World mourns Russian opposition leader's death. Russian police officials detain over 100 people at memorials organised for kremlin critic leader's death. Meanwhile, Navalny's team says Russian investigators are lying to keep the leader's body. Watch to know more!

Alexei Navalny death: Navalny's team confirms death, family demands body 'immediately'

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Russian law enforcement, as reported by the Moscow Times, has arrested&nbsp;over 170 individuals at spontaneous memorials for Navalny held throughout the country. On Friday (Feb 16), Russian authorities issued warnings advising against participating in demonstrations.

Additionally, the British government announced its decision to summon the Russian embassy to convey its stance about&nbsp;Russian authorities being entirely responsible for the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Expressing deep concern, the foreign ministry stressed on the necessity for a thorough and transparent investigation into Navalny's death at an Arctic penal colony,&nbsp;reported Reuters.

British Foreign Minister David Cameron asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin should be held accountable for Navalny's demise. While attending a security conference in Munich, Cameron also stressed on&nbsp;the need for consequences, highlighting Navalny's courageous fight against corruption and for democracy.

Both Cameron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid tribute to Navalny, acknowledging his significant role as a staunch advocate for Russian democracy. Sunak praised Navalny as a fearless fighter for justice, underscoring the profound impact of his activism.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-ho-ho-ho-to-i-love-you-heres-how-putin-critic-alexei-navalny-described-his-last-days-in-arctic-prison-691111">Also read |&nbsp;'From Ho-ho-ho to I love you': Here's how Putin critic Alexei Navalny described his last days in Arctic prison</a>

<h2>Supporters offer tribute across US, Europe</h2>

Supporters of Navalny gathered across Europe and the United States on Friday (Feb 16) to honour the prominent opposition figure, who was widely recognised as Russia's leading dissident even during his imprisonment.

Navalny's death was confirmed on Friday by officials at the Arctic prison where he was serving a 19-year sentence.

From New York and Washington to various cities in Western Europe and capitals of former Soviet states, mourners paid tribute to Navalny, a charismatic lawyer who galvanised domestic opposition against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Many attendees&nbsp;attributed Navalny's death to Putin, with chants of "Putin murderer! Putin to The Hague" echoing outside Russian&nbsp;embassy in Berlin, referencing the International Criminal Court.

In Warsaw, demonstrators gathered outside the Russian embassy, while in Switzerland, hundreds convened outside Zurich's railway station and in front of the United Nations in Geneva, carrying portraits of Navalny and white flowers.

Also watch |&nbsp;Biden: Putin and his thugs caused Navalny's death

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In Moscow, small groups laid flowers at makeshift memorials, and similar scenes unfolded in cities like London, Vilnius, and New York, where people expressed grief and condemnation of Putin's regime.

Navalny, allegedly&nbsp;collapsed and died at the "Polar Wolf" penal colony where he was serving a lengthy prison sentence. The circumstances surrounding his death have sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability within Russia and beyond.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian law enforcement, as reported by the Moscow Times, has arrested over 170 individuals at spontaneous memorials for Navalny held throughout the country. On Friday (Feb 16), Russian authorities issued warnings advising against participating in demonstrations.

Russian law enforcement, as reported by the Moscow Times, has arrested over 170 individuals at spontaneous memorials for Navalny held throughout the country. On Friday (Feb 16), Russian authorities issued warnings advising against participating in demonstrations. Additionally, the British government announced its decision to summon the Russian embassy to convey its stance about Russian authorities being entirely responsible for the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Expressing deep concern, the foreign ministry stressed on the necessity for a thorough and transparent investigation into Navalny's death at an Arctic penal colony, reported Reuters. British Foreign Minister David Cameron asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin should be held accountable for Navalny's demise. While attending a security conference in Munich, Cameron also stressed on the need for consequences, highlighting Navalny's courageous fight against corruption and for democracy. Both Cameron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid tribute to Navalny, acknowledging his significant role as a staunch advocate for Russian democracy. Sunak praised Navalny as a fearless fighter for justice, underscoring the profound impact of his activism. Also read | 'From Ho-ho-ho to I love you': Here's how Putin critic Alexei Navalny described his last days in Arctic prison Supporters offer tribute across US, Europe Supporters of Navalny gathered across Europe and the United States on Friday (Feb 16) to honour the prominent opposition figure, who was widely recognised as Russia's leading dissident even during his imprisonment. Navalny's death was confirmed on Friday by officials at the Arctic prison where he was serving a 19-year sentence. From New York and Washington to various cities in Western Europe and capitals of former Soviet states, mourners paid tribute to Navalny, a charismatic lawyer who galvanised domestic opposition against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many attendees attributed Navalny's death to Putin, with chants of "Putin murderer! Putin to The Hague" echoing outside Russian embassy in Berlin, referencing the International Criminal Court. In Warsaw, demonstrators gathered outside the Russian embassy, while in Switzerland, hundreds convened outside Zurich's railway station and in front of the United Nations in Geneva, carrying portraits of Navalny and white flowers. Also watch | Biden: Putin and his thugs caused Navalny's death In Moscow, small groups laid flowers at makeshift memorials, and similar scenes unfolded in cities like London, Vilnius, and New York, where people expressed grief and condemnation of Putin's regime. Navalny, allegedly collapsed and died at the "Polar Wolf" penal colony where he was serving a lengthy prison sentence. The circumstances surrounding his death have sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability within Russia and beyond. (With inputs from agencies)

Alexei Navalny death: Over 170 supporters arrested in support rallies across Russia

Russian jail authorities are now saying that the Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny has reportedly died in prison. One of the most prominent rivals of Russian President Vladimir Putin was serving a 19-year-long sentence on charges of extremism.

Russian Prison service: Jailed Russian opposition leader Navalny dead

Russian jail authorities are now saying that the Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny has reportedly died in prison. One of the most prominent rivals of Russian President Vladimir Putin was serving a 19-year-long sentence on charges of extremism. To know more watch this interview with Journalist and Political commentator, Fred Weir.

EU says Russia 'sole responsible' for Navalny death

The family of an Indian-origin student who passed away in Canada due to a cardiac arrest on Friday (Feb 16) is seeking assistance from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to repatriate his body to India. The student has been identified as Shaik Muzammil Ahmed, a Hyderabad resident.

<h2>A request for help</h2>

On X, formerly Twitter, Amjad Ullah Khan, a leader from the Telangana-based political party Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), confirmed the news of the 25-year-old student's death and stated that Ahmed's family has sought assistance from Union Minister S Jaishankar.

According to Khan, Ahmed, a Master's student in IT at Conestoga College in Ontario, had been suffering from a fever for the past week. On Friday, his family received a call from a friend informing them of his sudden demise.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-police-identifies-indian-origin-techie-as-suspect-in-family-murder-suicide-case-690859">US: Indian-origin techie killed family, then self in apparent murder-suicide, police say</a>

In a letter to Jaishankar, Ahmed's uncle expressed the family's shock and requested the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulate General of India in Toronto to expedite the repatriation process.

"@DrSJaishankar&nbsp;Sir, One Shaik Muzammil Ahmed-25 years from Hyderabad, Telangana State pursuing Masters in IT from Conestoga College, Waterloo Campus in Kitchener City in Ontario, Canada since Dec 2022 was suffering from fever since last one week, but his family received a call from his friend that he died due to cardiac arrest today," reads the&nbsp;post shared on X by Khan.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> Sir, One Shaik Muzammil Ahmed-25 years from Hyderabad, Telangana State persuing Masters in IT from Conestoga College, Waterloo Campus in Kitchener City in Ontario, Canada since Dec 2022 was suffering from fever since last one week, but his family received a call… <a href="https://t.co/hvA1munXaX">pic.twitter.com/hvA1munXaX</a>
— Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmbt) <a href="https://twitter.com/amjedmbt/status/1758248796088148426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Along with the post, the Telangana leader shared a letter written by Muzammil Ahmed's uncle Mahammed Amzad.&nbsp;

"On hearing this news his parents and entire family is in a state of shock, and we request you to kindly send his mortal remains back to Hyderabad as soon as possible," read&nbsp;the letter.&nbsp;

This tragic incident, as per a Hindustan Times report, comes in the wake of another incident where an Indian student, Syed Mazahir Ali, was brutally attacked in Chicago, as previously highlighted by Khan.

(With inputs from agencies)

The family of an Indian-origin student who passed away in Canada due to a cardiac arrest on Friday (Feb 16) is seeking assistance from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to repatriate his body to India.

The family of an Indian-origin student who passed away in Canada due to a cardiac arrest on Friday (Feb 16) is seeking assistance from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to repatriate his body to India. The student has been identified as Shaik Muzammil Ahmed, a Hyderabad resident. A request for help On X, formerly Twitter, Amjad Ullah Khan, a leader from the Telangana-based political party Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), confirmed the news of the 25-year-old student's death and stated that Ahmed's family has sought assistance from Union Minister S Jaishankar. According to Khan, Ahmed, a Master's student in IT at Conestoga College in Ontario, had been suffering from a fever for the past week. On Friday, his family received a call from a friend informing them of his sudden demise. Also read | US: Indian-origin techie killed family, then self in apparent murder-suicide, police say In a letter to Jaishankar, Ahmed's uncle expressed the family's shock and requested the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulate General of India in Toronto to expedite the repatriation process. "@DrSJaishankar Sir, One Shaik Muzammil Ahmed-25 years from Hyderabad, Telangana State pursuing Masters in IT from Conestoga College, Waterloo Campus in Kitchener City in Ontario, Canada since Dec 2022 was suffering from fever since last one week, but his family received a call from his friend that he died due to cardiac arrest today," reads the post shared on X by Khan. .@DrSJaishankar Sir, One Shaik Muzammil Ahmed-25 years from Hyderabad, Telangana State persuing Masters in IT from Conestoga College, Waterloo Campus in Kitchener City in Ontario, Canada since Dec 2022 was suffering from fever since last one week, but his family received a call… pic.twitter.com/hvA1munXaX — Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmbt) February 15, 2024 × Along with the post, the Telangana leader shared a letter written by Muzammil Ahmed's uncle Mahammed Amzad. "On hearing this news his parents and entire family is in a state of shock, and we request you to kindly send his mortal remains back to Hyderabad as soon as possible," read the letter. This tragic incident, as per a Hindustan Times report, comes in the wake of another incident where an Indian student, Syed Mazahir Ali, was brutally attacked in Chicago, as previously highlighted by Khan. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian student dies in Canada, family appeals to MEA for help in bringing back mortal remains

Alaskapox virus: Health officials in Alaska have confirmed the first death from a newly found viral disease, Alaskapox. An elderly immunocompromised man from the Kenai peninsula in the south of Anchorage was the first victim of the viral disease.

