Review: Telstra Internet Fiber Direct to the Home Set Up/ 5 G with instant 4 G Back Up. We've now had it in the new home for about 6 weeks, and I must admit, its kind of woeful compared with the more primitive set up we had at Craigieburn. Its slower and, mind you, somehow it costs us more. One computer, one smart TV kind of okay, but no hope of adding on a tablet etc as it can't/won't connect for a long long long time. Dare I try to contact Telstra? An interesting World Communications Super Company in that they are so advanced that there's no one there when you phone them. They should really replace the shonky music and ads, as you are waiting interminably, with the sound of crickets in a field at night.

Update The Ukraine

More 'news' from the Ukrainian Military Advertising Folk noting huge land gains by their brave forces.

I do tend to doubt that completely.

I think Russia has made the gains it wished to make, has incorporated those Eastern provinces into formal Russian Law, & so has achieved its goal: a strong buffer zone to prevent further Western threat and intimidation. The Russian job now is just to enforce the new borders between itself and what remains of Ukraine. 300,000 Russian army conscripts can do that.

Russia will loosen its tenacious grip on the Southern Ports, (whilst keeping The Crimea for good until Ukraine pays its 20 billion euro gas bill- well in arrears now), as a negotiation tool in a month or two.

Germany will seek diplomatic ends, as the peace maker about to go broke, and the rest of Europe will comply.

The USA will be sidelined, but will put on their usual lying/winning face, in regards to the matter before winter grips Europe, and Russian gas flows again, just in time, especially for Germany.

Most of the stockpile of US and European weapons in the Ukraine will continue be sold off at great profit for the Ukrainian elite to unstable African regimes, as they are doing now.

Peace will come about this way for Europe.

There will be strife in Africa to come, for sure, though...but who in the West cares about Africa? Only China cares about Africa in the present age.

In the meantime, the Western Journalists will stay in their comfortable hotels in Ukrainian cities, and just be taken out on day trips by the Ukrainian Advertising executives, to be told the news and to photograph stuff, and report with serious demeanours how Ukraine is actually winning, far away from anywhere or anyone dangerous, before it gets too cold there, and it will get cold.

China and Poverty

I haven't ever been jealous of other people's possessions, houses, cars etc. I am fortunate that I have always had a little money, which, to me, is essential and is much like oxygen. One does not need a lot, but enough to live with.
I think in any world recession/depression the problem is that a great majority of folk will not have enough, whilst those who have plenty will still demand plenty, and even more.
This is when it will get nasty, and, for good reason.
When you look back a little time, at what was called the Arab Spring, where many countries demonstrated and rebelled against their governments, it was not because of a high calling to American democracy or even representation, it was simply that as money got tight, the ruling class still had to have their growing share...and took it, and the rest of the people had, really, no food.
When you look back further at, say, the Tiananmen rebellion in China, in the capital, Beijing, it wasn't about a rising need for democracy at all, no matter how the West paints that time. It was simply that the price of cooking oil became too high for people to afford, and the huge money went into the pockets of corrupt folk in both government and emerging private industry.
I think the Chinese have learned well that people must be considered in any social equation. The Chinese people remain capable of the biggest bloodiest most horrific revolution ever, anytime, and one that has no endpoint and no resolution, one that would pretty well doom the world back to the stone age, unless the needs of people are considered. I'm sure the government of China is well aware of this. Because of this at-home awareness of consequences, I expect China and the people of China, will do okay in these darkening times.

Wyndham Plumbing, here in Melton, did a great job...Fast, quality, economical.

Wyndham Plumbing Group, Melton Victoria

As for our plumbing issues, we've decided to employ a company called Wyndham Plumbing Group, rather than try again with the Scottish shyster fellow who dropped by the other day. Wyndham is coming on Thursday. Their job is to fix 1: a leaking tap connection to the washing machine, and 2: a washer issue in one of the shower taps. I can't do that due to not having the skillset nor any of the tools.
We have paid them $130 to turn up... sometime that day...and await their diagnostic skills and fast repairs. I will be sure to well publicise their work.

Our Coward Journalists

Our Cowards in Journalism

Independent information from Ukraine notes that 70% of all American and UK and European weapons are not getting to the war front at all but are being sold off to Ukraine Government suppliers to mostly African countries in various states of despair and forment.

