New Pirates movie being held for ransom

Hackers have once again struck at Hollywood, this time claiming one of the summer’s biggest blockbuster releases — Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, the fifth instalment in the highly profitable swashbuckling franchise starring Johnny Depp.

Walt Disney Co. chief executive Bob Iger told ABC employees in New York on Monday that hackers have claimed to have stolen a movie and are threatening to release it in segments until their demands, which include a pirate-like ransom paid with Bitcoin, are met.

Iger didn’t identify the movie and the Burbank-based Disney declined to comment. But a person with knowledge of the situation who was not authorized to comment said the movie that was hacked was the new Pirates sequel.

Pirates is set to open in the United States and Canada on May 26. The last four instalments in the franchise have been huge successes for Disney, collectively grossing nearly US$3.73 billion worldwide. The theft comes a few weeks after hackers stole the latest season of Netflix’s Orange is the New Black. Hackers leaked episodes of the new season after Netflix refused to meet their demands.

MOON ALERT: Caution! Avoid shopping (except food and gas) and important decisions from 10:45 a.m. until 9 p.m. today. After that, the moon moves from Capricorn into Aquarius.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Cut yourself some slack, because it’s a bit lacklustre due to the moon alert. Cope as best you can. Socialize in a low-key way. Focus on hobbies and creative self-expression. Baby steps.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My husband hates it that I didn’t want to go back to work right after having our child. I still don’t want to farm out our sweet breastfeeding baby girl to a babysitter!

I’ve been staying home to be with her, but I just found two hidden unpaid utility bills in my husband’s truck, that could get us in very big trouble. No wonder my guy doesn’t like me going into his truck alone these days.

Now I don’t know what to do. Should I talk to my parents about borrowing money from them before we get our utilities cut off? My husband says that will make him “look bad,” like he couldn’t take care of me and our child. Well, he can’t!

— Desperate Mom, St. Boniface

A collection of breaking news briefs filed on Sunday, October 18, 2026

Man accused of shooting cat with pellet gun

9:59 AM

A 48-year-old man is facing animal cruelty and firearm charges after allegedly shooting a cat with a pellet gun.