Tensions continue to build in the South China Sea after Chinese navy reportedly told a US spy plane to leave eight times.
According to CNN reporters on board the US spy plane, the P8-A
Poseidon, American pilots once responded to the request to leave by
saying they were in international airspace to which came the reply “This
is the Chinese navy … you go!”.
CNN reporters say the plane flew at 4,500 meters at its lowest altitude.
Speaking on Chinese government television station CNTV, Spokesman for
China’s foreign ministry Hong Lei said he was unaware of the incident
and that he hoped the US would respect China’s authority in the South
China Sea.
“China has the right to engage in monitoring in the relevant air
space and waters to protect the country’s sovereignty and prevent
accidents at sea,” he said.
He also emphasized China’s right to monitor their air space and condemned the US for their surveillance.
“The recent surveillance activity by a U.S. plane posed potential
threats to China’s islands and reefs, making it highly possible to lead
to misjudgment, which could cause maritime or air accidents.”
“The move is very irresponsible and dangerous, putting regional peace
and stability in jeopardy. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction,”
he said.
Australia was drawn into the tension after China warned against the possibility of Australia hosting a US B1-bomber.
Both Australia and The US have since denied claims that the Northern
Territory would host an American B1-Bomber after the US Assistant
Defence Secretary David Shear “Mispoke” that one would be included as a
part of America’s strategy to combat Chinese aggression in the South
China Sea.
“I’ve sought some information about the testimony provided in
Washington by an official. I understand that the official misspoke and
that the U.S. does not have any plans to base those aircraft in
Australia,” said Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Speaking to the Australian Financial Review Lei expressed concerns over Secretary Shear’s comments.
“It is China’s stand that co-operation between countries should
promote the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia Pacific area and it
should be carried out in a constructive way,” he said.
The disputed areas form part of a major trade route and with a close
proximity to Australia some security experts have concerns about an
inevitable involvement from Australia.
Saturday, 23 May 2015
Saturday, 9 May 2015
The cost of fair report
The prisoner, skeletal and hallowed like he has endured months of
torture, kneels on the ground and hands bound behind his back. His
orange robes hang off him giving the appearance they once fit the man he
used to be. Beside him stand an Islamic state militant, clad in black, a
balaclava covering his face. In his hand a haunting machete. We’ve seen
it all too many times before, we know how this story ends. But still we
watch.
Of course we watch, or listen, the message the videos are exactly as terrifying as they are meant to be. There is no reason we wouldn’t be scared and that’s exactly what they want.
In the past journalists have been used as Joe Blow’s window to the war. Previous military campaigns saw journalists play a vital role in showing the average white collar worker what was going on in distant lands where fighting took place. They often strived to bring home news of triumph and victory. But as the nature of both war and journalism have changed in recent years and perhaps it is time we reconsider the role of journalists in conflict.
While most of the wars the world has seen until now were about on the ground fighting, dropping bombs and governments exchanging threats, the conflict with the Islamic State is something entirely different. IS are an extremely tech-savvy organisation that employ strong social media tactics in almost everything they do from recruitment and propaganda to executions. It is not uncommon for IS militants to make social media declarations before, during, or after attacks. It is clear they are using it as a way to promote fear and exercise power. US security expert, Brian Jenkins once said that “terrorism is theatre” and this is exactly what he meant.
Scholars Alex Peter Schmid and Janny de Graaf explained terrorism in terms of communication. The success or failure of an act of terrorism is determined by the size of its audience, not the number of casualties. Using this logic we should think that if the media were to seize reporting on acts of terror by IS they might just seize to have the impact and influence they do.
But why then do we continue to feed into this terror cycle? Put simply, it sells. Of course there are more philosophical reasons about the public’s right to know and the duty of the journalist. But perhaps it was time we had the discussion of whether it is worth the toll it is taking.
Of course we watch, or listen, the message the videos are exactly as terrifying as they are meant to be. There is no reason we wouldn’t be scared and that’s exactly what they want.
In the past journalists have been used as Joe Blow’s window to the war. Previous military campaigns saw journalists play a vital role in showing the average white collar worker what was going on in distant lands where fighting took place. They often strived to bring home news of triumph and victory. But as the nature of both war and journalism have changed in recent years and perhaps it is time we reconsider the role of journalists in conflict.