Ukraine has always been like that. It remains the most corrupt state in Europe and the West totally supports it in this form. It its the conduit in Europe of weapons, drugs and child sex trafficking.

It isn't possible at the moment for Western media to report anything much as the reporters are staying in nice hotels far from the action, and then being taken on whats called Dog & Pony shows by Ukrainian managers for occasional photo opportunities to inspire hate for their brother Russians. 

They are doing a great job. Zelensky and his marketers can not do anything bad or wrong, nor have they ever done anything like that. When has there ever been a critical statement? Is that realistic? Hmmm.

It is the nature of human beings to be somewhat cowards in the face of war, even when they have the job of being 'war correspondents'. Both cowards, and careerists, more intent of validating their 'wartime experiences' for audiences at home and for their future career progression, whilst sweating it out in nice hotels, waiting to be handed today's news by their Ukrainian managers over a nice breakfast.

Journalism has been like this for some time now, since the US noticed what free journalists would actually report in Vietnam, if allowed to. This was devastating to the 'war effort', to have truth come into it at all. Everything must be imbedded and controlled. Journalists have been willingly shut down and milk fed ever since in all the various wars.

True, Truth is the first victim in any conflict. Whilst the war goes on, the big money is being made by the weapons sellers in Ukraine, very important folk in the government, and in weaponising many African dictatorships for the present and future.

I do not support Ukraine in this matter. I am disgusted that Australian funds are being given freely to such high flying shysters, and that such shysters are being totally protected by 'real' journalists.

On Russia, Europe, and the Ukraine

Well, my colleague Liz, now in the UK informs me, the price for a litre of gasoline is now, in the UK, in Australia Dollars, $3.75.

Which is what we can expect here as time goes past the 6 month of the Federal Government excise subsidy here.

So, that's a lot!

As for how this will play out across Europe...and the UK, it will get higher in price, as will travelled food etc, and a lot higher.

This is the European Summer so no great pressure on heating oil/gas fuel etc yet...but that will come as the seasons change towards winter there.

Without Russian oil/gas, Europe will freeze and also have to pay exorbitant amounts for a bit of fuel from other countries, who will, wow, certainly make a killing profit.

So, what does this mean to the Moral Decision regarding the Ukraine?

1: Will the West/European Governments allow and make stricter the current embargoes on Russian stuff, or do they wish to actually stay in power? These are real politicians, not the Ethical Masters of the Universe.

2: Will there be a massive world recession without Russian gas, or a big but managed one, with it? Will more dodgy democracies fall, as Sri Lanka has already?

How much money will Europe keep pouring into the Ukraine, for weapons, rebuilding etc...when even under its current populist Zelensky Government, it remains still the most corrupt state/government in Europe, and yet our heroes?

Prior to winter, I would suggest that the EU will make a gesture of acknowledgment that Russia has/owns/controls/moderates the Eastern Provinces of Ukraine as their own, and Europe will put the brakes on the Ukrainian military, and Russia in response will enable the export of grains etc from the South sea ports, & turn on the gas to Europe, thus preventing the collapse of Europe and a further grain/famine decimation of the nations of Africa and Asia, etc.

I doubt Mr Putin will suddenly become a nice guy...as it hasn't happened so far...nor can he be in any way 'contained' by the West regarding his changes to the wobbly/plasticine Ukrainian Eastern provinces and borders, mostly full of Russians anyway.

So, I would expect a reasonable resolution, all Ethics aside, certainly before the snows of winter in Europe.

Australia Federal Election approaching

I thought a good Federal Labor ticket would be Penny Wong as PM with Sally McManus as Deputy, and I still think Ms Wong would be best, but Sally McManus has lost a lot of credibility over the past few years doing nothing to progress salary increases for ACTU members in a whole decade, whilst happy to kowtow with the Morrison regime, and, basically, 'corporatising' the ACTU elite...so I'd have to look away from her as being a 'hopeful'. A waste. Sally would have to show some mettle that she hasn't yet displayed at all. A decade is a long time to just hang around building your power base and not delivering anything.

and not delivering anything.

With the subjugation of Mariupol, the Russia will be looking towards both incorporating the Eastern provinces, Donesk etc, and also swinging around to take Odessa, I would expect.

