Suspected sex cult Nxivm's co-founder Nancy Salzman has been handed a three-year prison sentence for her role in the cult. As per investigators, Nxivm was a sex-trafficking operation but it was disguised as mentoring group.

In 2019, Salzman pleaded guilty to racketeering offences. Keith Raniere, the spiritual leader of the group was sentenced to 120 years in prison in October 2020.

Raniere's cult was based in Albany north of New York City.

He swapped personal development training courses for sex sessions as the head of a group of up to 20 women.&nbsp;

Followers signed up for $5,000, five-day self-help courses, but some were then financially and sexually exploited and had to follow a restrictive diet as Raniere -- known as "Vanguard" -- exerted his control, the jury at his trial in 2019 was told.&nbsp;

In 2015, he established a faction within the group called DOS, a pyramid structure in which the women were "slaves" and "Grand Master" Raniere sat at the top.

Nacny Salzman was quoted in news reports as saying that Raniere was "narcissistic sociopath"

Despite her criticism of Raniere, Federal judge said that Salzman left "trauma and destruction" for the victims of the sex cult.&nbsp;

"You never rejected [Raniere]. The door was always open but you never left," New York Daily News quoted US Assistant Attorney as saying.

Suspected sex cult Nxivm's co-founder Nancy Salzman has been handed a three-year prison sentence for her role in the cult. As per investigators, Nxivm was a sex-trafficking operation but it was disguised as mentoring group.

Suspected sex cult Nxivm's co-founder Nancy Salzman has been handed a three-year prison sentence for her role in the cult. As per investigators, Nxivm was a sex-trafficking operation but it was disguised as mentoring group. In 2019, Salzman pleaded guilty to racketeering offences. Keith Raniere, the spiritual leader of the group was sentenced to 120 years in prison in October 2020. Raniere's cult was based in Albany north of New York City. He swapped personal development training courses for sex sessions as the head of a group of up to 20 women. Followers signed up for $5,000, five-day self-help courses, but some were then financially and sexually exploited and had to follow a restrictive diet as Raniere -- known as "Vanguard" -- exerted his control, the jury at his trial in 2019 was told. In 2015, he established a faction within the group called DOS, a pyramid structure in which the women were "slaves" and "Grand Master" Raniere sat at the top. Nacny Salzman was quoted in news reports as saying that Raniere was "narcissistic sociopath" Despite her criticism of Raniere, Federal judge said that Salzman left "trauma and destruction" for the victims of the sex cult. "You never rejected [Raniere]. The door was always open but you never left," New York Daily News quoted US Assistant Attorney as saying.

Nxivm sex cult co-founder Nancy Salzman sent to jail

In a sign that the Taliban may not be in a mood to allow vibrant,&nbsp;free media to flourish, horrific images of Afghan journalists beaten up and tortured by Taliban fighters have surfaced. Afghan newspaper Etilaat Roz has identified these journalists to be their employees.

Nematullah Naqdi and Taqi Daryabi, the journalists were reportedly targetted for covering anti-Taliban march organised by women in Kabul.

The images are disturbing. In one of the photos, the journalists have been clicked stripped down to their innerwear, their bodies showing scars and bruises.

<img alt="Afghan journalists torture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6ffc6ed6-9acc-4240-b83f-3d7fc7f57482" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9MG28C.jpg" />

(Image source: AFP)

Etilaat Roz said that the journalists were covering the women's protest when they were abducted, taken to different rooms, beaten up and tortured.

The LA Times said that three other journalists including local head of Euronews, a pan-European news network were also abducted. Several other journalists were arrested.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-beat-protesting-women-with-whip-order-internet-shutdown-in-some-areas-411825">Taliban beat protesting women with whip, order internet shutdown in some areas</a>

After seizing power in the country last month, Taliban has maintained that it would grant freedom of press but their actions have not been reflective of their words.

Lats month, a Tolo news reporter Ziar Yaad Khan was believed to have been killed. Later it was revealed that he was held at gunpoint and assaulted by the Taliban.

A number of media personalities and journalists, including women journalists have been killed in Afghanistan ever since US pullout was declared.

In a sign that the Taliban may not be in a mood to allow vibrant, free media to flourish, horrific images of Afghan journalists beaten up and tortured by Taliban fighters have surfaced.

