A team of Swedish and Norwegian palaeontologists have unveiled one of the oldest fossils of Ichthyosaurs — an extinct marine reptile that thrived during the dinosaur age.

A team of Swedish and Norwegian palaeontologists have unveiled one of the oldest fossils of Ichthyosaurs — an extinct marine reptile that thrived during the dinosaur age. The fossils were discovered on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen in the Arctic and provide a deep insight into the species, with the potential to rewrite history. The scientists found 11 vertebrae and 15 bone fragments on the frigid-cold island, along a river channel. Afterwards, they conducted geochemical, computerised micro-tomographic and bone microstructural analyses and posited that the fish-like reptiles had evolved earlier than the world's first mass extinction event which took place nearly 252 million years ago. "The implications of this discovery are manifold, but most importantly indicate that the long-anticipated transitional ichthyosaur ancestor must have appeared much earlier than previously suspected," said Benjamin Kear, lead author of the study published in the journal Current Biology. The researchers, however, added the caveat that more fossils will be needed to confirm if the ichthyopterigians were swimming in the seas before the galactical doom. Read more: For the first time, 67-million-year-old T-Rex skeleton to be auctioned in Europe The earlier theory suggested that land-based reptiles with walking legs ventured into the open sea after the mass extinction event. Over time, the early amphibious reptiles became more efficient at swimming and modified their body parts such as limbs to flippers to become permanent sea-dwellers. The discovery of the fossils, however, disputes the theory. Scientists say the magnificent creatures predated the extinction event by more than 20 million years. According to studies, some of the Ichthyosaurs reached up to around 70 feet in length, rivalling some of Earth's largest whales. However, their genesis always remained a mystery before the recent discovery. While dinosaurs dominated the land, Ichthyosaurs stood on top of the food chain in the oceans. The domination in the marine habitat continued for over 160 million years. Read more: T-Rex dinosaur fossil named Stan sells for record-breaking $31.8 million (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Fossil discovery of THIS 250-million-year-old marine reptile could rewrite history

In a first joint operation of its kind, British Royal Air Force (RAF) and German fighter jets on Tuesday (March 14) intercepted a Russian aircraft after it was identified near NATO airspace.

In a first joint operation of its kind, British Royal Air Force (RAF) and German fighter jets on Tuesday (March 14) intercepted a Russian aircraft after it was identified near NATO airspace. The stray Russian aircraft had failed to communicate with the air traffic control in Estonia. Two Typhoon jets, one British and one German, were launched to intercept the Russian Il-78 Midas refuelling plane that was flying between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad. After the Midas aircraft was escorted, the two jets were redirected to intercept an An-148 airliner that had also strayed close to the Estonian airspace. Though the interception of the enemy aircraft was routine, it was the first instance when the two countries collaborated to carry out the operation. Notably, British and German air forces are currently conducting joint NATO operations in the region. "As a fighter pilot, this was a routine business, even though I was flying alongside a German colleague," an unnamed pilot of the Typhoon squadron was quoted as saying by Sky UK. WATCH | Gravitas: Ukraine becomes testing ground for new-age Russian weapons × "NATO continues to form the bedrock of our collective security. This joint UK and German deployment in the Baltics clearly demonstrates our collective resolve to challenge any potential threat to NATO's borders, whilst demonstrating our combined strength," said James Heappe, UK Armed forces minister. The incident comes on the same day as the US military's European Command claimed that a Russian Su-27 jet fighter collided with an American MQ-9 Reaper drone. "Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9," informed General James Hecker, the commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa. Read more: Russian fighter jet hits US drone over Black Sea; US calls it 'reckless' Meanwhile, the Russian side denied causing the crash and the defence ministry released a statement saying it scrambled fighter jets after detecting a US drone over the Black Sea. It remains unclear if the two accidents had any link to each other but it surely has demonstrated the increased risk of superpowers of the world colliding with each other. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russian aircraft intercepted by British RAF and German jets near Estonian airspace

The US Senate will sit on Wednesday to vote on the nomination of Eric Garcetti&nbsp;as the new ambassador to India.&nbsp;Garcetti's nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a 13-8 vote last week.&nbsp;

