Latest news with #U.S.
The Hindu
15 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Israeli forces kill 60 in Gaza, half near aid centres
Gaza's civil defence agency said 31 Palestinian aid seekers were among at least 60 people killed on Friday (June 20, 2025) by Israeli forces, the latest in a string of deadly incidents near aid distribution sites. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that five people were killed while waiting for aid in the southern Gaza Strip and 26 others near a central area known as the Netzarim corridor, an Israeli-controlled strip of land that bisects the Palestinian territory. Thousands of Palestinians have gathered there daily in the hope of receiving food rations, as famine looms across Gaza after more than 20 months of war. The Israeli army said its troops in the Netzarim area had first fired "warning shots" at "suspects" approaching them. When the individuals continued advancing, "an aircraft struck and eliminated the suspects in order to remove the threat," the army said. Similar incidents have occurred in that area regularly since late May, when the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation opened its distribution centres, as Israel eased a two-month aid blocakde. The privately run foundation's operations in Gaza have been marred by chaotic scenes. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with it over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. Elsewhere in the territory on Friday, Bassal said 14 people were killed in two separate strikes in and around the central city of Deir el-Balah, and 13 others in three Israeli air strikes in the Gaza City area. One of those strikes, which killed three people, hit a phone charging station in the city, Bassal said. In southern Gaza, two people were killed "by Israeli gunfire" in two separate incidents, he added. Israeli restrictions on media in the Gaza Strip and difficulties in accessing some areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency. The armed wing of Palestinian miliant group, Al-Quds Brigades, said on Friday it had targeted an Israeli military post in the southern city of Khan Yunis, claiming "dead and wounded" Israeli troops as a result. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military did not comment. Much of Khan Yunis, like vast areas across Gaza, is under Israeli military evacuation orders.
UPI
2 hours ago
- Business
- UPI
Aflac health data, Social Security numbers hacked
"This attack, like many insurance companies are currently experiencing, was caused by a sophisticated cybercrime group," Aflac said. "This was part of a cybercrime campaign against the insurance industry." Photo by Sora Shimazak/ Pexels June 20 (UPI) -- Insurer Aflac said Friday customer health data and Social Security numbers were hacked, but that it stopped the cyber intrusion within hours and the attack did not include ransomware. Aflac is a U.S.-based company best known for its supplemental policies that help cover expenses that major medical insurance doesn't. It serves some 50 million people worldwide, largely in the United State and Japan. Aflac said the impacted files include "claims information, health information, Social Security numbers and/or other personal information, related to customers, beneficiaries, employees, agents and other individuals in our U.S. business." "This attack, like many insurance companies are currently experiencing, was caused by a sophisticated cybercrime group," Aflac said. "This was part of a cybercrime campaign against the insurance industry." Aflac said it has engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to help respond to the attack. Preliminary findings indicate that social engineering tactics were used to gain access to Aflac's network. Until its investigation is finished Aflac said it doesn't know the number of individual customers affected by the data breach. Aflac said it will offer customers free credit monitoring and identity theft protection and Medical Shield for two years. To get those benefits Aflac said people should call their call center at 1-855-361-0305. Erie Insurance and Philadelphia Insurance Compnaies also reported hacks in June. The three cyberattacks resemble techniques used by the hacking group Scattered Spider. That group was linked to Las Vegas hacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, both multimillion-dollar hacks.
Reuters
13 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
China's rare earth magnet shipments halve in May due to export curbs
BEIJING, June 20 (Reuters) - China's overseas shipments of rare earth magnets halved in May from April, tumbling to their lowest levels in more than five years due to export curbs. Beijing said this month that it would speed up its approval process, a concession made after the U.S. and China agreed to dial back trade tensions. In the meantime, however, industry sources say Chinese customs officials have become increasingly cautious about processing rare earth cargoes. This is particularly so for rare earth magnets because there is only a single code to cover magnets despite there being a variety of chemistries, said the sources who were not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified. China, the world's largest rare earth magnet producer accounting for over 90% of global supply, decided in early April to impose restrictions on exports of seven medium-to-heavy rare earth products and some magnets. That's rocked supply chains crucial to auto, aerospace, semiconductor and military equipment sectors around the world. Last month, China shipped out 1,238 metric tons of rare earth permanent magnets, down 52.9% from April and the lowest level for a single month since February 2020, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Friday. April's shipments had also halved from March. On a year-on-year basis, May shipments were down 74%. Sources have also previously said that customs are holding up some shipments of lower-performance rare earth magnets used in appliances and consumer electronics because of confusion over how to apply Beijing's export curbs. China's commerce ministry said on Thursday that "a certain number" of rare earth export licence applications had been approved but did not disclose details. Chinese rare earth magnet producers JL MAG Rare-Earth ( opens new tab and Innuovo Technology ( opens new tab announced in recent weeks that they have secured a few export licenses for some clients. Exports of rare earth magnets for January-May slipped 14.5% from the same period last year to 19,132 tons, the lowest for the period since 2021.