While most of the wars the world has seen until now were about on the ground fighting, dropping bombs and governments exchanging threats, the conflict with the Islamic State is something entirely different. IS are an extremely tech-savvy organisation that employ strong social media tactics in almost everything they do from recruitment and propaganda to executions. It is not uncommon for IS militants to make social media declarations before, during, or after attacks. It is clear they are using it as a way to promote fear and exercise power. US security expert, Brian Jenkins once said that “terrorism is theatre” and this is exactly what he meant.
Scholars Alex Peter Schmid and Janny de Graaf explained terrorism in terms of communication. The success or failure of an act of terrorism is determined by the size of its audience, not the number of casualties. Using this logic we should think that if the media were to seize reporting on acts of terror by IS they might just seize to have the impact and influence they do.
But why then do we continue to feed into this terror cycle? Put simply, it sells. Of course there are more philosophical reasons about the public’s right to know and the duty of the journalist. But perhaps it was time we had the discussion of whether it is worth the toll it is taking.
Saturday, 25 April 2015
Environmental Refugees: the discussion we need to have
Two of the most hotly debated topics in Australian news media are
that of refugee intake and the impacts of climate change. So why is it
that we never hear of them together? The United Nations High Commission
for Refugees says that 36 million people globally were displaced by
natural disasters in 2009 – the last year that a report of this nature
was produced. While we have always had, and always will, have natural
disasters, climate change is increasing their severity. Scientists are
predicting that the number of environmentally displaced persons could
rise to anywhere from 50-200 million by the year 2050. More than just
natural disasters, climate change will displace people from their
regions due to drought, flood, and sea level rises in coastal regions.
This is an issue that needs to be discussed more, and in greater detail, in Australian media and culture in order for a solution to be found and agreed upon before immediate action is required. Khalid Koser is the Executive Director of the Global Community Engagement and resilience Fund. He says that now is the time to plan for the arrival of environmental refugees arriving in Australia.
“This is an opportunity to plan ahead of time to ensure Australia has as much control as possible on the number of migrates that may be admitted, their profile, the conditions of their arrival, the length of their stay, and the rights to which they will be entitled,” he said.
Currently environmental refugees are not protected under any international law and their migration can cause social and economic problems, particularly when people from regional or coastal areas are forced to migrate to urban areas where their skills, i.e. as a farmer, aren’t required or there is a clash with local ethnic groups.
This is an issue that needs to be discussed more, and in greater detail, in Australian media and culture in order for a solution to be found and agreed upon before immediate action is required. Khalid Koser is the Executive Director of the Global Community Engagement and resilience Fund. He says that now is the time to plan for the arrival of environmental refugees arriving in Australia.
“This is an opportunity to plan ahead of time to ensure Australia has as much control as possible on the number of migrates that may be admitted, their profile, the conditions of their arrival, the length of their stay, and the rights to which they will be entitled,” he said.
Currently environmental refugees are not protected under any international law and their migration can cause social and economic problems, particularly when people from regional or coastal areas are forced to migrate to urban areas where their skills, i.e. as a farmer, aren’t required or there is a clash with local ethnic groups.
Saturday, 4 April 2015
No relief for Philippines as Typhoon Maysak weakens
Despite predictions the category five typhoon will weaken to a
tropical storm before making landfall on Sunday morning, Philippine
authorities are preparing for the worst.
Interior Undersecretary Austere Panadero said police and local government units are preparing to move thousands of people before the worst of the storm hits, even if it means forced evacuations.
The weather bureau is warning that the former “super typhoon” could cause landslides, flash flooding, high tides, costal erosion and coastal flooding in the worst hit areas.
Maysak is expected to hit approximately 300km north of the Philippine capital Manila, and should have minimal impact but there is still potential for flash flooding and power outages due to fallen trees in the city.
Typhoon Maysak is currently situated about 455km east of Manila and is anticipated to make landfall over the central or northern part of the main Philippine Island, Luzon, around 9am local time on Sunday.
Strong winds and rains are expected to hit the eastern facing coasts on Saturday evening.
The system currently has sustained winds of 150km per hour with gusts of up to 185km per hour down from its peak of almost 260km per hour on Tuesday.
It is predicted that Maysak will continue to weaken before making landfall due to a combination of dry air and wind shear.
The Philippiness will be the second region to take the brunt of Maysak after the system hit the small Micronesian island of Ulithi on Tuesday.
The main Micronesian state of Chuuk declared a state of emergency after the island was devastated by the Typhoon while it was at its peak on Tuesday.