The confirmation vote is scheduled to take place at 2:15 PM local Washington time. If&nbsp;confirmed, Garcetti will head to India soon to assume the all-important position, vacant for more than two years.&nbsp;

Last week, Todd Young and Bill Hagerty, the two Republican Senators, joined the Democrats and voted in favour of Garcetti, as the key committee passed his name for the second time in as many years. After the midterms, President Joe Biden renominated Garcetti as his preferred envoy to India.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-former-la-mayor-eric-garcetti-finally-advances-in-india-ambassador-bid-570356">WATCH | U.S: Former LA mayor Eric Garcetti finally advances in India ambassador bid</a>

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Garcetti's name was first proposed in July 2021, a few months after Biden took office. However, since then, Garcetti has not been able to receive approval from the US Senate, primarily due to a sexual harassment controversy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Democrat leader had served as Biden's co-chair during the presidential election campaign. He is still one of Biden's most significant political allies and at one time, he was seen as a potential part of the president's cabinet. However, the controversy proved to be a spanner in the job.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eric-garcetti-bidens-choice-for-ambassador-to-india-approved-by-key-senatorial-committee-570065">Read more:&nbsp;Eric Garcetti, Biden's choice for ambassador to India, approved by key Senate committee</a>

Usually, lack of an ambassador is perceived as a breakdown in the relations between two countries. However, India-US relations have been on an upswing over the years and absence of the envoy has sent confusing signals to allies.&nbsp;

Notably, ever since Kenneth Juster's departure as the US ambassador to India in January 2021, Washington has appointed six interim envoys. Currently,&nbsp;Elizabeth Jones is serving as&nbsp;the charge d'Affaires ad interim at its Embassy in Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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The US Senate will sit on Wednesday to vote on the nomination of Eric Garcetti as the new ambassador to India. Garcetti's nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a 13-8 vote last week.

The US Senate will sit on Wednesday to vote on the nomination of Eric Garcetti as the new ambassador to India. Garcetti's nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a 13-8 vote last week. The confirmation vote is scheduled to take place at 2:15 PM local Washington time. If confirmed, Garcetti will head to India soon to assume the all-important position, vacant for more than two years. Last week, Todd Young and Bill Hagerty, the two Republican Senators, joined the Democrats and voted in favour of Garcetti, as the key committee passed his name for the second time in as many years. After the midterms, President Joe Biden renominated Garcetti as his preferred envoy to India. WATCH | U.S: Former LA mayor Eric Garcetti finally advances in India ambassador bid × Garcetti's name was first proposed in July 2021, a few months after Biden took office. However, since then, Garcetti has not been able to receive approval from the US Senate, primarily due to a sexual harassment controversy. The Democrat leader had served as Biden's co-chair during the presidential election campaign. He is still one of Biden's most significant political allies and at one time, he was seen as a potential part of the president's cabinet. However, the controversy proved to be a spanner in the job. Read more: Eric Garcetti, Biden's choice for ambassador to India, approved by key Senate committee Usually, lack of an ambassador is perceived as a breakdown in the relations between two countries. However, India-US relations have been on an upswing over the years and absence of the envoy has sent confusing signals to allies. Notably, ever since Kenneth Juster's departure as the US ambassador to India in January 2021, Washington has appointed six interim envoys. Currently, Elizabeth Jones is serving as the charge d'Affaires ad interim at its Embassy in Delhi. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US Senate to vote on Eric Garcetti, Biden's preferred choice for ambassador to India

It is official. For the first time in human history, American women have overtaken men in binge drinking, according to a top US government doctor. Dr George Koop, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) made the revelation saying the trend had been spotted amongst college children.