By taking Odessa, the Russians would then control part of the pathway into Transnistria, which is very important. Transnistria is that place without passports or any national control where all the things that shouldn't happen in Europe happen in Europe. The Great Conduit for spies, weapons, trafficking, terror etc from all sides make free use of Transnistria. To off-load the weapons pouring into Ukraine, you use Transnistria to get them out to Africa for sale.

Since my last post in early March about The Ukraine, well, the war continues, as wars tend to do.

Most of the news reports we get here are more like advertising than anything else.

Define the bad guy, dehumanise him, and keep saying we are winning and he is losing, even when he is doing just fine.

That's the Free Media, that's what it does.

UKRAINE & RUSSIA

I think the big problem for Ukraine at the moment is that it probably won't exist soon. Many calls for EURO membership, as usual, and even NATO membership, as always expected. 

Ukraine has tried to use its critical position, and it is certainly in a critical position, to draw funds from both Russia and Europe over the decades and sometimes, like now, everyone gets sick of it. Ukraine needs to restructure its economy so that most of the economy is not bled away in corruption. The 'system' must change.

There is corruption in all states, but Ukraine really has 'made a meal' of it for a long time, playing on Russia's fear of the West, and on the West's fear of Russia to get every bit of money possible to give away to important people through corruption, rather than to actually run a country. It can't pay its Gas Bill to Russia. Germany can. Everyone else can, and Ukraine gets the cheapest gas of anyone. But both Ukraine and Germany still get masses of Russian gas. The Russians haven't turned off the gas...but they do expect Ukraine to pay the debt, and the debt is huge.

Not that I'm judging, but...

I read an article in a today's Melbourne Newspaper by an Andrew Bolt who apparently types up stuff for them on Mondays, and he wrote about us taking the initiative now, and how we should be waging war on China.

He writes with the genius of a 59 year old boy who hasnt learned how to masturbate properly yet. No, Andrew, not your own dick in your own arse, no. No, don't do that. Well, at least try not to.

Not judging at all, just noticing his tremulous vibrant excitement with the sexual-hubritic theme in middle age. Is that a wig? A 'piece'...Just a little one? Just in the centre there? Looks like one to me.

Goodness me, he does stand out from the crowd, even with someone else's hair. Mind you, you hope there aren't many in that crowd, but still, he is a worry.

He looks like many others of his ilk, but he is different. He's mad as fuck. He's even madder than that. He's mad as fucking fuck.

I guess that it's good that profound mental illness has totally lost its stigma at least in Melbourne on Mondays. Well done Newspaper Editors...Yep, THAT'S real diversity.

February, 23rd , 2022

January Meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Xie.

Putin:

"I'm going to take Ukraine. I have to. They won't pay their gas bill."

Xie:

"Oh, Duh! It's pretty obvious you guys are on the move. Look Vlad, can you do it after the Winter Olympics?"

Putin:

"Sure, but it has to be February, or the Thaw slows everything down. Too muddy then. Awful trudging."

Xie:

"Can you hold off til, say, have you got a calendar, ah, let's see...can you not invade before Wednesday the 23rd?"

Putin: "The 23rd it is. Early AM. Shock and Awe. Ukraine time."

Xie: "As needs be. I bet you're shittin' your pants worried about Australia's response."

Putin: "Who? Hahahahaha. Oh, yeah, the Fat Lobster People."

Xie: "How long do you think it'll take?"

Putin: "Oh, about 3 days, I reckon."

Xie: "What then?"

Putin: "Pax Russia. Peace in our time, for a long time. I'll go horse riding. It's what I do."

The soon coming Australia Government Election

Federally, at the coming election, I'd like to see a Government that had a capacity to build consensus for Australia to achieve worthy goals as a country.

I'd like to see more importance given to the Social Cost to the people, the Real Commonwealth, than to the Economic Costs to a few billionaires and media moguls.

I'd like to see the Great and Small Religions have a far lesser role in determinations regarding a definition of a healthy modern human society.

I think Federal Elections should only happen every 5 years and on a definite date each time to lessen the crazy pork-barrelling of gifts to pressure groups just prior to elections, and to enable a longer term plan for the country where those who introduce changes are held responsible for their work. Thus, accountability in the short-medium term.

I have no great pride in the Australian Labor Party, especially the current one, but Labor does have a historical social capacity to improve lives. The Liberals have a history of tearing down things and wanting the Market to solve problems that are not of the Market.

I would like to see a strong reinforcement of Award Conditions rather than what is happening with this awful desperate atrocious demeaning gig-notion of an economy.

