North Korea has sentenced a US man to 10 years of hard labour for spying.
Kim Dong-chul, a 62-year-old naturalised US citizen born in South Korea, was arrested last October.Kim had made an apparent confession in Pyongyang last month in front of reporters, saying he was paid by South Korean intelligence officers.
The US has previously accused North Korea of using its citizens as pawns in a diplomatic game. Pyongyang denies the accusations.
At the time of Kim's arrest, the US State Department had said it would not be commenting on the case as speaking publicly about detained Americans can complicate the process of getting them released.
In March, US student Otto Frederick Warmbier was jailed for 15 years for stealing a propaganda sign and "crimes against the state".
North Korea has previously said Kim had a USB stick containing military and nuclear secrets on him when he was arrested in the special economic zone of Rason.
Kim, who used to live in Virginia, had said he was introduced to South Korean spies by US intelligence officers.
Forced public confessions by foreign prisoners are common in North Korea.
Kim's imprisonment comes amid a period of high tensions. North Korea has recently conducted a series of missile tests following its fourth nuclear test in January, both of which break UN sanctions.
Pyongyang attempted to launch two mid-range ballistic missiles on Thursday which crashed shortly after their launches, prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
It is believed it will attempt a fifth nuclear test soon.
The recent burst in activity is thought to be a ramp-up to a rare party congress due to be held on 6 May, where leader Kim Jong-un is expected to consolidate power.
Foreigners detained in North Korea
Other recent cases include:- Otto Frederick Warmbier, a US student who was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in March 2016 for trying to steal a propaganda sign from a hotel and "crimes against the state".
- Hyeon Soo Lim, a Canadian Christian pastor of South Korean origin, was sentenced to a life term of hard labour in December, also for "crimes against the state".
- Sandra Suh, an American aid worker, was arrested then expelled in April 2015, accused of gathering and producing anti-North propaganda.
- Matthew Todd Miller was sentenced to six years' hard labour in September 2014 for what North Korean state media described as "hostile acts", but was released in November the same year.
- Kenneth Bae was arrested in November 2012 and accused of using his tourism business to form groups to overthrow the government. Sentenced to 15 years' hard labour in May 2013 but was released along with Mr Miller.
- Jeffrey Fowle, held for five months and charged with "anti-state" crimes, was released in October 2014.
- Korean War veteran Merrill Newman, held in October 2013 on charges of "hostile acts", was released in December the same year.
May
1
Ten new laws that come into force in April 2016 - and how they affect you
1. You may have to pay more council tax
In England, if you live in a Band D property - that is, in the middle of the price range for your area - your council tax bill for the upcoming year will increase by an average of £58, starting this month. Those living in larger homes will have to pay even more. This is the biggest council tax increase for eight years.
This is because more than a hundred councils around the country are hiking council tax rates by up to 4%. The rises will be used by squeezed local authorities to fund the delivery of social care. Grant cuts to local government in the past six years have been severe, and the amount they receive will diminish by more than half by 2020.
Water bills are also up by £2 a year in England and Wales.
2.
In England, if you live in a Band D property - that is, in the middle of the price range for your area - your council tax bill for the upcoming year will increase by an average of £58, starting this month. Those living in larger homes will have to pay even more. This is the biggest council tax increase for eight years.
This is because more than a hundred councils around the country are hiking council tax rates by up to 4%. The rises will be used by squeezed local authorities to fund the delivery of social care. Grant cuts to local government in the past six years have been severe, and the amount they receive will diminish by more than half by 2020.
Water bills are also up by £2 a year in England and Wales.
2.
May
1
How to Hack a website
How to Hack a Website?
We all know that hacking is nothing more than the skill of this century.
So what does it means? ´
It means that not everyone can get that skill. so you can see how privileged is to know hacking, in other hands it´s just like a sport, some are born with the talent, some have to practice a lot to get the necessary skills.
We all know that hacking is nothing more than the skill of this century.
So what does it means? ´
It means that not everyone can get that skill. so you can see how privileged is to know hacking, in other hands it´s just like a sport, some are born with the talent, some have to practice a lot to get the necessary skills.
Apr
29
US man Kim Dong-chul jailed for spying in North Korea
North Korea has sentenced a US man to 10 years of hard labour for spying.
