In its own territories, the PN led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has also officially won in Terengganu after it claimed a simple majority of 17 seats in the 32-seat assembly, the Election Commission said in a statement on Saturday. PN is leading in Kedah with 33 seats asContinue Reading
In a country where for so long “soccer” has struggled to make a major impact on mainstream consciousness, Australia’s victory over France in the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals feels like a watershed moment.
Even before the game, the shift in public perception was notable. The Australian Football League – which runs Aussie rules – made the surprise decision to show the quarter-final on the big screen at Melbourne Cricket Ground before the huge AFL match between Carlton and Melbourne.
Channel 7, which normally shunts sports on to a secondary channel at 6pm to make way for its flagship news show, delayed its bulletin in order to show the game in an unprecedented move.
It shows how much the Matildas have captured national imagination – and if they were popular before, that fervour will now reach fever pitch after a penalty shootout win scarcely believable in its twists and turns.
The drama began when France manager Herve Renard chose to bring off keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in the dying seconds, sub Solene Durand sent on to face the penalties.
The spot-kicks themselves started with a bang as Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold saved the opening effort from Selma Bacha. She would go on to make four stops in the shootout – and that tells only half the story.
Durand saved from Steph Catley, but when Arnold stopped Eve Perisset’s effort it seemed certain that she would be the heroine as she stepped up to take the fifth Matilda kick.
But Arnold hit the post, so on we went.
After six penalties were scored, Arnold saved from Kenza Dali, France’s ninth taker – twice. The West Ham keeper was penalised by referee Maria Carvajal for stepping off her line, having been pushing her luck all through the shootout. Arnold got up, faced the retake and saved that too.
Arnold lost the headlines again though, when Durand made the best save of the shootout to deny Clare Hunt’s powerful strike one-handed.
Yet Australia would not be denied, and when 19-year-old Vicki Becko hit the post, Cortnee Vine – the 10th Matildas taker – kept her nerve to send Australia into football-inspired ecstasy; a state they have rarely been in before.
“The shootout was a rollercoaster for all of us,” said Australia manager Tony Gustavsson. “It seems written in the stars when Macca [Mackenzie Arnold] takes the fifth one, then you realise it’s not meant to be.
“Clare Hunt, the World Cup debutant, maybe it’s meant to be. But Vine, she is waiting around in the centre circle, to stay as composed as she does… it is unheard of mental strength.”
Gustavsson said his team were not perturbed by France changing their keeper in the 123rd minute, pointing out that the Australian men’s team did the same in their play-off for the 2022 World Cup. Andrew Redmayne saved a penalty, and Australia qualified.
“It was our plan for the shootout, we all know Durand’s qualities, she is amazing in shootouts,” France manager Renard said.
“If we had won this evening I would be king of the world, instead I am nothing by millimetres. That is why we love football.”
Renard was also full of praise for the opposition’s keeper Arnold, calling her “a goliath of a goalie” and the “winning factor.”
An even greater winning factor could be the immense belief the Matildas now have that this is their time – and the rest of Australia is on board.
“We were against an entire nation,” said Renard. “A couple of things could have gone the other way, it is hard to fight against these things. There is nothing to criticise, everyone worked exceptionally hard. I hold my head high.”
Australia are now into unchartered waters, a first ever World Cup semi-final. Asked if this upcoming week is the biggest in Australian football history, Gustavsson welcomed the hyperbole.
“I love it,” he said. “We have shown we thrive under pressure, over and over again.
“I have an unhealthy addiction to this type of games, they make you feel alive. This is what life is about, making memories with the ones you love the most. I can’t wait to make more.”
The sheer emotions felt in Australia were demonstrated in the roars of the capacity Brisbane Stadium crowd when the game began, when captain Sam Kerr was sent on as a second half sub, when Vine scored the winning penalty.
The sound of nearly 50,000 Australians singing Down Under by Men at Work after that spot-kick may have been cliched, but it also raised goosebumps.
It could have all ended so very differently. France dominated the first half of normal time against a nervous Australian side and should have scored at least once.
But they failed to capitalise, allowed the hosts to regain confidence and ultimately triumph in a manner which can only supercharge belief that they are destined to be only the second ever hosts to win a Women’s World Cup, after USA 24 years ago.
The emotions were also seen in the post-match press conference, with one Australian journalist in tears as they asked Gustavsson how much this result means to his team.
“You’re making me tear up!” he said.
“That’s why I teared up after game on field. When it is bigger than 90 minutes, bigger than sport, you think of all the hard work from everyone, the brave women who walked this path before my time. I’m extremely proud.”
