<p>A woman in the Texas state of the US was arrested after she reportedly damaged an elderly man's apartment and allegedly poured detergent over his eyes. The man, according to the New York Post, subsequently lost his vision.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Sugar dating went awry: What happened?</strong></h2>

<p>According to reports, the woman, identified as 26-year-old Kaley Renae Medina met the 61-year-old man over a 'sugar daddy' dating app. In online dating culture, a sugar daddy is a rich older man who lavishes gifts on a young woman in return for her company or sexual favours. It's part of sugar dating, also called sugaring, a pseudo-romantic transactional sexual relationship.</p>

<p>Transactional ties are linked by way of money, gifts like designer goods, or other material benefits in exchange for companionship or a dating-like relationship.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | The latest dating trend in town: Girlfriend effect, explained | World News | WION</strong></p>

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<p>According to a report by WOAI-TV, the woman had a dinner date earlier in November after meeting over Seeking dating app. Over this online platform, young women look up to meet older, wealthier men.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The man later claimed that while the first dinner with the girl went alright, she showed up unannounced late in the night at his apartment this Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police said, "They talked and drank some wine when suddenly she asked him for $2,000. He told her that he didn’t have that kind of money, and she freaked out."</p>

<p>The girl then allegedly destroyed his flat-screen TV, entertainment system, a painting and then damaged several walls.</p>

<h2><strong>Woman ran away with iPhone, hair dryer: Police</strong></h2>

<p>When the man purportedly asked Medina to stop destroying his home, she allegedly threw laundry detergent over his head. This, the police said, burned his eyes and blinded him.</p>

<p>According to the police, the woman then snatched her former date's iPhone, passport, surveillance camera and a hair dryer before fleeing.</p>

<p>The man, according to police, then crawled outside and cried for help. He was taken to a local hospital with chemical burns to his eyes and cuts on his legs.</p>

<p>Upon investigation, the accused Medina was arrested soon after.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A woman in the Texas state of the US was arrested after she reportedly damaged an elderly man's apartment and allegedly poured detergent over his eyes. The man, according to the New York Post, subsequently lost his vision.

A woman in the Texas state of the US was arrested after she reportedly damaged an elderly man's apartment and allegedly poured detergent over his eyes. The man, according to the New York Post, subsequently lost his vision. Sugar dating went awry: What happened? According to reports, the woman, identified as 26-year-old Kaley Renae Medina met the 61-year-old man over a 'sugar daddy' dating app. In online dating culture, a sugar daddy is a rich older man who lavishes gifts on a young woman in return for her company or sexual favours. It's part of sugar dating, also called sugaring, a pseudo-romantic transactional sexual relationship. Transactional ties are linked by way of money, gifts like designer goods, or other material benefits in exchange for companionship or a dating-like relationship. Also watch | The latest dating trend in town: Girlfriend effect, explained | World News | WION × According to a report by WOAI-TV, the woman had a dinner date earlier in November after meeting over Seeking dating app. Over this online platform, young women look up to meet older, wealthier men. The man later claimed that while the first dinner with the girl went alright, she showed up unannounced late in the night at his apartment this Tuesday. Police said, "They talked and drank some wine when suddenly she asked him for $2,000. He told her that he didn’t have that kind of money, and she freaked out." The girl then allegedly destroyed his flat-screen TV, entertainment system, a painting and then damaged several walls. Woman ran away with iPhone, hair dryer: Police When the man purportedly asked Medina to stop destroying his home, she allegedly threw laundry detergent over his head. This, the police said, burned his eyes and blinded him. According to the police, the woman then snatched her former date's iPhone, passport, surveillance camera and a hair dryer before fleeing. The man, according to police, then crawled outside and cried for help. He was taken to a local hospital with chemical burns to his eyes and cuts on his legs. Upon investigation, the accused Medina was arrested soon after. (With inputs from agencies)

Sugar dating makes 61-year-old 'sugar daddy' blind after woman, 26, throws detergent

<p>Expectant mothers who engage in regular conversations significantly raise their unborn babies' language skills, according to a study by researchers from Italy and France.</p>

<p>This research marks the most compelling evidence to date that fetuses actively listen and learn during the final weeks before birth, implying scientific backing to a notion Indians have long believed due to popular stories and&nbsp;lessons from the Epic Mahabharata.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;World's first 'artificial womb facility’ for 30,000 babies</strong></p>

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<p>According to ancient Indian scriptures,&nbsp;Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra&nbsp;— the latter Krishna's sister&nbsp;—&nbsp;was still in his mother's womb when&nbsp;he first heard his uncle Krishna narrating the&nbsp;secret of penetrating the almost impenetrable military formation known as the <em>Chakravyuha,&nbsp;</em>an ancient defence tactic to safeguard the most important member of the army (usually the king).&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the 13th day of the great war of Mahabharata, Abhimanyu — while fighting for the righteous Pandavas — successfully penetrated the <em>chakravyuha&nbsp;</em>created by the <em>Kuru&nbsp;</em>army. But he did not know how to get out of the military formation once inside it and was thus killed.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What does the study say?</strong></h2>

<p>The study says&nbsp;that "language exposure before birth may help newborns acquire language with ease",&nbsp;suggesting a potential correlation between prenatal communication and postnatal language development.</p>

<p>Researchers found that infants, aged one to five days old, exhibited a preference for the language they heard in the womb, indicating a remarkable connection between prenatal experiences and language recognition.</p>

<p>The study was published in the journal Science Advances.</p>

<p>The research also unveils that hearing their native language stimulated specific brain regions associated with language learning.</p>

<p>This suggests that these neural pathways begin to form and develop during the gestational period.</p>

<h2><strong>How the study was conducted?</strong></h2>

<p>The study involved 33 French newborns, whose mothers were native French speakers and communicated&nbsp;predominantly in French during the last trimester of pregnancy.</p>

<p>Electroencephalogram (EEG) caps with ten sensors were placed on the infants' heads to measure brain activity.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/artificial-womb-which-can-grow-up-to-30000-babies-a-year-scientists-film-shocks-the-internet-543119">‘Artificial womb’ which can grow up to 30,000 babies a year? Scientist’s film shocks the internet</a></strong></p>

<p>Results revealed enhanced neural oscillations associated with language processing when the babies heard their native language, showcasing the profound impact of prenatal language exposure.</p>

<p>While the research did not specifically inquire about direct communication between mothers and unborn babies, it suggests that "prenatally heard language" can stimulate brain development.</p>

<h2><strong>What is the bottom line?</strong></h2>

<p>This research&nbsp;adds a new dimension to humanity's understanding of early cognitive development and reinforces the importance of communication during pregnancy for optimal brain development in newborns.</p>


Expectant mothers who engage in regular conversations significantly raise their unborn babies' language skills, according to a study by researchers from Italy and France.

