US slams North Korea missile test as Kim claims 'whole US mainland' in reach

By Brad Lendon, CNN

Updated 0557 GMT (1357 HKT) July 30, 2017
Expert: N. Korea missile could hit Chicago 01:52


Story highlights
North Korea's latest missile could have range to hit Los Angeles and Chicago, experts say
US should regard the launch as a "grave warning," Pyongyang says


(CNN)North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile Friday that appears to have the range to hit major US cities, experts say, and prompted a fresh round of condemnation from the United States, China, Japan and South Korea.
A combination of US, South Korean and Japanese analyses of the launch from Mupyong-ni, near North Korea's border with China, shows the missile flew about 45 minutes, going 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) high and for a distance of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).
If the missile were fired on a flatter, standard trajectory, it would have major US cities such as Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago well within its range, with the possible ability to reach as far as New York and Boston, according to David Wright, a missile expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
However, early analysis of Friday's test cannot determine how heavy a payload the missile was carrying in its warhead, Wright said. The heavier the payload, the shorter the range.


Photos: North Korea says 'whole US mainland in range'
Photos taken from Korean Central Television show the activity around North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile launch late Friday.
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South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said they estimate the missile tested Friday is more advanced than one launched earlier this month based on the range it traveled. Experts had said that test showed Pyongyang had the ability to hit Alaska.
President Donald Trump condemned the missile launch and said the United States would act to ensure its security.
"Threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy and deprive its people," Trump said in a written statement. "The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region."

Kim calls weapons program a 'precious asset'
Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Saturday that the latest missile launch was a Hwasong-14, the same missile tested earlier this month.
Friday's test was designed to show the Hwasong-14's maximum range with a "large-sized heavy nuclear warhead," it said, adding that Washington should regard the launch as a "grave warning."
North Korean state media was quick to tout the missile test as a success, with video and stills showing leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the launch and celebrating with the troops involved.
North Koreans hailed the test-firing, the news agency said. Kim Yu Chol, a researcher at the State Academy of Sciences, called the achievement "another great victory which dealt a heavy blow to the US imperialists and its vassal forces." Jo Son Hyang, a resident of Pyongyang's Rangnang District, said the "future of the country is bright" now that it has a "powerful sword for keeping peace."


Expert: North Korea will continue to improve 04:34
Kim was quoted as saying "the whole US mainland" is now within North Korea's reach. He called Pyongyang's weapons program "a precious asset" that cannot be reversed or replaced, according to the agency.
In the wake of the test, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., and Adm. Harry Harris, commander of US Pacific Command, called the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Gen. Lee Sun Jin, to express "ironclad commitment" to the US alliance with South Korea and discuss military response options.
Hours after that call, the US and South Korean military conducted a live-fire exercise as a show of force in response to the test, according to Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis. The exercise included firing missiles into the ocean.
Both militaries conducted a similar show of force after North Korea's first ICBM test in early July.
If North Korea's assertions about Friday's test are true, Pyongyang may be even more advanced in its missile program than previously thought. Earlier in the week, a US official told CNN the United States believed that North Korea would be able to launch a reliable nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile by early 2018.
The official said that while North Korea can currently get a missile "off the ground," a lot of undetermined variables remain about guidance, re-entry and the ability to hit a specific target.

China condemns launch
China, a longtime North Korean ally, issued a statement Saturday condemning the missile launch and asked Pyongyang to "stop taking actions that would escalate tensions" on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea's missile tests by the numbers
"The UN Security Council has clear regulations on North Korea's launch activities that use ballistic missile technologies. China is opposed to North Korea's launch activities in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and against the will of the international community," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.
Beijing's statement reiterated its long-held position on North Korea's missile program.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said China and Russia need to do more to stop North Korea.
"As the principal economic enablers of North Korea's nuclear weapon and ballistic missile development program, China and Russia bear unique and special responsibility for this growing threat to regional and global stability," Tillerson said in a statement.
After speaking Saturday with Tillerson, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Tokyo would join Washington in new appeals to those countries to stop North Korea.
The missile splashed down about 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of the Shakotan Peninsula of Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, well within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone, Kishida said.
Not everyone agrees that North Korea launched an ICBM. The Russian Defense Ministry said its tracking indicated the weapon was a "medium-range ballistic missile," Russian state news agency Tass reported Friday.


