American computing giant Microsoft said on Friday (February 3) that it identified Iranian state actors behind the cyber attack on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Last month, a group of hackers called "Holy Souls" announced that they had obtained the personal information of over 200,000 Charlie Hebdo customers and went on to publish a sample of the data as proof. In a social media post, the hackers said they would sell the information for 20 bitcoins ($470,000)

The cyber attack came following the newspaper publishing cartoons of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a special edition to mark the anniversary of the 2015 attack on its Paris offices which killed 12 and injured 11. Earlier, Iran publicly vowed an "effective response" to the "insulting" cartoons.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-couple-dancing-in-the-streets-sentenced-to-over-10-years-in-prison-557849">Iranian couple dancing in the streets sentenced to over 10 years in prison</a>

On Friday, Clint Watts, the general manager of Microsoft's Digital Threat Analysis Center, said that Holy Souls were Iranian cybersecurity firm Emennet Pasargad, news agency AFP reported on Friday. The firm was the employer of two Iranians, Mohammad Hosein Musa Kazemi and Sajjad Kashian, who had been indicted by the United States Justice Department in 2021.&nbsp;

During the 2020 presidential elections in the US, Kazemi and Kashian allegedly carried out a cyber campaign to intimidate and influence American voters, and otherwise undermine voter confidence and sow discord. According to the Justice Department, they allegedly obtained confidential voter information and sent menacing emails, pushing out false information to influence both Democratic and Republican voters, and also attempted to hack into state voting-related websites. Iran denied these claims.&nbsp;

"Whatever one may think of Charlie Hebdo's editorial choices, the release of personally identifiable information about tens of thousands of its customers constitutes a grave threat," Microsoft said in a statement on Friday.&nbsp;

Microsoft added that the Iranian hackers used Twitter accounts with fake or stolen identities to criticise cartoons of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Two accounts impersonating a Charlie Hebdo editor and a technology executive also posted the leaked data before Twitter banned them.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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American computing giant Microsoft said on Friday (February 3) that it identified Iranian state actors behind the cyber attack on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

American computing giant Microsoft said on Friday (February 3) that it identified Iranian state actors behind the cyber attack on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Last month, a group of hackers called "Holy Souls" announced that they had obtained the personal information of over 200,000 Charlie Hebdo customers and went on to publish a sample of the data as proof. In a social media post, the hackers said they would sell the information for 20 bitcoins ($470,000) The cyber attack came following the newspaper publishing cartoons of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a special edition to mark the anniversary of the 2015 attack on its Paris offices which killed 12 and injured 11. Earlier, Iran publicly vowed an "effective response" to the "insulting" cartoons. ALSO READ | Iranian couple dancing in the streets sentenced to over 10 years in prison On Friday, Clint Watts, the general manager of Microsoft's Digital Threat Analysis Center, said that Holy Souls were Iranian cybersecurity firm Emennet Pasargad, news agency AFP reported on Friday. The firm was the employer of two Iranians, Mohammad Hosein Musa Kazemi and Sajjad Kashian, who had been indicted by the United States Justice Department in 2021. During the 2020 presidential elections in the US, Kazemi and Kashian allegedly carried out a cyber campaign to intimidate and influence American voters, and otherwise undermine voter confidence and sow discord. According to the Justice Department, they allegedly obtained confidential voter information and sent menacing emails, pushing out false information to influence both Democratic and Republican voters, and also attempted to hack into state voting-related websites. Iran denied these claims. "Whatever one may think of Charlie Hebdo's editorial choices, the release of personally identifiable information about tens of thousands of its customers constitutes a grave threat," Microsoft said in a statement on Friday. Microsoft added that the Iranian hackers used Twitter accounts with fake or stolen identities to criticise cartoons of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Two accounts impersonating a Charlie Hebdo editor and a technology executive also posted the leaked data before Twitter banned them. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iranian state actors behind cyberattack on Charlie Hebdo: Microsoft

Ahead of Valentine's day (on February 14), Thailand would distribute 95 million condoms free of cost to curb sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and teen pregnancy. In a report by news agency Bloomberg on Tuesday (January 31), government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said that starting February 1, universal healthcare cardholders were eligible to receive 10 condoms a week for one year. The condoms would be available in four different sizes and can be bought from pharmacies and primary care units of hospitals across Thailand.&nbsp;

“The campaign to give out free condoms to gold-card holders will help prevent diseases and promote public health,” Dhnadirek said, adding, the diseases which the government aimed to prevent were syphilis, cervical cancer, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and AIDS. &nbsp;About 50 million Thai citizens were enrolled in the government’s universal healthcare scheme (also known as the gold card),&nbsp;which can be used to receive some medical care in public and selected private hospitals, the Bloomberg report on Tuesday said citing government data.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/valentines-week-2023-from-rose-day-to-valentines-day-check-all-important-dates-of-this-love-week-558450">Valentine's Week 2023: Important Dates, Schedule, Calendar, Full List with all names &amp; significance</a>

STDs remain a major public health challenge in Thailand, particularly in the capital city of Bangkok,&nbsp;which is known for its red-light areas. According to official data, Thailand saw a rise in STDs in recent years with syphilis and gonorrhoea making up more than half of the cases in 2021.

The age groups most affected were those between 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 years. The data said that in 2021, 24.4 Thai girls in the age group of 15 to 19 gave birth out of every 1,000, compared to the global rate of 42.5 for the same age group that year, as per the World Health Organization (WHO).&nbsp;

According to a study published in BMJ Journals in 2019, Bangkok saw an increase in STDs, especially, among young people, with 40% of all STI cases occurring in the 15-24 years age group. The study, which examined trends of STDs in Bangkok from 2013-2017, said the reports of these diseases increased eight folds from 11.8 cases per 100,000 population to 90 cases per 100,000, while the national rate rose four-fold.&nbsp;

The study added that syphilis was the most commonly reported disease in the Thai capital in 2017 — two times the national rate and particularly common among men who had sex with other men.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ahead of Valentine's day (on February 14), Thailand would distribute 95 million condoms free of cost to curb sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and teen pregnancy.