Expectant mothers who engage in regular conversations significantly raise their unborn babies' language skills, according to a study by researchers from Italy and France. This research marks the most compelling evidence to date that fetuses actively listen and learn during the final weeks before birth, implying scientific backing to a notion Indians have long believed due to popular stories and lessons from the Epic Mahabharata. Also watch | World's first 'artificial womb facility’ for 30,000 babies × According to ancient Indian scriptures, Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra — the latter Krishna's sister — was still in his mother's womb when he first heard his uncle Krishna narrating the secret of penetrating the almost impenetrable military formation known as the Chakravyuha, an ancient defence tactic to safeguard the most important member of the army (usually the king). On the 13th day of the great war of Mahabharata, Abhimanyu — while fighting for the righteous Pandavas — successfully penetrated the chakravyuha created by the Kuru army. But he did not know how to get out of the military formation once inside it and was thus killed. What does the study say? The study says that "language exposure before birth may help newborns acquire language with ease", suggesting a potential correlation between prenatal communication and postnatal language development. Researchers found that infants, aged one to five days old, exhibited a preference for the language they heard in the womb, indicating a remarkable connection between prenatal experiences and language recognition. The study was published in the journal Science Advances. The research also unveils that hearing their native language stimulated specific brain regions associated with language learning. This suggests that these neural pathways begin to form and develop during the gestational period. How the study was conducted? The study involved 33 French newborns, whose mothers were native French speakers and communicated predominantly in French during the last trimester of pregnancy. Electroencephalogram (EEG) caps with ten sensors were placed on the infants' heads to measure brain activity. Also read | ‘Artificial womb’ which can grow up to 30,000 babies a year? Scientist’s film shocks the internet Results revealed enhanced neural oscillations associated with language processing when the babies heard their native language, showcasing the profound impact of prenatal language exposure. While the research did not specifically inquire about direct communication between mothers and unborn babies, it suggests that "prenatally heard language" can stimulate brain development. What is the bottom line? This research adds a new dimension to humanity's understanding of early cognitive development and reinforces the importance of communication during pregnancy for optimal brain development in newborns.

How did Mahabharata's Abhimanyu learn to fight in mother's womb? Recent research may answer

AI in 2023: Top 7 Technology Reads of The Year

7. Your Face Belongs to Us: The Secretive Start-up Dismantling Your Privacy by Kashmir Hill

The journalistic work is incredibly engaging and equally significant. Hill investigates into secretive start-up Clearview AI and brings focus on ambiguity of Artificial Intelligence.

6. Power and Progress by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson

The book is an account of stunning disruption technology has brought about since humankind's move towards modernity. The authors also delve upon inequities in terms of access of technology and how countries can reap the benefits of technological advancements.

This is a work of fiction but has a portrayal of Artificial Intelligence's conception at the centre of the narrative. A heads up from this journalist at WION: The book is for those who imagine better than they can remember.  

4. The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI by Fei-Fei Li

The unputdownable account of 'American Dream' is redescribed through the relevant lens of Artificial Intelligence. The book makes the case for keeping humanity at the focus of AI picture of our planet.

3. The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar

One of the most important technology reads of 2023, the book is a damning forecast of the unprecedented risks that AI and other fast-developing technologies pose to global order.

2. The Age of AI by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt and Daniel Huttenlocher

The profound transformational power of Artificial Intelligence has been vividly explained in this Wall Street Journal bestseller. The authors argue that AI is the most groundbreaking change humanity is chronicling at present after the age of enlightenment (1685-1815).

The 688-page book is unlike the previous Musk biography Isaacson penned several years ago. The easy-to-read and quick-to-understand book explores Musk's enterpreneurial superstardom and the way he has mastered social media to reach directly to the people.

The Artificial Intelligence was the buzzword in and beyond the realms of social media. Here are the top 7 technology reads of 2023

<p>The breathless wait for 41 workers trapped inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, over 400 km north of Indian capital New Delhi, continues for the 13th day in a row. On Friday (Nov 24), the work of laying pipes through to debris could not be resumed due to repair work over a platform on which the drilling machine rests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But despite delays, the light for 41 trapped workers inside the tunnel appears imminent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WION reached out to Australian tunneling expert Arnold Dix who is one of the minds at work in Uttarkashi to ensure the safe passage of trapped workers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/himalayas-are-not-alps-uttarkashi-tunnel-mishap-is-a-reminder-not-to-mess-with-worlds-youngest-mountains-660743">'Himalayas are not Alps': Uttarkashi tunnel mishap is a reminder 'not to mess' with world's youngest mountains</a></strong></p>

<p>In an interview with WION from the site of the operations, Dix described the&nbsp;complications at the current stage of rescue.</p>

<p>He said: We are dealing with hundreds of thousands of tonnes of avalanche materials in the tunnel. We are not far away (from trapped workers). But we are not just there. The situation from engineering and technical point of view is incredibly complex and delicate. Because the material is avalanche material."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Operation: Rescuer Arnold Dix speaks to WION</strong></p>

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<p>Dix said that the "best on Himalayan experts are" at work in Uttarkashi in a show of "incredible respect for human life."</p>

<h2><strong>Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: How soon will rescuers reach the trapped workers?</strong></h2>

<p>The authorities have said that they cannot give a definite timeline about how soon the trapped workers will be able to see the light outside the tunnel.</p>

<p>"No one is saying that it's definitely going to be today because we've been close before," Dix said.</p>

<p>"I am sure we are bringing these men out. There's gonna be 41 safe men out. Exactly when? Hopefully today," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dix further said that the mission is to ensure that all 41 men are rescued safe and sound.</p>

<p>"So this is like the finest heart surgery that we have kept going here," Dix said.</p>

<p>Dix was also seen paying his respects to deities in a temple made by the locals right outside the site of the rescue.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> - Tunneling Expert <a href="https://twitter.com/Arnolddix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Arnolddix</a> offered prayers at the temple outside the tunnel<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarakhandTunnelRescue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarakhandTunnelRescue</a><br />
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Track LIVE updates here: <a href="https://t.co/hEfi3Y9S5b">https://t.co/hEfi3Y9S5b</a> <a href="https://t.co/m0CvElp77O">pic.twitter.com/m0CvElp77O</a></p>
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<p>"Send some prayers and good wishes," Dix said.&nbsp;</p>


The breathless wait for 41 workers trapped inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, over 400 km north of Indian capital New Delhi, continues for the 13th day in a row.