Nuclear-capable missile?
Michael Elleman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated a range of at least 9,500 kilometers (5,900 miles) for the missile, according to Reuters news agency -- less than that estimated by Wright, but still potentially putting Los Angeles within reach.



North Korean missile classified as 'brand new' 02:10
"The key here is that North Korea has a second successful test in less than one month," he said. "If this trend holds, they could establish an acceptably reliable ICBM before year's end."
North Korea has seen a year of rapid progress in its missile program.
Pyongyang has carried out 12 missile tests since February and conducted its first test of an ICBM on July 4 -- which it says could reach "anywhere in the world."
"North Korea is slowly morphing into a nuclear and missile power right before our very eyes," said Harry J. Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest and an expert on North Korea.
"North Korea will continue to test over and over again its missile technology and nuclear weapons in the months and years to come in order to develop the most lethal systems it can," Kazianis said. "You can bet every time they do tensions will continue to rise. This is what makes the situation on the Korean Peninsula as dangerous as it is."

Trump urged to respond
Less than six years in power, Kim has tested more missiles than his father and grandfather combined.

The North Korea threat: What can Trump do?
The latest test has spurred calls for a response from the Trump administration.
"North Korea's latest missile test shows the Trump administration's actions are not changing North Korea's behavior and it's time for the President to articulate a comprehensive strategy to the American people -- so far he's failed to do that," Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu told CNN on Friday.
Administration officials have warned that "all options are on the table" but a clear path forward has yet to materialize.
Doug Bandow, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute who specializes in foreign policy, told CNN that North Korea's missile launch shows its leaders are "absolutely committed to their missile programs" and not interested in tempering their activities.
Bandow, who visited North Korea last month, said the regime is convinced that developing its missile program as a nuclear deterrent is absolutely necessary. It's a mindset, he said, that puts pressure on Trump, who finds himself in a situation with no good choices.

CNN's Zachary Cohen, Barbara Starr, Junko Ogura, Steven Jiang, Taehoon Lee, Spencer Feingold and KJ Kwon contributed to this report.

White House in Chaos as it Faces threats from North Korea and Russia

You only have to read the headlines in the last few minutes to understand why America is in serious trouble this week under Trump’s administration.

This is why I am buying gold silver and shorting the US dollar anticipating a very volatile week the White House and America.

-US flies bombers over Korean peninsula after North Korea missile test

- Republicans on Sunday urged President Donald Trump's new chief of staff John Kelly to rein in the chaos within the ...

-Trump once asked Priebus to kill a fly for him in the Oval Office
-Trump threatens to end insurance payments if no healthcare bill 

                                                                                                                        ---Trump and Scaramucci speak the same X-rated language:  Anthony 'the Mooch' Scaramucci: Trump's attack dog off the leash

Anthony Scaramucci's aggressive incompetence.

-Trump faces growing Republican unease over his latest appointment 'I'm not trying to suck my own c**k!': Donald Trump comms chief's ...
Italian-Americans say Scaramucci gives them a bad rep No wonder his wife just divorced him.

-Trump, without evidence, cites Ukraine ties to ex-rival Clinton

-Trump rips China after North Korea missile test 

-General Warns U.S., Allies Ready to Unleash “Overwhelming Force” Against North Korea.

US conducts flyover after North Korea test The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against.

All this is still going on while he, his son in law and his administration is under investigation for allegedly allowing Russia to meddle with the election.

Don’t be surprised to see Trump do one of two things create a crisis in North Korea to defer attention away from he White House problems and unite America. Or simply resign and go spend his $8 billion dollars.

It’s not god bless America it is God help America and the rest of the world.

