Tag Archives: oceania

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles, South Korea and Japan say

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from the Munchon area of Kangwon Province to the waters off the peninsula's eastern coast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff have told reporters.

The missiles were launched between 1:47 am. and 1:53am local time Sunday, according to Japan's State Minister of Defence Toshiro Ino.

Both missiles fell outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone, Ino added.

The first missile is estimated to have flown about 350 kilometres at a maximum altitude of approximately 100km, or 62 miles, according to Ino. The second travelled about the same distance.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un addresses the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea's parliament.

Ino noted there were no reports of damages to vessels at sea, but the defence ministry is still analyzing the details and investigating what kind of missiles were launched, including the possibility they were submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

South Korea's military has strengthened its surveillance and vigilance and maintaining a full readiness posture while closely cooperating with the US, the country's joint chiefs of staff said.

This is the 25th missile launch this year, according to CNN's count, which includes both ballistic and cruise missiles. The last launch occurred Thursday when North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles, the latest in a spate of launches in the past two weeks.

Japan's Coast Guard instructed vessels to pay attention to information and to not approach any objects which have fallen in the sea. It also asked vessels to report any relevant information.

On Tuesday, North Korea fired another missile, without warning, which flew over and past Japan, causing Japan to warn its citizens to take shelter.

The missile travelled over northern Japan early in the morning, and is believed to have landed in the Pacific Ocean. The last time North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan was in 2017.

US Indo-Pacific Command said Saturday the latest launches do "not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to our allies."

"We are aware of the two ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners," the command said in a statement. "The missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs. The US commitments to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remain ironclad."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned if North Korea continues "down this road" of provocation following its ballistic missile launch Tuesday, "it will only increase the condemnation, increase the isolation and increase the steps that are taken in response to their actions."

The US imposed new sanctions Friday, following North Korean recent ballistic missile tests, the US Treasury and State Department said.

North Korea usually fires its missiles into waters off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, making Tuesday's flight over Japan considerably more provocative.

The aggressive acceleration in weapons testing has sparked alarm in the region, with the US, South Korea and Japan responding with missile launches and joint military exercises. The US has also redeployed an aircraft carrier into waters near the peninsula, a move South Korean authorities called "very unusual."

Japan issued a strong protest against North Korea through its embassy in Beijing, Ino said.

On Thursday, US, South Korean and Japanese warships performed a missile defence exercise in the Sea of Japan, the US-Indo Pacific Command said in a statement.

Man arrested over alleged connection to death of Rami Iskander

A man has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the death of Rami Iskander earlier this year in Sydney's south west.

Iskander was the nephew of underworld figure Mahmoud "Brownie" Ahmad, was shot dead in May.

Following investigations into several fatal shootings by organised crime networks, police executed a search warrant yesterday, arresting a 41-year-old man.

READ MORE: NSW flood warnings remain as emergency services perform 21 rescues overnight

The man was charged with a number of offences, including accessory to murder, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal group activity.

A 38-year-old woman was arrested a short time later, after police executed a second search warrant .

The woman was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime; and participate in criminal group.

Police seized more than $500,000 cash and items relevant to the investigation that will undergo further examination.

The man was refused bail and will appear in court today, however the woman was granted conditional bail to appear in court November 1.

Young man opens up about shark attack

A Victorian teenager is lucky to have his foot after it was punctured to the bone by a shark in Portland.

Izaak Johnstone was surfing with mates on Thursday night at Portland off the far south-west coast when they felt something brush up.

The 17-year-old's mates thought he was joking until he lifted his bloody foot out of the water.

READ MORE: Man seriously injured after being mauled by three-metre bull shark off WA coast

A Victorian teenager is lucky to have his foot after it was punctured to the bone by a shark in Portland.Izaak Johnstone was surfing with mates on Thursday night at Portland off the far south-west coast when they felt something brush up.

"I felt my foot go down its throat and then it bit me," Johnstone told 9News.

Despite the wounds and frightening experience, Johnstone believes the shark encounter has somewhat "overhyped".

"It's not like I lost my leg or anything, I guess," he said.

But the teenager has several bite marks to the bone as a reminder of the attack.

"I could definitely feel it but not as bad as it probably was," he said.

"I didn't realise how bad it was until I got up to the top and started looking at it."

Johnstone's friend Nathan Malady said he didn't believe his friend until he looked at his face.

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Johnstone said once his foot heals, he intends to get back in the water.