In a sign that the Taliban may not be in a mood to allow vibrant, free media to flourish, horrific images of Afghan journalists beaten up and tortured by Taliban fighters have surfaced. Afghan newspaper Etilaat Roz has identified these journalists to be their employees. Nematullah Naqdi and Taqi Daryabi, the journalists were reportedly targetted for covering anti-Taliban march organised by women in Kabul. The images are disturbing. In one of the photos, the journalists have been clicked stripped down to their innerwear, their bodies showing scars and bruises. (Image source: AFP) Etilaat Roz said that the journalists were covering the women's protest when they were abducted, taken to different rooms, beaten up and tortured. The LA Times said that three other journalists including local head of Euronews, a pan-European news network were also abducted. Several other journalists were arrested. Also Read: Taliban beat protesting women with whip, order internet shutdown in some areas After seizing power in the country last month, Taliban has maintained that it would grant freedom of press but their actions have not been reflective of their words. Lats month, a Tolo news reporter Ziar Yaad Khan was believed to have been killed. Later it was revealed that he was held at gunpoint and assaulted by the Taliban. A number of media personalities and journalists, including women journalists have been killed in Afghanistan ever since US pullout was declared.

Taliban brutally flog and torture Afghan journalists for covering women's protests

More than 31 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Amnesty and European Network Against Racism have targetted European Union for what they are the efforts to turn migrant database into a mass surveillance tool through proposed changes. The campaigners for the NGOs made the charge in an open letter to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

The NGOs have urged the EU to rethink overhaul of the Eurodac database of asylum seekers’ fingerprints. In a decision taken in 2018, the database was expanded to include passport or ID card details, facial images as well as fingerprints. This would also enable the officials to take fingerprints of children as young as 6. The previous age limit was 14.

The changes are yet to be implemented as the draft resolution is frozen pending agreement on reformation of centerpiece of EU asylum law.

The NGOs have said that use of facial imaging was “intrusive, disproportionate and privacy invasive". They said that the people on the move deserved the same level of protection as anyone else.

"...EU should not take advantage of their vulnerable situation to subject them to mass surveillance and undignified treatment.” they said.

The NGO's also lashed out at the practice of fingerprinting children

“Taking and retaining the biometric data of children for non protection related purposes is a seriously invasive and unjustified infringement on the rights of the child,” says the letter

Fingerprint database Eurodac was made in 2000 to deter asylum seekers from making multiple asylum requests

Under existing EU laws, asylum seekers are required to seek asylum in the first country they arrive in. This puts pressure on southern European countries.

More than 31 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Amnesty and European Network Against Racism have targetted European Union for what they are the efforts to turn migrant database into a mass surveillance tool through proposed changes.

More than 31 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Amnesty and European Network Against Racism have targetted European Union for what they are the efforts to turn migrant database into a mass surveillance tool through proposed changes. The campaigners for the NGOs made the charge in an open letter to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The NGOs have urged the EU to rethink overhaul of the Eurodac database of asylum seekers’ fingerprints. In a decision taken in 2018, the database was expanded to include passport or ID card details, facial images as well as fingerprints. This would also enable the officials to take fingerprints of children as young as 6. The previous age limit was 14. The changes are yet to be implemented as the draft resolution is frozen pending agreement on reformation of centerpiece of EU asylum law. The NGOs have said that use of facial imaging was “intrusive, disproportionate and privacy invasive". They said that the people on the move deserved the same level of protection as anyone else. "...EU should not take advantage of their vulnerable situation to subject them to mass surveillance and undignified treatment.” they said. The NGO's also lashed out at the practice of fingerprinting children “Taking and retaining the biometric data of children for non protection related purposes is a seriously invasive and unjustified infringement on the rights of the child,” says the letter Fingerprint database Eurodac was made in 2000 to deter asylum seekers from making multiple asylum requests Under existing EU laws, asylum seekers are required to seek asylum in the first country they arrive in. This puts pressure on southern European countries.

EU seeking to develop migrant database into surveillance tool: NGOs

To some of us it's a relief that mankind was not there to witness reign of dinosaurs. For some it feels like a missed opportunity. The scary reptiles would have been a treat to watch in flesh. Of course the excitement would have lasted only till we were not on their dinner plate! The pre-historic dino-world was full of apex predators like T-Rex. What could rival THE T-Rex right?

But a new study has revealed that there indeed was a dinosaur who took on the mighty T-Rex as far as competition in a habitat was&nbsp;concerned.

A new study has shed light on the dinosaur that lived 90 million years ago. It was a meat-eating dinosaur with shark-like serrated teeth. The beast prowled what is now Uzbekistan.

Interesting thing is that this dinosaur was twice the length and five times the weight of T-Rex! So in a straight fight, T-Rex surely must have had its hands full. The dinosaur has been named Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis after Ulugh Beg, a 15 century mathematician, astronomer and sultan from Uzbekistan.

Jawbone of this dinosaur was found in Uzbekistan's Kyzylkum Desert in the 1980s. Scientists rediscovered it in 2019 in a museum collection.