Alaskapox virus: Health officials in Alaska have confirmed the first death from a newly found viral disease, Alaskapox. An elderly immunocompromised man from the Kenai peninsula in the south of Anchorage was the first victim of the viral disease. Here's everything you need to know about Alaskapox, its symptoms and its treatment. What Is Alaskapox Virus? First identified in an adult in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015, Alaskapox is a double-stranded-DNA virus which comes from the same genus as smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox. It is the most common in small mammals. According to the State of Alaska's website, "To date, no human-to-human transmission of Alaskapox virus has been documented. However, since certain orthopoxviruses can be transmitted through direct contact with skin lesions, we recommend that people with skin lesions possibly caused by Alaskapox keep the affected area covered with a bandage." ALSO READ | Here is why NASA wants to put nuclear reactor on Moon and ditch solar energy It adds, "Symptoms of Alaskapox have included one or more skin lesions (bumps or pustules) and other symptoms like swollen lymph nodes and joint and/or muscle pain. Immunocompromised people might be at increased risk for more severe illness." Is Alaskapox fatal? The official website of the Alaska Division of Public Health says, "Nearly all patients had mild illnesses that resolved on their own after a few weeks. There has been one patient with an immunocompromising condition that developed severe disease and died after prolonged illness." The man was among the only seven people infected with Alaskapox. "People should not necessarily be concerned but more aware," said Julia Rogers, a state epidemiologist, reported New York Post. "So we're hoping to make clinicians more aware of what Alaskapox virus is so that they can identify signs and symptoms," she added. In the deceased man's case, it took several months to diagnose the fatal case. As per the authorities, the patient's immunocompromised condition might have led to his death. However, it is still unclear how he contracted the disease. Doctors speculate that he might've contracted Alaskapox from the cat he lived up to, as he lived alone in the woods and did not travel recently. The symptoms began after the cat, which often hunted small mammals, scratched him. Although the cat tested negative for the virus, health officials believe it spread from its claws. In December, the health officials ran some tests on the man and initially detected cowpox. However, after additional testing, the Centers for Disease Control revealed it was Alaskapox. (With inputs from agencies)

What is Alaskapox? The newly-found viral disease that has already claimed one life

Days after the body of an Indian-American student Sameer Kamath found in Indiana, American officials said that the 23-year-old had shot himself in the head with a gun. The revelation has come after a forensic autopsy was performed on the 6th of February.

PhD student Sameer Kamath killed himself, say US officials

An Indian-American&nbsp;student, who was completing his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve on Monday evening (Feb 5), reported the Warren County Coroner’s office.

The 23-year-old student, identified as Sameer Kamath, had US citizenship and had completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering in August 2023 from Purdue University, confirmed the coroner’s office.

He is the second&nbsp;Indian-American student from&nbsp;Purdue University who died under mysterious circumstances in the last few weeks, after&nbsp;Neel Acharya.&nbsp;

Kamath's body was found at the Crow’s Grove Nature Preserve around 5 pm (local time) on Monday (Feb 5). Crow’s Grove Nature Preserve is part of the Niches Land Trust which is located at 3300 North Warren County Road 50 West, in Williamsport.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-indian-student-brutally-attacked-robbed-in-chicago-indias-consulate-responds-687654">US: Indian student brutally attacked, robbed in Chicago; India’s consulate responds</a>

A press release regarding the death of the Indian-American student was released by Warren County Coroner Justin Brummett on Tuesday afternoon (Feb 6).

Kamath received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and enrolled at Purdue in 2021.

As per his LinkedIn profile, he was set to graduate from the doctoral programme in 2025.&nbsp;

<h2>Death, attack cases involving Indian students rise in the US</h2>

The new death comes in the wake of Indian or Indian-origin students in the US facing increasing attacks in the United States.

Indian student Syed Mazahir Ali's video surfaced on Wednesday (Feb 7) in which he was seen bleeding profusely and desperately pleading for help in Chicago after getting attacked by robbers.

This was the fourth such case to have emerged in recent days. Another 19-year-old student, Shreyas Reddy Beniger, who held an American passport, was found dead last week. The authorities ruled out any foul play.

Watch:&nbsp;US: 3 Indian students killed within a week

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Neel Acharya, another student of Purdue University, was found dead on the campus, hours after he was reported missing by his mother.

A 25-year-old student, Vivek Saini from Haryana, was hammered to death in Georgia's Lithonia by a homeless man on January 16.

Another Indian student, Akul Dhawan, was found dead outside the campus of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in January.

(With inputs from agencies)

An Indian-American student, who was completing his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve on Monday evening (Feb 5), reported the Warren County Coroner’s office.

An Indian-American student, who was completing his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve on Monday evening (Feb 5), reported the Warren County Coroner’s office. The 23-year-old student, identified as Sameer Kamath, had US citizenship and had completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering in August 2023 from Purdue University, confirmed the coroner’s office. He is the second Indian-American student from Purdue University who died under mysterious circumstances in the last few weeks, after Neel Acharya. Kamath's body was found at the Crow’s Grove Nature Preserve around 5 pm (local time) on Monday (Feb 5). Crow’s Grove Nature Preserve is part of the Niches Land Trust which is located at 3300 North Warren County Road 50 West, in Williamsport. Also read: US: Indian student brutally attacked, robbed in Chicago; India’s consulate responds A press release regarding the death of the Indian-American student was released by Warren County Coroner Justin Brummett on Tuesday afternoon (Feb 6). Kamath received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and enrolled at Purdue in 2021. As per his LinkedIn profile, he was set to graduate from the doctoral programme in 2025. Death, attack cases involving Indian students rise in the US The new death comes in the wake of Indian or Indian-origin students in the US facing increasing attacks in the United States. Indian student Syed Mazahir Ali's video surfaced on Wednesday (Feb 7) in which he was seen bleeding profusely and desperately pleading for help in Chicago after getting attacked by robbers. This was the fourth such case to have emerged in recent days. Another 19-year-old student, Shreyas Reddy Beniger, who held an American passport, was found dead last week. The authorities ruled out any foul play. Watch: US: 3 Indian students killed within a week Neel Acharya, another student of Purdue University, was found dead on the campus, hours after he was reported missing by his mother. A 25-year-old student, Vivek Saini from Haryana, was hammered to death in Georgia's Lithonia by a homeless man on January 16. Another Indian student, Akul Dhawan, was found dead outside the campus of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in January. (With inputs from agencies)

Another Indian-origin student dies in United States in fifth such case this year

Russia has been gripped by a rare wave of pan-country grief over the accidental death of Twix, the cat. The feline's death, reportedly due to an accidental fall from a long-distance train caused by a female train attendant, has sparked a national outcry.

Nationwide wave of grief hits Russia after Twix's death

Another Indian student has been found dead in&nbsp;Cincinnati, United States, and the cause of his&nbsp;death remains&nbsp;unknown. The student has been identified as Shreyas Reddy Benigeri. This marks the third instance of an Indian student's death in the US in a week's time.

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The investigation into Benigeri's death is currently in progress, as stated by the Consulate General of India in New York. At this point, foul play is not suspected.

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Flash: Another Indian student has been found dead in Cincinnati, US. Cause of death still uncertain. 3rd death of an Indian student in the US in a week's time.
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1753012915404472540?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Previous deaths&nbsp;</h2>

Neel Acharya, an Indian student enrolled at Purdue University in the US, was found dead on Sunday (Jan 27), shortly after his mother reported him missing.

The Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office received a call about a potential deceased person at 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette around 11:30 am.

Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Neel Acharya, a student pursuing a double major in computer science and data science at Purdue University's John Martinson Honors College.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-signs-of-trauma-on-indian-student-neel-acharyas-dead-body-says-coroner-685424">Also read |&nbsp;No signs of trauma on Indian student Neel Acharya's dead body, says coroner</a>

On Sunday, Neel's mother Gaury Acharya, had appealed in a post on X, "Our son Neel Acharya is missing since yesterday Jan 28 (12:30 AM EST) He is studying in Purdue University in the US. He was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off in Purdue University. We are looking for any info on him. Please help us if you know anything."

The Consulate General of India in Chicago replied to her post, saying, "Consulate is in touch with Purdue University authorities and also with Neel's family. Consulate will extend all possible support and help."

Last week in Lithonia, Georgia, a homeless man brutally killed another Indian student by repeatedly striking him with a hammer inside a store. While a video of the incident went viral on social media, the exact date remains unconfirmed. The assailant, known to frequent the store, was arrested based on visual evidence. The victim, Vivek Saini, had his body repatriated to his family in India on January 24.

Also watch |&nbsp;US: 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini hammered to death in Georgia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-25-year-old-indian-student-vivek-saini-hammered-to-death-in-georgia-684960/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Another Indian student has been found dead in Cincinnati, United States, and the cause of his death remains unknown. The student has been identified as Shreyas Reddy Benigeri.

Another Indian student has been found dead in Cincinnati, United States, and the cause of his death remains unknown. The student has been identified as Shreyas Reddy Benigeri. This marks the third instance of an Indian student's death in the US in a week's time. The investigation into Benigeri's death is currently in progress, as stated by the Consulate General of India in New York. At this point, foul play is not suspected. Flash: Another Indian student has been found dead in Cincinnati, US. Cause of death still uncertain. 3rd death of an Indian student in the US in a week's time. — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) February 1, 2024 × Previous deaths Neel Acharya, an Indian student enrolled at Purdue University in the US, was found dead on Sunday (Jan 27), shortly after his mother reported him missing. The Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office received a call about a potential deceased person at 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette around 11:30 am. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Neel Acharya, a student pursuing a double major in computer science and data science at Purdue University's John Martinson Honors College. Also read | No signs of trauma on Indian student Neel Acharya's dead body, says coroner On Sunday, Neel's mother Gaury Acharya, had appealed in a post on X, "Our son Neel Acharya is missing since yesterday Jan 28 (12:30 AM EST) He is studying in Purdue University in the US. He was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off in Purdue University. We are looking for any info on him. Please help us if you know anything." The Consulate General of India in Chicago replied to her post, saying, "Consulate is in touch with Purdue University authorities and also with Neel's family. Consulate will extend all possible support and help." Last week in Lithonia, Georgia, a homeless man brutally killed another Indian student by repeatedly striking him with a hammer inside a store. While a video of the incident went viral on social media, the exact date remains unconfirmed. The assailant, known to frequent the store, was arrested based on visual evidence. The victim, Vivek Saini, had his body repatriated to his family in India on January 24. Also watch | US: 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini hammered to death in Georgia (With inputs from agencies)

Indian student found dead in Cincinnati, third such incident in a week in US

Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, an Indian-origin graduate student at the Lindner School of Business, University of Cincinnati, was found dead in Ohio, as announced&nbsp;by the Consulate General of India in New York on Thursday (Feb 1). This incident marks&nbsp;the third death of an Indian student in the US&nbsp;in recent weeks.

Benigeri was enrolled in a graduate programme in Business Statistics at Cincinnati's Lindner School of Business, as detailed on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreyas-benigeri-54593b258/">LinkedIn profile</a> believed to be his. The profile,&nbsp;showed his dedication to applying statistical methods to real-world business scenarios. Before moving to the United States, Benigeri had successfully completed a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani.

The Lindner School of Business, situated on Woodside Drive, Ohio, holds significance as an academic hub attracting students from diverse backgrounds.&nbsp;

<h2>Recent incidents involving Indian students</h2>

Benigeri's death is not an isolated incident. It follows a string of unfortunate events involving Indian students in the US.