Ahead of Valentine's day (on February 14), Thailand would distribute 95 million condoms free of cost to curb sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and teen pregnancy. In a report by news agency Bloomberg on Tuesday (January 31), government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said that starting February 1, universal healthcare cardholders were eligible to receive 10 condoms a week for one year. The condoms would be available in four different sizes and can be bought from pharmacies and primary care units of hospitals across Thailand. “The campaign to give out free condoms to gold-card holders will help prevent diseases and promote public health,” Dhnadirek said, adding, the diseases which the government aimed to prevent were syphilis, cervical cancer, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and AIDS. About 50 million Thai citizens were enrolled in the government’s universal healthcare scheme (also known as the gold card), which can be used to receive some medical care in public and selected private hospitals, the Bloomberg report on Tuesday said citing government data. ALSO READ | Valentine's Week 2023: Important Dates, Schedule, Calendar, Full List with all names & significance STDs remain a major public health challenge in Thailand, particularly in the capital city of Bangkok, which is known for its red-light areas. According to official data, Thailand saw a rise in STDs in recent years with syphilis and gonorrhoea making up more than half of the cases in 2021. The age groups most affected were those between 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 years. The data said that in 2021, 24.4 Thai girls in the age group of 15 to 19 gave birth out of every 1,000, compared to the global rate of 42.5 for the same age group that year, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). According to a study published in BMJ Journals in 2019, Bangkok saw an increase in STDs, especially, among young people, with 40% of all STI cases occurring in the 15-24 years age group. The study, which examined trends of STDs in Bangkok from 2013-2017, said the reports of these diseases increased eight folds from 11.8 cases per 100,000 population to 90 cases per 100,000, while the national rate rose four-fold. The study added that syphilis was the most commonly reported disease in the Thai capital in 2017 — two times the national rate and particularly common among men who had sex with other men. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Thailand to start distributing 95 million free condoms ahead of Valentine's Day. Here's why

An Arizona&nbsp;Sheriff told lawmakers in Washington that criminal transnational organisations called cartels on average charge $21,000 from Indians to help them illegally cross over the American border. Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County, Arizona told members of the House Judiciary Committee this week that the minimum amount being charged by a cartel for a foreign national to cross over the border is $7,000, a report by news agency PTI on Saturday (February 4) said.&nbsp;

Dannels informed the lawmakers that the border along Mexico is not secure and the cartels control south of the American border. “I think India was USD 21,000, for example. But the minimum is, like, around USD 7,000 right now. Most of these people don’t have it,” he told the committee.&nbsp;

The Arizona Sheriff added, "So, when they come across the country, though, they might go through a processing, as the honourable judges talked about, but they’re servant to the cartels at the end, which is usually for sex trade, gangs, drugs, labour, you name it, I have seen no win-win in this.”

A few days back, a report by the Washington Post said that illegal border crossings fell sharply in January due to tighter restrictions applied by the Joe Biden administration against migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti along the southern border. The report said that illegal crossings by migrants from these four countries were down more than 95 per cent. It added that the number of migrants stopped along the Mexico border last month to about 150,000, down from 251,487 in December.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the government said that almost 1,000 children who were separated from their parents while attempting to enter the United States during Donald Trump's presidency were still not back with family. Releasing a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said a task force set up to coordinate reunification efforts "has to date identified 3,924 children" separated during Trump's tenure, of which 2,926 were reunited.&nbsp;

"Of the 998 children who remain to be reunited... 148 children are in the process of reunification and 183 families have been informed of the opportunity to reunify by a contracted NGO," the statement added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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An Arizona Sheriff told lawmakers in Washington that criminal transnational organisations called cartels on average charge $21,000 from Indians to help them illegally cross over the American border.

An Arizona Sheriff told lawmakers in Washington that criminal transnational organisations called cartels on average charge $21,000 from Indians to help them illegally cross over the American border. Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County, Arizona told members of the House Judiciary Committee this week that the minimum amount being charged by a cartel for a foreign national to cross over the border is $7,000, a report by news agency PTI on Saturday (February 4) said. Dannels informed the lawmakers that the border along Mexico is not secure and the cartels control south of the American border. “I think India was USD 21,000, for example. But the minimum is, like, around USD 7,000 right now. Most of these people don’t have it,” he told the committee. The Arizona Sheriff added, "So, when they come across the country, though, they might go through a processing, as the honourable judges talked about, but they’re servant to the cartels at the end, which is usually for sex trade, gangs, drugs, labour, you name it, I have seen no win-win in this.” A few days back, a report by the Washington Post said that illegal border crossings fell sharply in January due to tighter restrictions applied by the Joe Biden administration against migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti along the southern border. The report said that illegal crossings by migrants from these four countries were down more than 95 per cent. It added that the number of migrants stopped along the Mexico border last month to about 150,000, down from 251,487 in December. On Thursday, the government said that almost 1,000 children who were separated from their parents while attempting to enter the United States during Donald Trump's presidency were still not back with family. Releasing a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said a task force set up to coordinate reunification efforts "has to date identified 3,924 children" separated during Trump's tenure, of which 2,926 were reunited. "Of the 998 children who remain to be reunited... 148 children are in the process of reunification and 183 families have been informed of the opportunity to reunify by a contracted NGO," the statement added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cartels charge Indians $21,000 to help them cross US border illegally: Sheriff

A 21-year-old man in the United Kingdom (UK) pleaded guilty at London's&nbsp;Old Bailey court on Friday (February 3)&nbsp;to an offence under the Treason Act and threatening to kill late Queen Elizabeth II in 2021.&nbsp;Jaswant Singh Chail admitted the offences after&nbsp;he was arrested wearing a hood, mask and gloves in the grounds of the castle to the west of London on Christmas day in 2021. Queen Elizabeth II was&nbsp;at the castle with her family on the day of the intrusion.&nbsp;

Chail was carrying a crossbow loaded with a bolt, and officers drew their Taser guns and arrested him.

Nick Price, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said, "Chail entered the protected areas within Windsor Castle after making threats to kill her late Majesty Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;II. Thankfully, police officers intervened and nobody was hurt," news agency Reuters reported. Price added that it was a serious incident, but fortunately a rare one.&nbsp;

At an earlier court hearing, prosecutors said&nbsp;Chail had spent months planning the attack. "I am here to kill the queen," Chail told a protection officer who approached He wanted to kill the late monarch as revenge for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in a social media video that emerged soon after his arrest. &nbsp;

During Friday's hearing, Chail spoke only to confirm his name and enter guilty pleas to three charges –&nbsp;making threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon, and an offence under the 1842 Treason Act. Judge Jeremy Baker said that the man would be sentenced on March 31, the Reuters report added.&nbsp;

In last such case in 1981,&nbsp;Marcus Sarjaent was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment under the Treason Act after pleading guilty to firing blank shots at the Queen during the annual "Trooping the Colour" parade in central London.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A 21-year-old man in the United Kingdom (UK) pleaded guilty at London's Old Bailey court on Friday (February 3) to an offence under the Treason Act and threatening to kill late Queen Elizabeth II in 2021.