U Uzbekistanesis belongs to a category of dinosaurs called Carcharodontosaurs. These dinosaurs were slender than the T-Rex but heavier than them. U Uzbekistanesis is the first Carcharodontosaur in Central Asia.&nbsp;

It was the dominant predator in its habitat and gobbled up Saurapods, horned dinosaurs and other Ostrich-like dinosaurs.

The reign of U Uzbekistanesis came to an end 80 to 90 million years ago. And T-Rex took over as the dominant predator in Asia.

To some of us it's a relief that mankind was not there to witness reign of dinosaurs. For some it feels like a missed opportunity. The scary reptiles would have been a treat to watch in flesh.

To some of us it's a relief that mankind was not there to witness reign of dinosaurs. For some it feels like a missed opportunity. The scary reptiles would have been a treat to watch in flesh. Of course the excitement would have lasted only till we were not on their dinner plate! The pre-historic dino-world was full of apex predators like T-Rex. What could rival THE T-Rex right? But a new study has revealed that there indeed was a dinosaur who took on the mighty T-Rex as far as competition in a habitat was concerned. A new study has shed light on the dinosaur that lived 90 million years ago. It was a meat-eating dinosaur with shark-like serrated teeth. The beast prowled what is now Uzbekistan. Interesting thing is that this dinosaur was twice the length and five times the weight of T-Rex! So in a straight fight, T-Rex surely must have had its hands full. The dinosaur has been named Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis after Ulugh Beg, a 15 century mathematician, astronomer and sultan from Uzbekistan. Jawbone of this dinosaur was found in Uzbekistan's Kyzylkum Desert in the 1980s. Scientists rediscovered it in 2019 in a museum collection. U Uzbekistanesis belongs to a category of dinosaurs called Carcharodontosaurs. These dinosaurs were slender than the T-Rex but heavier than them. U Uzbekistanesis is the first Carcharodontosaur in Central Asia. It was the dominant predator in its habitat and gobbled up Saurapods, horned dinosaurs and other Ostrich-like dinosaurs. The reign of U Uzbekistanesis came to an end 80 to 90 million years ago. And T-Rex took over as the dominant predator in Asia.

This 'shark-toothed' dinosaur gave tough competition to T-Rex

Russia is preparing for supremacy in Arctic region where melting ice and receding ice cover are creating new waterways. Russia is pinning its ambition on a fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers.

Russia sees development of the Arctic as a historic mission. It already has huge projects to exploit its natural resources.

Its next big plan is for year-round use of the Northern Sea Route, a shipping lane through Arctic waters Russia hopes could rival the Suez Canal.

This summer an icebreaker called fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers. Its captain told AFP that Russia had special role to play in the Arctic.

"A third of our territory lies above the Arctic Circle. Our ancestors have long mastered frozen waters. We are continuing this successfully," Dmitry Lobusov said.

President Vladimir Putin has made the development of the Arctic a strategic priority and state companies such as Gazprom Neft, Norilsk Nickel and Rosneft already have major projects in the Arctic to extract oil, gas and minerals.

"The Arctic region has enormous potential," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier this month.

"In terms of resources, we're talking about 15 billion tonnes of oil and 100 trillion cubic metres of gas. Enough for tens if not hundreds of years," he said.

The Northern Sea Route links the Pacific to the Atlantic through Russian Arctic waters.

It is not currently navigable year-round without the help of icebreakers, though in summer some specialised classes of ships can pass through.&nbsp;

With the ice cover receding, Moscow is aiming for year-round navigation by 2030. &nbsp;

The route between east Asia and Europe is considerably shorter than through the Suez Canal.&nbsp;

When a huge container ship blocked the busy Suez shipping lane in March, Moscow touted the Northern Sea passage as a "viable alternative".

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia is preparing for supremacy in Arctic region where melting ice and receding ice cover are creating new waterways. Russia is pinning its ambition on a fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers.

Russia is preparing for supremacy in Arctic region where melting ice and receding ice cover are creating new waterways. Russia is pinning its ambition on a fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers. Russia sees development of the Arctic as a historic mission. It already has huge projects to exploit its natural resources. Its next big plan is for year-round use of the Northern Sea Route, a shipping lane through Arctic waters Russia hopes could rival the Suez Canal. This summer an icebreaker called fleet of giant nuclear-powered icebreakers. Its captain told AFP that Russia had special role to play in the Arctic. "A third of our territory lies above the Arctic Circle. Our ancestors have long mastered frozen waters. We are continuing this successfully," Dmitry Lobusov said. President Vladimir Putin has made the development of the Arctic a strategic priority and state companies such as Gazprom Neft, Norilsk Nickel and Rosneft already have major projects in the Arctic to extract oil, gas and minerals. "The Arctic region has enormous potential," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier this month. "In terms of resources, we're talking about 15 billion tonnes of oil and 100 trillion cubic metres of gas. Enough for tens if not hundreds of years," he said. The Northern Sea Route links the Pacific to the Atlantic through Russian Arctic waters. It is not currently navigable year-round without the help of icebreakers, though in summer some specialised classes of ships can pass through. With the ice cover receding, Moscow is aiming for year-round navigation by 2030. The route between east Asia and Europe is considerably shorter than through the Suez Canal. When a huge container ship blocked the busy Suez shipping lane in March, Moscow touted the Northern Sea passage as a "viable alternative". (With inputs from agencies)