Neel Acharya, a student with a double major at Purdue University in Indiana, was found dead inside&nbsp;the university campus. After he went missing, his mother sought help on social media to locate him.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-signs-of-trauma-on-indian-student-neel-acharyas-dead-body-says-coroner-685424">Also read |&nbsp;No signs of trauma on Indian student Neel Acharya's dead body, says coroner</a>

In a similar kind of an incident, Vivek Saini, a 25-year-old Indian student, was fatally attacked by a destitute drug addict in Lithonia city, Georgia.

This distressing list also includes the demise of Akul B Dhawan, an 18-year-old Indian-American student, who was discovered dead with signs of hypothermia near the University of Illinois.

Addressing the pressing concern, the Consulate General of India in New York released a statement on Thursday, asserting that no foul play is suspected in Benigeri's death. The family has been notified, and arrangements are underway for their prompt arrival in Ohio.

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Deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of Mr. Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, a student of Indian origin in Ohio. Police investigation is underway. At this stage, foul play is not suspected. 
 
The Consulate continues to remain in touch with the family and is extending all possible…
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainNewYork/status/1753101786242863139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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This unsettling series of incidents has stirred deep concerns about the safety and well-being of international students pursuing education in the United States.

Also watch |&nbsp;Another Indian student found dead in US, third case within a week

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Calls for increased vigilance, support services, and proactive measures to ensure the security of students from diverse backgrounds are resonating across academic and diplomatic circles.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, an Indian-origin graduate student at the Lindner School of Business, University of Cincinnati, was found dead in Ohio, as announced by the Consulate General of India in New York on Thursday (Feb 1).

Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, an Indian-origin graduate student at the Lindner School of Business, University of Cincinnati, was found dead in Ohio, as announced by the Consulate General of India in New York on Thursday (Feb 1). This incident marks the third death of an Indian student in the US in recent weeks. Benigeri was enrolled in a graduate programme in Business Statistics at Cincinnati's Lindner School of Business, as detailed on a LinkedIn profile believed to be his. The profile, showed his dedication to applying statistical methods to real-world business scenarios. Before moving to the United States, Benigeri had successfully completed a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani. The Lindner School of Business, situated on Woodside Drive, Ohio, holds significance as an academic hub attracting students from diverse backgrounds. Recent incidents involving Indian students Benigeri's death is not an isolated incident. It follows a string of unfortunate events involving Indian students in the US. Neel Acharya, a student with a double major at Purdue University in Indiana, was found dead inside the university campus. After he went missing, his mother sought help on social media to locate him. Also read | No signs of trauma on Indian student Neel Acharya's dead body, says coroner In a similar kind of an incident, Vivek Saini, a 25-year-old Indian student, was fatally attacked by a destitute drug addict in Lithonia city, Georgia. This distressing list also includes the demise of Akul B Dhawan, an 18-year-old Indian-American student, who was discovered dead with signs of hypothermia near the University of Illinois. Addressing the pressing concern, the Consulate General of India in New York released a statement on Thursday, asserting that no foul play is suspected in Benigeri's death. The family has been notified, and arrangements are underway for their prompt arrival in Ohio. Deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of Mr. Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, a student of Indian origin in Ohio. Police investigation is underway. At this stage, foul play is not suspected. The Consulate continues to remain in touch with the family and is extending all possible… — India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) February 1, 2024 × This unsettling series of incidents has stirred deep concerns about the safety and well-being of international students pursuing education in the United States. Also watch | Another Indian student found dead in US, third case within a week Calls for increased vigilance, support services, and proactive measures to ensure the security of students from diverse backgrounds are resonating across academic and diplomatic circles. (With inputs from agencies)

Who was Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, third Indian student found dead in US in recent weeks?

A 19-year-old American teenager met a tragic end after falling off a ledge at a popular&nbsp;canyon in Utah&nbsp;while he was trying to click photographs.&nbsp;

Jonathan Fielding had gone hiking with a group of friends near Moonscape Overlook in Torrey, Utah on Saturday (Feb 28). During hiking, he lost his footing and fell to his death. He fell approximately 300 feet and died immediately on impact.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/attackers-accidentally-murdered-their-own-member-while-killing-boy-now-face-life-sentences-684299">UK: Teens accidentally murdered their own group member while killing boy, now face life sentences</a>

The teen, who was from Blue Springs, Missouri, had recently shifted to Orem, Utah, said his family, as reported by The Daily Mail.&nbsp;

He was called a 'photography enthusiast' by his loved ones. Moments before the tragedy occurred, Fielding had stopped to click photographs of the majestic views.

<h2>Teenager's death ruled&nbsp;'accidental'&nbsp;</h2>

His death was ruled by the Wayne County officials as accidental.&nbsp;

He was described by his grieving family as a "loving and caring son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, and cousin".

'While the passing of Jonathan was unexpected, we take some comfort knowing that he was doing what he loved at the time of the accident," the family wrote. "He was on a photoshoot with friends in the beautiful Utah wilderness where he loved to be," they added.&nbsp;

In his obituary, Fielding was described as a "fun-loving, intelligent young man," and was called "Johnny" by his friends.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea: Teens sentenced to 12 years of hard labour for watching K Drama

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"He had big dreams and hopes focused on sales. More important than his dreams and future plans, however, Jonathan was a good person," the obituary read.&nbsp;

"Jonathan truly cared about others. He would genuinely listen to you. He was truly a friend in every sense of the word," it added.&nbsp;

"He had many friends and was an influence for good. He was always kind to others. He would often notice those that needed help and offered them assistance and encouragement," the family members wrote in the obituary.&nbsp;

Taking to Facebook, his sister Rebecca Fielding said, "No view is worth your life. No view is worth the suffering that your family and friends will go through. No view is worth the risk that rescuers face when trying to save people and recover bodies. There was no reason for my brother to die. Please don’t make the same mistakes he did."

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A 19-year-old American teenager met a tragic end after falling off a ledge at a popular canyon in Utah while he was trying to click photographs. Jonathan Fielding had gone hiking with a group of friends near Moonscape Overlook in Torrey, Utah on Saturday (Feb 28).

A 19-year-old American teenager met a tragic end after falling off a ledge at a popular canyon in Utah while he was trying to click photographs. Jonathan Fielding had gone hiking with a group of friends near Moonscape Overlook in Torrey, Utah on Saturday (Feb 28). During hiking, he lost his footing and fell to his death. He fell approximately 300 feet and died immediately on impact. Also read: UK: Teens accidentally murdered their own group member while killing boy, now face life sentences The teen, who was from Blue Springs, Missouri, had recently shifted to Orem, Utah, said his family, as reported by The Daily Mail. He was called a 'photography enthusiast' by his loved ones. Moments before the tragedy occurred, Fielding had stopped to click photographs of the majestic views. Teenager's death ruled 'accidental' His death was ruled by the Wayne County officials as accidental. He was described by his grieving family as a "loving and caring son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, and cousin". 'While the passing of Jonathan was unexpected, we take some comfort knowing that he was doing what he loved at the time of the accident," the family wrote. "He was on a photoshoot with friends in the beautiful Utah wilderness where he loved to be," they added. In his obituary, Fielding was described as a "fun-loving, intelligent young man," and was called "Johnny" by his friends. Watch: North Korea: Teens sentenced to 12 years of hard labour for watching K Drama "He had big dreams and hopes focused on sales. More important than his dreams and future plans, however, Jonathan was a good person," the obituary read. "Jonathan truly cared about others. He would genuinely listen to you. He was truly a friend in every sense of the word," it added. "He had many friends and was an influence for good. He was always kind to others. He would often notice those that needed help and offered them assistance and encouragement," the family members wrote in the obituary. Taking to Facebook, his sister Rebecca Fielding said, "No view is worth your life. No view is worth the suffering that your family and friends will go through. No view is worth the risk that rescuers face when trying to save people and recover bodies. There was no reason for my brother to die. Please don’t make the same mistakes he did." (With inputs from agencies)

'No view is worth your life': Sister laments after brother falls to death at a canyon in Utah

An Indian student, identified as Neel Acharya at the Purdue University, Indiana, US has been confirmed dead after being reported missing since Sunday (Jan 28), according to local media reports.&nbsp;

The Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office said police personnel were called&nbsp;to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette in the university campus&nbsp;for a possible dead body. After arriving on the scene, a "college-aged male" was found deceased, later confirmed as Acharya by the authorities.&nbsp;

Afterwards, in an email&nbsp;to the university's computer science department, interim CS head Chris Clifton informed&nbsp;students and faculty of Acharya's untimely death.

"It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students, Neel Acharya, has passed away.&nbsp;My condolences go out to his friends, family, and all affected," said&nbsp;Clifton.&nbsp;

Notably, Acharya was a double major in computer and data science&nbsp;at the John Martinson Honors College of Purdue University&nbsp;

On Sunday, his mother, Gaury Acharya, had taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) to inform about her son's disappearance and appealed for any hints.

"Our son Neel Acharya is missing since yesterday Jan 28 (12:30 AM EST) He is studying at Purdue University in the US. He was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off in Purdue university. We are looking for any info on him. Please help us if you know anything," she wrote.&nbsp;

Responding to her post, India's Consulate General in Chicago said:&nbsp;"(The) Consulate is in touch with Purdue University authorities and also with Neel’s family. Consulate will extend all possible support and help."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indian-student-stabbed-in-us-gym-dies-657066">Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Indian student stabbed in US Gym dies</a>

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<h2>Indian student hammered to death</h2>

The news of Acharya's demise comes after another Indian student named Vivek Saini, 25, was&nbsp;mercilessly beaten to death with a hammer by a homeless man whom he had reportedly been feeding and sheltering, in the US state of Georgia.&nbsp;

The attack took place in the city of Lithonia and was caught on camera where the&nbsp;assailant, later identified as 53-year-old Julian Faulkner was seen beating Saini to death with a hammer.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-indian-student-beaten-to-death-by-homeless-man-after-feeding-and-sheltering-him-for-days-684748">Also read | US: Indian student beaten to death by homeless man after feeding and sheltering him for days</a>

Saini,&nbsp;whose family hails from the Indian state of Haryana had gone to the US two years ago and had recently earned an MBA degree.

Faulkner was arrested on the spot and remains in DeKalb County Jail. He has since been charged with felony murder and interference with government property.

(With inputs from agencies)

An Indian student, identified as Neel Acharya at the Purdue University, Indiana, US has been confirmed dead after being reported missing since Sunday (Jan 28), according to local media reports.

