Hackers attack N Korea news website

Anonymous hackers appeared to have posted this picture to the Flickr page of of Uriminzokkiri, which distributes news and propaganda from the North's state media. Source: Supplied

ACTIVIST hackers appear to have infiltrated North Korea's official news website and its accompanying Twitter and Flickr feeds, posting unflattering images of leader Kim Jong-Un.

The China-based website of Uriminzokkiri, which distributes news and propaganda from the North's state media, was inaccessible and its companion feeds attacked and defaced.

On Twitter, the Uriminzokkiri account's profile photo was changed to one of a couple dancing the Tango, and a series of tweets read "Hacked" and "Tango Down".

The male dancer was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask -- a trademark of the "Anonymous" hacktivist group.

The website's Flickr page showed a number of images, including one which simply read "We Are Anonymous" and a mock-up "Wanted" poster featuring Kim with a pig's nose and ears and a Mickey Mouse tattoo on his chest. The poster claimed the UN had offered a $1 million reward for Kim's capture due to his "threatening world peace" and wasting money while people starve to death".

Uriminzokkiri is best known for posting propaganda videos excoriating the United States and including images like the White House framed in the crosshairs of a sniper's rifle sight.

The attack came amid soaring military tensions on the Korean peninsula with Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington engaged in a bout of high-stakes brinkmanship.

On Twitter, the Uriminzokkiri account's profile photo was changed to one of a couple dancing the Tango, and a series of tweets read "Hacked" and "Tango Down".

It also followed a major cyber attack that crashed the computer networks at South Korean TV broadcasters and banks last month and was widely blamed on North Korean hackers.

More detail of the Anonymous "Wanted" poster.

North Korea appears to have moved a medium range missile capable of hitting targets in Sth Korea and Japan.

On Twitter, the Uriminzokkiri account's profile photo was changed to one of a couple dancing the Tango, and a series of tweets read "Hacked" and "Tango Down".

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Alcohol 'not a factor' in Ryder attack

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in a critical condition after reportedly being bashed. Source: AFP

UPDATE: NEW Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in a critical condition after being bashed by up to four men.

The middle-order batsman is understood to have a fractured skull, a punctured lung, internal bleeding and is in intensive care at a Christchurch hospital.

The attack came just days before the talented Ryder was to take up a lucrative Indian Premier League contract.

Police said in a statement they were investigating the early morning incident at a bar in Christchurch and "can confirm the incident did involve Jesse Ryder and that he is currently in Christchurch Hospital''.

Ryder, who has a history of disciplinary lapses and being involved in alcohol-related incidents, was with members of his Wellington provincial side, the Firebirds, who had earlier been beaten by Canterbury in a 50-over match.

A witness, known only as Adam, told Stuff.co.nz that Ryder had his shirt ripped off and that several men kicked and punched him as he lay on the ground at Aikman's bar in the Christchurch suburb of Merivale.

Ryder was found lying in a bush, "shaking, vomiting and covered in blood" in the carpark of a McDonald's restaurant across the road from the bar.

"Four dudes were just laying into him and absolutely smashing him on the ground," Adam said.

"His shirt was ripped off and they were kicking him and punching him while he was down."

Adam said he was not sure if the attackers were friends of Ryder, but said they "damn knew who he was''.

Ryder's family was reported to be flying to Christchurch to be at his side and New Zealand Cricket tweeted: "The whole NZC team's thoughts are with DijaRyder this morning.''

The burly left-hander's manager Aaron Klee took to Twitter to thank people for their support.

"Thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to Chch to see him," Klee wrote.

The 28-year-old Ryder is on a self-imposed break from international cricket to address "personal issues'' following a series of incidents.

However, he was continuing to play in the IPL and was due to fly out to India this weekend to play for the Delhi Daredevils, who paid US$260,000 for his services at an auction.

Last year, he took his manager and a psychologist with him to India when he played for the Pune Warriors.

Ryder last played Test cricket for the Black Caps in 2011 in their series against Australia, and last took to a one-day international field last year against South Africa.

He has a Test average of 40.93 and a highest score of 201.

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Hard man's attack on soft kids

Fitness trainer 'The Commando', Steve Willis, at the Biggest Loser 2013 house / Pic: Kristi Miller Source: The Daily Telegraph

BIGGEST Loser fitness trainer "The Commando" says Australians are spoiling their children to death - literally killing them with kindness.

The former army man, whose real name is Steve Willis, believes children should exercise from an early age and parents should be more disciplined when it comes to their kids' health.

"Unfortunately, with the contestants (on the weight-loss show) we have been training, the boundaries between parent and child have been blurred.

"Some of these kids we see on the show are being spoilt to death - they don't have any backbone or strength.

"You hear people talk about how their child is their best friend. A lot of the time parents want to give their child more than what they grew up with.

"We have softened in our approach and we have negated boundaries and rules which are enforced from an early age."

Willis, who has three children, Brianna, 14, Ella, 5, and Jack, 18 months, says his older children started exercising as part of their lifestyle when they were young.

He believes "tough love" for Australian parents isn't tough enough, and they should be providing leadership, not friendship.

"At an early age, kids aren't craving opportunity, they are craving discipline and leadership.

"They are being spoilt to death. My older children were in the gym from an early age, they saw that as normal, exercising, getting out into the parks, just living life outside the lounge room."

The Biggest Loser: The Next Generation has parent-and-child teams go head to head in the battle against the bulge.

Willis can't remember the last time he ate fast food, saying it was years ago.

He blames the spread of computer-based social interaction for a lack of activity in children and teenagers, and says being stuck in front of a screen can also impair their mental development as well.

"A lot of kids now, what is normal for them is getting on computers and locking themselves away from experiences and becoming introverted.

"When they need to socialise, they are very one dimensional. Exercise is all about sharing in the good times and the bad times.

"You become a more well-rounded human being for it."

As the man responsible for whipping the contestants into shape on the Channel 10 show, Willis, 36, says he intends to take a softer approach this year: "I am still that character and methodology still stands. But there is a reassurance for the younger ones. I am there for them and I am on their side.

"I don't want them to feel they have come into The Biggest Loser and they have experienced bullying. That's not my style."

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Swimmer dies after NZ shark attack

A MAN is dead after a shark attack at Muriwai Beach, north of Auckland.

Emergency services rushed to the popular west coast surf beach just before 1.30pm (1130 AEDT) on Wednesday following reports of a shark attack.

A St John ambulance spokeswoman told Agence France-Presse the victim was a 47-year-old male.

Inspector Matt Sillars told AAP his body has been recovered.

"We're not sure at this stage whether or not the deceased died prior to the shark arriving on the scene, or whether the shark was a contributing factor towards the death," he said.

Insp Sillars said police shot the shark and they are making attempts to retrieve it.

The beach has been closed.

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