The government is looking to implement changes to rehabilitation and transitions within the justice system within the next year two years.
Māori criminal justice workers hope the government's Justice Summit will result in solutions, not just talk. The two day summit in Wellington aims to improve New Zealand's justice system.
The government's criminal justice summit is underway and will address reform in the New Zealand justice system.
Justice Minister Andrew Little has announced the Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group tasked with reforming the "broken justice system". Lawyer and panel member Julia Whaipooti says youth need to be at the forefront of these discussions to ensure outcomes for Māori.
Is there bias in our justice system?
A spate of serious crimes committed by Pākehā who escaped jail sentences has many on social media criticising whether the punishment would be harsher if the offenders were Māori. Two commentators admit there's bias at play but it does not lie with the judges who made these decisions.


Every year for over a decade now, IWC unveils a limited edition to raise funds for the Laureus foundation, a charity that brings sport to underprivileged children across the world. Each year's Laureus watch has been different from the last – the preceding editions were the Da Vinci chronograph and ladies' Portofino – but all share the same deep blue metallic dial.
The latest watch for the good cause is unusual, being the very first Laureus watch in black ceramic, the very first Laureus in a material other than stainless steel in fact. The Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII Edition "Laureus Sport for Good Foundation" has a glossy black ceramic case that's 41mm in diameter, being the same case as that on the Mark XVIII Miramar.
And as is tradition the usual matte black dial has been replaced by one in metallic blue, with a red-tipped seconds hand for some colour.
The other feature that's a Laureus tradition is the engraving on the case back that reproduces a drawing by a child selected by the foundation. This year's motif was done by an 11-year-old Brazilian girl who is part of Instituto Reação, a Laureus-supported organisation in Brazil dedicated to improving the lives of slum-dwelling children with education and sports such as judo.
Like the standard Mark XVIII, the Laureus edition is powered by the cal. 35111, which is a rebadged Sellita SW300. And it's enclosed by a soft-iron cage to protect the movement from magnetism, a standard feature on IWC's aviator watches.
The Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII Edition "Laureus Sport for Good Foundation" (ref. IW324703) is a limited edition of 1,500 pieces and is priced at US$5650 or S$8,650. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the edition will go to Laureus Sport for Good.
A bona fide mechanical smartwatch – with an in-house movement.
Frederique Constant was the first Swiss watchmaker to jump on the wearables bandwagon with its Horological Smartwatch that launched in 2015. But the Horological Smartwatch wasn't a conventional touchscreen wearable, instead it fused smartwatch functions with traditional analogue display, making it more of a quartz hybrid than a smartwatch.
Now Frederique Constant has upped its game with the Hybrid Manufacture, a smartwatch powered by an in-house mechanical movement that the brand says is entirely Swiss, though its parent company is Citizen Watch of Japan.
The Hybrid Manufacture measures 42mm and is available in four iterations – three in stainless steel and another in rose gold-plated steel. Like the Horological Smartwatch, the dial of the Hybrid Manufacture is traditional with an engine-turned centre, Breguet-style hands and Roman numerals.
One of the four iterations, however, is an 888-piece limited edition with a slightly more sporty look, with luminous lance-shaped hands with applied hour markers.
Developed entirely in-house, the cal. FC-750 is a self-winding movement with a battery-powered module on top. A patented shield was developed to house the electronics, in order to prevent the mechanical portion of the movement from being magnetised by the smartwatch module.
The mechanical calibre is tells the time, with hours, minutes, seconds as well as the date, while the electronic module covers the same ground as any other smartwatch – sleep monitoring, activity tracking, health advice, as well as a world time function.
The sub-dial at 12 o'clock indicates a handful of basic smartwatch functions, with the full complement of data available on a paired smartphone thanks to a dedicated app. The watch links to a smartphone via Bluetooth, with the link established through the pusher on the left side of the case.
But the most interesting feature is the built-in equivalent of a Witschi machine that measures the rate, amplitude and beat error of the mechanical movement automatically every day, itself an evolution of the add-on measuring device Frederique Constant unveiled two years ago.
Visible through the case back, the mechanical movement has an open-worked rotor, runs at 28,800bph and offers a 42-hour power reserve, while the electronic module needs to be charged every seven days.
The watch is packaged in a wood box that contains both a winder for the automatic movement and a removable charger that can be used on the go.
The Frederique Constant Hybrid Manufacture in steel with silver dial (ref. FC-750MC4H6) or with navy dial (ref. FC-750MCN4H6) cost US$3495.
The steel model with a grey luminous dial (ref. FC-750DG4H6) is a limited edition of 888 pieces, priced at US$3595.
And the rose gold-plated model (ref. FC-750MC4H4) is US$3795.


