<p>New artificial intelligence tools are being explored by Google which can write news articles and the tech giant is in talks with news organisations to use the tools to assist journalists, said a company spokesperson late on Wednesday (July 19).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The name of the publishers in talks was not revealed by the spokesperson, however, the New York Times reported that discussions are being held by Google with Wall Street Journal-owner News Corp, the Washington Post, and even the New York Times, among others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This has led to worries that AI might soon replace journalists in the newsrooms, leading to several job losses. As of now, the Google spokesperson claimed that these new AI tools can assist journalists by providing different writing styles and different options for headlines, in a way that "enhances their work and productivity", adding that it was in the "earliest stages of exploring ideas".</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/next-gen-surveillance-indian-prison-to-adopt-ai-powered-cctv-cameras-617630">Next-gen surveillance: This Indian prison is adopting AI-powered CCTV cameras</a></p>

<p>"Quite simply these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating, and fact-checking their articles," stated the spokesperson.</p>

<p>However, a few executives who went through the pitch of Google described it as unsettling, said the NYT, adding that the executives did not wish to be identified.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>AI tool to generate news copies using information&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The AI tool, which was pitched in front of the executives, was called Genesis internally at Google, reported&nbsp;NYT, citing officials familiar with the matter.</p>

<p>As per the report, the tool can take in information like details of current events and generate news copies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A spokesperson of News Corp refused to comment on the &nbsp;AI tool or NYT report, but said, "We have an excellent relationship with Google, and we appreciate (Google CEO) Sundar Pichai's long-term commitment to journalism."</p>

<p>Media commentator and journalism professor Jeff Jarvis said the new tool of Google has potential upsides and downsides.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Suella Braverman expresses concern as UNSC meets to discuss AI</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/suella-braverman-expresses-concern-as-unsc-meets-to-discuss-ai-617421/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“If this technology can deliver factual information reliably, journalists should use the tool,” said Jarvis, who is the director of the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.</p>

<p>“If, on the other hand, it is misused by journalists and news organisations on topics that require nuance and cultural understanding, then it could damage the credibility not only of the tool but of the news organisations that use it," he said.</p>

<p>The report was published days after the Associated Press said that it will be partnering with ChatGPT-owner OpenAI to explore the use of generative AI in news.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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New artificial intelligence tools are being explored by Google which can write news articles and the tech giant is in talks with news organisations to use the tools to assist journalists, said a company spokesperson late on Wednesday (July 19).

New artificial intelligence tools are being explored by Google which can write news articles and the tech giant is in talks with news organisations to use the tools to assist journalists, said a company spokesperson late on Wednesday (July 19). The name of the publishers in talks was not revealed by the spokesperson, however, the New York Times reported that discussions are being held by Google with Wall Street Journal-owner News Corp, the Washington Post, and even the New York Times, among others. This has led to worries that AI might soon replace journalists in the newsrooms, leading to several job losses. As of now, the Google spokesperson claimed that these new AI tools can assist journalists by providing different writing styles and different options for headlines, in a way that "enhances their work and productivity", adding that it was in the "earliest stages of exploring ideas". ALSO READ | Next-gen surveillance: This Indian prison is adopting AI-powered CCTV cameras "Quite simply these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating, and fact-checking their articles," stated the spokesperson. However, a few executives who went through the pitch of Google described it as unsettling, said the NYT, adding that the executives did not wish to be identified. AI tool to generate news copies using information The AI tool, which was pitched in front of the executives, was called Genesis internally at Google, reported NYT, citing officials familiar with the matter. As per the report, the tool can take in information like details of current events and generate news copies. A spokesperson of News Corp refused to comment on the AI tool or NYT report, but said, "We have an excellent relationship with Google, and we appreciate (Google CEO) Sundar Pichai's long-term commitment to journalism." Media commentator and journalism professor Jeff Jarvis said the new tool of Google has potential upsides and downsides. WATCH | Suella Braverman expresses concern as UNSC meets to discuss AI “If this technology can deliver factual information reliably, journalists should use the tool,” said Jarvis, who is the director of the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. “If, on the other hand, it is misused by journalists and news organisations on topics that require nuance and cultural understanding, then it could damage the credibility not only of the tool but of the news organisations that use it," he said. The report was published days after the Associated Press said that it will be partnering with ChatGPT-owner OpenAI to explore the use of generative AI in news. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Google is getting AI to write news stories now. Are jobs at stake?

<p>Making a scary prediction, a former senior executive at Google said that artificial intelligence-powered sex robots may eliminate the need for human partners.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Google’s research-and-development arm X's former chief business officer Mo Gawdat said that AI will usher in a “redesign of love and relationships” in which people will fail to tell the difference between artificially-created and real-life sexual encounters, reported the New York Post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to YouTube host Tom Bilyeu of the “Impact Theory” podcast, Gawdat said that with the use of virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, like Apple’s Vision Pro or Quest 3, soon human beings will be able to simulate sex.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/replacement-of-journalists-google-tests-new-ai-tool-to-write-news-articles-617738">Replacement of journalists? Google tests new AI tool to write news articles</a></p>

<h2><strong>Human brain to believe sex robot is 'real'</strong></h2>

<p>Gawdat added that people will be tricked into believing that the sex robot is real by the headsets, which will be combined with AI-powered bots.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Just think about all of the illusions that we’re now unable to decipher. But if we can convince you that this sex robot is alive, or that sex experience in a virtual reality headset or an augmented reality headset is alive, it’s real, then there you go," said Gawdat, while speaking to Bilyeu.</p>

<p>Gawdat stated that with the help of technological advances, the human brain will get linked to computer-backed systems and make it believe it is interacting with a peer.</p>

<p>“If we think a few years further and think of Neuralink and other ways of connecting directly to your nervous system, and why would you need another being in the first place?” said Gawdat.</p>

<h2><strong>Real-life vs artificial relationships</strong></h2>

<p>“You know, that’s actually quite messy,” he stated while speaking about real-life human relationships. Gawdat said that even the emotional and mental stimuli that accompany intimacy can be recreated artificially.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;AI in the newsroom: Associated Press and OpenAI join hands</strong></p>

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<p>“It’s all signals in your brain that you enjoy companionship and sexuality, and — if you really want to take the magic out of it — it can be simulated,” he stated. He scoffed over the debate about whether AI-powered bots can be considered “sentient”.</p>

<p>Gawdat said, “Once again there is that huge debate of whether they are sentient or not. Does it really matter if they’re simulating sentientism so well?”</p>

<p>He added, “Does it really matter if the Morgan Freeman talking to you on the screen is actually Morgan Freeman or an AI generated avatar, if you’re convinced that it is Morgan Freeman? We get lost in those conversations of are they alive are they sentient, doesn’t matter if my brain believes they are, they are.”</p>

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Making a scary prediction, a former senior executive at Google said that artificial intelligence-powered sex robots may eliminate the need for human partners. Google’s research-and-development arm X's former chief business officer Mo Gawdat said that AI will usher in a “redesign of love and relationships” in which people will fail to tell the difference between artificially-created and real-life sexual encounters, reported the New York Post.