An Indian student, identified as Neel Acharya at the Purdue University, Indiana, US has been confirmed dead after being reported missing since Sunday (Jan 28), according to local media reports. The Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office said police personnel were called to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette in the university campus for a possible dead body. After arriving on the scene, a "college-aged male" was found deceased, later confirmed as Acharya by the authorities. Afterwards, in an email to the university's computer science department, interim CS head Chris Clifton informed students and faculty of Acharya's untimely death. "It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students, Neel Acharya, has passed away. My condolences go out to his friends, family, and all affected," said Clifton. Notably, Acharya was a double major in computer and data science at the John Martinson Honors College of Purdue University On Sunday, his mother, Gaury Acharya, had taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) to inform about her son's disappearance and appealed for any hints. "Our son Neel Acharya is missing since yesterday Jan 28 (12:30 AM EST) He is studying at Purdue University in the US. He was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off in Purdue university. We are looking for any info on him. Please help us if you know anything," she wrote. Responding to her post, India's Consulate General in Chicago said: "(The) Consulate is in touch with Purdue University authorities and also with Neel’s family. Consulate will extend all possible support and help." Watch | Gravitas: Indian student stabbed in US Gym dies × Indian student hammered to death The news of Acharya's demise comes after another Indian student named Vivek Saini, 25, was mercilessly beaten to death with a hammer by a homeless man whom he had reportedly been feeding and sheltering, in the US state of Georgia. The attack took place in the city of Lithonia and was caught on camera where the assailant, later identified as 53-year-old Julian Faulkner was seen beating Saini to death with a hammer. Also read | US: Indian student beaten to death by homeless man after feeding and sheltering him for days Saini, whose family hails from the Indian state of Haryana had gone to the US two years ago and had recently earned an MBA degree. Faulkner was arrested on the spot and remains in DeKalb County Jail. He has since been charged with felony murder and interference with government property. (With inputs from agencies)

Missing Indian student of Purdue University found dead on campus

Over a decade ago, a preliminary estimate pointed to approximately two&nbsp;million annual deaths globally due to fungal infections. Recent findings reveal a nearly twofold increase, with the current estimate standing at around 3.8 million deaths. This staggering number constitutes approximately 6.8 per cent&nbsp;of total global deaths.

In a comparative analysis of global death statistics, fungal infections emerge as a significant contributor to mortality. With pneumonia at 2,600,000 (including some fungal cases) and tuberculosis at 1,208,000 (potentially including undiagnosed fungal diseases), fungal-related deaths command attention, comprising one-third of the 3,228,000 deaths attributed to smoke-related lung disease (COPD).

<h2>The unseen toll on lives</h2>

Despite advancements in fungal disease diagnostics, the accessibility and utilisation of these tests remain limited, not only in low-income countries but globally. Gaps in diagnostic services, exemplified by the absence of tests for certain common fungi, contribute significantly to preventable deaths. Timely identification of severe Aspergillus infections, crucial for intervention within 48 hours, could potentially save millions of lives annually.

The primary fungi responsible for fatal lung infections are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Individuals with underlying lung conditions such as asthma, tuberculosis, and lung cancer, as well as those with leukemia or who have undergone organ transplants, face heightened risks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sex-development-disorders-existed-even-over-5000-years-ago-reveals-study-on-ancient-dna-680132">Also read |&nbsp;Sex-chromosome syndromes existed even 5,000 years ago, ancient&nbsp;DNA study reveals</a>

Misdiagnosis or delayed recognition by healthcare providers, coupled with inadequate diagnostic testing and a shortage of effective antifungal drugs, contribute to the mortality associated with these infections.

In a parallel challenge reminiscent of antibiotic resistance, antifungal resistance is on the rise. The indiscriminate use of certain fungicides on crops is exacerbating resistance rates to azole antifungal drugs, posing a significant threat to effective treatment.

<h2>The intersection with COVID-19</h2>

The COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked additional challenges, with a surge in Aspergillus and Candida infections among intensive care patients worldwide. The phenomenon of mucormycosis, known as "black fungus," witnessed a significant spike in cases following the pandemic in India, further highlighting the complex interplay between fungal infections and respiratory viruses.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/living-near-green-spaces-boosts-bone-strength-in-children-find-out-why-679863">Also read |&nbsp;Living near green spaces boosts bone strength in children. Find out why</a>

(With inputs from agencies)

Over a decade ago, a preliminary estimate pointed to approximately two million annual deaths globally due to fungal infections. Recent findings reveal a nearly twofold increase, with the current estimate standing at around 3.

Over a decade ago, a preliminary estimate pointed to approximately two million annual deaths globally due to fungal infections. Recent findings reveal a nearly twofold increase, with the current estimate standing at around 3.8 million deaths. This staggering number constitutes approximately 6.8 per cent of total global deaths. In a comparative analysis of global death statistics, fungal infections emerge as a significant contributor to mortality. With pneumonia at 2,600,000 (including some fungal cases) and tuberculosis at 1,208,000 (potentially including undiagnosed fungal diseases), fungal-related deaths command attention, comprising one-third of the 3,228,000 deaths attributed to smoke-related lung disease (COPD). The unseen toll on lives Despite advancements in fungal disease diagnostics, the accessibility and utilisation of these tests remain limited, not only in low-income countries but globally. Gaps in diagnostic services, exemplified by the absence of tests for certain common fungi, contribute significantly to preventable deaths. Timely identification of severe Aspergillus infections, crucial for intervention within 48 hours, could potentially save millions of lives annually. The primary fungi responsible for fatal lung infections are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Individuals with underlying lung conditions such as asthma, tuberculosis, and lung cancer, as well as those with leukemia or who have undergone organ transplants, face heightened risks. Also read | Sex-chromosome syndromes existed even 5,000 years ago, ancient DNA study reveals Misdiagnosis or delayed recognition by healthcare providers, coupled with inadequate diagnostic testing and a shortage of effective antifungal drugs, contribute to the mortality associated with these infections. In a parallel challenge reminiscent of antibiotic resistance, antifungal resistance is on the rise. The indiscriminate use of certain fungicides on crops is exacerbating resistance rates to azole antifungal drugs, posing a significant threat to effective treatment. The intersection with COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked additional challenges, with a surge in Aspergillus and Candida infections among intensive care patients worldwide. The phenomenon of mucormycosis, known as "black fungus," witnessed a significant spike in cases following the pandemic in India, further highlighting the complex interplay between fungal infections and respiratory viruses. Also read | Living near green spaces boosts bone strength in children. Find out why (With inputs from agencies)

Fungal infection deaths double globally in a decade: Study

Alaska has recorded the first case of a polar bear dying due to bird flu, alarming experts about the already stressed extant species. The polar bear died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), contracted by scavenging on bird carcasses infected with the deadly strain H5N1.

Alaska has recorded the first case of a polar bear dying due to bird flu, alarming experts about the already stressed extant species. The polar bear died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), contracted by scavenging on bird carcasses infected with the deadly strain H5N1. If the infection spreads, it could be dangerous for the Arctic population which is already facing issues due to climate change. The Division of Environmental Health officials confirmed the death in December after they found the dead polar bear in the northernmost town of Utqiagvik in October. The case wasn't a surprise, as black and brown bears have previously contracted the deadly virus. However, it's more concerning as polar bears are a vulnerable species. Loss of their sea habitat has already hit their population. If the infection spreads, additional deaths could serve as another blow to the species. Alaska's state veterinarian, Robert Gerlach, told Live Science that the infection might have already spread among other polar bears. ALSO READ | 'Magic islands' on Saturn's moon Titan are nothing but Swiss-cheese-like snow clusters First identified in 1996 in China, the H5N1 has now spread worldwide. In 2020, a new variant of the deadly virus emerged, killing unprecedented birds. It also spread to North America in 2021. The virus has impacted numerous mammals, resulting in thousands of deaths. Douglas Clark, associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan's School of Environment and Sustainability, said, "This is unlikely to be an isolated event. It's just that this one led to an outcome that was detected." Due to their habitat, monitoring the virus among polar bears can be difficult for experts. However, the risk of transmission among polar bears is low because they are a solitary species. But, the concern remains as they have started to feed more on seabirds due to the reduced sea ice. Pollution is another aspect which makes polar bears more vulnerable to bird flu. Anthropogenic chemicals highly affect the species as they accumulate in the high-fat diets of animals. As their fat store depletes, these stored pollutants start interfering with the immune system. Andrew Derocher, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Canada's University of Alberta, said, "A bear fasting for longer, nutritionally stressed, may have a weakened immune system. Now expose a bear with a weakened immune system to avian influenza and the issue of surviving the exposure becomes more challenging." (With inputs from agencies)

Polar bear dies of bird flu, triggering fresh concerns amid climate change

To all those who watched a Japan Airlines plane turn into a fireball within minutes at Tokyo's Haneda airport, it appeared extremely miraculous to believe that all on board emerged unhurt and alive. Even though, tragically, five out of six crew members on the Japan Coast Guard Dash 8 plane with which the flight had collided while landing on Tuesday (Jan 2) died, all the 379 passengers as well as crew members on board the Airbus A350 were able to survive. 
 
Even as investigations are being carried out into how the JAL plane erupted into a fireball, experts said that the flawless evacuation was a combination of the rigorous safety culture of Japan Airlines and modern safety standards.

<h2 lang="en-US">How did&nbsp;passengers have a safe evacuation?</h2>

In compliance with the instructions of the flight crew, the passengers dashed towards the emergency exits of the burning jet of Japan Airlines jet, while leaving their hand luggage behind. 
 
When the incident took place, only three inflatable slides were used for evacuating the passengers, however, they were not deployed properly because of how the plane landed. The slide was very steep which may have been dangerous.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/horrific-video-shows-chaos-inside-japan-flight-after-it-catches-fire-passengers-recall-miracle-escape-676030">Horrific video shows chaos inside Japan flight on fire. Passengers recall 'miracle’ escape</a>

The announcement system of the aircraft also malfunctioned amid the evacuation so the crew members were forced to convey instructions by shouting and using a megaphone, said Japan Airlines.

<h2 lang="en-US">What was the key aspect of evacuation?</h2>

As per the aviation experts, the simple step of leaving their valuables behind becomes a "major factor" which accelerates the speed of the evacuation. This was one such historic evacuation where the step proved very fruitful as the last person escaped moments before the entire aircraft was engulfed in flames on the runway of Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday (Jan 2). 
 
Speaking to the BBC, the industry professionals and aviation experts said that this was the result of the rigorous training that the staff had undergone as well as "well-behaved" passengers who actually followed the protocols. 
 
Director of the fire safety engineering group at the University of Greenwich in London Prof Ed Galea said, "I don't see a single passenger on the ground, in any of the videos I've seen, that has got their luggage with them… If people tried to take their cabin luggage, that's really dangerous because they would slow down the evacuation.”

<h2 lang="en-US">How much time should the crew take to evacuate in such situations?</h2>

Speaking to NBC News, aviation expert John Cox said that the Japan Airlines flight was an Airbus A350 which had a capacity of 380 passengers. He stated that in an emergency situation like this, "you want to get them out within 90 seconds." 
 
Cox appreciated how the crew made it possible to get everybody off the plane at the right time and also praised the passengers who actually followed their instructions.

Watch:&nbsp;Japan: Probe underway in Japan plane collision; 5 killed in Coast Guard aircraft

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-probe-underway-in-japan-plane-collision-5-killed-in-coast-guard-aircraft-676056/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"This is the way you do it. You follow the instructions, go to the exit you get on the slide and you get away from the aircraft and that’s what happened here. And that’s why it was so successful,” he said.

<h2 lang="en-US">What kind of training is provided to crew members?</h2>

A former attendant Japan Airlines flight, while speaking to the BBC, said the fact that passengers landed safely at Haneda airport was "incredibly fortunate". The airline had stated that in the end only one passenger&nbsp;had sustained bruises, while 13 others had requested medical consultations because of physical discomfort. 
 