A 21-year-old man in the United Kingdom (UK) pleaded guilty at London's Old Bailey court on Friday (February 3) to an offence under the Treason Act and threatening to kill late Queen Elizabeth II in 2021. Jaswant Singh Chail admitted the offences after he was arrested wearing a hood, mask and gloves in the grounds of the castle to the west of London on Christmas day in 2021. Queen Elizabeth II was at the castle with her family on the day of the intrusion. Chail was carrying a crossbow loaded with a bolt, and officers drew their Taser guns and arrested him. Nick Price, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said, "Chail entered the protected areas within Windsor Castle after making threats to kill her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Thankfully, police officers intervened and nobody was hurt," news agency Reuters reported. Price added that it was a serious incident, but fortunately a rare one. At an earlier court hearing, prosecutors said Chail had spent months planning the attack. "I am here to kill the queen," Chail told a protection officer who approached He wanted to kill the late monarch as revenge for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in a social media video that emerged soon after his arrest. During Friday's hearing, Chail spoke only to confirm his name and enter guilty pleas to three charges – making threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon, and an offence under the 1842 Treason Act. Judge Jeremy Baker said that the man would be sentenced on March 31, the Reuters report added. In last such case in 1981, Marcus Sarjaent was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment under the Treason Act after pleading guilty to firing blank shots at the Queen during the annual "Trooping the Colour" parade in central London. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK man admits ‘threatening to kill’ Queen Elizabeth II, to be sentenced on March 31

The Memphis Police Department (MPD) said on Friday (February 3) that Officer Preston Hemphill, a white cop, who was involved in the fatal arrest of 29-year-old Black man Tyre Nichols, was fired from service. Taking to Twitter, the police department said, "After a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding this incident, we determined that Officer Preston violated multiple department policies."

The police added Hemphill was departmentally charged and terminated for the following violations,&nbsp;personal conduct; truthfulness; compliance with regulations to wit: conducted Energy Weapon (TASER); compliance with regulations to wit: uniforms (issued equipment); inventory and processing recovered property.&nbsp;

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"This is still an ongoing administrative investigation, and multiple MPD officers are under investigation for departmental policy violations," the police further said, adding updates regarding other actions would be made available in the coming days.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tyre-nichols-murder-questions-raised-over-white-cops-delayed-suspension-from-memphis-police-557906">Tyre Nichols murder: Questions raised over white cop's delayed suspension from Memphis Police, says report</a>

The police also fired two emergency medical technicians and a lieutenant who “failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment” of Nichols.

Earlier, on Monday (January 30), Preston Hemphill was suspended from service. The cop had joined the Memphis Police Department in 2018. It was earlier reported that questions started raising as to why did the police wait for weeks to name a white cop in the fatal beating of 29-year-old Nichols.

According to Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing Nichols’s family, video footage showed Hemphill pulling Nichols from his car before shocking him with a taser gun.&nbsp;Crump said that Hemphill could be seen violently pulling Nichols from his car while hitting him on the ground with a taser, later saying, "I hope they stomp his a**."

Tyre Nichols was arrested by members of a special police unit called Scorpion on January 7 for what police said was a traffic violation. Footage of the 29-year-old being thrashed by officers triggered national outrage across the United States when it was made public last week.

He was laid to rest on Wednesday with civil rights leader&nbsp;Al Sharpton leading the high-profile service attended by Vice President Kamala Harris.

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The Memphis Police Department (MPD) said on Friday (February 3) that Officer Preston Hemphill, a white cop, who was involved in the fatal arrest of 29-year-old Black man Tyre Nichols, was fired from service.

The Memphis Police Department (MPD) said on Friday (February 3) that Officer Preston Hemphill, a white cop, who was involved in the fatal arrest of 29-year-old Black man Tyre Nichols, was fired from service. Taking to Twitter, the police department said, "After a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding this incident, we determined that Officer Preston violated multiple department policies." The police added Hemphill was departmentally charged and terminated for the following violations, personal conduct; truthfulness; compliance with regulations to wit: conducted Energy Weapon (TASER); compliance with regulations to wit: uniforms (issued equipment); inventory and processing recovered property. pic.twitter.com/fcgYbbJpse — Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) February 3, 2023 × "This is still an ongoing administrative investigation, and multiple MPD officers are under investigation for departmental policy violations," the police further said, adding updates regarding other actions would be made available in the coming days. ALSO READ | Tyre Nichols murder: Questions raised over white cop's delayed suspension from Memphis Police, says report The police also fired two emergency medical technicians and a lieutenant who “failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment” of Nichols. Earlier, on Monday (January 30), Preston Hemphill was suspended from service. The cop had joined the Memphis Police Department in 2018. It was earlier reported that questions started raising as to why did the police wait for weeks to name a white cop in the fatal beating of 29-year-old Nichols. According to Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing Nichols’s family, video footage showed Hemphill pulling Nichols from his car before shocking him with a taser gun. Crump said that Hemphill could be seen violently pulling Nichols from his car while hitting him on the ground with a taser, later saying, "I hope they stomp his a**." Tyre Nichols was arrested by members of a special police unit called Scorpion on January 7 for what police said was a traffic violation. Footage of the 29-year-old being thrashed by officers triggered national outrage across the United States when it was made public last week. He was laid to rest on Wednesday with civil rights leader Al Sharpton leading the high-profile service attended by Vice President Kamala Harris. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tyre Nichols murder: White cop involved in fatal arrest of Black man fired

The Pentagon said on Friday (February 3) that a Chinese balloon was seen flying over Latin America also, a day after a similar balloon was seen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-says-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-in-us-airspace-is-civilian-airship-used-for-research-558615">in the United States</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-says-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-in-us-airspace-is-civilian-airship-used-for-research-558615">skies</a>. According to a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said, "We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon." &nbsp;

However, spokesperson Ryder did not specify the balloon's exact location in Latin America, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Pentagon said it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the US. A senior defence official told reporters the balloon was for surveillance. The official added that at the request of President Joe Biden, officials considered shooting the balloon down but concluded doing so would endanger too many people on the ground.&nbsp;

Initially, the Chinese government did not identify the balloon's origins but later admitted the civilian craft was blown off course.&nbsp;

