Swiss police seize IT data from Fifa headquarters
Fifa has handed over computer data to the Swiss authorities investigating the World Cup bids for 2018 and 2022.
The information was seized at the Zurich headquarters of world football's governing body from offices which included that of its president Sepp Blatter, the BBC understands.
Fifa said it had co-operated fully with the authorities.
Swiss police said last month that they were looking into how the forthcoming World Cups were allocated.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also carrying out an investigation into corruption at Fifa. So far 14 people have been indicted, nine of whom are current or former Fifa officials.
IT data from the offices of secretary general Jerome Valcke and the organisation's financial chief Markus Kattner is also believed to have been released to Swiss police.
Fifa reiterated that it had instigated the inquiry and the organisation was, according to the Swiss Attorney General, the "injured party".
The criminal investigation focuses on the mismanagement of funds in relation to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Both countries have denied any wrongdoing.
The bidding process for the 2026 World Cup has been postponed. Mr Valcke said on Wednesday that it was "a nonsense" to begin the process in the current climate.
Mr Blatter has announced he will step down from his role as president, amid the ongoing allegations.
He is expected to be replaced at an election on 16 December.
Former Brazil midfielder Zico announced on Wednesday that he intends to try to stand for the presidency.
Source-BBC
The 2016 BMW 7 Series is the smartest kid in class
BMW’s flagship sedan has upgraded its grey matter.
Faced with the frightfully capable Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a car that all but drives itself (and sometimes does), BMW has nevertheless set new standards for automotive gee-wizardry.
A keyfob contains a smartwatch-style LCD screen that relays all manner of vehicle data. A tablet computer controls wifi-based multimedia functions. Audio volume can be controlled by a finger wag in mid-air.
Of more visceral delights, the top-line 750i accelerates from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 4.4 seconds.
Vijay Pattni over at Top.Gear.com added:
There are plenty of sensors to tell you about traffic and other cars, and plenty of assistance to make sure you don't join them in a tangled mess.
The seats are new (and massaging, if optioned). There's a panorama glass roof (again, if optioned). There's even the option of a ‘remote control parking' mechanism, whereby you can manoeuvre the 7-er into and out of a tight spot from outside the car, using just the key. Superb, right?
The BMW 7 Series is due in showrooms worldwide by end of 2015. In the US, pricing begins at $81,300.
Source-BBC
New Study: Hackers Possibly Gaining in Cyber Attacks
A study released Wednesday suggests that despite the growing time and resources companies spend on cybersecurity, they’re at best keeping even with the hackers and may in fact be losing ground.
Hackers, the study said, are becoming more skillful and their tools more effective, and the market for their stolen information is flourishing.
The study, conducted by the RAND Corporation, was based on extensive interviews with 18 chief information security officers or CISOs — traditionally the top cybersecurity position in corporate organizations — as well as a review of current cybersecurity products on the market.
The authors of the study, “The Defender’s Dilemma: Charting a Course Toward Cybersecurity,” conclude that worldwide corporate spending on cybersecurity now nears $70 billion annually and is on track to grow at a rate of 10 percent or more each year.
Despite that investment, report authors say, CISOs are relatively pessimistic about their battle against cyberattacks and believe that hackers may in fact gain the upper hand in a matter of a few years.
That last finding was among several that report authors suspected even before the study was conducted. Other initial preconceptions that were confirmed were that larger businesses often had more options for strengthening cybersecurity than smaller ones, and that walling off specific parts of corporate computer systems from the Internet can help guard against attack.
Among the more surprising findings for the report authors was that CISOs often view the greatest damage caused by cyberattacks to be on a corporation’s reputation, rather than the actual stolen data or intellectual property.
“The bedrock of cybersecurity is good system software,” the authors wrote. “Companies often find themselves having to invest in defensive measures because foundational systems and software are unsecure. The security and solidness of the actual software helps to prevent attackers from gaining a foothold on a network.”
The report said that recent high-profile data breaches at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Anthem Insurance and many other private firms have paradoxically strengthened corporations’ cybersecurity posture, because corporate boards are taking the issue much more seriously.
“Core software is improving, and cybersecurity products are burgeoning,” the authors write. “The combination is likely to make the attacker’s task more difficult and more expensive — which will not solve the problem, but will make it more manageable.”
Several recent studies have shown that many companies are more worried about the damage to their reputations from cyber attacks than the actual loss of intellectual property or other valuable information.
A previous study by the Ponemon Institute says the most costly cyber crimes include attacks by malicious insiders and "denial of service" attacks that overwhelm a firm's computer systems. The Ponemon study also says the longer such attacks continue, the more costly they become, with business disruption the largest expense.