"I felt relieved to find out that all the passengers were safe. But when I started thinking about the emergency evacuation procedure, I suddenly felt nervous and fearful. Depending on how the two planes collided and how the fire spread, it could have been a lot worse,” said the former flight attendant said. 
 
As per the former attendant, all new crew members go through stringent evacuation and rescue training for nearly three weeks before they are permitted to serve on commercial flights. The training – which also teaches how to control the tone and volume of the voice so that the passengers can clearly hear you – is also repeated every year. 
 
"We go through a written exam, case study discussions and practical training using different scenarios, such as when the plane has to make a water landing or if there is fire on board. Maintenance staff are also involved in such training," added the former flight attendant, who worked for the airline 10 years ago. 
 
Also, all aircraft manufacturers need to prove that everyone aboard is able to evacuate the plane within 90 seconds from the planes so as to get internationally recognised.

(With inputs from agencies)

To all those who watched a Japan Airlines plane turn into a fireball within minutes at Tokyo's Haneda airport, it appeared extremely miraculous to believe that all on board emerged unhurt and alive.

To all those who watched a Japan Airlines plane turn into a fireball within minutes at Tokyo's Haneda airport, it appeared extremely miraculous to believe that all on board emerged unhurt and alive. Even though, tragically, five out of six crew members on the Japan Coast Guard Dash 8 plane with which the flight had collided while landing on Tuesday (Jan 2) died, all the 379 passengers as well as crew members on board the Airbus A350 were able to survive. Even as investigations are being carried out into how the JAL plane erupted into a fireball, experts said that the flawless evacuation was a combination of the rigorous safety culture of Japan Airlines and modern safety standards. How did passengers have a safe evacuation? In compliance with the instructions of the flight crew, the passengers dashed towards the emergency exits of the burning jet of Japan Airlines jet, while leaving their hand luggage behind. When the incident took place, only three inflatable slides were used for evacuating the passengers, however, they were not deployed properly because of how the plane landed. The slide was very steep which may have been dangerous. Also read: Horrific video shows chaos inside Japan flight on fire. Passengers recall 'miracle’ escape The announcement system of the aircraft also malfunctioned amid the evacuation so the crew members were forced to convey instructions by shouting and using a megaphone, said Japan Airlines. What was the key aspect of evacuation? As per the aviation experts, the simple step of leaving their valuables behind becomes a "major factor" which accelerates the speed of the evacuation. This was one such historic evacuation where the step proved very fruitful as the last person escaped moments before the entire aircraft was engulfed in flames on the runway of Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday (Jan 2). Speaking to the BBC, the industry professionals and aviation experts said that this was the result of the rigorous training that the staff had undergone as well as "well-behaved" passengers who actually followed the protocols. Director of the fire safety engineering group at the University of Greenwich in London Prof Ed Galea said, "I don't see a single passenger on the ground, in any of the videos I've seen, that has got their luggage with them… If people tried to take their cabin luggage, that's really dangerous because they would slow down the evacuation.” How much time should the crew take to evacuate in such situations? Speaking to NBC News, aviation expert John Cox said that the Japan Airlines flight was an Airbus A350 which had a capacity of 380 passengers. He stated that in an emergency situation like this, "you want to get them out within 90 seconds." Cox appreciated how the crew made it possible to get everybody off the plane at the right time and also praised the passengers who actually followed their instructions. Watch: Japan: Probe underway in Japan plane collision; 5 killed in Coast Guard aircraft "This is the way you do it. You follow the instructions, go to the exit you get on the slide and you get away from the aircraft and that’s what happened here. And that’s why it was so successful,” he said. What kind of training is provided to crew members? A former attendant Japan Airlines flight, while speaking to the BBC, said the fact that passengers landed safely at Haneda airport was "incredibly fortunate". The airline had stated that in the end only one passenger had sustained bruises, while 13 others had requested medical consultations because of physical discomfort. "I felt relieved to find out that all the passengers were safe. But when I started thinking about the emergency evacuation procedure, I suddenly felt nervous and fearful. Depending on how the two planes collided and how the fire spread, it could have been a lot worse,” said the former flight attendant said. As per the former attendant, all new crew members go through stringent evacuation and rescue training for nearly three weeks before they are permitted to serve on commercial flights. The training – which also teaches how to control the tone and volume of the voice so that the passengers can clearly hear you – is also repeated every year. "We go through a written exam, case study discussions and practical training using different scenarios, such as when the plane has to make a water landing or if there is fire on board. Maintenance staff are also involved in such training," added the former flight attendant, who worked for the airline 10 years ago. Also, all aircraft manufacturers need to prove that everyone aboard is able to evacuate the plane within 90 seconds from the planes so as to get internationally recognised. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | How flawless evacuation helped passengers escape death in Japan jet fireball

Police officials found a man dead inside a plane engine at Salt Lake City International Airport after they said that he breached an emergency exit door, climbed inside the engine of the jet and walked onto the tarmac.

Thirty-year-old Kyler Efinger, who lived in Park City, was found lying unconscious inside an engine - which had been mounted to the wing of a commercial aircraft filled with passengers - by the police officers on Monday night (Jan 1), announced the Salt Lake City Police Department on Tuesday (Jan 2). The plane was standing on a de-icing pad and its engines were rotating.&nbsp;

The airport said that the man got onto the airport's secure ramp area through a terminal emergency exit and, “ran to the south end of the airport’s west runway where deicing operations were underway and crawled into an aircraft engine that was not running.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/horrific-video-shows-chaos-inside-japan-flight-after-it-catches-fire-passengers-recall-miracle-escape-676030">Horrific video shows chaos inside Japan flight on fire. Passengers recall 'miracle’ escape</a>

Emergency responders discovered the man “unconscious and were not able to revive him,” said the airport. “It is unclear at this time what injuries caused the man’s death," it added. The police said that Efinger was a ticketed passenger and had a boarding pass to Denver.

Delta Air Lines said that their Flight 2348 was about to depart for San Francisco, but it returned to the gate and all 95 passengers were deplaned. Finally, the flight was cancelled.&nbsp;

<h2>Police receive call from store manager&nbsp;</h2>

The police officials reached the airport around 10 pm (local time) after a store manager called 911 from the airport and reported a disturbance which involved a passenger inside a terminal, said the police in a press release. The details of the disturbance are still being investigated by the police.

The police said that Efinger went through one of the emergency exit doors of the terminal and onto the outdoor ramp area of the airport.

Watch:&nbsp;India: Gujarat probes 'Donkey Flight', 55 questions asked to passengers so far&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-gujarat-probes-donkey-flight-55-questions-asked-to-passengers-so-far-india-news-wion-676057/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The police found the man during the search and later discovered his personal items - like clothes and shoes - on one of the runways.&nbsp;

When Efinger was found by the police, he was unconscious and “partially inside” one of the wing-mounted engines of the commercial plane which were still rotating. The police added, “The specific stage of engine operation remains under investigation.”

“SLCPD officers and Airport Operations pulled the man from the engine’s intake cowling, secured the scene, began lifesaving efforts, and requested emergency medical services,” the release said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Police officials found a man dead inside a plane engine at Salt Lake City International Airport after they said that he breached an emergency exit door, climbed inside the engine of the jet and walked onto the tarmac.

Police officials found a man dead inside a plane engine at Salt Lake City International Airport after they said that he breached an emergency exit door, climbed inside the engine of the jet and walked onto the tarmac. Thirty-year-old Kyler Efinger, who lived in Park City, was found lying unconscious inside an engine - which had been mounted to the wing of a commercial aircraft filled with passengers - by the police officers on Monday night (Jan 1), announced the Salt Lake City Police Department on Tuesday (Jan 2). The plane was standing on a de-icing pad and its engines were rotating. The airport said that the man got onto the airport's secure ramp area through a terminal emergency exit and, “ran to the south end of the airport’s west runway where deicing operations were underway and crawled into an aircraft engine that was not running.” Also read: Horrific video shows chaos inside Japan flight on fire. Passengers recall 'miracle’ escape Emergency responders discovered the man “unconscious and were not able to revive him,” said the airport. “It is unclear at this time what injuries caused the man’s death," it added. The police said that Efinger was a ticketed passenger and had a boarding pass to Denver. Delta Air Lines said that their Flight 2348 was about to depart for San Francisco, but it returned to the gate and all 95 passengers were deplaned. Finally, the flight was cancelled. Police receive call from store manager The police officials reached the airport around 10 pm (local time) after a store manager called 911 from the airport and reported a disturbance which involved a passenger inside a terminal, said the police in a press release. The details of the disturbance are still being investigated by the police. The police said that Efinger went through one of the emergency exit doors of the terminal and onto the outdoor ramp area of the airport. Watch: India: Gujarat probes 'Donkey Flight', 55 questions asked to passengers so far The police found the man during the search and later discovered his personal items - like clothes and shoes - on one of the runways. When Efinger was found by the police, he was unconscious and “partially inside” one of the wing-mounted engines of the commercial plane which were still rotating. The police added, “The specific stage of engine operation remains under investigation.” “SLCPD officers and Airport Operations pulled the man from the engine’s intake cowling, secured the scene, began lifesaving efforts, and requested emergency medical services,” the release said. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Man dies inside jet engine of aircraft at Salt Lake City International Airport

Melissa Hoskins, Australian Olympic track cyclist and former world champion, passed away in a car crash in the country's south, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said on Monday (Jan 1). Hoskins, 32, clinched gold in the team pursuit at the 2015 world championships. In addition, she&nbsp;was&nbsp;part of Australia's team at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. Soon after her death, her husband and fellow Aussie cyclist Rohan Dennis was taken into custody for 'dangerous driving'.&nbsp;

Melissa's family have now reacted to the shocking development with her parents Peter and Amanda, and sister Jess admitting to be "utterly devastated".&nbsp; In a statement, they said that they had been "overwhelmed" by the "outpouring of sadness and support".

<h2>'She was the rock of their life and ours'</h2>

"Myself, Amanda, Jess and families are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened. Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life."

"She was the rock of their life and ours and we need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched."

They added: "In her short life, Melissa has had so many positive touch points in and around the world."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cycling-australian-former-world-champion-melissa-hoskins-passes-away-in-car-crash-675418">Cycling: Former world champion Melissa Hoskins passes away in car crash, husband charged over death</a>

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC)&nbsp;also reacted to Melissa's death and wrote on X, "The AOC has expressed the utmost sadness at the loss of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins after the tragic events in Adelaide. Our condolences go to Melissa's family, friends and the cycling community at this extremely difficult time."

Melissa suffered serious injuries in the car accident and breathed her last in the hospital, in Adelaide.

Following her demise, the Olympic cyclist's&nbsp;husband Dennis was arrested for dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life -- according to&nbsp;the police's statement. He was later released on bail until March, 2024. It is to be noted that the two got married in 2018 and have two children.&nbsp;

Melissa Hoskins, Australian Olympic track cyclist and former world champion, passed away in a car crash in the country's south, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said on Monday (Jan 1).

