New document reveals that The NSA can "spy on smartphones"

The NSA and GCHQ can reportedly tap into data held on iOS, Android and BlackBerry smartphones, according to new documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The two spy agencies are apparently capable of tapping into smartphones and downloading contact lists, SMS data, location information and other data, according to a report in Der Spiegel.

The new documents suggest that GCHQ has managed to circumvent BlackBerry's much-touted security - and celebrated the fact with a message titled "Champagne!"

According to the documents, the NSA set up working groups to tackle each operating system, though it isn't clear when. The group working on iOS exploited a feature which lets iPhone users sync their devices with their PCs. Agents then hacked into the synced PCs, giving them access to iPhone data.

The report doesn't detail how Android phones are hacked.

But the two agencies have reportedly managed to tap into BlackBerry mail - apparently succeeding where several governments have failed.

It appears the NSA initially cracked BlackBerry's security itself, but temporarily lost access in 2009 after the Canadiam firm altered its data compression methods. But GCHQ came to the rescue, apparently regaining access to BlackBerry device data in 2010. It isn't clear how GCHQ managed to get around BlackBerry's security.

BlackBerry is refusing to comment on the reports but, in line with other tech firms accused of handing over access to customer data, told Der Spiegel that it hadn't provided a "back door" to its systems.

The new report follows revelations last week that GCHQ and the NSA had cracked several common encryption technologies
.

control your car with a smart watch- SUPER COOL

Nissan launches car-connecting Nismo Watch




"Be one with your car" is a mantra often muttered by motorheads, but Nissan is taking syncing with your vehicle to a whole new level with the introduction of the Nismo Watch.

Nissan called the new smartwatch its first step into wearable tech, foreshadowing more developments down the line. The Nismo Watch offers a mix of biometric data and car performance stats, and it's specifically designed for drivers of its Nismo performance line of vehicles, which include the Juke Nismo and 370Z Nismo.
Wearable stats

The biometric data coming from the Nismo Watch is sent in real time, keeping a finger on a wearer's internals through a heart rate monitor and ideally leading to an increase in performance and efficiency.

There's plenty more to look at on the car side of things, too. The Nismo Watch connects to a vehicle using a smartphone app and Bluetooth Low Energy, creating a flow of data between car and wearable.

The watch can keep track of a car's efficiency by monitoring its average speed and fuel use, and according to a promo video, the Nismo Watch can warn you to slow down if your heart rate gets too high, give a heads up on road conditions and send you alerts when it's time to schedule car maintenance, among other tailored car messages.

Unsurprisingly, there's a social element at play as well. Nissan said the watch keeps an eye on and rates how a user performs across Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram through its Social Speed software. Alerts for a new message and back-patting messages like "You tweet like a pro" are apparently part of the package.

Nissan is offering the watch in three colors - black, white and "flagship" black and red. Its design is seamless and features two buttons to control the UI. According to the carmaker, the watch's lithium battery can last more than seven days with normal use. A micro-USB port will juice the Nismo Watch when it needs to fill up.

The Nissan watch should be available globally, though we have no word yet on pricing.
Racing into the future

Nissan looks to be heading full throttle into wearables, which should make for one hell of a ride.

INVENTION: New software tracks algae

The technique has already been applied to field data collected from Lake Victoria in Kenya.

Researchers at The University of Western Australia have developed a new technique to detect and monitor algae in aquatic systems.

Research Associate Professor Clelia Marti, from UWA's Centre for Water Research, said to understand the ecology of an aquatic system, it was important to know how algae, or phytoplankton communities, were distributed due to their central role in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.

"Traditionally, this could only be known from the collection and analysis of a large number of water samples through labour-intensive microscopic methods and experienced staff, which is a long and expensive process," Professor Marti said.

To overcome these issues, the team of scientists at the Centre for Water Research, led by Professor Jorg Imberger and Professor Marti, developed new hardware and software that allowed them to rapidly survey in the field and assess on site the distribution of phytoplankton.

Professor Marti said scientists were able to determine phytoplankton distribution by measuring spectral fluorescence data, which contained important information about phytoplankton composition that was difficult to decode from raw data.

Recognising this issue, recently graduated PhD student Dr Ryan Alexander developed a new technique with the CWR team that allows the main features in the phytoplankton distribution to be identified based on interpreting a two-dimensional graph.

This technique was applied to field data collected from Lake Victoria in Kenya, one of the largest lakes in the world. Outcomes of the research provided new insights that are relevant to the ongoing management of that important water resource
.

WORLD HAPPIEST COUNTRIES 2013 LATEST REPORTS

 

Conducted by the OECD and UNDP's Human Development Report; and provides guidance for policy makers on how to effectively incorporate well-being into decision making.

The 2013 report identifies the countries with the highest levels of happiness in the 2010-2012 surveys, with Canada ranking sixth:

1. Denmark

2. Norway

3. Switzerland

4. Netherlands

5. Sweden

6. Canada

The World Happiness Report 2013 reveals several fascinating trends in the data. On a scale running from 0 to 10, people in over 150 countries reveal a population-weighted average score of 5.1. Six key variables explain three-quarters of the variation in annual national average scores over time and among countries: real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, perceived freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption, and generosity.

The Report also demonstrates the major beneficial side-effects of happiness. Happy people live longer, are more productive, earn more, and are also better citizens. The Report suggests, therefore, that well-being should be developed both for its own sake and for its side-effects.

check out the features of HUMAN ARTIFICIAL NOSE

Artificial nose 'smells' infection by detecting bacteria which cause blood poisoning
The device can detect the lethal bug in 24 hours rather than 72 hours
An artificial ‘nose’ can sniff out the bacteria that cause blood poisoning.

