More than 1,000 restaurants are hacked for credit, debit card info: Wendy’s

July 8, 2016

Wendy’s said hackers were able to steal customers’ credit and debit card information at 1,025 of its US restaurants, far more than it originally thought.The hamburger chain said Thursday hackers were able to obtain card numbers, names, expiration dates and codes on the card, beginning in late fall. Some customers’ cards were used to make fraudulent purchases at other stores.

Wendy’s urged customers to check their accounts for any fraudulent purchases.The Dublin, Ohio, company first announced it was investigating a possible hack in January. In May, it said malware was found in fewer than 300 restaurants. About a month later, it said two types of malware were found and the number of restaurants affected was “considerably higher.”

There are more than 5,700 Wendy’s restaurants in the US.Customers can see which locations were affected through the Wendy’s website. The company said it is offering free one-year credit monitoring to people who paid with a card at any of those restaurants.

Putin signs controversial ‘Big Brother’ law

July 8, 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a package of controversial anti-terror amendments dubbed “Big Brother” measures by critics that may cost internet companies billions.The measures, posted online Thursday by the government, boost the surveillance powers for the security services by requiring communication providers to store users’ calls, messages, photographs and videos for six months, as well as metadata for up to three years.

They also have to provide security services with access to this data and any necessary encryption mechanisms necessary to use it.They also criminalise several offences, lower the age of criminal responsibility to 14 for some crimes and extend prison sentences for online crimes like abetting terrorism.The passage of the bills through Russia’s lower and upper houses of parliament sent shockwaves through the internet and telecoms industries.

In an interview with Kommersant daily published Thursday, CEO of Megafon mobile provider Sergei Soldatenkov said that the law as it stands would require the company to spend 200 billion rubles ($3.1 billion) to ensure the data storage requirement — four times its annual profit.”This bill financially kills the telecommunication industry,” he said, instead proposing that the government tax the industry by an additional one percent and use the money to build the necessary infrastructure.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Thursday that Putin also tasked the government to monitor “how this law is realised” and take measures if there are “undesirable” consequences.The law inspired the former US intelligence contractor turned privacy activist Edward Snowden to issue a rare comment on a domestic policy in Russia, where he is currently living in exile.Snowden said Thursday on Twitter it was a “dark day for Russia”.

“Signing the #BigBrother law must be condemned,” he said, adding that he would criticise the law despite fearing retaliation from Russian authorities. © AFP, 2016

3 killed in attack on Bangladesh Eid gathering

July 8, 2016

Suspected Islamist militants launched another deadly attack in Bangladesh on Thursday, using bombs, guns and machetes, on an Eid rally, killing two policemen and a woman. One of the attackers was shot dead by the police.

The incident occurred at 9.45 a.m. near the historic Sholakia Eidgah in eastern Kishoregonj district, some 150 km north of Dhaka, where an estimated 3,00,000 people gathered to offer prayers. The attack was launched just before the prayers were to begin.

A group of three assailants first hurled bombs at a police checkpoint near the gathering. The police responded with gunfire to prevent the attackers from coming close to the congregation. The civilian who died in the attack was identified as Jharna Rani Bhoumik. Additional Superintendent of the Kishoreganj police Abu Sayem confirmed that four persons were killed on the spot. The police arrested two attackers. and recovered a pistol and machetes from the scene. At least 20 people were injured in bomb blasts and gunfire. One of the attackers held has been identified as Abu Mukaddem of northern Dinajpur.