"The airship is from China and is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research. Due to the influence of westerly winds and its limited control capability, the airship deviated from its intended course," the foreign ministry of China&nbsp;said in a statement late Friday.&nbsp;

"China regrets that the airship strayed into the United States by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the US side to properly handle this accident," it added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antony-blinkens-trip-to-beijing-postponed-over-alleged-chinese-spy-balloon-in-us-airspace-558653">Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing ‘postponed’ over alleged Chinese spy balloon in US airspace</a>

Meanwhile, US State Secretary Antony Blinken postponed his upcoming trip to China as he did not want the balloon issue to dominate his meetings with Chinese officials.&nbsp;

Addressing a joint press conference with South Korean foreign minister Park Jin on Friday, Blinken said that China's decision to fly a balloon over the US was both unacceptable and irresponsible.&nbsp;

"It's a violation of our sovereignty, it's a violation of international law, and it was very important that we, of course, take the actions we did to protect any sensitive information, to protect our people and to make clear to China that, again, this is an unacceptable as well as an irresponsible action," Blinken said, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

"What this has done is created the conditions that undermine the purpose of the trip, including ongoing efforts to build a floor under the relationship and to address a broad range of issues that are of concern to the American people, I believe to the Chinese people, and certainly as well to people around the world. So, we took the step that I announced earlier today in postponing the planned visit for this weekend," he added.&nbsp;

China hits out at American media, politicians over balloon incident

The Chinese government said on Saturday that&nbsp;US media and politicians had taken advantage of US allegations that&nbsp;China flew a spy balloon over American skies. Releasing a statement, the foreign ministry said, "China... never violated the territory and airspace of any sovereign country.&nbsp;Some politicians and media in the United States used the (balloon) incident as a pretext to attack and&nbsp;smear&nbsp;China."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Pentagon said on Friday (February 3) that a Chinese balloon was seen flying over Latin America also, a day after a similar balloon was seen in the United States skies.

The Pentagon said on Friday (February 3) that a Chinese balloon was seen flying over Latin America also, a day after a similar balloon was seen in the United States skies. According to a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said, "We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon." However, spokesperson Ryder did not specify the balloon's exact location in Latin America, news agency AFP reported. On Thursday, the Pentagon said it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the US. A senior defence official told reporters the balloon was for surveillance. The official added that at the request of President Joe Biden, officials considered shooting the balloon down but concluded doing so would endanger too many people on the ground. Initially, the Chinese government did not identify the balloon's origins but later admitted the civilian craft was blown off course. "The airship is from China and is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research. Due to the influence of westerly winds and its limited control capability, the airship deviated from its intended course," the foreign ministry of China said in a statement late Friday. "China regrets that the airship strayed into the United States by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the US side to properly handle this accident," it added. ALSO READ | Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing ‘postponed’ over alleged Chinese spy balloon in US airspace Meanwhile, US State Secretary Antony Blinken postponed his upcoming trip to China as he did not want the balloon issue to dominate his meetings with Chinese officials. Addressing a joint press conference with South Korean foreign minister Park Jin on Friday, Blinken said that China's decision to fly a balloon over the US was both unacceptable and irresponsible. "It's a violation of our sovereignty, it's a violation of international law, and it was very important that we, of course, take the actions we did to protect any sensitive information, to protect our people and to make clear to China that, again, this is an unacceptable as well as an irresponsible action," Blinken said, news agency Reuters reported. "What this has done is created the conditions that undermine the purpose of the trip, including ongoing efforts to build a floor under the relationship and to address a broad range of issues that are of concern to the American people, I believe to the Chinese people, and certainly as well to people around the world. So, we took the step that I announced earlier today in postponing the planned visit for this weekend," he added. China hits out at American media, politicians over balloon incident The Chinese government said on Saturday that US media and politicians had taken advantage of US allegations that China flew a spy balloon over American skies. Releasing a statement, the foreign ministry said, "China... never violated the territory and airspace of any sovereign country. Some politicians and media in the United States used the (balloon) incident as a pretext to attack and smear China." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

After US, another Chinese balloon seen flying over Latin America: Pentagon

India's Supreme Court on Friday (February 3) issued a notice to the central government on pleas challenging its decision to block the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots – “India: The Modi Question”. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh issued notices to the government and others on the pleas filed by veteran journalist N Ram, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan. The government has been asked to file its response within three weeks, and the matter has been posted for hearing in April.&nbsp;

"We are issuing notices. Counter affidavit be filed within three weeks. Rejoinder within two weeks after that," the bench said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. &nbsp;The bench also directed the central government to produce original records relating to the takedown order.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/propaganda-piece-and-colonial-mindset-india-slams-bbc-documentary-on-2002-gujarat-riots-554189">‘Propaganda piece, reveals colonial mindset’: India slams BBC documentary on 2002 Gujarat riots</a>

Senior advocate CU Singh appearing for TMC leader Mahua Moitra, veteran journalist N Ram and advocate Prashant Bhushan told the Supreme Court Bench that IT rules mandated the publication of emergency blocking orders within 48 hours. Singh added the government, based on the secret order, blocked the BBC documentary on the&nbsp;Gujarat riots and based on this order, universities were taking action against students for screening the documentary.&nbsp; 
Justice Sanjiv Khanna, meanwhile, said, that it was a fact that people had been accessing those videos (of the documentary), news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

On Friday, the Supreme Court also issued a notice to the central government on a plea filed by advocate ML Sharma. The plea filed by advocate Sharma urged the court to call and examine both parts of the documentary,&nbsp;and sought action against those who were responsible and were directly and indirectly involved with the riots in Gujarat.&nbsp;

The pleas filed by journalist N Ram and others sought direction to quash all orders which directly and indirectly block online access to the documentary. The pleas termed the government's decision (to block the documentary) as “manifestly arbitrary” and “unconstitutional”. The petitioners also sought restoration of their tweets which shared the links to the documentary. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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India's Supreme Court on Friday (February 3) issued a notice to the central government on pleas challenging its decision to block the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots – “India: The Modi Question”.