The device uses odour-detecting sensors to test for the lethal bugs in 24 hours rather than the usual 72, a difference that could save many lives.

Researchers hope it will be used to prevent sepsis, a condition that causes the immune system to overreact to infectious bacteria.



Breakthrough: Researchers hope that the artificial nose will be used to prevent sepsis which kills an estimated 20 to 35 per cent of sufferers

The device consists of a small plastic bottle that contains a chemical sensing array or ‘artificial nose’.

A blood sample is injected into the bottle, which also contains a nutrient solution that helps bacteria to grow rapidly.

The growing bacteria release odours that are detected by sensors.

BASKET MOUTH 2nd in best African Stand Up Comedians 2013

Compiled by popular comedy site Officiallaughs.com (not Nigerian) listing the top 20 best stand up comedians in Africa. The cute guy above is apparently the best in Africa, followed by our very own Basketmouth. See the top twenty below and tell us if you agree…

1 Trevor Noah (South Africa)
2 Basketmouth (Nigerian)
3 Michael Blackson (Ghana)
4 Riaad Moosa (South Africa)
5 Klint The Drunk (Nigeria)
6 David Kau (South Africa)
7 Daliso Chaponda (Malawi)
8 I Go Dye (Nigeria)
9 Eric Omondi (Kenya)
10 Eddie Kadi (Congo)
11 Loyiso Gola (South Africa)
12 Ali Baba (Nigeria)
13 David Kibuuka (South Africa)
14 Kasambwe Mpulamasaka (Zambia)

15 Nik Rabinowitz (South Africa)
16 Foxy P (Nigeria)
17 John Vlismas (South African)
18 A Dot (Nigerian)
19 Daniel Omara (Uganda)
20 Gbenga Adeyinka (Nigeria)

UNIOSUN Admission List 2013 Out: Check yours here

The Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has released the first batch admission list of candidates admitted into her various undergraduate programmes for the 2013/2014 academic session.

Candidates who sat for the 2013/2014 UNIOSUN post UTME screening can now check their admission status on the Uniosun post utme portal.
How To Check the 1st batch 2013/2014 UNIOSUN Admission List:

Follow the steps below to check Admission Status on the UNIOSUN post utme portal;

1) Visit the Osun State University admission status checking portal via the link below;

>>UNIOSUN Admission Status Checking Portal<<

2) Select your Application Type (i.e. REGULAR),

3) Type in your Registration Number in the space provided,

4) Enter your PIN code

5) then click the SIGN IN button

ritualist caught with humans head- they gring human skull to powder

The three suspects, whose names were given as Saleh Ibrahim (35), Usman Lashi Sarki (30) and Dantala Doma, a.k.a. Operator, (25) years had conspired with other people which included a Fulani man simply identified as Gajere, now at large, who had allegedly given them a dried human skull to go and grind.

Nemesis however caught up with them on Monday August 26, few hours after Ibrahim lured a 10-year-old boy, Ishaya Segi, from his father’s farm at Amale village in Shiroro Local Government of the state, put him on his motorcycle and abducted him to Lashi village, also within the council area where his two other accomplices were waiting for him.

Saleh was said to have urged the boy to accompany him to his friend’s place in the neighbourhood, after which he would bring him back to the same spot where he had picked him. The victim was said to have followed Saleh, unknown to him that he would never return alive.

Redeemers’ Univeristy re-admits 28 students expelled over Cocaine mess

On February 2013, 28 students of Redeemers University were expelled by the university for allegedly failing drug tests. The tests were conducted last November for 42 students during their exam.

The expulsion generated a lot of criticisms causing the school to rescind its decision in April. The school wrote letters to the affected students asking them to face a panel to explain why they failed the test, after which the panel would make a new judgement.

Well, the school has reviewed the case and has decided to re-admit all 28 students on the condition that the students will miss a whole semester and go for five month rehabilitation at a rehab centre.

A decision that didn’t go down well with the affected students and their parents but however better than being left at home permanently.

true or false?? Students don’t want us to end strike – ASUU President

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said it is continuing its nationwide strike on the advice of university students.

In a telephone interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, the President of the union, Dr. Isa Fagge, said students were tired of the incessant industrial actions by the university lecturers due to the Federal Government’s failure to implement the agreement it had with ASUU since 2009.

Fagge said the union had decided to heed the advice of the students to continue the strike until the Federal Government fully implemented the agreement.

“Our students have come out to say they don’t want us to call off the strike until the Federal Government answers us, because they don’t want us to call off now and later we go back to strike again. So, we are heeding the advice of our students,” he said.

Nigerian Defence Academy's new Cadets to resume on the 21st of September

This is to inform the newly admitted cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy to start preparing for resumption on the 21st of September at the NDA New site, Kaduna. 

Any cadet who fails to resume after the 23rd of September will have his/her space given to someone on the reserve list. 

Candidates who haven't viewed the admission list yet should check it out at www.nda.edu.ng.

FUNAAB 2013/2014 Post UTME Results is OUT

Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta has just released the post utme screening exercise which took place on 4th September and concluded on 6th September.

Aspirants are advised to visit the admission portal for their results and await further notice on screening and admission list.

Meanwhile no cut-off marks has been fixed for admission into FUNAAB, we will keep you informed when there is.

To check your result not, visit this link now.