Ponemon Institute founder Larry Ponemon said the problem of cyber attacks is huge and getting worse at an “exponential” rate. In a VOA interview, he said such attacks had already put some small and medium-size companies out of business, and that it was “just a matter of time” before a large firm, like Target, is closed by cyber issues.
A separate report Tuesday from the Standard & Poor’s rating agency says global business losses from cyber attacks may run as high as $400 billion per year.
S&P says it evaluates how management handles all risks, including this complex and growing one, as it determines credit ratings. The rating agency says some insurance companies offer protection for financial losses due to cyber attacks, but that the field is so "fluid" and unpredictable that insurers are having difficulty judging how to evaluate risk and price their products.
Ponemon said insurance protection against cyber attacks is getting better but has a “long way to go.”
Source-VOA
Obama to Send Up to 450 Military Advisers to Iraq
President Barack Obama on Wednesday ordered 450 additional military advisers to Iraq in a new effort to bolster Iraqi troops as they try to retake Ramadi, the Anbar provincial capital seized last month by Islamic State insurgents.
The White House said the extra troops would not serve in a combat role and would augment the 3,100 trainers the U.S. already has in Iraq to "train, advise and assist" Iraqi forces and Sunni fighters.
But Obama is continuing to rule out sending ground troops back into Iraq after withdrawing them in 2011.
A statement said the president was adding the new advisers at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the recommendation of U.S. defense chiefs.
"These new advisers will work to build the capacity of Iraqi forces, including local tribal fighters, to improve their ability to plan, lead and conduct operations against ISIL in eastern Anbar under the command of the prime minister,'' White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
Under the plan, the U.S. would open a new training site at al-Taqaddum, a desert air base that once served as an American military hub, in eastern Anbar province. The move will increase the number of U.S. training sites in Iraq from four to five.
At the Pentagon, spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said the new U.S. forces could begin operations at al-Taqaddum in six to eight weeks. Their objective, he said, will be "to engage with the leadership of Iraqi units at the brigade and higher level and advise and assist them on how to conduct their operations.”
U.S. deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said Wednesday that the advisers would give the U.S. greater capacity to strengthen Iraqi forces, while working with Sunni tribal fighters who are essential to coalition efforts to combat the Islamic State group. Most of the trainees would be Sunni tribal volunteers.
Source-VOA
ARRANGEMENTS CONFIRMED FOR QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PARADE
The Turks and Caicos Islands will join sister Commonwealth nations around the world in celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday on Monday, 15 June 2015.
The occasion will focus on the nation’s capital, Grand Turk, where the annual Queen’s Birthday celebrations will take place on the parade ground at 10am.
“The Governor’s Office would like to invite all everyone to come out and enjoy this special event marking the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen,” said James Astwood, Director, TCI Governor’s Office.
The ceremony will include participants from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), staff from HM Prison, Customs and Immigration officials, Fire fighters, the Ex-Serviceman Legion, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Girls Brigade, Pathfinders and children from the island’s schools. All will be accompanied by the RTCIPF band.
Following the parade, Governor Peter Beckingham will present long service awards to key members of the uniformed services in recognition of their 18, 25 or 30 years of service to the Crown.
The ceremony will last for approximately 60 minutes and it will conclude with a royal salute taken by the Governor.
As is traditional in the TCI, the Governor’s Office will provide refreshments to all those participating in the parade and there will be a reception at his official residence, Waterloo, at 6pm for invited guests.
Local officers to conduct overseas investigation
Four RCIPS officers will be travelling to the Turks and Caicos Islands to conduct an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of an armed robbery suspect on Saturday, 6 June, by a Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) officer. It is alleged that around 12:58am on Saturday RTCIPF officers were responding to an armed robbery of a male, when they were confronted by the gunmen who pointed their guns at them. One suspect was shot and later pronounced dead at a Medical Centre. The second robbery suspect escaped.
Due to the seriousness of the incident, a request for an independent investigation was made by RTCIPF Commissioner, James Smith, to RCIPS Commissioner David Baines over the weekend.
The RCIPS officers – two Sergeants and two Constables will be travelling to the Turks and Caicos Islands as early as this evening, Tuesday, 9 June, to help with investigation of the matter.
Baby among five survivors found drifting after plane crash in the Bahamas
An eight-month-old baby boy was among the five people who survived when their plane crashed in the Bahamas yesterday evening.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) said the Cessna 172 aircraft was believed to be flying from Crooked Island to New Providence when it went down in waters south of New Providence.