Moscow flexes muscle in Arctic region with nuclear icebreaker fleet

Stones were thrown at Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an election campaign event. The incident took place as he was leaving an event at a microbrewery in London, a city southwest of Toronto in Ontario province

Trudeau, members of his security detail and journalists were reportedly struck. No one was injured. the video below is being widely shared as the one being of the incident.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🇨🇦 The Prime Minister of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canada</a>, Justin Trudeau, was thrown with small stones after his election rally. 
 
Trudeau was not injured. This is not the first time, the leader of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liberal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Liberal</a> Party was accompanied by protesters in an election campaign. <a href="https://t.co/RWDIzxKr6Q">pic.twitter.com/RWDIzxKr6Q</a>
— GLOBAL NEWS NEXUS (@globalnwsnexus) <a href="https://twitter.com/globalnwsnexus/status/1435123093609988100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The incident drew condemnation from Trudeau's main rival, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh.

Trudeau -- who has slipped in the polls and is now in a statistical dead heat with O'Toole -- has faced off on several recent occasions with what he described as "anti-vaxxer mobs" angry with his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Protesters enraged over proposed mandatory coronavirus vaccines and other crisis measures have shouted racial and misogynist slurs at his entourage.

Trudeau was forced to cancel an event due to security reasons.

"Yes, there is a small fringe element in this country that is angry, that doesn't believe in science, that is lashing out with racist, misogynistic attacks," Trudeau said at a campaign stop.

"But Canadians, the vast majority of Canadians, are not represented by them, and I know will not allow those voices, those special interest groups, those protesters -- I don't even want to call them protesters, those anti-vaxxer mobs -- to dictate how this country gets through this pandemic."

(With inputs from agencies)

Stones were thrown at Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an election campaign event. The incident took place as he was leaving an event at a microbrewery in London, a city southwest of Toronto in Ontario province Trudeau, members of his security detail and journalists were reportedly struck.

Stones were thrown at Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an election campaign event. The incident took place as he was leaving an event at a microbrewery in London, a city southwest of Toronto in Ontario province Trudeau, members of his security detail and journalists were reportedly struck. No one was injured. the video below is being widely shared as the one being of the incident. 🇨🇦 The Prime Minister of #Canada, Justin Trudeau, was thrown with small stones after his election rally. Trudeau was not injured. This is not the first time, the leader of the #Liberal Party was accompanied by protesters in an election campaign. pic.twitter.com/RWDIzxKr6Q — GLOBAL NEWS NEXUS (@globalnwsnexus) September 7, 2021 × The incident drew condemnation from Trudeau's main rival, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh. Trudeau -- who has slipped in the polls and is now in a statistical dead heat with O'Toole -- has faced off on several recent occasions with what he described as "anti-vaxxer mobs" angry with his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Protesters enraged over proposed mandatory coronavirus vaccines and other crisis measures have shouted racial and misogynist slurs at his entourage. Trudeau was forced to cancel an event due to security reasons. "Yes, there is a small fringe element in this country that is angry, that doesn't believe in science, that is lashing out with racist, misogynistic attacks," Trudeau said at a campaign stop. "But Canadians, the vast majority of Canadians, are not represented by them, and I know will not allow those voices, those special interest groups, those protesters -- I don't even want to call them protesters, those anti-vaxxer mobs -- to dictate how this country gets through this pandemic." (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Stones thrown at Justin Trudeau at election campaign event

The remains of two more victims of 9/11 have been identified, thanks to advanced DNA technology, New York officials announced Tuesday, just days before the 20th anniversary of the attacks.

The office of the city's chief medical examiner said it had formally identified the 1,646th and 1,647th victim of the al-Qaeda attacks on New York's Twin Towers which killed 2,753 people.

They are the first identifications of victims from the collapse of the World Trade Center since October 2019.

"Twenty years ago, we made a promise to the families of World Trade Center victims to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to identify their loved ones, and with these two new identifications, we continue to fulfill that sacred obligation," chief medical examiner Barbara Sampson said in a statement.

"No matter how much time passes since September 11, 2001, we will never forget, and we pledge to use all the tools at our disposal to make sure all those who were lost can be reunited with their families," she added.