I would appreciate a Government that did good things overall to the benefit of the most people. I would appreciate a Government that did these things conscientiously, quietly, and without having any leader needing to have a daily press meeting espousing and marketing themselves every day.

I would appreciate a leadership that was far more about the consensus of, say, a Caucus of 5 reasonably intelligent well informed people rather than the populist barking of one.

I would like to see Penny Wong as Prime Minister. Smart, considered, somewhat bureaucratic, not in your face every day, and genuinely honest.

So, I would hope for a Labor victory this year. Not for what Labor is just now, but for what it could be. I know what a Liberal Government will be: Day after the election, should they win: well, no, economically, we can't give anyone wage rises, especially nurses, there are too many of them and they're too expensive....with the payroll going to Business Leaders living in New York and London.

World News Round Up

Fitz Recent News World Round Up:

North Korea is doing reasonably well. The Great Leader is losing weight and looking good. Yes, we know he is a cunt, but then again, so is the leader of Saudi Arabia, and they are our true friends. So is the King of Thailand.

China is doing well. The One Belt One Road rapid development means less reasons to have any trouble with the war mongering USA, now and as time goes by. China is making the trade routes of the South China Sea far less important to themselves. China is quite smart and doesnt turn good into evil on a 3 or 5 year election news cycle.

If Ukraine wants to Avoid a War with Russia, they should pay their Gas Bill. No one in the West will hand out 20 billion euros that Ukraine haven't paid to Russia over the last few decades. The Russians still haven't cut off the Gas, so Ukraine isn't currently freezing to death, which is a nice gesture. Thank you, Russia.

No, Ukraine will not become a member of the EU or NATO. Too much endemic corruption...and they don't pay any of their bills. You try and do that with Ergon or Telstra.

Some poor girl was shot and died in Australia, but they have the perpetrators in custody, so thats good. Law and Reason prevail.

Someone won the Australian of the Year Award, but it wasn't me. The whole thing is a scam, maybe even a conspiracy.

The Australian Treasurer is saying the economy is in great shape. If they win again, he will say how awful things are, and that nurses, in particular, certainly can't get a pay rise.

On Russia and the Ukraine

Well, Russia keeps getting somewhat annoyed with Ukraine, next door. I understand why. For 30 years Russia supplied cheap as chips natural gas to Ukraine, expecting that they would actually pay the gas bill. It must be over US$20 billion in debt now.

Ukraine never paid a cent. They built a beautiful golden parliament, massive highways, good schools, airports, train lines, great hospitals, etc and the government of Ukraine got disgustingly rich. Then, Europe and the USA, being entrepreneurial, said "Hey, Ukraine, how about joining us to fuck up Russia?? And Ukraine said..."Yeah! We're up for it if we can join NATO." "Of course you can... but you have to work out the gas bill with Russia. maybe they'll cancel the debt? Try them! Doesn't hurt to try?! Just don't pay it, and cry poor! Fuck em. Russian Bastards! Who would say No to that?"

Vladimir Putin said...No.

Russia excised Crimea as a loan-deposit on the gas bill, but, time goes by, and its time for Ukraine to pay the gas bill. The Russians, being somewhat nice, still haven't turned off the gas.

the USA has offered to supply Ukraine with gas, but, at about ten times the price of good clean Russian gas... and Ukraine can't afford that. Everyone will freeze to death there.

Russia and Ukraine: It aint no ideologicl war between good and bad. Its just, for Ukraine, time to pay the gas bill. The Debt Collectors are out and about on the border.

If Ukraine can't pay the Russian gas bill, they are not an economy that Europe would want amongst them, anyway. "You work it out with Russia...and, um, well, we'll be here...go on, fuck them up. Fuck up Putin. We don't like him."

Vladimir Putin said "No." 

That's all that's going on. Negotiation.

I guess the rationale for the USA not wanting a Peace Declaration between North and South Korea, is the same reason they do not want Taiwan to be an Independent Nation, as much as China doesn't want that.

An independent nation, like a unified Korea, or an Independent nation, Taiwan, would remove the need for the USA to have any role there at all. Their presence would be totally unnecessary...as it really is. Go on home, US soldiers, go on home. Have you got no fucking home of your own?