The breathless wait for 41 workers trapped inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, over 400 km north of Indian capital New Delhi, continues for the 13th day in a row. On Friday (Nov 24), the work of laying pipes through to debris could not be resumed due to repair work over a platform on which the drilling machine rests. But despite delays, the light for 41 trapped workers inside the tunnel appears imminent. WION reached out to Australian tunneling expert Arnold Dix who is one of the minds at work in Uttarkashi to ensure the safe passage of trapped workers. Also read | 'Himalayas are not Alps': Uttarkashi tunnel mishap is a reminder 'not to mess' with world's youngest mountains In an interview with WION from the site of the operations, Dix described the complications at the current stage of rescue. He said: We are dealing with hundreds of thousands of tonnes of avalanche materials in the tunnel. We are not far away (from trapped workers). But we are not just there. The situation from engineering and technical point of view is incredibly complex and delicate. Because the material is avalanche material." Also watch | Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Operation: Rescuer Arnold Dix speaks to WION × Dix said that the "best on Himalayan experts are" at work in Uttarkashi in a show of "incredible respect for human life." Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: How soon will rescuers reach the trapped workers? The authorities have said that they cannot give a definite timeline about how soon the trapped workers will be able to see the light outside the tunnel. "No one is saying that it's definitely going to be today because we've been close before," Dix said. "I am sure we are bringing these men out. There's gonna be 41 safe men out. Exactly when? Hopefully today," he added. Dix further said that the mission is to ensure that all 41 men are rescued safe and sound. "So this is like the finest heart surgery that we have kept going here," Dix said. Dix was also seen paying his respects to deities in a temple made by the locals right outside the site of the rescue. #WATCH - Tunneling Expert @Arnolddix offered prayers at the temple outside the tunnel#UttarakhandTunnelRescue Track LIVE updates here: https://t.co/hEfi3Y9S5b pic.twitter.com/m0CvElp77O — WION (@WIONews) November 24, 2023 × "Send some prayers and good wishes," Dix said.

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue is like the 'finest heart surgery' in Himalayas, says expert Arnold Dix

<p>The Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi announced its permanent closure, nearly two months after it announced that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/afghan-embassy-in-india-announces-decision-to-cease-operations-from-oct-1-641365">operations of the embassy were being stopped</a>. The ceasing of the operations of the embassy wouldn't have meant a permanent closure in particular but now the embassy has moved forward by announcing a permanent closure altogether.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The embassy released an official statement and said: "Effective from November 23, 2023, owing to persistent challenges from the Indian government. The decision follows the embassy's earlier cessation of operations on September 30, a move made in the hope that the Indian government stance will favourably change to let the mission operate normally."</p>

<p>The closure of Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi comes over two years after the Taliban took over Kabul following the conclusive American military withdrawal from the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;New Delhi: Power tussle at Afghan embassy</strong></p>

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<p>Afghanistan's&nbsp;embassy said&nbsp;"that this decision is a result of broader changes in policy and interests".</p>

<p>"To the Afghan citizens in India, the Embassy extends its sincere gratitude for their understanding and support throughout our mission's tenure," it added.</p>

<p>Despite "limitations in resources and power", the Afghan embassy said it has worked "tirelessly for their betterment and in the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul".</p>

<p>The diplomats in Afghanistan's New Delhi embassy were employed by previously democratically elected and the US-backed Ashraf Ghani government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the Taliban neared Kabul on August 13, 2021, Ghani along with a few aides fled the country, concluding a dramatic collapse of Afghan forces and civilian administrative set-up.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Afghan community in India has left the nation: Embassy</strong></h2>

<p>The embassy noted that during the course of the past two years and three months, the Afghan community in India has witnessed a significant decline, with Afghan refugees, students, and traders leaving the country.</p>

<p>Very limited new visas were issued during this period.</p>

<p>"We assure the Afghan community that the mission operated with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to fair treatment based on the goodwill and interests of Afghanistan considering historic ties and bilateral relations with India," it added.</p>

<p>"Unfortunately, efforts have been made to tarnish our image and hinder diplomatic efforts in order to justify the presence and work of Taliban-appointed and affiliated diplomats. In the face of these challenges, our committed team worked diligently in the most difficult circumstances, prioritising the interests of the 40 million Afghans in every possible sphere from securing humanitarian aid and online education scholarships to facilitating ease in trade and advocating for the formation of a broad-based government," the Afghan embassy stated further in its statement.</p>

<h2><strong>Spotlight on Taliban's denial of women's education</strong></h2>

<p>It added that the Afghan embassy "exerted diplomatic pressure in its power on those who defy the will of the Afghan people by failing to form an inclusive government and denying millions of girls the right to attend school".</p>

<p>In September 2021, the Taliban banned young girls beyond primary grades from attending schools.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus</a></strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In December 2022, the Taliban banned women from attending universities. WION exclusively reached out to Afghan girls who lost their right to education under Taliban rule as they broke down the details of the moments when the Taliban shut the doors of their institutes on their faces.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Up to Indian government to consider alternatives: Afghan embassy</strong></h2>

<p>Afghanistan's embassy said that it is now up to New Delhi whether to&nbsp;maintain the closure of the embassy or consider alternatives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The diplomats of the Afghan Republic have handed over the mission solely to the Indian government. It now rests upon the Indian government to decide the fate of the mission, whether to maintain its closure or consider alternatives, including the possibility of handing it over to Taliban diplomats. The responsibility of diplomats appointed by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has officially come to an end. The unfortunate end of the Republic mission marks the conclusion of the Afghan Republic in India," it added.</p>

<p>"We have considered the historic events and current circumstances carefully in arriving at this conclusion. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of India for their support and assistance to Afghanistan over the past 22 years. We reiterate our commitment to serving the people of Afghanistan and will continue to explore avenues to support our nation in these challenging times," the statement concluded.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prior to the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi hosted conferences, and friendly cricket matches between institutes affiliated with the Afghan community in India, and was one of the most vibrant spots in New Delhi's closeted diplomatic enclave.&nbsp;<img alt="Students break into traditional Afghan dance in October 2019 | Mukul Sharma/WION" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7a9c8a46-d00a-4c5b-a9d9-ebef772f99fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-11-24T114205.180.png" /></p>

<p><em>Students inside Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi break into traditional Afghan dance in October 2019 | Mukul Sharma/WION</em><br />
<br />
Friendly Cricket matches often concluded with traditional Afghan Attan dance amid hopeful expressions towards prosperity in Afghanistan, then mostly ruled by President Ashraf Ghani.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi announced its permanent closure, nearly two months after it announced that the operations of the embassy were being stopped.

The Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi announced its permanent closure, nearly two months after it announced that the operations of the embassy were being stopped. The ceasing of the operations of the embassy wouldn't have meant a permanent closure in particular but now the embassy has moved forward by announcing a permanent closure altogether. The embassy released an official statement and said: "Effective from November 23, 2023, owing to persistent challenges from the Indian government. The decision follows the embassy's earlier cessation of operations on September 30, a move made in the hope that the Indian government stance will favourably change to let the mission operate normally." The closure of Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi comes over two years after the Taliban took over Kabul following the conclusive American military withdrawal from the country. Also watch | New Delhi: Power tussle at Afghan embassy × Afghanistan's embassy said "that this decision is a result of broader changes in policy and interests". "To the Afghan citizens in India, the Embassy extends its sincere gratitude for their understanding and support throughout our mission's tenure," it added. Despite "limitations in resources and power", the Afghan embassy said it has worked "tirelessly for their betterment and in the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul". The diplomats in Afghanistan's New Delhi embassy were employed by previously democratically elected and the US-backed Ashraf Ghani government. As the Taliban neared Kabul on August 13, 2021, Ghani along with a few aides fled the country, concluding a dramatic collapse of Afghan forces and civilian administrative set-up. Afghan community in India has left the nation: Embassy The embassy noted that during the course of the past two years and three months, the Afghan community in India has witnessed a significant decline, with Afghan refugees, students, and traders leaving the country. Very limited new visas were issued during this period. "We assure the Afghan community that the mission operated with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to fair treatment based on the goodwill and interests of Afghanistan considering historic ties and bilateral relations with India," it added. "Unfortunately, efforts have been made to tarnish our image and hinder diplomatic efforts in order to justify the presence and work of Taliban-appointed and affiliated diplomats. In the face of these challenges, our committed team worked diligently in the most difficult circumstances, prioritising the interests of the 40 million Afghans in every possible sphere from securing humanitarian aid and online education scholarships to facilitating ease in trade and advocating for the formation of a broad-based government," the Afghan embassy stated further in its statement. Spotlight on Taliban's denial of women's education It added that the Afghan embassy "exerted diplomatic pressure in its power on those who defy the will of the Afghan people by failing to form an inclusive government and denying millions of girls the right to attend school". In September 2021, the Taliban banned young girls beyond primary grades from attending schools. Also read | Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus In December 2022, the Taliban banned women from attending universities. WION exclusively reached out to Afghan girls who lost their right to education under Taliban rule as they broke down the details of the moments when the Taliban shut the doors of their institutes on their faces. Up to Indian government to consider alternatives: Afghan embassy Afghanistan's embassy said that it is now up to New Delhi whether to maintain the closure of the embassy or consider alternatives. "The diplomats of the Afghan Republic have handed over the mission solely to the Indian government. It now rests upon the Indian government to decide the fate of the mission, whether to maintain its closure or consider alternatives, including the possibility of handing it over to Taliban diplomats. The responsibility of diplomats appointed by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has officially come to an end. The unfortunate end of the Republic mission marks the conclusion of the Afghan Republic in India," it added. "We have considered the historic events and current circumstances carefully in arriving at this conclusion. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of India for their support and assistance to Afghanistan over the past 22 years. We reiterate our commitment to serving the people of Afghanistan and will continue to explore avenues to support our nation in these challenging times," the statement concluded. Prior to the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi hosted conferences, and friendly cricket matches between institutes affiliated with the Afghan community in India, and was one of the most vibrant spots in New Delhi's closeted diplomatic enclave. Students inside Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi break into traditional Afghan dance in October 2019 | Mukul Sharma/WION Friendly Cricket matches often concluded with traditional Afghan Attan dance amid hopeful expressions towards prosperity in Afghanistan, then mostly ruled by President Ashraf Ghani.

Afghanistan's embassy puts onus on New Delhi to 'consider alternatives' against its closure

With The Archies, Let's Come To Terms With Nepotism

Hindi Cinema's acclaimed generational chronicler, Zoya Akhtar is coming up with a filmographic depiction of one of the most beloved comics of all time: The Archies. Set to be released on Netflix, the film stars Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, Mihir Ahuja and Aditi Dot.



In a recent interview, Akhtar questioned why the media only focused on the names of the cast who belong to Hindi Cinema's film families -- the debutants, Suhana Khan (Shah Rukh Khan's daughter), Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan's grandson) and Khushi Kapoor (Sridevi's daughter) -- when the first poster of The Archies was released.

The 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' director said that the media 'took away' the moment of actors who do not belong to the film families, namely Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja and Aditi Dot. Akhtar accused the media of only reporting on the actors whose families have backgrounds in Hindi Cinema.

The second or third-generation actors in The Archies have an edge going forward. Some of them already have millions of followers on social media. Their personal brand is rooted in the legacy of their families. The media coverage is partly associated with that legacy. The actors in The Archies without that legacy just have their blood, sweat and skills to rely on with the least room for mistakes.

Cast of The Archies, a near-perfect representation of Indian social milieu

Take Mihir Ahuja for instance. The actor last seen as Dhruv Jauhari in 'Made in Heaven' will play Jughead Jones in The Archies. Ahuja has a rich filmography, but the media discourse has unfairly lacked focus on him playing Jughead Jones in The Archies. Isn't this how life is? The ones with privilege and pedigree always taking the spotlight? The agonising wait through hustle is the only choice left for the ones without that privilege.

Nepotism is the attribute of an unequal, unfair world

In any unequal society, there will always be individuals of privilege who may or may not possess as much talent. There will also be individuals without that privilege racing to ace through the stairs of success. While coexisting, these inequalities will prevail (unfairly so).

First generations everywhere have to put in the work

The ambitious chaps of the first generation have to put in the work. They have to confront these inequalities and unfair attributes of the world due to flamboyance of privilege and nepotism. You can either whine about these inequalities or just put in the work yourself to ace the game in a way that your work does not go unnoticed. There is no other way around.

