Briefsfromshittu: Newly discovered Samba software flaw prompts fears...

Briefsfromshittu: Newly discovered Samba software flaw prompts fears...: A newly discovered software flaw has prompted fears of another cyberattack in the style of the WannaCry ransomware that hit the NHS and othe...

Newly discovered Samba software flaw prompts fears of WannaCry cyberattack repeat

A newly discovered software flaw has prompted fears of another cyberattack in the style of the WannaCry ransomware that hit the NHS and other organisations across the world.

The vulnerability in popular networking software Samba could potentially affect hundreds of thousands of devices.

It leaves those devices exposed to attackers who could potentially remotely upload and execute code to take control of affected computers.

The US Department of Homeland Security announced the vulnerability and encouraged system administrators to apply a patch released by Samba.

In April, a group calling itself the Shadow Brokers leaked a software exploit named EternalBlue which was then used by WannaCry to infect NHS computers, for which a patch was available a month prior.

System administrators needed to apply the patch, however, and this did not happen in many NHS trusts.

Much like the vulnerability that WannaCry exploited in Microsoft operating systems, the flaw in the Samba code, which affects Linux and Unix-based operating systems, has existed for more than five years but was only recently detected.

WannaCry was what researchers call "wormable", meaning it was able to replicate itself to infect more vulnerable machines without being controlled by user actions.

These researchers also believe the Samba vulnerability may be wormable. They believe it would be more difficult for attackers to develop that capability - but not impossible.

Speaking to Sky News on the condition of anonymity, one researcher said: "There are a lot of important hosts with Samba exposed to the internet."

He informed us that the vulnerability has already been detected on television stations, at genetic research labs, and even on US military domains.

A spokesperson for the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) told Sky News: "We are aware of this potential cyberthreat but there is no evidence of any significant impact."

NCSC's duty is to monitor for any impact if it arises during the coming days.

"We recommend that all users follow the guidance on the NCSC website - install the latest security software patches, back up data and use proper antivirus software services," the spokesperson said.

Iran announces new underground ballistic missiles factory

Iran says it has built a third underground ballistic missiles factory, risking inflaming tensions with the US.

The plant has been completed in the country in recent years, a military official revealed on Thursday.

It comes days after the White House called for newly re-elected President Hassan Rouhani to end Iran's ballistic missiles programme.

On his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, US President Donald Trump also accused Iran of fuelling conflict and terrorism across the Middle East.

Image:Iran's newly re-elected president Hassan Rouhani

Announcing the news, General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' air force, said: "Step by step, we are developing our defensive capability and I announce today that in recent years we have built a third underground factory for the manufacture of missiles."

Quoted by a semi-official news agency in Iran, General Hajizadeh added: "We are going to develop our ballistic power.

"It's normal that our enemies, that is to say the United States and Israel, are angry when we show off our underground missile bases because they want the Iranian people to be in a position of weakness."

Mr Trump has been a consistent critic of Iran and, earlier this year, imposed fresh sanctions on the country following a ballistic missile test.

At the time, the President accused Iran of "playing with fire".

Last week, the Trump administration placed further penalties on the country prompting a tit-for-tat response from Iran.

Image:Donald Trump criticised Iran on his recent trip to Saudi Arabia

Iran has developed a number of types of ballistic missiles, with some powerful enough to reach both Israel and American military bases in the Middle East.

It is feared the missiles could carry nuclear weapons in the future, although Iran has continued to comply with the terms of a 2015 deal aimed at limiting its nuclear capabilities.

The agreement, struck by former US president Barack Obama, lifts sanctions on Iran in return for the country scaling down its enrichment of uranium.

Mr Trump has voiced his opposition to the nuclear deal and will review its future.

Speaking in Israel on Monday, the US President claimed "Iran will never have nuclear weapons".

Ariana Grande cancels UK shows after Manchester Arena terror attack

Ariana Grande has cancelled her upcoming UK shows after 22 people were killed by a suicide bombing at her Manchester Arena concert.

The US singer was set to play at London's O2 on Thursday and Friday, but has cancelled those dates and five others in Antwerp, Lodz, Frankfurt and Zurich.

:: LIVE: The latest updates on the Manchester attack from the Sky News team

Her management says the Dangerous Woman tour has been suspended "until we can further assess the situation and pay our proper respects to those lost".

"The London O2 shows this week have been cancelled as well as all shows thru June 5 in Switzerland," a statement said.

"We ask at this time that we all continue to support the city of Manchester and all those families affected by this cowardice and senseless act of violence.

"Our way of life has once again been threatened but we will overcome this together. Thank you."

Police continue hunt for Salman Abedi's 'terror network'

Police investigating the Manchester Arena attack are looking into a possible "terror network" following the arrest of eight people in the UK.

Greater Manchester chief constable Ian Hopkins said: "It's very clear that this is a network that we are investigating."

Six men were taken into custody after a series of raids across Manchester, Wigan and Nuneaton, Warwickshire on Wednesday.

:: LIVE: The latest updates on the Manchester attack

:: Manchester bomber linked to key UK IS recruiter

One of those arrested was the bomber's older brother, 23-year-old Ismail Abedi.

Two men were then arrested on Thursday, one following a search of an address in the Withington area.