text:
28475 Greenfield Rd. Ste. 213 Southfield, MI 48076 1-888-361-OREM
Photo Credit: Raymond Allen Thomas
ELLEY OREM COLLECTION
The Elley Orem Collection was established by Founder Feebee Baker in 2008 as a subsidiary of her business Reuel Clothing Co. Since then, the collection gained attention throughout the fashion industry, bringing crisp, clean, classic and timeless designs to the forefront for all women.
Elley Orem Collection made its initial debut during the Atlanta International Fashion Week. In 2017, the line has been featured in both New York Fashion Week and Los Angeles Fashion Week. Baker has inspired audiences and won over new fans with her approach to ready-to- wear clothing that evokes clean, classic and sophisticated styles with an artful attention to detail.
Elley Orem Collection represents the evolution of Baker's history in the fashion industry, where she worked as a model, a dancer, founder of the model management company, Felice Models and of Michigan Fashion Alliance Network. The MFAN is an organization that provides industry resources for those working in Michigan.
She has long been dedicated to empowering women – and her work shows it. The Elley Orem Collection is meant and designed for all women – regardless of age, ethnicity, shape or size. She is inspired by classic looks by iconic fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and shares the philosophies of designers like Donna Karen and Tracey Reese.
The Elley Orem Collection is mindfully designed to suit the needs of fashionable women everywhere. Think classic. Baker takes the simplicity of a baby doll dress and transforms it into a wardrobe staple. She sees the possibility in a perfect pair of shorts – and makes them useful and classic for any season. She's rewriting the rules when it comes to ready-to- wear and the fashion industry has taken note.
The Elley Orem Collection is made to make every woman look and feel complete. Explore and find your look today.
Follow Elley Orem
Get in touch and say hello
Elley Orem Collection runs the gamut from ready-to-wear to haute couture, fashion meant for all women. The brand is featured in boutiques across the country and available online.
The Elley Orem Collection was established by Feebee Baker in 2008 as a subsidiary of her business Reuel Clothing Co. Since then, the collection has been featured in New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week and in boutiques across the country.
Babydoll Ballet
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Ronaldo reveals the main motivation that pushed him to join Juve
Cristiano Ronaldo recently revealed to journalists of France Football during an interview, the main motivation that led him to leave the Real Madrid to join the Juventus of Turin. According to him, it is not the withdrawal of Zizou who drove him to Italy. He admits that he felt the desire to leave as soon as Zidane left.
May 31, Zinedine Zidane left Real Madrid to the surprise, just after raising a third Champions League in a row. Less than a month and a half later, Cristiano Ronaldo imitated him by joining the Turin Juventus after spending nine seasons in the colours of the merengue club.
"You know that I really like Zidane, both man and coach. But my decision was not made based on his departure. That being the case, it's one of those little things that made me feel good about what I thought about the club situation. Failing to let me go, it did not hold me back." Launched Cristiano Ronaldo.
Always to explain the reasons for his decision, Cristiano Ronaldo relativizes by also mentioning his need for challenges and especially his feeling that he was no longer a priority for the president of Real, Florentino Pérez
"I had been in Madrid for nine years. I had won everything, collect trophies as much as an individual. For some time now, I've been thinking that it might be good to go elsewhere. I felt inside the club, especially on the part of the president, that I was no longer considered to be at the beginning. The first four or five years, I had the feeling of being Cristiano Ronaldo. Less after, the president looked at me with eyes that did not want to say the same thing, as if I was no longer indispensable."
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 112th international goal against Qatar, breaking another record
Tears of happiness: Cristiano's mum doesn't keep it dry with her son's return and goals in ManU
These are the 10 highest-paid celebrities in the world
Not Ronaldo, but Spanish national coach Luis Enrique was a trendsetter putting away Coca-Cola bottles
Juve players are fed up with special treatment for Ronaldo
This happens after Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Pelé's goal record
"Replace a lamp or cook? Cristiano doesn't do that" – Georgina Rodríguez
These 15 couples earn the most on Instagram
How Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first football billionaire ever
Cristiano Ronaldo also in quarantine as sharp as a knife
Ronaldo has Portuguese team bus stop to fulfill sick boy's dream
Cristiano Ronaldo shows off "his" new (and very exclusive) car


text:
British short-fiction writers, 1945-1980
Format: Print Book 1994
CLP - Main Library Off Site Storage (Please ask for assistance) rq PR829.B747 1994
Collection Off Site Storage (Please ask for assistance)
Call Number rq PR829.B747 1994
World War II left Great Britain devastated and destroyed both economically and socially. Although the nation was at the cusp of a new era of peace, the postwar years were a time of rebuilding and austerity. Volume 139 of the DLB series focuses on works of short story writers from 1946 to 1980 and the rapid growth-economically and culturally-of a nation under great reform. During the long recovery process, the flourishing short-story market that had supported many writers before the war promptly declined. For those authors who diligently continued to write, their work became a vehicle for social commentary. The writers included in this volume bring to the forefront grim subjects such as isolation, lack of communication, frustration and quiet desperation and succeed in exploring the British people-typically urban and suburban middle classes.