Hindi Cinema's acclaimed generational chronicler, Zoya Akhtar is coming up with a filmographic depiction of The Archies.

<p>Nearly 48 months after an influenza-like illness was reported from China's Wuhan which snowballed into Covid pandemic months later, China has reported an outbreak of influenza-like illness mostly among children. The outbreak which has made the Chinese hospitals "overwhelmed with sick children" has alarmed World Health Organization.</p>

<p>The WHO cited a press conference held by China's National Health Commission on November 12 to state that the world's second biggest economy is reporting an increase in respiratory diseases in the country.</p>

<p>ProMed, a publicly available surveillance system which reports on the infectious disease outbreaks, issued an alert over the "undiagnosed pneumonia" in children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, ProMed alerted about SARs-CoV-2 in December 2019 long before the pandemic swept the world.</p>

<h2><strong>Why this 'epidemic' is emerging in China?</strong></h2>

<p>The WHO&nbsp;said that&nbsp;Chinese authorities attributed the increase to the lifting of Covid restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, <em>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</em> (a common bacterial infection which typically affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus, and the virus that causes Covid.</p>

<h2><strong>What next?</strong></h2>

<p>Authorities in China have stressed the need for enhanced disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and community settings. They have also emphasised expanding the capacity of the health system&nbsp;which is being "overwhelmed"&nbsp;due to&nbsp;more children getting infected.</p>

<h2><strong>Spotlight on China's record over hiding emergence of Covid</strong></h2>

<p>The infamous tweet by the World Health Organization on January 14, 2022, that nearly absolved Chinese authorities and downed the red flags raised worldwide over the spread of Covid is back in the spotlight.</p>

<p>The WHO wrote on Twitter (now X): "Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) identified in #Wuhan, #China."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Undiagnosed Pneumonia outbreak in China, reports eerily similar to 2019 Covid outbreak | WION</strong></p>

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<p>But so far, the organisation appears to be more cautious in its initial response to a similar emergence of a viral outbreak.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Wednesday (Nov 22), WHO said groups including the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China.</p>

<p>WHO said it is not clear if these are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities or separate events.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-urges-china-to-reveal-information-about-covid-19-origins-report-637102">WHO urges China to reveal information about COVID-19 origins</a></strong></p>

<p>The health agency said it has requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported outbreaks among children through the International Health Regulations mechanism.</p>

<p><i>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</i></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Nearly 48 months after an influenza-like illness was reported from China's Wuhan which snowballed into Covid pandemic months later, China has reported an outbreak of influenza-like illness mostly among children.

Nearly 48 months after an influenza-like illness was reported from China's Wuhan which snowballed into Covid pandemic months later, China has reported an outbreak of influenza-like illness mostly among children. The outbreak which has made the Chinese hospitals "overwhelmed with sick children" has alarmed World Health Organization. The WHO cited a press conference held by China's National Health Commission on November 12 to state that the world's second biggest economy is reporting an increase in respiratory diseases in the country. ProMed, a publicly available surveillance system which reports on the infectious disease outbreaks, issued an alert over the "undiagnosed pneumonia" in children. Notably, ProMed alerted about SARs-CoV-2 in December 2019 long before the pandemic swept the world. Why this 'epidemic' is emerging in China? The WHO said that Chinese authorities attributed the increase to the lifting of Covid restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection which typically affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus, and the virus that causes Covid. What next? Authorities in China have stressed the need for enhanced disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and community settings. They have also emphasised expanding the capacity of the health system which is being "overwhelmed" due to more children getting infected. Spotlight on China's record over hiding emergence of Covid The infamous tweet by the World Health Organization on January 14, 2022, that nearly absolved Chinese authorities and downed the red flags raised worldwide over the spread of Covid is back in the spotlight. The WHO wrote on Twitter (now X): "Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) identified in #Wuhan, #China." Also watch | Undiagnosed Pneumonia outbreak in China, reports eerily similar to 2019 Covid outbreak | WION × But so far, the organisation appears to be more cautious in its initial response to a similar emergence of a viral outbreak. On Wednesday (Nov 22), WHO said groups including the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. WHO said it is not clear if these are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities or separate events. Also read | WHO urges China to reveal information about COVID-19 origins The health agency said it has requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported outbreaks among children through the International Health Regulations mechanism. (With inputs from agencies)

China: Another pneumonia 'epidemic' alarms WHO nearly four years since Covid was first detected

<p>The mystery behind the moon crash on March 4, 2022, which left a double crater of about 29-metre width on the moon's far side, has now effectively come to an end. A team of astronomers from the University of Arizona identified it as the third and uppermost stage of China's Long March 3C rocket which had launched the Chang'e 5-T1 mission in October 2014.</p>

<p>Additionally, it has been revealed that the rocket was also carrying some "undisclosed, additional payload", according to the paper published in the peer-reviewed Planetary Science.</p>

<p>The first study was led by Tanner Campbell from the University of Arizona's Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, did trajectory and spectroscopic analysis based on ground-based telescope observations.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-the-significance-of-change-5-less-than-2-billion-years-old-lunar-samples-419140">What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples?</a></strong></p>

<p>Campbell and his team confirmed in a study published in the Planetary Science Journal that WE0913A was indeed the Long March 3C rocket body from the Chang'e 5-T1 mission.</p>

<h2><strong>Chinese officials contest the findings</strong></h2>

<p>Despite scientific confirmation, Chinese officials have contested the findings, and have claimed that the Long March 3C's upper stage burned up in Earth's atmosphere after the Chang'e 5-T1 launch.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the US&nbsp;Space Command has stood by the University of Arizona's claim, stating that the object never re-entered Earth's atmosphere.</p>

<h2><strong>What do we know about that 29-metre-wide moon crater?</strong></h2>

<p>The study also delves into the distinctive crater resulting from the moon crash.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers compared the light curve of the Chinese rocket with thousands of simulated space objects and revealed specific characteristics.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;China's Chang'e 6 lunar mission: China to help Pakistan launch ICUBE-Q Cubesat satellite</strong></p>

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<p>The object's stable tumbling behaviour suggests a dumbbell-like structure, possibly attributed to the considerable mass at each end, such as the upper stage's two engines.</p>

<p>Campbell noted the unprecedented occurrence of a double crater, emphasizing the need for two roughly equal masses apart from each other. The mystery surrounding the additional mass remains, with speculations about its nature and purpose. Campbell concluded, "We probably won't ever know."</p>


The mystery behind the moon crash on March 4, 2022, which left a double crater of about 29-metre width on the moon's far side, has now effectively come to an end.

