Sony hackers increase threats of ‘real-world’ attack
What began as a cyber attack; albeit a high-profile one with multiple ramifications; has taken a darker twist as the hackers who targeted Sony Pictures have threatened ‘real-world’ attacks. The so-called Guardians of Peace have threatened to target movie theaters when Sony’s satirical film about North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un is released next week. In a statement they have warned movie-goers that they could be the victims of an attack on the scale of 9/11. A number of theaters have already said they will not now be showing the film and the New York Premiere of ‘The Interview’ has also been cancelled.
US terrorism insurance set to end as senate fails to agree
An objection from a single senator could derail plans to renew the US Terrorism Risk Insurance Act. Oklahoma Republican Senator Tom Coburn objected to the act’s renewal saying that the taxpayers take all the risk while “the insurance industry takes all the money.” Congress is now out of time to pass the act this year the TRIA will expire on December 31st. Political analysts are divided on whether there will be a smoother transition through Congress when the act is tabled again next year or whether Senator Coburn’s objections will be taken up by others.
The sectors most at risk from bribery
Businesses in construction; transportation; information and communication; and extractive industries such as raw material producers are most at risk from bribery. That’s the conclusion of a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development which states that almost two-thirds of all cases involve those sectors. The Foreign Bribery Report acknowledges that the information it has is probably just a snapshot of a much bigger issue, given the shady nature of bribery. It says that bribes will typically happen between big companies and with the knowledge of senior management. The size of bribes averages more than 10 per cent of the total value of the transaction and more than a third of the profits. Read the full report.