It is official. For the first time in human history, American women have overtaken men in binge drinking, according to a top US government doctor. Dr George Koop, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) made the revelation saying the trend had been spotted amongst college children. “In 2021, there has been an uptick, particularly among women. Now it turns out on college campuses women are actually binge drinking more than men, for the first time in history,” said Koob while talking to the Washington Examiner. When quizzed what was the reason behind such an uptick, Biden's alcohol czar attributed it to the pent-up demand. "It's what we call the alcohol deprivation effect. People tend to really rebound in drinking after a period of not drinking." Binge drinking is when a woman consumes four drinks or more in a single evening. As for men, it is considered a binge drinking session when five drinks or more are consumed. Several studies have reported that women face higher health risks when drinking excessively. ALSO WATCH | An ancient restaurant unearthed by archaeologists in Iraq According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is not safe for women to be drinking more than one standard alcoholic drink a day. A standard alcoholic beverage can be a pint of beer or one glass of wine or one shot of any liquor. “When you go past a standard drink, you really are getting to the point where alcohol ultimately becomes a toxin. You can easily overdose," said Koob. According to NIAAA, the increase in binge drinking after the pandemic presents an anomaly for the researchers. At the beginning of the millennial, around 38 per cent of women and 48 per cent of men reported binge drinking. Read more: Christian politicians protest alcohol ban in Iraq, call the legislation 'undemocratic' However, by 2019, the number plummeted and only 11.8 per cent of women were binge drinking while 10.4 per cent of men were doing the same. Koop added that while overall drinking was down in the pandemic, alcohol-related deaths had shot up by 25 per cent for the general population. But with people returning to their ordinary lives, travelling and partying — the numbers were steadily rising. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US women outdo men in binge drinking now, more than ever in history, says top doctor

If reports are to be believed, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan could be arrested today. The arrest could materialise, following directives of a sessions court in Islamabad which issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Khan.&nbsp;

A police party has flown from Islamabad to Lahore via a helicopter to arrest the PTI chairman, according to a report by Geo News. The publication added that a high-level meeting took place between Islamabad and Lahore police officials on Monday to chalk out a strategy regarding the arrest.&nbsp;

It added that the Islamabad police will visit Zaman Park, Imran Khan's residence in the next 24 hours.&nbsp;

The former prime minister is facing contempt charges for his controversial remarks. He reportedly issued threatening remarks to the Islamabad police chief and a female judge last year.&nbsp;

Khan was speaking about police torture against an aide who faces sedition charges for allegedly inciting mutiny in the military. As the controversy snowballed, Khan said his words were taken out of context and that he didn't threaten anyone.&nbsp;

However, after the court proceedings were initiated, Khan, in an affidavit stated that he 'might have crossed a red line while making the&nbsp;public speech'.&nbsp;

"The deponent (Khan) never intended to threaten the judge and that there was no intention behind the statement to take any action other than legal action," his response affidavit stated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/arrest-warrant-issued-for-former-pak-pm-imran-khan-521563">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Arrest warrant issued against former Pakistan PM Imran Khan for remarks on female judge</a>

As the news of his potential arrest made waves across the country, Khan said he had a plan in place that will be communicated to his followers soon.&nbsp;

"In case I am arrested, we have a plan ready which will be shared with the nation when the time is right," said Khan.&nbsp;

Earlier, the cricketer-turned-politician said he might be sent to the restive province of Balochistan if he was arrested. The Pakistani intelligence agencies are infamous for operating torture centres in the region.&nbsp;

“The plan is clear. To arrest Imran Khan and send him to Balochistan, impose fascism on the party and impose a controlled election."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shot-snubbed-soon-to-be-jailed-ex-pak-pm-imran-khan-says-he-will-be-arrested-and-sent-to-balochistan-570340">ALSO READ | Shot, snubbed, soon-to-be jailed? Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan says he will be arrested, ‘sent to Balochistan’</a>

Khan has been attempting to drum up support for himself and the party but the Shehbaz Sharif government has not allowed him any breathing space. In the last week alone, Khan has been twice forced to call off his mega-election rally in Lahore.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

If reports are to be believed, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan could be arrested today. The arrest could materialise, following directives of a sessions court in Islamabad which issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Khan.

