Hackers can fob off new cars in relay

SIX of the 11 new cars launched this year have been given a “poor” security rating because their keyless systems can be easily hacked into by thieves.

The latest models of the Ford Mondeo, Hyundai Nexo, Kia ProCeed, Lexus UX, Porsche Macan and Toyota Corolla have no extra measures to stop criminals using “relay” devices to break into them, UK security firm Thatcham Research says. These gadgets extend the signals transmitted by the key fob to open a car door and start the engine. THE film industry has never been more successful than it was in 2018, when it earned $US96.8 billion including more than $US40 billion in cinema ticket sales, according to figures published yesterday by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

Online video streaming services such as Amazon Prime and Netflix in particular saw impressive growth, with subscriptions surpassing those of cable TV for the first time.

The MPAA, whose membership includes Hollywood’s six largest studios and most recently, Netflix, said that more than half (52 per cent) of Americans’ screen time was spent on digital platforms.

According to the report, the global film market in theaters and at home grew by 9 per cent compared to 2017.

Spending on home viewing rose 16 per cent on the previous year, reaching $US55.7 billion. And while cinema ticket sales rose in the US and Canada – up 7 per cent to $US11.9 billion – they dropped 1 per cent in the rest of the world to $US29.2 billion.

However, that did not stop the opening of new cinemas, with the worldwide theater population rising 7 per cent to nearly 190,000.

Outside North America, seven countries saw box office totals over $US1 billion: China ($US9 billion), Japan ($US2 billion) Britain, France, India and Germany. AUTHORITIES in Zambia have banned an energy drink after laboratory results showed that it contained the active ingredient of the anti-impotence drug Viagra.

SX Energy Natural Power drink, produced by Revin Zambia, is exported around the region including to Uganda, where a consumer recently complained of a prolonged erection and profuse sweating.

Authorities in the Zambian city of Ndola where the manufacturer is based, ordered “a product recall of natural high energy drink SX”.

Revin Zambia officials were not immediately available to comment.