Making a scary prediction, a former senior executive at Google said that artificial intelligence-powered sex robots may eliminate the need for human partners. Google’s research-and-development arm X's former chief business officer Mo Gawdat said that AI will usher in a “redesign of love and relationships” in which people will fail to tell the difference between artificially-created and real-life sexual encounters, reported the New York Post. Speaking to YouTube host Tom Bilyeu of the “Impact Theory” podcast, Gawdat said that with the use of virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, like Apple’s Vision Pro or Quest 3, soon human beings will be able to simulate sex. ALSO READ | Replacement of journalists? Google tests new AI tool to write news articles Human brain to believe sex robot is 'real' Gawdat added that people will be tricked into believing that the sex robot is real by the headsets, which will be combined with AI-powered bots. “Just think about all of the illusions that we’re now unable to decipher. But if we can convince you that this sex robot is alive, or that sex experience in a virtual reality headset or an augmented reality headset is alive, it’s real, then there you go," said Gawdat, while speaking to Bilyeu. Gawdat stated that with the help of technological advances, the human brain will get linked to computer-backed systems and make it believe it is interacting with a peer. “If we think a few years further and think of Neuralink and other ways of connecting directly to your nervous system, and why would you need another being in the first place?” said Gawdat. Real-life vs artificial relationships “You know, that’s actually quite messy,” he stated while speaking about real-life human relationships. Gawdat said that even the emotional and mental stimuli that accompany intimacy can be recreated artificially. WATCH | AI in the newsroom: Associated Press and OpenAI join hands “It’s all signals in your brain that you enjoy companionship and sexuality, and — if you really want to take the magic out of it — it can be simulated,” he stated. He scoffed over the debate about whether AI-powered bots can be considered “sentient”. Gawdat said, “Once again there is that huge debate of whether they are sentient or not. Does it really matter if they’re simulating sentientism so well?” He added, “Does it really matter if the Morgan Freeman talking to you on the screen is actually Morgan Freeman or an AI generated avatar, if you’re convinced that it is Morgan Freeman? We get lost in those conversations of are they alive are they sentient, doesn’t matter if my brain believes they are, they are.” You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Robots for sex? Expert warns AI might soon be able to simulate sex just like a human

<p>The embassy of Sweden was set on fire by protesters in the Iraqi capital Baghdad early on Thursday (July&nbsp;20), stated an AFP journalist, ahead of the Quran's planned burning in Sweden. The government authorities in Sweden had given approval to an assembly which is scheduled to be held later on Thursday outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm where organisers have planned to burn an Iraqi flag and a copy of the Quran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previous events of Quran burning held in Sweden have angered the Iraqis and the protest held in Baghdad on Thursday was organised by the turbulent religious leader Moqtada Sadr's supporters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to an AFP correspondent, smoke was seen rising from the Swedish embassy building and many demonstrators were still present on the scene after the torching of the embassy as authorities deployed a large number&nbsp;of Iraqi riot police.</p>

<p>"We are mobilised today to denounce the burning of the Quran, which is all about love and faith," said protester Hassan Ahmed, while speaking to AFP. "We demand that the Swedish government and the Iraqi government stop this type of initiative," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-is-mulling-over-changing-law-to-public-burnings-of-koran-613361">Sweden considering amending the law to prevent burning of Quran in public</a></p>

<p>A few protesters were holding up copies of the holy book while some were holding up images f Mohamed al-Sadr, father of Moqtada Sadr and an important religious cleric.</p>

<p>"We didn't wait until morning, we broke in at dawn and set fire to the Swedish embassy," said a young demonstrator in Baghdad, while speaking to AFP on Thursday while chanting the name of the leader.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The &nbsp;AFP correspondent stated that many fire engines were present on site to extinguish the blaze.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Swedish foreign ministry on Thursday said that the staff in Baghdad's Swedish embassy are "safe" after the building was set on fire by the protesters.</p>

<p>"We are aware of the situation. Our embassy staff (in Iraq) are safe and the ministry is in regular contact with them," stated the ministry, in an email.</p>

<h2><strong>Iraq calls for urgent investigation&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The torching of the embassy was condemned by Iraq's foreign ministry which directed the security forces to identify those responsible.</p>

<p>"The Iraqi government has instructed the relevant security services to conduct an urgent investigation and take all necessary measures to uncover the circumstances of the incident and identify the perpetrators," said the ministry in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Sweden permits Quran burning protests</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sweden-permits-quran-burning-protests-609741/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>According to Swedish media, Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika had organised the Quran burning event in Sweden.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few pages of the holy book were burnt by the refugee in front of the largest mosque in Stockholm on June 28 during Eid al-Adha. The incident incited Moqtada's supporters who stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that&nbsp;Iraq's charge d'affaires in Stockholm has been summoned by the country after the incident.</p>

<p>"What has happened is completely unacceptable and the government condemns these attacks in the strongest terms. Iraqi authorities have an unequivocal obligation to protect diplomatic missions and personnel under the Vienna Convention," Minister&nbsp;Billstrom said in a statement.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The embassy of Sweden was set on fire by protesters in the Iraqi capital Baghdad early on Thursday (July 20), stated an AFP journalist, ahead of the Quran's planned burning in Sweden.

The embassy of Sweden was set on fire by protesters in the Iraqi capital Baghdad early on Thursday (July 20), stated an AFP journalist, ahead of the Quran's planned burning in Sweden. The government authorities in Sweden had given approval to an assembly which is scheduled to be held later on Thursday outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm where organisers have planned to burn an Iraqi flag and a copy of the Quran. Previous events of Quran burning held in Sweden have angered the Iraqis and the protest held in Baghdad on Thursday was organised by the turbulent religious leader Moqtada Sadr's supporters. According to an AFP correspondent, smoke was seen rising from the Swedish embassy building and many demonstrators were still present on the scene after the torching of the embassy as authorities deployed a large number of Iraqi riot police. "We are mobilised today to denounce the burning of the Quran, which is all about love and faith," said protester Hassan Ahmed, while speaking to AFP. "We demand that the Swedish government and the Iraqi government stop this type of initiative," he added. ALSO READ | Sweden considering amending the law to prevent burning of Quran in public A few protesters were holding up copies of the holy book while some were holding up images f Mohamed al-Sadr, father of Moqtada Sadr and an important religious cleric. "We didn't wait until morning, we broke in at dawn and set fire to the Swedish embassy," said a young demonstrator in Baghdad, while speaking to AFP on Thursday while chanting the name of the leader. The AFP correspondent stated that many fire engines were present on site to extinguish the blaze. The Swedish foreign ministry on Thursday said that the staff in Baghdad's Swedish embassy are "safe" after the building was set on fire by the protesters. "We are aware of the situation. Our embassy staff (in Iraq) are safe and the ministry is in regular contact with them," stated the ministry, in an email. Iraq calls for urgent investigation The torching of the embassy was condemned by Iraq's foreign ministry which directed the security forces to identify those responsible. "The Iraqi government has instructed the relevant security services to conduct an urgent investigation and take all necessary measures to uncover the circumstances of the incident and identify the perpetrators," said the ministry in a statement. WATCH | Sweden permits Quran burning protests According to Swedish media, Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika had organised the Quran burning event in Sweden. A few pages of the holy book were burnt by the refugee in front of the largest mosque in Stockholm on June 28 during Eid al-Adha. The incident incited Moqtada's supporters who stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that Iraq's charge d'affaires in Stockholm has been summoned by the country after the incident. "What has happened is completely unacceptable and the government condemns these attacks in the strongest terms. Iraqi authorities have an unequivocal obligation to protect diplomatic missions and personnel under the Vienna Convention," Minister Billstrom said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Protesters torch Sweden's embassy in Baghdad ahead of planned burning of Quran

<p>At least five people lost their lives and many others were feared trapped after a mountain village was hit by a landslide in India's western state of Maharashtra after the region was soaked by incessant rain, said the state officials on Thursday (July 20).</p>

<p>The landslide took place in the middle of the night in Irshalwadi, a small mountain village around 60 km from Mumbai, stated media reports citing officials.</p>

<p>"A total of 48 families lived there. Around 75 people have been evacuated and five people have died so far," said Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Twitter.</p>

<p>According to initial reports, around 100 people have been trapped under the debris and efforts are being made by the rescue workers to find survivors in heavy rain as relatives of the victims wait at the base of the mountain for news of their safety.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/destruction-havoc-loss-of-lives-why-monsoon-rains-turned-furious-in-north-india-613924">Destruction, havoc, loss of lives: Why have monsoon rains turned ferocious in North India?</a></p>

<p>"The problem here is that at some places the rubble is almost 20 to 30 feet deep and it has to be manually removed," said an unidentified rescue official, while speaking to ABP Majha channel.</p>

<p>Speaking to The Indian Express, Industries Minister Uday Samant said that search operations are going on and 75 people have been rescued so far.</p>

