Maybe No ACDC?

Posted by George Brown on 28/07/2012
Posted in: News, Technology, Views. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Further to my blog below titled “Iran Rocks to ACDC”, further investigation suggests that this may not be the case at all!

An inspection of the available documents and with the use of on-line translation programs, this author can find no evidence to support the story.

  • A web search reveals the story was only reported from the F-Secure site.
  • Only part of the email is displayed on the site F-Secure site. It is displayed in Arabic.
  • The email shows a web address http://www.aeoi.org.ir. When this address is followed , it does appear to call up the legitimate web site for the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran.
  • The Arabic text from this site was cut and paste, and run through a translation program. The translated text (although incomplete) makes no mention of virus, worms or ACDC.
  • However, the email on the F-Secure site looks like a screen capture of the home page of the AEOI site, rather than a traditional email. It is noted that today’s AEOI front page is slightly different but it does contain the same references as seen on on the F-Secure site.
  • Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, passage of emails in and out of Iran, passing details that might embarass the regime, would no doubt have severe repercussions on the author of those emails, assuming that a scientist could be found with western sympathies and willing to take the risk.

Iran Rocks to ACDC!

Posted by George Brown on 27/07/2012
Posted in: Humour, Politics, Technology. Tagged: , , , . 2 Comments

MINA reported Wednesday that Iran’s nuclear facilities have suffered a cyber attack that diabled their computers and played music from the rock band AC/DC.

A new worm targeted Iran’s nuclear program, closing down the “automation network” at the Natanz and Fordo nuclear facilities. MINA cites the story was reported on the F-Secure Security Labs web site.

The substance of the text appears to be thus:

“I am writing you to inform you that our nuclear program has once again been compromised and attacked by a new worm with exploits which have shut down our automation network at Natanz and another facility Fordo near Qom.

According to the email our cyber experts sent to our teams, they believe a hacker tool Metasploit was used. The hackers had access to our VPN. The automation network and Siemens hardware were attacked and shut down. I only know very little about these cyber issues as I am scientist not a computer expert.

There was also some music playing randomly on several of the workstations during the middle of the night with the volume maxed out. I believe it was playing ‘Thunderstruck’ by AC/DC”.

The virus also prompted several of the computers on site to play the song “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC at full volume in the middle of the night, according to the e-mail, part of which is published in English on the website.

F-Secure Security Labs, which is linked to F-Secure Oyj (FSC1V), the Finnish maker of security and cloud software, said that while it was unable to verify the details of the attack described, it had confirmed that the scientist who reported them was sending and receiving the e-mails from within Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization.

Iran’s nuclear program and oil facilities have been subject to a succession of cyber attacks that the Foreign Ministry said in May were launched by hostile governments as part of a broader “soft war.” Iran accuses the U.S. and Israel of trying to sabotage its technological progress. Both countries say Iran’s nuclear activities may have military intent, an allegation that Iran denies.

Call me a cynic if you will, but I suspect that this is one story that cannot, or will not be confirmed or denied. One has to question the authenticity of the emails purportedly originating from a “scientist” the AEOI.

Air Traffic Controllers!!

Posted by George Brown on 27/07/2012
Posted in: Aviation, Humour. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

I happened accross these two gems on an aviation web site. They must have been around for a while as there would be no WW2 pilots still in commercial service, but they brought a smile to my face!

See what you think:

Speedbird 206: “Good morning Hamburg Ground, Speedbird 206 clear of the active runway.”
Ground: “Guten morgen! Willkommen in Hamburg, you vill taxi to your gate, ja!”
The British Airways 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and stopped.
Ground: “Speedbird, do you not know vare you are going?”
Speedbird 206: “Stand by, ground, I’m looking up the gate location now.”
Ground (with impatience): “Speedbird 206, haff you never flown to Hamburg before?”
Speedbird 206 (coolly): “Yes sir, I have. It was 1944, at night, we were evading Fokkers, and I didn’t land to taxi!”

and in fairness to our German colleagues:

Lufhansa Pilot to co-pilot, forgetting that the frequency was open: “We used to come up the Thames, and turn over here for the docks….”
Another voice on the frequency: “ACHTUNG SPITFEUR!!”