30 ENTRIES INCLUDE: A. L. Barker, Tan Barstow, HYS Davies, Rian Glanville, Susan Hill, Gwyn Jones, Francis King, Doris Lessing, V. S. Pritchett, Alan Sillitoe, Iain Crichton Smith, Angus Wilson.
Series Dictionary of literary biography ; v. 139.
Subjects Short stories, English -- Bio-bibliography -- Dictionaries.
Authors, English -- 20th century -- Biography -- Dictionaries.
English fiction -- 20th century -- Bio-bibliography -- Dictionaries.
English fiction -- 20th century -- Dictionaries.
Short stories, English -- Dictionaries.
Publisher Detroit :Gale Research,1994
Contributors Baldwin, Dean R., 1942-
Notes "A Bruccoli Clark Layman book."
Description xvii, 388 pages : illustrations ; 29 cm.
Bibliography Notes Includes bibliographical references (page 325) and index.
ISBN 0810353989 (alk. paper)


Eller var det bara jag som inte visste vad eklatera betyder?
More great strips at XKCD.
Role reversal. This comic strip really nails it.
Photodoto (which is a great photography blog, btw) has a great post with 10 ways to tell if you're a photographer.
Although I don't yet have a digital, I know I'll be guilty of most of those points when I finally get one… 🙂 Apart from the one about the car… I don't own a car.
The BBC made a bit of a mess (and a very funny story) when they got mixed up, and interviewed the wrong guy on the news. Here's the full story for you, with a video clip of the broadcast.
This comic strip is really funny. And I'm such a geek I can hardly believe it.


Musculoskeletal pain symptoms are common in children and adolescents. These symptoms have a negative impact on children's physical and emotional well-being, but their underlying aetiology and risk factors are still poorly understood. Most of the previous cohort studies were conducted among mid and/or late adolescents and were mainly focused on a specific pain location (e.g. low back pain or neck pain). The purpose of this study is to estimate occurrence of new-onset pain symptoms, in all musculoskeletal locations, in preteens and early adolescents and investigate risk factors for development of these symptoms.
1756 schoolchildren (mean age 10.8) were recruited from schools in southern Finland. Information was extracted as to whether they experienced musculoskeletal pain and a total of 1192 children were identified as free of musculoskeletal pain symptoms. Information was collected on factors which could potentially predict the development of musculoskeletal pain: headache, abdominal pain, sadness/feeling down, day-time tiredness, difficulty in falling asleep, waking up during nights, level of physical activity and hypermobility. These children were followed-up 1-year later and those with new episodes of non-traumatic and traumatic musculoskeletal pain symptoms were identified.
A total of 1113 schoolchildren (93% of baseline pain-free children) were found at one-year follow-up. New episodes of musculoskeletal pain were reported by 21.5% of these children. Of them 19.4% reported non-traumatic pain and 4.0% reported traumatic pain. The neck was the most commonly reported site with non-traumatic pain, while the lower limb was the most common site for traumatic pain. The independent risk factors for non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain were headache (OR = 1.68, [95% CI 1.16–2.44]) and day-time tiredness (OR = 1.53, [95% CI 1.03–2.26]). The risk factors for traumatic musculoskeletal pain were vigorous exercise (OR = 3.40 [95% CI 1.39–8.31]) and day-time tiredness (OR = 2.97 [95% CI 1.41–6.26]).
This study highlights that there may be two types of pain entities with both distinct and common aspects of aetiology. For primary prevention purposes, school healthcare professionals should pay attention to preteens and early adolescents practicing vigorous exercise (predictor of traumatic pain), reporting headache (predictor of non-traumatic pain) and reporting day-time tiredness (predictor of both types of pain).


text:
The Holocaust's Last Taboo: Talking About Nazi Child Sex Abuse
Berlin's Holocaust Memorial
sanzante
IsraelCALCALISTSourcesIdeasGeopoliticsCountries
Itay Lev
TEL AVIV — One day, six years ago, while working on a documentary for Israel's Holocaust Memorial Day, television producer Ronnie Sarnat came across a strange story.
"I sent a crew to film testimonies of Holocaust survivors and the crew came back deeply distraught," she says. "One of the survivors came out to them, crying and yelling, and refused to be filmed. He told them, "forget about me, forget my name, go away." Any documentary filmmaker would mark this as something to come back to, but it was immensely difficult to find him again. When I did get to him and interviewed him, I found a broken man, a person whose entire life had been devastated because, when he was 13 years old, he was raped by a German soldier. Since then I realized I want to address this topic that nobody dares talking about."