"He just yells I've been bitten by a shark and I didn't really believe it until I looked at his face," he told 9News.

"He's going pale and lifted up his foot and it's just blood pouring down his foot."

Johnstone's mum Frances got the call but even she was relatively calm.

"I didn't feel too too freaked out so much really because I knew they would be in good hands," she said.

He underwent surgery this morning and is back on his feet with the help of some crutches.

Johnstone said once his foot heals, he intends to get back in the water.

Rain records broken amid heavy downpours and thunderstorms

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are bringing widespread flooding to New South Wales and parts of Queensland.

The deluge hit Sydney on Saturday afternoon, as residents were told to brace for conditions to intensify throughout the night.

A damaging trough in New South Wales, first unleashed across the state's west, left several regions awash.

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A rain deluge is hitting Sydney, with residents bracing for conditions to intensify through the night.

Despite only being October, Dubbo has now recorded its wettest year in 49 years, with about 882mm recorded up until 4pm today.

While at Bathurst, racing on Mount Panorama was thrown into chaos, after the Top-10 shootout was cancelled due to the torrential downpour.

The regional city has copped more than a month's worth of rain in a few days.

There are more than 60 flood warnings in place across NSW, covering western parts of the state, in the Central West, Hunter, Hawkesbury-Nepean, the South Coast and the Illawarra.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the state currently has a situation where dams and rivers are full.

"With heavy rain expected, we ask everybody to continue to be cautious," he said.

"If those flood warnings are in place, please continue to follow instructions, be prepared to be ready if an evacuation is needed.

"Particularly on roads, not just in Sydney but right across the state, please be careful."

However the worst may still be yet to come, with another system expected to move through the state on Wednesday.

"We're only eight days into the storm season and unfortunately, we're seeing flooding continue across NSW," emergency services minister Steph Cooke said.

"It's expected to do so for weeks and months ahead."

Showers to ease briefly

The latest burst of storms is being caused by a developing low pressure system, which will endure well into the evening before dissipating over Sunday and Monday.

Meteorologist Dean Narramore said the trough is being fuelled by tropical moisture, with heavy falls expected to exacerbate flash flooding.

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"Widespread areas particularly for our flood-affected areas of inland NSW, (could get) 30-50mm with isolated falls of 80-100mm possible," he said.

"[They system] is going to move eastwards quickly today [Saturday] and expanding, then hit the coast later today into tonight.

"Severe weather warnings current for heavy rainfall and damaging winds from Newcastle all the way down to Ulladulla."

Narramore added the low will take rain offshore Sunday and into Monday, but added another weather system will hit mid-next week.

"Unfortunately the next weather system [arrives] Wednesday to Thursday with a burst of widespread heavy storms," he said.

Narramore's warning comes as residents near the Hawkesbury-Nepean Rivers face a possible fifth flood in 18 months.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said there's a minor, to moderate risk of flooding along those communities.

Residents can stay across all NSW flood warnings here. 

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Wet weather will return to Sydney from this evening, with communities in Western Sydney on high alert.

Weatherzone said this latest round or rain and storms is due to a cold front that's "tapped into abundant tropical moisture, which had already made its way south from northern Australia.".

"The situation will probably become extremely serious on the weekend, with heavy rain again forecast across a huge area, particularly on Saturday, and particularly north of the Murray River," the weather service added.

Weather warnings are in place for parts of Queensland, with heavy rainfall possible in areas including Maranoa Warrego and the Central West districts, extending to the Darling Downs.

There's also a risk of minor to moderate flooding across a number of catchments across western and south-western Queensland as the system pushes east.

Areas around Bulloo and the Paroo River are of particular concern. 

Residents can stay across Queensland warnings here.

Clean up begins in Victoria

Eastern Australia is currently in the grips of its third consecutive third La Nina , which is tipped to weaken early 2023.

Meanwhile, Victoria SES continues to clean-up after a fierce storm lashed the city.

State Agency Commander Geb Abbott said Victoria has "seen the worst" of the rain but added flooding is still possible as water flows down catchments.

"Calls for both flooding, building damage and trees down," she said.

"Unfortunately, we're having to respond to vehicles that have been stuck in floodwater.

"A reminder for all areas that are experiencing flooding – please do not drive into floodwater, it may be one of the last things you do.

"We are still seeing water coming through the damp catchments. Flooding will be experienced in many areas. Crews are still out ready and prepared to respond and still engaging with the communities still likely to experience impact."