Towards peace on the Peninsula

Visit Website

DAILY NEWS UPDATEYour briefing on all things North Korea Latest Headlines US, ROK have ‘effectively’ agreed on draft text of end-of-war declaration: Seoul - by Chaewon Chung South Korean foreign minister says US reaffirmed support but mum on how they will address North Korea’s preconditions Visit NK News for More North Korea puts ‘rural problem’ on agenda as party meeting extended - by Colin Zwirko Kim Jong Un made speeches during first two days of party plenum, but state media has yet to release full details Visit NK News for More What to expect from the planned US black hat intelligence center in South Korea - by Nick Miller Details are short on $149 million project, but it is likely to focus on opposing North Korean threats in cyberspace Visit NK Pro for More Washington rejects ‘strategic patience’ label for Biden’s North Korea policy - by Chaewon Chung State Department says US pursues dialogue with DPRK, after White House earlier stressed ‘step-by-step’ approach Visit NK News for More Ex-USFK commander says joint war plans should address China. Seoul isn’t happy. - by Jeongmin Kim Gen. Robert Abrams’s comments have stirred controversy in South Korea, drawing criticism from left and praise from right Visit NK News for More A diplomat’s life: Parting advice for those going to work in North Korea - by Taylor Darby Foreigners must learn to accept the political system but remain critical, while caring for their own mental health Visit NK News for More The latest from the podcast The biggest North Korea stories of 2021 – NKNews Podcast Ep. 215 The NK News team discusses Kim Jong Un’s health, the DPRKs new ‘dark age’ and their predictions for the year ahead Listen to the full episode here Top NK stories from around the web Family of official killed by N. Korea steps up legal battle for info disclosure(Yonhap News)The family of a South Korean fisheries official killed by North Korea's military near the western sea border last year applied for an injunction Wednesday to stop the presidential office's information on the official's death from being designated as access-restricted presidential records. Defectors’ remittances to N. Korea down 18% in 2021 amid pandemic: NGO(The Korea Herald)Remittances from North Korean defectors to their families living across the inter-Korean border fell by 18.2 percent while Pyongyang has maintained a border lockdown for two years and strengthened controls over its society, Seoul-based nongovernmental organizations said in a joint report. 7 out of 10 S. Koreans see China as biggest threat: poll(Yonhap News)Seven out of 10 South Koreans chose China as the biggest security threat to their country among the neighbors, excluding North Korea, a survey showed Wednesday. S. Korea conducted Dokdo defense drills last week: sources(Yonhap News)South Korea conducted regular military drills to strengthen the defense of its easternmost islets of Dokdo last week, multiple sources said Wednesday, amid lingering tensions caused by Japan's persistent claims to the East Sea outcroppings. Seoul's top diplomat notes 'original sin' over wartime sexual slavery(Yonhap News)South Korea's top diplomat called on Japan on Wednesday to show flexibility for progress in joint efforts to address the issue of Tokyo's wartime sexual slavery, raising a fundamental question of where the "original sin" lies.

NK Ballistic

Visit Website

DAILY NEWS UPDATEYour briefing on all things North Korea Latest Headlines North Korea fires ‘likely ballistic missile’ toward east coast: South Korea - by Colin Zwirko, Jeongmin Kim Test comes days after political event in Pyongyang where Kim Jong Un vowed to continue bolstering weapons capabilities Visit NK News for More Back with a bang: North Korea’s missile test is a sign of things to come in 2022 - by James Fretwell Short-range missile launches present new challenges to existing defense systems, but Kim knows he can get away scot-free Visit NK Pro for More Moon Jae-in stresses dialogue hours after North Korea test-fires missile - by Jeongmin Kim Expert says Pyongyang likely cares little what Seoul and Washington think as diplomacy unlikely to resume this year Visit NK News for More 4 flights, 48 defectors and 670K barrels of oil: North Korea’s 2021 in numbers - by Ethan Jewell Data tells the story of a year in which DPRK retreated even further inward as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on Visit NK Pro for More ROK military initially thought border crosser was fleeing to South Korea: JCS - by Chaewon Chung Investigation finds critical errors hindered response, as President Moon Jae-in condemns ‘failure of border operations’ Visit NK News for More The latest from the podcast Opening the first US news bureau in North Korea – NKNews Podcast Ep. 216 Jean Lee discusses the advantages and hurdles to doing journalism in the DPRK, working with local staff and more Listen to the full episode here Top NK stories from around the web Moon visits inter-Korean railway ceremony amid North’s firing missile(The Korea Herald)President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday reiterated his willingness to build an integrated railway network for the peace on the Korean Peninsula during a visit to a groundbreaking ceremony for railroad construction in the Jejin railway project. On the same day, the North fired a suspected ballistic missile into the sea. US must not reward N. Korea with end of war declaration before talks: Harry Harris(The Korea Herald)The United States must not give anything to North Korea, including an end of war declaration, before Pyongyang returns to the dialogue table, former US ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris said Tuesday. Balancing act between China-US not in Korea’s interest: Victor Cha(The Korea Herald)South Korea should join the democratic coalitions designed to keep China in check, instead of hedging between the US and China, which could result in Seoul having to deal with Beijing alone, says Victor Cha, a former top adviser on North Korea in the George W. Bush administration. N. Korean leaders order North Hamgyong Province to produce “model units of science education”(Daily NK)North Korea’s Ministry of Higher Education has ordered education officials in North Hamgyong Province to produce “model units of science education.” N. Korea generates “atmosphere of competition” to fulfill manure quotas(Daily NK)As North Korea wages a “battle for manure” across the country, some regions are pressuring individuals and families to cough up money if they fail to fulfill their quota. This is apparently adding to the pain suffered by North Koreans struggling with economic troubles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