Sarnat says this man was "the first letter in the story," and she began her search for others. "I found out that there was nothing documented regarding sex in the Holocaust, and it got me wondering why. The entire commemoration enterprise, innumerable testimonies and endless footage — and no mention of sexual abuse.
"I tried studying the topic through the official, institutional sources, only to face fierce opposition. They argued that mentioning sex and Holocaust in the same sentence stains the memory of the Holocaust. I had a dilemma between this view and the authentic historical truth, what actually happened. In a few years there will be no one left to tell this story and I think denial is a mistake. I decided to embark on a quest for truth. It was a long and painstaking journey, progressing by word of mouth — someone who knew something, someone who knew someone else ... I knew the research would make or break this documentary."
After six years of a slow, persevering quest, during which time four of the protagonists died, the result, Screaming Silence, was broadcast on Israel's Channel 1 TV on the latest Holocaust Memorial Day last week.
In striking candor Holocaust survivors sit in front of the camera with their names and faces, telling — some for the first time ever — what they went through when they were children. Apart from a few photos illustrating how young the victims were at the time, the film uses no archive footage.
"At first I interviewed experts," says Sarnat, "An Auschwitz expert and a criminologist. They added an interesting dimension, but after I watched the testimonies again I thought they needed no explanation. Their authenticity and the difficulty some of the people had to tell their story really stood on their own."
Explicit material
How do you deal with that? "Some of the descriptions are indeed graphic, there is no point making reality prettier. I was concerned with a sense of snuff, but once you show the person, make them a character and describe everything that happened before and after, the story about the rape is not pornographic — it is part of the overall story."
One of the woman interviewed, who has since died, said "the rape was nothing." She was so young she didn't even understand what happened, what they had done to her. Another says in the film, "I won," because even though she was raped, she never told them who provided her with fake documents.
Sarnat says, "I think that if the details of the rape were left out, it would have done injustice to these people because they wanted to tell us about this. You don't leave the film with a pornographic feeling, but mainly with the question: How come this topic hasn't been addressed before?"
There is a common belief that the Nazi eugenics prevented the Germans from having sex with Jews, who were considered by them to be an inferior, filthy race. But the testimonies in the documentary reveal a different reality.
Not only does the film bring evidence there were Jews in the Auschwitz brothel, it also gives new credence to the writings of Yehiel De-Nur, whose descriptions of Nazi rapes of prisoners were denounced as being pornographic.
"When he published the book some said it's not true, that it's just sick imagination. But in my film the victims are mentioned in a firsthand testimony from a youth who knew them. The shed managers took young boys, often with a feminine look, to be their servants, even sex slaves."
Are the protagonists in the film united as Holocaust survivors or rape victims?
"I think the fact they were child rape victims is more significant than the fact they are Holocaust survivors. As an adult you can understand that you were the victim of a rape and it's not your fault. A child feels they were raped because they had done something wrong and this is the punishment — so the sense of guilt is carried for the rest of their life."
How did they deal with this?
"Each of the participants in the documentary has his or her own story. Some tried to hide the story from their children, who are now in their 50s, their entire life, for fear it would become a lifelong badge of shame. One of them has issues with sexual identity to this day, another had many wives in his life, and yet another is concerned her children would disown her. It's different for each person, so it's impossible to generalize the way this trauma is dealt with."
It's difficult to see a firsthand testimony of a person who says, "yes, I was raped." Who benefits from such brutal exposure of the truth?
"That's one of the questions that concern me most: Is the Israeli society open enough to face rape testimonies? Daring to complain about rape is not trivial, coming out and saying openly "I was raped" is an important and rare thing even today. And still, after so many years of hiding, people stand up and say, "We were raped by the Germans and their accomplices." I think there is nothing you can add to this message, so these people deserve great compassion and respect. I don't know if this exposure will do them good, I can only hope their children — once they understand what their parents went through — will embrace them with even more understanding and more love."
CALCALIST
Calcalist ("Economist") is Israel's leading business newspaper, founded in 2008 and published by the Yedioth Ahronoth Group. While it targets professionals in the fields of economy, law and business, it includes articles across a wide variety of topics to appeal to broader audience.
israeli palestinian conflict
Utter Pessimism, What Israelis And Palestinians Share In Common
Right now, according to a joint survey of Israelis and Palestinians, hopes for a peaceful solution of coexistence simply don't exist. The recent spate of violence is confirmation of the deepest kind of pessimism on both sides for any solution other than domination of the other.
A Palestinian protester confronts Israeli soldiers during the demonstration against Israeli settlements in the West Bank village of Beit Dajan on Jan. 6.
Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images/ZUMA
GeopoliticsIsraelSourcesfeatured-postPalestinian TerritoryL'OBSCountries
PARIS — Just before the latest outbreak of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, a survey of public opinion among the two peoples provided a key to understanding the current situation unfolding before our eyes.