Bali sees increase in number of European tourists

News Desk

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Thu, July 27, 2017 | 04:11 pm
Tourists watch traditional Balinese Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple on Bali, Indonesia. Kecak (also known as Ramayana Monkey Chant) is very popular cultural show on Bali. (Shutterstock.com/Alexander Mazurkevich)
Bali tourism agency has recorded a significant increase from European tourists from January until the early second semester of 2017.

A total of 557,423 European tourists came during the period, an increase 0f 20.8 percent from the same period last year that recorded 461,374 visits.

The head of Bali tourism agency Anak Agung Gede Yuniartha Putra, in general, the number of overseas tourists who come to the Island of the Gods is growing by 23.41 percent. From early 2017 up to this day, there are already 2.8 million overseas tourists who come to Bali. The same period last year only had 2.3 million tourists.

“This is a positive development for tourism in Bali, we’re optimistic that we can reach beyond the end-of-the-year target,” said Agung.

Read also: Bali declared world's top destination for 2017

“Flying to Bali from European countries is easy because there are so many airlines that offer a direct flight from Europe to Bali,” he added.

Agung also mentioned that Bali is known as a safe place for traveling.

Tourism minister Arief Yahya said that Bali is the main entrance gate to Indonesia, which is why Bali needs to be developed more, “This is the best way to develop other destinations that are not in Bali,” said Arief.

He also mentioned about the only airport in Bali that is getting too crowded, and the alternative solution to building a new airport in North Bali in the near future. As for the short-term plan, Lombok is going to be developed soon as well as improving the Bali – Lombok route. (asw)

Coconut Oil In Your Morning Coffee? Absolutely

Susan Patterson

 -

 October 30, 2016

Coconut oil has been gaining a lot of popularity in the fast growing community of health conscious people. People in Asia and the Pacific Rim have used coconut products for thousands of years. They drank the milk, ate the flesh, turned the tree sap into sweet syrup, and weaved baskets with the leaves of coconut trees. In the 1950s, coconut oil, which you receive when you press the meat of the coconut, could be found in every household.

Urgent:
This exercise accelerates aging in your body (avoid)

With the low-fat craze that swept through the Western world, coconut oil gave way to margarine and vegetable oils. The “experts” demonized saturated fats. People touted highly processed vegetable oils as heart-healthy, but only in very small amounts.

Fortunately, coconut oil is seeing a comeback of epic proportions. From slathering your baby’s bottom to cooking up some fabulous-tasting eggs, coconut oil is making its way to the top of the charts. How about putting some coconut oil into your morning cup of coffee?

Of course, those who have been using coconut oil for years never truly believed the lipid hypothesis that said saturated fat was bad for us. More and more evidence is being uncovered to say just the opposite.

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid with a high saturation level. The main fats in coconut oil are caprylic acid, lauric acid and capric acid. Most fats take much more effort from the body to be digested (26 steps), whereas coconut oil is digested much easier (3 steps). Because it is a medium-chain fatty acid, coconut oil is processed by the liver, so it is converted into energy rather than stored as fat.

Coconut oil is a solid at room temperatures and it has an amazing shelf life due its saturation. It is also an ideal oil to cook with because medium-chain fatty acids are much more stable and will not break down during cooking.

Healthy saturated fat is not only good for us, but essential for numerous bodily functions. Did you know that more than half your brain is made up of saturated fat?  Coconut oil is described as one of the healthiest saturated fats on the earth.

Coconuts are revered by people all over the world for their amazing medical and nutritional properties. They have been used for ages by diverse cultures and races, all of whom respect the magnificent qualities of this tree-growing nut. Fortunately, the Western world is quickly catching on. Now there are even numerous studies supporting some of the health claims that so many of us already know to be true.

Medicinal uses for coconut

In traditional medicine, people use coconut for a wide number of health problems. These include kidney stones, nausea, rash, scurvy, infections, wounds, asthma, colds, constipation, cough, earaches, fevers, jaundice, kidney stones, lice and ulcers, to name a few.

Modern medicine is finally coming alongside traditional medicine and echoing the amazing health benefits of coconut. Published studies in a number of prominent health journals note the benefits of various forms of coconut.