India's Supreme Court on Friday (February 3) issued a notice to the central government on pleas challenging its decision to block the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots – “India: The Modi Question”. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh issued notices to the government and others on the pleas filed by veteran journalist N Ram, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan. The government has been asked to file its response within three weeks, and the matter has been posted for hearing in April. "We are issuing notices. Counter affidavit be filed within three weeks. Rejoinder within two weeks after that," the bench said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The bench also directed the central government to produce original records relating to the takedown order. ALSO READ | ‘Propaganda piece, reveals colonial mindset’: India slams BBC documentary on 2002 Gujarat riots Senior advocate CU Singh appearing for TMC leader Mahua Moitra, veteran journalist N Ram and advocate Prashant Bhushan told the Supreme Court Bench that IT rules mandated the publication of emergency blocking orders within 48 hours. Singh added the government, based on the secret order, blocked the BBC documentary on the Gujarat riots and based on this order, universities were taking action against students for screening the documentary. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, meanwhile, said, that it was a fact that people had been accessing those videos (of the documentary), news agency ANI reported. On Friday, the Supreme Court also issued a notice to the central government on a plea filed by advocate ML Sharma. The plea filed by advocate Sharma urged the court to call and examine both parts of the documentary, and sought action against those who were responsible and were directly and indirectly involved with the riots in Gujarat. The pleas filed by journalist N Ram and others sought direction to quash all orders which directly and indirectly block online access to the documentary. The pleas termed the government's decision (to block the documentary) as “manifestly arbitrary” and “unconstitutional”. The petitioners also sought restoration of their tweets which shared the links to the documentary. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Supreme Court issues notice to govt over blocking BBC's documentary on Gujarat riots

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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/03/330036-chinese-spy-balloon.png?imwidth=1920" />

Chinese foreign ministry has responded to the suspected Chinese spy balloon, which has been flying over the United States for a couple of days, saying that the balloon was a civilian "airship" used for research, mainly meteorological purposes. Beijing also expressed regret over the unintended entry of the airship into US airspace.&nbsp;

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A bipartisan group of senators in the US Congress \said that Washington will not support the $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye&nbsp;until Ankara ratifies the NATO memberships of Sweden and Finland.&nbsp;

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A 21-year-old man in the United Kingdom (UK) pleaded guilty at London's&nbsp;Old Bailey court on Friday (February 3)&nbsp;to an offence under the Treason Act and threatening to kill late Queen Elizabeth II in 2021.&nbsp;Jaswant Singh Chail admitted the offences after&nbsp;he was arrested wearing a hood, mask and gloves in the grounds of the castle to the west of London on Christmas day in 2021.

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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/03/330039-000338e3hz.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

The Ukrainian government on Friday (February 3) unveiled a case against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian mercenary group Wagner which has been supporting Russia in its offensive in Ukraine. Taking to Facebook, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that the Prosecutor General's Office served a notice to the head of Russian mercenary group Wagner.

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China confirmed offer of&nbsp;a two-year moratorium to Sri Lanka on loan repayments. The loan was provided by China to Sri Lanka under the multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative programme of Beijing aimed at increasing trade through the construction of ports and other infrastructure across Africa and Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-court-orders-release-of-tv-anchor-arrested-after-questioning-armys-apolitical-credentials-558555">Pakistani court orders release of TV anchor arrested after questioning army's 'apolitical' credentials</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/03/330004-untitled-design-3.png?imwidth=1920" />

This is the second time Imran Riaz Khan was&nbsp;arrested by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency after the TV anchor questioned Pakistani army's claims of staying apolitical in country's polity.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-supreme-court-issues-notice-to-govt-on-pleas-against-blocking-bbcs-documentary-on-gujarat-riots-558599https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-supreme-court-issues-notice-to-govt-on-pleas-against-blocking-bbcs-documentary-on-gujarat-riots-558599">India's Supreme Court issues notice to govt on pleas against blocking BBC's documentary on Gujarat riots</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/05/19/263467-sc-g.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

India's Supreme Court on Friday (February 3) issued a notice to the central government on pleas challenging its decision to block the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots- “India: The Modi Question”.

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Judges require a law degree and extensive experience to make sensitive rulings. The use of ChatGPT by a Colombian judge has instilled a deep fear in people who are stuck in figuring out if the AI application is at a stage to replace judges, presiding over the rulings and making decisions which require moral involvement.

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag toed a safe line, a day after rape and assault charges were dropped against academy graduate Mason Greenwood. The Dutch manager refused to comment on the issue and directed reporters toward the club's statement.&nbsp;

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The first look of Kate Winslet in the upcoming HBO miniseries&nbsp;The Palace&nbsp;has been released to mark the beginning of the filming. HBO's official Twitter handle shared the look. "A new regime. The Palace (WT), an HBO Original Limited Series starring Kate Winslet, is now in production," the text behind the image read. 
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Click on the headlines to read more Beijing says suspected Chinese spy balloon in US airspace is civilian 'airship' used for research Chinese foreign ministry has responded to the suspected Chinese spy balloon, which has been flying over the United States for a couple of days, saying that the balloon was a civilian "airship" used for research, mainly meteorological purposes.

Click on the headlines to read more Beijing says suspected Chinese spy balloon in US airspace is civilian 'airship' used for research Chinese foreign ministry has responded to the suspected Chinese spy balloon, which has been flying over the United States for a couple of days, saying that the balloon was a civilian "airship" used for research, mainly meteorological purposes. Beijing also expressed regret over the unintended entry of the airship into US airspace. US Congress says F-16 sale to Türkiye only if Ankara lets Finland, Sweden join NATO A bipartisan group of senators in the US Congress \said that Washington will not support the $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye until Ankara ratifies the NATO memberships of Sweden and Finland. UK man admits 'threatening to kill' Queen Elizabeth II A 21-year-old man in the United Kingdom (UK) pleaded guilty at London's Old Bailey court on Friday (February 3) to an offence under the Treason Act and threatening to kill late Queen Elizabeth II in 2021. Jaswant Singh Chail admitted the offences after he was arrested wearing a hood, mask and gloves in the grounds of the castle to the west of London on Christmas day in 2021. Ukraine unveils case against Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin The Ukrainian government on Friday (February 3) unveiled a case against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian mercenary group Wagner which has been supporting Russia in its offensive in Ukraine. Taking to Facebook, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that the Prosecutor General's Office served a notice to the head of Russian mercenary group Wagner. China confirms offer of two-year moratorium to Sri Lanka on loan repayments China confirmed offer of a two-year moratorium to Sri Lanka on loan repayments. The loan was provided by China to Sri Lanka under the multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative programme of Beijing aimed at increasing trade through the construction of ports and other infrastructure across Africa and Asia. Pakistani court orders release of TV anchor arrested after questioning army's 'apolitical' credentials This is the second time Imran Riaz Khan was arrested by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency after the TV anchor questioned Pakistani army's claims of staying apolitical in country's polity. India's Supreme Court issues notice to govt on pleas against blocking BBC's documentary on Gujarat riots India's Supreme Court on Friday (February 3) issued a notice to the central government on pleas challenging its decision to block the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots- “India: The Modi Question”. Columbian judge uses ChatGPT to decide if autistic boy should get medical funding Judges require a law degree and extensive experience to make sensitive rulings. The use of ChatGPT by a Colombian judge has instilled a deep fear in people who are stuck in figuring out if the AI application is at a stage to replace judges, presiding over the rulings and making decisions which require moral involvement. Erik ten Hag reacts for the first time after Greenwood's rape charges are dropped Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag toed a safe line, a day after rape and assault charges were dropped against academy graduate Mason Greenwood. The Dutch manager refused to comment on the issue and directed reporters toward the club's statement. The Palace: Kate Winslet's first look revealed in HBO series. See photo The first look of Kate Winslet in the upcoming HBO miniseries The Palace has been released to mark the beginning of the filming. HBO's official Twitter handle shared the look. "A new regime. The Palace (WT), an HBO Original Limited Series starring Kate Winslet, is now in production," the text behind the image read.

