Pope Francis Prepares to Visit Iraq, Despite Covid-19 and Security Fears
Pope Francis is preparing to travel to Iraq this week, marking his first international trip and public appearance since before the pandemic began. Iraq is currently battling a surge in terrorist attacks and a spike in Covid-19 cases, creating concern over the Pope’s safety. The four-day tour will begin on
France approves AstraZeneca vaccine for over-65s
The French government has revised a previous policy, now stating that older people with pre-existing conditions will be eligible for receiving the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Last month, France approved the use and distribution of the vaccine for those under 65, claiming that there was a lack of data for its
Hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls released days after kidnapping
In Nigeria, hundreds of schoolgirls have been released after they were kidnapped at gunpoint from their boarding school in the northwest Zamfara State, according to local authorities. The girls were abducted on Friday when armed men raided the state-run school housing the girls. A spokesman for the regional governor Bello
Amazon Dismisses Claims Alexa ‘Skills’ Can Bypass Security Vetting Process
Researchers have allegedly located several security issues in Amazon’s Alexa skill vetting process, claiming that they could be exploited to steal data or launch phishing attacks against users of the technology. After alerting Amazon to the fact that Alexa is vulnerable to malicious third-party skills, Amazon dismissed the claim. Researchers
DoJ Steps Up Investigation into NSO Group
The US government is stepping up its investigation into Israeli firm NSO Group, according to recent reports that lawyers with the Department of Justice recently requested more information regarding a current legal battle between NSO Group and WhatsApp, a popular messaging platform. NSO Group creates controversial spyware and is accused
Asian Food Distribution Giant JFC International Hit by Ransomware
JFC International has revealed that it has been hit by a ransomware attack disrupting several of its IT systems. The food giant is a major distributor and wholesaler of Asian food products to Europe and the US. The attacks allegedly impacted JFC International’s Europe Group, and the company expects to
Passwords, Private Posts Exposed in Hack of Gab Social Network
Gab, a social networking platform that caters to conservatives, has been targeted by the Distributed Denial of Secrets group (DDoSecrets), which claims to have more than 70 gigabytes of data exfiltrated from the platform. DDoSecrets calls itself a transparency collective and has now allegedly hacked an organization that prides itself
Universal Health Services Suffered $67 Million Loss Due to Ransomware Attack
Last fall, a ransomware attack against Universal Health Services cost the organization $67 million in pre-tax losses, according to an earnings report released earlier this week. The report highlights the fact that the attack disrupted normal operations, causing UHS staff to divert ambulance traffic and reschedule nonessential surgical procedures at
Netanyahu blames Iran for blast on Israeli-owned ship in Gulf of Oman
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly blamed Iran for an explosion last week in the Gulf of Oman. The explosion damaged an Israeli ship, reportedly ripping holes in both sides of its hull. The vessel was a vehicle carrier traveling from Saudi Arabia to Singapore, according to local media
Eighteen Killed in Myanmar’s Bloodiest Day of Protests Since Coup
At least 18 people died over the weekend in Myanmar, according to United Nations officials, marking the bloodiest days of protests since Myanmar military forces staged a coup and ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Protestors took to the streets to protest the coup, however, this weekend they were