<p>“The incident occurred at 10:30 in the night at a place adjoining Irsalgad in Raigad district. It is a very remote inaccessible area which is hampering rescue attempts. As of now 4 people have died and 25 people have been rescued. More people are feared to be trapped and NDRF and district administration is making attempts to rescue people,” said Minister Samant.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Around 15-20 houses buried under debris&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The NDRF informed that the landslide has buried more than 15-20 houses under the debris.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Of the total 40 houses in the village, 17 have been affected. We have deployed four teams to conduct the rescue operations. The debris at some of the places is 10 to 29 feet deep. It is difficult to bring heavy machinery to this place. It is a 2.8 km trek to reach the spot and we have to remove the debris manually which is likely to take a lot of time. While we are facing difficulties, we will continue our operations till we retrieve the last person,” said SB Singh, Commandant of the fifth battalion of the NDRF, speaking to The Indian Express.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was present at the site, while speaking to the reporters said that the officials were not able to figure the exact number of people trapped.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Flood Threat: Delhi has recorded 112% above-average rainfall this year</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/flood-threat-delhi-has-recorded-112-above-average-rainfall-this-year-615344/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Across the Indian state of Maharashtra, schools were closed due to incessant rains, trains were disrupted and roads were flooded.</p>

<p>On Thursday, all the colleges and schools were closed in the financial capital of Mumbai. The officials suspended some train services on Wednesday after the city was lashed by the rain.</p>

<p>More than 100 mm of rain was recorded by several districts in the state on Wednesday as more heavy showers have been predicted in the next 24 hours, as per the weather department.</p>

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At least five people lost their lives and many others were feared trapped after a mountain village was hit by a landslide in India's western state of Maharashtra after the region was soaked by incessant rain, said the state officials on Thursday (July 20).

At least five people lost their lives and many others were feared trapped after a mountain village was hit by a landslide in India's western state of Maharashtra after the region was soaked by incessant rain, said the state officials on Thursday (July 20). The landslide took place in the middle of the night in Irshalwadi, a small mountain village around 60 km from Mumbai, stated media reports citing officials. "A total of 48 families lived there. Around 75 people have been evacuated and five people have died so far," said Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Twitter. According to initial reports, around 100 people have been trapped under the debris and efforts are being made by the rescue workers to find survivors in heavy rain as relatives of the victims wait at the base of the mountain for news of their safety. ALSO READ | Destruction, havoc, loss of lives: Why have monsoon rains turned ferocious in North India? "The problem here is that at some places the rubble is almost 20 to 30 feet deep and it has to be manually removed," said an unidentified rescue official, while speaking to ABP Majha channel. Speaking to The Indian Express, Industries Minister Uday Samant said that search operations are going on and 75 people have been rescued so far. “The incident occurred at 10:30 in the night at a place adjoining Irsalgad in Raigad district. It is a very remote inaccessible area which is hampering rescue attempts. As of now 4 people have died and 25 people have been rescued. More people are feared to be trapped and NDRF and district administration is making attempts to rescue people,” said Minister Samant. Around 15-20 houses buried under debris The NDRF informed that the landslide has buried more than 15-20 houses under the debris. “Of the total 40 houses in the village, 17 have been affected. We have deployed four teams to conduct the rescue operations. The debris at some of the places is 10 to 29 feet deep. It is difficult to bring heavy machinery to this place. It is a 2.8 km trek to reach the spot and we have to remove the debris manually which is likely to take a lot of time. While we are facing difficulties, we will continue our operations till we retrieve the last person,” said SB Singh, Commandant of the fifth battalion of the NDRF, speaking to The Indian Express. Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was present at the site, while speaking to the reporters said that the officials were not able to figure the exact number of people trapped. WATCH | Flood Threat: Delhi has recorded 112% above-average rainfall this year Across the Indian state of Maharashtra, schools were closed due to incessant rains, trains were disrupted and roads were flooded. On Thursday, all the colleges and schools were closed in the financial capital of Mumbai. The officials suspended some train services on Wednesday after the city was lashed by the rain. More than 100 mm of rain was recorded by several districts in the state on Wednesday as more heavy showers have been predicted in the next 24 hours, as per the weather department. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Five dead, some trapped, in landslide in Maharashtra after heavy rain

<p>A spectacular video of the Chandrayaan-3 lift-off, which was recorded by a passenger onboard a flight, has gone viral. The lift-off was captured on the mobile camera by a person travelling on a flight from Chennai to Dhaka through a plane window.<br />
<br />
The viral video was posted on Twitter by ISRO Materials and Rocket Manufacturing Expert Director (retired) Dr P V Venkitakrishnan.<br />
<br />
The video was captioned, "Launch of Chandrayan 3 from Flight. Sometime after takeoff from the Chennai to Dhaka flight, the pilot announced, Watch this historical event."</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Launch of Chandrayan 3 from flight. Sometime after takeoff from Chennai to Dhaka flight, pilot announced to watch this historical event <a href="https://t.co/Kpf39iciRD">pic.twitter.com/Kpf39iciRD</a></p>
— Dr. P V Venkitakrishnan (@DrPVVenkitakri1) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrPVVenkitakri1/status/1680066898015424514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Since the time the video was posted, it has garnered lakhs of views and countless likes, with many users astonished by the photographic prowess of the passenger.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-how-indias-chandrayaan-3-will-leave-imprints-of-isro-national-emblem-on-moon-616061">Watch | How India's Chandrayaan-3 will leave imprints of ISRO, national emblem on moon</a></p>

<h2><strong>Chandrayaan-3's 'health normal'</strong></h2>

<p>The Indian Space Research Organisation's scientists performed the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft's first orbit-raising manoeuvre on Saturday, said the space agency. In a social media post, ISRO informed that the spacecraft's health was "normal".<br />
<br />
Chandrayaan-3 has now entered an orbit, which is at 173 km when closest to Earth and at 41,762 km when farthest from our planet, stated the space agency.</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chandrayaan-3 Mission update:<br />
The spacecraft's health is normal.<br />
<br />
The first orbit-raising maneuver (Earthbound firing-1) is successfully performed at ISTRAC/ISRO, Bengaluru.<br />
<br />
Spacecraft is now in 41762 km x 173 km orbit. <a href="https://t.co/4gCcRfmYb4">pic.twitter.com/4gCcRfmYb4</a></p>
— ISRO (@isro) <a href="https://twitter.com/isro/status/1680239822110162944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Chandrayaan-3 Mission update: The spacecraft's health is normal. The first orbit raising manoeuvre (Earthbound firing-1) was successfully performed at ISTRAC/ISRO, Bengaluru. Spacecraft is now in 41762kms x 173kms orbit," ISRO said.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;India's Chandrayaan-3 takes off</strong></p>

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<p>On July 14, ISRO successfully launched the Moon exploration programme's third edition from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, which is aimed at making a soft landing on the Moon's unexplored south pole that would make India achieve a rare feat. So far, only three countries Russia, China and the United States, have managed to make successful landings on the lunar surface.</p>

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A spectacular video of the Chandrayaan-3 lift-off, which was recorded by a passenger onboard a flight, has gone viral. The lift-off was captured on the mobile camera by a person travelling on a flight from Chennai to Dhaka through a plane window.

