WORLD DIGEST || Neiman-Marcus falls victim to cyberattack

Neiman-Marcus falls victim to cyberattack

NEW YORK

Luxury merchant Neiman Marcus confirmed Saturday that thieves stole some of its customers’ payment-card information and made unauthorized charges over the holiday season, becoming the second retailer in recent weeks to announce it had fallen victim to a cyber-security attack.

The hacking, coming weeks after Target Corp. revealed its own breach, underscores the increasing challenges that merchants have in thwarting security threats. Neiman Marcus didn’t say whether the breach was related to the massive data theft at Target, but some security experts believe they could be part of the same scam.

Mental evaluation sought in Pa. slaying

SUNBURY, PA.

The lawyer for one of two defendants charged in the death of a man they reportedly lured through a Craigslist ad is seeking a psychiatric evaluation of his client.

Elytte Barbour’s court-appointed attorney wants the evaluation to determine whether Barbour is competent to stand trial, PennLive.com reported in a story published Friday.

Barbour, 22, and his 19-year-old wife, Miranda, are being held without bail on charges they killed Troy LaFerrara of Port Trevorton on Nov. 11.

Miranda Barbour’s attorney, Northumberland County Public Defender Edward Greco, declined to say whether he will seek a psychiatric evaluation of his client.

McAuliffe takes oath as Va.’s 72nd governor

RICHMOND, VA.

Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman and rainmaker for Bill and Hillary Clinton, was sworn in as Virginia’s 72nd governor Saturday.

In an inaugural address on the south portico of the state Capitol designed by Thomas Jefferson, McAuliffe emphasized bipartisanship as he put several years of campaigning behind him to begin the more- challenging task of leading a politically divided government. Republicans have firm control of the House of Delegates, while the outcome of two special elections will determine control of the Senate.

Rhino hunting permit auctioned for $350,000

DALLAS

A permit to hunt an endangered African black rhino has sold for $350,000 at a closely watched auction that’s been criticized by wildlife and animal rights groups.

The Dallas Safari Club and the African nation of Namibia auctioned the permit Saturday to raise money for efforts to protect the black rhino.

Safari Club spokesman Steve Wagner confirmed the sale of the permit at the closed-door event. He declined to name the buyer.

Critics of the auction say all members of an endangered species should be protected.

Associated Press