The 1,646th victim was identified as Dorothy Morgan, of Hempstead, Long Island. Her identity was confirmed through DNA testing of remains recovered in 2001, the examiner's office said.

The other identification was a man whose name is being withheld at the request of his family. His identification was confirmed through DNA testing of remains recovered in 2001, 2002 and 2006, the statement added.

The medical examiner described the painstaking push to identify every victim as "the largest and most complex forensic investigation in the history of the United States."

The office said new identifications 20 years after the tragedy were being made possible by advances in DNA science.

Its laboratory uses advanced testing to match DNA fragments from victims with samples provided by relatives.

The medical examiner's office said its recent adoption of next-generation DNA sequencing technology meant further identifications were likely.

Some 1,106 victims, or 40 percent of those who died, remain unidentified.

The remains of two more victims of 9/11 have been identified, thanks to advanced DNA technology, New York officials announced Tuesday, just days before the 20th anniversary of the attacks.

The remains of two more victims of 9/11 have been identified, thanks to advanced DNA technology, New York officials announced Tuesday, just days before the 20th anniversary of the attacks. The office of the city's chief medical examiner said it had formally identified the 1,646th and 1,647th victim of the al-Qaeda attacks on New York's Twin Towers which killed 2,753 people. They are the first identifications of victims from the collapse of the World Trade Center since October 2019. "Twenty years ago, we made a promise to the families of World Trade Center victims to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to identify their loved ones, and with these two new identifications, we continue to fulfill that sacred obligation," chief medical examiner Barbara Sampson said in a statement. "No matter how much time passes since September 11, 2001, we will never forget, and we pledge to use all the tools at our disposal to make sure all those who were lost can be reunited with their families," she added. The 1,646th victim was identified as Dorothy Morgan, of Hempstead, Long Island. Her identity was confirmed through DNA testing of remains recovered in 2001, the examiner's office said. The other identification was a man whose name is being withheld at the request of his family. His identification was confirmed through DNA testing of remains recovered in 2001, 2002 and 2006, the statement added. The medical examiner described the painstaking push to identify every victim as "the largest and most complex forensic investigation in the history of the United States." The office said new identifications 20 years after the tragedy were being made possible by advances in DNA science. Its laboratory uses advanced testing to match DNA fragments from victims with samples provided by relatives. The medical examiner's office said its recent adoption of next-generation DNA sequencing technology meant further identifications were likely. Some 1,106 victims, or 40 percent of those who died, remain unidentified.

Two more victims of 9/11 attacks identified

Google Earth and Google Maps is a handy tool to study regions our planet's surface. The fact that anyone can name places in some modes has made it a huge thing. This has meant that millions of people have tagged places and regions and it has been beneficial to later visitors to the site or the app to study a specific geography.

But what if someone becomes creative, a bit too creative in naming a place.

Perhaps that was the case when 12-year-old Rory Chapman was using the application. Rory lives with his family at Hilbre Island in England. He was planning a walk with his family and opened Google Maps in satellite mode.&nbsp; 
"I have looked at Hilbre Island on the map with my mum when we did geography in lockdown so I knew where it was," he told The Liverpool Echo

He was in for a shock as someone seemed to have dug a 'Hole to the centre of the Earth'. The place had been marked as a tourist attraction.

This was apparently spotted by people on Facebook as well and there was a discussion about it.

The place marker has since been removed.

Google Earth and Google Maps is a handy tool to study regions our planet's surface. The fact that anyone can name places in some modes has made it a huge thing. This has meant that millions of people have tagged places and regions and it has been beneficial to later visitors to the site or the app to study a specific geography.

Google Earth and Google Maps is a handy tool to study regions our planet's surface. The fact that anyone can name places in some modes has made it a huge thing. This has meant that millions of people have tagged places and regions and it has been beneficial to later visitors to the site or the app to study a specific geography. But what if someone becomes creative, a bit too creative in naming a place. Perhaps that was the case when 12-year-old Rory Chapman was using the application. Rory lives with his family at Hilbre Island in England. He was planning a walk with his family and opened Google Maps in satellite mode. "I have looked at Hilbre Island on the map with my mum when we did geography in lockdown so I knew where it was," he told The Liverpool Echo He was in for a shock as someone seemed to have dug a 'Hole to the centre of the Earth'. The place had been marked as a tourist attraction. This was apparently spotted by people on Facebook as well and there was a discussion about it. The place marker has since been removed.

Google Maps: Student finds mysterious 'Hole to the centre of the earth'

Search for alien life has a bit of excitement and glamour associated with it. Movies and other forms of popular media have fuelled the frenzy. So much so that in an event of an alien attack on Earth, many of us would go "Cool!" instead of "Aargh!!"

But like all things, alien life stuff is also complex. An Astrobiologist at Arizona State University (ASU) says that search for extraterrestrial life may also result in discovery of new viruses.