A woman who was arrested in connection with the attack, but has now been released without charge.

Meanwhile, the father and brother of the bomber, Salman Abedi, have also been arrested in Libya.

Ramadan Abedi, and 20-year-old Hashem Abedi were arrested by counter-terror police in the capital Tripoli.

:: Who was Salman Abedi?

:: Salman Abedi: Tracing the needle back to the haystack

Hashem Abedi is believed to have known about his elder brother's plot to detonate the nail bomb, and is also suspected of planning to carry out his own attack in Tripoli.

When arrested he is reported to have told Libyan authorities: "I have ideology with my brother … I know everything about my brother, what he was doing there in Manchester."

There was no reason given for the arrest of father Ramadan Abedi, who was detained outside his home.

Before his arrest Ramadan had insisted his son Salman was innocent.

:: UK hits out at US 'leaks' over Manchester inquiry

:: Ariana Grande cancels UK shows after terror attack

He said: "We don't believe in killing innocents. This is not us."

In developments overnight, police carried out a controlled explosion at a property in the Moss Side area of Manchester.

Two other controlled explosions took place earlier in the week as part of the ongoing investigation.

CCTV images have also been obtained by Sky News, appearing to show Abedi buying the rucksack police believe he used to conceal the bomb.

The footage taken from the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester was filmed just three days before the attack.

:: Operation Temperer: What will Army's role be?

​​​​​​​:: Theresa May launches her 'war on terror'

After the UK's terror threat level was raised to critical, almost 1,000 military personnel have been deployed at key sights around the UK.

Police have now identified all 22 victims, and the Government has announced that a minute's silence will be held to honour all those affected by the attack.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester police have warned of fraudulent fund raising pages on the internet, urging well-wishers to only donate to the official JustGiving page.

Donald Trump tells Pope Francis: 'We can use some peace'

Donald Trump has met the Pope at the Vatican on the latest leg of his first foreign trip as US President.

The two leaders, who offer starkly contrasting world views, appeared to set aside differences to offer a united message of peace.

During the 30-minute meeting at the Apostolic Palace, the Pope presented the President with copies of his three main teaching documents, a traditional gift for visiting heads of state, and a medal embossed with an olive branch.

Image:After the cameras left the US President had a private meeting with the Pope

Mr Trump received the medal, commenting: "We can use peace". He added he would be reading the Pope's teachings.

As the two men chatted, Mr Trump was heard telling the Pope that it was "a great honour" to meet him.

The Pope was then introduced to the Trump delegation, including Mr Trump's wife Melania, his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, a senior Presidential advisor.

In a light moment, the Pope used his translator to ask the First Lady "What do you give him to eat? Potica (a calorie-laden Slovenian cake)?". There was some confusion as at first many believed he had asked if she fed him pizza.

During the American election campaign, Mr Trump's plan to build a wall on the Mexican border was criticised by Pope Francis as was his pledge to turn away Muslim immigrants and refugees.

"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," the Pope had said. Mr Trump respondent at the time saying it was "disgraceful" for the Pope to doubt his faith.

Image:The President's daughter, Ivanka, and her husband Jared Kushner were on the visit

More potentially awkward meetings await the President on the next leg of his trip to Belgium where he is attending a NATO summit, meeting the leaders of the European Union as well as the King, Queen and Prime Minister of Belgium.

During the election campaign, Mr Trump declared that the NATO military alliance, of which the United States is a principle member, was "obsolete".

Although he U-turned last month, declaring that the alliance was "no longer obsolete", he has remained extremely critical of most members' refusal to spend the required 2% of GDP on defence.

Revamped Nokia 3310 mobile phone goes on sale in the UK

A retro revamp of Nokia's famous 3310 handset has gone on sale today, retailing for around £50.

The phone can be bought from high street retailers including Vodafone and Carphone Warehouse, but some have already sold out.

The device, which first came out in 2000 and was discontinued five years later, was known for its long battery life, indestructible nature and popular Snake game, with 126 million units produced.

The updated version has a battery that lasts a month on standby mode - defined as the amount of time a fully-charged phone can be left on waiting for a call or text message - compared to around 11 days in the original.

It also offers modern upgrades including a 2 megapixel camera and a microSD card slot to help with storage.

Image:HMD Global boss Arto Nummela unveiled the phone at the World Mobile Congress in February

When the new model was first unveiled in February, HMD Global, which owns the Nokia brand, said it would be aimed at those looking for a second or so-called "burner" phone to make calls and send texts.

It offers 2.5G connectivity, meaning the user can only get basic internet on the handset, and there is no Wi-Fi.

The phone comes in several colours including red and yellow and also boasts a colour screen - including an updated colour version of the much-loved classic Snake game.

Image:The Nokia 3310, introduced in September 2000, was one of the brand's most successful models

Nokia once dominated the mobile phone market but was overtaken by Apple and Samsung as its popularity waned.

In 2014, Nokia sold its ailing handset operations to Microsoft for $7bn.

HMD, a new company led by ex-Nokia executives and backed by Chinese electronics giant Foxconn, took over the Nokia feature phones business in December.

It struck a licensing deal that gave it sole use of the Nokia brand on all phones and tablets for the next decade.