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Here are today’s news briefs including Putin targeting chess hero, Mexico’s first woman president and huge Ticketmaster data hack.
Hack of Tickemaster affects 560 million people
Embattled Live Nation admitted Monday its Tickemaster database has been compromised after the hacker group ShinyHunters said they had stolen the personal details of 560 million customers. The theft includes names, addresses, phone numbers and partial credit card details from Ticketmaster users worldwide. The group is demanding a $500,000 payment to prevent the data from being sold to other parties. In a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Live Nation said the hackers offered the data for sale on the dark web on May 27. Some experts are encouraging Tickemaster users to delete their accounts and inform associated credit cards that additional security measurs are needed for their use.
Mexico elects first female president
While not official, Mexico has elected its first female president. Claudia Sheinbaum won handily in Sunday’s election and was congratulated by the country’s current and controversial leader, Andres Manuel López Obrador. Sheinbaum, who is a secular Jew, said Monday that her administration would govern all Mexicans “without distinction.” She comes from the current ruling party which is accused of having ties to drug cartels that control much of the country. Sheinbaum holds a degree in physics and a master’s and doctorate in energy engineering.
Biden gun trial set to begin
Jury selection in Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial begins today, as DOJ prosecutors say he lied about drug use and other questions on a gun purchase form. Biden bought a revolver in 2018 and selected a box indicating he was not an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any drugs. The president’s youngest son then later admitted in his memoir that he abused crack cocain. Photos on his laptop incuded him with cocaine and weapons. Biden’s lawyers are using a controversial interpretation of a law and claim he was not “legally” addicted to drugs at the time of the purchase. He has also been indicted on tax evasion charges.
Chess icon targeted by Russia
Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, who fled Russia a decade ago for fear of persecution, is now being targeted by Vladimir Putin. TASS news agency reports the chess icon, a fierce critic of Putin and Russia’s war on Ukraine, may face a criminal case in Moscow for violating an arcain law used to imprison dissenters. Russian lsays there is “every reason” to charge Kasparov, without providing further details. Russia added Kasparov to the list of individuals acting as foreign agents after the invasion on Ukraine in 2022. Some on the list have died mysteriously, including falls from high-rise buildings.
–Dwight Widaman and wire services