Several studies have confirmed that coconut oil has the ability to increase the good cholesterol HDL. In other studies, women and men were fed a diet containing coconut oil and butter. Researchers found that coconut oil increased energy in study participants and was able to help with weight maintenance or weight loss.

What is even more amazing are the results of a study of women with stage III and stage IV breast cancer. The 60 women were fed a diet containing virgin coconut oil and experienced an overall improved quality of life. Coconut oil also reduced the side effects of chemotherapy.

Other benefits of coconut oil

As you can see, saturated fat isn’t necessarily the bad guy, when it is from a good source like coconut oil. The lauric acid in coconut oil can actually prevent high blood pressure. Below, find a list of other proven health benefits of coconut oil which will make you want to run to the store and stock up on this amazing fat.

Proven treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

The brain produces its own insulin in healthy people. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, this function is limited or stopped. The ketones produced through coconut oil consumption increase energy for people with Alzheimer’s and can help improve brain function.

Reduces inflammation markers

A study conducted in India found that the antioxidants in coconut oil were able to reduce inflammation in study participants when taken regularly. Researchers have also found coconut oil to be of great value to people with arthritis.

Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties

It is the lauric acid present in coconut oil that has been credited with helping treat parasites, like candida. It is necessary to use coconut oil on a daily basis and usually several times a day.

Improves endurance

The liver processes coconut oil, so it provides a quick boost of energy and endurance. This makes it extremely valuable for athletes, especially those needing a lot of energy for longer workouts.

Helps slow down aging process

The antioxidants in coconut oil can slow the aging process, as stress on the liver is decreased and detoxification is increased.

Prevents osteoporosis

The antioxidants in coconut oil fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, both of which count as the main culprits for osteoporosis. Additionally, coconut oil increases calcium absorption. Researchers have found that bone loss due to osteoporosis decreases in patients who take coconut oil regularly.

Coconut in coffee

Replacing processed coffee creamers with organic coconut oil is a smart move. Although it may sound strange, the result is actually quite delicious and highly nutritious. The combination of caffeine and saturated fat gives the body a lasting energy boost.

Prepare a tropical twisted coffee drink by brewing a high-quality organic cup of coffee and place it in a blender. Add in one tablespoon of organic coconut oil, blend and enjoy.

The resulting coffee drink is frothy and rich, with a wonderfully smooth taste that is very satisfying. If you like your coffee sweetened, add one teaspoon of coconut crystals.

Add coconut oil to your coffee for a great way to supercharge. Give your body a burst of energy to make it through the day, not to mention all of the other amazing health benefits of coconut!

Click Here For 9 MORE Reasons To Use Coconut Oil Every Day

— Susan Patterson

A hidden driver could send gold soaring

Rebecca Ungarino | @ungarino

12 Hours AgoCNBC.com

30

SHARES

How low can the U.S. dollar go?  Wednesday, 26 Jul 2017 | 4:09 PM ET | 02:24

The price of gold could see substantial upside as the U.S. dollar indexcontinues sliding in value, some strategists are forecasting.

The greenback has declined nearly 9 percent against a basket of foreign currencies year to date as the likelihood of parts of President Donald Trump's economic agenda getting underway has been called into question, and the prospect of further interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve has pulled back.

The dollar index could certainly drop to the 92 mark (about 1.5 percent below its closing price Wednesday of 93.40), said Phillip Streible, senior market strategist at RJO Futures. And though these levels are important to watch in the dollar, what's more interesting to him is the impact on gold prices and other commodities.

"We could really see other markets, like gold, push up through that $1,300 level. We could see silver recapture $18. We could see oil prices — they've already got some bullish fundamentals buoying them — but with the dollar selling off like this, you are probably going to see that … recapture $50 again," he said Wednesday on CNBC's "Trading Nation."

Gold rising to $1,300 per troy ounce would imply about 4 percent of upside from its settle price Wednesday of $1,249.40.

As the relative value of the U.S. dollar falls, the price of gold and other dollar-denominated assets typically rise. Of course, the currency and the commodity can also rise in tandem. In fact, Citigroup research analysts in March argued that the correlation between the U.S. dollar and commodities is effectively gone.