Melissa Hoskins, Australian Olympic track cyclist and former world champion, passed away in a car crash in the country's south, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said on Monday (Jan 1). Hoskins, 32, clinched gold in the team pursuit at the 2015 world championships. In addition, she was part of Australia's team at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. Soon after her death, her husband and fellow Aussie cyclist Rohan Dennis was taken into custody for 'dangerous driving'. Melissa's family have now reacted to the shocking development with her parents Peter and Amanda, and sister Jess admitting to be "utterly devastated". In a statement, they said that they had been "overwhelmed" by the "outpouring of sadness and support". 'She was the rock of their life and ours' "Myself, Amanda, Jess and families are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened. Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life." "She was the rock of their life and ours and we need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched." They added: "In her short life, Melissa has had so many positive touch points in and around the world." Also read: Cycling: Former world champion Melissa Hoskins passes away in car crash, husband charged over death Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) also reacted to Melissa's death and wrote on X, "The AOC has expressed the utmost sadness at the loss of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins after the tragic events in Adelaide. Our condolences go to Melissa's family, friends and the cycling community at this extremely difficult time." Melissa suffered serious injuries in the car accident and breathed her last in the hospital, in Adelaide. Following her demise, the Olympic cyclist's husband Dennis was arrested for dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life -- according to the police's statement. He was later released on bail until March, 2024. It is to be noted that the two got married in 2018 and have two children.

Melissa Hoskins’ family reacts to Olympic cyclist’s death, says they are ‘utterly devastated’

South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun's family and friends mourn his demise and the public criticism of police and media conduct during the investigation of his alleged drug use is now on the rise. Lee who was best known for his performance in the Oscar-winning movie Parasite was found dead in a car earlier this week. While celebrities continue to mourn his demise the actor's reputation has suffered a blow.

Seoul: South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun found dead in a car amid drug case

New findings in the inquiry done by the Israeli military have concluded that the deaths of three hostages could have been prevented. The probe comes as the Israeli military came under fire this month after they admitted to killing hostages in Gaza.

Israel-Hamas war: Military probe on hostages killed in Gaza

A woman in India's Jaipur city lost her life after a heated argument escalated, resulting in a man deliberately running over her with a car. The incident took place outside a Jaipur hotel and was captured on CCTV in the early hours of Tuesday (Dec 26).

CCTV footage shows&nbsp;Mangesh Arora, the accused, running over the woman, Uma, and her friend Rajkumar. Despite attempts by onlookers to intervene, Mangesh drove his car over the victims, leading to Uma's and causing injuries to Rajkumar.

The tragic event occurred between 5:30 am and 6 am outside a hotel on Girdhar Marg in the Jawahar Circle police station area. Uma, a resident of Madhya Pradesh working in Jaipur, and her friend Rajkumar became victims of the intentional car strike.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-dead-fire-reported-at-indian-oil-plant-in-chennai-674001">Also read |&nbsp;One dead, fire reported at Indian Oil plant in Chennai</a>

<h2>Altercation originating from comments</h2>

The incident stemmed from comments made by Mangesh and his girlfriend towards Uma, leading to objections from Rajkumar.

The situation escalated into a verbal spat&nbsp;in front of the hotel, prompting Mangesh to leave temporarily. However, he returned shortly, driving his car into Uma and Rajkumar.

Police official Dalbeer Singh provided insights into the investigation to ANI, stating that Mangesh and his girlfriend initiated the altercation. Following the fatal act, the accused fled the scene.

Also watch |&nbsp;India: Ammonia leak in Chennai's Tamil Nadu leave at least 34 hospitalised

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-ammonia-leak-in-chennais-tamil-nadu-leave-at-least-34-hospitalised-674071/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The accused, Mangesh, was having drinks with her girlfriend there. After some time, they started passing comments on Uma. When Rajkumar objected to the comments, Mangesh said he already knew him," Singh said.

The police are actively examining CCTV footage to apprehend Mangesh, who is currently on the run. A case has been filed against him under charges of murder and attempted murder, and a thorough investigation is underway to bring justice to the victims. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A woman in India's Jaipur city lost her life after a heated argument escalated, resulting in a man deliberately running over her with a car. The incident took place outside a Jaipur hotel and was captured on CCTV in the early hours of Tuesday (Dec 26).

A woman in India's Jaipur city lost her life after a heated argument escalated, resulting in a man deliberately running over her with a car. The incident took place outside a Jaipur hotel and was captured on CCTV in the early hours of Tuesday (Dec 26). CCTV footage shows Mangesh Arora, the accused, running over the woman, Uma, and her friend Rajkumar. Despite attempts by onlookers to intervene, Mangesh drove his car over the victims, leading to Uma's and causing injuries to Rajkumar. The tragic event occurred between 5:30 am and 6 am outside a hotel on Girdhar Marg in the Jawahar Circle police station area. Uma, a resident of Madhya Pradesh working in Jaipur, and her friend Rajkumar became victims of the intentional car strike. Also read | One dead, fire reported at Indian Oil plant in Chennai Altercation originating from comments The incident stemmed from comments made by Mangesh and his girlfriend towards Uma, leading to objections from Rajkumar. The situation escalated into a verbal spat in front of the hotel, prompting Mangesh to leave temporarily. However, he returned shortly, driving his car into Uma and Rajkumar. Police official Dalbeer Singh provided insights into the investigation to ANI, stating that Mangesh and his girlfriend initiated the altercation. Following the fatal act, the accused fled the scene. Also watch | India: Ammonia leak in Chennai's Tamil Nadu leave at least 34 hospitalised "The accused, Mangesh, was having drinks with her girlfriend there. After some time, they started passing comments on Uma. When Rajkumar objected to the comments, Mangesh said he already knew him," Singh said. The police are actively examining CCTV footage to apprehend Mangesh, who is currently on the run. A case has been filed against him under charges of murder and attempted murder, and a thorough investigation is underway to bring justice to the victims. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Woman dies in Jaipur after man deliberately runs over her with car

From Gaza to Ukraine, the shadow of war looms large this Christmas season. In Bethlehem, in the land where Jesus was born, Christmas has been effectively cancelled. Watch this video for more.

Gravitas | Gaza to Ukraine: Heartbreak Christmas with blood, death and tears

Russian bombardment killed at least four people and injured more than five over 24 hours in the Frontline Southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. On the other hand, Russian installed officials in the Eastern town of Horka said that Kyiv's shelling killed one person.

Russia-Ukraine war: Russian strikes kill at least 4 in Kherson

Gaza Health officials report dozens killed in an Israeli strike as the focus on Israel's war against Hamas militants shifts to the besieged territories. Israel's relentless air and ground offensive has left much of Gaza in ruins and killed over 20,000 people mostly women and children.

Gaza officials: Homes destroyed in Israeli strikes on Al-Maghazi camp, at least 70 killed

Is your death near or do you have a long life left to live? These kinds of questions time and again occupy our minds and we remain curious about our life span. 
 
But now, with the advancement of artificial intelligence technology, researchers are also trying to solve all our curiosities. A new AI death calculator has been developed which is said to predict when a person will die with a scary accuracy of 78 per cent. 
 
“We use the technology behind ChatGPT (something called transformer models) to analyze human lives by representing each person as the sequence of events that happens in their life,” said Sune Lehmann, lead author of the study “Using a sequence of life-events to predict human lives”, which was published in December 2023, reported the New York Post.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ais-dark-world-apps-misuse-tech-for-undressing-women-in-photos-gain-popularity-667920">Tech’s dark world: Apps, websites misuse AI for undressing women in photos, gain popularity</a>

Lehmann, who is a professor of network and complex systems from the Technical University of Denmark along with the co-authors, in the report introduced the world to an algorithm called as “life2vec”, which has been using selective information from the life of an individual – which includes health history, residence, income and profession – to find their life expectancy, which they claim to be 78 per cent accurate. 
 
“We use the fact that in a certain sense, human lives share a similarity with language,” said Lehmann. “Just like words follow each other in sentences, events follow each other in human lives,” the professor added.

<h2>Model can predict almost anything, claims&nbsp;author</h2>

The newly-built model life2vec is a little different from the famous ChatGPT, which is a bot that is being employed by tech wizards to help them find their dream jobs and even find the perfect outfit. This AI model is capable of computing the outcomes of life by closely examining a person's past. 
 
“This model can predict almost anything,” said Lehmann, while further emphasising that his research team has used specialised programmes to foretell the personalities of people. 
 
“We predicted death because it’s something people have worked on for many years (for example, insurance companies), so we had a good sense of what was possible,” he added.

Watch:&nbsp;Study: Fights for AI talent intensifying on wall street

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/study-fights-for-ai-talent-intensifying-on-wall-street-664150/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The troop of Lehmann examined a heterogeneous subject population of around 6 million Danish people, who were of different sex and age, between 2008 and 2020. The life2vec was used by the analysts to discover which of the subjects would likely continue living for at least four years after January 1, 2016. 
 
“The scale of our dataset allows us to construct sequence-level representations of individual human life trajectories, which detail how each person moves through time,” the report read. “We can observe how individual lives evolve in a space of diverse event types (information about a heart attack is mixed with salary increases or information about moving from an urban to a rural area),” it added. 
 
The AI-specific information, regarding each study participant, was fed by the researchers using simple language like, “In September 2012, Francisco received 20,000 Danish kroner as a guard at a castle in Elsinore” or “During her third year at secondary boarding school, Hermione followed five elective classes.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Is your death near or do you have a long life left to live? These kinds of questions time and again occupy our minds and we remain curious about our life span. But now, with the advancement of artificial intelligence technology, researchers are also trying to solve all our curiosities.

Is your death near or do you have a long life left to live? These kinds of questions time and again occupy our minds and we remain curious about our life span. But now, with the advancement of artificial intelligence technology, researchers are also trying to solve all our curiosities. A new AI death calculator has been developed which is said to predict when a person will die with a scary accuracy of 78 per cent. “We use the technology behind ChatGPT (something called transformer models) to analyze human lives by representing each person as the sequence of events that happens in their life,” said Sune Lehmann, lead author of the study “Using a sequence of life-events to predict human lives”, which was published in December 2023, reported the New York Post. Also read: Tech’s dark world: Apps, websites misuse AI for undressing women in photos, gain popularity Lehmann, who is a professor of network and complex systems from the Technical University of Denmark along with the co-authors, in the report introduced the world to an algorithm called as “life2vec”, which has been using selective information from the life of an individual – which includes health history, residence, income and profession – to find their life expectancy, which they claim to be 78 per cent accurate. “We use the fact that in a certain sense, human lives share a similarity with language,” said Lehmann. “Just like words follow each other in sentences, events follow each other in human lives,” the professor added. Model can predict almost anything, claims author The newly-built model life2vec is a little different from the famous ChatGPT, which is a bot that is being employed by tech wizards to help them find their dream jobs and even find the perfect outfit. This AI model is capable of computing the outcomes of life by closely examining a person's past. “This model can predict almost anything,” said Lehmann, while further emphasising that his research team has used specialised programmes to foretell the personalities of people. “We predicted death because it’s something people have worked on for many years (for example, insurance companies), so we had a good sense of what was possible,” he added. Watch: Study: Fights for AI talent intensifying on wall street The troop of Lehmann examined a heterogeneous subject population of around 6 million Danish people, who were of different sex and age, between 2008 and 2020. The life2vec was used by the analysts to discover which of the subjects would likely continue living for at least four years after January 1, 2016. “The scale of our dataset allows us to construct sequence-level representations of individual human life trajectories, which detail how each person moves through time,” the report read. “We can observe how individual lives evolve in a space of diverse event types (information about a heart attack is mixed with salary increases or information about moving from an urban to a rural area),” it added. The AI-specific information, regarding each study participant, was fed by the researchers using simple language like, “In September 2012, Francisco received 20,000 Danish kroner as a guard at a castle in Elsinore” or “During her third year at secondary boarding school, Hermione followed five elective classes.” (With inputs from agencies)

AI gets creepier, death calculator boasts 'accuracy' in predicting your death date

What if you can bring back the dead? Would you want AI to digitally resurrect your loved ones? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas | How AI is resurrecting the dead

At a quiet cemetery in eastern China, bereaved father Seakoo Wu pulls out his phone, places it on a gravestone and plays a recording of his son.