It was a joint study, entitled "Palestinian-Israeli Pulse", carried out by two research centers, one Israeli, the other Palestinian, which for years have been regularly asking the same questions to both sides.
The result is disastrous: not only is the support for the two-state solution — Israel and Palestine side by side — at its lowest point in two decades, but there is now a significant share of opinion on both sides that favors a "non-democratic" solution, i.e., a single state controlled by either the Israelis or Palestinians.
This captures the absolute sense of pessimism commonly felt regarding the chances of the two-state option ever being realized, which currently appears to be our grim reality today. But the results are also an expression of the growing acceptance on both sides that it is inconceivable for either state to live without dominating the other — and therefore impossible to live in peace.
Daliah Scheindlin, head of the study on the Israeli side with Tel Aviv University's International Mediation and Conflict Resolution Program, commented that "Support for a non-democratic system has surpassed the two-state solution for the first time."
Scheindlin's Palestinian counterpart, Khalil Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Political and Opinion Research in Ramallah, said it was becoming "increasingly difficult to find public support for peace."
And this was last Tuesday, during a joint press conference reported by the Israeli daily Haaretz : since then, there have been nearly 20 deaths on both sides.
Ashes of Oslo
On the Palestinian side, there is still a very slight leaning in support for the two states over the hypothesis of a single state dominated by Palestinians: 33% v. 30%.
On the Israeli side however, the study shows a serious discrepancy between the opinions of the Jewish majority and the Arab minority: On the Jewish side, the curves have reversed, with 37% in favor of a single state dominated by Israelis, compared to 34% advocating for two states. Only among Israeli Arabs, who make up 20% of Israel's population, were 60% of respondents in favor of the two-state solution.
And, according to the survey, only one-quarter favored a single democratic state, in which citizens would have equal rights.
Compared with previous side-by-side studies, this year's results express a widening loss of hope, the absence of any prospect of negotiation and peaceful coexistence. This is part of a long process that has been going on since the failure of the Oslo Peace Accords, signed in September 1993, 30 years ago this year, which were intended to lead to the emergence of two states living peacefully alongside each other.
Extremist victors
The difficulties in implementing the Oslo Accords rather quickly undermined confidence, but the final blow came from the fierce opposition of extremists on both sides: the Palestinian Hamas, which carried out bloody attacks in Israel through the 1990s, and the actions of Jewish religious extremists, such as Baruch Goldstein, perpetrator of the 1994 Hebron massacre, and Yigal Amir, the assassin of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. These are the figures who can today claim victory, having helped destroy the very idea of peace among the two peoples.
There is support from a significant minority for violence as a method — on both sides
What last week's study also reveals is the support from a significant minority for violence as a method of action, on both sides. This is yet another disturbing development in the light of history, and the fatal spiral we have been witnessing for months — not to mention in just the past few days — confirms this trend.
In last year's violence, 150 Palestinians died, and the first month of 2023 is particularly bloody: 27 Palestinians died, and seven Israelis died as well, as the cycle of assassination and revenge has been triggered.
Masked Palestinian gunmen from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of the Fatah movement during the demonstration for the Palestinians who were shot dead by the Israeli army in 2022, in Balata refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, on Dec. 24.
Dreaming of apocalypse
What is worse, there no longer exists any significant political force on either the Israeli or the Palestinian side capable of reversing the course of events. For the past month, Israel has had a government that includes far-right leaders who dream of an apocalypse — in the biblical sense of the word — which they see as a way to expel Palestinians and annex their territories.
Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of Security, lives in the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba, on the outskirts of the Palestinian city of Hebron, south of Jerusalem, from where Dr. Baruch Goldstein set off to murder innocent Muslims at prayer in February 1994. His grave, located in the settlement compound, is the object of a cult.
And on the Palestinian side, the Palestinian Authority of Mahmoud Abbas is completely discredited, lacking both legitimacy and authority, giving way to civil society groups, some of which have chosen a hopeless armed struggle.
International bystanders
The so-called international community, an outdated expression that lost all meaning a long time ago in this part of the world, has little control over the situation.
Where can we look for that rupture that will prevent the conflagration of a land that's already seen too many tragedies?
Inaction in the face of this tragic impasse is one of the grievances of a share of the opinions of countries in the developing world when the West calls on them to defend international law in the war in Ukraine. The UN resolutions on Palestine have remained unheeded for five decades, and everyone looks the other way, starting with the Arab countries that signed the Abraham Accords to open diplomatic dialogue with Israel.
Where can we look for that rupture that will prevent the conflagration of a land that has already seen too many tragedies? Who will be able to instill a bit of hope in two peoples who see no other perspective than violence?
It is impossible to say today: the spiral of confrontation seems difficult to stop. And it is a safe bet that, if nothing is done, the next "Palestinian-Israeli Pulse" study will show even less desire to coexist, and more and more thirst for domination of the other as the only solution.