The dollar index was trading near 13-month lows by Wednesday's market close; the index has been consolidating in a range of about 92 to 100, pointed out Piper Jaffray chief market technician Craig Johnson.

This relative weakness in the dollar, Johnson said, has certainly helped base metals and boosted the energy sector quite a bit, too.

"We had a little bit of a fake topside breakout earlier in the year, in the dollar, but now we are coming back down in the lower end of this trading range and really re-testing this. From my perspective, we are going to test 92," Johnson said Wednesday on "Trading Nation."

The dollar index fell following the Federal Reserve's announcementWednesday afternoon that it would leave its federal funds target rate unchanged, and that the winding down of its balance sheet would begin "relatively soon."

Johnson said the 92 mark, echoing Streible's outlook, is a meaningful level for the dollar index at this juncture.

"If we start breaking below that, I think you are going to see some consequences where people are going to really start to question the economy, the strength in it … but at this point in time I would be waiting for that confirmation at 92," he said.

Magical Birthday for Bali & World News & Views Publisher

A very special birthday for me today starting with a birthday kiss from my wonderful wife Azizah Bellefontaine.

Followed by winning a tie breaker on tennis court against opponent 27 years younger and 20 kilos lighter than me. Made this old man feel good and great way to start the year.

Later all day a flood of birthday wishes came in from around the world on facebook. Thank you so much to all of you that took a few minutes to send me a birthday wish. I really appreciate it.

Next was a surprise birthday cake from my long time, loyal staff .

Midday I decided to relieve tension from weeks of travelling the equivalent of around the world with Thai Massage at Cosmo Salon, Sanur.

Topped the special day off with BBQ with my family Azizah, Xander, and Darius plus close friends Joy, Aldon, and Patrick Murray and 40 year friend David Howell . 

Should have included visit to casino to play blackjack since my birthday on 27 Day of 7 month in 2017 year. A lot of lucky sevens. Life is great and getting better every year. Thanks to all of you for making it so special.

 

Changi Airport's new T4 to bring automation technology to travellers

Pamela Chow, Singapore, July 26, 2017

Changi Airport yesterday unveiled its soon-to-open Terminal 4 (T4) during a special media preview, highlighting how the extensive use of technology and automation will take centre stage at this new facility.

The new two-storey terminal is equipped with the end-to-end Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) for departing passengers. This includes automated check-in kiosks, baggage drop using facial recognition and Xbox Kinect-powered 3D modelling technology, as well as immigration and boarding gates that share facial and thumbprint biometric data.




Passenger clearing immigration using the AIG

This fully automated process is expected to yield some 20 per cent manpower savings in the long term. The terminal also holds three rows of conventional check-in counters for airlines not yet equipped for automated check-in. It will have centralised areas for departure and arrival immigration as well as pre-board security screening.

Poised to receive 16 million passengers a year, T4 will have a capacity two-thirds that of Terminal 3 and will raise Changi Airport's total annual capacity to 82 million, said Poh Li San, vice president of T4 programme management office at Changi Airport Group.

Nine airlines are set to operate in T4: four under the AirAsia Group, as well as Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Korean Air, Spring Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. These serve an estimated eight million passengers in Changi Airport each year.

Of these airlines, LCCs are most ready to adapt fully automated check-in systems, said Ivan Tan, senior vice president of corporate and marketing communications at Changi Airport Group.

Two lounges - Cathay Pacific’s First and Business Class Lounge and Blossom Lounge, a pay-per-use lounge managed by SATS and Plaza Premium, are located at level 2M within the transit area.

With a total floor area of 225,000m2, T4 also boasts more than 2,000m2 of landscaped interiors, immersive LED displays, internationally commissioned installations, 80 retail and F&B outlets, and a Heritage Zone in the transit area with local food offerings.

Located two kilometres from the existing three terminals, T4 will be connected to Terminal 2 by shuttle buses that operate at 10-minutes intervals round the clock.

Currently in the final stage of operational readiness trials, T4 is expected to begin operations later this year. It will be open to public visits from August 7-20, for which all 200,000 tickets have been snapped up.