A spectacular video of the Chandrayaan-3 lift-off, which was recorded by a passenger onboard a flight, has gone viral. The lift-off was captured on the mobile camera by a person travelling on a flight from Chennai to Dhaka through a plane window. The viral video was posted on Twitter by ISRO Materials and Rocket Manufacturing Expert Director (retired) Dr P V Venkitakrishnan. The video was captioned, "Launch of Chandrayan 3 from Flight. Sometime after takeoff from the Chennai to Dhaka flight, the pilot announced, Watch this historical event." Launch of Chandrayan 3 from flight. Sometime after takeoff from Chennai to Dhaka flight, pilot announced to watch this historical event pic.twitter.com/Kpf39iciRD — Dr. P V Venkitakrishnan (@DrPVVenkitakri1) July 15, 2023 × Since the time the video was posted, it has garnered lakhs of views and countless likes, with many users astonished by the photographic prowess of the passenger. ALSO READ | Watch | How India's Chandrayaan-3 will leave imprints of ISRO, national emblem on moon Chandrayaan-3's 'health normal' The Indian Space Research Organisation's scientists performed the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft's first orbit-raising manoeuvre on Saturday, said the space agency. In a social media post, ISRO informed that the spacecraft's health was "normal". Chandrayaan-3 has now entered an orbit, which is at 173 km when closest to Earth and at 41,762 km when farthest from our planet, stated the space agency. Chandrayaan-3 Mission update: The spacecraft's health is normal. The first orbit-raising maneuver (Earthbound firing-1) is successfully performed at ISTRAC/ISRO, Bengaluru. Spacecraft is now in 41762 km x 173 km orbit. pic.twitter.com/4gCcRfmYb4 — ISRO (@isro) July 15, 2023 × "Chandrayaan-3 Mission update: The spacecraft's health is normal. The first orbit raising manoeuvre (Earthbound firing-1) was successfully performed at ISTRAC/ISRO, Bengaluru. Spacecraft is now in 41762kms x 173kms orbit," ISRO said. WATCH | India's Chandrayaan-3 takes off On July 14, ISRO successfully launched the Moon exploration programme's third edition from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, which is aimed at making a soft landing on the Moon's unexplored south pole that would make India achieve a rare feat. So far, only three countries Russia, China and the United States, have managed to make successful landings on the lunar surface. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Watch | Spectacular video of Chandrayaan-3 lift-off recorded from plane goes viral

This temple is filled with people believed to have been possessed by spirits. The priest in this temple is known to practice exorcism, freeing a person from a negative spirit.

This centuries-old temple remains closed in June because it is believed that the Goddess bleeds and turns the colour of the underground water reservoir red.

3. Venkateshwara Temple, Andhra Pradesh   


A fascinating mystery that draws crowds to the famous Venkateshwara Temple is the belief among some devotees that by placing their ears on the backside of the deity’s image, one can hear sea waves crashing.

4. Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple, Kerala

The temple is known to host a festival in which devotees enter the temple after drinking as a ritual. As part of the rituals, they then sing lewd bhakti songs and chant abusive words. They also hit their heads with swords making blood pour freely. After the festival, the temple is shut to clean bloodstains.

Ananthapadmanabha Lake Temple, which rests in the middle of the lake, is guarded by a predatory animal that lives on a vegan diet. One of the most ferocious meat-eating reptiles in the world, the crocodile, has been feeding on the temple prasad, which includes jaggery and cooked rice.

Veerabhadra Temple, which dates back to the 16th century, is famous for having one pillar hanging out of 70. Many tourists find the one dangling pillar intriguing and some of them place cloth in the recognisable space to actually see the magical gap between the ground and the pillar.

The temple has approximately 4,000 pillars and each is made of a single rock. The temple was once nominated as a wonder of the world but failed to make it to the list of Seven Wonders.

7 Indian Temples Shrouded With Mysteries

<p>The Sindh government came into action on Sunday after the reports of the demolition of over a century-old-temple&nbsp;in Soldier Bazaar surfaced and promised&nbsp;that construction of any commercial building would not be allowed on a plot which has been emptied after razing the Hindu place of worship.</p>

<p>The Hindu community had claimed that&nbsp;150-year-old Mari Mata Temple in Soldier Bazaar was demolished after the property was sold to a builder allegedly by using ‘fake documents’.</p>

<p>Although the claim of the&nbsp;community about temple's demolition&nbsp;was contested by the provincial government, it asked&nbsp;police and local administration to stop any kind of&nbsp;demolition or construction&nbsp;work going on at the piece of land that once had the century-old temple.</p>

<p>Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, speaking to the&nbsp;Dawn, said that&nbsp;Hindu Panchayat had owned the plot and had been trying to ascertain facts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“[I] have checked. No such demolition of the Mandir has taken place and Mandir is still intact. The administration has intervened and Hindu Panchayat has been asked to assist police in ascertaining the true facts. I will keep everyone posted on this. The Pakistan Peoples Party stands with people of all communities,"&nbsp;Wahab&nbsp;tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Have checked. No such demolition of the Mandir has taken place &amp; Mandir is still intact. Administration has intervened &amp; Hindu Panchayat has been asked to assist police in ascertaining the true facts. Will keep everyone posted on this. PPP stands with people of all communities <a href="https://t.co/dUKauDtWuZ">https://t.co/dUKauDtWuZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/xu9mN5hbin">pic.twitter.com/xu9mN5hbin</a></p>
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) <a href="https://twitter.com/murtazawahab1/status/1680549907076186123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, the officials confirmed, “No more activity [demolition or construction work] is going on at the site. The police would check records, determine the facts and countercheck the claims of both sides."</p>

<p>According to initial reports published in the Dawn, two Hindu temples, one of which was built around 150 years ago, were desecrated in the Sindh province of Pakistan within 24 hours.</p>

<h2><strong>Demolition of temple in Karachi</strong></h2>

<p>The first incident took place on Saturday morning in Karachi when some men razed the old Mari Mata Temple in Soldier Bazaar. According to a report published by Dawn newspaper, the locals informed that the demolition of the temple took place when there was no electricity in the area.<br />
<br />
The entire structure was demolished using diggers and a bulldozer and only the outer walls and the main gate of the temple were left intact. The residents stated that police vehicles were present at the scene and providing “cover” to the men who were carrying out the demolition, stated the report.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-10000-people-gather-in-texas-to-recite-bhagavad-gita-celebrating-guru-purnima-611580">10,000 people gather in Texas to recite Bhagavad Gita celebrating Guru Purnima</a></p>

<p>“It is a very old mandir. It is said to have been built over 150 years ago,” said Shri Ram Nath Mishra, priest of another nearby temple, adding: "The temple covered about 400 to 500 square yards and there had been talk of land grabbers having their eye on it". He said the temple was under the management of Karachi's Madrasi Hindu community.</p>

<h2><strong>Authorities called temple 'dangerous'</strong></h2>

<p>The authorities had stated that the old structure of the temple was dangerous and may topple any day. Because of this, most of the deities had been temporarily moved out from the temple by the mandir management.<br />
<br />
“But last night the Mari Mata Mandir was just flattened,” Mishra stated. The minority community appealed Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Pakistan-Hindu Council and the Inspector General of Sindh police to look into the matter.</p>

<h2><strong>Rockets launched at another temple</strong></h2>

<p>In the second incident which happened on Sunday, a Hindu temple was allegedly attacked by a gang of dacoits with “rocket launchers” in Kashmore region, Sindh. The place of worshipping along with the adjoining homes which belonged to the Hindu families were attacked by the assailants, as reported by Dawn.<br />
<br />
Locals stated that the assailants fired indiscriminately after which a police unit led by Kashmore-Kandhkot SSP Irfan Sammo reached the scene. The police official stated that “rocket launchers” were fired by the dacoits at the place of worship. During the attack, the temple was closed. The place of worship opens annually when the Bagri community conducts religious services.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Cillian Murphy: Read Bhagavad Gita to prepare for 'Oppenheimer'</strong></p>

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<p>“The suspects fled from the scene after the attack. Police are conducting a search operation in the area,” stated Sammo. According to the police, eight to nine gunmen carried out the attack. One of the members of the Bagri community Dr Suresh said that the “rocket launchers” which were fired by the assailants failed to explode and hence, there was no loss of life.</p>

<h2><strong>Rights group raises alarm after 30 Hindus held hostage by criminal gangs</strong></h2>

<p>An alarm was raised by a rights group about reports of 30 members of the minority Hindu community, which included children and women, being held hostage by organised criminal gangs. The incident was reported from Sindh's districts of Kashmore and Ghotki.<br />
<br />
Taking to Twitter, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said, “HRCP is alarmed by reports of deteriorating law and order in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh, where some 30 members of the Hindu community - including women and children - have allegedly been held hostage by organised criminal gangs.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HRCP is alarmed by reports of deteriorating law and order in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh, where some 30 members of the Hindu community - including women and children - have allegedly been held hostage by organised criminal gangs.</p>
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) <a href="https://twitter.com/HRCP87/status/1680499499943227393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>“Moreover, we have received disturbing reports that these gangs have threatened to attack the community’s sites of worship, using high-grade weapons,” the commission added, appealing to the Sindh Home Department to investigate the issue without any delay.</p>

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The Sindh government came into action on Sunday after the reports of the demolition of over a century-old-temple in Soldier Bazaar surfaced and promised that construction of any commercial building would not be allowed on a plot which has been emptied after razing the Hindu place of worship.

