News Headlines - 21 March 2019

▽Facebook Stored Hundreds of Millions of User Passwords in Plain Text for Years - Krebs on Security

Hundreds of millions of Facebook users had their account passwords stored in plain text and searchable by thousands of Facebook employees - in some cases going back to 2012, KrebsOnSecurity has learned. Facebook says an ongoing investigation has so far found no indication that employees have abused access to this data.

▽Disney seals $71bn deal for 21st Century Fox as it prepares to take on Netflix | The Guardian

Disney has closed its $71bn (￡54bn) acquisition of Rupert Murdoch’s entertainment business in a deal that unites franchises including Cinderella, The Simpsons and Star Wars under one corporate roof to create a media behemoth of unprecedented scale... As part of the deal, Disney will absorb the Fox film and TV studios, the FX networks, National Geographic and the Indian TV giant Star India in a huge boost to its content.
It plans to launch its new streaming service Disney Plus later this year as it challenges Netflix for future audience share.

▽FBI joining criminal investigation into certification of Boeing 737 MAX | The Seattle Times

The FBI has joined the criminal investigation into the certification of the Boeing 737 MAX, lending its considerable resources to an inquiry already being conducted by U.S. Department of Transportation agents, according to people familiar with the matter.

▽Japan official held for allegedly assaulting S. Korean airport worker - The Mainichi

A Japanese government official was temporarily detained in South Korea for allegedly assaulting an airport worker in Seoul while on a personal trip, the government said Wednesday.
Kosuke Takeda, a 47-year-old official of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, is suspected of assaulting a worker at Gimpo International Airport and telling the worker that he hates South Koreans, according to a senior ministry official.
South Korean police said Takeda was detained Tuesday on suspicion of hitting an airport worker at a boarding gate while under the influence of alcohol.

▽New Zealand bans assault weapons after mosque massacre | New Zealand attack News | Al Jazeera

New Zealand has banned the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons after the country's worst-ever attack that killed 50 Muslims in two mosques.
"Be assured this is just the beginning of the work we'll be doing," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a news conference on Thursday.