Yes!

Considering we are still in the middle of a pandemic caused by a virus, this may a hard thing to hear. But Paul Davis of the ASU asserts that to sustain life, a number of microscopic agents are required. And viruses are? Yep, microscopic!

“Viruses actually form part of the web of life,” Davis told The Guardian.

He thinks there will be whole ecosystem of microbes where alien life is found. He considers viruses to be part of web of life.

It is indeed terrifying to imagine a whole different planet filled with alien microbes. (One single Earth has already has us coughing and whatnot!). However, there is silver lining to this.

Microbes on Earth are able to affect us as they are able to adapt us as hosts. If a virus is truly alien, it may be that it will not have a way to infect us.

Search for alien life has a bit of excitement and glamour associated with it. Movies and other forms of popular media have fuelled the frenzy. So much so that in an event of an alien attack on Earth, many of us would go "Cool!

Search for alien life has a bit of excitement and glamour associated with it. Movies and other forms of popular media have fuelled the frenzy. So much so that in an event of an alien attack on Earth, many of us would go "Cool!" instead of "Aargh!!" But like all things, alien life stuff is also complex. An Astrobiologist at Arizona State University (ASU) says that search for extraterrestrial life may also result in discovery of new viruses. Yes! Considering we are still in the middle of a pandemic caused by a virus, this may a hard thing to hear. But Paul Davis of the ASU asserts that to sustain life, a number of microscopic agents are required. And viruses are? Yep, microscopic! “Viruses actually form part of the web of life,” Davis told The Guardian. He thinks there will be whole ecosystem of microbes where alien life is found. He considers viruses to be part of web of life. It is indeed terrifying to imagine a whole different planet filled with alien microbes. (One single Earth has already has us coughing and whatnot!). However, there is silver lining to this. Microbes on Earth are able to affect us as they are able to adapt us as hosts. If a virus is truly alien, it may be that it will not have a way to infect us.

Searching for alien life? Beware of viruses!

Lucelly Gil is one of the forgotten victims of 9/11: an immigrant cleaner who spent months clearing up rubble from the World Trade Center and developed cancer apparently from the toxic dust, but who remains unrecognized. 
At 7:00 am on September 15, 2001, the Colombian entered the immense ash cloud left by the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York. She would collect debris there for up to 12 hours a day, every day, for six months.

Twenty years later, the 65-year-old is still a undocumented migrant and lives with the consequences of that herculean effort: she is a breast cancer survivor, a common illness for women who worked at the site, has lost movement in one arm and suffers depression.

For eight months after the attacks, tens of thousands of people -- many of them immigrants -- cleaned Ground Zero and nearby damaged buildings.

They removed 1.8 million tons of rubble from the area and were paid between $7.50 and $10 an hour, just above the minimum wage at the time.

They didn't know it then but the exposure to asbestos and other toxic materials brought the risk of cancer, asbestosis and a host of respiratory illnesses, as well as post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression.

"I don't like to remember Ground Zero anniversaries," Gil said tearfully at a recent session of the 9/11 Latino cleaners support group Fronteras de Esperanza, or Borders of Hope, which still meets two decades on.

She remembers that after working so many hours, sometimes finding human remains, she would go home and thought she was still cleaning.

"I almost freaked out," Gil recalled.

'Injustice'

Gil, like all the cleaners spoken to by AFP, cannot work because of illnesses believed to be derived from the 9/11 operation. They dream of becoming legal residents so they can receive benefits and live without the threat of deportation.

In 2017, a then-Democratic representative from New York even introduced a bill regarding this but it was never debated in Congress.

"That the people who cleaned do not have papers is an injustice because they lost the most precious thing, which is health," Rubiela Arias, another cleaner, told AFP in the modest room she rents in Queens with the help of her son.

The now 57-year-old Colombian has been fighting for years for the Hispanic cleaners to be legally recognized.

She herself was at the site and has since suffered from various respiratory and stomach illnesses, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental ailments.

More than 2,000 cleaners, rescuers and police officers died from illnesses linked to 9/11, according to the federal victims' compensation fund.

Many undocumented cleaners, including some who were ill, have been deported in recent years, according to social worker Rosa Bramble, who has led Fronteras de Esperanza on a voluntary basis since 2010 from her office in Queens.

Others returned to their countries to die, because they were sick and could not work to support themselves. 
"Here they couldn't pay rent," said Bramble, a professor at Columbia University and who is of Venezuelan origin.

Most of the 9/11 cleaners have full medical coverage through the World Trade Center's federal health program, but many have not received compensation for their illnesses.

That is the experience of Franklin, a 50-year-old undocumented Peruvian cleaner with various respiratory ailments who decided to return from New York to Lima in 2019 to say goodbye to his ill mother, whom he had not seen for two decades.