Top 10 world news: China clarifies on its balloon in US airspace, and more

With a Romanian appeals court rejecting a new bail request by controversial internet celebrity and former world kickboxing champion Andrew Tate on Wednesday (February 1), Romanian prosecutors alleged that the 36-year-old British-American trafficked and sexually exploited several women.

With a Romanian appeals court rejecting a new bail request by controversial internet celebrity and former world kickboxing champion Andrew Tate on Wednesday (February 1), Romanian prosecutors alleged that the 36-year-old British-American trafficked and sexually exploited several women. According to prosecutors, Tate raped a Moldovan woman twice in Romania in March last year while seeking to enlist her in a human-trafficking operation focused on making pornography for OnlyFans, news agency Reuters reported on Thursday (February 2). The Moldovan woman, who initially thought it was love, was urged by Tate to join him in Romania. Tate first met the woman virtually on Instagram in January 2022. They met in person in London the following month and by March, the woman was in Romania, the prosecutors said. ALSO READ | Ex-kickboxer Andrew Tate's shocking confessions: know everything about controversy, his net worth & investigation The two discussed marriage and Tate asked for only one thing: absolute loyalty. "You must understand that once you are mine, you will be mine forever," Tate told the woman on February 4 last year in one of the dozens of WhatsApp messages cited by the prosecutors. On February 9, he messaged, "Nothing bad will happen. But you have to be on my side." The above allegations and messages are part of an unpublished document dated December 30, 2022. The document gives details of the illicit business allegedly operated by Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, who is also a former professional kickboxer, Reuters reported. In the document, prosecutors said that the Tate brothers used deception and intimidation to bring six women under their control and "transform them into slaves". Eugen Vidineac, the lawyer for Andrew and Tristan, said the alleged victims were not mistreated, but "lived off the backs of the famous Tates", as per the document. Vidineac acknowledged that the Moldovan woman and Andrew had sex but it was consensual. The lawyer accused the woman of fabricating the rape claims. Two of the six women told Romanian TV station Antena3 on January 11 that they were not victims and that the Tate brothers were innocent. Antena3 identified the women by their first names Beatrice and Lasmina. "You cannot list me as a victim if I say I am not one," Beatrice told the TV station. The four women, including the Moldovan, have not issued any statements so far. Andrew Tate "has never had" a creator account on OnlyFans: Spokesperson An OnlyFans spokesperson told Reuters that Andrew Tate has never had a creator account or he received payments. The spokesperson said that OnlyFans had been monitoring the former kickboxer since last year and took "proactive measures" to stop him from posting or monetising content. The spokesperson also told the news agency that creators as a whole underwent extensive identification checks and all content was reviewed by the platform, which worked closely with law enforcement. 2022: Authorities suspect American woman was held against her will In April last year, the police raided one of the properties of the Tate brothers on the suspicion that an American woman was being held there against her will. The prosecutors said that the woman, one of the six alleged victims, met Tristan Tate online in November 2021 and then in person in Miami the following month. They added that Tristan lured the American woman to Romania by expressing "false feelings" for her and promising a serious relationship. He also paid for her travel ticket and said he could help her earn "100K a month" on OnlyFans. As per the unpublished document, Tristan picked her up at the Bucharest airport and took her back to his house, which had two armed guards. He told the woman that she was not a prisoner but the guards would not let her step outside without his permission. Tristan said it was dangerous for her to leave as he had enemies. The prosecutors pointed out that there were cameras all over the house, which the former kickboxer monitored remotely. They added that Tristan once messaged the woman that he could see where she was and what she was doing, Reuters further reported. When the American moved to another house with four girlfriends of Andrew Tate, she was allowed outside but only if accompanied by other women, the prosecutors said and added she was very afraid of the brothers. However, the Tate brothers' lawyer Eugen Vidineac said in the document that the woman had a phone, and internet access and had the freedom to leave the house whenever she wanted. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ex-kickboxer Andrew Tate trafficked and sexually exploited several women, allege prosecutors

The Ukrainian government on Friday (February 3) unveiled a case against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian mercenary group Wagner which has been supporting Russia in its offensive in Ukraine, news agency Reuters reported. Taking to Facebook, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that the Prosecutor General's Office served a notice to the head of Wagner.

Without naming Prigozhin, the statement said, "The head of this group is directly responsible for thousands of war crimes. He openly admits his role in the war against Ukraine and, with the Kremlin's permission, resolves staff issues by recruiting tens of thousands of prisoners."

