Latest news with #NatalieNeysaAlund
USA Today
a day ago
- Science
- USA Today
Massive 13-foot great white shark pings off New England coast
The largest Atlantic great white shark tagged by a marine research company continues to make his way north. Named after a popular boat brand, scientists reported "Contender," a great white shark, pinged dozens of miles off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The island, a popular travel destination, is about 100 miles from Boston. At nearly 14 feet in length, the adult male shark surfaced on July 17, according to Ocearch, a global non-profit marine research group tracking shark sightings and migration. 'I didn't see it': Surfer bitten by shark in second attack at Florida beach this month A ping means the tag attached to the fish's dorsal fin was spotted above the surface for a brief period as it swam, transmitting a near-live location signal to the Ocearch shark tracker. How much does the great white weigh? According to Ocearch's shark tracker page, Contender weighs 1,653 pounds and measures 13 feet, 9 inches in length. The shark is believed to be just over 30 years old. Great white sharks' life span are typically between 30 and 40 years old, but according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration some can live past age 70. 'Dancing With Sharks': Tom Bergeron heads back to a watery ballroom Where has the great white pinged? Contender's location has pinged more than 40 times after researchers tagged the beast in January off the Florida-Georgia border. After that, a Feb. 23 ping showed he'd swam as far south as just off the coast of Vero Beach in Florida, before making his trek more than one thousand miles north. And last month, the big fish resurfaced off the coast of North Carolina, just off the Outer Banks near Cape Hatteras. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
Microsoft SharePoint attack: Officials issue warning about 'active exploitation'
Federal cybersecurity officials have issued a warning to Microsoft users about a security flaw allowing hackers to access to certain SharePoint systems. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) posted an alert on its website Sunday, July 20, saying it was aware of "active exploitation" of a security vulnerability that was allowing unauthorized access to on-site SharePoint servers. The "scope and impact" of the issue was still being assessed, CISA said in the notice posted July 20, but officials said the vulnerability "poses a risk" to organizations that house their own SharePoint servers. Microsoft, in an alert posted Saturday, July 19, said the vulnerability enables an 'authorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network,' a type of cyberattack in which an attacker attempts to trick a user or system into believing they are a trusted or known source. "The FBI is aware of the matter, and we are working closely with our federal government and private sector partners," a Microsoft spokesperson told USA TODAY Monday. SharePoint is used by government agencies and businesses in the U.S. and around the world, as reported by Reuters and the Washington Post, which first reported the attacks. It was not immediately known who was behind the attack, but a cybersecurity researcher told Reuters on Monday, July 21, it is likely the work of a single actor. "Based on the consistency of the tradecraft seen across observed attacks, the campaign launched on Friday appears to be a single actor," Rafe Pilling, Director of Threat Intelligence at Sophos, a British cybersecurity firm, told the outlet. "However, it's possible that this will quickly change." Markets news: US stocks open higher as investors eye more earnings and tariff news Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability In its alert about the ongoing attacks on SharePoint servers, Microsoft urged customers to install new security updates. The company said SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365, stored in the cloud, was not hit by the exploit. The attack is dubbed by experts as "zero day," because, officials said, it was a shock to cybersecurity researchers. Microsoft's stock price was mostly flat on Monday morning, July 21. 'Customers should apply these updates' Microsoft reported it issued recommendations to stop attackers from exploiting it. "Microsoft has released security updates that fully protect customers using SharePoint Subscription Edition and SharePoint 2019 against the risks posed by CVE-2025-53770, and CVE-2025-53771," the post reads. 'Customers should apply these updates immediately to ensure they're protected." To access Microsoft's link to the updates click here. USA TODAY has reached out to Microsoft for more information. Contributing: Reuters Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
USA Today
a day ago
- Health
- USA Today
Ice cream bars sold in 23 states recalled over listeria risk
More than 100,000 ice cream bars produced by Rich's Ice Cream have been recalled over concerns of potential listeria contamination. The Food and Drug Administration Authority (FDA) announced July 17 that Florida-based Rich's Ice Cream Co. is recalling select products due to potential listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall, which impacts lot number 24351 through lot 25156 was initiated on June 27, according to the FDA notice and is classified as Class II with a total of 110,292 cases potentially affected. A Class II recall is "a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," the FDA website states. USA TODAY was unable to reach Rich's Ice Cream for comment on July 21. Which Rich Ice Cream products are included in the recall? See list The affected products, sold in multiple states, according to the FDA advisory, include: The frozen treats were individually packaged in plastic bags and sold in master cases. More recalls: Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar among over 738,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls Which states are impacted by the recall? See list The affected products were distributed across 23 states, according to the FDA notice, including: They were also sold in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. What should you do if you purchased the affected products? FDA and Rich Ice Cream Co. have not yet specified what remedies are available for customers. Rich Ice Cream Co. did not immediately reply to USA TODAY's request for a statement and more information on the recall. Customers, meanwhile, can visit Rich Ice Cream Co.'s website for more information and to contact the company. Listeria poisoning symptoms Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women. Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the CDC. The agency estimates that the disease impacts 1,600 Americans each year, with approximately 260 people dying from those infections. Symptoms include, per the CDC: People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Fishing ban in effect for several Yellowstone National Park rivers
Some Yellowstone National Park rivers are closed to fishing due to low river flows and warm water temperatures, a federal park spokesperson confirmed on Friday July 18. The move is an effort to "protect the park's native and wild trout fisheries" and will remain in effect for select rivers until conditions improve, the National Park Service (NPS) wrote in a Saturday, July 11 news release. Yellowstone Park's waterways run through Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. Closures went into effect for select waterways on Sunday, July 12 and, as of July 18, remained in effect until further notice, Linda Veress, a spokesperson for the NPS, told USA TODAY. "Water temperatures have exceeded 68 degrees Fahrenheit in recent days and flows on many rivers, streams and creeks are low," the park service wrote in the release. "These conditions are extremely stressful to fish and can be fatal." On rivers, streams and creeks that remain open or unrestricted, the NPS asked anglers to fish during the coolest times of day and to "land fish quickly." "Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion. Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release," NPS wrote in the release. "Your cooperation will protect the park's fisheries." Delta flight midair mishap: Ex-NFL player denies 'unruly' behavior after flight diverted What Yellowstone rivers are closing? The following rivers remained closed as of July 18, the NPS spokesperson said: What Yellowstone river are open to fishing? The following lakes, rivers and streams remained open as of July 18, according to NPS. When are Yellowstone rivers closed to fishing reopening? The closures are in effect for the interim, NPS wrote in the release, and more park water closures are pending if needed. When water temperatures cool and flows return "to more typical summer conditions," according to the release, closures will be reassessed. "Staff will continue to monitor park rivers and streams for warm temperatures and low flows, and watch weather forecasts," the release continues. "The extended forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions with a slight chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms, which contribute to continued low stream flows and warm-water temperatures." Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fire engulfs stage at Tomorrowland music festival
First responders were battling a massive fire that broke out at Tomorrowland's main stage in Belgium, according to photos from the scene and local media. The blaze broke out just days before the Belgian music festival, which draws tens of thousands each year, was set to kick off on Friday, July 18 in the city of Boom. Emergency services were on the scene, attempting to prevent further spread of the fire, local outlet GVA reported Wednesday, July 16. Video footage circulating on social media shows large flames coming from the stage and black smoke billowing into the air. Photos published by Belgium-based GVA showed the staged effectively destroyed. It was not immediately known whether the fire would cancel or delay the festival. This is a developing story. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tomorrowland stage catches fire, days before music festival