Ulithi has a population of less than 1000 and at least five people were killed by the disaster.
Guampdn.com reports that at least 95% of houses in the region were destroyed, leaving thousand displaced.
Interior Undersecretary Austere Panadero said police and local government units are preparing to move thousands of people before the worst of the storm hits, even if it means forced evacuations.
The weather bureau is warning that the former “super typhoon” could cause landslides, flash flooding, high tides, costal erosion and coastal flooding in the worst hit areas.
Maysak is expected to hit approximately 300km north of the Philippine capital Manila, and should have minimal impact but there is still potential for flash flooding and power outages due to fallen trees in the city.
Typhoon Maysak is currently situated about 455km east of Manila and is anticipated to make landfall over the central or northern part of the main Philippine Island, Luzon, around 9am local time on Sunday.
Strong winds and rains are expected to hit the eastern facing coasts on Saturday evening.
The system currently has sustained winds of 150km per hour with gusts of up to 185km per hour down from its peak of almost 260km per hour on Tuesday.
It is predicted that Maysak will continue to weaken before making landfall due to a combination of dry air and wind shear.
The Philippiness will be the second region to take the brunt of Maysak after the system hit the small Micronesian island of Ulithi on Tuesday.
The main Micronesian state of Chuuk declared a state of emergency after the island was devastated by the Typhoon while it was at its peak on Tuesday.
Ulithi has a population of less than 1000 and at least five people were killed by the disaster.
Guampdn.com reports that at least 95% of houses in the region were destroyed, leaving thousand displaced.
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Mum, Happy birthday
I recently read Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. In this book the main
character has a guardian called Silas who springs from nowhere to have
Bod in impossible situations. As a reader you know that this character
is a hyperbole, no one can be like that. But for me, my parents aren't
far off. They have been my savior while on the other side of the world.
My Mum is my hero. She is the kindest and most passionate woman I have ever met. Through all the trials and tribulations of raising three children the only time I have ever seen her temper waver is when talking about social injustices in the world. There is nothing that matters to her more than the wellbeing of others and if that isn't the most beautiful trait then I don't know what is.
Happy birthday Mum, I love you so much.
My Mum is my hero. She is the kindest and most passionate woman I have ever met. Through all the trials and tribulations of raising three children the only time I have ever seen her temper waver is when talking about social injustices in the world. There is nothing that matters to her more than the wellbeing of others and if that isn't the most beautiful trait then I don't know what is.
Happy birthday Mum, I love you so much.
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Brisbane Events, Brisbane Blogs and Brisbane Journalism: Building your personal brand
I want to step back in time for a moment, in week three of the semester we received a lecture about how we should market ourselves as a brand. Clumsily, I took the wrong notebook to class that day and today I rediscovered those notes in the midst of a note taking frenzy in my Radio and Television class. Reading over the notes I'm reminded of both the importance of the lecture content, and of keeping up with lecture notes.
Branding Yourself
Be you
One of the things that most resonated with me was the instruction to be yourself and to use blogging as a platform to find your voice. Scrolling back through posts in this blog from the beginning of last year when it was born to now there a many noticeable voices used. Over the past year and a half my blogging voice has varied from straight up news reader to Carrie Bradshaw and I suppose that's okay. We're allowed to change, grow and experiment in every aspect of our lives including the way we write and it's okay not to have everything sorted out at the age of 20.
How to build a blog
The keys to a quality blog, as explained in the lecture, are a combination of the following:
Making it work
Your content can be clever as anything or funny as you like but if your blog is sporadic and one sided it's unlikely you'll gain much of a following. To give your blog roots there are a few simple guidelines to follow:
Good luck
Branding Yourself
Be you
One of the things that most resonated with me was the instruction to be yourself and to use blogging as a platform to find your voice. Scrolling back through posts in this blog from the beginning of last year when it was born to now there a many noticeable voices used. Over the past year and a half my blogging voice has varied from straight up news reader to Carrie Bradshaw and I suppose that's okay. We're allowed to change, grow and experiment in every aspect of our lives including the way we write and it's okay not to have everything sorted out at the age of 20.
How to build a blog
The keys to a quality blog, as explained in the lecture, are a combination of the following:
- Solid content,
- Solid community engagement, and
- Knowing your topic.
- Inform,
- Inspire,
- Add value,
- Solve problems,
- Entertain, etc.