The Sindh government came into action on Sunday after the reports of the demolition of over a century-old-temple in Soldier Bazaar surfaced and promised that construction of any commercial building would not be allowed on a plot which has been emptied after razing the Hindu place of worship. The Hindu community had claimed that 150-year-old Mari Mata Temple in Soldier Bazaar was demolished after the property was sold to a builder allegedly by using ‘fake documents’. Although the claim of the community about temple's demolition was contested by the provincial government, it asked police and local administration to stop any kind of demolition or construction work going on at the piece of land that once had the century-old temple. Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, speaking to the Dawn, said that Hindu Panchayat had owned the plot and had been trying to ascertain facts. “[I] have checked. No such demolition of the Mandir has taken place and Mandir is still intact. The administration has intervened and Hindu Panchayat has been asked to assist police in ascertaining the true facts. I will keep everyone posted on this. The Pakistan Peoples Party stands with people of all communities," Wahab tweeted. Have checked. No such demolition of the Mandir has taken place & Mandir is still intact. Administration has intervened & Hindu Panchayat has been asked to assist police in ascertaining the true facts. Will keep everyone posted on this. PPP stands with people of all communities https://t.co/dUKauDtWuZ pic.twitter.com/xu9mN5hbin — Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) July 16, 2023 × Meanwhile, the officials confirmed, “No more activity [demolition or construction work] is going on at the site. The police would check records, determine the facts and countercheck the claims of both sides." According to initial reports published in the Dawn, two Hindu temples, one of which was built around 150 years ago, were desecrated in the Sindh province of Pakistan within 24 hours. Demolition of temple in Karachi The first incident took place on Saturday morning in Karachi when some men razed the old Mari Mata Temple in Soldier Bazaar. According to a report published by Dawn newspaper, the locals informed that the demolition of the temple took place when there was no electricity in the area. The entire structure was demolished using diggers and a bulldozer and only the outer walls and the main gate of the temple were left intact. The residents stated that police vehicles were present at the scene and providing “cover” to the men who were carrying out the demolition, stated the report. ALSO READ | 10,000 people gather in Texas to recite Bhagavad Gita celebrating Guru Purnima “It is a very old mandir. It is said to have been built over 150 years ago,” said Shri Ram Nath Mishra, priest of another nearby temple, adding: "The temple covered about 400 to 500 square yards and there had been talk of land grabbers having their eye on it". He said the temple was under the management of Karachi's Madrasi Hindu community. Authorities called temple 'dangerous' The authorities had stated that the old structure of the temple was dangerous and may topple any day. Because of this, most of the deities had been temporarily moved out from the temple by the mandir management. “But last night the Mari Mata Mandir was just flattened,” Mishra stated. The minority community appealed Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Pakistan-Hindu Council and the Inspector General of Sindh police to look into the matter. Rockets launched at another temple In the second incident which happened on Sunday, a Hindu temple was allegedly attacked by a gang of dacoits with “rocket launchers” in Kashmore region, Sindh. The place of worshipping along with the adjoining homes which belonged to the Hindu families were attacked by the assailants, as reported by Dawn. Locals stated that the assailants fired indiscriminately after which a police unit led by Kashmore-Kandhkot SSP Irfan Sammo reached the scene. The police official stated that “rocket launchers” were fired by the dacoits at the place of worship. During the attack, the temple was closed. The place of worship opens annually when the Bagri community conducts religious services. WATCH | Cillian Murphy: Read Bhagavad Gita to prepare for 'Oppenheimer' “The suspects fled from the scene after the attack. Police are conducting a search operation in the area,” stated Sammo. According to the police, eight to nine gunmen carried out the attack. One of the members of the Bagri community Dr Suresh said that the “rocket launchers” which were fired by the assailants failed to explode and hence, there was no loss of life. Rights group raises alarm after 30 Hindus held hostage by criminal gangs An alarm was raised by a rights group about reports of 30 members of the minority Hindu community, which included children and women, being held hostage by organised criminal gangs. The incident was reported from Sindh's districts of Kashmore and Ghotki. Taking to Twitter, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said, “HRCP is alarmed by reports of deteriorating law and order in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh, where some 30 members of the Hindu community - including women and children - have allegedly been held hostage by organised criminal gangs.” HRCP is alarmed by reports of deteriorating law and order in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh, where some 30 members of the Hindu community - including women and children - have allegedly been held hostage by organised criminal gangs. — Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) July 16, 2023 × “Moreover, we have received disturbing reports that these gangs have threatened to attack the community’s sites of worship, using high-grade weapons,” the commission added, appealing to the Sindh Home Department to investigate the issue without any delay. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

No construction of building on plot of century-old Hindu temple will be allowed: Karachi mayor

<p>Huge swaths of the United States came under heat warnings on Sunday (July 17) as western and southern states continued to face record-breaking temperatures.<br />
<br />
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning of "a widespread and oppressive heat wave" in various parts of the Southwest, southern Florida and western Gulf Coast, with millions of people facing health risks in the coming week due to the sizzling temperatures.<br />
<br />
Southern Californians, where the temperature had shot to 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit (41-43 Celsius) on Saturday, faced another round of brutal temperatures on Sunday, as mercury was expected to rise to 115F (46C) in parts of Nevada, California and Arizona, said the NWS.</p>

<h2><strong>Killer heat</strong></h2>

<p>The famous Death Valley, which is located in California and is said to be one of the hottest places on Earth, reached a near-record temperature of 126F (52C) by Sunday afternoon. Tourists flocked to the national park to experience what the NWS had warned will be "life-threatening daytime heat" which will remain till Tuesday night.<br />
<br />
Speaking to broadcaster MSNBC on Sunday, visitor Eliana Luna said that the heat felt like a "burning sensation" on her body. "The heat, you can feel it dripping through the back, all the way down," she added.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/millions-battle-record-heatwaves-as-temperatures-dangerously-soar-in-us-europe-616127">Millions battle record heatwaves as temperatures dangerously soar in US, Europe</a></p>

<p>The NWS stated that the heat is becoming a killer in the United States and appealed to Americans to take the warnings seriously. "In total, from South Florida and the Gulf Coast to the Southwest, over 80 million people remain under either an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory as of early this morning," it said in a Sunday morning bulletin.</p>

<h2><strong>No respite for people as flash floods create havoc</strong></h2>

<p>At least five people were killed in flash floods and downpours in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The region received around 7 inches (17 cm) of rain for 45 minutes late on Saturday, said Upper Makefield Township Fire Chief Tim Brewer in a press conference, adding that it led to the death of people as vehicles swept away. He added that two children, aged 9 and 2, have been missing.<br />
<br />
"We continue to look for the two children. We are not going to give up regardless. The weather is a factor but at this point we are going to continue the operations and have already set things in motion for tomorrow as well,” said Brewer.</p>

<p>New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday appealed to residents in her state to not travel till the rain passes, saying that "your car can go from a place of safety to a place of death" if it gets carried away in a flash flood.</p>

<p>On Sunday, the National Weather Service said that an EF-0 tornado touched down in North Brookfield. It stated that the tornado remained on the ground for about two miles. It further stated that the winds of the tornado peaked at around 80 miles per hour.</p>