Financial hardships

When he tried to return to the United States to take up the medical treatment guaranteed by the WTC health program in which he had been accepted -- and to claim financial compensation -- the US embassy in Lima denied him a visa.

In June he twice tried to cross the border between Mexico and the United States illegally with the help of traffickers, but was deported to Mexico both times.

"I practically gave my life to clean Ground Zero and I don't think it is fair that they are repaying me this way," he told AFP by phone from Juarez city where the traffickers kept him before his third attempt, which was successful.

Some workers who sued New York City and the companies that employed them were able to get compensation. Additionally, in 2011, Congress approved maximum payments of $250,000 for a cancer linked to 9/11. 
Gil received $40,000 in 2018, but without being able to work, the money quickly ran out.

"We as Latinos were discriminated against in relation to the other workers on 9/11," she said. 
Rosa Duque, a 56-year-old Guatemalan cleaner who has difficulty breathing, says the cleaners are "in oblivion" and must be given permanent residency.

"When we volunteered to go to work they didn't ask, 'Are you a citizen?' 'Are you a resident?'" she said.

Lucelly Gil is one of the forgotten victims of 9/11: an immigrant cleaner who spent months clearing up rubble from the World Trade Center and developed cancer apparently from the toxic dust, but who remains unrecognized.

Lucelly Gil is one of the forgotten victims of 9/11: an immigrant cleaner who spent months clearing up rubble from the World Trade Center and developed cancer apparently from the toxic dust, but who remains unrecognized. At 7:00 am on September 15, 2001, the Colombian entered the immense ash cloud left by the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York. She would collect debris there for up to 12 hours a day, every day, for six months. Twenty years later, the 65-year-old is still a undocumented migrant and lives with the consequences of that herculean effort: she is a breast cancer survivor, a common illness for women who worked at the site, has lost movement in one arm and suffers depression. For eight months after the attacks, tens of thousands of people -- many of them immigrants -- cleaned Ground Zero and nearby damaged buildings. They removed 1.8 million tons of rubble from the area and were paid between $7.50 and $10 an hour, just above the minimum wage at the time. They didn't know it then but the exposure to asbestos and other toxic materials brought the risk of cancer, asbestosis and a host of respiratory illnesses, as well as post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. "I don't like to remember Ground Zero anniversaries," Gil said tearfully at a recent session of the 9/11 Latino cleaners support group Fronteras de Esperanza, or Borders of Hope, which still meets two decades on. She remembers that after working so many hours, sometimes finding human remains, she would go home and thought she was still cleaning. "I almost freaked out," Gil recalled. 'Injustice' Gil, like all the cleaners spoken to by AFP, cannot work because of illnesses believed to be derived from the 9/11 operation. They dream of becoming legal residents so they can receive benefits and live without the threat of deportation. In 2017, a then-Democratic representative from New York even introduced a bill regarding this but it was never debated in Congress. "That the people who cleaned do not have papers is an injustice because they lost the most precious thing, which is health," Rubiela Arias, another cleaner, told AFP in the modest room she rents in Queens with the help of her son. The now 57-year-old Colombian has been fighting for years for the Hispanic cleaners to be legally recognized. She herself was at the site and has since suffered from various respiratory and stomach illnesses, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental ailments. More than 2,000 cleaners, rescuers and police officers died from illnesses linked to 9/11, according to the federal victims' compensation fund. Many undocumented cleaners, including some who were ill, have been deported in recent years, according to social worker Rosa Bramble, who has led Fronteras de Esperanza on a voluntary basis since 2010 from her office in Queens. Others returned to their countries to die, because they were sick and could not work to support themselves. "Here they couldn't pay rent," said Bramble, a professor at Columbia University and who is of Venezuelan origin. Most of the 9/11 cleaners have full medical coverage through the World Trade Center's federal health program, but many have not received compensation for their illnesses. That is the experience of Franklin, a 50-year-old undocumented Peruvian cleaner with various respiratory ailments who decided to return from New York to Lima in 2019 to say goodbye to his ill mother, whom he had not seen for two decades. Financial hardships When he tried to return to the United States to take up the medical treatment guaranteed by the WTC health program in which he had been accepted -- and to claim financial compensation -- the US embassy in Lima denied him a visa. In June he twice tried to cross the border between Mexico and the United States illegally with the help of traffickers, but was deported to Mexico both times. "I practically gave my life to clean Ground Zero and I don't think it is fair that they are repaying me this way," he told AFP by phone from Juarez city where the traffickers kept him before his third attempt, which was successful. Some workers who sued New York City and the companies that employed them were able to get compensation. Additionally, in 2011, Congress approved maximum payments of $250,000 for a cancer linked to 9/11. Gil received $40,000 in 2018, but without being able to work, the money quickly ran out. "We as Latinos were discriminated against in relation to the other workers on 9/11," she said. Rosa Duque, a 56-year-old Guatemalan cleaner who has difficulty breathing, says the cleaners are "in oblivion" and must be given permanent residency. "When we volunteered to go to work they didn't ask, 'Are you a citizen?' 'Are you a resident?'" she said.