Be alert for fraudsters claiming to represent public agencies, says government
PUBLISHED : 12 Aug 2023 at 20:23
The government has warned people about the increasing number of call centre scam gangs claiming to be state agencies.
Public agencies do not have a policy for contacting members of the public directly in any case, said Traisuree Taisaranakul, a deputy government spokesperson.
The warning came after it was revealed that TV news anchor Paweenamai Baikhloi had lost over one million baht after falling victim to scammers posing as officials from the Department of Land (DoL).
Ms Traisuree said most scammers normally pick agencies that work closely with people, such as the DoL, the Customs Department, or the Department of Business Development. A caller claiming to be from one of these agencies might say that victims need to update their personal information or verify information with a face scan.
She said that scammers had also been known to impersonate officers from the police, water and electricity authorities, the post office, logistics companies and financial institutions.
This week police warned about a new scam preying on university students and involving callers who claim to be from the Anti Money Laundering Office. They eventually convince young adults that they have been kidnapped in order to extort money from their parents.
Ms Traisuree said public agencies have been instructed not to contact clients over the phone or send short messages with any links to people’s mobile phones.
She also suggested that people recheck any information they receive over the phone. They can call the agencies directly, said Ms Traisuree.
In the case of the news anchor, the Department of Land issued a warning notification on Friday about the scam, in which a victim was told to click on a link sent via SMS and install a fake application, from which the scammers remotely gained access to their mobile phone.
The DoL has no authority over land tax collection, as that falls under local administrations, said Ms Traisuree.
She also suggested that people download the agencies’ applications through official app stores or contact them through verified Line accounts before proceeding with any transaction.
The Thailand Bankers’ Association (TBA) said it had suspended the victim’s three bank accounts immediately after news about the defrauded TV news anchor surfaced. It will also investigate the case. Any others who fell victim to the scam can file a complaint with police, who can freeze their financial transactions during the investigation, the TBA said.
The TBA and the Thailand Banking Sector Computer Emergency Response Team (TB-CERT) have also issued instructions (see graphic below) on how to avoid falling victim to scams.
Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, the caretaker minister of Digital Economy and Society, has promised that his ministry will develop a mechanism to support people who have fallen victim to scams.
SINGAPORE: Counting is in progress in Malaysia’s six state elections after polling closed at 6pm on Saturday (Aug 12), with unofficial results streaming in and reporting no surprises yet. Unofficial results on Free Malaysia Today show the ruling Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) coalition taking a lead in Selangor, Penang andContinue Reading
Head covered and legs bound but exact cause of death still not determined
PUBLISHED : 12 Aug 2023 at 19:07
Police have found the body of a Chinese national in a pond in Rayong. His head showed signs of injury and was covered with a black cloth while his neck and legs were tied with wires. The cause of death is under investigation.
The man was identified as Tang Zongfei, 36. Police found security video showing Tang leaving his apartment building at around 1am on Thursday, said Pol Col Chaiyapong Sangpongchai, superintendent of Pluak Daeng Police.
He did not show up to work on Friday so his colleagues looked for him at his apartment. They later found him in Bueng Pradit pond in Pluak Daeng, two kilometres away from his apartment, at 9pm on the same day.
Pol Col Chaiyapong said five of Tang’s associates, both Thai and Chinese, were summoned for questioning but no suspicious motives were observed. An examination of Tang’s apartment showed that none of his belongings were taken.
“The cause of death remains unclear. There was no indication that Tang had a row with anyone at home or in the office,” he added.
Investigators on Saturday went to the scene where the body was found and to Tang’s apartment to collect more evidence and seek more leads.
The autopsy revealed that Tang’s head had been bashed while his body did not show any signs of violence. His hands were free, unlike his neck and legs which were heavily tied with wires.
The doctor concluded that the wound on Tang’s head might not have led to his death. Rescue workers had found Tang shirtless and wearing green shorts.
Tang used to work at Zhongce Rubber Co Ltd, a wheel-manufacturing company in Amata City industrial estate in Rayong.
Parks officials locate animal after court order issued to stop damage to crops in Nakhon Si Thammarat
PUBLISHED : 12 Aug 2023 at 19:03
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A wild elephant was finally captured in Nop Phi Tham district of this southern province on Saturday, 22 days after a court order was issued for authorities to have it relocated as it was disrupting the community.
A team from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) began the operation to track “Phlai Chao Nga” on Friday night.