Old RAF pilot and a Spitfire

Posted by George Brown on 27/07/2012
Posted in: Humour, Views. Leave a comment

Bureaucracy gone mad in England!

Recently in the town of Worcester, a retired WW2 Spitfire pilot was ‘not permitted’ to sit in a Spitfire on grounds of ‘Health & Safety’.

The former RAF pilot, still a rather fit and spritely 93, stated ‘I had to laugh to think I wasn’t allowed to sit in a stationary Spitfire, in case I got hurt’.

‘I just wish the Luftwaffe had been so caring’.

The Olympics and the Falklands

Posted by George Brown on 26/07/2012
Posted in: News, Politics, Views. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

This column is not about the Falkland Island Olympic Games team competing in London.

Rather that the president of Argentina will not attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in a diplomatic snub to Britain as tensions increase over the disputed territorial claims about the Falkland Islands.

The London 2012 Olympic Games will attract more heads of state and foreign dignitaries than any other previous Olympic games, but Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner will be absent.

The Argentine embassy in London confirmed today that President Fernandez would not be attending at any time during the London 2012 Games. The spokesman declined to confirm that the decision was a deliberate diplomatic snub to Britain.

Argentina’s first female president has taken an increasingly hard line on the issue of sovreignty the Falkland Islands, which both London and Buenos Aires claim as sovereign territory. The relationship between Britain and Argentina has deteriorated as President Fernandez increases pressure on London as the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War approaches.  The Argentine government produced a provocative advertisement showing their athletes proportedly training in the Falklands. The advert contained this statement, “To compete on English soil, we train on Argentine soil.”  This author believes, considering the bilateral tension as a result of the sovreignty issue, that the ads were not actually filmed in the Falklands, rather somewhere in Argentina, perhaps using Falklands footage.

Britain response to the adverts was one of anger, with prime minister David Cameron supposedly having a number of disagreements with his Argentine counterpart during the G20 conference  in Mexico.

Christ Church Cathedral - Stanley

Christ Church Cathedral – Stanley

Interestingly, despite the political posturing, Jane’s Intelligence Weekly which produces fortnightly security alerts for various parts of the world, believes the chance of renewed conflct is remote.  Their assessment of the situation is found below:

“Increasing impatience in London concerning Argentina’s renewed sovereignty offensive over the Islands. With UK-Argentina relations now at their lowest ebb since the 1982 conflict, a decision by the MERCOSUR trade grouping to deny port access to Falklands-flagged shipping has further irked London. This comes in addition to increasing Argentine naval harassment of Falklands and Spanish vessels headed for the Uruguayan port of Montevideo. The situation has deteriorated beyond the usual levels of rhetoric, and further escalatory Argentine actions – including the proxy use of ultra-nationalist groups to undertake provocative actions over the holiday season – remain an outside possibility. Nevertheless, a return to military conflict remains remote.”

There are approximately 1,300 military personnel serving in the Falklands drawn from all four armed services; Army, Royal Navy, RAF and Royal Marines.  These are augmented by a Falkland Island Territorial (Reserve) Army unit.

The decision of a number of South American countries to close their ports to Falklands flagged shipping does not affect RN or UK vessels. It only affects ships sailing under a Falklands flag. Since this restriction was announced, HMS Protector, an ice patrol vessel on a scientific mission to the South Atlantic, made a routine port visit to Montevideo in Uruguay in early January 2012. The Vice President of the Uruguayan Ports Authority, Juan Jose Dominguez, confirmed that HMS Protector was welcome, and had full permission to visit Montevideo, he stated “the issue is the flying of a Malvinas [Falkland Islands] flag.”

The Argentine claim is included in the transitional provisions of the Constitution of Agrentina (as amended) in 1994:

“The Argentine Nation ratifies its legitimate and non-prescribing sovereignty over the Malvinas, Georgias del Sur and Sandwich del Sur Islands and over the corresponding maritime and insular zones, as they are an integral part of the National territory. The recovery of these territories and the full exercise of sovereignty, respecting the way of life for its inhabitants and according to the principles of international law, constitute a permanent and unwavering goal of the Argentine people”.