The mystery behind the moon crash on March 4, 2022, which left a double crater of about 29-metre width on the moon's far side, has now effectively come to an end. A team of astronomers from the University of Arizona identified it as the third and uppermost stage of China's Long March 3C rocket which had launched the Chang'e 5-T1 mission in October 2014. Additionally, it has been revealed that the rocket was also carrying some "undisclosed, additional payload", according to the paper published in the peer-reviewed Planetary Science. The first study was led by Tanner Campbell from the University of Arizona's Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, did trajectory and spectroscopic analysis based on ground-based telescope observations. Also read | What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples? Campbell and his team confirmed in a study published in the Planetary Science Journal that WE0913A was indeed the Long March 3C rocket body from the Chang'e 5-T1 mission. Chinese officials contest the findings Despite scientific confirmation, Chinese officials have contested the findings, and have claimed that the Long March 3C's upper stage burned up in Earth's atmosphere after the Chang'e 5-T1 launch. However, the US Space Command has stood by the University of Arizona's claim, stating that the object never re-entered Earth's atmosphere. What do we know about that 29-metre-wide moon crater? The study also delves into the distinctive crater resulting from the moon crash. Researchers compared the light curve of the Chinese rocket with thousands of simulated space objects and revealed specific characteristics. Also watch | China's Chang'e 6 lunar mission: China to help Pakistan launch ICUBE-Q Cubesat satellite × The object's stable tumbling behaviour suggests a dumbbell-like structure, possibly attributed to the considerable mass at each end, such as the upper stage's two engines. Campbell noted the unprecedented occurrence of a double crater, emphasizing the need for two roughly equal masses apart from each other. The mystery surrounding the additional mass remains, with speculations about its nature and purpose. Campbell concluded, "We probably won't ever know."

Chinese rocket with 'undisclosed payload' banged into Moon to create wide craters, scientists say

<p>Speaking in front of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the rest of the leaders of Group of Twenty (G20) nations during the virtual summit of the world's wealthiest economies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the war in Ukraine is a "tragedy".&nbsp;</p>

<p>This was Russian President's first address in front of the G20 leaders since he announced a full-blown offensive on Ukraine in February 2022 which resulted in one of the most significant geopolitical tumults of the 21st century so far after 9/11 attacks.</p>

<p>Putin's offensive pushed previously neutral Finland into US-led transatlantic &nbsp;alliance (NATO). Sweden too formally applied for NATO membership, bringing the US forces (by virtue of them being the NATO allies) closest to Russian borders than they ever were.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russia has also somewhat managed to evade the impact of American sanctions by sale of crude oil at lower than international prices to a number of countries and utlising the economic potential of its military-industry complex as the war raged on.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-trumps-wests-sanctions-as-moscow-proposes-largest-ever-federal-budget-659280">Putin trumps West's sanctions as Moscow proposes largest-ever federal budget with defence focus</a></strong></p>

<p>"Some colleagues have already said in their speeches that they are shocked by the 'continuing aggression of Russia in Ukraine,'" Putin said on Wednesday (Nov 22).</p>

<p>"Yes, of course, military actions are always a tragedy," he continued.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Specific people, specific families, and the country as a whole. And, of course, we must think about how to stop this tragedy."</p>

<h2><strong>Russia-Ukraine war: Efforts for peace in past</strong></h2>

<p>Putin has accused Ukraine of failing to end the war despite having launched the offensive himself.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In June 2023, in a meeting with leaders of Africa during a purported summit aimed at initiating peace process between Russia and Ukraine, Putin said Kyiv signed a peace treaty with Moscow in the spring of 2022, and then threw it into 'garbage of history'.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-ukraine-signed-peace-treaty-with-russia-in-spring-of-2022-then-threw-it-into-garbage-of-history-605673">Putin says Ukraine signed peace treaty with Russia in spring of 2022, then threw it into 'garbage of history'</a></strong></p>

<p>"It was called treaty of permanent neutrality and security guarantees of Ukraine," Putin said, after flapping the supposed draft of the treaty in air, stating: "We never agreed with the Ukrainian side that the text will be confidential but we never showed it before nor commented on it."</p>

<p>"This draft of the treaty was initialled by the leader of the negotiation group from Kyiv. He put his signature. There it exists," he added while showing the supposed draft of the treaty.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Russian history books defend invasion of Ukraine</strong></p>

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<p>Kremlin has said that they are ready to discuss peace talks with Ukraine as long as Western countries agree to a set of conditions, including the expansion of NATO towards and alongside the Russian borders.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Speaking in front of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the rest of the leaders of Group of Twenty (G20) nations during the virtual summit of the world's wealthiest economies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the war in Ukraine is a "tragedy".

Speaking in front of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the rest of the leaders of Group of Twenty (G20) nations during the virtual summit of the world's wealthiest economies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the war in Ukraine is a "tragedy". This was Russian President's first address in front of the G20 leaders since he announced a full-blown offensive on Ukraine in February 2022 which resulted in one of the most significant geopolitical tumults of the 21st century so far after 9/11 attacks. Putin's offensive pushed previously neutral Finland into US-led transatlantic alliance (NATO). Sweden too formally applied for NATO membership, bringing the US forces (by virtue of them being the NATO allies) closest to Russian borders than they ever were. Russia has also somewhat managed to evade the impact of American sanctions by sale of crude oil at lower than international prices to a number of countries and utlising the economic potential of its military-industry complex as the war raged on. Also read | Putin trumps West's sanctions as Moscow proposes largest-ever federal budget with defence focus "Some colleagues have already said in their speeches that they are shocked by the 'continuing aggression of Russia in Ukraine,'" Putin said on Wednesday (Nov 22). "Yes, of course, military actions are always a tragedy," he continued. "Specific people, specific families, and the country as a whole. And, of course, we must think about how to stop this tragedy." Russia-Ukraine war: Efforts for peace in past Putin has accused Ukraine of failing to end the war despite having launched the offensive himself. In June 2023, in a meeting with leaders of Africa during a purported summit aimed at initiating peace process between Russia and Ukraine, Putin said Kyiv signed a peace treaty with Moscow in the spring of 2022, and then threw it into 'garbage of history'. Also read | Putin says Ukraine signed peace treaty with Russia in spring of 2022, then threw it into 'garbage of history' "It was called treaty of permanent neutrality and security guarantees of Ukraine," Putin said, after flapping the supposed draft of the treaty in air, stating: "We never agreed with the Ukrainian side that the text will be confidential but we never showed it before nor commented on it." "This draft of the treaty was initialled by the leader of the negotiation group from Kyiv. He put his signature. There it exists," he added while showing the supposed draft of the treaty. Also watch | Russian history books defend invasion of Ukraine × Kremlin has said that they are ready to discuss peace talks with Ukraine as long as Western countries agree to a set of conditions, including the expansion of NATO towards and alongside the Russian borders. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin speaks about 'tragedy' of Ukraine war in front of India's Modi, other G20 leaders