No Messiah Can Solve The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict For Us ›
Bad Actors, Same Script: Israeli-Palestinian Tragedy Plays On ›
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Is a Looming Climate Crisis | Time ›
Israeli-Palestinian conflict nearing 'boiling point', UN envoy warns ... ›
L'Obs, formerly known as Le Nouvel Observateur ("The New Observer") is France's most widely read weekly newsmagazine. Founded in 1964 by Claude Perdriel, it has been part of Le Monde group since 2014, and is based in Paris.
Green Or Gone
Tracking The Asian Fishing "Armada" That Sucks Up Tons Of Seafood Off Argentina's Coast
Major Russian Advance, Pakistan Mosque Toll Rising, Bear On Mars
turkish russian relations
It's A Golden Era For Russia-Turkey Relations — Just Look At The Numbers
mcdonalds in russia
This Happened—January 31st: McDonald's In The USSR


text:
Home Innovation Security
China on WannaCry: It wasn't us, honest
Chinese security firms have hit out at 'false' suggestions that the ransomware outbreak originated from the People's Republic.
Written by Danny Palmer, Senior Writer on June 13, 2017
WannaCry caused chaos across the globe.
Image: File photo
Chinese security firms have hit out against suggestions that last month's global WannaCry ransomware outbreak can be blamed on China.
The WannaCry ransomware epidemic hit over 300,000 PCs around the globe, using worm-like capabilities to spread and infect Microsoft Windows machines -- including many in China. While nobody has uncovered evidence to specifically identify the perpetrators, there are several theories as who might be behind the attack.
One hypothesis, offered by researchers Flashpoint following linguistic analysis of the WannaCry ransom note, is that it's the work of a native or highly fluent Chinese speaker who used machine translation to convert the original note into other languages.
But Chinese security firm Qihoo 360 has dismissed the claims and questioned the attempt to attribute the attacks by analysing the ransom note text.
"The correct and professional way is to trace the ransomware through the traits of the code," said Zheng Wenbin, chief security engineer at Qihoo 360, speaking to Chinese state-run media Xinhua.
"Hackers often add characters from different languages into their code to confuse the public and hide their identity," Zheng added. Flashpoint's researchers didn't dismiss this in their report, and acknowledged that misdirection on behalf of the attackers could be in play.
Li Bosong, deputy chief engineer at another Chinese security firm, Antiy Labs, also criticised claims that China is behind WannaCry, dismissing reports as lacking 'substantial evidence' and claiming that cybersecurity researchers -- be they Chinese or otherwise -- will 'easily' see the 'falsity' of the claims that it emerged from China.
Lazarus redux?
Meanwhile, some security firms have linked the cyberattack to the notorious Lazarus Group, a hacking operation connected to a number of high-profile cyberattacks in recent years, including the $80m Bangladeshi cyber bank heist.
Researchers at Symantec have tentatively cited similarities between code used in Lazarus campaigns and the code behind WannaCry, potentially pointing to the two sharing an author. Lazarus is suspected of working on behalf of North Korea, although there are suggestions that the group operates out of China.
However, China was one of the countries hit hardest by the attack, with with 29,000 organisations in total falling victim to the ransomware -- including Chinese government bodies for transport, industry, social security and immigration.
While WannaCry caused chaos across the globe, the ransomware hasn't been particularly lucrative for its creators: almost a month on from the outbreak, the ransomware has banked just under $150,000.
The figure represents a poor return for such a widespread campaign, especially when you consider how the value of the Bitcoin wallets are on the rise due to a recent surge in the cryptocurrency's valuation.
READ MORE ON WANNACRY
Why was the WannaCry ransomware attack so widespread?
Ransomware: An executive guide to one of the biggest menaces on the web
Windows XP hit by WannaCry ransomware? This tool could decrypt your infected files
How to defend yourself against the WannaCrypt global ransomware attack
Ransomware: WannaCry was basic, next time could be much worse
Ransomware decryption: This tool could help some BianLian ransomware victims get files back
DOJ takes down ransomware group with a '21st century cyber stakeout'
Fewer ransomware victims are paying up. But there's a catch


Sarah is a Senior Knowledge Management Lawyer in Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP's global antitrust, competition and trade group, based in London. She provides knowledge management support to clients and Freshfields' lawyers on a wide range of antitrust issues.
Sarah studied economics at Cambridge University and qualified as a solicitor in 1995.
The UK's competition and consumer law regimes – time for more change?
UK Prime Minister Theresa May will back a new system that gives her government more powers to intervene in 'sensitive' foreign investments.


text:
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne - PlayStation 4 Review + TGS 2019 Rajang Impressions
7:39 PM September 13, 2019
Gaming Review [Category]
Action Game, RPG [Genres]
PlayStation Game [Gaming Elements]
Pickup,
Rob "NualphaJPN" B.