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario reports another 96 outbreak-related measles cases over a week
Nearly 100 people became sick with measles in Ontario over the past week, with a large chunk of them being from the Algoma area. Public Health Ontario's latest measles update, released June 19, shows 96 new cases were reported during the past week — all connected to a multi-jurisdictional, travel-related outbreak first reported in New Brunswick on Oct. 18. This brings Ontario's outbreak-related total since Oct. 18 to 2,179 (1,871 confirmed, 308 probable) cases. Thirty-four of those new cases were reported by Algoma Public Health. Public Health Ontario released the information in its enhanced epidemiological summary, which includes information up to June 17 at 7 a.m. A week earlier, the province reported 74 new cases. Thus far in 2025, there have been 2,188 measles cases (1,906 confirmed, 282 probable) reported in Ontario, 46 of which were not linked to the multi-jurisdictional outbreak and are not included in the outbreak numbers. The latest summary shows among all outbreak cases, 73.8 per cent were infants, children and adolescents and 25.6 per cent were adults — the rest of the patients have an unknown age. Among the infants, children and adolescents, 96.3 per cent were unimmunized, while 67.6 per cent of the adult cases were among people who were not immunized. There were 149 people hospitalized, 136 of whom were not immunized, including 107 children. Eleven people were admitted to the intensive care unit. One person, an infant with a congenital case of measles and other underlying medical conditions, has died. There have been 44 outbreak cases among pregnant people and seven cases of congenital measles (measles diagnosed within the first 10 days of life). The Ontario summary includes the total number of outbreak-related cases since Oct. 18 reported by each public health unit. The case count and the number of new cases this week, as of June 10, was as follows. Ontarians can check the Public Health Ontario website to see potential exposure locations, including the time and date of possible exposure. U.S.-based National Foundation for Infectious Diseases said measles is the most contagious virus known to humans: Each infected person can potentially infect 18 people, each of whom can go on to infect another 18 people. It added, 90 per cent of unvaccinated people who are exposed will get measles. Measles is a contagious viral illness, spread through airborne particles. Initial symptoms include fever, red runny eyes, runny nose and cough, followed by a red rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body, said the Public Health Agency of Canada. Diarrhea, pneumonia and ear infections are also common. Measles can lead to swelling of the brain, respiratory failure, blindness, deafness or death. Diagnosing measles is done through a nasal swab, blood or urine test. Most people with measles recover at home within two to three weeks by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. There are no specific antiviral treatments for a measles infection, but people with severe symptoms may require hospitalization. If you think you may have measles, do not go to a health-care facility or office without calling ahead first, Health Canada said. Ensure the facility knows you might have measles, so they can take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread to others as soon as you arrive. If you want to inquire about a measles vaccination, consult with a health-care provider or your local health unit. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
New York Post
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Rutgers star Ace Bailey suddenly cancels meeting with 76ers as NBA Draft theories swirl
Rutgers star Ace Bailey is putting the league on notice with a power play as we near the NBA Draft. The former Rutgers forward suddenly canceled his scheduled Friday workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who are slated to pick No. 3 overall, according to ESPN's Draft Express. Bailey is now the only U.S.-based prospect to not meet with a single team, having declined invitations from multiple franchises in his projected draft range. He's expected to be a lottery pick and possibly a top-three selection. Draft Express reports that the Sixers have not ruled out picking Bailey at No. 3, which is his projected draft slot according to most experts, despite this surprising development. 4 Ace Bailey could be playing 4D chess. NBAE via Getty Images The Wizards (No. 6), Pelicans (No. 7), and Net (No. 8) are all expected to be aggressive in moving up for Bailey come Wednesday's draft. Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz also select No. 5 overall and could be in the mix. The Hornets pick fourth, but prospects have reportedly refused to work out for the team due to a lack of interest in playing with Lamelo Ball. A previous report added that Bailey's camp informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-three player, but they also 'seek a clear pathway to stardom.' The Draft Express report added that Bailey could feel comfortable going to a different team later in the draft or through a trade. Philadelphia previously worked out Baylor freshman star VJ Edgecombe, the presumed No. 4 prospect in the NBA Draft. 4 76ers top basketball executive Daryl Morey (r) at the NBA Draft Lottery. NBAE via Getty Images Some have put on their tinfoil hats to develop theories involving this bizarre set of decision-making by Bailey and his team, and one circulating idea is that the former Scarlet Knight has already received a promise to be drafted by a team he is comfortable playing for in the future. ABC's Jason Dumas reported that Bailey was seeking a promise from the Sixers prior to the meeting. 4 Ace Bailey canceled his meeting wth the 76ers. Getty Images 4 Ron Harper is projected to go No. 2 to the Spurs. Getty Images Bailey's teammate, Ron Harper, is the consensus No. 2 projected pick, while Duke Cooper Flagg is locked in as the No. 1 overall pick. Bailey attended NBA Draft Combine and had a strong season for Rutgers, tallying 17.6 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 46 percent shooting (34.6 from 3-point range).