<p>OpenAI has introduced a voice feature for ChatGPT, the large language model-based chatbot launched last year, in a bid to enhance the user engagement. The feature is now accessible to both the free and paid versions of the app.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How does it work?</strong></h2>

<p>It simply works like a conventional voice feature, let's say, in the Google Search. But the fundamental difference is its ability to comprehend the speech better with much precision, when it comes to various pronunciation types.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To activate the ChatGPT voice feature, users simply need to download the app, locate the headphones icon, and tap to initiate the prompt for results.</p>

<p>&nbsp;<strong>Also watch |&nbsp;ChatGPT rolls out new human-like voice feature</strong></p>

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<p>Former OpenAI President Greg Brockman said that the update is transformative in that a revamped ChatGPT with voice feature will lead to a more engaging and convenient interaction with Artificial Intelligence.</p>

<p>ChatGPT's voice feature boasts five distinct voices, crafted in collaboration with professional voice actors, according to an official readout.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/science-technology/wikipedia-cofounder-on-why-chatgpt-is-not-credible-1700155811824">Wikipedia Co-founder on Why ChatGPT is Not Credible</a></strong></p>

<p>The feature is powered by OpenAI's Whisper speech recognition system, and thereby gives a comparatively seamless conversion of spoken words into prompts.</p>

<h2><strong>What makes ChatGPT's voice feature different?</strong></h2>

<p>OpenAI has used an advanced text-to-speech model which generates human-like audio from text inputs and speech samples.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The breakthrough not only unlocks creative applications but also enhances accessibility for diverse user needs.</p>

<p>The integration of voice capabilities enables ChatGPT to understand spoken commands and respond conversationally, resulting in natural and dynamic interactions. The major leap forward extends the AI's utility in assistance, facilitates communication for individuals with disabilities, and improves user experiences across applications.</p>

<p>OpenAI's announcement video related to ChatGPT's new feature coincided with tensions surrounding CEO Sam Altman's reinstatement and board decisions were subtly revealed, adding an intriguing layer to the narrative.</p>

<h2><strong>What is the bottom line?</strong></h2>

<p>ChatGPT voice feature shows a significant stride toward human-like AI interactions, ushering in a new era of accessible and conversational AI experiences for a broader audience.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


OpenAI has introduced a voice feature for ChatGPT, the large language model-based chatbot launched last year, in a bid to enhance the user engagement. The feature is now accessible to both the free and paid versions of the app.

OpenAI has introduced a voice feature for ChatGPT, the large language model-based chatbot launched last year, in a bid to enhance the user engagement. The feature is now accessible to both the free and paid versions of the app. How does it work? It simply works like a conventional voice feature, let's say, in the Google Search. But the fundamental difference is its ability to comprehend the speech better with much precision, when it comes to various pronunciation types. To activate the ChatGPT voice feature, users simply need to download the app, locate the headphones icon, and tap to initiate the prompt for results. Also watch | ChatGPT rolls out new human-like voice feature × Former OpenAI President Greg Brockman said that the update is transformative in that a revamped ChatGPT with voice feature will lead to a more engaging and convenient interaction with Artificial Intelligence. ChatGPT's voice feature boasts five distinct voices, crafted in collaboration with professional voice actors, according to an official readout. Also read | Wikipedia Co-founder on Why ChatGPT is Not Credible The feature is powered by OpenAI's Whisper speech recognition system, and thereby gives a comparatively seamless conversion of spoken words into prompts. What makes ChatGPT's voice feature different? OpenAI has used an advanced text-to-speech model which generates human-like audio from text inputs and speech samples. The breakthrough not only unlocks creative applications but also enhances accessibility for diverse user needs. The integration of voice capabilities enables ChatGPT to understand spoken commands and respond conversationally, resulting in natural and dynamic interactions. The major leap forward extends the AI's utility in assistance, facilitates communication for individuals with disabilities, and improves user experiences across applications. OpenAI's announcement video related to ChatGPT's new feature coincided with tensions surrounding CEO Sam Altman's reinstatement and board decisions were subtly revealed, adding an intriguing layer to the narrative. What is the bottom line? ChatGPT voice feature shows a significant stride toward human-like AI interactions, ushering in a new era of accessible and conversational AI experiences for a broader audience. (With inputs from agencies)

ChatGPT releases voice feature in another step towards human-like AI chatbot responses

<p>A research team from The Netherlands has developed a new Artificial Intelligence model that can recognise floating plastics with much more accuracy than conventional satellite images. The AI model&nbsp;is distinct because it can detect plastic's presence even when the sites are partly covered by clouds or the weather conditions are full of haze.</p>

<p>The study was done by researchers from The Netherlands' Wageningen University and published in <em>iScience.</em></p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>The application of the research could help systematic removal of plastic litter from the oceans with ships.</p>

<p>The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, according to a dataset by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Women suffer more from 'Climate Anxiety' than men, shows study</strong></p>

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<p>Recent studies suggest that between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, which accumulates along with the aggregations of natural materials like driftwood and algae.</p>

<p>While the total accumulation of marine debris is freely available, the processing of such data needs to be analysed automatically through Artificial Intelligence models.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-peru-has-lost-56-of-tropical-glaciers-in-last-six-decades-661847">Climate change: Peru has lost 56% of tropical glaciers in last six decades</a></strong></p>

<p>Marc Rußwurm, Assistant Professor at Wageningen University, said in an official statement, "These models learn from examples provided by oceanographers and remote sensing specialists, who visually identified several thousand instances of marine debris in satellite images on locations across the globe. In this way, they 'trained' the model to recognise plastic debris."</p>

<p>Rußwurm said, "The detector remains accurate even in more challenging conditions; for example, when cloud cover and atmospheric haze make it difficult for existing models to identify marine debris precisely."</p>

<h2><strong>What is the bottom-line?</strong></h2>

<p>The development reflects that deep artificial intelligence detection model can better predict marine debris objects than previous methods such as conventional satellites marking a significant move forward in humanity's bid to ensure clean oceans and sustain marine diversity.</p>


A research team from The Netherlands has developed a new Artificial Intelligence model that can recognise floating plastics with much more accuracy than conventional satellite images.