UPDATE North Korea

DAILY NEWS UPDATEYour briefing on all things North Korea

Latest Headlines North Korea says it can’t attend Olympics due to ‘hostile forces,’ COVID-19 - by Colin Zwirko Pyongyang informs public of plans to skip the Beijing Winter Games, pledges support to China for successful event Visit NK News for More UNICEF says aid has cleared North Korea quarantine, on its way for distribution - by Jeongmin Kim The items were released after being stuck in DPRK port city for more than two months of quarantine Visit NK News for More North Korea’s fuel trade on pace to recover in 2022: Imagery - by Ethan Jewell Over 1,300 satellite images show how Pyongyang’s fuel trade appeared to ramp up as 2021 came to a close Visit NK Pro for More US seizes $2.4 million from four Pyongyang-linked front companies - by Ethan Jewell The companies, which the U.S. does not name, have extensive ties to well-known sanctions busters, court records show Visit NK News for More Not monolithic: The need to better understand North Korea’s internal dynamics - by Ruediger Frank Designing effective DPRK policies requires ditching narrative of ‘one heart and mind’ and recognizing diverse groups Visit NK Pro for More US, Japan launching joint research project to counter ‘hypersonic threats’ - by Chaewon Chung New initiative comes after two hypersonic missile tests by North Korea in the last four months Visit NK News for More Top North Korean construction projects all missed 2021 deadlines amid shortages - by Colin Zwirko Kim Jong Un and other top officials admitted at party plenum events that annual construction goals had not been met Visit NK News for More

The latest from the podcast Opening the first US news bureau in North Korea – NKNews Podcast Ep. 216 Jean Lee discusses the advantages and hurdles to doing journalism in the DPRK, working with local staff and more Listen to the full episode here

Top NK stories from around the web S. Korean, Japanese nuclear envoys discuss N. Korea's missile test(Yonhap News)Top nuclear envoys of South Korea and Japan had phone talks Friday to share the assessment of North Korea's latest missile test and agreed to continue efforts to resume dialogue, Seoul's foreign ministry said. S. Korea may put hypersonic missile into service by late 2020s(Hankyoreh)North Korea’s not the only one developing hypersonic missiles — South Korea is too. In August 2020, then-South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said that Korea would accelerate the development of hypersonic missiles during a ceremony on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in Daejeon. S. Korea calls N.K. claim of hypersonic missile launch 'exaggerated'(Yonhap News)South Korea's defense ministry said Friday that North Korea's claim that it has successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile this week appears to be "exaggerated," assessing Pyongyang has yet to secure technologies for such an advanced flight vehicle. N. Korea’s Central Committee: From Jan. 11, only those who fulfilled “manure quota” will be allowed into markets(Daily NK)North Korea has announced that only people who have fulfilled their manure quota will be permitted to enter markets, Daily NK has learned. Appeals court upholds 3 1/2-year prison term for NK defector over spy activities(The Korea Herald)An appeals court upheld a 3 1/2-year prison term for a North Korean defector charged with spying for Pyongyang, court officials said Friday.