The hunt continues.
System: PlayStation 4, PC(Steam), Xbox One
Pubisher: Capcom
Pricing: $39.99 / Deluxe Package: $59.99
Rating: T
Genre: Action, RPG
Players: 1-4 [Local/Online]
Official Website: http://monsterhunterworld.com/us/
Monster Hunter: World - Guardian Armor
Who it Caters to
The Monster Hunter franchise has garnered a great deal of attention over the last 4-5 years, with much of its glory focused primarily on Capcom's latest iteration, Monster Hunter World. The handheld market, for the longest period of time, was the home to a vast majority of Monster Hunter titles with Monster Hunter 4 being the last iteration on the 3DS before making the transition over to home consoles. That decision was hands down the best decision that Capcom has ever made, as now the Monster Hunter franchise is Capcom's biggest selling title to date. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is the latest expansion in the ever-growing franchise and devoted fans of the franchise are ecstatic at the return of some notable monsters, as well as fresh new ones that we're yet to see. New fans to the franchise are likely to jump right into a vast open-world filled with mystery, wonder, and non-stop thrills as you battle against large powerful creatures to protect humanity.
With Monster Hunter World: Iceborne now becoming a global success, Capcom has made sure to provide players with a much more accessible experience than before, allowing new and veteran players alike enjoy their time equally. Monster Hunter overall has always been known for its steep learning curve and its high requirements in order to level up, which turned off a lot of players in the past. However, all of that has changed dramatically and now players can jump into the fray with confidence, slaying monsters with their friends. That isn't to say that the game isn't without its challenges, because in spite of the game feeling more fine-tuned to cater to a wider audience, the grind is still very much there at all times. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is a game about dedication and teamwork, as it rewards you exponentially if you take advantage of its mechanics and spend a lot of time mastering your weapons. The learning curve isn't as steep but the mountain you must climb in order to reach the top still requires a great deal of focus and effort, and so it's your responsibility to ensure that all of your tools are sharpened before heading into battle!
From a visual standpoint Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is the best looking Monster Hunter title to date. This, of course, is quite obvious since the game is now running on a much more sophisticated piece of hardware, but that shouldn't undermine the quality and attention to detail that previous titles showcased. It's just become very clear that Capcom has put all of their heart and soul into making Iceborne a smash hit and rightfully so. The moment you jump into the brand new world of Hoarfrost Reach you're immediately awestruck by the vast amount of detail that was put into the design, with the icy region blinding you with its impeccable beauty, and life just bustling all around you. It's nothing short of amazing in our eyes and this is just the tip of the iceberg in many respects.
Sound, Music
One defining factor about Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is its amazing soundtrack, and its willingness to step outside of a comfort zone that Capcom had placed on its previous titles. The music in the game is more tantalizing, riveting, and just heart pumping overall. With every monster you encounter, the orchestrated sounds just add more intensity to the battle, giving you this sublime type of immersion that you truly can't find anywhere else. For each slash or gunshot that hits the monster the adrenaline meter rises and so too does the tempo of the soundtrack. It's almost as if the music flows harmoniously with the beat of the battle as well as your heart because everything just feels thrilling every single time. There's never a moment where you truly feel bored because even wandering around and exploring has its perks as well, which we'll get into in the gameplay section! Overall, the ambiance is superb and Capcom really did a stellar job of capturing all of it.
So before we blow the lid off the jar with our impressions of the new monster Rajang that we had the opportunity to fight at Tokyo Game Show 2019, we'll cover some of the more important aspects of gameplay. So as far as changes are concerned moving from Monster Hunter World into Iceborne is that there's no longer a cap on Hunter rankings which means that players can pretty much go above and beyond with leveling up, so that they can take on the much harder monsters later on in the game. New weapons and mechanics were introduced as well, one notable one being the highly effective Clutch Claw, that allows players to grip onto any monster and rack on extra damage with the greatest of ease. No more do you have to always rely on ascending to higher platforms in order to jump onto the enemy since the Clutch Claw grants you access at just about any time.
The new Master rank brings new content along with it such as new armor types that players can unlock through explorations and of course, through slaying monsters and collecting from their carcass. Some new armor types include the Master Rank Legania armor, Master Rank Pukei-Pukei armor, the beautiful Beotodus armor, among a plethora of others. For weapons, we, of course, see the return of the classic Sword and Shield but are now graced with new weapon upgrades in Master Rank such as the Hammer, Master Rank Great Swords, and more. The Slinger can now be used in tandem with your main weapon as its drawn, and this is regardless of the weapon type. The Flinch Shot also allows players to unload their Slinger Ammo to stun monsters with more accuracy. Special pendants can also be added to your weapons for added buffs and more variety overall. The new Master Rank literally opens up a brand new door of opportunities for players to discover since all of the weapons now have more utility and new monsters such as Velkhana pose a much greater threat, which will require players to step their game up entirely.