A pair of captive elephants owned by Wiroj Supradit, a local mahout, helped to find Phlai Chao Nga, also known as Phlai Khai Nui, in the forest and bring it out so that it could be taken elsewhere.
Infrared drones, supported by the chief of Tha Sala subdistrict administrative organisation, Apinan Chaowalit, were also deployed for the operation.
After locating Phlai Chao Nga, the search team shot a tranquilliser drug into the beast.
Once it was calm, the elephant was tied to the two captive pachyderms and brought out of the forest. It was then sent to the Protected Areas Regional Office 5 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, which is now working on its relocation.
The Nakhon Si Thammarat Administrative Court issued the relocation order on July 21 after the elephant strayed from Tai Rom Yen National Park and began damaging local residents’ crops.
Phlai Chao Nga was said to have started wandering into a village in tambon Krung Ching looking for food in January 2022, leading to complaints that crops and farmland were being destroyed.
More than 100 local people’s livelihoods were affected by the elephant roaming around the area, according to the DNP.
Insurance company alerts police after receiving nine complaints
PUBLISHED : 12 Aug 2023 at 18:05
CHON BURI: A former insurance salesman who continued to sell fake policies has been arrested in connection with damages totalling over 22 million baht, say police.
Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division arrested the 45-year-old man, identified only as Setthawut, on Saturday at a petrol station in Chon Buri. He had three outstanding warrants.
Mr Setthawut was wanted for falsifying documents, defrauding individuals and inputting false information into a computer system. The charges stemmed from the sale of life insurance policies and failure to actually set up the policies.
In January of this year, nine complaints were lodged with an insurance company, stating that despite having paid premiums for over five years, the policyholders were unable to make claims with the company.
Upon investigating the reports, the company found the victims had been provided with fraudulent documents. The estimated damages exceeded 22 million baht, prompting the company to seek police intervention.
Authorities managed to trace the documents back to Mr Setthawut, discovering he had previously been an insurance agent. Also allegedly involved was a woman, identified only as Wannasa, who had been previously arrested for falsifying documents, including bank transfer slips.
The suspect has denied all charges against him, but investigators are seeking further legal proceedings.
In theory, it is a peninsula, but actually, for all practical purposes, it is an island. South Korea is separated from the rest of the Asian continent by its intractable half-brother to the North, making any land contact with its neighbors impossible.
The gap between the reality (being an island) and the theoretical aspiration (being a peninsula) is compounded by being one of the world’s wealthiest and most dynamic locations, bordering one of the most backward and stagnant places globally, its northern half-brother.
This reality makes the Korean peninsula one of Asia’s most dangerous flash points for future strains.
Tension is on the rise around China. Saber-rattling has become frequent around Taiwan, the island de facto independent but, in theory, part of One China. Strategists’ risk assessments consider the possibility of a clash around Taiwan because the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) might attempt to invade the island.
There are also risks of skirmishes that could get out of control in the contested waters of the South China Sea between China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
A fight that gets out of hand could also start in the high altitudes of the Himalayas between Chinese and Indian troops. Yet, the North Korean scenario could be the most significant jeopardy.
It is impossible to assess Chinese intentions on all these borders. However, a war on the Korean peninsula could be less risky and more advantageous to Beijing in the present situation.
If North Korean forces were to start a bombardment of Seoul and move infantry and tanks over the ceasefire line, it could inflict the most significant damage to the Western world with the least pain to China.
The start of a conflict in South Korea could cause the collapse of the South Korean financial system, which in turn could trigger the crash of stock exchanges worldwide.
Unlike 70 years ago, at the time of the Korean War, South Korea is a crucial component of global wealth creation, and an attack on Seoul could spark a global financial tsunami. It would have the extra benefit of forcing an engagement of American troops stationed there while not engaging Chinese troops directly.
Of course, such a move would put the Pyongyang regime at risk, but North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might be tempted to action if goaded by Beijing or in a moment of total miscalculated madness.
None of these scenarios are impossible, looking at the history of North Korea, and as tension builds up around North Korea and China, either side might be tempted to get out of their actual or perceived encirclement and do something crazy for crazy returns.
Unlike any other theater, a war there, as we saw, could be reasonably safe for China. Chinese troops would risk their lives in all different scenarios, whereas Americans could take a backseat.
After a possible attack, North Korea could try to bargain its way out of the mess and hope to bolster a very precarious domestic situation.
The point is not to see if Beijing or Pyongyang will dare to move on South Korea. After the irrational and unreasonable Russian attack on Ukraine, only considering rational and reasonable calculations can’t be enough. Most of the world thought Russia would never attack Ukraine because it was wild, yet it happened.