The Falkland Islands Constitution, which came into force on 1 January 2009, claims the right to self-determination, stating that:

“All peoples have the right to self-determination and by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development and may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit and international law; The realisation of the right of self-determination must be promoted and respected in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations”.

The UK government is committed to supporting the Falkland Islanders right to self-determination.

As the diplomatic conflict continues, it appears that a return to armed conflict appears unlikely. However, if you think that Britain will not protect the Falklands should Argentina invade the islands…think again!

The Enemy Within

Posted by George Brown on 23/07/2012
Posted in: News, Politics. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

This author usually tries to avoid direct political comment, but on this occasion it is felt that a point of view needs to be voiced.

It is with sadness that this author notes the recent mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado, and my condolensces go out to those families who have been affected by this senseless act of violence.

I dispair what is happening in the US.

In terms of US foreign policy, it seems that the US wants be the world’s police force, readily entering overseas conflicts, to bring “democracy” to that place. This is done by waging warfare until the lesser force is subdued, and done under the guise of bringing peace, democracy and safety to the world.

All the time while this is going on, America continues to fail to address, the ongoing problem of gun crime at home. The time is long overdue to shift their focus to within their own borders. How many more deaths will it take before the US authorities realise the is something intrisically wrong with the principle of the “right to bear arms”? To illustrate this, to date more than 19,000 law enforcement officers have been killed in the United States in the line of duty. Yes, you read right – 19,000!. By contrast, in the UK, about 300 police officers have died in the line of duty in the last 100 years.

There should a focus on the lawless and the crazed who use weapons approved and legalised for private ownership by successive state governments to commit unspeakable acts of carnage. These enemies within use these weapons to slaughter more innocent citizens than those who are threatened or killed by their armed forces who are identified as the “enemies of freedom”.

This author is often left aghast as to understand what valid reason a private citizen would have to own an assault rifle, an Uzi machine pistol, or any other high calibre weapon.

During the period 2008-2009, the last year for which complete data is available, there were 62,940 deaths within the US due to firearms. There are almost 300 million privately-owned firearms — that’s almost enough weapons to arm every man, woman and child — but while there is a gun in four out of every 10 of American homes, only a small percentage of owners have most of the weapons, with the average collection increasing in recent years to around seven guns per owner. In the world’s 23 wealthiest countries, 80 percent of all gun deaths aoccur in America, and 87 percent of all children killed by guns are American. In the last 45 years, gun crime has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000,000 (one million) people.

Ask any US citizen about gun ownership, and they will remind you that the right to bear arms is enshrined in the 2nd amendment to their constitution. One needs to remember that this document was enacted in 1787, when the United States was emerging from the War of Independance with the British. The United States was very much a different place then than it is today, often lawless and fontier like. There was no army at the time, therefore “a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” It could therefore be argued that now a large, well trained and technically superior army is in place in the US, the 2nd Amendment is no longer valid. Gun control in the US is often a piecemeal affair which often means minimal or no control.

I live in a country with strict gun control.  I can walk down the street without being assaulted or mugged by some “crazy” with a hand gun.  With strict gun control, there is no (little) gun crime.  Without guns your streets are safe, without guns you do not fear your neighbour.

It never ceases to amaze me how Americans think that the solution to their fear and paranoia is the ownership of guns, when the real solution is the removal of those guns (and thus the associated crime) from their society. Look to Canada, a similar culture to America – no handguns, little gun crime, the UK; no guns, no gun crime, Australia; no guns, no gun crime, New Zealand; no guns, no gun crime. Need I go on?  There is a message there!

Perhaps when it comes to lawlessness in the US, nothing has changed since 1787!

Britain moves to block entry of Greek Economic Refugees

Posted by George Brown on 23/07/2012
Posted in: News, Politics, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron is prepared to ignore Britain’s obligations under EU residency treaties and impose strict border controls that aim to block Greek citizens from entering the United Kingdom, if Greece is forced out of, or exits, the single currency.

The prime minister addressed MPs and stated that ministers have examined legal powers that would allow Britain to prevent Greek citizens of their right to free movement across into the UK, if the eurozone crisis leads to “stresses and strains”.

In an appearance before senior MPs on the cross-party House of Commons liaison committee, David Cameron confirmed that ministers have drawn up contingency plans for “all sorts of different eventualities”.

