Sony execs apologise for network security breach
Sony executives bowed in apology yesterday for a security breach in the company’s PlayStation Network that caused the loss of personal data of some 77 million accounts on the online service. “We deeply apologise for the inconvenience we have caused,” said Kazuo Hirai, chief of Sony Corp’s PlayStation video game unit, who was among the three executives who bowed for several seconds at the company’s Tokyo headquarters in the traditional style of a Japanese apology.
Hirai said parts of the service would be back this week and that the company would beef up security measures. But he and other executives acknowledged that not enough had been done in security precautions, and promised that the company’s network services were under a basic review to prevent a recurrence. Hirai said the FBI and other authorities had been contacted to start an investigation into what the company called “a criminal cyber attack” on Sony’s data centre in San Diego, California.
Sony said account information, including names, birth dates, email addresses and log-in information, was compromised for players using its PlayStation Network. Hirai asked all users to change their passwords. Hirai reiterated what the company said last week — that even though it had no direct evidence the data were even taken, it cannot rule out the possibility. He said data from 10 million credit cards were believed to be involved, and that Sony still does not know whether information was stolen.
Sony has added software monitoring and enhanced data protection and encryption as new security measures, he said. The company said it would offer “welcome back” freebies such as complimentary downloads and 30 days of free service around the world to show remorse and appreciation. “I see my work as first making sure Sony can regain the trust from our users,” Hirai said. The network, which serves both the PlayStation video game machines and Sony’s Qriocity movie and music services, has been shut down since April 20. It is a system that links gamers worldwide in live play, and also allows users to upgrade and download games and other content. Hirai said Sony suspected it was under attack by hackers starting April 17.
Fifteen names surface in Middle Caicos land sale
According to reliable sources, the names of 15 people have surfaced in connection with the sale of 2,500 acres of Crown land on Middle Caicos -- reported to be the largest, yet secretive, sale of Crown land in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
A team of investigators is reported to be traveling widely to interview the individuals in question.
The land was transferred to a corporation reported to be owned by a Miami-based developer after the 2007 election and, with only a 50 percent down payment, freehold title was granted. The second payment was due on February 11 of this year but it is unknown if it was paid.
The Miami development firm has been experiencing financial difficulties and shortly after the Middle Caicos deal was consummated it lost its office building Florida as a result of foreclosure.
The land in question, reportedly worth between $100,000 and $300,000 per acre, was sold for only $6,000 per acre with only $3,000 per acre paid into the Treasury. The land transfer documents indicate the whole blocks of land transferred total 1,050 acres; however, surveyors’ records for the same blocks place the acreage at more than twice that amount and reportedly over 2,500 acres.
It is not known how and to what extent the individuals now under scrutiny may have participated in the land deal but it seems to have been the practice in several recent questionable dealings in Crown land for local people to be used as facilitators to provide a belonger discounted price for land flips or as belonger corporate stockholders.
Local attorney Clayton Greene, former Speaker of the House and current leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP) reportedly represented the purchaser of the Middle Caicos land and he has consistently denied any other involvement in the matter.
Nevertheless, he may face allegations of a conflict of interest in that, when he represented the buyer, he was also representing the seller (the people) as the Speaker of the House.
These latest revelations follow reports that the transaction will be the subject of court proceedings during the second half of 2011.
Caribbean Airlines Passengers Stuck On Newark Tarmac For 6 Hours
According to WCBS 2, over 300 passengers were on the plane from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m., with the excuse of bad weather being given. But there’s a bigger problem: “Pilot Paul Beston said Newark Airport does not service Caribbean Airlines — no computers, no staff, no customs paperwork and no gate.”
That’s pretty good, the airline is diverted to Newark, but there’s no way to accept the plane or passengers. One passenger complained, “It’s disgusting. It’s really terrible. I mean we’re human, nobody should have to go through this.”
Mixed reaction to Royal nuptials
Bermuda’s reactions to the Royal wedding ranged from ecstatic to indifferent when The Royal Gazette took to the streetsy.
Wayne Furbert, 45, shrugged when asked about the union of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
He said he had forgotten all about the impending wedding until he came into town on Friday morning.
“I only remembered when I saw all those people watching it on TV in Washington Mall.”
Mr Furbert said the lavish scale of the wedding seemed out of step with his personal financial difficulties.
“I just don’t care about it, not in this economy. I’ve got a whole lot more serious things to think about.
“People are struggling financially on this island right now, and something like this just looks like a huge waste of money. They’re splurging with all their money and almost rubbing it in peoples’ faces, to tell you the truth.”
Mynta West, of Hamilton Parish, said she tuned in to the Royal wedding simply because someone she knew was involved in the event.
“I actually didn’t sleep last night because of the wedding. I loved what I saw of it, but I ended up falling asleep during the critical parts, so I’ll have to watch it again.
“It wasn’t a big deal to me. I just got into it because of my friend’s involvement, although I wasn’t able to see them on TV.”
Ms West said she wasn’t able to talk about her friend’s role, however.
Lexy Boudreau, of Pembroke, said: “I did get up with my kids to watch it. My boys go to Saltus, and the school made a big deal out of it they went in early to watch it with their teachers, and the boys got to wear red, white and blue clothes.”
Originally from the US, Mrs Boudreau said she enjoyed pageantry, and remembered waking up early to watch the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. “I thought it would be cool to do the same thing with my own daughter,” she said. “I watched it at home with my four- and six-year-old.”
She added: “I think my husband was a bit appalled. He didn’t think making a big deal about the Royal wedding was any way to teach our daughter how to be a strong woman.”
For Matthew Viney, 21, of St George’s, the Royal nuptials were a non-event.
“Too much of a big deal was made of it,” he said. “It’s just a wedding. I knew it was out there but I didn’t have it marked on my calendar. I don’t know them personally, so it’s not something I paid much attention to.”
Conrad McKenzie said his British heritage felt more important to him, but he only noticed the wedding in passing.
“I did think it looked great. I’m British by birth, too. But I didn’t have time; I missed it. I’m sure I’ll be able to watch it again. I was pretty interested just to hear about the number of people glued to their sets for it.”
Daniel Baker, 23, told us: “I thought it was fantastic. I woke up at 5am but I dozed off again. I had my alarm set for 6.30am just in time for the royalty.
“I have to say I really enjoyed the whole event. The bride’s dress reflected her true character. It wasn’t so glamorous as people had expected, which said something about her.
“They both looked very relaxed and they enjoyed it. I was happy to see such a high turnout.”
Mr Baker said he had wanted to watch history.
“It’s an event you don’t see too often. I do know some of the history of the monarchy, and I think it could be a breath of fresh air, having the perfect couple suitable for the throne. The fact that she’s an ordinary person is also a big plus.”
For Esther Lewis, who enjoyed her day with friends, the Royal wedding was not a pressing event. “I don’t think about it,” she said.
“I did see a little bit of it on TV. I thought she was a beautiful girl, and she looked like a princess. I hope they’re happy together.”
Clarissa White, from Maryland, said she was on a week’s holiday with friends and had “stayed up all night” with them.
“I love the Royal family,” she said. “I remember all these events from when I was a little girl. This was another one.
“I thought the groom and his brother were both very handsome, the bride’s dress was stunning, and the Queen looked perfectly beautiful.
My favourite of them is Prince Philip. What a handsome man.”
Kyle, 22, of Warwick, was one of the many who checked in on the ceremony online.
“Somebody sent me a link so I checked it out for a few minutes before work. YouTube was hosting a special channel for the wedding, streaming it . I watched simply because it’s a historic event. This is the first time a Prince has married a commoner in quite some time. The cathedral looked great and the bride looked beautiful, I caught about ten minutes, but that was it.”
Others we spoke to were less enamoured of the event.
“I didn’t see much,” Josh Masters, 27, said. “The Queen’s outfit looked like Jim Carey’s suit from ‘The Mask’. Bright yellow. I thought it looked weird.”
“I’d probably have been more into it if I’d been given the day off,” said Brian Steinhoff, who works in Allied World. “My girlfriend left the TV on and I watched some of it just to see what the other third of the world was watching. Supposedly two billion people were watching it. It’s obviously historic, even though it’s got no significance to me.”
A companion threw in: “I woke up at 7.30am. My wife had been up since 5.30am. The women were definitely more into it.”
A woman sitting nearby, dressed in a UPS uniform, identified herself as VP from Devonshire. “It didn’t mean anything to me, or to anybody else in my family,” she said. “None of us were interested. I don’t know her.”
Flooding across Barbados
Some areas across Barbados are seriously affected by the heavy rains being experienced.
With Barbados under a flood warning until 6 this evening, residents in flood prone areas are asked to take the necessary precautions.
Many residents are reporting to Starcom Network that their homes are flooded out and they are in need of assistance.
According to Simon Alleyne of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) several areas in Christ Church are affected including Wotton Terrace, Kingsland, Rendezvous, Silver Hill, Oxnards and Rockley.
Other areas threatened by the heavy showers include Brittons Hill, Long Gap, South Wildey and Bush Hall in St Michael.
Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden dead - Obama
Al-Qaeda founder and leader Osama Bin Laden has been killed by US forces, President Barack Obama has said.
The al-Qaeda leader was killed in a ground operation based on US intelligence, the first lead of which emerged last August.
Mr Obama said after "a firefight" US forces took possession of his body.
Bin Laden was accused of being behind a number of atrocities, including the attacks on New York and Washington on 11 September 2001.
He was top of the US "most wanted" list.
Crowds gathered outside the White House in Washington DC, chanting "USA, USA" after the news emerged.
Bin Laden approved the 9/11 attacks in which nearly 3,000 people died, saying later that the results had exceeded his expectations.
He evaded the forces of the US and its allies for almost a decade, despite a $25m bounty on his head.
His death will be seen as a major blow to al-Qaeda but also raise fears of reprisal attacks, correspondents say.
Egypt urges US to back Palestinian state declaration
The Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Araby has urged the United States to support the declaration of an independent Palestinian state.
The call comes after the reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah brokered last week by Egypt.
Both Israel and the US have said they will not deal with Hamas, and have until now opposed a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood.
The statement marks yet another big shift in Egypt's foreign policy.
The new call marks a move away from Egypt's past compliance with the United States and Israel, which have strongly opposed the Palestinian authority's campaign to win backing for a unilateral declaration of statehood.
Mr Araby says Egypt now fully supports the Palestinian plan, and has urged the US to do the same.
He said the US should view a re-united Palestinian movement, including Hamas, as a positive development, and that it should persuade Israel to negotiate with it.
Both Israel and the US have insisted they will not deal with any side that includes Hamas, which they regard as a terrorist group.
Under President Hosni Mubarak Egypt used to take the same view, but the new government has moved quickly to distance itself from Israel, helping broker the Palestinian reconciliation deal last week.
Financial needs
This policy change is popular in Egypt, but it is not without risks.
It will be very unpopular in the US Congress, where the substantial annual aid package to Egypt must be approved.
Egypt is also seeking additional financial support from western and Gulf states, to help cover the immense cost to its economy of this year's upheavals.
It must weigh up the benefits of a more populist foreign policy against those very real and immediate needs.
Maldives Police Clash with Anti-Govt. Protesters
Police in the Maldives used tear gas and batons on Sunday to break up an anti-government demonstration.
The opposition activists first gathered in the capital, Male, late Saturday. They demanded the resignation of President Mohamad Nasheed for failing to ease economic hardship in the country, whose 300,000 citizens face soaring food prices and high unemployment. The activists also accused the government of wasteful spending and financial mismanagement.
A police spokesman said officers used tear gas and batons in self-defense after protesters threw bricks and damaged property. Dozens of people on both sides were injured in the skirmish.
A spokesman for the opposition Dhivehi Raithunge Party said the protest was peaceful until the police used force and arrested at least 30 demonstrators, including two of the party's lawmakers.
The unrest coincides with a visit to the Maldives by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake, who is due to meet government officials, civil society representatives and political leaders later this week.
Mr. Nasheed became the Maldives' first democratically elected president in 2008, unseating Asia's longest-serving leader, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
In February, Mr. Nasheed said his government has rapidly liberalized the economy, established a free press, developed civil society and welcomed the arrival of dozens of international non-government organizations.
The Republic of Maldives is made up of about 1,200 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka.
Brazil’s President Has Mild Pneumonia
Brazil's president has been hospitalized with a mild case of pneumonia.
Brazilian officials said Sunday Dilma Rousseff was taken to a hospital in Sao Paulo after experiencing flu-like symptoms for several days.
Officials say President Rousseff is taking antibiotics, the standard treatment for pneumonia.
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs.
Ms. Rousseff, a cancer survivor, is Brazil's first female president.
GCC to Send Official Back to Yemen After Accord Signing Postponed
Gulf officials are sending a top official back to Yemen to try to salvage a deal to ease Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of power, after the longtime leader refused to sign the agreement.
Foreign ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which sponsored the accord, met Sunday at the group's Riyadh headquarters to discuss the crisis. The group said it was sending the GCC's secretary-general back to Yemen and hoped to remove all “obstacles” blocking a final agreement.
Earlier, Gulf officials said the deal's signing ceremony had been indefinitely postponed. They said Mr. Saleh had agreed to sign the deal as leader of the ruling General People's Congress party but not in his capacity as president – as required by the deal.
The Yemeni president had been expected to sign in advance of a formal ceremony in Riyadh planned for Sunday or Monday.
Yemen's opposition says it hopes Gulf Arab states will extract Mr. Saleh's signature. A senior opposition leader told Reuters that renewed “escalation” is an option if the deal falls through.
Representatives of the hundreds of thousands of Yemenis staging protests since early February have rejected the deal entirely, demanding that Mr. Saleh step down immediately and face trial.
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia want the standoff resolved to avert a deadly military divide like the one in Libya, which could strengthen Yemen's al-Qaida wing as it seeks to destabilize neighboring Saudi Arabia, the world's largest exporter of crude oil.
The GCC plan calls for President Saleh to hand over power to a deputy and resign within 30 days of signing the initiative. It would establish a unity government that would include opposition members. A presidential election would take place two months after Mr. Saleh leaves office.