If reports are to be believed, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan could be arrested today. The arrest could materialise, following directives of a sessions court in Islamabad which issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Khan. A police party has flown from Islamabad to Lahore via a helicopter to arrest the PTI chairman, according to a report by Geo News. The publication added that a high-level meeting took place between Islamabad and Lahore police officials on Monday to chalk out a strategy regarding the arrest. It added that the Islamabad police will visit Zaman Park, Imran Khan's residence in the next 24 hours. The former prime minister is facing contempt charges for his controversial remarks. He reportedly issued threatening remarks to the Islamabad police chief and a female judge last year. Khan was speaking about police torture against an aide who faces sedition charges for allegedly inciting mutiny in the military. As the controversy snowballed, Khan said his words were taken out of context and that he didn't threaten anyone. However, after the court proceedings were initiated, Khan, in an affidavit stated that he 'might have crossed a red line while making the public speech'. "The deponent (Khan) never intended to threaten the judge and that there was no intention behind the statement to take any action other than legal action," his response affidavit stated. ALSO READ | Arrest warrant issued against former Pakistan PM Imran Khan for remarks on female judge As the news of his potential arrest made waves across the country, Khan said he had a plan in place that will be communicated to his followers soon. "In case I am arrested, we have a plan ready which will be shared with the nation when the time is right," said Khan. Earlier, the cricketer-turned-politician said he might be sent to the restive province of Balochistan if he was arrested. The Pakistani intelligence agencies are infamous for operating torture centres in the region. “The plan is clear. To arrest Imran Khan and send him to Balochistan, impose fascism on the party and impose a controlled election." ALSO READ | Shot, snubbed, soon-to-be jailed? Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan says he will be arrested, ‘sent to Balochistan’ Khan has been attempting to drum up support for himself and the party but the Shehbaz Sharif government has not allowed him any breathing space. In the last week alone, Khan has been twice forced to call off his mega-election rally in Lahore. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan may be arrested on Tuesday: Reports

A new research has shown that reusable water bottles carry 40,000 times more bacteria than an average toilet seat. Researchers at US-based waterfilterguru.com conducted the study by examining four popular types of water bottles: spout, screw-top, stray, and squeeze-top.

A new research has shown that reusable water bottles carry 40,000 times more bacteria than an average toilet seat. Researchers at US-based waterfilterguru.com conducted the study by examining four popular types of water bottles: spout, screw-top, stray, and squeeze-top. The researchers swabbed different bottle parts and found how colony-forming units (CFUs) festered inside them. CFU is a unit used to determine the concentration of bacteria in any sample. They majorly found two types of bacteria named gram-negative rods and bacillus. Gram-negative bacteria such as E. Coli and Klebsiella can cause serious infections such as pneumonia. The infections caused by the bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics; meaning they are superbugs. Meanwhile, ingestion of bacillus can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal issues. "Bacteria are known as biological drinking water contaminants. They’re just one of four types of pollutants that might be present in the water coming out of your taps and into your reusable bottles. Even though US tap water is considered some of the safest in the world, contamination can still occur," read the research. Read more: Superbugs could be as big a killer as cancer is today by 2050: UN report On average, the bottles harboured as much as 20.8 million CFUs of gram negative bacteria. The spout and screw-top lid bottle were the most infected with 30 million CFUs. For comparison, a toilet seat has 515 CFUs. Meaning the bottles carried bacteria four times that of a computer mouse, 14 times of a pet bowl, and yes, 40,000 times more than a toilet seat. "The human mouth is home to a large number and range of different bacteria. So it's not surprising that drinking vessels are covered in microbes," said one of the scientists. The scientists stated that to avoid drinking contaminated water, the bottles should be washed at least once a day with soapy water. Moreover, the bottles should be sanitised at least once a week. Read more: Bacterial infections killed nearly eight million people, second-leading cause of death in 2019: Study (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Reusable water bottles carry 40,000 TIMES more bacteria than a toilet seat, shows study

It was a frightening night 38 winters ago, when Bhopal, a central Indian city located approximately 850 km south of national capital New Delhi, suffered one of the most catastrophic industrial disasters the world has ever seen.