They are words that the late student never spoke, but brought into being with artificial intelligence.

"I know you're in great pain every day because of me, and feel guilty and helpless," intones Xuanmo in a slightly robotic voice.

"Even though I can't be by your side ever again, my soul is still in this world, accompanying you through life."

Stricken by grief, Wu and his wife have joined a growing number of Chinese people turning to AI technology to create lifelike avatars of their departed.

WATCH |&nbsp;Chinese mourners use AI to make digital versions of the deceased

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-mourners-use-ai-to-make-digital-versions-of-the-deceased-669627/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ultimately Wu wants to build a fully realistic replica that behaves just like his dead son but dwells in virtual reality.

"Once we synchronise reality and the metaverse, I'll have my son with me again," Wu said.

"I can train him... so that when he sees me, he knows I'm his father."

Some Chinese firms claim to have created thousands of "digital people" from as little as 30 seconds of audiovisual material of the deceased.

Experts say they can offer much-needed comfort for people devastated by the loss of loved ones.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ai-dominates-conversations-in-2023-named-word-of-the-year-by-collins-dictionary-653747">Artificial Intelligence dominates conversations in 2023, named 'Word of the Year' by Collins Dictionary</a>

But they also evoke an unsettling theme from the British sci-fi series "Black Mirror" in which people rely on advanced AI for bereavement support.

<h2>- 'Needs are growing' -&nbsp;</h2>

Wu and his wife were devastated when Xuanmo, their only child, died of a sudden stroke last year at the age of 22 while attending Exeter University in Britain.

The accounting and finance student, keen sportsman and posthumous organ donor "had such a rich and varied life", said Wu.

"He always carried in him this desire to help people and a sense of right and wrong," he told AFP.

Following a boom in deep learning technologies like ChatGPT in China, Wu began researching ways to resurrect him.

He gathered photos, videos and audio recordings of his son, and spent thousands of dollars hiring AI firms that cloned Xuanmo's face and voice.

The results so far are rudimentary, but he has also set up a work team to create a database containing vast amounts of information on his son.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-first-ai-powered-campaign-caller-ashley-deployed-ahead-of-2024-elections-in-us-669250">World’s first AI-powered campaign caller ‘Ashley’ deployed ahead of 2024 elections in US</a>

Wu hopes to feed it into powerful algorithms to create an avatar capable of copying his son's thinking and speech patterns with extreme precision.

Several companies specialising in so-called "ghost bots" have emerged in the United States in recent years.

But the industry is booming in China, according to Zhang Zewei, the founder of the AI firm Super Brain and a former collaborator with Wu.

"On AI technology, China is in the highest class worldwide," said Zhang from a workspace in the eastern city of Jingjiang.

"And there are so many people in China, many with emotional needs, which gives us an advantage when it comes to market demand."

Super Brain charges between 10,000 and 20,000 yuan ($1,400-$2,800) to create a basic avatar within about 20 days, said Zhang.

They range from those who have died to living parents unable to spend time with their children and -- controversially -- a heartbroken woman's ex-boyfriend.

Clients can even hold video calls with a staff member whose face and voice are digitally overlaid with those of the person they have lost.

"The significance for... the whole world is huge," Zhang said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-to-ban-use-of-ai-biometric-surveillance-by-police-without-judicial-authorisation-report-668888">EU to ban use of AI biometric surveillance by police without judicial authorisation: Report</a> 
 
"A digital version of someone (can) exist forever, even after their body has been lost."

<h2>- 'New humanism' -&nbsp;</h2>

Sima Huapeng, who founded Nanjing-based Silicon Intelligence, said the technology would "bring about a new kind of humanism".

He likened it to portraiture and photography, which helped people commemorate the dead in revolutionary ways.

Tal Morse, a visiting research fellow at the Centre for Death and Society at Britain's University of Bath, said ghost bots may offer comfort.

But he cautioned that more research was needed to understand their psychological and ethical implications.

"A key question here is... how 'loyal' are the ghost bots to the personality they were designed to mimic," Morse told AFP.

"What happens if they do things that will 'contaminate' the memory of the person they are supposed to represent?"

Another quandary arises from the inability of dead people to consent, experts said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/chinese-scientists-let-ai-control-satellite-it-takes-closer-look-at-india-japanese-regions-582686">Chinese scientists let AI control satellite, it takes ‘closer look’ at specific spots in India, Japan</a>

While permission was probably unnecessary to mimic speech or behaviour, it might be needed to "do certain other things with that simulacrum", said Nate Sharadin, a philosopher at the University of Hong Kong specialising in AI and its social effects.

For Super Brain's Zhang, all new technology is "a double-edged sword".&nbsp;

"As long as we're helping those who need it, I see no problem".

He doesn't work with those for whom it could have negative impacts, he said, citing a woman who had attempted suicide after her daughter's death.

Bereaved father Wu said Xuanmo "probably would have been willing" to be digitally revived.

"One day, son, we will all reunite in the metaverse," he said as his wife dissolved into tears before his grave.

"The technology is getting better every day... it's just a matter of time."

At a quiet cemetery in eastern China, bereaved father Seakoo Wu pulls out his phone, places it on a gravestone and plays a recording of his son. They are words that the late student never spoke, but brought into being with artificial intelligence.

At a quiet cemetery in eastern China, bereaved father Seakoo Wu pulls out his phone, places it on a gravestone and plays a recording of his son. They are words that the late student never spoke, but brought into being with artificial intelligence. "I know you're in great pain every day because of me, and feel guilty and helpless," intones Xuanmo in a slightly robotic voice. "Even though I can't be by your side ever again, my soul is still in this world, accompanying you through life." Stricken by grief, Wu and his wife have joined a growing number of Chinese people turning to AI technology to create lifelike avatars of their departed. WATCH | Chinese mourners use AI to make digital versions of the deceased Ultimately Wu wants to build a fully realistic replica that behaves just like his dead son but dwells in virtual reality. "Once we synchronise reality and the metaverse, I'll have my son with me again," Wu said. "I can train him... so that when he sees me, he knows I'm his father." Some Chinese firms claim to have created thousands of "digital people" from as little as 30 seconds of audiovisual material of the deceased. Experts say they can offer much-needed comfort for people devastated by the loss of loved ones. ALSO READ | Artificial Intelligence dominates conversations in 2023, named 'Word of the Year' by Collins Dictionary But they also evoke an unsettling theme from the British sci-fi series "Black Mirror" in which people rely on advanced AI for bereavement support. - 'Needs are growing' - Wu and his wife were devastated when Xuanmo, their only child, died of a sudden stroke last year at the age of 22 while attending Exeter University in Britain. The accounting and finance student, keen sportsman and posthumous organ donor "had such a rich and varied life", said Wu. "He always carried in him this desire to help people and a sense of right and wrong," he told AFP. Following a boom in deep learning technologies like ChatGPT in China, Wu began researching ways to resurrect him. He gathered photos, videos and audio recordings of his son, and spent thousands of dollars hiring AI firms that cloned Xuanmo's face and voice. The results so far are rudimentary, but he has also set up a work team to create a database containing vast amounts of information on his son. ALSO READ | World’s first AI-powered campaign caller ‘Ashley’ deployed ahead of 2024 elections in US Wu hopes to feed it into powerful algorithms to create an avatar capable of copying his son's thinking and speech patterns with extreme precision. Several companies specialising in so-called "ghost bots" have emerged in the United States in recent years. But the industry is booming in China, according to Zhang Zewei, the founder of the AI firm Super Brain and a former collaborator with Wu. "On AI technology, China is in the highest class worldwide," said Zhang from a workspace in the eastern city of Jingjiang. "And there are so many people in China, many with emotional needs, which gives us an advantage when it comes to market demand." Super Brain charges between 10,000 and 20,000 yuan ($1,400-$2,800) to create a basic avatar within about 20 days, said Zhang. They range from those who have died to living parents unable to spend time with their children and -- controversially -- a heartbroken woman's ex-boyfriend. Clients can even hold video calls with a staff member whose face and voice are digitally overlaid with those of the person they have lost. "The significance for... the whole world is huge," Zhang said. ALSO READ | EU to ban use of AI biometric surveillance by police without judicial authorisation: Report "A digital version of someone (can) exist forever, even after their body has been lost." - 'New humanism' - Sima Huapeng, who founded Nanjing-based Silicon Intelligence, said the technology would "bring about a new kind of humanism". He likened it to portraiture and photography, which helped people commemorate the dead in revolutionary ways. Tal Morse, a visiting research fellow at the Centre for Death and Society at Britain's University of Bath, said ghost bots may offer comfort. But he cautioned that more research was needed to understand their psychological and ethical implications. "A key question here is... how 'loyal' are the ghost bots to the personality they were designed to mimic," Morse told AFP. "What happens if they do things that will 'contaminate' the memory of the person they are supposed to represent?" Another quandary arises from the inability of dead people to consent, experts said. ALSO READ | Chinese scientists let AI control satellite, it takes ‘closer look’ at specific spots in India, Japan While permission was probably unnecessary to mimic speech or behaviour, it might be needed to "do certain other things with that simulacrum", said Nate Sharadin, a philosopher at the University of Hong Kong specialising in AI and its social effects. For Super Brain's Zhang, all new technology is "a double-edged sword". "As long as we're helping those who need it, I see no problem". He doesn't work with those for whom it could have negative impacts, he said, citing a woman who had attempted suicide after her daughter's death. Bereaved father Wu said Xuanmo "probably would have been willing" to be digitally revived. "One day, son, we will all reunite in the metaverse," he said as his wife dissolved into tears before his grave. "The technology is getting better every day... it's just a matter of time."

Chinese mourners use AI to digitally resurrect the dead

Japanese prosecutors are seeking death penalty for Shinji Aoba, the man charged with the 2019 arson attack on Kyoto Animation, as the final verdict is set to be delivered on January 25.

The devastating blaze in July 2019 that sent shockwaves through Japan resulted in the tragic killing of 36 people. Aoba, who suffered severe burns in the incident, has confessed to igniting the fire. He is now facing multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and arson.

Japan maintains the death penalty and administers it in cases of serious crimes, even though the country has faced criticism from human rights organisations for its use. Concerns have also been raised about potential flaws in the justice system, such as reliance on confessions and limited access to legal representation.

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Aoba's confession of having started the fire came in September.

On Wednesday (Dec 6) he, for the first time, expressed remorse during his trial, acknowledging his deep sorrow and guilt.