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dear-mr-kirby-wagner-boss-writes-to-white-house-over-fresh-us-sanctions-554903">'Dear Mr Kirby...': Wagner boss writes to White House over fresh US sanctions</a>

Kostin listed accusations against the Wagner group including encroachment on Ukraine's territorial integrity and waging an aggressive war and said that mercenaries (from the group) of all ranks would be held responsible, including those who fled abroad. "I am certain together with international partners we will ensure comprehensive responsibility both for every criminal who came to our land with weapons in his hands and also for their patrons who do business in blood," the prosecutor general added.&nbsp;

Kostin also said the Ukrainian government would send Norway a request against a former Wagner commander who was arrested (in Norway) last month.&nbsp;

Earlier on Friday, the Norwegian police said they intended to continue investigating former Wagner commander Andrei Medvedev, who fled from Russia to Norway last month.&nbsp;

According to a statement, Kripos- a unit of the police which investigates war crimes- said Medvedev handed some digital material to the police. Kripos said the material was being examined, adding the former Wagner commander remained a witness and was not under any obligation to talk to investors. "Medvedev gives the impression that he wants to continue to say more," the statement added.&nbsp;

Wagner has not only been involved in the Ukraine war but also in conflicts in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. On Tuesday (January 31), United Nations (UN) experts called for an immediate independent investigation into abuses and possible war crimes committed in Mali by government forces and Wagner. According to a statement, the experts said that since 2021, they received "persistent and alarming accounts" of violations committed by Mali's armed forces and their allies in the Mopti area and elsewhere, a report by the news agency AFP said.&nbsp;

The UN experts said they were especially concerned about reports of mass executions in central Mali's Moura village in March last year. As per their information, "Malian forces, accompanied by military personnel believed to belong to the Wagner Group, executed several hundred people who had been rounded up."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Ukrainian government on Friday (February 3) unveiled a case against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian mercenary group Wagner which has been supporting Russia in its offensive in Ukraine, news agency Reuters reported.

The Ukrainian government on Friday (February 3) unveiled a case against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian mercenary group Wagner which has been supporting Russia in its offensive in Ukraine, news agency Reuters reported. Taking to Facebook, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that the Prosecutor General's Office served a notice to the head of Wagner. Without naming Prigozhin, the statement said, "The head of this group is directly responsible for thousands of war crimes. He openly admits his role in the war against Ukraine and, with the Kremlin's permission, resolves staff issues by recruiting tens of thousands of prisoners." ALSO READ | 'Dear Mr Kirby...': Wagner boss writes to White House over fresh US sanctions Kostin listed accusations against the Wagner group including encroachment on Ukraine's territorial integrity and waging an aggressive war and said that mercenaries (from the group) of all ranks would be held responsible, including those who fled abroad. "I am certain together with international partners we will ensure comprehensive responsibility both for every criminal who came to our land with weapons in his hands and also for their patrons who do business in blood," the prosecutor general added. Kostin also said the Ukrainian government would send Norway a request against a former Wagner commander who was arrested (in Norway) last month. Earlier on Friday, the Norwegian police said they intended to continue investigating former Wagner commander Andrei Medvedev, who fled from Russia to Norway last month. According to a statement, Kripos- a unit of the police which investigates war crimes- said Medvedev handed some digital material to the police. Kripos said the material was being examined, adding the former Wagner commander remained a witness and was not under any obligation to talk to investors. "Medvedev gives the impression that he wants to continue to say more," the statement added. Wagner has not only been involved in the Ukraine war but also in conflicts in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. On Tuesday (January 31), United Nations (UN) experts called for an immediate independent investigation into abuses and possible war crimes committed in Mali by government forces and Wagner. According to a statement, the experts said that since 2021, they received "persistent and alarming accounts" of violations committed by Mali's armed forces and their allies in the Mopti area and elsewhere, a report by the news agency AFP said. The UN experts said they were especially concerned about reports of mass executions in central Mali's Moura village in March last year. As per their information, "Malian forces, accompanied by military personnel believed to belong to the Wagner Group, executed several hundred people who had been rounded up." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine unveils case against Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin

The National Health Service (NHS) has started a clinical trial of a pioneering treatment technique which is aimed at extending the lives of people with brain tumours. A report by The Guardian on Thursday (February 2) said that a team including radiologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists and physicists are using detailed MRI scans and highly-targeted radiotherapy before surgery to reduce the likelihood of tumours growing back quickly, thereby helping patients to live longer.&nbsp;

At present, patients with brain tumours across the globe undergo surgery first, then radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy. Brain tumours are very difficult to treat. The Guardian report said that treatment options have not improved significantly in decades and despite extensive research, the standard procedure (surgery first, then radiotherapy and then chemotherapy) has never been challenged.&nbsp;

However, the team behind this clinical trial – codenamed POBIG (Pre-Operative Brain Irradiation in Glioblastoma) – at the Christie NHS foundation trust in Manchester, is planning to overturn the standard medical procedure.&nbsp;

Dr Gerben Brost, a radiation oncologist at the Christie and a senior lecturer at the University of Manchester, who is leading the team, said that the study is a significant milestone in brain cancer research and the culmination of 10 years of work for him.&nbsp;

“The order of radiotherapy and surgery should be challenged, and this could be the breakthrough we have been working towards for decades,” Dr Brost said. The trial is currently at an early stage but Dr Brost said the results so far had been “very encouraging”.

But he pointed out that surgery would always be essential. “Remnant tumour cells remain growing, potentially even more aggressively post-surgery in the recovery period, before the patient is given the standard course of radiotherapy,” he said, adding that better strategies are desperately needed to target all tumour cells at an earlier stage.&nbsp;

“As a tumour is likely to respond better to radiotherapy before the operation, we hope, by giving highly-targeted radiotherapy before surgery, to stop the tumour from growing back so quickly to improve outcomes and extend lives,” the team leader also said.&nbsp;

Patients who are part of the trial undergo an MRI which helps the surgeons estimate where remnant cells are most likely to be left after they operate. The report said that a single dose of radiation is aimed precisely at that area, and patients then have surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Joel Rush, a director of a digital marketing agency he co-founded with his wife, is one of the first patients in the trial. Rush was diagnosed with glioblastoma after experiencing severe headaches and pain in October last year. “The doctors explained the reasons for using radiotherapy before surgery – made absolute sense – so I was very happy to participate in the trial,” he said.&nbsp;

Dr Brost, meanwhile, said that the team was pleased with how Joel Rush responded to the treatment and the results so far are encouraging.&nbsp;

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The National Health Service (NHS) has started a clinical trial of a pioneering treatment technique which is aimed at extending the lives of people with brain tumours.