It was a frightening night 38 winters ago, when Bhopal, a central Indian city located approximately 850 km south of national capital New Delhi, suffered one of the most catastrophic industrial disasters the world has ever seen. Thousands were smothered to a painful-yet-quiet death from a massive toxic gas leak while the remaining victims, some crippled and others battling diseases, continue to knock on the doors of the judiciary, seeking justice. On Tuesday (March 14), the Supreme Court of India dismissed a curative petition filed in 2010 by the Union government seeking higher compensation for the victims. The Indian government, in the petition, had sought compensation to the tune of nearly one billion dollars (Rs 7,844 crore). However, the top court rejected the demand saying too much time had lapsed since the accident and that it will be opening a 'pandora's box'. "We are unsatisfied with the Union of India for not furnishing any rationale for raking up this issue after two decades. Settlement can be set aside only on the ground of fraud. No ground of fraud has been pleaded by the Union of India," observed the five-judge bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. Read more: India's top court rejects plea on increased compensation for 1984 industrial disaster victims Nearly four decades later, the industrial disaster continues to make news with the victims and the government demanding more compensation. But what had happened on that night and thereafter? WION explains. The fateful night On December 2, 1984, noxious methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas started leaking from a pesticide manufacturing facility run by Union Carbide (India) Ltd. (UCIL), a subsidiary of US-based Union Carbide Corporation (UCC). Over 40 tonnes of the gas escaped into the air in the dead of the night, killing more than 3,800 people within days. However, it was to be the starting, as severe health problems were to befall the survivors, with many of them saying it was a fate worse than death. UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO) had released a report in 2019 where it stated that the leaked poisonous gas affected more than 600,000 inhabitants, in and around the Union Carbide plant. It added Bhopal disaster to the list of nine major industrial accidents to have transpired since 1919. The list includes the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power disaster and the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The aftermath of the disaster The immediate consensus was that it was a man-made disaster. Multiple investigations later proved that the accident was a fatal concoction of lack of safety rules and training of the workers who were unaware of the dangers of the gas. Reportedly, the MIC gas was being handled without adequate safety measures in place. A case was filed against Union Carbide and its chairman Warren Anderson became the prime accused. Anderson was arrested when he visited India but was shortly let out on bail. Courts in Bhopal issued non-bailable warrants against Anderson twice — in 1992 and 2009. However, owing to Anderson's connections, he never appeared before an Indian court and died a free man in September 2014. According to DNA, in 2015, India's former external affairs minister late Sushma Swaraj had alleged that Anderson escaped India under a quid-pro-quo deal brokered by the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi who wanted to secure freedom for his childhood friend jailed in the USA for 35 years. The Indian government filed a $3 billion claim in the New York district court, seeking compensation from UCC. In 1988, Henry Kissinger, the US secretary of state at the time, batted for an increased payout for the victims, if an out-of-the-court settlement was reached. The compensation and curative petition However, Rajiv Gandhi did not pay much consideration to the proposition, and in February 1989, the SC ordered a settlement. It asked UCC to pay $470 million to the government of India as the full compensation. The survivors of the tragedy did not accept the verdict and continued to show their displeasure. Some reports claim that so far, each victim has received less than one-fifth of the allotted sum. Consequently, over two decades after the settlement was reached, the UPA government in 2010 challenged the unjust settlement and sought an additional sum of $1 billion. This time around, American giant Dow Chemical had become the defendant as it had assumed control of UCC in 1999. ALSO WATCH | Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Victims, their kin seek adequate compensation from government An avoidable disaster Akin to most man-made disasters, Bhopal gas tragedy could have been avoided. The eventual leak of the gas was preceded by multiple foreshadowing incidents. Journalist Rajkumar Keswani, who died in 2021, is known as the man who had predicted the disaster, a year before it took place. He published a series of investigative articles titled “Jwalamukhi ke muhane baitha Bhopal” (Bhopal sitting on the crater of a volcano) and “Na samjhoge to aakhir mit hi jaoge” (If you don’t understand, you shall be wiped out) — compiled after nine months of investigation that warned of the impending disaster. What added insult to injury for the victims was the fact that UCC continued to sell its products in India even after the disaster, all the while evading criminal trials. According to internal company records accessed by The Reporters’ Collective (TRC) for Al Jazeera, three years after the gas leak, UCC set up a chemical trading firm named Visa Petrochemicals Private Limited, based in Mumbai, and sold its products for the next 14 years. The company operated under the nose of the Indian government and it wasn't until 2002, a year after UCC was bought by Dow that the product sale stopped. Read more: Bhopal gas tragedy: Tainted company continued to sell products discreetly in India, says report The Supreme Court’s Tuesday verdict has come as a setback for the government and the victims of the tragedy and it is unclear if it will be challenged. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED: What is Bhopal gas tragedy? Why was more compensation demanded by Indian govt?

Taking the adage 'hope for the best, prepare for the worst' to heart, Taiwan is focusing its attention on developing weapons and equipment, anticipating a blockade of the Taiwan Strait by China.