TGS 2019 - Exclusive Rajang Hands-On Impressions
MHW: Iceborne - Rajang Trailer
So with all the above information being detailed, players can now start to familiarize themselves with all of the brand new quests that await them in the world of Iceborne. One of the new and upcoming quests is the entry of the returning monster named Rajang. This raging beast was introduced back in Monster Hunter 2 and was quite the beast to tame, due to its unpredictable movements and swift attacks that left players bewildered. We had the chance to face off against the wild beast during our press time at Tokyo Game Show 2019, and we'll be honest, the new Rajang is no joke. Players really hated this beast simply because of its incredible power and the ability to shoot electricity from its mouth at a remarkably mind-blowing speed. Tie that in with its very high aggression and rage mode, that turns his entire front body into shimmering gold, and you have a recipe for a headache.
Our first encounter with Rajang really didn't take off so well because none of the members on our team really didn't know what to expect, and sadly neither did we. Within the first three minutes, we all perished to the electric beam of death and had to come up with a better gameplan to take it out. It was decided that we try to focus more on playing a stronger defensive game, using the strength of the Light Bowgun to plant traps on the floor to stun the enemy, and using the Clutch Claw to build up extra damage when needed. Large Barrel Bombs were also used but in the end, Rajang proved to be too strong for all of us. After 3 gut-wrenching attempts to bring the beast to its demise, we ultimately succumbed to our crushing defeat but that isn't to say we didn't have a blast, because we sure did. Even with all of the buffs we had placed on our Crossblitz Bowgun Rajang just had an answer for a lot of things, and his electricity beam is really annoying to deal with. It's a one-shot kill if you step into its range and its area of effect is quite wide, so you really have to be careful where you position yourself. WIth Rajang's official release not slated until October, we'll be preparing ourselves heavily to ensure that we tame the beast before it tames us.
Honey's Gameplay Consensus:
If there's one thing to take away from all of this it's that Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is truly every Action RPG fan's biggest dreams come into fruition. The game incorporates so much depth that it will take you literally months to really wrap your head around everything, and even after the fact, with so much more content coming down the pipeline there will be even more to discover. We can't stress enough how amazing Iceborne is right now because there's just so much to do and see, that oftentimes you overlook the beauty of the game itself. Just exploring the world and gathering items is a blissful experience on its own and now with even more quests to complete, Iceborne is honestly the biggest expansion for the series to date.
Honey's Pros:
Iceborne introduces a plethora of new features that pretty much make the game feel entirely brand new.
Every beast that you've encountered before is much more terrifying in Master Rank, and so more dedication and teamwork are needed to win.
Incredibly beautiful visuals and overall design really bring Iceborne to life in a remarkable way. It truly feels lifelike and that you're a part of it all.
Honey's Cons:
With the learning curve still being quite high and new content being added, new players may find themselves feeling really overwhelmed by it all.
Honey's Final Verdict:
With October just around the corner, it's time that we shift into high gear in order to prepare for the worst. Rajang is just as annoying as it ever has been and the new weapon upgrades really have us salivating to unlock them and try out. We hope you found our review and TGS impressions to be insightful, and that you check us out live on twitch.tv/honeysgaming to join us on the hunt. Be sure to follow us as well on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with our daily activities and of course, all the latest news pertaining to anime, gaming, and more!
Editor/Writer
Author: Rob "NualphaJPN" B.
A passionate fan of gaming, writing, journalism, anime, and philosophy. I've lived in Japan for many years and consider this place to be my permanent home. I love to travel around Japan and learn about the history and culture! Leave a comment if you enjoy my articles and watch me play on twitch.tv/honeysgaming ! Take care!
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Blackcaps name injured Colin Munro in Twenty20 squad for Tri-Series
The Batsmen injured his hamstring against Pakistan in Auckland. Photo credit: Photosport
Colin Munro has been named in the Blackcaps Twenty20 squad to take on Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on February 3.
Having missed the series decider against Pakistan on Sunday with a hamstring injury, the 30-year-old slugger is likely to be available for the opening match of the T20 Tri-series.
Selector Gavin Larsen said having Munro back was key.
"Colin has been assessed and we're optimistic he will be fine ahead of Saturday," said Larsen.
"We've seen how big an impact Colin has in white-ball cricket, so we're looking forward to having him back.
"Historically we've seen that the SCG can spin a little bit, so it's important that we have options in that area. Mitchell [Santer] and Ish [Sodhi] are our key guys, but having the likes of Anaru and Kane to do a job if need be is important as well."
The squad for the remainder of the series will be announced ahead of their match against England in Wellington on February 13.
Blackcaps Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler.