Several car infotainment systems are vulnerable to a hack attack
Several car infotainment systems are vulnerable to a hack attack that could potentially put lives at risk, a leading security company has said.
NCC Group said the exploit could be used to seize control of a vehicle's brakes and other critical systems.
The Manchester-based company told the BBC it had found a way to carry out the attacks by sending data via digital audio broadcasting (DAB) radio signals.
It coincides with news of a similar flaw discovered by two US researchers.
Chris Valasek and Charlie Miller showed Wired magazine that they could take control of a Jeep Cherokee car by sending data to its internet-connected entertainment and navigation system via a mobile-phone network.
Chrysler has released a patch to address the problem.
However, NCC's work - which has been restricted to its labs - points to a wider problem.
The UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has responded by saying that car companies "invest billions of pounds to keep vehicles secure as possible".
By using relatively cheap off-the-shelf components connected to a laptop, the company's research director, Andy Davis, created a DAB station.
Because infotainment systems processed DAB data to display text and pictures on car dashboard screens, he said, an attacker could send code that would let them take over the system.
Once an infotainment system had been compromised, he said, an attacker could use it as a way to control more critical systems, including steering and braking.
Depending on the power of the transmitter, he said, a DAB broadcast could allow attackers to affect many cars at once.
"As this is a broadcast medium, if you had a vulnerability within a certain infotainment system in a certain manufacturer's vehicle, by sending one stream of data, you could attack many cars simultaneously," he said.
"[An attacker] would probably choose a common radio station to broadcast over the top of to make sure they reached the maximum number of target vehicles."
Mr Davis declined to publicly identify which specific infotainment systems he had hacked, at this point.
In many ways, modern cars are computer networks on wheels.
Such technology allows the latest cars to carry out automatic manoeuvres. For example, a driver can make their vehicle parallel park at the touch of a button.
Mr Davis said he had simulated his DAB-based attack only on equipment in his company's buildings because it would be illegal and unsafe to do so in the outside world.
But he added that he had previously compromised a real vehicle's automatic-braking system - designed to prevent it crashing into the car in front - by modifying an infotainment system, and he believed this could be replicated via a DAB broadcast.
"If someone were able to compromise the infotainment system, because of the architecture of its vehicle network, they would in some cases be able to disable the automatic braking functionality," he said.
On Tuesday, Wired magazine reported that two US security researchers had managed to remotely take control of a Jeep Cherokee's air-conditioning system, radio and windshield wipers while its journalist was driving the vehicle.
Source-BBC Radio 4
MARINE FORECAST FOR MONDAY 20TH JULY 2015
THIS IS THE MARINE FORECAST FOR THE BAHAMAS FOR 24 HOURS FROM 12 PM EST MONDAY 20TH JULY 2015 ISSUED AT NASSAU METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE AT 1530 UTC
GENERAL SITUATION: AN ATLANTIC RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE BAHAMAS MAINATAINING MOSTLY STABLE AND HOT WEATHER AROUND THE ISLANDS TODAY
FOR ALL AREAS
ADVISORY: GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS CAN BE EXPECTED IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10-15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10-15 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS RUNNING: 2-4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
WEATHER CHANCE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS
SUNSET AT 8.01 PM AND SUNRISE AT 6.32 AM TUESDAY
MOONSET AT 10.58 PM AND MOONRISE AT 11.18 AM TUESDAY
LOW TIDE AT 4.37 PM AND HIGH TIDE AT 11.45 PM AND LOW AGAIN AT 6.09 AM TUESDAY AND HIGH AGAIN AT 12.15 PM TUESDAY
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: THE TROPICS REMAIN QUIET AND TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 5 DAYS
WEATHER FOR MONDAY 20TH JULY 2015
THIS IS THE FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT MONDAY 20TH JULY 2015
GENERAL SITUATION: AN ATLANTIC RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE BAHAMAS MAINATAINING MOSTLY STABLE AND HOT WEATHER AROUND THE ISLANDS TODAY
FOR ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND HAZY TODAY WITH THE CHANCE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY OVER OPEN WATERS TODAY…FAIR AND WARM TONIGHT
ADVISORY: GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS CAN BE EXPECTED IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10-15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10-15 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS RUNNING: 2-4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE IN NASSAU 91F 33C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE IN NASSAU 78F 26C
SUNSET AT 8.01 PM AND SUNRISE AT 6.32 AM TUESDAY
MOONSET AT 10.58 PM AND MOONRISE AT 11.18 AM TUESDAY
LOW TIDE AT 4.37 PM AND HIGH TIDE AT 11.45 PM AND LOW AGAIN AT 6.09 AM TUESDAY AND HIGH AGAIN AT 12.15 PM TUESDAY
WEATHER OUTLOOK: NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES EXPECTED AS HIGH PRESSURE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE WEATHER ACROSS THE ISLANDS
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: THE TROPICS REMAIN QUIET AND TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 5 DAYS
U.S & Cuba re-establish diplomatic relations through an Embassy
One bitter holdover of the Cold War slipped into the history books at 12:01 a.m. Monday, when the United States and Cuba re-established diplomatic relations. For the first time since severing ties in 1961, they reopened embassies in each other's capitals.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla was to travel to the Cuban Embassy in Washington to raise his country's flag, an event that Cuban government officials said would be broadcast live on the island's state-run TV.
A Cuban delegation of diplomats, artists and veterans of the revolution were to commemorate the breakthrough with about 500 guests and more than likely down a few celebratory mojitos and shots of Havana Club rum.
U.S. diplomats in Havana have readied everything from new business cards to the embassy sign. But the festivities and flag-raising will have to wait for Secretary of State John Kerry's visit -- the highest-level trip by a U.S. official to Cuba since the 1959 revolution -- for the embassy reopening ceremony in August.
Source-CNN
Mitsubishi apologizes to WWII Japanese prisoners of war
As Japan prepares to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, one of its largest corporations has given a long-awaited apology for wartime atrocities.
At a ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, a representative for Mitsubishi Materials Corporation apologized for using captured American soldiers as slave laborers.
Mitsubishi Materials is the first private corporation to express such remorse, although the Japanese government has made repeated apologies.
The solemn act of contrition comes far too late for most victims. Mitsubishi says it was only able to locate two living survivors. But former prisoner of war James Murphy warmly accepted the apology, which comes just weeks before the August 15th anniversary of Japan's 1945 surrender.
Murphy, a 94-year-old American, was in his early 20s when he became a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II. He said he was "elated" by the apology, which he had waited to hear in the seven decades since he was freed.
Murphy says he survived horrific conditions as a forced laborer for Mitsubishi Materials' predecessor Mitsubishi Mining Co., which supplied materials used to manufacture, among other things, Mitsubishi's feared Zero fighter aircraft used by the Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945.
Mitsubishi has admitted to holding nearly 900 American prisoners-of-war when allied forces liberated its labor camps in 1945 during the final days of the war.
Source-CNN
Deadly blast hits Suruc activists in Turkey
An explosion has killed at least 27 people and wounded many more in the Turkish town of Suruc near the Syrian border, the interior ministry says.
The blast occurred in the garden of a cultural centre. Hundreds of youth workers were reportedly staying there.
There is no official word on the cause of the explosion. Reports say it could have been a suicide attack.
Suruc, located near the Syrian town of Kobane, houses many refugees who fled fighting there in recent months.
Kobane has been a battleground between militants from the Islamic State (IS) group and Kurdish fighters since September last year, when IS overran the town, forcing most of its residents to flee into Turkey.
The Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) is reported to have had at least 300 members staying at the Amara Culture Centre to take part in rebuilding work in Kobane.
The federation tweeted photographs showing the group in the garden before the blast and the scene afterwards.
Source-BBC
Michel Platini asked to stand for Fifa presidency
Uefa boss Michel Platini has been asked by a majority of world football chiefs to stand for the Fifa presidency.
Platini is said to have had assurances of support from his own confederation, Asia, South America, plus North and Central America and the Caribbean.
It is thought 60-year-old Platini has yet to decide if he will stand.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said on 2 June he would stand down and on Monday will announce plans for reform of football's world governing body.
Blatter will hold talks with Fifa's executive committee over a date for the new presidential election, with 16 December earmarked by several regional football confederations as their preferred option.
The 79-year-old was elected for a fifth term as president on 29 May but four days later announced his intention to relinquish the post amid two corruption investigations.
Former Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, who lost to Blatter in the May election, has called for the Swiss to leave immediately.
Source-BBC
Chris Froome's dominance continues at Tour de France
Britain's Chris Froome maintained his grip on the Tour de France yellow jersey as Rafal Majka claimed stage 11.
Team Sky's Froome finished the 188km route from Pau to Cauterets alongside most of his rivals, and leads Tejay van Garderen by two minutes and 52 seconds.
Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali lost 50 seconds as he was dropped in the final stretch, following the arduous climb up the Col du Tourmalet.
Tinkoff-Saxo's Majka finished a minute ahead of Ireland's Dan Martin.
It was Pole Majka's third stage win at the Tour after two victories in 2014 and he looked a sure bet to reach Cauterets first from the moment that he burst off the front of a breakaway group of seven riders during the climb up to the Tourmalet.
"I knew this stage would be hard but I like this weather when it is warm and today I had a positive opportunity," said Majka. "I am so happy and this victory is for my team-mates and Ivan Basso."
There were relatively few problems for 30-year-old Froome on another hot day in the Pyrenees, with the stage lacking the drama of his spectacular attack on the climb to La Pierre-Saint-Martin on Tuesday.
He was always protected by team-mates Geraint Thomas, who remains fifth in the general classification, and Richie Porte and there were no meaningful attacks from his general classification rivals Van Garderen, Nibali, Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador, as everyone seemed content to let the breakaway contest the stage win.
Froome did lose two seconds to Alejandro Valverde after the Spaniard's late sprint but the Team Sky rider still has an advantage of almost four minutes over the Movistar rider.
The Team Sky leader also remains top of the King of the Mountains classification - and with team-mate Porte still second the Australian will once again wear the polka dot jersey on Thursday.
But Peter Sagan wrestled back the green jersey as the race's leading sprinter after finishing above Andre Greipel in the day's intermediate sprint.
Those were relatively minor considerations on a day that comprised four category three climbs, the category one Col d'Aspin and the hors catergorie Tourmalet.
It was a day of attacks from the moment the Tour left Pau and with more punishing conditions there were six withdrawals, including two from the AG2R-La Mondiale team.
A superb ride from Martin enabled him to cross from the main group to a breakaway of six and they remained together until Majka made his move.
It is unlikely that a breakaway will claim the stage on Thursday, when another tough day in the Pyrenees will end with a 15.8km climb up to Plateau de Beille.
Source-BBC
Rory McIlroy will miss the Open because of an ankle injury
World number one and defending champion Rory McIlroy will miss next week's Open after injuring his left ankle.
The Northern Irishman, 26, revealed on Monday he had ruptured an ankle ligament playing football with friends.
Confirming he would not compete at St Andrews, he posted on Instagram: "I'm taking a long-term view of this injury.
"Although rehab is progressing well, I want to come back to tournament play when I feel 100% healthy and 100% competitive."
The 2015 Open begins on 16 July, and tournament organisers said they were "naturally very disappointed" at McIlroy's withdrawal.
They added: "Rory will play in many more Opens and our primary concern is for his complete recovery."
McIlroy, who has won four majors, could also miss the chance to defend his US PGA Championship title in mid-August.
McIlroy ruptured his left ankle ligament on Saturday during a "soccer kickabout with friends".
On Monday he wrote on Instagram: "Total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage. Continuing to assess extent of injury and treatment plan day by day. Rehab already started..... Working hard to get back as soon as I can."
At the time, McIlroy had not ruled himself out of the Open and an announcement on his condition had not been expected until the weekend.
Roger Federer sweeps into semi-finals in Wimbledon
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer swept aside France's Gilles Simon to set up a mouth-watering semi-final meeting with Andy Murray.
The Swiss second seed continued his impressive progress despite two rain interruptions on Court One.
Federer was broken for the first time in 68 service games at SW19 this year near the end of the second set.
But that was virtually the only blip for the 33-year-old as he won 6-3 7-5 6-2 in one hour and 34 minutes.
Federer's last Wimbledon title came in 2012 when he beat Murray in the final and he will face him again in the last four on Friday after the British number one beat Vasek Pospisil 6-4 7-5 6-4.
"We both like to look back on that summer of 2012," Federer said. "If we knew beforehand that I would win Wimbledon and him the Olympics, I think we both would have taken it. It was a great summer for us.
"I am happy for him, he is doing so well after his back surgery. People forget how hard it is to get back from injury and get back into contention to win tournaments.
"Friday will be a tough one for me but I am obviously looking forward to it."
Federer has had some marathon battles with Simon in the past but this time only the weather looked like holding him up.
On two occasions the players had to come off for 30-minute breaks because of showers, but the delays did not affect Federer's focus.
He also remained unruffled after Simon ended his run of 116 consecutive unbroken service games, which started in the first round of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle last month.
Federer broke back immediately as he went on to take the second set, and took Simon's serve apart in the third to quickly complete his victory.
"The stop and goes with the weather are tough but I think I used them to my advantage," Federer added. "The breaks helped rather than hindered me.
"Simon was a quality return player and the game I got broken he was too good."