Taking the adage 'hope for the best, prepare for the worst' to heart, Taiwan is focusing its attention on developing weapons and equipment, anticipating a blockade of the Taiwan Strait by China. The Taiwanese defence ministry mentioned the plan in a recently released report that is currently seeking parliamentary budget approval. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory but the island nation and its people have never accepted Beijing's control. However, after Beijing staged war games around the island, fired indiscriminate missiles and declared it a no-fly zone last year in an attempt to simulate how it would look to cut Taiwan off in case of a potential conflict, Taipei has taken evasive actions. The report added that Taiwan will be preparing parts for F-16 fighters, replenishing weapons, reviewing strategic fuel reserves and repairing abilities to 'strengthen combat continuity'. "Recently, the Communist military's exercise and training model has been adjusted from a single military type to joint operations of land, sea, air and rocket forces. It is adopting an actual war approach and shifting from training to combat preparation," read the report. WATCH | Taiwan braces for blockade by China | Xi Jinping plans to speak with Zelensky: WSJ Report × The report was released on the same day when Chinese President Xi Jinping batted for 'modernisation' of the army to make it the 'Great Wall of Steel'. "We must fully promote the modernisation of national defence and the armed forces, and build the people's armed forces into a Great Wall of steel that effectively safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests," said Xi in his closing remarks at the annual parliament session. After former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island nation in August 2022, China upped the ante on Taiwan. During the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) congress last year, Xi asserted that the Taiwan matter was for the Chinese people only. “The resolution of the Taiwan issue is a matter for the Chinese people themselves, to be decided by the Chinese people," said Xi. “We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort. But, we will never promise to renounce the use of force. And we reserve the option of taking all measures necessary.” Read more: 'Will never renounce force', says Xi Jinping on Taiwan during the party congress (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Taiwan prepares for 'worst case scenario' with China by altering defence spending strategy

Threat actors are having a field day using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to hack people. A new report has claimed that hackers are using AI-generated videos on YouTube to spread malware and steal&nbsp;confidential information.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;IT security intelligence company CloudSEK, there has been a 200-300 per cent increase in the number of AI-generated videos that contain links to stealer malware such as&nbsp;Vidar, RedLine, and Raccoon in the description.&nbsp;

YouTube is one of the most popular media platforms with over 2.5 billion active users. The vast demography of users makes it an ideal place for hackers to lay their traps.

In most instances, the videos are presented as tutorials to download cracked versions of popular software such as Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro,&nbsp;Autodesk 3ds Max, AutoCAD. Once the viewer watches the video and looks for links to download the said software, they are directed to the description section where the malicious link is pasted.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;ChatGPT is making waves, but can it trusted?

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While earlier such videos used to have a screen recording or audio walkthrough, the new-age hackers had developed their tools using technology.&nbsp;

"There has recently been an increase in the use of AI-generated videos from platforms such as Synthesia and D-ID, being used in the videos," read the report.&nbsp;

It is a well-known fact that watching a human face on the screen, especially with certain facial features increases familiarity and trustworthiness. The hackers play on this psychology and use AI tools to feature humans that sell the 'malware' packaged as a tutorial.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ai-based-chatgpt-will-soon-let-you-convert-text-into-video-heres-all-you-need-to-know-571446">Read more:&nbsp;AI based ChatGPT will soon let you convert text into video. Here's all you need to know</a>

Once the user clicks on the malicious link, infostealers software is installed on the system. The said software is designed to steal sensitive information such as bank account numbers, credit card information, passwords and other private data.

Afterward, the harvested data is uploaded to the attacker's Command and Control server, providing them the full authority to misuse the data.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Threat actors are having a field day using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to hack people. A new report has claimed that hackers are using AI-generated videos on YouTube to spread malware and steal confidential information.

