia are suffering from outdated equipment, guidance systems and other maintenance issues. Overhauling those problems makes an accidental exchange of nuclear fire less likely and a second strike less likely, too.
The way that Trump described the launch, civil servants believe, is part and parcel of how generals talk about their spending requests in order to expedite favourable decisions from civilian governments. That speaks to one of the other worries about Trump: that he is, for all his bombast, a man with a tendency to take on the opinions of the last person he spoke to and one desperately concerned with saving face and being taken seriously. That he is still tweeting about Hillary Clinton’s popular vote lead and the celebrity entertainers who are giving his inauguration a wide berth speaks to his fragility.
But there’s a risk that the nuclear issue is obscuring a bigger worry about Trump’s presidency: that of increased hostility towards China. The Sino-US relations have not been in great shape for years but Trump’s actions as president-elect have placed the relationship under greater pressure.
The subject of worry and irritation in Beijing today: the appointment of Peter Navarro to head the new White House National Trade Council. Navarro is the China hawk’s China hawk – the Guardian has collected some of his strongest anti-China remarks – and it has analysts nervous that Trump’s presidency will see a trade war erupt between the United States and China.
Although both countries would suffer damage, it is the US that has more to lose than China. That brings you back to the problem with Trump – that is he is both impressionable and hates to be seen as a loser. What he does if he starts a fight he can’t finish with the world’s other superpower is likely to be the question that dominates all others in 2017.
Halfway through another season. Football, like the academic year and the school year, does not stick to the normal calendar, but any road up, here goes the report on the season, so far.
Surprise of the Season This time last year it was Leicester City surprising us all. This time, it is Leicester City – surprising us all. By not playing as stunningly as they did. But they could still surprise us all. Well, we are easily surprised.
Team of the Season The four at the top of the Prem are separated by just a few points. No one looks like drawing ahead. But I think Chelsea,
who were dreadful last season, might do it. They have such a strong spine, with Costa, Hazard and Luiz, all of them at last coming into form.
Worldwide, All-Star, Amazing, Galactic Team of the Season Carlisle United, of course. They’ve lost only one league game all season. They could well rise to glory come May, leaping out of League Two.
Young Players of the Season There seemed to be so many, early doors, about to thrill us all, with massive reputations and price tags, such as Paul Pogba, John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, but they’ve all done little, moving backwards if anything, while poor old Ross Barkley has practically disappeared. What is the reason? Peaked
too early? Weren’t as good as we thought?
Jack Wilshere A young player who did seem to have peaked, thanks partly to always being injured. He got shunted out on loan from Arsenal to Bournemouth – yet he has played regularly and well for them. Could it be that it was the training and environment at Arsenal that somehow exacerbated his injuries?
Manager of the Season When Mourinho arrived at the beginning of the season at Man United, I told everyone within earshot, which means my four granddaughters and the tortoise, that you mark my words, he’ll be gone by Xmas. I’m now predicting gone by Easter. Are you listening, Tortee? Oh, she’s asleep.
Form is temporary, class is for ever . i s one of football’s oldest clichés. I now think it’s bollocks. Look at Jamie Vardy, considered for most of his career to have little class, and then came a miraculous season. Now he appears to be coming back. Football, like life, is a matter of ups and downs. I got that from a Christmas cracker.
Hurrah for England We’re not so rubbish at football after all. The 30 names on the shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or did include one Englishman. Hence dancing in the streets of Leicester. Yes, Wee Jamie was the sole Inglander who made it.
Football Expert of Year Alan Shearer, who else? Usually he gives us his pearls on TV but he graced the radio airwaves when talking to Gary Richardson on the Radio 4 Today programme. Asked about Gareth Southgate getting the England job, Shearer thought and then said: “At this moment in time, we are where we are.”
Commentators’ Clichés
There’s a new one this season which they’re all trying to work in. “Oh, that was a lovely pick-out.” “Pick-out” just means “pass”.
Well Done, Tottingham
Ahead of the game as ever, world leaders in the field. It has been reported that Spurs’ most expensive season ticket in their new stadium will cost £18,000. A bargain. Where else will a fan find such joy for such a small amount of money?
Jok e Which reminds me of an old seaside postcard, one of the vintage saucy ones that local “watch committees” used to ban. It shows a tout outside Wembley Stadium selling tickets. “£10 for a ticket?” exclaims a fan. “I could get a woman for that!” “Yes,” replies the tout, “but not 45 minutes each way and a brass band at half-time.” Note the two period references. Touts have all but disappeared and so have the brass bands who’d march round the pitch at half-time.
Arsena l also done good They have been using performance-enhancing undergarments. What cheaters. It’s to do
with some revolutionary tight, clingy Lycra underpants and vest. The sleeves tend to hang down, covering the arms, which means when the team has elected to play in short sleeves, as decreed by the captain of the day, those using artificial stimulants can be seen to have these dodgy enhancers underneath. There have been protests from diehard Gooners about this break with tradition. Well, they don’t have a lot to do.
Trendy Referees Who’d have thought it? That referees would ever become as cool as geography teachers. Mark Clattenburg has got a tattoo on each wrist, in honour of taking two European finals. I quite expected such outrageous behaviour from him, as he always appeared a flash git – for a referee. But Michael Oliver is a surprise. He looks about 13 but he is 31, younger than many of the players he bosses around. He has suddenly appeared with a fashionable hairstyle. Two lines shaved at the side, tramlines. He’s been ridiculed on social media for having a “Year Seven haircut”.
Most Annoying Advertisement “First Never Follows”. This is for Adidas. But is it true? Firsts have to follow, in order to get ahead, otherwise they’d have no one to get ahead of.
Haircut of the Season God, I nearly forgot. For over 20 years this has been the biggest accolade in football journalism, NS section. Alas, hmm, can’t think of any. Blond highlights have faded, beards are soooo last season. So who can it be? For the first time ever, the judging committee is being forced to award it to a referee. Step forward, Michael Oliver. Now go back and do your homework or you’ll never pass your GCSEs. .