Making it work
Your content can be clever as anything or funny as you like but if your blog is sporadic and one sided it's unlikely you'll gain much of a following. To give your blog roots there are a few simple guidelines to follow:
- Start a conversation
- Ask readers what they think of issues, ask for their stories and opinions, show that you value their input.
- Be consistent
- Post regularly - morning is a good time to post.
- Be Persistant
- Okay so you're a student with 50 followers on twitter and a few hundred friends on Facebook. Don't expect your blog to make you the next Michelle Phan straight away.
- Engage in social media and on other blogs
- For people to be able to find your blog you'll need to be present in a lot more places than just your blog, tweet, google +, tumblr, instagram, Youtube and engage in other people's blogs as much as you can. If you want to make people feel comfortable interacting with you on your space try visiting theirs and talking to them there first.
- Share other people's blogs as you share your own.
- If you're expecting others to share your blog around be prepared to return the favor. What goes around comes around and if you want that to be your blog make sure you're supporting other people in the blogging community.
Good luck
Thursday, 25 September 2014
Dogs kept calm with synthetic pheromones at the RSPCA's Big Adopt Out
 |
| Photo: RSPCA |
With all the excitement of Saturday’s Big Adopt Out which successfully rehomed 129 dogs, calming pheromones were needed to ensure the happiness of the 300 dogs present at the event.
Over 30 animal rescue groups gathered at the Brisbane Show Grounds for a day of dog adoption, education and family activities including live music and guest speakers as well as a jumping castle.
...
Photos provided by the RSPCA
Managing director of the Queensland RSPCA, Sheila Collecott, says that a synthetic pheromone was applied to the bandannas or collars of the dogs at the event in a effort to keep the dogs calm in an exciting environment.
“A lot of the dogs here, you’ll see them wearing bandanas so we’ve actually put a pheromone on the bandanas to help them relax a bit.
“For some dogs it makes a big difference, for some dogs it doesn’t,” she said.
The synthetic pheromone is commercially available from the company Ceva in the forms of sprays, collars and defusers.
Ceva representative Shonaugh Briscoe says the chemical used was a synthetic version of a pheromone that occurs naturally in female dogs.
“It’s a replica of a pheromone that’s produced by dogs in nature.
“In a natural situation when a female dog has puppies, a few days after giving birth to the puppies, while she’s lactating she starts to secrete this pheromone from around her belly area.
That pheromone is designed to calm the puppies and help them to feel relaxed and reassured around their mother and Ceva has managed to create a synthetic replica of that pheromone,” she said.
The use of pheromones was one of many strategies employed by the RSPCA to ensure the wellbeing of the dogs, most of which are not used to the large groups of people attending Saturday’s event, says Collecott.
“It can be stressful for the animals but that’s why we’ve got handlers with all the animals so that they can work with the animals and constantly be doing reinforcement and trying to keep them calm.
“Also by having people next to them, they’re not in crates. It’s like having their owner next to them so they’re a lot more comfortable with that but a lot of the dogs are not used to this amount of people so it can be stressful for them,” she said.
Awesome day at the @RSPCAQld #bigadoptout - the @LabRescueAU kissing booth was a success! pic.twitter.com/RHaZMjUhZ7
— Carley McHugh (@Carley_Maree901) September 20, 2014
This was the second year for the RSPCA’s Big Adopt Out which was modelled after an event run by American rescue organisation Best Friends, says Collecott.
The event is one of many run by the RSPCA throughout the year to raise awareness and to prompt companion seekers to adopt rather than buy from breeders.
Dog abandonment is a big problem in Queensland and throughout Australia with upwards of 40,000 dogs being received by the RSPCA each year.
Fortunately figures are showing that dog abandonment and surrender are on a downward trend.
 |
| Data provided by the RSPCA |
See here for a list of dog rescue centres in Brisbane and surrounding areas.
Monday, 22 September 2014
This Week in Brisbane: 22nd September
This Week
King George Square games night
5pm-9pm Thursday 25th
100 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Free event
Event website
Riverfire
7pm Saturday 27th
Over the Brisbane river, near South Bank
Free event
Event website
100 Horse commemorative ride
12pm-6pm Saturday 27th
Gather along Adelaide St (between George and Creek streets)
Free event
Event website
Marcia Hines live in Queen St Mall
1pm Sunday 28th
Queen St Mall
Free Event
Event Website
Brisbane Festival Events
Brisbane Airport Light Garden
Nightly September 6th-26th
Southbank Parklands
Free event
Event website
Exxopolis
10am – 6:30pm, September 6th-26th
South Bank Parklands
Tickets $7-$16
Event website
Do Do Land
6:45-7:30, September 6th-27th
Reddacliff Place Stage, 266 George St
Free event
Event website
What to find more events happening in Brisbane?