Threat actors are having a field day using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to hack people. A new report has claimed that hackers are using AI-generated videos on YouTube to spread malware and steal confidential information. According to IT security intelligence company CloudSEK, there has been a 200-300 per cent increase in the number of AI-generated videos that contain links to stealer malware such as Vidar, RedLine, and Raccoon in the description. YouTube is one of the most popular media platforms with over 2.5 billion active users. The vast demography of users makes it an ideal place for hackers to lay their traps. In most instances, the videos are presented as tutorials to download cracked versions of popular software such as Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Autodesk 3ds Max, AutoCAD. Once the viewer watches the video and looks for links to download the said software, they are directed to the description section where the malicious link is pasted. Watch | ChatGPT is making waves, but can it trusted? While earlier such videos used to have a screen recording or audio walkthrough, the new-age hackers had developed their tools using technology. "There has recently been an increase in the use of AI-generated videos from platforms such as Synthesia and D-ID, being used in the videos," read the report. It is a well-known fact that watching a human face on the screen, especially with certain facial features increases familiarity and trustworthiness. The hackers play on this psychology and use AI tools to feature humans that sell the 'malware' packaged as a tutorial. Read more: AI based ChatGPT will soon let you convert text into video. Here's all you need to know Once the user clicks on the malicious link, infostealers software is installed on the system. The said software is designed to steal sensitive information such as bank account numbers, credit card information, passwords and other private data. Afterward, the harvested data is uploaded to the attacker's Command and Control server, providing them the full authority to misuse the data. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Hackers are using AI-generated YouTube videos to steal data. Here's how

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is mulling opening two war crime cases against the Russian side. The first case pertains to Russia's alleged abduction of Ukrainian children while the second puts Russia in the box for unrelenting targeting of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is mulling opening two war crime cases against the Russian side. The first case pertains to Russia's alleged abduction of Ukrainian children while the second puts Russia in the box for unrelenting targeting of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. This will be the first instance since the war broke out that international charges will be pressed. Experts suggest it could set a precedent for future trials and isolate Russia diplomatically on the global map. The Ukrainian government has repeatedly claimed that many of its missing children have been abducted by Russia. Kremlin has not denied the accusation, albeit presenting it as a humanitarian campaign to protect the orphans present in the conflict areas. The decision to file the case comes in the backdrop of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan visiting Ukraine last month and batting for Ukraine. “There seems to be a lot of damage in Ukraine, and it may well be it is part of a policy and part of a plan and we need to get to the bottom of it and see whether or not there is criminal responsibility and if there is we have an International Criminal Court that has jurisdiction to look into it,” Khan told the reporters. Gravitas Plus: Explained: The Battle for Bakhmut While ICC attempts to start a legal battle, Moscow has indicated that it will not be entertaining arrest warrants against any of its officials. The country withdrew its membership from ICC in 2016. Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy speaker of Russia's upper house said the agency did not have any jurisdiction over the country. "The ICC is an instrument of neo-colonialism in the hands of the West," he said. Read more: Ukraine, Russia claim hundreds of rival casualties in battle of Bakhmut The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for over a year now. The make-or-break fight is in the eastern region with the city of Bakhmut under siege. Putin has focused his attention on the city which has witnessed one of the bloodiest infantry battles since World War II. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

International Criminal Court mulls opening war crime cases against Russia for Ukraine invasion

Former US president Donald Trump may not be in power but he certainly knows how to stay in the 24-hour news cycle. The Republican leader has knocked pop superstar Miley Cyrus off the top of the iTunes chart, over the weekend, with his hit song 'Justice for All'.

Former US president Donald Trump may not be in power but he certainly knows how to stay in the 24-hour news cycle. The Republican leader has knocked pop superstar Miley Cyrus off the top of the iTunes chart, over the weekend, with his hit song 'Justice for All'. The former president sang the duet with J6 Prison Choir where he recited the 'Pledge of Allegiance' while the background singers, comprising of people jailed for their role in the January 6, US Capitol Hill riots - sang the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' Read more: ‘Justice for All’: Donald Trump releases song featuring Jan 6 rioters The song was made available on all major streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube, earlier this month. The two-minute and 20-second song managed to overthrow 'Flowers' by Miley Cyrus which had been topping the list ever since its release. Trump even took to Truth Social to share the news of his song breaking new records. Reportedly, Trump recorded his part of the song a few weeks ago at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. The song was released to raise funds to support the families of Trump supporters who are in jail for their role in the riots. The official music video of the song was released last week on Saturday on the social media platform, Rumble. Read more: Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers' beats BTS' 'Butter', makes Spotify history However, a section of the public did not take heart to the song. Some suggested that it was an attempt by Trump and Co. to paint the January 6 riots as a political cause and portray those who carried it out as being persecuted by the state. Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election last year. Though still the numero uno choice of most Republican leaders, Trump has his task cut out if he wants to secure a GOP nomination. The absence of the 'red wave' in the midterm election last November managed to dent his popularity but the former president is making sure that he stays in the public light. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Donald Trump's ‘Justice for All’ knocks Miley Cyrus's 'Flowers' to become iTunes No. 1 song