9/11: Ground Zero's forgotten migrant cleaners demand recognition

Leave Earth and its protective atmosphere along with its magnetic field and you will get bombarded with all sorts of cosmic raditions. These radiations are deadly and high exposure may even cause death. These radiations are a big factor that needs to be considered while designing spacecraft fit for human travel.

Mars is widely considered to be the next frontier after Moon as far as human space travel is concerned. But Martian surface is bombarded by cosmic and solar radiation as well. An astronaut may have to face these deadly rays while on the red planet.

But now we may have found a way to protect the astronauts by making use of geology of the Martian surface.&nbsp;

A new study has shed light on this. The study makes use of data from Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity. When MSL Curiosity landed on the surface of the Mars. It had an instrument called Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on board.&nbsp;

MSL studied the Murray Buttes region on Mars. Curiosity was to study the geology of Mars there. However, there was another observation that was important. A drop in the amount of radiation was seen. The drop was about by 5 per cent.

Though the drop in radiation is not absolutely significant, this has opened the possibility of exploring geological features on the surface of Mars that possibly may shelter astronauts.

Leave Earth and its protective atmosphere along with its magnetic field and you will get bombarded with all sorts of cosmic raditions. These radiations are deadly and high exposure may even cause death.

Leave Earth and its protective atmosphere along with its magnetic field and you will get bombarded with all sorts of cosmic raditions. These radiations are deadly and high exposure may even cause death. These radiations are a big factor that needs to be considered while designing spacecraft fit for human travel. Mars is widely considered to be the next frontier after Moon as far as human space travel is concerned. But Martian surface is bombarded by cosmic and solar radiation as well. An astronaut may have to face these deadly rays while on the red planet. But now we may have found a way to protect the astronauts by making use of geology of the Martian surface. A new study has shed light on this. The study makes use of data from Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity. When MSL Curiosity landed on the surface of the Mars. It had an instrument called Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on board. MSL studied the Murray Buttes region on Mars. Curiosity was to study the geology of Mars there. However, there was another observation that was important. A drop in the amount of radiation was seen. The drop was about by 5 per cent. Though the drop in radiation is not absolutely significant, this has opened the possibility of exploring geological features on the surface of Mars that possibly may shelter astronauts.

There may be a way to protect astronauts from radiation on Martian surface

Search for alien life has been favourite topic of filmmakers and scientists alike. Whether we are alone in the universe is a question that has not got a definitive answer yet. Mankind has sent signals in space in past in hopes of aliens getting them and responding. But we haven't had any luck so far.

Now astronomers have found an object near the centre of our galaxy that is emittibng radio signals. The object has been named ASKAP J173608.2-321635

There is no clarity as of now as to the nature of the object. It was discovered by Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). It is one of the most sensitive radio telescope ever built.

Object ASKAP J173608.2-321635 has proven to be highly variable object. It is emitting radio waves for weeks at a time and it is then disappering on rapid timescales. The radio signal is highly polarised.

The object has been tricky to find. Between April 2019 and August 2020 the signal appears in data just 13 times.

The object is likely a cosmic object, but astronomers think that it will stretch the definition of whatever category it falls under when it gets properly identified.

A paper on the space object has been published in The Astrophysical Journal

Search for alien life has been favourite topic of filmmakers and scientists alike. Whether we are alone in the universe is a question that has not got a definitive answer yet.

Search for alien life has been favourite topic of filmmakers and scientists alike. Whether we are alone in the universe is a question that has not got a definitive answer yet. Mankind has sent signals in space in past in hopes of aliens getting them and responding. But we haven't had any luck so far. Now astronomers have found an object near the centre of our galaxy that is emittibng radio signals. The object has been named ASKAP J173608.2-321635 There is no clarity as of now as to the nature of the object. It was discovered by Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). It is one of the most sensitive radio telescope ever built. Object ASKAP J173608.2-321635 has proven to be highly variable object. It is emitting radio waves for weeks at a time and it is then disappering on rapid timescales. The radio signal is highly polarised. The object has been tricky to find. Between April 2019 and August 2020 the signal appears in data just 13 times. The object is likely a cosmic object, but astronomers think that it will stretch the definition of whatever category it falls under when it gets properly identified. A paper on the space object has been published in The Astrophysical Journal

An object near galactic centre is sending radio signals

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Manas Joshi

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