Therefore, one must assume Kim, far more irrational and unreasonable than Russian President Vladimir Putin, could move on South Korea. Its present nuclear and missile build-up could point in that direction.
Moreover, a land attack and a bombardment of Seoul, limited in the hope of some later bargaining, is more reasonable than trying a landing on Taiwan or an engagement with enemy fleets in the South China Sea, or a significant clash with India.
An attack on Taiwan is most likely to fail. Landings are the most dangerous military maneuvers; they have often been botched.
A more significant missile attack on Taiwan could entail a more extensive retaliation from the United States and Japan, both keen on preserving the island’s political existence. A clash with the Vietnamese or the Philippine fleets in the South China Sea could spur US intervention, and the US Navy still far outguns China’s PLA-Navy.
A large conflict with India may have its rewards because China is militarily much more assertive than India along the border; however, politically, it would definitely poison the atmosphere between the two Asian giants.
A large but possibly limited war between the two Koreas could be different. China could deny its involvement and put the blame only on crazy Kim.
Yet, meanwhile, China could show its power in the region and hope to seed anxiety in the regional hostile alliance. Thus it could give Beijing greater room for maneuvering.
It’s not essential to assess if these are Beijing’s intentions. There are enough material elements that could feed suspicion on Beijing’s role as Pyongyang’s puppeteer.
Therefore, given this perception, all present North Korean military build-up could also be blamed on China for its inability to restrain the neighbor.
After China supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Beijing can ill-afford suspicions about its role with Pyongyang, especially without any sure reward from a possible war.
It puts China in a bind. China may want to use North Korea to keep South Korea, Japan and the United States at bay. However, its ability to distance itself from Pyongyang at any given moment puts Beijing in a corner. It could be blamed for many of Pyongyang’s actions.
The United States, South Korea, and Japan require China’s deeper involvement in the North Korean quandary. China might be unwilling to follow through because it has no interest in improving the life of these three countries.
At the same time, tensions with China keep piling up. Still, the war scenario and its unfathomable implications put China on the spot.
A linear way forward would be to restart the six-party talks, press North Korea to stop its nuclear and missile build-up, and help to find a peaceful solution for the future of this rump country.
Still, if China helps to solve North Korea’s problems, it possibly won’t translate into easing its general situation; if it doesn’t help, it will help to create even more tension for China all around its borders.
China might have chosen to ease the tension cautiously. At the latest Pyongyang grand event, the July 27 commemorations of the war’s end 70 years ago, Beijing’s delegation was low-key compared to Russia’s, which sent over its Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu.
But this may not be enough. Kim, with or without China’s support, has been trying to wangle his way into the limelight by showing off his latest military toys, and it muddies Beijing’s intentions, making the world suspect that the Chinese like its neighbor’s posture.
Brinkmanship here could become very difficult to manage. The communists ruling Beijing and the heirs of the KMT nationalists in Taiwan have been dealing with each other for a century. They know very well how to manage brinkmanship between themselves. The possibility of incidents and escalation is reasonably small.
However, China is not managing Kim’s brinkmanship directly, whether it wants or not to be Pyongyang’s puppeteer. Kim may be forced to toe Beijing’s line, but this has always been an extra effort.
Plus, Beijing would have to deal with Russia, which has a different Korean agenda, and the United States, Japan and South Korea. Too many balls in the air, and all very difficult to coordinate. Incidents are far more easy to happen, and so is escalation.
Therefore things can go wrong faster, and China could get hijacked into supporting a Korean conflict it doesn’t control. It could be like the Chinese initial support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, only much worse. Or Beijing could get directly involved in Korea, and things would go back to 70 years ago, again, only much worse.
Still, if properly managed, all the suspicions and doubts could be positive. They can lead to better and deeper discussions that will not turn South Korea into an actual peninsula but hopefully defuse some of the regional tensions. Without it, Korea becomes the hottest place on earth.
This essay first appeared on Settimana News and is republished with permission. The original article can be read here.
KARACHI, Pakistan: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet opposition leader Raja Riaz on Saturday (Aug 12) in a final bid to reach an agreement on a name for a caretaker premier ahead of a general election, local television channel Geo News reported. The person chosen will name a cabinetContinue Reading
The choice of caretaker prime minister has assumed heightened importance this time because the candidate will have extra powers to make policy decisions on economic matters, and amid fears the elections may be delayed by as much as six months. The Election Commission has to draw new boundaries for hundredsContinue Reading