"I feel tremendously sorry and the feeling includes a sense of guilt," Aoba reportedly told the court.&nbsp;

<h2>What are the accusations?&nbsp;</h2>

Aoba is accused of setting the blaze in rage over alleged stealing of ideas by Kyoto Animation. He unlawfully entered the studio, poured&nbsp;gasoline on the ground, and set it ablaze while reportedly shouting "drop dead". Those who died included young staff members, with more than 30 others sustaining injuries.

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At the trial, prosecutors described the arson as an act "committed out of misplaced resentment," attributing Aoba's actions to a delusional belief that Kyoto Animation had stolen his ideas, an accusation vehemently denied by the studio.

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Aoba, who suffered extensive burns covering over 90 per cent of his skin, underwent multiple surgeries and regained consciousness weeks later. His lawyers have entered the not-guilty plea,&nbsp;arguing that he lacked the capacity to distinguish between right and wrong due to a mental disorder.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japanese prosecutors are seeking death penalty for Shinji Aoba, the man charged with the 2019 arson attack on Kyoto Animation, as the final verdict is set to be delivered on January 25.

Japanese prosecutors are seeking death penalty for Shinji Aoba, the man charged with the 2019 arson attack on Kyoto Animation, as the final verdict is set to be delivered on January 25. The devastating blaze in July 2019 that sent shockwaves through Japan resulted in the tragic killing of 36 people. Aoba, who suffered severe burns in the incident, has confessed to igniting the fire. He is now facing multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and arson. Japan maintains the death penalty and administers it in cases of serious crimes, even though the country has faced criticism from human rights organisations for its use. Concerns have also been raised about potential flaws in the justice system, such as reliance on confessions and limited access to legal representation. Also Read | Republican candidates get vile in absence of Donald Trump in GOP debate: Key takeaways Aoba's confession of having started the fire came in September. On Wednesday (Dec 6) he, for the first time, expressed remorse during his trial, acknowledging his deep sorrow and guilt. "I feel tremendously sorry and the feeling includes a sense of guilt," Aoba reportedly told the court. What are the accusations? Aoba is accused of setting the blaze in rage over alleged stealing of ideas by Kyoto Animation. He unlawfully entered the studio, poured gasoline on the ground, and set it ablaze while reportedly shouting "drop dead". Those who died included young staff members, with more than 30 others sustaining injuries. Also Read | Israel knew about 'threat' to Supernova festival, left organisers to 'fend for themselves': Report At the trial, prosecutors described the arson as an act "committed out of misplaced resentment," attributing Aoba's actions to a delusional belief that Kyoto Animation had stolen his ideas, an accusation vehemently denied by the studio. Watch | Israel-Hamas war: Watch what Israel has to say on civilian deaths × Aoba, who suffered extensive burns covering over 90 per cent of his skin, underwent multiple surgeries and regained consciousness weeks later. His lawyers have entered the not-guilty plea, arguing that he lacked the capacity to distinguish between right and wrong due to a mental disorder. (With inputs from agencies)

2019 Kyoto Animation arson case: Japan prosecutors seek death penalty for Shinji Aoba

Former US State Secretary Henry Kissinger’s death has sparked a bitter remembrance in Latin America, particularly in Chile, where his involvement in the 1973 coup left a lasting impact, along with his role in Operation Condor.

Juan Gabriel Valdes, Chile’s ambassador to the US, as quoted by the Guardian said, "Henry Kissinger was a man whose historical brilliance was never able to conceal his profound moral wretchedness."

The 1973 coup orchestrated by Kissinger led to the demise of democratically elected socialist president Salvador Allende, paving the way for the brutal dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.

While speaking about Kissinger’s role in disrupting Chile’s constitutional order, historian Gabriel Salazar, said, “He provoked the downfall of [Allende’s] developmental policies and then the installation of the neoliberal economic model which is still in place today – that’s why we associate Kissinger with Pinochet here in Chile.”

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Declassified files published by the NSA underscore Kissinger’s pivotal role in the Chilean coup. But Kissinger's influence extended beyond Chile as he played a role in Operation Condor.

Operation Condor was a covert intelligence-sharing and coordination programme that took place in the 1970s and early 1980s among the intelligence agencies of several South American countries. The operation was conducted to eliminate political opposition and left-wing activism across the region.

Peter Kornbluh, senior analyst at the US' National Security Archive, reportedly highlighted Kissinger's disregard for human rights, noting that he embraced repressive regimes as strategic pawns in the global chessboard of the Cold War.

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<h2>Argentina&nbsp;</h2>

Myriam Bregman, an Argentine human rights lawyer, accused Kissinger of encouraging coups and justifying genocidal actions against workers and students in the region.

Kissinger's controversial stance during then US President Jimmy Carter’s pro-human rights presidency further fuelled criticism.

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As Latin America is looking back on Kissinger’s dark legacy, the sentiments are one of deep-seated resentment for his role in supporting authoritarian regimes and undermining democratic processes in the pursuit of geopolitical interests.
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(With inputs from agencies)

Former US State Secretary Henry Kissinger’s death has sparked a bitter remembrance in Latin America, particularly in Chile, where his involvement in the 1973 coup left a lasting impact, along with his role in Operation Condor.

Former US State Secretary Henry Kissinger’s death has sparked a bitter remembrance in Latin America, particularly in Chile, where his involvement in the 1973 coup left a lasting impact, along with his role in Operation Condor. Juan Gabriel Valdes, Chile’s ambassador to the US, as quoted by the Guardian said, "Henry Kissinger was a man whose historical brilliance was never able to conceal his profound moral wretchedness." The 1973 coup orchestrated by Kissinger led to the demise of democratically elected socialist president Salvador Allende, paving the way for the brutal dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. While speaking about Kissinger’s role in disrupting Chile’s constitutional order, historian Gabriel Salazar, said, “He provoked the downfall of [Allende’s] developmental policies and then the installation of the neoliberal economic model which is still in place today – that’s why we associate Kissinger with Pinochet here in Chile.” Also Read | British Army used solar panels created out of forced labour in China: report Declassified files published by the NSA underscore Kissinger’s pivotal role in the Chilean coup. But Kissinger's influence extended beyond Chile as he played a role in Operation Condor. Operation Condor was a covert intelligence-sharing and coordination programme that took place in the 1970s and early 1980s among the intelligence agencies of several South American countries. The operation was conducted to eliminate political opposition and left-wing activism across the region. Peter Kornbluh, senior analyst at the US' National Security Archive, reportedly highlighted Kissinger's disregard for human rights, noting that he embraced repressive regimes as strategic pawns in the global chessboard of the Cold War. WATCH | Indonesia's Marapi volcano erupts, blanketing West Sumatra with layers of ash Argentina Myriam Bregman, an Argentine human rights lawyer, accused Kissinger of encouraging coups and justifying genocidal actions against workers and students in the region. Kissinger's controversial stance during then US President Jimmy Carter’s pro-human rights presidency further fuelled criticism. Watch | Israel-Hamas war: Hamas says not talks till the bombing stops on Gaza × As Latin America is looking back on Kissinger’s dark legacy, the sentiments are one of deep-seated resentment for his role in supporting authoritarian regimes and undermining democratic processes in the pursuit of geopolitical interests. (With inputs from agencies)

Latin America remembers Kissinger's dark legacy bitterly, Chile's 'Pinochet' and his role in Operation Condor

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake shook&nbsp;the southern Philippines on Sunday, intensifying the prevailing anxiety in the region. The US Geological Survey reported&nbsp;this seismic event as one among the series of potent aftershocks experienced since the previous day's more powerful quake.

The latest earthquake occurred at&nbsp;around 6:36 pm (1036 GMT) at a depth of 56 kilometres (35 miles), northeast of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao island.

This is the same area where residents had sought higher ground following a magnitude 7.6 quake the night before.

The aftershock prompted&nbsp;a rush of people out of their homes, fuelled by vivid memories of the prior night's seismic activity, reported AFP.

At least two people lost their lives, and several sustained injuries in the earlier earthquake. The recent aftershock reignites fear and panic, compelling authorities to assess potential damage and casualties.

Police are actively engaged in checking for further harm and attending to the safety of the affected population.

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<h2>Tsunami alerts and tremors</h2>

The previous day's quake triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific region, amplifying the urgency for residents along the east coast of Mindanao to evacuate.

No major damage to buildings or infrastructure is reported so far. The aftershocks, with magnitudes exceeding 6.0, continue to add to the seismic unrest, maintaining a state of heightened alert.

Also watch |&nbsp;Philippines: South China Sea dispute should not define ties

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The Philippines seismology institute initially warned of a "destructive tsunami," heightening concerns of life-threatening waves.

Though the tsunami warning is eventually lifted, small swells are reported as far away as Japan's eastern Pacific coast.

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This earthquake follows a 6.7 magnitude quake in Mindanao just two weeks prior, highlighting the region's vulnerability to frequent seismic activity.

The Philippines, situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," faces ongoing challenges with earthquakes, with most being imperceptible to humans.

(With inputs from agencies)

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake shook the southern Philippines on Sunday, intensifying the prevailing anxiety in the region. The US Geological Survey reported this seismic event as one among the series of potent aftershocks experienced since the previous day's more powerful quake.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake shook the southern Philippines on Sunday, intensifying the prevailing anxiety in the region. The US Geological Survey reported this seismic event as one among the series of potent aftershocks experienced since the previous day's more powerful quake. The latest earthquake occurred at around 6:36 pm (1036 GMT) at a depth of 56 kilometres (35 miles), northeast of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao island. This is the same area where residents had sought higher ground following a magnitude 7.6 quake the night before. The aftershock prompted a rush of people out of their homes, fuelled by vivid memories of the prior night's seismic activity, reported AFP. At least two people lost their lives, and several sustained injuries in the earlier earthquake. The recent aftershock reignites fear and panic, compelling authorities to assess potential damage and casualties. Police are actively engaged in checking for further harm and attending to the safety of the affected population. Also read | Philippines says it monitored illegal presence of over 135 Chinese vessels in South China Sea Tsunami alerts and tremors The previous day's quake triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific region, amplifying the urgency for residents along the east coast of Mindanao to evacuate. No major damage to buildings or infrastructure is reported so far. The aftershocks, with magnitudes exceeding 6.0, continue to add to the seismic unrest, maintaining a state of heightened alert. Also watch | Philippines: South China Sea dispute should not define ties The Philippines seismology institute initially warned of a "destructive tsunami," heightening concerns of life-threatening waves. Though the tsunami warning is eventually lifted, small swells are reported as far away as Japan's eastern Pacific coast. Also read | China executes two Filipinos convicted of drug trafficking: Manila This earthquake follows a 6.7 magnitude quake in Mindanao just two weeks prior, highlighting the region's vulnerability to frequent seismic activity. The Philippines, situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," faces ongoing challenges with earthquakes, with most being imperceptible to humans. (With inputs from agencies)

Southern Philippines shaken by magnitude 6.6 earthquake following Saturday’s 7.6 tremor

The singer and songwriter and the Pogues frontman Shane Macgowan has died at the age of 65. The singer's death has come after prolonged period of ill health including time that has been spent in intensive care.

Pogues frontman Shane Macgowan dies at the age of 65

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