King George Square games night
5pm-9pm Thursday 25th
100 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Free event
Event website
Riverfire
7pm Saturday 27th
Over the Brisbane river, near South Bank
Free event
Event website
100 Horse commemorative ride
12pm-6pm Saturday 27th
Gather along Adelaide St (between George and Creek streets)
Free event
Event website
Marcia Hines live in Queen St Mall
1pm Sunday 28th
Queen St Mall
Free Event
Event Website
Brisbane Festival Events
Brisbane Airport Light Garden
Nightly September 6th-26th
Southbank Parklands
Free event
Event website
Exxopolis
10am – 6:30pm, September 6th-26th
South Bank Parklands
Tickets $7-$16
Event website
Do Do Land
6:45-7:30, September 6th-27th
Reddacliff Place Stage, 266 George St
Free event
Event website
What to find more events happening in Brisbane?
Monday, 15 September 2014
This Week in Brisbane: 15th September
This Week
Politics in the Pub
6pm Wednesday 17th
The Brisbane Powerhouse
Free Event
Event website
Free Burgers at Grill'd Launch
6-8pm Friday 19th
Grill'd Victoria Point
Free Event
Event website
Brisbane Good Food and Wine Show
9am-5pm Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
General Entry $26 ($23 Concession)
Event website
Hobbit Picnic in the Park
12pm Saturday 20th
Kidspace, 7th Brigade Park, Chermside
Free Event
Event website
Big Adopt Out
9am-3pm Saturday 20th
Brisbane Showgrounds
Free Event
Event website
Citra Malaysia 2014
11am-2pm Saturday 20th
Queen St Mall
Free Event
Event website
Big Band and the Bluff
12-3:30pm Sunday 21st
Spring Bluff Railway Station
Free Event
Event website
RapCity
5pm Sunday 21st
The Brisbane Powerhouse
Free Event
Event website
Brisbane Festival Events
Brisbane Airport Light Garden
Nightly September 6th-26th
Southbank Parklands
Free Event
Event website
Exxopolis
10am – 6:30pm, September 6th-26th
South Bank Parklands
Tickets $7-$16
Event website
Do Do Land
6:45-7:30, September 6th-27th
Reddacliff Place Stage, 266 George St
Free Event
Event website
What to find more events happening in Brisbane?
Politics in the Pub
6pm Wednesday 17th
The Brisbane Powerhouse
Free Event
Event website
Free Burgers at Grill'd Launch
6-8pm Friday 19th
Grill'd Victoria Point
Free Event
Event website
Brisbane Good Food and Wine Show
9am-5pm Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
General Entry $26 ($23 Concession)
Event website
Hobbit Picnic in the Park
12pm Saturday 20th
Kidspace, 7th Brigade Park, Chermside
Free Event
Event website
Big Adopt Out
9am-3pm Saturday 20th
Brisbane Showgrounds
Free Event
Event website
Citra Malaysia 2014
11am-2pm Saturday 20th
Queen St Mall
Free Event
Event website
Big Band and the Bluff
12-3:30pm Sunday 21st
Spring Bluff Railway Station
Free Event
Event website
RapCity
5pm Sunday 21st
The Brisbane Powerhouse
Free Event
Event website
Brisbane Festival Events
Brisbane Airport Light Garden
Nightly September 6th-26th
Southbank Parklands
Free Event
Event website
Exxopolis
10am – 6:30pm, September 6th-26th
South Bank Parklands
Tickets $7-$16
Event website
Do Do Land
6:45-7:30, September 6th-27th
Reddacliff Place Stage, 266 George St
Free Event
Event website
What to find more events happening in Brisbane?
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Historic walking tour of Brisbane City
As this week my event attendance focus was on trying Street Reads for a second time, which prompted me to update my former post rather than write a new one, I decided to try something different for this week's post. This week I have created a historic walking tour of Brisbane's City. Below I have embedded a Google map of a the trail, click on each pin for some information about the stop.
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