The National Health Service (NHS) has started a clinical trial of a pioneering treatment technique which is aimed at extending the lives of people with brain tumours. A report by The Guardian on Thursday (February 2) said that a team including radiologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists and physicists are using detailed MRI scans and highly-targeted radiotherapy before surgery to reduce the likelihood of tumours growing back quickly, thereby helping patients to live longer. At present, patients with brain tumours across the globe undergo surgery first, then radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy. Brain tumours are very difficult to treat. The Guardian report said that treatment options have not improved significantly in decades and despite extensive research, the standard procedure (surgery first, then radiotherapy and then chemotherapy) has never been challenged. However, the team behind this clinical trial – codenamed POBIG (Pre-Operative Brain Irradiation in Glioblastoma) – at the Christie NHS foundation trust in Manchester, is planning to overturn the standard medical procedure. Dr Gerben Brost, a radiation oncologist at the Christie and a senior lecturer at the University of Manchester, who is leading the team, said that the study is a significant milestone in brain cancer research and the culmination of 10 years of work for him. “The order of radiotherapy and surgery should be challenged, and this could be the breakthrough we have been working towards for decades,” Dr Brost said. The trial is currently at an early stage but Dr Brost said the results so far had been “very encouraging”. But he pointed out that surgery would always be essential. “Remnant tumour cells remain growing, potentially even more aggressively post-surgery in the recovery period, before the patient is given the standard course of radiotherapy,” he said, adding that better strategies are desperately needed to target all tumour cells at an earlier stage. “As a tumour is likely to respond better to radiotherapy before the operation, we hope, by giving highly-targeted radiotherapy before surgery, to stop the tumour from growing back so quickly to improve outcomes and extend lives,” the team leader also said. Patients who are part of the trial undergo an MRI which helps the surgeons estimate where remnant cells are most likely to be left after they operate. The report said that a single dose of radiation is aimed precisely at that area, and patients then have surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Joel Rush, a director of a digital marketing agency he co-founded with his wife, is one of the first patients in the trial. Rush was diagnosed with glioblastoma after experiencing severe headaches and pain in October last year. “The doctors explained the reasons for using radiotherapy before surgery – made absolute sense – so I was very happy to participate in the trial,” he said. Dr Brost, meanwhile, said that the team was pleased with how Joel Rush responded to the treatment and the results so far are encouraging. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NHS trial uses targeted radiotherapy on brain tumours before surgery for better results

Japan is witnessing a nationwide fury over unhygienic pranks at sushi conveyor belt restaurants and besides has&nbsp;triggered&nbsp;stock slumps, venue overhauls&nbsp;and even legal action. Several prank videos on social media – dubbed ''sushi terrorism'' – show people indulging in unhygienic acts at such restaurants. On Twitter, a nearly 50-second video shared on January 29, showed&nbsp;an apparent teenage boy licking the top of a communal soy sauce bottle and placing it back on the conveyor belt while checking around to ensure that no one is watching him. He then proceeds to lick the rim of a teacup. The video ends with the teenager licking his fingers and touching a piece of sushi as it goes past the belt.

A report by the news agency AFP on Friday (February 3) said the video, which got over 39 million views, was filmed at a branch of Sushiro in Gifu city. The act prompted stocks in the restaurant's parent company to plunge nearly five per cent.&nbsp;

Some other videos emerged of customers at different chains putting wasabi on passing pieces of sushi or licking the spoon in a tea powder container.&nbsp;

Taking to Twitter, one user said, "This is sickening," while another tweeted, "I can't go to conveyor belt sushi restaurants anymore."

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【悲報】回転寿司炎上界隈に新たな挑戦者あらわる 
今度はスシローで醤油さしや湯飲みをベロベロ舐めまくり＆回る寿司にも唾タッチ <a href="https://t.co/RMUk3caZQE">pic.twitter.com/RMUk3caZQE</a>
— 滝沢ガレソ🪚 (@takigare3) <a href="https://twitter.com/takigare3/status/1619658064898166784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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According to a statement, Sushiro – the Japanese multinational conveyor belt sushi speciality store – said the teenager in the video apologised but the firm filed a formal police complaint. "As a company, we will continue to respond firmly with both criminal and civil cases," Sushiro said.&nbsp;

It added that soy sauce bottles at the affected store were replaced, and cups were cleaned. The firm also announced new restaurant policies.

The AFP report said that at Sushiro's Gifu branch and other nearby branches, customers would now take utensils and condiments to their tables from a serving point. And across Japan, diners would be able to request disinfected tableware.&nbsp;

Two other sushi chains affected by ''sushi terrorism'' — Hama-sushi and Kura Sushi — said they were planning to take legal action. A report by the Jiji press agency said that Kura Sushi was planning to install cameras above conveyor belts to monitor customers.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Japan is witnessing a nationwide fury over unhygienic pranks at sushi conveyor belt restaurants and besides has triggered stock slumps, venue overhauls and even legal action.

Japan is witnessing a nationwide fury over unhygienic pranks at sushi conveyor belt restaurants and besides has triggered stock slumps, venue overhauls and even legal action. Several prank videos on social media – dubbed ''sushi terrorism'' – show people indulging in unhygienic acts at such restaurants. On Twitter, a nearly 50-second video shared on January 29, showed an apparent teenage boy licking the top of a communal soy sauce bottle and placing it back on the conveyor belt while checking around to ensure that no one is watching him. He then proceeds to lick the rim of a teacup. The video ends with the teenager licking his fingers and touching a piece of sushi as it goes past the belt. A report by the news agency AFP on Friday (February 3) said the video, which got over 39 million views, was filmed at a branch of Sushiro in Gifu city. The act prompted stocks in the restaurant's parent company to plunge nearly five per cent. Some other videos emerged of customers at different chains putting wasabi on passing pieces of sushi or licking the spoon in a tea powder container. Taking to Twitter, one user said, "This is sickening," while another tweeted, "I can't go to conveyor belt sushi restaurants anymore." 【悲報】回転寿司炎上界隈に新たな挑戦者あらわる 今度はスシローで醤油さしや湯飲みをベロベロ舐めまくり＆回る寿司にも唾タッチ pic.twitter.com/RMUk3caZQE — 滝沢ガレソ🪚 (@takigare3) January 29, 2023 × According to a statement, Sushiro – the Japanese multinational conveyor belt sushi speciality store – said the teenager in the video apologised but the firm filed a formal police complaint. "As a company, we will continue to respond firmly with both criminal and civil cases," Sushiro said. It added that soy sauce bottles at the affected store were replaced, and cups were cleaned. The firm also announced new restaurant policies. The AFP report said that at Sushiro's Gifu branch and other nearby branches, customers would now take utensils and condiments to their tables from a serving point. And across Japan, diners would be able to request disinfected tableware. Two other sushi chains affected by ''sushi terrorism'' — Hama-sushi and Kura Sushi — said they were planning to take legal action. A report by the Jiji press agency said that Kura Sushi was planning to install cameras above conveyor belts to monitor customers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Nationwide fury, legal action over ‘crass’ prank videos of ‘sushi terrorism’ in Japan

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