Kim Dong-chul, a 62-year-old naturalised US citizen born in South Korea, was arrested last October.
Kim had made an apparent confession in Pyongyang last month in front of reporters, saying he was paid by South Korean intelligence officers.
The US has previously accused North Korea of using its citizens as pawns in a diplomatic game. Pyongyang denies the accusations.
Kim Dong-chul, a 62-year-old naturalised US citizen born in South Korea, was arrested last October.
Kim had made an apparent confession in Pyongyang last month in front of reporters, saying he was paid by South Korean intelligence officers.
The US has previously accused North Korea of using its citizens as pawns in a diplomatic game. Pyongyang denies the accusations.
Apr
29
Obama looks for Gulf leaders to step up in stabilizing region
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (CNN)President Barack Obama emerged from meetings with Gulf leaders Thursday proclaiming he'd pushed through lingering tensions with the region to reach agreements on battling ISIS and stabilizing the ever-volatile neighborhood.
But he also conceded that his nuclear deal with Iran remained a source of strain. Obama said the pact didn't reflect a shift in U.S. allegiances, however, citing longstanding efforts to bolster the security of Middle East allies.
But he also conceded that his nuclear deal with Iran remained a source of strain. Obama said the pact didn't reflect a shift in U.S. allegiances, however, citing longstanding efforts to bolster the security of Middle East allies.
Apr
29
Protesters take to streets after Trump rally in California
Costa Mesa, California (CNN)Scores of protesters took to the streets Thursday night outside a Donald Trump campaign event here, drawing out police officers in riot and tactical gear and on horseback who sought to disperse the crowd.
The crowd gathered in the streets outside the OC Fair & Event Center as Trump addressed several thousand supporters at the Center's amphitheater. At least one police car was damaged and several scuffles broke out amid the hectic scene.
The crowd gathered in the streets outside the OC Fair & Event Center as Trump addressed several thousand supporters at the Center's amphitheater. At least one police car was damaged and several scuffles broke out amid the hectic scene.
Apr
26
Visa Bulletin For April 2016
Visa Bulletin For April 2016
Number 91
Volume IX
Washington, D.C
View as Printer Friendly PDF
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Number 91
Volume IX
Washington, D.C
View as Printer Friendly PDF
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Apr
26
Prince Tops Album Charts Days After Death
The Very Best Of compilation is currently at number one and could become Prince's sixth number one album in the UK.
Fans paying tribute to the late musician Prince have pushed his albums to the top of the charts.
His music is currently holding every position in the Top 5 of the official album chart.
The Very Best Of compilation is at number one and if it remains there on Friday, it will become Prince's sixth number one album in the UK.
The Very Best Of compilation is currently at number one and could become Prince's sixth number one album in the UK.
Fans paying tribute to the late musician Prince have pushed his albums to the top of the charts.
His music is currently holding every position in the Top 5 of the official album chart.
The Very Best Of compilation is at number one and if it remains there on Friday, it will become Prince's sixth number one album in the UK.
Apr
26
Prince 'Wasn't Drugged Up', Says Lawyer
Prince 'Wasn't Drugged Up', Says Lawyer
L Londell McMillan, who knew the star for 25 years, says Prince led a clean lifestyle and was "doing perfect" before his death.
L Londell McMillan, who knew the star for 25 years, says Prince led a clean lifestyle and was "doing perfect" before his death.
Apr
26
CCTV Shows Paris Bomber Detonating Suicide Belt
CCTV Shows Paris Bomber Detonating Suicide Belt
Footage broadcast on French television shows the moment Brahim Abdeslam blew himself up in a restaurant in the French capital.
Brahim Abdeslam, 31, died when he detonated his suicide belt in Paris
Footage has emerged showing one of the Paris attackers blowing himself up during last year's terror attacks on the French capital.
Brahim Abdeslam detonated his suicide belt inside the Comptoir Voltaire restaurant on 13 November.
Footage broadcast on French television shows the moment Brahim Abdeslam blew himself up in a restaurant in the French capital.
Brahim Abdeslam, 31, died when he detonated his suicide belt in Paris
Footage has emerged showing one of the Paris attackers blowing himself up during last year's terror attacks on the French capital.
Brahim Abdeslam detonated his suicide belt inside the Comptoir Voltaire restaurant on 13 November.
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