<p>The NWS said that the tornado was witnessed by several people, though no one saw an actual funnel. It added that no homes were damaged and no person was hurt in the incident. The North Brookfield Emergency Management Agency said the "significant" damage was caused by the tornado on the north side of town.</p>

<h2><strong>Red alerts for heat wave in Europe</strong></h2>

<p>Hot weather red alerts were issued by Italy for 16 cities on Sunday as meteorologists warned that temperatures are likely to soar to record highs across southern Europe in the days ahead. Greece, Spain and Italy have been battling scorching temperatures for many days.<br />
<br />
"We need to prepare for a severe heat storm that, day after day, will blanket the whole country," warned Italian weather news service Meteo.it on Sunday. "In some places ancient heat records will be broken,” it added.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Cerberus heatwave sends temperatures soaring across Europe | World News | WION</strong></p>

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<p>Italy's Health Minister Orazio Schillaci appealed to people to take care of themselves while visiting Rome's famous ruins.<br />
<br />
"Going to the Colosseum when it is 43C (109.4F) is not advisable, especially for an elderly person," he said in Il Messaggero newspaper on Sunday, adding people should remain indoors between 11 am and 6 pm local time.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Huge swaths of the United States came under heat warnings on Sunday (July 17) as western and southern states continued to face record-breaking temperatures. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning of "a widespread and oppressive heat wave" in various parts of the Southwest, southern Florida and western Gulf Coast, with millions of people facing health risks in the coming week due to the sizzling temperatures.

Huge swaths of the United States came under heat warnings on Sunday (July 17) as western and southern states continued to face record-breaking temperatures. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning of "a widespread and oppressive heat wave" in various parts of the Southwest, southern Florida and western Gulf Coast, with millions of people facing health risks in the coming week due to the sizzling temperatures. Southern Californians, where the temperature had shot to 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit (41-43 Celsius) on Saturday, faced another round of brutal temperatures on Sunday, as mercury was expected to rise to 115F (46C) in parts of Nevada, California and Arizona, said the NWS. Killer heat The famous Death Valley, which is located in California and is said to be one of the hottest places on Earth, reached a near-record temperature of 126F (52C) by Sunday afternoon. Tourists flocked to the national park to experience what the NWS had warned will be "life-threatening daytime heat" which will remain till Tuesday night. Speaking to broadcaster MSNBC on Sunday, visitor Eliana Luna said that the heat felt like a "burning sensation" on her body. "The heat, you can feel it dripping through the back, all the way down," she added. ALSO READ | Millions battle record heatwaves as temperatures dangerously soar in US, Europe The NWS stated that the heat is becoming a killer in the United States and appealed to Americans to take the warnings seriously. "In total, from South Florida and the Gulf Coast to the Southwest, over 80 million people remain under either an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory as of early this morning," it said in a Sunday morning bulletin. No respite for people as flash floods create havoc At least five people were killed in flash floods and downpours in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The region received around 7 inches (17 cm) of rain for 45 minutes late on Saturday, said Upper Makefield Township Fire Chief Tim Brewer in a press conference, adding that it led to the death of people as vehicles swept away. He added that two children, aged 9 and 2, have been missing. "We continue to look for the two children. We are not going to give up regardless. The weather is a factor but at this point we are going to continue the operations and have already set things in motion for tomorrow as well,” said Brewer. New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday appealed to residents in her state to not travel till the rain passes, saying that "your car can go from a place of safety to a place of death" if it gets carried away in a flash flood. On Sunday, the National Weather Service said that an EF-0 tornado touched down in North Brookfield. It stated that the tornado remained on the ground for about two miles. It further stated that the winds of the tornado peaked at around 80 miles per hour. The NWS said that the tornado was witnessed by several people, though no one saw an actual funnel. It added that no homes were damaged and no person was hurt in the incident. The North Brookfield Emergency Management Agency said the "significant" damage was caused by the tornado on the north side of town. Red alerts for heat wave in Europe Hot weather red alerts were issued by Italy for 16 cities on Sunday as meteorologists warned that temperatures are likely to soar to record highs across southern Europe in the days ahead. Greece, Spain and Italy have been battling scorching temperatures for many days. "We need to prepare for a severe heat storm that, day after day, will blanket the whole country," warned Italian weather news service Meteo.it on Sunday. "In some places ancient heat records will be broken,” it added. WATCH | Cerberus heatwave sends temperatures soaring across Europe | World News | WION Italy's Health Minister Orazio Schillaci appealed to people to take care of themselves while visiting Rome's famous ruins. "Going to the Colosseum when it is 43C (109.4F) is not advisable, especially for an elderly person," he said in Il Messaggero newspaper on Sunday, adding people should remain indoors between 11 am and 6 pm local time. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US West and South battle extreme heat wave as deadly flash floods persist in Northeast

<p>A 68-year-old woman, who was on board a small aeroplane, took control of the aircraft and crash-landed it on an island without any landing gear after the pilot fell ill mid air, said police.<br />
<br />
The crash took place near Martha's Vineyard Airport in West Tisbury, Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon. During the final approach of the plane, the male pilot, aged 79, suffered an emergency, informed Massachusetts State Police.<br />
<br />
"The crash resulted in a hard landing outside the runway that caused the aircraft's left wing to break in half," The Washington Post quoted the state police as saying. Local police stated that the flight landed on its belly without any landing gear and the pilot was extricated from the plane.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-police-register-case-in-connection-to-call-that-threatened-hijack-of-flight-to-tel-aviv-616255">Delhi police register case over call warning of possible hijack of flight to Tel Aviv</a></p>

<p>However, the identity of the pilot and the passenger was not revealed by the authorities and both were admitted to a hospital.</p>

<h2><strong>Pilot in life-threatening condition, passenger uninjured</strong></h2>

<p>The pilot, who had a life-threatening condition, was then flown to a Boston hospital. The female passenger remained uninjured and was discharged from a local hospital, reported The Post citing the police.<br />
<br />
The 2006 Piper Meridian aeroplane had departed from Westchester County, New York. The passenger and pilot both are residents of Connecticut, stated police.<br />
<br />
The crash is being investigated by National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration and state police. An FAA spokesperson stated that NTSB has been in charge of the crash's investigation.<br />
<br />
The officials removed the aircraft and took it to a secure location at the airport and cleared the crash scene, reported The Post citing the state police. West Tisbury police said that the short runway was opened by the airport and continued operations slowly on Saturday.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Nepal bans non-essential flights till September</strong></p>

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<p>The FAA stated that a preliminary accident/incident report will be posted by them mostly by the next business day.<br />
<br />
The incident was a reminder of a similar crash that took place almost 24 years before in which John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette and her sister Lauren Bessette were killed in Martha's Vineyard.<br />
<br />
The plane had crashed off the Massachusetts coast because the son of the late US president was experiencing spatial disorientation while the aircraft was descending over water at night.<br />
<br />
The safety board had said the probable cause of the crash was "the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aeroplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were haze and the dark night."</p>

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A 68-year-old woman, who was on board a small aeroplane, took control of the aircraft and crash-landed it on an island without any landing gear after the pilot fell ill mid air, said police.