A research team from The Netherlands has developed a new Artificial Intelligence model that can recognise floating plastics with much more accuracy than conventional satellite images. The AI model is distinct because it can detect plastic's presence even when the sites are partly covered by clouds or the weather conditions are full of haze. The study was done by researchers from The Netherlands' Wageningen University and published in iScience. What does it mean? The application of the research could help systematic removal of plastic litter from the oceans with ships. The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, according to a dataset by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Also watch | Women suffer more from 'Climate Anxiety' than men, shows study × Recent studies suggest that between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, which accumulates along with the aggregations of natural materials like driftwood and algae. While the total accumulation of marine debris is freely available, the processing of such data needs to be analysed automatically through Artificial Intelligence models. Also read | Climate change: Peru has lost 56% of tropical glaciers in last six decades Marc Rußwurm, Assistant Professor at Wageningen University, said in an official statement, "These models learn from examples provided by oceanographers and remote sensing specialists, who visually identified several thousand instances of marine debris in satellite images on locations across the globe. In this way, they 'trained' the model to recognise plastic debris." Rußwurm said, "The detector remains accurate even in more challenging conditions; for example, when cloud cover and atmospheric haze make it difficult for existing models to identify marine debris precisely." What is the bottom-line? The development reflects that deep artificial intelligence detection model can better predict marine debris objects than previous methods such as conventional satellites marking a significant move forward in humanity's bid to ensure clean oceans and sustain marine diversity.

Artificial Intelligence could aid humanity's effort to free oceans from plastic, research shows

<p>If the voice of virtual voice assistants like Alexa or Siri is similar to yours, then you are more likely to be convinced by their recommendations, new research has found.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The similarity in voice could be in terms of the pitch or speed of the voice as well. For instance, if you speak fast and Alexa's speaking abilities are also synced with how fast you speak as an individual, then you are more likely to be convinced by their recommendations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers found that increasing personality similarity by automatically matching user and VA voice profiles encouraged users to be less rational about veracity of information presented, such as misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.&nbsp;</p>

<p><b>Also watch |&nbsp;AI breakthrough triggered Sam Altman's initial ouster: Report | World Business Watch</b></p>

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<p>In the study, 38 per cent of the unvaccinated individuals changed their minds about vaccination after listening to vaccine misinformation shared by a virtual assistant.</p>

<h2><strong>Why was the study conducted?</strong></h2>

<p>The study by the Pennsylvania State University was aimed at finding ways to increase user resistance to misinformation. The findings were published in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies.</p>

<p>"Our study shows that when users interact with a voice assistant that is similar to their personality, they think more highly of the service provided by it," S&nbsp; Shyam Sundar, study co-author and the James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects at Penn State, said in an official statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/artificial-intelligence-could-help-in-implementation-of-four-day-week-work-culture-in-near-future-661127">Artificial Intelligence could help implement a four-day week work culture in near future</a></strong></p>

<p>"This tendency to equate perceived similarity to credibility was more pronounced among those who customised their experience by choosing a preferred voice for the assistant," Sundar said.</p>

<p>The lead author said that the study had an unexpected finding.</p>

<p>"The greater number of unvaccinated individuals paired with matching VA personalities changing their mind about vaccination was a counterintuitive finding," said lead author Eugene C Snyder, assistant professor of humanities and social sciences at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.</p>

<p>"People often show resistance to persuasive attempts by information sources, like pundits or social media influencers. For the unvaccinated study participants, being faced with misinformation from a VA similar to themselves may have created a kind of resistance. However, further work is needed to clarify this reaction since unvaccinated individuals were a minority in our sample, accounting for 27 per cent of study participants."</p>

<h2><strong>What is the bottom-line?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The finding speaks to the nature of how humans process information and that when you hear information from a voice assistant that is similar to yourself, you are likely to process the message more carefully. This&nbsp;exact careful processing, according to the authors, is what makes you realise the persuasive angle of the messaging and this is why are resistant to it.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


If the voice of virtual voice assistants like Alexa or Siri is similar to yours, then you are more likely to be convinced by their recommendations, new research has found.

If the voice of virtual voice assistants like Alexa or Siri is similar to yours, then you are more likely to be convinced by their recommendations, new research has found. The similarity in voice could be in terms of the pitch or speed of the voice as well. For instance, if you speak fast and Alexa's speaking abilities are also synced with how fast you speak as an individual, then you are more likely to be convinced by their recommendations. The researchers found that increasing personality similarity by automatically matching user and VA voice profiles encouraged users to be less rational about veracity of information presented, such as misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Also watch | AI breakthrough triggered Sam Altman's initial ouster: Report | World Business Watch × In the study, 38 per cent of the unvaccinated individuals changed their minds about vaccination after listening to vaccine misinformation shared by a virtual assistant. Why was the study conducted? The study by the Pennsylvania State University was aimed at finding ways to increase user resistance to misinformation. The findings were published in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. "Our study shows that when users interact with a voice assistant that is similar to their personality, they think more highly of the service provided by it," S Shyam Sundar, study co-author and the James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects at Penn State, said in an official statement. Also read | Artificial Intelligence could help implement a four-day week work culture in near future "This tendency to equate perceived similarity to credibility was more pronounced among those who customised their experience by choosing a preferred voice for the assistant," Sundar said. The lead author said that the study had an unexpected finding. "The greater number of unvaccinated individuals paired with matching VA personalities changing their mind about vaccination was a counterintuitive finding," said lead author Eugene C Snyder, assistant professor of humanities and social sciences at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. "People often show resistance to persuasive attempts by information sources, like pundits or social media influencers. For the unvaccinated study participants, being faced with misinformation from a VA similar to themselves may have created a kind of resistance. However, further work is needed to clarify this reaction since unvaccinated individuals were a minority in our sample, accounting for 27 per cent of study participants." What is the bottom-line? The finding speaks to the nature of how humans process information and that when you hear information from a voice assistant that is similar to yourself, you are likely to process the message more carefully. This exact careful processing, according to the authors, is what makes you realise the persuasive angle of the messaging and this is why are resistant to it. (With inputs from agencies)

If virtual assistants Alexa or Siri sound like you, then you'll love them more: Study

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