The worst-case scenario will cover a Greek exit from the euro. This action would have the potential to trigger further contraction of the already collapsed Greek economy and the resultant flight of hundreds of thousands of Greeks citizens who are currently entitled to settle in any EU country, seartching for a better life.

The prime minister said Britain is prepared to prevent a major influx of Greek citizens. “I would be prepared to do whatever it takes to keep our country safe, to keep our banking system strong, to keep our economy robust. At the end of the day, as prime minister, that is your first and foremost duty.”

David Cameron added, “I hope it wouldn’t come to that,” he said. “But, as I understand it, the legal powers are available if there are particular stresses and strains. You have to plan, you have to have contingencies, you have to be ready for anything – there is so much uncertainty in our world. But I hope those things don’t become necessary.”

What response may be taken against the UK as a result of this descision being actioned? The other interesting fact here is that Britian never adopted the one currency principle. Euros can only be used in the UK in limited locations, mostly ferry and airport terminals around the country.

Michelle Jenneke’s Barcelona Warm-Up

Posted by George Brown on 22/07/2012
Posted in: Humour, Sport. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

While doing my daily troll through my usual webs sites, looking for inspiration for a new post, I found the following video on the Macedonian International News Agency (MINA) web site.

It is a video of Australia’s Michelle Jenneke winning the 100m hurdles at the Junior World Championships held in Barcelona in 2012.

She started into a little dance as she loosened up prior to the race and continued it after the race was won. The girl knows how to be happy and have fun. See if you agree.

Macedonians Say No More Statues!

Posted by George Brown on 21/07/2012
Posted in: Politics, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , . 1 Comment

After filling the capital with dozens of new monuments, most Macedonians want the government to stop spending money on statues and such like, an opinion poll shows.

According to the poll by a Skopje agency, more than 81 per cent of the respondents say the government should stop the spending of public funds on new monuments as part of its revamp of the capital. The renewal is known as Skopje 2014.

Only 18 per cent opted for more statues while the rest, less than 1 per cent, said they were not sure.

The issue has been debated this week in parliament after the opposition Social Democrats used the poll to attack the ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party for its lavish spending habits at a time of global economic crisis. All this in a country were the average monthly wage is about AU$350 per month.

Alexander the Great – Prilep

The project will have negative effects on Macedonia, both at home and abroad, especially with their on-going 21 year old dispute with Greece.

VMRO DPMNE has defended the spending as necessary for the makeover of the shabby-looking city.

It says that increased income from tourism in the future will more than justify the sums being spent now on new monuments.

The project also envisages the construction of some 20 other buildings, including, museums, theatres, concert halls, hotels and administrative offices whose construction in most cases is either finished or is well under way.

In May 2012, the government announced another giant monument for the city centre, a 30-metre-high statue of Nobel Prize-winning Catholic nun, Mother Teresa, who was born in Skopje.

See other Skopje statues here.

Skopje is not alone in its desire for expensive statues. The photos on this page illustrate statues erected in other major Macedonian cities.

Alexander the Great – Skopje

По пополнувањето на капитал со десетици нови споменици, повеќето Македонците сакаат владата да престане да трошат пари на статуи и од ваков вид, на анкетата покажува.

Според анкетата од страна на агенцијата Скопје, повеќе од 81 проценти од испитаниците велат дека владата треба да престане трошењето на јавните средства за новите споменици како дел од својата преработиш на главниот град. Обновување е познат како Скопје 2014 година.

Само 18 проценти се одлучија за повеќе статуи, додека останатите, помалку од 1 отсто, рече дека тие не биле сигурни.

Прашањето беше дебатира оваа недела во парламентот по користи опозициските социјалдемократи на анкетата за напад на владејачката централно-десничарската ВМРО ДПМНЕ за својот раскошен навики за трошење во време на глобалната економска криза. Сето ова во земјата беа од просечната месечна плата е околу АУ 350 $ месечно.

Alexander the Great - Bitola

Alexander the Great – Bitola (foreground) – Statue was not completed at the time photo this was taken (2010)

Alexander the Great - Bitola

Alexander the Great – Bitola – Completed

Проектот ќе има негативни ефекти врз Македонија, и дома и во странство, особено со нивните тековни 21-годишниот спор со Грција.