A 68-year-old woman, who was on board a small aeroplane, took control of the aircraft and crash-landed it on an island without any landing gear after the pilot fell ill mid air, said police. The crash took place near Martha's Vineyard Airport in West Tisbury, Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon. During the final approach of the plane, the male pilot, aged 79, suffered an emergency, informed Massachusetts State Police. "The crash resulted in a hard landing outside the runway that caused the aircraft's left wing to break in half," The Washington Post quoted the state police as saying. Local police stated that the flight landed on its belly without any landing gear and the pilot was extricated from the plane. ALSO READ | Delhi police register case over call warning of possible hijack of flight to Tel Aviv However, the identity of the pilot and the passenger was not revealed by the authorities and both were admitted to a hospital. Pilot in life-threatening condition, passenger uninjured The pilot, who had a life-threatening condition, was then flown to a Boston hospital. The female passenger remained uninjured and was discharged from a local hospital, reported The Post citing the police. The 2006 Piper Meridian aeroplane had departed from Westchester County, New York. The passenger and pilot both are residents of Connecticut, stated police. The crash is being investigated by National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration and state police. An FAA spokesperson stated that NTSB has been in charge of the crash's investigation. The officials removed the aircraft and took it to a secure location at the airport and cleared the crash scene, reported The Post citing the state police. West Tisbury police said that the short runway was opened by the airport and continued operations slowly on Saturday. WATCH | Gravitas: Nepal bans non-essential flights till September The FAA stated that a preliminary accident/incident report will be posted by them mostly by the next business day. The incident was a reminder of a similar crash that took place almost 24 years before in which John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette and her sister Lauren Bessette were killed in Martha's Vineyard. The plane had crashed off the Massachusetts coast because the son of the late US president was experiencing spatial disorientation while the aircraft was descending over water at night. The safety board had said the probable cause of the crash was "the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aeroplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were haze and the dark night." You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Woman, 68, takes control of aeroplane and crash-lands after pilot falls ill mid air

<p>A giant metal cylinder mysteriously washed up on a beach near Perth, Western Australia and left the police and locals baffled at its sudden appearance.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, the local residents reported the huge copper-coloured cylinder to police after it washed up on a beach near Jurien Bay. The cylinder was leaning on one side and appeared to have gone through substantial damage.<br />
<br />
Western Australian police stated that they do not feel that the object was part of any commercial aircraft, however, they are unsure about its origins and have been treating it as hazardous.<br />
<br />
“We want to reassure the community that we are actively engaged in a collaborative effort with various state and federal agencies to determine the object’s origin and nature,” the police said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-spectacular-video-of-chandrayaan-3-lift-off-recorded-from-plane-goes-viral-616208">Spectacular video of Chandrayaan-3 lift-off recorded from plane goes viral</a></p>

<p>“The investigation is ongoing, and until further information is available, we urge everyone to refrain from drawing conclusions,” it added.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A giant mysterious metal cylinder has left locals stumped after the debris appeared suddenly on the shoreline of WA's Midwest.<br />
<br />
The huge metal object was found on a beach near Green Head on Sunday, with local residents reporting the suspicious item to police.<br />
<br />
The item is… <a href="https://t.co/XzUhAGznna">pic.twitter.com/XzUhAGznna</a></p>
— 10 News First Perth (@10NewsFirstPER) <a href="https://twitter.com/10NewsFirstPER/status/1680781181837778944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The police have been carrying out a joint investigation into its origins, and the object is being guarded by the officers so as to maintain the investigation's integrity. “This measure has been taken to ensure the preservation of potential evidence and facilitate further expert examination,” they said.<br />
<br />
In the video shared on social media, the huge cylinder appears partly damaged and does not look similar to a regular aircraft. It appears the object has been detached from something and its bottom half appears like it was ripped from its origin.<br />
<br />
The speculations that the object had come from the vanished flight MH370, which had suddenly disappeared when it was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014, were immediately dismissed by the police.</p>

<h2><strong>A fallen part of Chandrayaan-3?</strong></h2>

<p>An Australian Space Agency spokesperson said that they were making enquiries related to the object. “The agency is working to confirm whether the object could be part of a foreign space launch vehicle that has washed up on shore, and liaising with global counterparts who may be able to provide information about the object,” the spokesperson said.<br />
<br />
“As the origin of the object is unknown, the community should avoid handling or attempting to move the object,” he added.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Chandrayaan-3 blasts off from spaceport in southern Indian state</strong></p>

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<p>An expert in space archaeology Dr Alice Gorman, while speaking to The Guardian, said that she thinks the object is a fuel cylinder which has come from the third stage of India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket or Chandrayaan-3. “It’s surprising because it’s such a large fragment. And it makes you wonder what was going on at the time, if maybe a marine weather event dislodged it and brought it ashore,” she said.<br />
<br />
“It is very interesting though, and is a way regular everyday people can get close to space, as often these things turn into souvenirs. People like to keep some space junk,” the expert added.</p>

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A giant metal cylinder mysteriously washed up on a beach near Perth, Western Australia and left the police and locals baffled at its sudden appearance. On Sunday, the local residents reported the huge copper-coloured cylinder to police after it washed up on a beach near Jurien Bay.

A giant metal cylinder mysteriously washed up on a beach near Perth, Western Australia and left the police and locals baffled at its sudden appearance. On Sunday, the local residents reported the huge copper-coloured cylinder to police after it washed up on a beach near Jurien Bay. The cylinder was leaning on one side and appeared to have gone through substantial damage. Western Australian police stated that they do not feel that the object was part of any commercial aircraft, however, they are unsure about its origins and have been treating it as hazardous. “We want to reassure the community that we are actively engaged in a collaborative effort with various state and federal agencies to determine the object’s origin and nature,” the police said in a statement. ALSO READ | Spectacular video of Chandrayaan-3 lift-off recorded from plane goes viral “The investigation is ongoing, and until further information is available, we urge everyone to refrain from drawing conclusions,” it added. A giant mysterious metal cylinder has left locals stumped after the debris appeared suddenly on the shoreline of WA's Midwest. The huge metal object was found on a beach near Green Head on Sunday, with local residents reporting the suspicious item to police. The item is… pic.twitter.com/XzUhAGznna — 10 News First Perth (@10NewsFirstPER) July 17, 2023 × The police have been carrying out a joint investigation into its origins, and the object is being guarded by the officers so as to maintain the investigation's integrity. “This measure has been taken to ensure the preservation of potential evidence and facilitate further expert examination,” they said. In the video shared on social media, the huge cylinder appears partly damaged and does not look similar to a regular aircraft. It appears the object has been detached from something and its bottom half appears like it was ripped from its origin. The speculations that the object had come from the vanished flight MH370, which had suddenly disappeared when it was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014, were immediately dismissed by the police. A fallen part of Chandrayaan-3? An Australian Space Agency spokesperson said that they were making enquiries related to the object. “The agency is working to confirm whether the object could be part of a foreign space launch vehicle that has washed up on shore, and liaising with global counterparts who may be able to provide information about the object,” the spokesperson said. “As the origin of the object is unknown, the community should avoid handling or attempting to move the object,” he added. WATCH | Chandrayaan-3 blasts off from spaceport in southern Indian state An expert in space archaeology Dr Alice Gorman, while speaking to The Guardian, said that she thinks the object is a fuel cylinder which has come from the third stage of India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket or Chandrayaan-3. “It’s surprising because it’s such a large fragment. And it makes you wonder what was going on at the time, if maybe a marine weather event dislodged it and brought it ashore,” she said. “It is very interesting though, and is a way regular everyday people can get close to space, as often these things turn into souvenirs. People like to keep some space junk,” the expert added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Part of Indian rocket? Mysterious cylinder washes up on Australian beach

<p>A new way has been discovered by scientists to tune in to the symphony of the cosmos. These harmonies, which are created by the planets in their orbits, have been theorised by the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras.<br />
<br />
Scientists have used a technique known as sonification, which can translate data into sound, to assign musical notes to points of light which are present in the images captured by space telescopes, and making it possible for humans to experience the cosmos with our eyes as well as ears.<br />
<br />
According to the experts, sonification will particularly help those with impaired vision as they will be able to appreciate the strange beauty of nebulae and galaxies in the universe.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/martian-perspective-mars-express-celebrates-20th-anniversary-with-mysterious-space-pics-check-them-out-616493">Martian perspective: Mars Express celebrates 20th anniversary with mysterious space pics. Check them out!</a></p>

<p>A team at the Harvard-based Chandra X-Ray Observatory, while using the X-ray and visual imagery captured by the space telescopes and NASA infrared, launched a programme for turning astronomical data into sound during the pandemic.</p>