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Sunday called off his mega election rally for the second time after the interim Punjab government imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings in the provincial capital.&nbsp;

Khan took to Twitter to inform his supporters about the change in plan and said the rally had been postponed till Monday.&nbsp;

"It seems again Sec 144 has been imposed illegally solely on PTI election campaign as all other public activities are ongoing in Lahore. Only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers &amp; heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab CM &amp; police want to provoke clashes to file more sham FIRs against PTI leadership &amp; workers &amp; to use as pretext for postponing elections."

Urging his followers to not 'fall into the trap', Khan added, "Hence, we have postponed rally till tomorrow". Notably, Khan first attempted to take out his rally on March 8&nbsp;in the eastern city of Lahore but the death of a party worker and the heavy-handedness of the authorities meant that he had to cancel the show.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/imran-khan-will-hold-election-rally-in-lahore-on-monday-571203">WATCH |&nbsp;Imran Khan: Will hold election rally in Lahore on Monday</a>

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According to local media reports, one PTI worker was killed after police launched a crackdown, following the violation of Section 144 by Khan's supporters.&nbsp;

“I called off the long march immediately after the police attack on May 25 last year and called off March 8 election rally merely hours after the police resorted to torture and tear-gas shelling on political workers,”

However, after recuperating, Khan, last Saturday&nbsp;announced that he was restarting the rally on Sunday and&nbsp;urged the masses to stand beside him.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rogue-imran-khan-defies-orders-calls-another-mega-election-rally-in-lahore-571026">Read more:&nbsp;Pakistan: Ex-PM Imran Khan calls another mega election rally in Lahore to defy orders</a>

"I will lead the election rally to show them that we are not domesticated animals. I have decided that I will fight against the corrupt system and looters of national wealth till the last drop of my blood,” said Khan in a television address.&nbsp;

Ever since being ousted from power last April, Khan has been looking to find his footing. However, his political movements have been cut short by assassination attempts, media censorship and government pressure.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Sunday called off his mega election rally for the second time after the interim Punjab government imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings in the provincial capital.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Sunday called off his mega election rally for the second time after the interim Punjab government imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings in the provincial capital. Khan took to Twitter to inform his supporters about the change in plan and said the rally had been postponed till Monday. "It seems again Sec 144 has been imposed illegally solely on PTI election campaign as all other public activities are ongoing in Lahore. Only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers & heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab CM & police want to provoke clashes to file more sham FIRs against PTI leadership & workers & to use as pretext for postponing elections." Urging his followers to not 'fall into the trap', Khan added, "Hence, we have postponed rally till tomorrow". Notably, Khan first attempted to take out his rally on March 8 in the eastern city of Lahore but the death of a party worker and the heavy-handedness of the authorities meant that he had to cancel the show. WATCH | Imran Khan: Will hold election rally in Lahore on Monday × According to local media reports, one PTI worker was killed after police launched a crackdown, following the violation of Section 144 by Khan's supporters. “I called off the long march immediately after the police attack on May 25 last year and called off March 8 election rally merely hours after the police resorted to torture and tear-gas shelling on political workers,” However, after recuperating, Khan, last Saturday announced that he was restarting the rally on Sunday and urged the masses to stand beside him. Read more: Pakistan: Ex-PM Imran Khan calls another mega election rally in Lahore to defy orders "I will lead the election rally to show them that we are not domesticated animals. I have decided that I will fight against the corrupt system and looters of national wealth till the last drop of my blood,” said Khan in a television address. Ever since being ousted from power last April, Khan has been looking to find his footing. However, his political movements have been cut short by assassination attempts, media censorship and government pressure. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Pakistan: Ex-PM Imran Khan postpones election rally for second time

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