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WATCH: Istanbul nightclub gunman captured on CCTV

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January 1, 2017

CCTV footage from inside the club was broadcast by Turkish media, appearing to show a gunman dressed as Father Christmas walking through abandoned drinks booths.
At least 39 people are dead and dozens injured in the terror attack.
Partygoers – including men in suits and women in cocktail dresses – were seen emerging from the nightclub in a state of shock.
Another CCTV image is believed to show the attacker changing his jacket as he walks around inside the club.
A manhunt continues for the attacker.

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Recovery efforts resume for missing plane with 6 aboard

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January 1, 2017

CLEVELAND (AP) – Recovery efforts have resumed for a small plane that carried six people and disappeared over Lake Erie near Cleveland’s shores three days ago.
The Cleveland mayor’s office says Sunday that boats are on the lake looking for the plane that vanished after takeoff from a lakeshore airport. There’s been no sign of any wreckage or survivors since the aircraft disappeared Thursday night.
Weather and lake conditions have hampered the search but city officials say Sunday’s conditions are favorable, with 5 mph winds and clear, sunny skies.
The Cleveland Division of Fire, the U. S. Coast Guard and Underwater Marine Contractors have launched boats and dive teams will search the lake.
A beverage distribution company executive was piloting the plane. His wife, their two teenage sons, and two neighbors were aboard.
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New details on how Russian hackers may have infiltrated American computer systems

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January 1, 2017

We are getting a better idea of how Russian hackers may have infiltrated American computer systems — and how they covered their tracks.
U. S. intelligence agencies believe Russian hacking units often use other people’s computer networks to “hide their malicious actvity.”
Newly-declassified documents show that U. S. investigators suspect that Russian intelligence services have access to compromised computer infrastructure in as many as 60 countries.
According to this joint analysis, U. S. intelligence agencies have been tracking specific Russian signatures or fingerprints of malicious cyber activity for years which led them to focus on one culprit in connection with the cyberattack that affected Democratic party officials.
“It was very clear from Day One that this was Russia,” says Kelly Ward, the executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
U. S. officials do not often release the details of their investigations — but they did Thursday. The release was part of an ongoing effort to pu…
Ward says she and other senior Democratic party officials were notified of the cyberattack on June 14th. But by then it was too late. The hackers had already stolen valuable opposition research for Congressional races and the information was about to show up in Republican ads.
“The material that was leaked was weaponized in a way to affect our most important races at the most important times,” Ward says. “The hackers released the materials and put them on the internet.”
Cybersecurity experts and U. S. officials say the tactic is classic Russian information warfare and it has been used in countries around the world including Ukraine and Turkey. Investigators say with the blessing of Vladimir Putin, Russian intelligence services have worked to develop a playbook of cyber espionage which calls for elaborately planned cyberattacks to leak embarrassing documents or cause other disruptions.
President Obama has ordered a report on the Russian cyberattacks and it is expected to be completed sometime in the next few weeks. U. S. officials tell CBS News that through a combination of forensic evidence and human intelligence, it will reveal new details about the cyberattacks that have yet to come to light.

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Small planes collide midair near Dallas, three dead

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January 1, 2017

MCKINNEY, Texas, Jan. 1 (UPI) — Three people died after two small airplanes collided midair and crashed into a populated area outside Dallas, local officials said.
Authorities have not identified the victims or the cause of the crash, but witnesses said the planes were flying close to the ground, the collision was loud and the debris field was widespread. The Federal Aviation Administration said both aircrafts were flying under visual flight rules and had no contact with air traffic control. The crash happened shortly after 5:30 p.m. Saturday about 30 minutes north of Dallas.
“They were making a turn and one of the planes slid into the other,” witness Rodney Livermore told NBCDFW. “You heard a loud crash and bang. One of them came straight down. The other one had a little control, but it was coming down. There was no stopping it. ”
One of the aircrafts crashed into a storage facility and the other onto a road. No one on the ground was injured. The aircrafts were a Piper PA-28R and a Luscombe and left from Aero Country Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board said.