<h2><strong>Embedded musical notes, intriguing soundscapes</strong></h2>

<p>The team has been focused on printing and 3D modelling to produce tactile versions of space images for visually impaired and blind people. Since sonification is completely digital, it turned out to be a good way for keeping the project ongoing even during remote working.<br />
<br />
A series of intriguing soundscapes have been created by the sonification process. Musicians and scientists have embedded musical notes in the images whose pitch can be tuned as per the light's wavelength or the volume which can reflect its brightness. The sound is then produced by a digital image scan.<br />
<br />
One of the most stunning sonifications carried out is of the near-infrared image of gas clouds which looks like “Cosmic Cliffs” in the Carina Nebula. NASA’s James Webb Telescope captured it in the southern constellation of Carina (the Keel), which as per estimates is 7,500 light-years from Earth.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;India's gateway to outer space at Satish Dhawan Space Centre</strong></p>

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<p>Carina is one of the most unstable regions of the universe where stars die and take birth regularly. The sonification follows the “mountain range” in the image in gentle notes while using wind instruments, however, the brightest stars cause clangs and crashes from cymbals.<br />
<br />
The images being used by scientists in sonification are the creation of scientific processes. The X-ray or infrared data cannot be seen by the human eye so it is routinely converted by scientists into space images through digital process.&nbsp;</p>

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A new way has been discovered by scientists to tune in to the symphony of the cosmos. These harmonies, which are created by the planets in their orbits, have been theorised by the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras.

A new way has been discovered by scientists to tune in to the symphony of the cosmos. These harmonies, which are created by the planets in their orbits, have been theorised by the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras. Scientists have used a technique known as sonification, which can translate data into sound, to assign musical notes to points of light which are present in the images captured by space telescopes, and making it possible for humans to experience the cosmos with our eyes as well as ears. According to the experts, sonification will particularly help those with impaired vision as they will be able to appreciate the strange beauty of nebulae and galaxies in the universe. ALSO READ | Martian perspective: Mars Express celebrates 20th anniversary with mysterious space pics. Check them out! A team at the Harvard-based Chandra X-Ray Observatory, while using the X-ray and visual imagery captured by the space telescopes and NASA infrared, launched a programme for turning astronomical data into sound during the pandemic. Embedded musical notes, intriguing soundscapes The team has been focused on printing and 3D modelling to produce tactile versions of space images for visually impaired and blind people. Since sonification is completely digital, it turned out to be a good way for keeping the project ongoing even during remote working. A series of intriguing soundscapes have been created by the sonification process. Musicians and scientists have embedded musical notes in the images whose pitch can be tuned as per the light's wavelength or the volume which can reflect its brightness. The sound is then produced by a digital image scan. One of the most stunning sonifications carried out is of the near-infrared image of gas clouds which looks like “Cosmic Cliffs” in the Carina Nebula. NASA’s James Webb Telescope captured it in the southern constellation of Carina (the Keel), which as per estimates is 7,500 light-years from Earth. WATCH | India's gateway to outer space at Satish Dhawan Space Centre Carina is one of the most unstable regions of the universe where stars die and take birth regularly. The sonification follows the “mountain range” in the image in gentle notes while using wind instruments, however, the brightest stars cause clangs and crashes from cymbals. The images being used by scientists in sonification are the creation of scientific processes. The X-ray or infrared data cannot be seen by the human eye so it is routinely converted by scientists into space images through digital process. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Symphony of stars: NASA captures sound of space with the help of sonification

<p>Smoke rising from Canadian wildfire is still plaguing the United States and has triggered air quality alerts in at least 11 states spread across Midwest, Plains and Great Lakes region on Sunday.</p>

<p>As predicted by forecasters, almost 60 million people from Montana to Ohio will face poor air quality and decreased visibility, which also includes residents of Cedar Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and Cleveland.</p>

<p>The Air Quality Index was in the the “unhealthy” range which ranks between Level 4 of 6, on Sunday in a large expanse of the northern Plains from Montana through Illinois.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-weeks-of-ravaging-canada-wildfires-claim-first-firefighter-615775">After ravaging Canada for weeks, wildfires now claim life of young firefighter</a></p>

<p>“While the concentration of smoke in the atmosphere should begin to wane by Monday, there is still enough smoke to support unhealthy air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of these regions into the start of the upcoming week,” the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Centre stated.</p>

<h2><strong>Smoke to get pushed eastwards</strong></h2>

<p>As stated by the experts, smoke will be pushed eastwards by the winds which will lead to a smoky haze to the Northeast early in the week. The British Columbia Wildfire Service said that the plume rose from 400 fires ignited in the province of British Columbia in the last week, almost half of which were started after 51,000 lightning strikes took place from thunderstorms.</p>

<p>Canadian authorities on Sunday announced the death of a second firefighter due to the wildfires.</p>

<p>“We regret to share the tragic news that a firefighter from Fort Liard has passed away from an injury sustained while fighting a wildfire in the Fort Liard District Saturday afternoon,” said Canada’s Northwest Territories, in a statement.</p>

<p>The death of the first firefighter, who was fighting a blaze near southeastern British Columbia's town Revelstoke, was confirmed by the officials on Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;How did exactly Canadian wildfires start?</strong></p>

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<p>“I’m incredibly saddened by the news from the Northwest Territories, that another firefighter has lost their life battling wildfires,” tweeted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday. “To their family, their friends, and those they were heroically serving alongside: Canadians are keeping you in our thoughts. We’re here for you,” he added.</p>

<p>The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that wildfire smoke is filled with tiny pollutants which are known as particle matter or PM 2.5 and can get into the bloodstream and lungs once inhaled.</p>

<p>It added that the pollutants generally cause irritation in the eyes and throat and difficulty breathing and have been related to more serious long-term health issues like lung cancer.&nbsp;</p>

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Smoke rising from Canadian wildfire is still plaguing the United States and has triggered air quality alerts in at least 11 states spread across Midwest, Plains and Great Lakes region on Sunday.

Smoke rising from Canadian wildfire is still plaguing the United States and has triggered air quality alerts in at least 11 states spread across Midwest, Plains and Great Lakes region on Sunday. As predicted by forecasters, almost 60 million people from Montana to Ohio will face poor air quality and decreased visibility, which also includes residents of Cedar Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and Cleveland. The Air Quality Index was in the the “unhealthy” range which ranks between Level 4 of 6, on Sunday in a large expanse of the northern Plains from Montana through Illinois. ALSO READ | After ravaging Canada for weeks, wildfires now claim life of young firefighter “While the concentration of smoke in the atmosphere should begin to wane by Monday, there is still enough smoke to support unhealthy air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of these regions into the start of the upcoming week,” the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Centre stated. Smoke to get pushed eastwards As stated by the experts, smoke will be pushed eastwards by the winds which will lead to a smoky haze to the Northeast early in the week. The British Columbia Wildfire Service said that the plume rose from 400 fires ignited in the province of British Columbia in the last week, almost half of which were started after 51,000 lightning strikes took place from thunderstorms. Canadian authorities on Sunday announced the death of a second firefighter due to the wildfires. “We regret to share the tragic news that a firefighter from Fort Liard has passed away from an injury sustained while fighting a wildfire in the Fort Liard District Saturday afternoon,” said Canada’s Northwest Territories, in a statement. The death of the first firefighter, who was fighting a blaze near southeastern British Columbia's town Revelstoke, was confirmed by the officials on Thursday. WATCH | How did exactly Canadian wildfires start? “I’m incredibly saddened by the news from the Northwest Territories, that another firefighter has lost their life battling wildfires,” tweeted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday. “To their family, their friends, and those they were heroically serving alongside: Canadians are keeping you in our thoughts. We’re here for you,” he added. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that wildfire smoke is filled with tiny pollutants which are known as particle matter or PM 2.5 and can get into the bloodstream and lungs once inhaled. It added that the pollutants generally cause irritation in the eyes and throat and difficulty breathing and have been related to more serious long-term health issues like lung cancer. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Smoke from Canadian wildfires places 60 million US residents under air quality alerts

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