ВМРО-ДПМНЕ ја бранеше трошење како што е потребно за преуредување на стара изглед градот.

Таа вели дека зголемување на приходите од туризмот во иднина повеќе од ќе го оправда суми се трошат сега на нови споменици.

Проектот исто така предвидува изградба на околу 20 други објекти, вклучувајќи, музеи, театри, концертни сали, хотели и административни канцеларии, чија изградба во повеќето случаи е или завршено или е во тек.

St Kiril - Ohrid

St Kliment – Ohrid

Во мај 2012 година, Владата најави уште една гигант споменик за центарот на градот, 30 метри висока статуа на Нобеловата награда Католичката калуѓерка, Мајка Тереза, која е родена во Скопје.

Види други Скопје статуи тука.

Скопје не е сам во неговата желба за скапи статуи. Слики на оваа страница илустрираат статуи подигната во другите поголеми градови во Македонија.

Alexander the Great - Skopje Airport

Alexander the Great – Skopje Airport

A New Constitution for Zimbabwe?

Posted by George Brown on 21/07/2012
Posted in: Politics, Views. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

Zimbabwean lawmakers have finalised a draft constitution that curtails presidential powers and limits terms to 10 years as part of key reforms ahead of elections later in the year.

The proposed document, which will be subject to a referendum, was drafted by legal experts from all the main political parties to a power-sharing government that has been in place since the 2008 elections.

President Robert Mugabe who has been the President of Zimbabwe for 32 years, was forced into the power-sharing deal with arch rival Morgan Tsvangirai after the disputed election result in 2008 and to avoid a descent into civil war.
True to form, Mugabe is trying to get out of the power-sharing deal, by calling for new elections without a new constitution.

However southern African regional leaders have impressed on him at a June summit that elections had to take place under a new constitution.

Key points of the proposed constitution include:

  1. Limiting to term of office of the president to 10 years
  2. Requiring the head of state to consult parliament and the cabinet on key appointments.
  3. Term limits for the executive and independent institutions in the public sector and other state-controlled entities, including the security services.
  4. Protection for a serving president from prosecution, but the immunity falls away when the president leaves office.
  5. Compensation for white farmers who were forced off their land under Mugabe’s controversial land reforms and protects the property rights of the new farmers.
  6. A new national peace and reconciliation commission that would be “encouraging people to tell the truth about the past, facilitating the making of amends.”

The draft constitution will be put to a public conference ain August and then to a referendum at a date yet to be announced.

Robert Mugabe is not going to like this proposal as it will surely end his 32 year presidency. Mugabe has been the only president of Zimbabwe since independence from Great Britain in 1980. However the EU is encouraging the reform process  by the resumption of aid and the suspension of most sanctions against Zimbabwe, once a referendum on the new constitution has been organised. The EU  will offer to lift sanctions against most of the 112 Zimbabweans still under an EU asset freeze and travel ban decided in 2002, however sanctions against a “small core” of people including Mugabe will remain in place.

There are fresh fears that plans are being laid by Mugabe’s party, the ZANU PF to dismiss the proposed new constitution, in a move that will ensure there are no voting rights for expatriate Zimbabweans. There is still no confirmation about when the draft constitution will be released, but ZANU PF has repeatedly shown resistance to the document.

Robert Mugabe’s party has been advocating for the ‘Kariba Draft‘ constitution, which was a negotiated document made well before COPAC (Constitution Select Committee) was tasked with setting the laws for a new, democratic Zimbabwe.

More than three years and an estimated US$75 million later, the COPAC constitutional draft is believed to be ready for release with a referendum expected later this year. But recent developments in Parliament have left some members of the public questioning if this new charter will ever be allowed to be instituted (by Mugabe).

It is this author’s belief that Mugabe will go to any lengths, or do anything to retain his grab on power.  The despotic governmental style in Zimbabwe shows no sign of ending any time soon.

For more information on the activities of the Zimbabwean Constitution Select Committe and their activities, click here.

Then there is the matter of continuing and escalating human rights violations under the Mugabe administration and his party, ZANU-PF.