After an almost three-hour search by the RBDF and the United States Coast Guard, the survivors – 26-year-old pilot Anthi-que-ko Gibson; Lorenzo Moss, 47; Au-to-ria Moss, 27; Andre Gibson, 22; and 18-month-old Andrew Gibson – were found drifting on a life raft near New Providence, nine miles southeast of Nassau.
They were transported by ambulance to the Coral Harbour Base to receive medical attention.
The RBDF said all passengers appeared to be in good health.
While the RBDF did not say what was the cause of the crash, the Tribune quoted Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin as saying that the pilot had reported engine problems before the single-engine plane went down.
Mainland Chinese shares down after MSCI delay
Mainland Chinese shares headed lower after US index provider MSCI said it would hold off including China-listed shares in one of its key benchmark indexes.
The delay to include the shares was seen as a setback in China's attempts to open up its financial markets and attract foreign capital.
Trading of mainland shares have been volatile but continue to hit new highs.
The Shanghai Composite was down 1.6% to 5,033.61 in early trade.
Even though MSCI said the decision around China-listed shares would remain on its 2016 review list, the delay shows that global asset managers still have reservations about Beijing's willingness to fully open up its capital markets, according to analysts.
"The early morning announcement suggests that China needs to step up its efforts to liberalise the A shares (Shanghai) market, in particular, increasing foreign participation," said Bernard Aw, market strategist at IG Markets in a note.
Shares in China National Nuclear Power (CNNPC) jumped 20% in their Shanghai debut after raising $2.1bn (£1.3bn) in the country's largest initial public offering since 2011.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index traded in the opposite direction and was up 0.4% to 27,082.49.
Japan's Nikkei 225 was up 0.4% at 20,171.27 on strong economic data.
Core machinery orders unexpectedly rose in April by 3.8% from the previous month, much higher than expectations of a 2% decline and up from a 2.9% increase in March.
This is a sign that business spending is gaining strength, according to analysts, who said a weaker yen was supporting exporters and the manufacturing sector.
The dollar was at 124.37 yen, compared with 124.31 yen in New York.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index was up 0.1% to 5,474.60 points.
Shares of Westpac were down 0.4% after one of the country's biggest banks said that it was splitting its most profitable retail and business banking division to simplify the organisation and improve accountability.
It also announced that the manager in charge of the combined group - Jason Yetton - would leave the bank and position he has held since November 2011.
South Korean shares traded flat with the benchmark Kospi index at 2,064.64.
Source-BBC
HP to pay $100m to settle lawsuit
Technology giant Hewlett-Packard has agreed to pay $100m (£65m) to some of its shareholders to settle a claim over its ill-fated acquisition of Autonomy.
Dutch pension fund manager PGGM led the class action lawsuit, which claimed HP had misled shareholders with the acquisition.
HP said it believed the claim had "no merit" but that it was "desirable and beneficial" to settle the case.
"Further litigation would be burdensome and protracted," it said.
HP paid $11.1bn (£6.8bn) for Autonomy but a year later said it was worth $8.8bn less - sending its shares plunging.
HP's $100m payout will be used to compensate shareholders which bought shares between 19 August 2011 and 20 November 2012, and saw their value fall after the writedown.
Other lawsuits relating to the Autonomy acquisition are still continuing.
Separately HP is pursuing a $5.1bn (£3.6bn) lawsuit against Autonomy, accusing its founder Mike Lynch and ex-chief financial officer Sushovan Hussain of artificially inflating the company's revenue before HP bought the firm.
Both executives have denied the claims.
Source-BBC
A 2-year-old girl first in the Caribbean to contract the Zika virus
The mosquito-borne Zika virus, also referred to as ZIKV, has now reached the Caribbean, with a 12-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic becoming the first person to contract the virus.
The pre-teen has been hospitalised in a private clinic.
This development comes a month after cases were reported in Brazil, prompting the Pan American Health Organization to issue a warning about its potential to spread to other countries.
Caribbean countries subsequently put their residents on alert.
The Zika virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same mosquito that transmits Chikungunya and dengue.
The virus is similar to dengue with symptoms that include fever, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, headache, weakness, rash and swelling of the lower limbs.
After the bite of an infected mosquito, symptoms usually appear following the incubation period of three to 12 days. They last for four to seven days.
No deaths due to the Zika virus have been recorded worldwide to date.
The Zika Virus was first isolated in 1947 in a Rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest in Uganda. It was first isolated in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania.