<p>In the United States, student loans are one of the heaviest burdens people deal with. For those in medical schools, these could mean $135,000-$440,000 in debt, plus interest. Starting in August, medical students in a New York-based medical college will be free of this debt, thanks to a wealthy philanthropist.</p>

<p>93-year-old Dr Ruth Gottesman has donated a whopping one billion dollars to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx borough, as reported by the New York Times on Monday.</p>

<h2><strong>Tears of joy</strong></h2>

<p>Addressing a gathering of students, Dr Gottesman, a former professor at the school, announced: "I’m happy to share with you that starting in August this year, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine will be tuition free."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-delhi-hospital-removes-39-coins-37-magnets-from-mans-intestine-in-rare-surgery-694243">India: Delhi hospital removes 39 coins, 37 magnets from man's intestine in rare surgery</a></strong></p>

<p>Her announcement was met with thunderous applause, whoop(s) and tears of joy. A video of the moment is&nbsp;widely circulating on social media platforms, including X.</p>

<p><em>Check it out here:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NEW<br />
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Students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine react to Dr. Ruth Gottesman’s announcement that starting in August the medical school is tuition free.<br />
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Also, students who paid their tuition this semester will be receiving a reimbursement. <a href="https://t.co/lYrh4tDhmK">https://t.co/lYrh4tDhmK</a> <a href="https://t.co/XDDaosAZOk">pic.twitter.com/XDDaosAZOk</a></p>
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) <a href="https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1762269444263575680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Sizeable&nbsp;donation</strong></h2>

<p>As per BBC, Dr Gottesman's contribution is among the largest ever donations given to a US educational institute, and the largest ever to a medical school.</p>

<p>She received the money from her late husband, David Gottesman aka Sandy, the founder of a prominent investment house and an early investor in Warren Buffett's multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway.</p>

<p>In a statement, Gottesman said that the doctors who train at Einstein go on to "provide the finest healthcare to communities here in the Bronx and all over the world".</p>

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<p>Thanking her husband she added: "I am very thankful to my late husband, Sandy, for leaving these funds in my care, and l feel blessed to be given the great privilege of making this gift to such a worthy cause."&nbsp;</p>

<p>David, aka Sandy Gottesman, died in 2022 aged&nbsp;96, leaving Ruth with a sizeable Berkshire Hathaway stock portfolio with instructions to "do whatever you think is right with it".</p>

<p>"I wanted to fund students at Einstein so that they would receive free tuition," she said, adding that thanks to the portfolio she immediately realised "There was enough money to do that in perpetuity."</p>

<p>She shared that she wonders what her husband would've thought of the donation and remarked, "I hope he's smiling and not frowning."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He gave me the opportunity to do this, and I think he would be happy - I hope so."</p>

<p>Thanking Ruth Gottesman for her generous donation, Dr Philip Ozuah, the president and chief executive of Montefiore Einstein, which oversees Einstein College and the Montefiore Health System, said: "I am profoundly grateful to Dr Gottesman for this historic and transformational gift."</p>

<p>"I believe we can change healthcare history when we recognise that access is the path to excellence," he added in a statement.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In the United States, student loans are one of the heaviest burdens people deal with. For those in medical schools, these could mean $135,000-$440,000 in debt, plus interest.

In the United States, student loans are one of the heaviest burdens people deal with. For those in medical schools, these could mean $135,000-$440,000 in debt, plus interest. Starting in August, medical students in a New York-based medical college will be free of this debt, thanks to a wealthy philanthropist. 93-year-old Dr Ruth Gottesman has donated a whopping one billion dollars to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx borough, as reported by the New York Times on Monday. Tears of joy Addressing a gathering of students, Dr Gottesman, a former professor at the school, announced: "I’m happy to share with you that starting in August this year, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine will be tuition free." Also read | India: Delhi hospital removes 39 coins, 37 magnets from man's intestine in rare surgery Her announcement was met with thunderous applause, whoop(s) and tears of joy. A video of the moment is widely circulating on social media platforms, including X. Check it out here: NEW Students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine react to Dr. Ruth Gottesman’s announcement that starting in August the medical school is tuition free. Also, students who paid their tuition this semester will be receiving a reimbursement. https://t.co/lYrh4tDhmK pic.twitter.com/XDDaosAZOk — Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 27, 2024 × Sizeable donation As per BBC, Dr Gottesman's contribution is among the largest ever donations given to a US educational institute, and the largest ever to a medical school. She received the money from her late husband, David Gottesman aka Sandy, the founder of a prominent investment house and an early investor in Warren Buffett's multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway. In a statement, Gottesman said that the doctors who train at Einstein go on to "provide the finest healthcare to communities here in the Bronx and all over the world". Also read | Florida halts 'foetal personhood' bill amid concerns over reproduction rights Thanking her husband she added: "I am very thankful to my late husband, Sandy, for leaving these funds in my care, and l feel blessed to be given the great privilege of making this gift to such a worthy cause." David, aka Sandy Gottesman, died in 2022 aged 96, leaving Ruth with a sizeable Berkshire Hathaway stock portfolio with instructions to "do whatever you think is right with it". "I wanted to fund students at Einstein so that they would receive free tuition," she said, adding that thanks to the portfolio she immediately realised "There was enough money to do that in perpetuity." She shared that she wonders what her husband would've thought of the donation and remarked, "I hope he's smiling and not frowning." "He gave me the opportunity to do this, and I think he would be happy - I hope so." Thanking Ruth Gottesman for her generous donation, Dr Philip Ozuah, the president and chief executive of Montefiore Einstein, which oversees Einstein College and the Montefiore Health System, said: "I am profoundly grateful to Dr Gottesman for this historic and transformational gift." "I believe we can change healthcare history when we recognise that access is the path to excellence," he added in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Tears of joy flow as generous donor announces whopping $1bn donation to New York medical school

<p>Nothing lasts forever, but for Bobi, the Portuguese mastiff, his title as the "world's oldest" dog didn't even last a year. In a surprising turn of events, on Thursday (Feb 22) Bobi was dethroned by Guinness World Records (GWR). The canine's title was revoked after officials could not substantiate his age claims.</p>

<h2><strong>What Guinness World Record said</strong></h2>

<p>In a statement, GWR declared that it "no longer has the evidence it needs to support Bobi's claim as the record holder."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-worlds-oldest-dog-bobi-celebrates-his-31st-birthday-592585">World's oldest dog Bobi celebrates his 31st birthday</a></strong></p>

<p>The dog's owners had asserted that Bobi was 31 years and five months old when he passed away in October. This age, equivalent to approximately 220 canine years, had initially secured Bobi's position as both the oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever recorded by GWR.</p>

<p>However, doubts surrounding Bobi's age surfaced soon after his "coronation". Veterinary experts questioned the feasibility of a dog living that long, with some pointing to discrepancies in photographs of Bobi from 1999 compared to those taken before his death in Portugal last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Bobi's age had been registered on Portugal's national pet database, critics noted that this was based on the owners' self-certification, and pet microchipping in Portugal only began in 2008. Genetic testing confirmed that Bobi was indeed old but could not pinpoint his exact age.</p>

<h2><strong>False claims</strong></h2>

<p>Danny Chambers, a vet and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, soon after Bobi's death suggested that claims about the dog's age were false.</p>

<p>Chambers emphasised the implausibility of a dog living over 30 years, likening it to a human living beyond 200 years was inconceivable.</p>

<p>"This is the equivalent of a human living to over 200 years old which, given our current medical capabilities, is completely implausible. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and no concrete evidence has been provided to prove his age," he said.</p>

<p>An investigation by the technology magazine Wired discovered the Portuguese database had "no registration or data that can confirm or deny" the owners' claims that Bobi was born in 1992. Despite requests for clarification, Bobi's owner, Leonel Costa, did not respond to inquiries.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/worlds-oldest-dog-bobi-dies-at-31-after-living-a-calm-and-peaceful-life-650603">World's oldest dog Bobi dies at 31 after living a 'calm and peaceful' life</a></strong></p>

<p>Following these revelations and concerns raised by experts and media outlets, GWR initiated a review of Bobi's record.</p>

<p>Mark McKinley of GWR, who conducted the review, expressed the organisation's commitment to ensuring the accuracy and integrity of its records. McKinley explained, "Following concerns raised by vets and other experts, both privately as well as within public commentary, and the findings of investigations conducted by some media outlets, we felt it important to open a review into Bobi's record."</p>


Nothing lasts forever, but for Bobi, the Portuguese mastiff, his title as the "world's oldest" dog didn't even last a year. In a surprising turn of events, on Thursday (Feb 22) Bobi was dethroned by Guinness World Records (GWR).

Nothing lasts forever, but for Bobi, the Portuguese mastiff, his title as the "world's oldest" dog didn't even last a year. In a surprising turn of events, on Thursday (Feb 22) Bobi was dethroned by Guinness World Records (GWR). The canine's title was revoked after officials could not substantiate his age claims. What Guinness World Record said In a statement, GWR declared that it "no longer has the evidence it needs to support Bobi's claim as the record holder." Also read | World's oldest dog Bobi celebrates his 31st birthday The dog's owners had asserted that Bobi was 31 years and five months old when he passed away in October. This age, equivalent to approximately 220 canine years, had initially secured Bobi's position as both the oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever recorded by GWR. However, doubts surrounding Bobi's age surfaced soon after his "coronation". Veterinary experts questioned the feasibility of a dog living that long, with some pointing to discrepancies in photographs of Bobi from 1999 compared to those taken before his death in Portugal last year. While Bobi's age had been registered on Portugal's national pet database, critics noted that this was based on the owners' self-certification, and pet microchipping in Portugal only began in 2008. Genetic testing confirmed that Bobi was indeed old but could not pinpoint his exact age. False claims Danny Chambers, a vet and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, soon after Bobi's death suggested that claims about the dog's age were false. Chambers emphasised the implausibility of a dog living over 30 years, likening it to a human living beyond 200 years was inconceivable. "This is the equivalent of a human living to over 200 years old which, given our current medical capabilities, is completely implausible. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and no concrete evidence has been provided to prove his age," he said. An investigation by the technology magazine Wired discovered the Portuguese database had "no registration or data that can confirm or deny" the owners' claims that Bobi was born in 1992. Despite requests for clarification, Bobi's owner, Leonel Costa, did not respond to inquiries. Also read | World's oldest dog Bobi dies at 31 after living a 'calm and peaceful' life Following these revelations and concerns raised by experts and media outlets, GWR initiated a review of Bobi's record. Mark McKinley of GWR, who conducted the review, expressed the organisation's commitment to ensuring the accuracy and integrity of its records. McKinley explained, "Following concerns raised by vets and other experts, both privately as well as within public commentary, and the findings of investigations conducted by some media outlets, we felt it important to open a review into Bobi's record."

'Easy come, easy go': Bobi, the supposedly 31-year-old canine is no longer world's oldest dog ever

<p>Across decades, there apparently lies a link that ties together the current US President Joe Biden and Abraham Lincoln, the US president known for granting freedom to slaves. Recently uncovered documents show that Lincoln pardoned the great-great-grandfather of Biden. For what? Read on to know.</p>

<h2><strong>A pardon</strong></h2>

<p>The records from a court-martial, held in the US National Archives and reported by the Washington Post, describe the trial of Moses J. Robinette, President Biden's great-great-grandfather. He was accused of attempted murder following a late-night altercation with John J. Alexander, a fellow civilian employee of the Union Army, on March 21, 1864, at the Army of the Potomac's winter camp in Virginia.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/swipe-right-for-addiction-lawsuit-claims-dating-apps-tinder-and-hinge-are-designed-to-keep-users-swiping-691783">Swipe right for addiction? Lawsuit claims dating apps Tinder and Hinge designed to keep users swiping</a></strong></p>

<p>The incident reportedly occurred when Alexander overheard Robinette saying something about him to a cook and confronted him. A scuffle ensued, during which Robinette drew his pocketknife, inflicting several cuts on Alexander before others intervened.</p>

<p>Robinette, a 42-year-old veterinary surgeon hired by the army, argued that he acted in self-defence, fearing serious injury from Alexander, who was much stronger and larger.</p>

<p>He insisted that Alexander "possibly might have injured me seriously had I not resorted to the means I did".</p>

<p>Despite his plea, Robinette was convicted by military judges and sentenced to two years of hard labour. However, three army officers petitioned Lincoln to reconsider, citing the harshness of the sentence and Robinette's circumstances. They said he was defending himself against someone "much his superior in strength and size."</p>

<p>Lincoln reviewed the case and granted a pardon on September 1 of the same year, overturning Robinette's conviction.</p>

<h2><strong>Historical revelation</strong></h2>

<p>Historian David J. Gerleman, in the Washington Post, noted that this story had remained untold for more than a century. It "has waited 160 years to be told," he writes.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japan-launches-debris-removal-spacecraft-to-tackle-space-junk-691743">Japan launches debris removal spacecraft to tackle space junk</a></strong></p>

<p>He highlighted the significance of the 22-page transcript of Robinette's trial. The "slender sheaf of 22 well-preserved pages of his trial transcript, unobtrusively squeezed among many hundreds of other routine court-martial cases in the National Archives, reveals the hidden link between the two men — and between two presidents across the centuries."</p>

<p>"Those few pages not only fill in an unknown piece of Biden family history but also serve as a reminder of just how many Civil War stories have yet to be told," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Across decades, there apparently lies a link that ties together the current US President Joe Biden and Abraham Lincoln, the US president known for granting freedom to slaves.

Across decades, there apparently lies a link that ties together the current US President Joe Biden and Abraham Lincoln, the US president known for granting freedom to slaves. Recently uncovered documents show that Lincoln pardoned the great-great-grandfather of Biden. For what? Read on to know. A pardon The records from a court-martial, held in the US National Archives and reported by the Washington Post, describe the trial of Moses J. Robinette, President Biden's great-great-grandfather. He was accused of attempted murder following a late-night altercation with John J. Alexander, a fellow civilian employee of the Union Army, on March 21, 1864, at the Army of the Potomac's winter camp in Virginia. Also read | Swipe right for addiction? Lawsuit claims dating apps Tinder and Hinge designed to keep users swiping The incident reportedly occurred when Alexander overheard Robinette saying something about him to a cook and confronted him. A scuffle ensued, during which Robinette drew his pocketknife, inflicting several cuts on Alexander before others intervened. Robinette, a 42-year-old veterinary surgeon hired by the army, argued that he acted in self-defence, fearing serious injury from Alexander, who was much stronger and larger. He insisted that Alexander "possibly might have injured me seriously had I not resorted to the means I did". Despite his plea, Robinette was convicted by military judges and sentenced to two years of hard labour. However, three army officers petitioned Lincoln to reconsider, citing the harshness of the sentence and Robinette's circumstances. They said he was defending himself against someone "much his superior in strength and size." Lincoln reviewed the case and granted a pardon on September 1 of the same year, overturning Robinette's conviction. Historical revelation Historian David J. Gerleman, in the Washington Post, noted that this story had remained untold for more than a century. It "has waited 160 years to be told," he writes. Also read | Japan launches debris removal spacecraft to tackle space junk He highlighted the significance of the 22-page transcript of Robinette's trial. The "slender sheaf of 22 well-preserved pages of his trial transcript, unobtrusively squeezed among many hundreds of other routine court-martial cases in the National Archives, reveals the hidden link between the two men — and between two presidents across the centuries." "Those few pages not only fill in an unknown piece of Biden family history but also serve as a reminder of just how many Civil War stories have yet to be told," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

A tale of two presidents: Joe Biden’s great-great-grandfather was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) on Monday (Feb 19) released images of a dead satellite as it tumbles down to Earth in what could potentially be a fiery spectacle.</p>

<p>The dead satellite was part of ESA's scientific Earth-monitoring mission called ERS-2. It was launched on April 21, 1995, and after a 16-year career, it retired in 2011.</p>

<p>During the time it was active, the ERS-2 collected data on polar ice, changing land surfaces, sea-level rise, warming oceans and atmospheric chemistry. Additionally, the satellite was also pressed into service during natural disasters in remote regions.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/doomed-european-satellite-to-crash-on-earth-in-six-days-but-nobody-knows-where-690567">European satellite to crash into Earth in six days. The exact place is eerily a mystery</a></strong></p>

<p>The dead satellite weighs approximately 5,057 pounds (2,293.82 kg) and is expected to start disintegrating at about 50 miles (80.47 kilometres) above the ground. While most of it will burn up completely in the Earth's atmosphere, the ESA estimates that the "largest fragment of the satellite that could reach the ground is 115 pounds"&nbsp;or around 52 kg.</p>

<p>Check out the pictures of the "tumbling descent" here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ERS-2 spotted! 📸🛰️<br />
<br />
The ESA satellite is on a tumbling descent that will lead to its atmospheric reentry and break up this week.<br />
<br />
These images of ERS-2 were captured by <a href="https://twitter.com/heospace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@heospace</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/spacegovuk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@spacegovuk</a> using cameras on board other satellites.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ERS2reentry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ERS2reentry</a> <a href="https://t.co/GTuubP6apJ">pic.twitter.com/GTuubP6apJ</a></p>
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) <a href="https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1759518956891557949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>These images were captured by cameras on board other satellites by Australian company HEO on behalf of the UK Space Agency.</p>

<h2><strong>When will the dead satellite crash onto Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>As per estimates by the ESA's Space Debris Office, the ERS-2 satellite will make its re-entry around 19:24 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, earlier called Greenwich Mean Time or GMT) on Wednesday (Feb&nbsp;21).</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japan-launches-debris-removal-spacecraft-to-tackle-space-junk-691743">Japan launches debris removal spacecraft to tackle space junk</a></strong></p>

<p>However, it must be noted that the prediction is uncertain by +/- 9.91 hours. This unpredictability, as per the space agency, is primarily due to the "influence of unpredictable solar activity, which affects the density of Earth’s atmosphere and therefore the drag experienced by the satellite."</p>

<h2><strong>Can the dead satellite crash on someone?</strong></h2>

<p>The European Space Agency estimates put the probability of the dead satellite crashing on someone's head at one in a billion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The odds of a piece of satellite falling on someone’s head is estimated at one in a billion."</p>

<p>It says that given that approximately 71 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered with water, the odds are that "the satellite will make a big splash somewhere."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The European Space Agency (ESA) on Monday (Feb 19) released images of a dead satellite as it tumbles down to Earth in what could potentially be a fiery spectacle.

The European Space Agency (ESA) on Monday (Feb 19) released images of a dead satellite as it tumbles down to Earth in what could potentially be a fiery spectacle. The dead satellite was part of ESA's scientific Earth-monitoring mission called ERS-2. It was launched on April 21, 1995, and after a 16-year career, it retired in 2011. During the time it was active, the ERS-2 collected data on polar ice, changing land surfaces, sea-level rise, warming oceans and atmospheric chemistry. Additionally, the satellite was also pressed into service during natural disasters in remote regions. Also read | European satellite to crash into Earth in six days. The exact place is eerily a mystery The dead satellite weighs approximately 5,057 pounds (2,293.82 kg) and is expected to start disintegrating at about 50 miles (80.47 kilometres) above the ground. While most of it will burn up completely in the Earth's atmosphere, the ESA estimates that the "largest fragment of the satellite that could reach the ground is 115 pounds" or around 52 kg. Check out the pictures of the "tumbling descent" here: ERS-2 spotted! 📸🛰️ The ESA satellite is on a tumbling descent that will lead to its atmospheric reentry and break up this week. These images of ERS-2 were captured by @heospace for @spacegovuk using cameras on board other satellites.#ERS2reentry pic.twitter.com/GTuubP6apJ — ESA Operations (@esaoperations) February 19, 2024 × These images were captured by cameras on board other satellites by Australian company HEO on behalf of the UK Space Agency. When will the dead satellite crash onto Earth? As per estimates by the ESA's Space Debris Office, the ERS-2 satellite will make its re-entry around 19:24 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, earlier called Greenwich Mean Time or GMT) on Wednesday (Feb 21). Also read | Japan launches debris removal spacecraft to tackle space junk However, it must be noted that the prediction is uncertain by +/- 9.91 hours. This unpredictability, as per the space agency, is primarily due to the "influence of unpredictable solar activity, which affects the density of Earth’s atmosphere and therefore the drag experienced by the satellite." Can the dead satellite crash on someone? The European Space Agency estimates put the probability of the dead satellite crashing on someone's head at one in a billion. "The odds of a piece of satellite falling on someone’s head is estimated at one in a billion." It says that given that approximately 71 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered with water, the odds are that "the satellite will make a big splash somewhere." (With inputs from agencies)

ESA shares pics of dead satellite tumbling towards Earth; can it fall on someone’s head? All you need to know

<p>In the modern age, love is a rare find, and sometimes people just make do with technology: enter AI romance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For those of you who didn't know this was a thing, there are AI chatbots that can help somewhat fill the romantic vacuum which comes from not having a significant other. These chatbots can help you during&nbsp;the time of loneliness, give you an outlet for your frustrations, and even help you with the opportunity to work out your sexual fantasies. But, how safe or trustworthy are these AI girlfriends/boyfriends? Experts warn they can break your heart.</p>

<h2><strong>A privacy nightmare</strong></h2>

<p>In its survey,&nbsp;the&nbsp;non profit organisation the Mozilla Foundation has come to the conclusion that these chatbots are nothing short of a privacy nightmare.</p>

<p>"Marketed as an empathetic friend, lover, or soulmate, and built to ask you endless questions, there’s no doubt romantic AI chatbots will end up collecting sensitive personal information about you."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/take-charge-companies-using-feminist-messages-to-push-useless-health-products-onto-women-finds-study-690564">'Take charge': Companies using feminist messages to push 'useless' health products onto women, finds study</a></strong></p>

<p>In the report, researcher Misha Rykov writes "Although they are marketed as something that will enhance your mental health and well-being."</p>

<p>"They specialize in delivering dependency, loneliness, and toxicity, all while prying as much data as possible from you," she adds.</p>

<p>Researchers found that about 73 per cent of the apps hide how they manage security vulnerabilities, 45 per cent allow weak passwords, and all but one — Eva AI Chat Bot &amp; Soulmate — share or sell personal data. About half of the apps or 54 per cent don't let users delete their personal data.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nothing-short-of-remarkable-this-is-how-much-elon-musk-earns-in-one-minute-690652">'Nothing short of remarkable': THIS is how much Elon Musk earns in one minute</a></strong></p>

<p>Furthermore, one AI — CrushOn.AI even collects data on the users' sexual health, prescription meds, and gender-affirming care. This, as per the Mozilla Foundation is mentioned in the apps' privacy policy.</p>

<h2><strong>Disturbing content</strong></h2>

<p>What's more, these AI chatbots at times even give way to some disturbing content. The survey found that some apps have chatbots with pretty dark character descriptions, featuring violence, underage abuse. Others&nbsp;carried warnings that the chatbots may be "offensive, unsafe, or hostile".</p>

<p>Not just that, the Mozilla Foundation noted that previously apps have even encouraged dangerous behaviour: suicide (Chai AI) and an assassination attempt on the late British monarch Queen Elizabeth II (Replika).</p>

<p>The researchers suggest that those trying out the world of AI companionship should refrain from saying "anything to your AI friend that you wouldn't want your cousin or colleagues to read."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In the modern age, love is a rare find, and sometimes people just make do with technology: enter AI romance. For those of you who didn't know this was a thing, there are AI chatbots that can help somewhat fill the romantic vacuum which comes from not having a significant other.

In the modern age, love is a rare find, and sometimes people just make do with technology: enter AI romance. For those of you who didn't know this was a thing, there are AI chatbots that can help somewhat fill the romantic vacuum which comes from not having a significant other. These chatbots can help you during the time of loneliness, give you an outlet for your frustrations, and even help you with the opportunity to work out your sexual fantasies. But, how safe or trustworthy are these AI girlfriends/boyfriends? Experts warn they can break your heart. A privacy nightmare In its survey, the non profit organisation the Mozilla Foundation has come to the conclusion that these chatbots are nothing short of a privacy nightmare. "Marketed as an empathetic friend, lover, or soulmate, and built to ask you endless questions, there’s no doubt romantic AI chatbots will end up collecting sensitive personal information about you." Also read | 'Take charge': Companies using feminist messages to push 'useless' health products onto women, finds study In the report, researcher Misha Rykov writes "Although they are marketed as something that will enhance your mental health and well-being." "They specialize in delivering dependency, loneliness, and toxicity, all while prying as much data as possible from you," she adds. Researchers found that about 73 per cent of the apps hide how they manage security vulnerabilities, 45 per cent allow weak passwords, and all but one — Eva AI Chat Bot & Soulmate — share or sell personal data. About half of the apps or 54 per cent don't let users delete their personal data. Also read | 'Nothing short of remarkable': THIS is how much Elon Musk earns in one minute Furthermore, one AI — CrushOn.AI even collects data on the users' sexual health, prescription meds, and gender-affirming care. This, as per the Mozilla Foundation is mentioned in the apps' privacy policy. Disturbing content What's more, these AI chatbots at times even give way to some disturbing content. The survey found that some apps have chatbots with pretty dark character descriptions, featuring violence, underage abuse. Others carried warnings that the chatbots may be "offensive, unsafe, or hostile". Not just that, the Mozilla Foundation noted that previously apps have even encouraged dangerous behaviour: suicide (Chai AI) and an assassination attempt on the late British monarch Queen Elizabeth II (Replika). The researchers suggest that those trying out the world of AI companionship should refrain from saying "anything to your AI friend that you wouldn't want your cousin or colleagues to read." (With inputs from agencies)

Love in the age of AI: How safe are AI romance chatbots? Experts warn of heartbreak and privacy risks

In India, a video circulating on social media has enraged people. In the viral video, two dog groomers can be seen assaulting a pet dog at a pet clinic in Thane, Maharashtra.

In India, a video circulating on social media has enraged people. In the viral video, two dog groomers can be seen assaulting a pet dog at a pet clinic in Thane, Maharashtra. The two men, as per reports, have been arrested. What happened? The distressing footage, which went viral, shows the perpetrators punching and kicking the canine at the Vetic Pet Clinic, a facility renowned for its expertise in pet care and grooming. The dog has been identified as Tofu, a three-year-old Chow Chow. Also read | New research suggests your Chihuahua or other toy breed dog may have 'shark teeth'. Here's what it means Tofu, as seen in the video, was subjected to repeated blows to its face and body by a staff member, while another individual filmed the appalling act and also participated in the assault. After the assault, the dog, visibly distressed, manages to escape and leaves the treatment area, only to be further subjected to mistreatment as one man kicks him. You can see the video here. Viewer discretion advised. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sudhir Kudalkar (@sudhirkudalkar) × Outrage and condemnation poured on social media soon as the video went viral, prompting a response from animal rights advocates and concerned citizens, including notable figures from the Bollywood industry. Action taken Nilesh Bhange, a representative of the animal rights organisation PAWS, along with others, lodged a formal complaint with the authorities in response to the disturbing incident. Also read | Who’s the dad? Stingray pregnant without any male companion of her species in aquarium Another organisation, Street Dogs of Bombay, which works for animal welfare, shared an update on social media confirming the arrest of the accused individuals and the current stable condition of Tofu. View this post on Instagram A post shared by StreetdogsofBombay (@streetdogsofbombay) × "The owner of Tofu will be taking further action tomorrow morning (Wednesday). Regarding legal proceedings, the PFA team has indicated that IPC 429 (committing mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal) might not be applicable, so they are considering using the IT Act for the FIR." "We have urged them to also include IPC 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) for attempted animal cruelty," added the organisation. In another video, Maneka Gandhi, a member of the Lok Sabha, advised pet owners to not leave their pets alone at the vet or groomers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by People for Animals (PFA) (@pfa.official) × (With inputs from agencies)

India: Pet groomers arrested after video of them beating a dog goes viral

<p>In China, a young boy has delighted people by complaining to the police about his father favouring his older sister over him. The 10-year-old child from Hunan province in Southern China complained not once but eight times in the space of a year.</p>

<h2><strong>Here's what happened</strong></h2>

<p>As per a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report, every time the little boy would feel ignored, he would walk one kilometre to the nearest police station to complain about his troubles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most recently, he made the journey on January 28, when he asked officers to help him.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/bidens-blunder-us-prezs-confusion-during-jordan-kings-speech-reignites-concerns-over-age-watch-689890">Biden’s blunder: US Prez’s confusion during Jordan King’s speech reignites concerns over age. Watch</a></strong></p>

<p>When asked what makes him so angry, the boy as per the report replied "My father."</p>

<p>The little boy said that he believes his father does not care about him and instead gives his older sister lots of love and attention.</p>

<h2><strong>A smart young man</strong></h2>

<p>As per the child's mother, he has complained to the police eight times. The parents admitted that they've been busy and that due to this, the little boy might have been ignored. They also said that they might not have shown enough consideration for his feelings.</p>

<p>Thanks to the police mediation, the family reconciled and things are now okay between them.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepals-first-lesbian-couple-formally-register-their-marriage-689914">Nepal's first lesbian couple formally registers marriage</a></strong></p>

<p>On China's social media platforms, the story has gone viral with people appreciating the young boy's grit.&nbsp;<br />
​​​​​​​<br />
"What a smart and adorable boy. He knows he must find a way to solve his problem," said one user.</p>

<p>"The boy probably finds the love and care he needs from the police," said another.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In China, a young boy has delighted people by complaining to the police about his father favouring his older sister over him. The 10-year-old child from Hunan province in Southern China complained not once but eight times in the space of a year.

In China, a young boy has delighted people by complaining to the police about his father favouring his older sister over him. The 10-year-old child from Hunan province in Southern China complained not once but eight times in the space of a year. Here's what happened As per a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report, every time the little boy would feel ignored, he would walk one kilometre to the nearest police station to complain about his troubles. Most recently, he made the journey on January 28, when he asked officers to help him. Also read | Biden’s blunder: US Prez’s confusion during Jordan King’s speech reignites concerns over age. Watch When asked what makes him so angry, the boy as per the report replied "My father." The little boy said that he believes his father does not care about him and instead gives his older sister lots of love and attention. A smart young man As per the child's mother, he has complained to the police eight times. The parents admitted that they've been busy and that due to this, the little boy might have been ignored. They also said that they might not have shown enough consideration for his feelings. Thanks to the police mediation, the family reconciled and things are now okay between them. Also read | Nepal's first lesbian couple formally registers marriage On China's social media platforms, the story has gone viral with people appreciating the young boy's grit. "What a smart and adorable boy. He knows he must find a way to solve his problem," said one user. "The boy probably finds the love and care he needs from the police," said another. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese boy takes matters into his own hands, complains to police about father favouring sister

<p>In India's Pune, a curious spectacle recently captured the attention of residents and netizens alike: a swarm of mosquitoes swirling in tornado-like formations against the backdrop of the sky.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The unusual phenomenon was captured in the Keshavnagar and Kharadi Gavthan areas. As per reports, it is because of the swollen waters of the Mula Mutha River. A video footage of the mosquitoes is being circulated widely on social media platforms, going viral almost instantly.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/bidens-blunder-us-prezs-confusion-during-jordan-kings-speech-reignites-concerns-over-age-watch-689890">Biden's blunder: US Prez's confusion during Jordan King's speech reignites concerns over age. Watch</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Mosquito tornado</strong></h2>

<p>The sight of a mosquito 'tornado' has prompted a mix of reactions, ranging from awe to apprehension, among Pune people.</p>

<p>Witness the phenomenon here:</p>

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<p>In a conversation with the Indian Express, Nitin, a resident of Kharadi, said, "Recently, I have seen a lot of mosquitoes. For three or four days, there has been a tornado of mosquitoes here in Kharadi. There have been a lot of problems and the locals are having difficulties due to this."&nbsp;</p>

<p>His sentiments echoed those of many others grappling with the sudden surge in mosquito activity.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/surprise-comeback-indonesian-dictator-suharto-resurrected-ahead-of-elections-watch-689637">Surprise comeback: Indonesian dictator Suharto 'resurrected' ahead of elections. Watch!</a></strong></p>

<p>Abhishek, another local resident, echoed similar concerns, urging swift action from the Pune Corporation to address the escalating mosquito menace.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There are a lot of mosquitoes in our area. I just requested that the Pune Corporation resolve it as quickly as possible. It is dangerous for our health," he said.</p>

<p>As per the report, the mosquitoes in Pune may stem from recent weather patterns that have created conducive breeding conditions for the insects.&nbsp;Stagnant water serves as the primary breeding ground for mosquitoes, as they lay their eggs in such environments.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A danger to health</strong></h2>

<p>Mosquitoes, often underestimated due to their diminutive size, actually happen to be the world's "deadliest animal," according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year, and making millions more sick. These tiny pests are formidable vectors for diseases like malaria, dengue, and yellow fever.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In India's Pune, a curious spectacle recently captured the attention of residents and netizens alike: a swarm of mosquitoes swirling in tornado-like formations against the backdrop of the sky.

In India's Pune, a curious spectacle recently captured the attention of residents and netizens alike: a swarm of mosquitoes swirling in tornado-like formations against the backdrop of the sky. The unusual phenomenon was captured in the Keshavnagar and Kharadi Gavthan areas. As per reports, it is because of the swollen waters of the Mula Mutha River. A video footage of the mosquitoes is being circulated widely on social media platforms, going viral almost instantly. Also read | Biden's blunder: US Prez's confusion during Jordan King's speech reignites concerns over age. Watch Mosquito tornado The sight of a mosquito 'tornado' has prompted a mix of reactions, ranging from awe to apprehension, among Pune people. Witness the phenomenon here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Being Pune Official (@beingpuneofficial) × In a conversation with the Indian Express, Nitin, a resident of Kharadi, said, "Recently, I have seen a lot of mosquitoes. For three or four days, there has been a tornado of mosquitoes here in Kharadi. There have been a lot of problems and the locals are having difficulties due to this." His sentiments echoed those of many others grappling with the sudden surge in mosquito activity. Also read | Surprise comeback: Indonesian dictator Suharto 'resurrected' ahead of elections. Watch! Abhishek, another local resident, echoed similar concerns, urging swift action from the Pune Corporation to address the escalating mosquito menace. "There are a lot of mosquitoes in our area. I just requested that the Pune Corporation resolve it as quickly as possible. It is dangerous for our health," he said. As per the report, the mosquitoes in Pune may stem from recent weather patterns that have created conducive breeding conditions for the insects. Stagnant water serves as the primary breeding ground for mosquitoes, as they lay their eggs in such environments. A danger to health Mosquitoes, often underestimated due to their diminutive size, actually happen to be the world's "deadliest animal," according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year, and making millions more sick. These tiny pests are formidable vectors for diseases like malaria, dengue, and yellow fever. (With inputs from agencies)

India: 'Tornado' of mosquitoes in Pune alarms residents. Watch video here

<p>US President Joe Biden's recent encounter with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House has made him the butt of jokes once again. A video of Biden from Monday (Feb 12) is going viral on social media. Ahead of the King of Jordan's speech at the White House, the 81-year-old leader was seen dithering around behind the Jordan leader in confusion.</p>

<h2><strong>Another gaffe?</strong></h2>

<p>What unfolded in front of the press was a scene of bewildering uncertainty as the US President shuffled around, seemingly unsure of his place during the royal's address.</p>

<p>Welcoming the King, Biden tells him "Your majesty, over to you," before embarking on a display that bordered on comical. Biden, with a puzzled expression, paced behind the king, seemingly searching for the optimal position as Abdullah began his remarks.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/are-you-being-sirius-harry-potter-fans-wand-creates-huge-panic-in-england-hotel-689593">‘Are you being Sirius?’: Harry Potter fan’s wand creates huge panic in England hotel</a></strong></p>

<p>His movements behind the podium resembled a hesitant dance, shuffling between spots as if seeking a cue on where to stand. Ultimately, he settled beside Abdullah, his initial choice, albeit after a brief confusion that prompted a light-hearted exchange between the two leaders. "I switched sides on you," Biden told the king, as reported by the New York Post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This incident follows closely on the heels of a report by special counsel Robert Hur, which refrained from recommending criminal charges against Biden concerning his handling of classified documents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hur's assessment pointed to concerns about Biden's memory, painting a picture of an "elderly man with a poor memory," whose recollection faltered, notably in recalling key periods of his vice presidency and the passing of his son, Beau Biden.</p>

<h2><strong>Critics take a pot shot</strong></h2>

<p>Critics wasted no time seizing on this latest display of confusion. RNC Research, a platform linked to the Republican National Committee, swiftly circulated footage of Biden's confusion with the caption "BIDEN: What am I doing? Where am I going?".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BIDEN: What am I doing? Where am I going? <a href="https://t.co/CNepEH1lO8">pic.twitter.com/CNepEH1lO8</a></p>
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1757156089076785407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Social media platforms buzzed with reactions, ranging from ridicule to concern, with individuals questioning Biden's fitness for office amidst such episodes.</p>

<p>Andrew Giuliani, a vocal critic from the conservative camp, took to X and remarked "The world is laughing at US".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The world is laughing at US <a href="https://t.co/g0CmJffNVG">https://t.co/g0CmJffNVG</a></p>
— Andrew H. Giuliani (@AndrewHGiuliani) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewHGiuliani/status/1757175852775690553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-art-teacher-allegedly-sells-students-art-on-his-website-investigations-underway-689783">Canadian art teacher allegedly sells students' art on his website, 'investigation underway'</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, others, like radio host Melik Abdul, sarcastically commented on Biden's ability to fulfill even the simplest tasks of protocol.</p>

<p>"Don’t judge his mental acuity. Judge him by his ability to get things done, like stand where the tape is and do so on the appropriate side of your invited guest," said Abdul.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Don't judge his mental acuity. Judge him by his ability to get things done, like stand where the tape is and do so on the appropriate side of your invited guest. <a href="https://t.co/lAiumD3irG">https://t.co/lAiumD3irG</a></p>
— Melik Abdul (@MelikAbdul_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelikAbdul_/status/1757191065805664691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>This episode has reignited debates surrounding Biden's capacity to discharge the duties of his office effectively. Recent polls suggest that voters worry about Biden's cognitive abilities, with 86 per cent thinking he is too old. About 62 per cent think the same for his opponent 77-year-old Donald Trump.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


US President Joe Biden's recent encounter with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House has made him the butt of jokes once again. A video of Biden from Monday (Feb 12) is going viral on social media.

US President Joe Biden's recent encounter with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House has made him the butt of jokes once again. A video of Biden from Monday (Feb 12) is going viral on social media. Ahead of the King of Jordan's speech at the White House, the 81-year-old leader was seen dithering around behind the Jordan leader in confusion. Another gaffe? What unfolded in front of the press was a scene of bewildering uncertainty as the US President shuffled around, seemingly unsure of his place during the royal's address. Welcoming the King, Biden tells him "Your majesty, over to you," before embarking on a display that bordered on comical. Biden, with a puzzled expression, paced behind the king, seemingly searching for the optimal position as Abdullah began his remarks. Also read | ‘Are you being Sirius?’: Harry Potter fan’s wand creates huge panic in England hotel His movements behind the podium resembled a hesitant dance, shuffling between spots as if seeking a cue on where to stand. Ultimately, he settled beside Abdullah, his initial choice, albeit after a brief confusion that prompted a light-hearted exchange between the two leaders. "I switched sides on you," Biden told the king, as reported by the New York Post. This incident follows closely on the heels of a report by special counsel Robert Hur, which refrained from recommending criminal charges against Biden concerning his handling of classified documents. Hur's assessment pointed to concerns about Biden's memory, painting a picture of an "elderly man with a poor memory," whose recollection faltered, notably in recalling key periods of his vice presidency and the passing of his son, Beau Biden. Critics take a pot shot Critics wasted no time seizing on this latest display of confusion. RNC Research, a platform linked to the Republican National Committee, swiftly circulated footage of Biden's confusion with the caption "BIDEN: What am I doing? Where am I going?". BIDEN: What am I doing? Where am I going? pic.twitter.com/CNepEH1lO8 — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 12, 2024 × Social media platforms buzzed with reactions, ranging from ridicule to concern, with individuals questioning Biden's fitness for office amidst such episodes. Andrew Giuliani, a vocal critic from the conservative camp, took to X and remarked "The world is laughing at US". The world is laughing at US https://t.co/g0CmJffNVG — Andrew H. Giuliani (@AndrewHGiuliani) February 12, 2024 × Also read | Canadian art teacher allegedly sells students' art on his website, 'investigation underway' Meanwhile, others, like radio host Melik Abdul, sarcastically commented on Biden's ability to fulfill even the simplest tasks of protocol. "Don’t judge his mental acuity. Judge him by his ability to get things done, like stand where the tape is and do so on the appropriate side of your invited guest," said Abdul. Don't judge his mental acuity. Judge him by his ability to get things done, like stand where the tape is and do so on the appropriate side of your invited guest. https://t.co/lAiumD3irG — Melik Abdul (@MelikAbdul_) February 12, 2024 × This episode has reignited debates surrounding Biden's capacity to discharge the duties of his office effectively. Recent polls suggest that voters worry about Biden's cognitive abilities, with 86 per cent thinking he is too old. About 62 per cent think the same for his opponent 77-year-old Donald Trump. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden’s blunder: US Prez’s confusion during Jordan King’s speech reignites concerns over age. Watch

<p>Harry Potter fans are known for their love of everything magic. This includes, but isn't limited to, wands. In England's Leicestershire, a fan of the iconic series caused a full-blown panic after firearms' officers swarmed a hotel after receiving reports of a man carrying a large knife — which later turned out to be just a Harry Potter fan carrying a wand.</p>

<h2><strong>What happened?</strong></h2>

<p>Over the weekend, police in Enderby near Leicester responded to a report about a person carrying a large knife near the hotel lifts. The mix-up, as per The Guardian, happened at a large hotel. The concerning call prompted a number of police officers to swarm the hotel.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-man-finds-worm-crawling-in-cadbury-chocolate-company-responds-689227">Watch: Man finds worm crawling in Cadbury chocolate, company responds</a></strong></p>

<p>Upon reaching the hotel, they discovered that the offending weapon was in fact a Harry Potter wand carried by a fan.</p>

<p>A witty post on local police's Facebook page, on Sunday, revealed the goofy incident and jokingly reassured people that "there was no sign of 'Voldemort'."</p>

<p>Writing on behalf of the Blaby police, an officer said: "I attended a large hotel in Enderby this morning with a number of firearms officers, following a report of a male inside near the lifts carrying 'a large knife'."</p>

<p>"Following enquiries we quickly established that it was a Harry Potter fan with a wand.&nbsp; Thankfully no harm was caused to any resident &amp; there was no sign of 'Voldemort'," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<h2><strong>Are you being Sirius?</strong></h2>

<p>As per the report, a garden centre just down the road from Enderby is offering customers a Harry Potter-themed afternoon tea. The fan with the wand could've been attending the event however, it is still unclear.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/what-is-enshittification-the-term-for-decay-of-online-platforms-is-facebook-going-through-it-689212">What is 'enshittification', the term for decay of online platforms? Is Facebook going through it?</a></strong></p>

<p>The incident sparked amusement on Facebook, where people quickly began cracking Harry Potter puns.</p>

<p>"Are you being sirius," commented one user on Blaby police's post. "EXPECTO PATROL-MAN!" said another, while a third one rolled their eyes at 'muggles', poking fun at the overreaction and said "Oh these muggles".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Harry Potter fans are known for their love of everything magic. This includes, but isn't limited to, wands. In England's Leicestershire, a fan of the iconic series caused a full-blown panic after firearms' officers swarmed a hotel after receiving reports of a man carrying a large knife — which later turned out to be just a Harry Potter fan carrying a wand.

Harry Potter fans are known for their love of everything magic. This includes, but isn't limited to, wands. In England's Leicestershire, a fan of the iconic series caused a full-blown panic after firearms' officers swarmed a hotel after receiving reports of a man carrying a large knife — which later turned out to be just a Harry Potter fan carrying a wand. What happened? Over the weekend, police in Enderby near Leicester responded to a report about a person carrying a large knife near the hotel lifts. The mix-up, as per The Guardian, happened at a large hotel. The concerning call prompted a number of police officers to swarm the hotel. Also read | Watch: Man finds worm crawling in Cadbury chocolate, company responds Upon reaching the hotel, they discovered that the offending weapon was in fact a Harry Potter wand carried by a fan. A witty post on local police's Facebook page, on Sunday, revealed the goofy incident and jokingly reassured people that "there was no sign of 'Voldemort'." Writing on behalf of the Blaby police, an officer said: "I attended a large hotel in Enderby this morning with a number of firearms officers, following a report of a male inside near the lifts carrying 'a large knife'." "Following enquiries we quickly established that it was a Harry Potter fan with a wand. Thankfully no harm was caused to any resident & there was no sign of 'Voldemort'," he added. × Are you being Sirius? As per the report, a garden centre just down the road from Enderby is offering customers a Harry Potter-themed afternoon tea. The fan with the wand could've been attending the event however, it is still unclear. Also read | What is 'enshittification', the term for decay of online platforms? Is Facebook going through it? The incident sparked amusement on Facebook, where people quickly began cracking Harry Potter puns. "Are you being sirius," commented one user on Blaby police's post. "EXPECTO PATROL-MAN!" said another, while a third one rolled their eyes at 'muggles', poking fun at the overreaction and said "Oh these muggles". (With inputs from agencies)

‘Are you being Sirius?’: Harry Potter fan’s wand creates huge panic in England hotel

<p>What makes a proposal 'perfect'? If you are planning on popping "the question" to your partner this Valentine's Day, an Oxford University mathematician has revealed the formula behind the perfect proposal.</p>

<p>Before we reveal the formula, what do you think makes for a perfect proposal? Flowers, a fancy meal, a sandy beach at sunset? Turns out, it is none of these. As per Dr Tom Crawford, a mathematician from Oxford University, the recipe for success is hidden in numbers.</p>

<h2><strong>The formula for a 'yes'</strong></h2>

<p>"If you follow this recipe for success, you'll be giving yourself the best possible chance of getting that 'Yes'," said the mathematician.</p>

<p>The maths of a perfect proposal has a perfect score of 100. For a 'yes', the proposal must be based on four key factors that are worth 20 points each — the time of the proposal meal, the timing of the proposal itself, the amount of planning you put in and finally the cost of the engagement ring (yes, you need one).</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pet-dog-protects-owners-body-from-wild-animals-for-48-hours-amid-heavy-snow-watch-688293">Pet dog protects owner's body from wild animals for 48 hours amid heavy snow. Watch</a></strong></p>

<p>In addition, the chances of acceptance can be boosted by some simple things, worth the last 20 points — give a heartfelt speech, create a romantic setting (think flowers and lighting), and play good music.</p>

<p>Based on a survey of 2,000 people, Dr Crawford recommends that you start your meal at 8:06 pm, and pop the question after the main course, but before dessert. The engagement ring should cost at least 2.5 months of your salary and finally, you must dedicate at least 68 days to planning the proposal.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Things that can spoil a 'perfect' proposal</strong></h2>

<p>As per the mathematician, even if you follow the formula, you can still spoil your proposal score.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ps11000-ipad-roaming-bill-forces-scotland-minister-michael-matheson-to-resign-heres-what-happened-688324">£11,000 iPad roaming bill forces Scotland minister Michael Matheson to resign. Here's what happened</a></strong></p>

<p>Checking your phone can cost you 20 points, having the TV on is another 14 points, burnt food will cost you 10 points and finally, kids in the house means a six-point deduction.</p>

<p>"In terms of things to avoid, keep those phones switched off and out of sight, drop the kids off with a babysitter, and don't burn the food!" said Crawford, as quoted by Daily Mail.</p>


What makes a proposal 'perfect'? If you are planning on popping "the question" to your partner this Valentine's Day, an Oxford University mathematician has revealed the formula behind the perfect proposal.

What makes a proposal 'perfect'? If you are planning on popping "the question" to your partner this Valentine's Day, an Oxford University mathematician has revealed the formula behind the perfect proposal. Before we reveal the formula, what do you think makes for a perfect proposal? Flowers, a fancy meal, a sandy beach at sunset? Turns out, it is none of these. As per Dr Tom Crawford, a mathematician from Oxford University, the recipe for success is hidden in numbers. The formula for a 'yes' "If you follow this recipe for success, you'll be giving yourself the best possible chance of getting that 'Yes'," said the mathematician. The maths of a perfect proposal has a perfect score of 100. For a 'yes', the proposal must be based on four key factors that are worth 20 points each — the time of the proposal meal, the timing of the proposal itself, the amount of planning you put in and finally the cost of the engagement ring (yes, you need one). Also read | Pet dog protects owner's body from wild animals for 48 hours amid heavy snow. Watch In addition, the chances of acceptance can be boosted by some simple things, worth the last 20 points — give a heartfelt speech, create a romantic setting (think flowers and lighting), and play good music. Based on a survey of 2,000 people, Dr Crawford recommends that you start your meal at 8:06 pm, and pop the question after the main course, but before dessert. The engagement ring should cost at least 2.5 months of your salary and finally, you must dedicate at least 68 days to planning the proposal. Things that can spoil a 'perfect' proposal As per the mathematician, even if you follow the formula, you can still spoil your proposal score. Also read | £11,000 iPad roaming bill forces Scotland minister Michael Matheson to resign. Here's what happened Checking your phone can cost you 20 points, having the TV on is another 14 points, burnt food will cost you 10 points and finally, kids in the house means a six-point deduction. "In terms of things to avoid, keep those phones switched off and out of sight, drop the kids off with a babysitter, and don't burn the food!" said Crawford, as quoted by Daily Mail.

According to an Oxford mathematician, THIS is the formula for a 'perfect' proposal

<p>It is rightly said that dogs are man's best friend. A canine companion has once again proven this by his unmatched loyalty. In India's Himachal Pradesh, a dog stood and guarded his master's body from wild animals amid snow for 48 hours.</p>

<p>The incident is from Bir-Billing, where Alpha, a German Shepherd stood guard over his human Abhinandan Gupta and his friend Parnita Bal Sahib's bodies at the daunting height of 9,000 feet.</p>

<h2><strong>What happened?</strong></h2>

<p>Pune residents Gupta and his friend Sahib, as per a Tribune India report had gone to the popular tourist destination Billing on Sunday (Feb 4th) afternoon by a private car. While returning to their base camp at Chogan near Bir, the friends due to heavy snow left their car midway and started making their way on foot along with the dog, Alpha.</p>

<p>But the&nbsp;duo reportedly&nbsp;slipped due to the snow and fell into a deep gorge. Footprints at the scene of the incident suggests that they tried to climb out of the gorge, but failed. They died there, probably due to the acute cold and injuries.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-one-dead-many-injured-after-portion-of-delhi-metro-station-collapses-688256">India: One dead, many injured after portion of Delhi metro station collapses</a></strong></p>

<p>A rescue team comprising paragliders and the police found their bodies with Alpha keeping guard over them. While they had signs of attack by wild animals, the dog kept their bodies from being taken away&nbsp; by wild animals like black bear and leopards.</p>

<p>He was found wailing next to them. An official said that "Alpha's continuous wailing reflected his desperation and grief as if he was hoping that the team would save his master. Alpha too had sustained injuries, but he survived and continued to guard the bodies for 48 hours till Tuesday when rescue team reached on the spot."</p>

<h2><strong>How the bodies were recovered</strong></h2>

<p>As per the report, Abhinandan Gupta's brother-in-law reported that the friends were missing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The duo was missing since Sunday, and their phones were switched off. After a frantic search of around two days they were found lying dead deep in the forest with Alpha by their side.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-noida-border-witnesses-massive-traffic-jams-as-farmers-call-for-protest-688188">India: Delhi-Noida border witnesses massive traffic jams as farmers call for protest</a></strong></p>

<p>"They were last spotted on a ridge by some other tourists. So, two teams were sent on either side of the hill. Finally, their bodies were found with the German shepherd sitting guard for the last 48 hours," said an official with the rescue team.</p>

<p>Alpha the dog was also injured. He allowed the rescue team to recover the body and accompanied them to Bir.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"In Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh, a touching scene unfolded. Two trackers lost their life , but their faithful German Shepherd stood watch for 2 days until help arrived. Even afterward, the dog's plaintive cries rejected food. Dogs, like this faithful companion, embody the… <a href="https://t.co/wyLpRHWGSu">pic.twitter.com/wyLpRHWGSu</a></p>
— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) <a href="https://twitter.com/iNikhilsaini/status/1755479310977372183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Abhinandan's family as per the report have reached Baijnath to collect the bodies.&nbsp;From there, the deceased along with the German Shepherd will be taken to Pathankot.</p>

<p>Talking to Tribune, Bir SHO Dalip Saklani described the scene as "heart-wrenching" and said that the police found the dog crying and guarding the body of its owner.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


It is rightly said that dogs are man's best friend. A canine companion has once again proven this by his unmatched loyalty. In India's Himachal Pradesh, a dog stood and guarded his master's body from wild animals amid snow for 48 hours.

It is rightly said that dogs are man's best friend. A canine companion has once again proven this by his unmatched loyalty. In India's Himachal Pradesh, a dog stood and guarded his master's body from wild animals amid snow for 48 hours. The incident is from Bir-Billing, where Alpha, a German Shepherd stood guard over his human Abhinandan Gupta and his friend Parnita Bal Sahib's bodies at the daunting height of 9,000 feet. What happened? Pune residents Gupta and his friend Sahib, as per a Tribune India report had gone to the popular tourist destination Billing on Sunday (Feb 4th) afternoon by a private car. While returning to their base camp at Chogan near Bir, the friends due to heavy snow left their car midway and started making their way on foot along with the dog, Alpha. But the duo reportedly slipped due to the snow and fell into a deep gorge. Footprints at the scene of the incident suggests that they tried to climb out of the gorge, but failed. They died there, probably due to the acute cold and injuries. Also read | India: One dead, many injured after portion of Delhi metro station collapses A rescue team comprising paragliders and the police found their bodies with Alpha keeping guard over them. While they had signs of attack by wild animals, the dog kept their bodies from being taken away by wild animals like black bear and leopards. He was found wailing next to them. An official said that "Alpha's continuous wailing reflected his desperation and grief as if he was hoping that the team would save his master. Alpha too had sustained injuries, but he survived and continued to guard the bodies for 48 hours till Tuesday when rescue team reached on the spot." How the bodies were recovered As per the report, Abhinandan Gupta's brother-in-law reported that the friends were missing. The duo was missing since Sunday, and their phones were switched off. After a frantic search of around two days they were found lying dead deep in the forest with Alpha by their side. Also read | India: Delhi-Noida border witnesses massive traffic jams as farmers call for protest "They were last spotted on a ridge by some other tourists. So, two teams were sent on either side of the hill. Finally, their bodies were found with the German shepherd sitting guard for the last 48 hours," said an official with the rescue team. Alpha the dog was also injured. He allowed the rescue team to recover the body and accompanied them to Bir. "In Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh, a touching scene unfolded. Two trackers lost their life , but their faithful German Shepherd stood watch for 2 days until help arrived. Even afterward, the dog's plaintive cries rejected food. Dogs, like this faithful companion, embody the… pic.twitter.com/wyLpRHWGSu — Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) February 8, 2024 × Abhinandan's family as per the report have reached Baijnath to collect the bodies. From there, the deceased along with the German Shepherd will be taken to Pathankot. Talking to Tribune, Bir SHO Dalip Saklani described the scene as "heart-wrenching" and said that the police found the dog crying and guarding the body of its owner. (With inputs from agencies)

Pet dog protects owner's body from wild animals for 48 hours amid heavy snow. Watch

<p>Social media is a wonderful place, where every day the cutest content reaches our eyes. The latest in this is a video of two adorable girls reporting on the snowfall in India's Kashmir.</p>

<p>Guaranteed to make your day, the adorable video has even been shared by famous industrialist Anand Mahindra with the caption "Sleds on Snow Or Shayari on Snow. My vote goes to the second…"</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-kashmirs-gulmarg-flaunts-its-status-as-indias-winter-wonderland-in-drone-footage-686990">Watch: Kashmir's Gulmarg flaunts its status as India's winter wonderland in drone footage</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>'Jannat'</strong></h2>

<p>In the video, the spotlight falls on two twin sisters joyously playing in&nbsp;the freshly fallen snow in Kashmir. Their vivid expressions convey sheer excitement and gratitude for the long-awaited snowfall.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The girls, brimming with enthusiasm, share that they had fervently prayed for this picturesque moment. Against the backdrop of pristine white surroundings, they poetically refer to the scene as "jannat" (heaven), offering viewers a glimpse into their enchanting winter wonderland that is Kashmir.</p>

<p>Watch the video here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sleds on Snow<br />
<br />
Or<br />
<br />
Shayari on Snow.<br />
<br />
My vote goes to the second…<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sunday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sunday</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://t.co/qajdrVYyr7">pic.twitter.com/qajdrVYyr7</a></p>
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/anandmahindra/status/1754071584896332256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The sisters, radiating infectious joy, express how much they are relishing the moment and indulging in playful activities. "Toh hum yahan par bahot zyada enjoy kar rahe hai, masti kar rahe hain (So, we are enjoying a lot here, having a great time), they declare with palpable excitement." The video unfolds with them, showing the snowy landscape that surrounds them, and revealing&nbsp;their&nbsp;plans to make the most of this delightful occasion.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/the-best-is-yet-to-come-mark-zuckerberg-celebrates-20-years-of-facebook-687251">‘The best is yet to come’: Mark Zuckerberg celebrates 20 years of Facebook</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Viral Video</strong></h2>

<p>This video, which was shared by Mahindra on February 4, has gained close to 416 thousand views. It also has over 12,000 likes and numerous comments gushing over the cuteness.</p>

<p>"Oh My God. What a cute video. Enjoyed watching it. Worth sharing," said one user.</p>

<p>"Such a wholesome video!," commented another, while a third user said, "Cuteness overloaded."</p>


Social media is a wonderful place, where every day the cutest content reaches our eyes. The latest in this is a video of two adorable girls reporting on the snowfall in India's Kashmir.

Social media is a wonderful place, where every day the cutest content reaches our eyes. The latest in this is a video of two adorable girls reporting on the snowfall in India's Kashmir. Guaranteed to make your day, the adorable video has even been shared by famous industrialist Anand Mahindra with the caption "Sleds on Snow Or Shayari on Snow. My vote goes to the second…" Also read | Watch: Kashmir's Gulmarg flaunts its status as India's winter wonderland in drone footage 'Jannat' In the video, the spotlight falls on two twin sisters joyously playing in the freshly fallen snow in Kashmir. Their vivid expressions convey sheer excitement and gratitude for the long-awaited snowfall. The girls, brimming with enthusiasm, share that they had fervently prayed for this picturesque moment. Against the backdrop of pristine white surroundings, they poetically refer to the scene as "jannat" (heaven), offering viewers a glimpse into their enchanting winter wonderland that is Kashmir. Watch the video here: Sleds on Snow Or Shayari on Snow. My vote goes to the second…#Sunday pic.twitter.com/qajdrVYyr7 — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 4, 2024 × The sisters, radiating infectious joy, express how much they are relishing the moment and indulging in playful activities. "Toh hum yahan par bahot zyada enjoy kar rahe hai, masti kar rahe hain (So, we are enjoying a lot here, having a great time), they declare with palpable excitement." The video unfolds with them, showing the snowy landscape that surrounds them, and revealing their plans to make the most of this delightful occasion. Also read | ‘The best is yet to come’: Mark Zuckerberg celebrates 20 years of Facebook Viral Video This video, which was shared by Mahindra on February 4, has gained close to 416 thousand views. It also has over 12,000 likes and numerous comments gushing over the cuteness. "Oh My God. What a cute video. Enjoyed watching it. Worth sharing," said one user. "Such a wholesome video!," commented another, while a third user said, "Cuteness overloaded."

Kashmir’s snowfall through the eyes of adorable twin sisters. Watch viral heartwarming video

<p>Revenge is a dish best served cold, and what's colder than paying to have your ex neutered? In the United States' South Jersey area, an animal shelter is offering people some harmless fun this Valentine's Day. If you are a resident of Blackwood, New Jersey, at the small price of $50, you can "Neuter Your Ex," or rather, a cat named after your ex.</p>

<h2><strong>Valentine's Day gimmick</strong></h2>

<p>In recent years, gimmicks like naming a cockroach after your ex have become all the rage, especially around Valentine's, a day which can be hard for jaded/jilted lovers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-bbc-releases-3000-emails-around-princess-dianas-interview-scandal-685518">BBC releases 3,000 emails around Princess Diana’s interview scandal</a></strong></p>

<p>Using the rage that many of us have for our exes, the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood, New Jersey launched its "Neuter Your Ex" donation event for Valentine's Day.</p>

<p>A person can get some petty satisfaction by neutering their ex, all the while helping a feral cat.</p>

<p>As the shelter in its promotion put it, "Neuter your ex for Valentine's Day… because some things shouldn't breed."</p>

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<p>In a post on social media, the shelter explained that "the cat will then be spayed or neutered before being released back to their colony as part of our trap-neuter-return (TNR) program."</p>

<h2><strong>How do I neuter my ex?</strong></h2>

<p>All you have to do is send the animal shelter a $50 donation and share your ex's name with them via the payment platform, or by sending them a screenshot of the payment confirmation and the name.</p>

<p>There is only one condition: the shelter will accept either the first name or nicknames and won't entertain full names.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/us-brings-new-bill-to-tackle-deepfakes-post-taylor-swift-ai-nudes-scandal-685494">US brings new bill to tackle deepfakes post Taylor Swift AI nudes scandal</a></strong></p>

<p>Talking to CBS News, Eric Schwartz, director of development for Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center, said that the promotion has "absolutely taken off".</p>

<p>He said that the idea was suggested by a volunteer and that when people read the tagline "some things shouldn't breed", more often than not, even if they do not talk about it openly, "I think an image or a name comes into their mind."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Revenge is a dish best served cold, and what's colder than paying to have your ex neutered? In the United States' South Jersey area, an animal shelter is offering people some harmless fun this Valentine's Day.

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and what's colder than paying to have your ex neutered? In the United States' South Jersey area, an animal shelter is offering people some harmless fun this Valentine's Day. If you are a resident of Blackwood, New Jersey, at the small price of $50, you can "Neuter Your Ex," or rather, a cat named after your ex. Valentine's Day gimmick In recent years, gimmicks like naming a cockroach after your ex have become all the rage, especially around Valentine's, a day which can be hard for jaded/jilted lovers. Also read | BBC releases 3,000 emails around Princess Diana’s interview scandal Using the rage that many of us have for our exes, the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood, New Jersey launched its "Neuter Your Ex" donation event for Valentine's Day. A person can get some petty satisfaction by neutering their ex, all the while helping a feral cat. As the shelter in its promotion put it, "Neuter your ex for Valentine's Day… because some things shouldn't breed." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Homeward Bound Pet Adoption (@homewardboundnj) × In a post on social media, the shelter explained that "the cat will then be spayed or neutered before being released back to their colony as part of our trap-neuter-return (TNR) program." How do I neuter my ex? All you have to do is send the animal shelter a $50 donation and share your ex's name with them via the payment platform, or by sending them a screenshot of the payment confirmation and the name. There is only one condition: the shelter will accept either the first name or nicknames and won't entertain full names. Also read | US brings new bill to tackle deepfakes post Taylor Swift AI nudes scandal Talking to CBS News, Eric Schwartz, director of development for Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center, said that the promotion has "absolutely taken off". He said that the idea was suggested by a volunteer and that when people read the tagline "some things shouldn't breed", more often than not, even if they do not talk about it openly, "I think an image or a name comes into their mind." (With inputs from agencies)

'Some things shouldn't breed': US shelter lets jilted lovers 'neuter' their ex for Valentine's Day

<p>A former Google and Twitter executive was supposedly enjoying eating ‘Kurkure’ in the cafeteria of Beijing’s Google office when he was abruptly interrupted by a colleague. “Wow, I didn't know you were a fan of these,” the colleague warned. “Yes, of course. I grew up eating something similar as a snack in India,” replied Parminder Singh, former Managing Director of Google and Twitter. But then the response from the colleague left him red-faced.</p>

<p>It turned out that Singh was relishing crispy duck tongues all along and not ‘Kurkure.’ “Really? Are duck tongues common in India,” the colleague asked in a tone reflecting shock and surprise.</p>

<p>Singh recently took to X to narrate this funny incident to his followers. He said the incident took place when he was visiting Google's Beijing office.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2xiU6ARq5_gDsmGt6CNPSR" data-ved="2ahUKEwiXuqzmu_ODAxUeS2wGHVZ-AbcQxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/india-police-detain-punjab-man-for-impersonating-a-girl-during-examination-679963" jsname="YKoRaf">India: Police detain Punjab man for impersonating a girl during examination</a></strong></p>

<p>“I had been relishing crispy-coated duck tongues! Now, whenever I see a plate of 'kurkure', I double-check to make sure it's not Chinese tongue-di kabab,'' Singh wrote on X.</p>

<p>Singh further clarified that he was “happily adventurous’ with his food choices and accidentally eating duck tongues didn’t bother him. “Just for the record, I’m happily adventurous with my food. I have eaten everything from snakes to insects, and of course duck tongues! But when I expect kurkure, I want kurkure!” Singh wrote.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Just for the record, I’m happily adventurous with my food. I have eaten everything from snakes to insects, and of course duck tongues! But when I expect kurkure, I want kurkure!</p>
— Parminder Singh (@parrysingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/parrysingh/status/1749308005198573922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Users on X were both surprised and amused by the incident, who then shared their own food mix-up experiences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''I filled my plate with something looking like sev-bhajia in Kuala Lumpur. I found the smell a bit strange. When looked closely, every strand of sev had a pair of tiniest eyes. It was some kind of deep-fried minuscule fish!'' one user wrote.<br />
<br />
Political analyst, Tehseen Poonawalla also commented that he loves duck tongues and finds them to be ''yummy and addictive.''</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctbtn="0" data-cthref="/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=newssearch&amp;cd=&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiXuqzmu_ODAxUeS2wGHVZ-AbcQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wionews.com%2Ftrending%2Faliens-kidnapped-my-mom-woman-leaves-reddit-stunned-with-otherworldly-claim-682051&amp;usg=AOvVaw1VXFKuClqG7hxyw9UczlUX&amp;opi=89978449" data-jrwt="1" data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1VXFKuClqG7hxyw9UczlUX" data-ved="2ahUKEwiXuqzmu_ODAxUeS2wGHVZ-AbcQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=newssearch&amp;cd=&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiXuqzmu_ODAxUeS2wGHVZ-AbcQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wionews.com%2Ftrending%2Faliens-kidnapped-my-mom-woman-leaves-reddit-stunned-with-otherworldly-claim-682051&amp;usg=AOvVaw1VXFKuClqG7hxyw9UczlUX&amp;opi=89978449" jsname="YKoRaf">'Aliens kidnapped my mom,' woman leaves Reddit stunned with otherworldly claim</a></strong></p>

<p>“A famished me found an instant noodles cup in the snacks tray at a hotel in Guangzhou. Seeing the tiny green circle sticker relieved me. "Vegetarian food at last!" I muttered as I grabbed the cup. It had a large colourful photo of a prawn covered in noodles. &nbsp;Evidently, fish is considered vegetarian there,” a third user wrote.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A former Google and Twitter executive was supposedly enjoying eating ‘Kurkure’ in the cafeteria of Beijing’s Google office when he was abruptly interrupted by a colleague.

A former Google and Twitter executive was supposedly enjoying eating ‘Kurkure’ in the cafeteria of Beijing’s Google office when he was abruptly interrupted by a colleague. “Wow, I didn't know you were a fan of these,” the colleague warned. “Yes, of course. I grew up eating something similar as a snack in India,” replied Parminder Singh, former Managing Director of Google and Twitter. But then the response from the colleague left him red-faced. It turned out that Singh was relishing crispy duck tongues all along and not ‘Kurkure.’ “Really? Are duck tongues common in India,” the colleague asked in a tone reflecting shock and surprise. Singh recently took to X to narrate this funny incident to his followers. He said the incident took place when he was visiting Google's Beijing office. Also read: India: Police detain Punjab man for impersonating a girl during examination “I had been relishing crispy-coated duck tongues! Now, whenever I see a plate of 'kurkure', I double-check to make sure it's not Chinese tongue-di kabab,'' Singh wrote on X. Singh further clarified that he was “happily adventurous’ with his food choices and accidentally eating duck tongues didn’t bother him. “Just for the record, I’m happily adventurous with my food. I have eaten everything from snakes to insects, and of course duck tongues! But when I expect kurkure, I want kurkure!” Singh wrote. Just for the record, I’m happily adventurous with my food. I have eaten everything from snakes to insects, and of course duck tongues! But when I expect kurkure, I want kurkure! — Parminder Singh (@parrysingh) January 22, 2024 × Users on X were both surprised and amused by the incident, who then shared their own food mix-up experiences. ''I filled my plate with something looking like sev-bhajia in Kuala Lumpur. I found the smell a bit strange. When looked closely, every strand of sev had a pair of tiniest eyes. It was some kind of deep-fried minuscule fish!'' one user wrote. Political analyst, Tehseen Poonawalla also commented that he loves duck tongues and finds them to be ''yummy and addictive.'' Also read: 'Aliens kidnapped my mom,' woman leaves Reddit stunned with otherworldly claim “A famished me found an instant noodles cup in the snacks tray at a hotel in Guangzhou. Seeing the tiny green circle sticker relieved me. "Vegetarian food at last!" I muttered as I grabbed the cup. It had a large colourful photo of a prawn covered in noodles. Evidently, fish is considered vegetarian there,” a third user wrote. (With inputs from agencies)

Ex-Google MD munched on crispy duck tongue in Beijing thinking it was kurkure, shares story

<p>A man was detained by police in the north Indian state of Punjab earlier this month for impersonating a girl and attempting to take a recruitment exam for health workers. The man, identified as Angrez Singh from Fazilka, had appeared for the exam of multi-purpose health workers held by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, at DAV Public School in Kotkapura on January 7.</p>

<p>The man had dressed as a girl for the examination, well adorned with red bangles, a bindi, and lipstick and was seated wearing a ladies’ attire.</p>

<p>Everything went well in the first hour of the examination but investigators grew suspicious after noticing something wrong with the attire later..</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Will this new nuclear bomb spark World War III</strong></p>

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<p>The suspicion prompted the investigators to run a biometric verification process, which revealed the 25-year-old man’s true identity. It was established that the man was impersonating a female candidate, named Paramjit Kaur, from Fazilka and was wearing a wig.</p>

<p>The man was immediately apprehended and handed over to police by the University administration. Another similar incident was reported in the area some days ago, indicating the involvement of a larger network.</p>

<p>Dr Rajeev Sud, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences was quoted by India Today TV as saying that Angrez was appearing for the exam on behalf of a girl, identified as Paramjit Kaur, a resident of Fazilka.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/doomed-private-us-moon-lander-now-destined-for-earth-to-burn-up-in-atmosphere-679888"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Doomed private US Moon lander now destined for Earth, to ‘burn up’ in atmosphere</strong></a></p>

<p>Faroidkot SP Jasmeet Singh later confirmed that the man was detained and an investigation had been initiated. "We received a complaint from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, and we are currently investigating the matter. We will take appropriate action after completing our inquiry," he said.</p>

<p>It must be noted that Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) earlier this month conducted a recruitment exam for 806 posts of multipurpose health worker. About 7,200 candidates appeared in the exam at the centres in Kotkapura, Faridkot and Ferozepur.</p>

<p>As a result of the incident, the candidature of Paramjit Kaur was cancelled by the university administration.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A man was detained by police in the north Indian state of Punjab earlier this month for impersonating a girl and attempting to take a recruitment exam for health workers.

A man was detained by police in the north Indian state of Punjab earlier this month for impersonating a girl and attempting to take a recruitment exam for health workers. The man, identified as Angrez Singh from Fazilka, had appeared for the exam of multi-purpose health workers held by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, at DAV Public School in Kotkapura on January 7. The man had dressed as a girl for the examination, well adorned with red bangles, a bindi, and lipstick and was seated wearing a ladies’ attire. Everything went well in the first hour of the examination but investigators grew suspicious after noticing something wrong with the attire later.. Watch: Will this new nuclear bomb spark World War III × The suspicion prompted the investigators to run a biometric verification process, which revealed the 25-year-old man’s true identity. It was established that the man was impersonating a female candidate, named Paramjit Kaur, from Fazilka and was wearing a wig. The man was immediately apprehended and handed over to police by the University administration. Another similar incident was reported in the area some days ago, indicating the involvement of a larger network. Dr Rajeev Sud, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences was quoted by India Today TV as saying that Angrez was appearing for the exam on behalf of a girl, identified as Paramjit Kaur, a resident of Fazilka. Also read: Doomed private US Moon lander now destined for Earth, to ‘burn up’ in atmosphere Faroidkot SP Jasmeet Singh later confirmed that the man was detained and an investigation had been initiated. "We received a complaint from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, and we are currently investigating the matter. We will take appropriate action after completing our inquiry," he said. It must be noted that Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) earlier this month conducted a recruitment exam for 806 posts of multipurpose health worker. About 7,200 candidates appeared in the exam at the centres in Kotkapura, Faridkot and Ferozepur. As a result of the incident, the candidature of Paramjit Kaur was cancelled by the university administration. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Police detain Punjab man for impersonating a girl during examination

<p>In a digital era marked by technological leaps, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) comes with both opportunities and challenges. On Tuesday, in a stark warning, top US law enforcement and intelligence officials raised concerns about the dark potential of AI. Speaking at the International Conference on Cyber Security at Fordham University in Manhattan they suggested that artificial intelligence's evolution could amplify the risks associated with hacking, scamming, and money laundering.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>AI can help scams</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking at the cyber security conference, Rob Joyce, the Director of Cybersecurity at the National Security Agency, said that AI is now being employed by less technically savvy individuals to execute hacking operations that would have been beyond their reach otherwise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Joyce, as reported by Reuters,&nbsp;emphasised the worrisome development and said, "It's going to make those that use AI more effective and more dangerous."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/terror-beasts-scientists-unearth-500-million-year-old-giant-predator-worms-in-greenland-676493">Terror Beasts: 500-million-year old 'giant' predator worms unearthed in Greenland&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>However, on a somewhat optimistic note, he acknowledged that AI advancements are aiding US authorities in uncovering malicious activities.</p>

<p>The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is already witnessing a surge in cyber intrusions attributed to the diminished technical barriers facilitated by AI, revealed James Smith, the Assistant Director in charge of the FBI's New York field office, during the conference.</p>

<h2><strong>More than just hacking</strong></h2>

<p>The potential implications extend beyond hacking, reaching into the realm of financial crimes, according to top federal prosecutors. Damian Williams, the US Attorney in Manhattan, pointed out that AI could empower individuals who do not speak English to craft convincing messages, to scam unsuspecting victims.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-announces-13-ideas-that-won-175000-under-prestigious-niac-programme-676847">NASA announces 13 ideas that won $175,000 under prestigious NIAC programme</a></strong></p>

<p>Breon Peace, the US Attorney in Brooklyn, delved into the unsettling territory of AI-generated "deepfake" images and videos. He expressed concern that such sophisticated content could deceive banks' identity verification systems, that are designed to prevent money laundering. Peace cautioned that this could enable criminals and terrorists to exploit the financial system at scale, "undermining the system of controls that we have developed for decades".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a digital era marked by technological leaps, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) comes with both opportunities and challenges. On Tuesday, in a stark warning, top US law enforcement and intelligence officials raised concerns about the dark potential of AI.

In a digital era marked by technological leaps, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) comes with both opportunities and challenges. On Tuesday, in a stark warning, top US law enforcement and intelligence officials raised concerns about the dark potential of AI. Speaking at the International Conference on Cyber Security at Fordham University in Manhattan they suggested that artificial intelligence's evolution could amplify the risks associated with hacking, scamming, and money laundering. AI can help scams Speaking at the cyber security conference, Rob Joyce, the Director of Cybersecurity at the National Security Agency, said that AI is now being employed by less technically savvy individuals to execute hacking operations that would have been beyond their reach otherwise. Joyce, as reported by Reuters, emphasised the worrisome development and said, "It's going to make those that use AI more effective and more dangerous." Also read | Terror Beasts: 500-million-year old 'giant' predator worms unearthed in Greenland However, on a somewhat optimistic note, he acknowledged that AI advancements are aiding US authorities in uncovering malicious activities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is already witnessing a surge in cyber intrusions attributed to the diminished technical barriers facilitated by AI, revealed James Smith, the Assistant Director in charge of the FBI's New York field office, during the conference. More than just hacking The potential implications extend beyond hacking, reaching into the realm of financial crimes, according to top federal prosecutors. Damian Williams, the US Attorney in Manhattan, pointed out that AI could empower individuals who do not speak English to craft convincing messages, to scam unsuspecting victims. Also read | NASA announces 13 ideas that won $175,000 under prestigious NIAC programme Breon Peace, the US Attorney in Brooklyn, delved into the unsettling territory of AI-generated "deepfake" images and videos. He expressed concern that such sophisticated content could deceive banks' identity verification systems, that are designed to prevent money laundering. Peace cautioned that this could enable criminals and terrorists to exploit the financial system at scale, "undermining the system of controls that we have developed for decades". (With inputs from agencies)

AI's double-edged sword: Technology making hacking easy for non-tech-savvy people, warn US officials

<p>A UK woman was left red-faced after she accidentally put her grandmother’s ashes in the washing machine. The Norfolk woman, named Briley Coates, said she was shocked to find a small black bag muddled up in the machine along with freshly cleaned clothes. It took her a moment to realise that the bag contained her nan’s ashes.</p>

<p>"I pulled my washing out when I saw the ashes at the bottom of the machine and started laughing, but I was also massively confused as to how she got in there - she was meant to be in a drawer upstairs," said the 30-year-old woman.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;UK: Labour scrutiny over closure of firm owned by PM Sunak's wife</strong></p>

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<p>However, it didn’t take her long to figure out who exactly was to be blamed for the insane act: Her two-year-old half-Norwegian Forest cat, named Menace, quite literally!</p>

<p>It turned out the cat had managed to reach the upstairs drawer and push the sealed bag full of ashes into the washing machine. The woman said her ‘naughty’ cat was playing with the bag before it slipped into the pile of clothes, that she accidentally scooped up.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/mysterious-cemetery-unearthed-in-uk-with-females-buried-in-crouched-positions-677909"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Mysterious cemetery unearthed in UK with females buried in crouched positions</strong></a></p>

<p>"He [the cat] must have pulled her bag out of the drawer after seeing the tie hanging out. He really is a menace; I've just found him running around with her in his mouth,” the woman was quoted as saying by local media.</p>

<p>"I instantly laughed, and I wasn't in any type of mood anymore. My Nan always said she would always be around, and I do believe in things like that,” the woman said.</p>

<p>"My mom absolutely loved it; she instantly said that it's my Nan playing tricks on me," she added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A UK woman was left red-faced after she accidentally put her grandmother’s ashes in the washing machine. The Norfolk woman, named Briley Coates, said she was shocked to find a small black bag muddled up in the machine along with freshly cleaned clothes.

A UK woman was left red-faced after she accidentally put her grandmother’s ashes in the washing machine. The Norfolk woman, named Briley Coates, said she was shocked to find a small black bag muddled up in the machine along with freshly cleaned clothes. It took her a moment to realise that the bag contained her nan’s ashes. "I pulled my washing out when I saw the ashes at the bottom of the machine and started laughing, but I was also massively confused as to how she got in there - she was meant to be in a drawer upstairs," said the 30-year-old woman. Watch: UK: Labour scrutiny over closure of firm owned by PM Sunak's wife × However, it didn’t take her long to figure out who exactly was to be blamed for the insane act: Her two-year-old half-Norwegian Forest cat, named Menace, quite literally! It turned out the cat had managed to reach the upstairs drawer and push the sealed bag full of ashes into the washing machine. The woman said her ‘naughty’ cat was playing with the bag before it slipped into the pile of clothes, that she accidentally scooped up. Also read: Mysterious cemetery unearthed in UK with females buried in crouched positions "He [the cat] must have pulled her bag out of the drawer after seeing the tie hanging out. He really is a menace; I've just found him running around with her in his mouth,” the woman was quoted as saying by local media. "I instantly laughed, and I wasn't in any type of mood anymore. My Nan always said she would always be around, and I do believe in things like that,” the woman said. "My mom absolutely loved it; she instantly said that it's my Nan playing tricks on me," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

UK woman left red-faced after finding her grandmother’s ashes in washing machine, blames ‘Menace’

<p>The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library.</p>

<h2><strong>Titan Submersible Implosion&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>On June 18th, Titan, a submersible carrying five passengers, embarked on a fascinating expedition to view the wreck of Titanic, a ship known for its tragic end. However, merely 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the submersible lost contact with its mother ship, the 'Polar Prince'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Four days after it went missing, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered debris containing parts of Titan. It was found merely 500 metres (1,640.42 feet) from the bow of the Titanic.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-lets-rewind-2023-to-medical-breakthroughs-that-gave-world-hope-668897">Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope</a></strong></p>

<p>The Coast Guard announcing the discovery of debris said that it indicated the Titan's implosion and the instantaneous loss of all onboard — Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British airline executive; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert; and Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/07/03/364126-new-wion-58.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>Alien Mummies in Mexico</strong></h2>

<p>On September 13, journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan presented the specimens at a Mexico congressional event on UFOs or FANIs in Spanish.</p>

<p>At the time, Maussan said that the bodies believed to have been found near the mysterious ancient Nazca lines in Peru were not related to life on Earth.</p>

<p>As expected, the scientific community had its doubts. However, in November, at a Congressional hearing in Mexico, researchers declared that the previously displayed three-fingered Peruvian mummies were authentic. However, they cautiously steered away from certifying the remains' extraterrestrial origins.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/11/08/391965-new-wion-2023-11-08t162956628.jpg?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>NASA's First-Ever Report on UFOs</strong></h2>

<p>September was truly a month of extraterrestrials. Apart from the Peruvian mummies that month, NASA also unveiled a report on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects), or UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwis1e6UibKDAxVZTmwGHV1_D9AQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2O8NmctanKgzpaYTcgG0pX" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303" target="_blank">Rewind 2023: 8 AI-Generated Images That Went Viral This Year</a></strong></p>

<p>In its report, the US space agency said that it did not find any evidence that the recently reported a spate of UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin. However, Bill Nelson, Administrator of NASA, said that the finding does not mean that the space agency is denying the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/05/17/352229-new-wion-77.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>A Special Delivery From Space</strong></h2>

<p>In October, NASA successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of an asteroid called Bennu. The materials, dating back around 4.5 billion years, were collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe in 2020. Finally, this year, the precious samples travelled some 67,000 miles (107,826.05 kilometres) to touch down on Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning," said the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta at the time.</p>

<p>The celestial specimen can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more as&nbsp;asteroid samples, are composed of the 'original materials of the solar system' and are considered relics of the early solar system.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/24/381732-untitled-design-2023-09-24t210010052.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>Crashing Into The Moon</strong></h2>

<p>You've heard of car crashes, but 2023 was the year of a space crash. In August, Russia's first moon mission in 47 years failed, with the Luna-25 spacecraft spinning out of control and crashing into the moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The spacecraft sought to land on the Moon's South Pole, and collect geological samples from the lunar surface. This was seen as a precursor to the eventual human colony on the moon.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/01/376706-copy-of-untitled-4.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>Dark Side of the Moon&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Soon after Russia failed, India succeeded in landing on the South Pole or the dark side of the moon. On August 23, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, with its lander Vikram and rover Pragyan, made the historic achievement, making India the first country to touch down on the unexplored side of the Earth's lunar satellite. Not just that, India also etched its name in history as only the fourth nation to touch the lunar surface.&nbsp;<br />
<img alt="Chandrayaan 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7765fb88-73fa-4349-a58f-24daee16d22d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2878%29.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Mysterious Object Haunts Australia Beach</strong></h2>

<p>In July, a large mysterious object was found on a remote West Australian beach. Initially, it was thought to be rocket debris from India's moon mission, Chandrayaan-3. However, India denied any links to the object and the origins of this object still remain unknown. It was eventually moved to a secret location.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/07/19/368161-new-wion40.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>Life on Mars?</strong></h2>

<p>In October, NASA announced that it had found evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars… once upon a time. Examining data collected by NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover, a team of researchers deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University. The findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/26/389117-new-wion-13.jpg?imwidth=3840" /></p>


The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library.

The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library. Titan Submersible Implosion On June 18th, Titan, a submersible carrying five passengers, embarked on a fascinating expedition to view the wreck of Titanic, a ship known for its tragic end. However, merely 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the submersible lost contact with its mother ship, the 'Polar Prince'. Four days after it went missing, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered debris containing parts of Titan. It was found merely 500 metres (1,640.42 feet) from the bow of the Titanic. Also read | Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope The Coast Guard announcing the discovery of debris said that it indicated the Titan's implosion and the instantaneous loss of all onboard — Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British airline executive; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert; and Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo. Alien Mummies in Mexico On September 13, journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan presented the specimens at a Mexico congressional event on UFOs or FANIs in Spanish. At the time, Maussan said that the bodies believed to have been found near the mysterious ancient Nazca lines in Peru were not related to life on Earth. As expected, the scientific community had its doubts. However, in November, at a Congressional hearing in Mexico, researchers declared that the previously displayed three-fingered Peruvian mummies were authentic. However, they cautiously steered away from certifying the remains' extraterrestrial origins. NASA's First-Ever Report on UFOs September was truly a month of extraterrestrials. Apart from the Peruvian mummies that month, NASA also unveiled a report on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects), or UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena). Also read | Rewind 2023: 8 AI-Generated Images That Went Viral This Year In its report, the US space agency said that it did not find any evidence that the recently reported a spate of UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin. However, Bill Nelson, Administrator of NASA, said that the finding does not mean that the space agency is denying the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe. A Special Delivery From Space In October, NASA successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of an asteroid called Bennu. The materials, dating back around 4.5 billion years, were collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe in 2020. Finally, this year, the precious samples travelled some 67,000 miles (107,826.05 kilometres) to touch down on Earth. "That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning," said the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta at the time. The celestial specimen can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more as asteroid samples, are composed of the 'original materials of the solar system' and are considered relics of the early solar system. Crashing Into The Moon You've heard of car crashes, but 2023 was the year of a space crash. In August, Russia's first moon mission in 47 years failed, with the Luna-25 spacecraft spinning out of control and crashing into the moon. The spacecraft sought to land on the Moon's South Pole, and collect geological samples from the lunar surface. This was seen as a precursor to the eventual human colony on the moon. Dark Side of the Moon Soon after Russia failed, India succeeded in landing on the South Pole or the dark side of the moon. On August 23, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, with its lander Vikram and rover Pragyan, made the historic achievement, making India the first country to touch down on the unexplored side of the Earth's lunar satellite. Not just that, India also etched its name in history as only the fourth nation to touch the lunar surface. Mysterious Object Haunts Australia Beach In July, a large mysterious object was found on a remote West Australian beach. Initially, it was thought to be rocket debris from India's moon mission, Chandrayaan-3. However, India denied any links to the object and the origins of this object still remain unknown. It was eventually moved to a secret location. Life on Mars? In October, NASA announced that it had found evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars… once upon a time. Examining data collected by NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover, a team of researchers deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water. "We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University. The findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Rewind 2023: Moments this year that seemed straight out of science fiction

<p>A new viral video has captured the internet's attention. The enthralling video is from Florida's Everglades National Park, where an amateur wildlife photographer captured a thrilling predator vs prey spectacle. The video features a sizeable alligator and a massive Burmese python.</p>

<h2><strong>One for the 'home team'</strong></h2>

<p>Alison Joslyn, an amateur wildlife photographer, documented the dramatic encounter on the Shark Valley Trail. The video shot by her shows a substantial alligator triumphantly feasting on a Burmese python—an invasive trespasser in Florida's natural habitat.</p>

<p>The video, which is widely being shared across social media platforms,&nbsp;showcases the primal dynamics of the ecosystem.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-72-million-year-old-snail-fossil-from-western-romania-673898">Scientists discover 72 million-year-old Snail fossil from western Romania</a></strong></p>

<p>Watch it here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A rare occurrence even for Florida: an alligator feasted on a python <a href="https://t.co/QP7E2e7ehl">pic.twitter.com/QP7E2e7ehl</a></p>
— Trending News (@Trend_War_Newss) <a href="https://twitter.com/Trend_War_Newss/status/1739352177909301471?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a conversation with Storyful, Joslyn, talking about the enthralling incident she witnessed, said: "What a thrill to come across an alligator eating a large invasive Burmese Python in Shark Valley as I was out riding my bike."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As an amateur wildlife photographer, I knew immediately I was seeing something very special," she added.</p>

<h2><strong>Dead or alive</strong></h2>

<p>Joslyn said that at first,&nbsp;she contemplated the possibility that both the massive creatures were dead. However, to her astonishment, the alligator, seemingly unfazed, opened one of its eyes,&nbsp;nonchalantly acknowledging&nbsp;her presence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Burmese pythons are notorious for preying on various creatures, including alligators. This further intensifies the significance of this documented showdown.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/humans-can-learn-to-sleep-like-bears-to-save-their-lives-study-673901">Humans can learn to sleep like bears to save their lives: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>"Phew! Score one for the home team!" said the photographer.</p>

<p>In Florida, where the delicate ecosystems are threatened by the presence of invasive Burmese Pythons, the humane culling of the snake is permitted. Devoid of protection, the humane killing of the snakes is permitted by the FWC, particularly on private property with landowner consent. Renowned as one of the world's largest snake species, Burmese Python specimens in Florida can average between 6 feet (1.83 metres) and 9 feet (2.74 metres).</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A new viral video has captured the internet's attention. The enthralling video is from Florida's Everglades National Park, where an amateur wildlife photographer captured a thrilling predator vs prey spectacle.

A new viral video has captured the internet's attention. The enthralling video is from Florida's Everglades National Park, where an amateur wildlife photographer captured a thrilling predator vs prey spectacle. The video features a sizeable alligator and a massive Burmese python. One for the 'home team' Alison Joslyn, an amateur wildlife photographer, documented the dramatic encounter on the Shark Valley Trail. The video shot by her shows a substantial alligator triumphantly feasting on a Burmese python—an invasive trespasser in Florida's natural habitat. The video, which is widely being shared across social media platforms, showcases the primal dynamics of the ecosystem. Also read | Scientists discover 72 million-year-old Snail fossil from western Romania Watch it here: A rare occurrence even for Florida: an alligator feasted on a python pic.twitter.com/QP7E2e7ehl — Trending News (@Trend_War_Newss) December 25, 2023 × In a conversation with Storyful, Joslyn, talking about the enthralling incident she witnessed, said: "What a thrill to come across an alligator eating a large invasive Burmese Python in Shark Valley as I was out riding my bike." "As an amateur wildlife photographer, I knew immediately I was seeing something very special," she added. Dead or alive Joslyn said that at first, she contemplated the possibility that both the massive creatures were dead. However, to her astonishment, the alligator, seemingly unfazed, opened one of its eyes, nonchalantly acknowledging her presence. As per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Burmese pythons are notorious for preying on various creatures, including alligators. This further intensifies the significance of this documented showdown. Also read | Humans can learn to sleep like bears to save their lives: Study "Phew! Score one for the home team!" said the photographer. In Florida, where the delicate ecosystems are threatened by the presence of invasive Burmese Pythons, the humane culling of the snake is permitted. Devoid of protection, the humane killing of the snakes is permitted by the FWC, particularly on private property with landowner consent. Renowned as one of the world's largest snake species, Burmese Python specimens in Florida can average between 6 feet (1.83 metres) and 9 feet (2.74 metres). (With inputs from agencies)

Predator vs Prey: Alligator chomps down invasive python in Florida. Watch epic showdown here

<p>Artificial Intelligence-based image generators are very popular across the internet. Throughout 2023, AI-generated images went viral, entertaining people. However, in a startling revelation, a study by the Stanford Internet Observatory uncovered&nbsp;thousands of child sexual abuse images hidden inside a depository used to train these AI generators.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The discovery was made among the dataset of the LAION AI database. Researchers reportedly found over 3,200 images of suspected child sexual abuse hidden within the AI database, and more than 1,000 images were confirmed as child sexual abuse material.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/european-research-flags-ai-chatbots-for-providing-false-answers-particularly-on-elections-670063">European research flags AI chatbots for providing false answers, particularly on elections</a></strong></p>

<p>The analysis was done in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and other anti-abuse charities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We find that having possession of a LAION‐5B dataset populated even in late 2023 implies the possession of thousands of illegal images," said the researchers.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Which AI image generators used this database?</strong></h2>

<p>As per The Guardian, the database was used to train&nbsp;leading AI image-makers like Stable Diffusion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report states that many text-to-image generators are in some way derived from the LAION database. However, it goes on to say that exactly which ones use&nbsp;it isn't always clear.</p>

<p>Popular Artificial Intelligence maker OpenAI — behind DALL-E and ChatGPT, denied the use of LAION and said that it had fine-tuned its models to refuse any requests that may involve sexual content involving minors.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/alphabet-says-will-restrict-election-related-queries-on-bard-and-ai-based-search-671759">Alphabet says will restrict election-related queries on Bard and AI-based search</a></strong></p>

<p>Imagen, a text-to-image model built by Tech giant Google, was built using LAION dataset, however, the company decided against making it public in 2022. This was because an audit of the dataset "uncovered a wide range of inappropriate content, including pornographic imagery, racist slurs, and harmful social stereotypes," reports the publication.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>LAION's response</strong></h2>

<p>LAION, or Large-scale Artificial Intelligence Open Network, a non-profit, swiftly responded by temporarily removing its datasets, emphasising it&nbsp;"has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal content."&nbsp;</p>

<p>It said that "in an abundance of caution, we have taken down the LAION datasets to ensure they are safe before republishing them."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The more than 3,200 images make up merely a fraction of the 5.8 billion images contained in the dataset. However, as per the Stanford researchers, their presence probably influences AI generators' ability to generate harmful outputs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such images, they say, facilitate the creation of realistic, explicit imagery, and enable the transformation of social media photos of clothed teens into nudes. In recent days, the latter has been a cause of concern among schools and law enforcement globally.</p>

<p>The Stanford Internet Observatory has advocated for drastic measures, urging those using LAION-5B datasets (containing over 5 billion image-text pairs) to delete or cleanse the material. Additionally, they suggest making older versions, like Stable Diffusion, less accessible, especially if used to generate abusive images without adequate safeguards.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Artificial Intelligence-based image generators are very popular across the internet. Throughout 2023, AI-generated images went viral, entertaining people. However, in a startling revelation, a study by the Stanford Internet Observatory uncovered thousands of child sexual abuse images hidden inside a depository used to train these AI generators.

Artificial Intelligence-based image generators are very popular across the internet. Throughout 2023, AI-generated images went viral, entertaining people. However, in a startling revelation, a study by the Stanford Internet Observatory uncovered thousands of child sexual abuse images hidden inside a depository used to train these AI generators. The discovery was made among the dataset of the LAION AI database. Researchers reportedly found over 3,200 images of suspected child sexual abuse hidden within the AI database, and more than 1,000 images were confirmed as child sexual abuse material. Also read | European research flags AI chatbots for providing false answers, particularly on elections The analysis was done in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and other anti-abuse charities. "We find that having possession of a LAION‐5B dataset populated even in late 2023 implies the possession of thousands of illegal images," said the researchers. Which AI image generators used this database? As per The Guardian, the database was used to train leading AI image-makers like Stable Diffusion. The report states that many text-to-image generators are in some way derived from the LAION database. However, it goes on to say that exactly which ones use it isn't always clear. Popular Artificial Intelligence maker OpenAI — behind DALL-E and ChatGPT, denied the use of LAION and said that it had fine-tuned its models to refuse any requests that may involve sexual content involving minors. Also read | Alphabet says will restrict election-related queries on Bard and AI-based search Imagen, a text-to-image model built by Tech giant Google, was built using LAION dataset, however, the company decided against making it public in 2022. This was because an audit of the dataset "uncovered a wide range of inappropriate content, including pornographic imagery, racist slurs, and harmful social stereotypes," reports the publication. LAION's response LAION, or Large-scale Artificial Intelligence Open Network, a non-profit, swiftly responded by temporarily removing its datasets, emphasising it "has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal content." It said that "in an abundance of caution, we have taken down the LAION datasets to ensure they are safe before republishing them." The more than 3,200 images make up merely a fraction of the 5.8 billion images contained in the dataset. However, as per the Stanford researchers, their presence probably influences AI generators' ability to generate harmful outputs. Such images, they say, facilitate the creation of realistic, explicit imagery, and enable the transformation of social media photos of clothed teens into nudes. In recent days, the latter has been a cause of concern among schools and law enforcement globally. The Stanford Internet Observatory has advocated for drastic measures, urging those using LAION-5B datasets (containing over 5 billion image-text pairs) to delete or cleanse the material. Additionally, they suggest making older versions, like Stable Diffusion, less accessible, especially if used to generate abusive images without adequate safeguards. (With inputs from agencies)

Database behind AI-image generators found hiding a dark secret: Child sexual abuse content

<p>Artists like Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci are known for their artworks that have stood the test of time and even now, after centuries, continue to fascinate people. They've been scrutinised by hundreds of thousands of people, yet even today, they sometimes throw a doozy: reveal new secrets.</p>

<p>This is exactly what happened with an enormous masterpiece called "The Night Watch". Painted in the 17th-century by artist Rembrandt, it features Dutch civilian soldiers gathered in a darkened room, preparing to march out to defend their city. However, a new research recently uncovered a secret that the painting was hiding for more than 380 years.</p>

<h2><strong>Secrets galore</strong></h2>

<p>Rembrandt is known as a master of light and shadow, and for years, the art community knew that the darks of the painting hid details and the guardsmen's bodies. However, as it turns out that is not the only thing the masterpiece was hiding.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/puppy-eyes-did-humans-affect-the-evolution-of-dogs-eye-colour-research-reveals-fascinating-info-671554">Humans can't resist puppy eyes, so much so that we have impacted their eye colour</a></strong></p>

<p>As per CNN, recently, conservators used X-ray to peer below the paint and varnish of Rembrandt's "The Night Watch". This was the first evaluation of the painting to combine X-rays, spectroscopy of a paint sample and 3D digital reconstructions, in its almost 400-year history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It revealed something really unexpected: lead.</p>

<p>They found that under the paint there was a whole layer of lead, and this finding has been detailed in journal Science Advances.</p>

<h2><strong>What is lead doing under the painting?</strong></h2>

<p>This is a never-before-seen detail when it comes to Rembrandt's art. He and his contemporaries are known to use a layer of glue to stiffen the canvas before proceeding to the 'ground layer' — a base coat of the underlying pigment.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-explains-jeffrey-epstein-scandal-continues-beyond-the-grave-heres-all-you-need-to-know-671613">WION Explains | Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues 'beyond the grave'. Here's all you need to know</a></strong></p>

<p>However, this one doesn't have that signature glue layer. Instead, it has lead. Apparently, artists sometimes used a lead-saturated layer to better protect the canvas.</p>

<p>The researchers speculate that upon the painting's completion in 1642, it hung in Amsterdam’s Kloveniersdoelen — a musketeers’ shooting range, where it would have been vulnerable to damage from moisture.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Artists like Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci are known for their artworks that have stood the test of time and even now, after centuries, continue to fascinate people.

Artists like Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci are known for their artworks that have stood the test of time and even now, after centuries, continue to fascinate people. They've been scrutinised by hundreds of thousands of people, yet even today, they sometimes throw a doozy: reveal new secrets. This is exactly what happened with an enormous masterpiece called "The Night Watch". Painted in the 17th-century by artist Rembrandt, it features Dutch civilian soldiers gathered in a darkened room, preparing to march out to defend their city. However, a new research recently uncovered a secret that the painting was hiding for more than 380 years. Secrets galore Rembrandt is known as a master of light and shadow, and for years, the art community knew that the darks of the painting hid details and the guardsmen's bodies. However, as it turns out that is not the only thing the masterpiece was hiding. Also read | Humans can't resist puppy eyes, so much so that we have impacted their eye colour As per CNN, recently, conservators used X-ray to peer below the paint and varnish of Rembrandt's "The Night Watch". This was the first evaluation of the painting to combine X-rays, spectroscopy of a paint sample and 3D digital reconstructions, in its almost 400-year history. It revealed something really unexpected: lead. They found that under the paint there was a whole layer of lead, and this finding has been detailed in journal Science Advances. What is lead doing under the painting? This is a never-before-seen detail when it comes to Rembrandt's art. He and his contemporaries are known to use a layer of glue to stiffen the canvas before proceeding to the 'ground layer' — a base coat of the underlying pigment. Also read | WION Explains | Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues 'beyond the grave'. Here's all you need to know However, this one doesn't have that signature glue layer. Instead, it has lead. Apparently, artists sometimes used a lead-saturated layer to better protect the canvas. The researchers speculate that upon the painting's completion in 1642, it hung in Amsterdam’s Kloveniersdoelen — a musketeers’ shooting range, where it would have been vulnerable to damage from moisture. (With inputs from agencies)

400 years after it was painted, 17th-century art reveals THIS secret

<p>Thrifting can at times help you find literal treasures. That is exactly what happened with a US woman. She purchased a glass vase from a local Goodwill Charity shop for merely $3.99 and managed to auction it off for a whopping $100,000 after being identified as a rare and valuable piece of Italian glassware.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A windfall purchase</strong></h2>

<p>Jessica Vincent made the lucky find at a Goodwill thrift store in Hanover County, Virginia.&nbsp;Talking to the New York Times, she revealed that she was intrigued by the possibility of the vase' value. However, never did she imagine that it was such a magnificent find.</p>

<p>"I had a sense that it might be a $1,000 or $2,000 piece, but I had no clue how good it actually was until I did a little bit more research," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/redemption-story-ex-thief-battling-cancer-aids-in-return-of-cambodias-cultural-treasures-670915">Redemption story: Ex-thief, battling cancer, aids in return of Cambodia's cultural treasures</a></strong></p>

<p>Vincent said that she noticed a small 'M' on the bottom, which she suspected stood for Murano, an Italian island located near Venice, renowned for its glasswork.</p>

<h2><strong>The true value</strong></h2>

<p>Purchasing the glass vase for less than four dollars, Vincent jumped into online research. There, some enthusiasts said that they believed the vase resembled a work by the renowned Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking her curiosity further, she sent pictures of the vase to the Wright Auction House.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/completely-blockbuster-drug-uk-clears-the-way-for-drug-that-treats-hot-flushes-in-menopausal-women-670877">'Completely blockbuster drug': UK clears the way for drug that treats hot flushes in menopausal women</a></strong></p>

<p>Richard Wright, the president of the auction house, was immediately intrigued upon seeing the photos, and the vase was officially identified as part of Scarpa's 1940s "Pennellate" series.</p>

<p>"The minute I saw the photos I had a really good feeling," Wright told NYT.&nbsp;Last week, the vase fetched an impressive $107,100 at auction, finding a new home with an unidentified private art collector in Europe.</p>

<p>"I don’t even know how to feel right now, honestly—it’s just very surreal. It’s kind of like winning the lottery," said Vincent, as reported by auctioneer Richard Wright's website.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em>&nbsp;</p>


Thrifting can at times help you find literal treasures. That is exactly what happened with a US woman. She purchased a glass vase from a local Goodwill Charity shop for merely $3.

Thrifting can at times help you find literal treasures. That is exactly what happened with a US woman. She purchased a glass vase from a local Goodwill Charity shop for merely $3.99 and managed to auction it off for a whopping $100,000 after being identified as a rare and valuable piece of Italian glassware. A windfall purchase Jessica Vincent made the lucky find at a Goodwill thrift store in Hanover County, Virginia. Talking to the New York Times, she revealed that she was intrigued by the possibility of the vase' value. However, never did she imagine that it was such a magnificent find. "I had a sense that it might be a $1,000 or $2,000 piece, but I had no clue how good it actually was until I did a little bit more research," she said. Also read | Redemption story: Ex-thief, battling cancer, aids in return of Cambodia's cultural treasures Vincent said that she noticed a small 'M' on the bottom, which she suspected stood for Murano, an Italian island located near Venice, renowned for its glasswork. The true value Purchasing the glass vase for less than four dollars, Vincent jumped into online research. There, some enthusiasts said that they believed the vase resembled a work by the renowned Italian architect Carlo Scarpa. Taking her curiosity further, she sent pictures of the vase to the Wright Auction House. Also read | 'Completely blockbuster drug': UK clears the way for drug that treats hot flushes in menopausal women Richard Wright, the president of the auction house, was immediately intrigued upon seeing the photos, and the vase was officially identified as part of Scarpa's 1940s "Pennellate" series. "The minute I saw the photos I had a really good feeling," Wright told NYT. Last week, the vase fetched an impressive $107,100 at auction, finding a new home with an unidentified private art collector in Europe. "I don’t even know how to feel right now, honestly—it’s just very surreal. It’s kind of like winning the lottery," said Vincent, as reported by auctioneer Richard Wright's website. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Surreal’: US woman’s $3.99 vase, a thrift store find, sells for $100,000

<p>Amid the surge in popularity of AI chatbots, European non-profits AI Forensics and AlgorithmWatch has&nbsp;warned that the technology gives inaccurate answers to one of every three questions.</p>

<p>Research conducted by the European non-profit organisation&nbsp;found that AI chatbots gave false answers to basic questions, particularly while providing information related to elections.</p>

<h2><strong>Inaccuracies galore</strong></h2>

<p>The study focused on Microsoft’s Bing AI chatbot, now known as Microsoft Copilot, revealing that it provided inaccurate answers to one in three basic questions about candidates, polls, scandals, and voting in recent election cycles in Germany and Switzerland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similar inaccuracies were observed for questions about the 2024 US elections.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-beginning-of-an-end-human-activity-on-moon-shows-sign-of-lunar-anthropocene-669613">Explained | Humans are on the Moon and it might be the beginning of the end for our satellite</a></strong></p>

<p>Sharing their findings with The Washington Post, researchers stressed that these findings don't assert that Bing's misinformation influenced election outcomes. However, they said it does highlight concerns that AI chatbots could potentially contribute to confusion and misinformation around future elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Especially, as tech giants like Microsoft integrate chatbots into various products, including internet search, concerns rise about their impact on public access to reliable and transparent information.</p>

<p>"As generative AI becomes more widespread, this could affect one of the cornerstones of democracy: the access to reliable and transparent public information," says the researchers, as quoted by The Washington Post.</p>

<h2><strong>Is big tech doing anything about this?</strong></h2>

<p>Despite efforts by companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to enhance reliability by allowing chatbots to search the web and cite sources, issues persist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bing, even after providing sources, frequently gave answers that deviated from the information in the cited links, as per Salvatore Romano, head of research for AI Forensics.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/jeff-bezos-says-space-colonisation-ultimately-means-to-preserve-the-planet-669969">Bezos wants humans to colonise the solar system, while Musk has his sight set on Mars</a></strong></p>

<p>The study focused on Bing because it was among the first to include sources and is widely integrated into services available in Europe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Preliminary testing on OpenAI’s GPT-4 revealed similar inaccuracies. Notably, errors in Bing's answers were more common in languages other than English, raising concerns about the performance of US-based AI tools globally.</p>

<p>The researchers discovered factual errors in responses to questions asked in German 37 per cent of the time, compared to a 20 per cent error rate for the same questions in English.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What's the solution?</strong></h2>

<p>While Microsoft is working to address these issues ahead of the 2024 US elections, the researchers emphasise the need for users to verify information obtained from chatbots.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The problem is systemic, and they do not have very good tools to fix it," said Romano.</p>

<p>Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s head of communications, said: "We are continuing to address issues and prepare our tools to perform to our expectations for the 2024 elections."</p>

<p>"As we continue to make progress, we encourage people to use Copilot with their best judgment when viewing results. This includes verifying source materials and checking web links to learn more."</p>

<p>However, the impact of these AI chatbots on democracy, if any, is unclear. These AI chatbots all carry disclaimers, noting that they can make mistakes and encouraging users to double-check the answers.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Amid the surge in popularity of AI chatbots, European non-profits AI Forensics and AlgorithmWatch has warned that the technology gives inaccurate answers to one of every three questions.

Amid the surge in popularity of AI chatbots, European non-profits AI Forensics and AlgorithmWatch has warned that the technology gives inaccurate answers to one of every three questions. Research conducted by the European non-profit organisation found that AI chatbots gave false answers to basic questions, particularly while providing information related to elections. Inaccuracies galore The study focused on Microsoft’s Bing AI chatbot, now known as Microsoft Copilot, revealing that it provided inaccurate answers to one in three basic questions about candidates, polls, scandals, and voting in recent election cycles in Germany and Switzerland. Similar inaccuracies were observed for questions about the 2024 US elections. Also read | Explained | Humans are on the Moon and it might be the beginning of the end for our satellite Sharing their findings with The Washington Post, researchers stressed that these findings don't assert that Bing's misinformation influenced election outcomes. However, they said it does highlight concerns that AI chatbots could potentially contribute to confusion and misinformation around future elections. Especially, as tech giants like Microsoft integrate chatbots into various products, including internet search, concerns rise about their impact on public access to reliable and transparent information. "As generative AI becomes more widespread, this could affect one of the cornerstones of democracy: the access to reliable and transparent public information," says the researchers, as quoted by The Washington Post. Is big tech doing anything about this? Despite efforts by companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to enhance reliability by allowing chatbots to search the web and cite sources, issues persist. Bing, even after providing sources, frequently gave answers that deviated from the information in the cited links, as per Salvatore Romano, head of research for AI Forensics. Also read | Bezos wants humans to colonise the solar system, while Musk has his sight set on Mars The study focused on Bing because it was among the first to include sources and is widely integrated into services available in Europe. Preliminary testing on OpenAI’s GPT-4 revealed similar inaccuracies. Notably, errors in Bing's answers were more common in languages other than English, raising concerns about the performance of US-based AI tools globally. The researchers discovered factual errors in responses to questions asked in German 37 per cent of the time, compared to a 20 per cent error rate for the same questions in English. What's the solution? While Microsoft is working to address these issues ahead of the 2024 US elections, the researchers emphasise the need for users to verify information obtained from chatbots. "The problem is systemic, and they do not have very good tools to fix it," said Romano. Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s head of communications, said: "We are continuing to address issues and prepare our tools to perform to our expectations for the 2024 elections." "As we continue to make progress, we encourage people to use Copilot with their best judgment when viewing results. This includes verifying source materials and checking web links to learn more." However, the impact of these AI chatbots on democracy, if any, is unclear. These AI chatbots all carry disclaimers, noting that they can make mistakes and encouraging users to double-check the answers. (With inputs from agencies)

European research flags AI chatbots for providing false answers, particularly on elections

<p>Meta Platforms used thousands of pirated books to train its AI models, alleges a new copyright lawsuit filed on Monday (Dec 11) night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tech giant reportedly did this despite warnings from their lawyers about the legal peril of doing so. The lawsuit as per Reuters was initially brought this summer.</p>

<h2><strong>Skipping permissions</strong></h2>

<p>Monday's filing consolidates two separate lawsuits brought against Facebook and Instagram by comedian Sarah Silverman, Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon and other prominent authors. They allege that Meta has used their works to train its artificial intelligence language model, Llama, without permission.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/epic-games-epic-win-jury-finds-google-guilty-of-monopolistic-practices-in-antitrust-trial-668853">Epic Games' 'epic' win: Jury finds Google guilty of monopolistic practices in antitrust trial</a></strong></p>

<p>Previously, their claims also said that the AI model's output also violates their copyrights. However, in November, US District Judge Vince Chhabri criticised the claim that the text generated by Llama copies or resembles the author's work. Dismissing the claim, Chhabri allowed the authors to amend most of their claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As evidence, the authors have submitted Discord chat logs of a Meta-affiliated researcher, who can be seen discussing the procurement of the dataset. This, as per the news agency, can be a potentially significant piece of evidence that could prove that Meta knew that its use of the books may not be protected by US copyright law.</p>

<h2><strong>What is there in the chat logs?</strong></h2>

<p>In the chat logs, as quoted in the complaint, researcher Tim Dettmers, a doctoral student at the University of Washington, describes his back-and-forth with Meta's legal department. In it, he talks about whether the use of book files as training data would be "legally OK".</p>

<p>"At Facebook, there are a lot of people interested in working with (T)he (P)ile, including myself, but in its current form, we are unable to use it for legal reasons," Dettmers wrote in 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here, The Pile refers to an open-source language modelling data set Meta has acknowledged it was using to train its first version of Llama.</p>

<p><strong>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></strong></p>

<p>According to the complaint, a month before this, Dettmers wrote that Meta lawyers told him "the data cannot be used or models cannot be published if they are trained on that data."</p>

<p>Here, the researcher refrains from describing the specific concerns voiced by lawyers, however, his counterpart makes mention of "books with active copyrights," and says they are the biggest likely source of worry. They also say that training on the data should "fall under fair use."</p>

<p>As per the US Copyright Office, the fair use doctrine allows for the use of "limited portions of a work including quotes, for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports".</p>

<h2><strong>Llama</strong></h2>

<p>Llama is Meta's large language model (LLM). The tech giant released its first version in February 2023. At the time, it published a list of datasets used to train the language model. The list included "the Books3 section of ThePile," which, as per the complaint quoting the person who assembled the dataset, contains 196,640 books.</p>

<p>A second version, dubbed Llama 2 was made available for commercial use this summer. It is free for use for companies with monthly active users of less than 700 million.</p>

<h2><strong>AI and copyrights</strong></h2>

<p>As Artificial Intelligence drives a craze, artists across art forms have come forward alleging unlawful use of their content. In 2023, big tech companies were met with a slew of lawsuits that accuse them of ripping-off copyright protected works. IF successful, these lawsuits would not only generate significant compensation for the content creators, but also drive up the cost of building the data dependent models, somewhat dampening the generative AI craze.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Meta Platforms used thousands of pirated books to train its AI models, alleges a new copyright lawsuit filed on Monday (Dec 11) night. The tech giant reportedly did this despite warnings from their lawyers about the legal peril of doing so.

Meta Platforms used thousands of pirated books to train its AI models, alleges a new copyright lawsuit filed on Monday (Dec 11) night. The tech giant reportedly did this despite warnings from their lawyers about the legal peril of doing so. The lawsuit as per Reuters was initially brought this summer. Skipping permissions Monday's filing consolidates two separate lawsuits brought against Facebook and Instagram by comedian Sarah Silverman, Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon and other prominent authors. They allege that Meta has used their works to train its artificial intelligence language model, Llama, without permission. Also read | Epic Games' 'epic' win: Jury finds Google guilty of monopolistic practices in antitrust trial Previously, their claims also said that the AI model's output also violates their copyrights. However, in November, US District Judge Vince Chhabri criticised the claim that the text generated by Llama copies or resembles the author's work. Dismissing the claim, Chhabri allowed the authors to amend most of their claims. As evidence, the authors have submitted Discord chat logs of a Meta-affiliated researcher, who can be seen discussing the procurement of the dataset. This, as per the news agency, can be a potentially significant piece of evidence that could prove that Meta knew that its use of the books may not be protected by US copyright law. What is there in the chat logs? In the chat logs, as quoted in the complaint, researcher Tim Dettmers, a doctoral student at the University of Washington, describes his back-and-forth with Meta's legal department. In it, he talks about whether the use of book files as training data would be "legally OK". "At Facebook, there are a lot of people interested in working with (T)he (P)ile, including myself, but in its current form, we are unable to use it for legal reasons," Dettmers wrote in 2021. Here, The Pile refers to an open-source language modelling data set Meta has acknowledged it was using to train its first version of Llama. Also read | EU to ban use of AI biometric surveillance by police without judicial authorisation: Report According to the complaint, a month before this, Dettmers wrote that Meta lawyers told him "the data cannot be used or models cannot be published if they are trained on that data." Here, the researcher refrains from describing the specific concerns voiced by lawyers, however, his counterpart makes mention of "books with active copyrights," and says they are the biggest likely source of worry. They also say that training on the data should "fall under fair use." As per the US Copyright Office, the fair use doctrine allows for the use of "limited portions of a work including quotes, for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports". Llama Llama is Meta's large language model (LLM). The tech giant released its first version in February 2023. At the time, it published a list of datasets used to train the language model. The list included "the Books3 section of ThePile," which, as per the complaint quoting the person who assembled the dataset, contains 196,640 books. A second version, dubbed Llama 2 was made available for commercial use this summer. It is free for use for companies with monthly active users of less than 700 million. AI and copyrights As Artificial Intelligence drives a craze, artists across art forms have come forward alleging unlawful use of their content. In 2023, big tech companies were met with a slew of lawsuits that accuse them of ripping-off copyright protected works. IF successful, these lawsuits would not only generate significant compensation for the content creators, but also drive up the cost of building the data dependent models, somewhat dampening the generative AI craze.

Meta flouted copyrights to train its AI 'Llama' despite warning from lawyers, claims lawsuit by authors

<p>2023 was a year of medical breakthroughs. As science progresses, scientists around the world are working hard to improve the quality of human life. This year, several notable, exciting medical advancements made headlines. From successful pig kidney transplant&nbsp;into humans to the world's first whole eye transplant, let's rewind to the year's most notable medical breakthroughs.</p>

<h2><strong>World's first whole eye transplant</strong></h2>

<p>In the United States, in November, surgeons performed the world's first transplant of an entire eye. The patient, a 46-year-old military veteran from Arkansas, had survived a work-related high-voltage electrical accident that destroyed the left side of his face, nose, mouth and left eye. In addition to the eye, a partial-face transplant was also done by the team from NYU Langone Health.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The mere fact that we transplanted an eye is a huge step forward, something that for centuries has been thought about, but it's never been performed," the team lead Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, said at the time.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/entertainment/bollywood/yearender-2023-actors-who-made-their-ott-debut-this-year-1701022719315" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/entertainment/bollywood/yearender-2023-actors-who-made-their-ott-debut-this-year-1701022719315&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj0-N-S3omDAxUyR2wGHchDDjYQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3KT-rKPi5BeVr_3M1gLU7z" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/entertainment/bollywood/yearender-2023-actors-who-made-their-ott-debut-this-year-1701022719315" target="_blank">Yearender 2023: Actors Who Made Their OTT Debut This Year</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>First no-rejection kidney transplant</strong></h2>

<p>In September, in the United Kingdom, an eight-year-old Indian-origin girl, Aditi Shankar, became the first child to have gone through a special type of kidney transplant. The transplant was a breakthrough, as it didn't require the little girl&nbsp;to take long-term drugs to stop the potential rejection of the newly transplanted&nbsp;organ.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The little girl's immune system was reprogrammed using stem cells from the donor, Aditi's mother Divya.</p>

<h2><strong>Genetically modified pig kidney survives one month in human body</strong></h2>

<p>In the United States, in August, surgeons transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient. The organ worked for a record 32 days and could help bridge the significant organ donation gap.</p>

<h2><strong>A kill switch for cancer</strong></h2>

<p>Scientists from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento in California discovered a "kill switch" that could be used to trigger the death of cancer cells. It is called the CAR T-cell therapy, and it involves genetically modifying T cells collected from a patient's blood.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/sports/rewind-2023-top-5-sporting-moments-for-india-1701707420309" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/sports/rewind-2023-top-5-sporting-moments-for-india-1701707420309&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjs2aWK3omDAxWPbGwGHZ-6CKwQFnoECAcQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2alTY_0bw9Qkoru4aDySRl" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/sports/rewind-2023-top-5-sporting-moments-for-india-1701707420309" target="_blank">Rewind 2023: Top 5 Sporting Moments For India</a></strong></p>

<p>The therapy showed promising results in leukaemia and other 'liquid' cancers, but showed "meagre" success against solid tumours, and breast, bowel, and lung cancers.</p>

<h2><strong>Blood test for detecting depression</strong></h2>

<p>A study by McGill University in Canada analysed blood samples from more than 60 teenagers to identify specific molecules which can be used as markers for depression. This can help in the early detection of teenagers at risk of psychological diseases like depression.</p>

<h2><strong>World's first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine</strong></h2>

<p>In May, the US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world's first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. The medicine that took 60 years to develop can safeguard patients 60 years of age and older from lower respiratory tract sickness brought on by RSV.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/yearender-2023-the-fabulous-year-that-taylor-swift-has-had-667924">Yearender 2023: The fabulous year that Taylor Swift has had</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>New plant toxin-based antibiotic</strong></h2>

<p>As the world grapples with antibiotic resistance, a group of British, German and Polish scientists discovered a plant toxin that has a unique method of attacking bacteria. The potential new antibiotic has been named albicidin and works differently than existing antibiotic medicines.</p>

<h2><strong>3D printing to rid of invasive surgeries</strong></h2>

<p>In March, researchers from Australia announced that they had invented a snake-like soft robot that can print living cells from the inside of a patient's body. 3D bio-printing is already used for medical procedures. However, this can help eliminate the need for invasive surgeries.</p>

<h2><strong>World's first Alzheimer's treatment</strong></h2>

<p>In June, the US FDA approved Lecanemab (Leqembi), a drug that significantly helped combat the progression of Alzheimer's during clinical trials. It is the first drug that targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, slowing down the disease's progress.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/your-anxiety-is-lying-to-you-saying-no-to-plans-isnt-all-that-bad-finds-study-668806">Your anxiety is lying to you! Saying 'no' to plans isn't all that bad, finds study</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>CRISPR gene editing for sickle cell disease</strong></h2>

<p>The world's first CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease was given the green light in the UK (in November) and in the US (in December). The therapy called CASGEVY works by correcting faulty haemoglobin genes in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that they can produce normal, functioning HB cells.</p>

<h2><strong>Artificial liver</strong></h2>

<p>In September, China made the headlines for reportedly developing a stem-cell-based 'artificial liver' that can work outside the human body. A boon for thousands suffering from liver failure, the bio-artificial liver can perform functions such as detoxification and protein synthesis typically carried out by the liver.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Tiny robot surgeon</strong></h2>

<p>The University of Leeds has developed a tiny robot that can travel deep into the lungs and detect early signs of cancer. It is only 2 millimetres in diameter and is transported into the smallest bronchial tubes using magnets. As per researchers, during testing on a cadaver, the magnetic tentacle robot travelled 37 per cent deeper than standard equipment, that too with significantly less tissue damage.</p>

<p>In 2024, the global community looks forward to many more significant medical advancements, many of which are expected to involve Artificial Intelligence (AI).&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


2023 was a year of medical breakthroughs. As science progresses, scientists around the world are working hard to improve the quality of human life. This year, several notable, exciting medical advancements made headlines.

2023 was a year of medical breakthroughs. As science progresses, scientists around the world are working hard to improve the quality of human life. This year, several notable, exciting medical advancements made headlines. From successful pig kidney transplant into humans to the world's first whole eye transplant, let's rewind to the year's most notable medical breakthroughs. World's first whole eye transplant In the United States, in November, surgeons performed the world's first transplant of an entire eye. The patient, a 46-year-old military veteran from Arkansas, had survived a work-related high-voltage electrical accident that destroyed the left side of his face, nose, mouth and left eye. In addition to the eye, a partial-face transplant was also done by the team from NYU Langone Health. "The mere fact that we transplanted an eye is a huge step forward, something that for centuries has been thought about, but it's never been performed," the team lead Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, said at the time. Also read | Yearender 2023: Actors Who Made Their OTT Debut This Year First no-rejection kidney transplant In September, in the United Kingdom, an eight-year-old Indian-origin girl, Aditi Shankar, became the first child to have gone through a special type of kidney transplant. The transplant was a breakthrough, as it didn't require the little girl to take long-term drugs to stop the potential rejection of the newly transplanted organ. The little girl's immune system was reprogrammed using stem cells from the donor, Aditi's mother Divya. Genetically modified pig kidney survives one month in human body In the United States, in August, surgeons transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient. The organ worked for a record 32 days and could help bridge the significant organ donation gap. A kill switch for cancer Scientists from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento in California discovered a "kill switch" that could be used to trigger the death of cancer cells. It is called the CAR T-cell therapy, and it involves genetically modifying T cells collected from a patient's blood. Also read | Rewind 2023: Top 5 Sporting Moments For India The therapy showed promising results in leukaemia and other 'liquid' cancers, but showed "meagre" success against solid tumours, and breast, bowel, and lung cancers. Blood test for detecting depression A study by McGill University in Canada analysed blood samples from more than 60 teenagers to identify specific molecules which can be used as markers for depression. This can help in the early detection of teenagers at risk of psychological diseases like depression. World's first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine In May, the US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world's first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. The medicine that took 60 years to develop can safeguard patients 60 years of age and older from lower respiratory tract sickness brought on by RSV. Also read | Yearender 2023: The fabulous year that Taylor Swift has had New plant toxin-based antibiotic As the world grapples with antibiotic resistance, a group of British, German and Polish scientists discovered a plant toxin that has a unique method of attacking bacteria. The potential new antibiotic has been named albicidin and works differently than existing antibiotic medicines. 3D printing to rid of invasive surgeries In March, researchers from Australia announced that they had invented a snake-like soft robot that can print living cells from the inside of a patient's body. 3D bio-printing is already used for medical procedures. However, this can help eliminate the need for invasive surgeries. World's first Alzheimer's treatment In June, the US FDA approved Lecanemab (Leqembi), a drug that significantly helped combat the progression of Alzheimer's during clinical trials. It is the first drug that targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, slowing down the disease's progress. Also read | Your anxiety is lying to you! Saying 'no' to plans isn't all that bad, finds study CRISPR gene editing for sickle cell disease The world's first CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease was given the green light in the UK (in November) and in the US (in December). The therapy called CASGEVY works by correcting faulty haemoglobin genes in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that they can produce normal, functioning HB cells. Artificial liver In September, China made the headlines for reportedly developing a stem-cell-based 'artificial liver' that can work outside the human body. A boon for thousands suffering from liver failure, the bio-artificial liver can perform functions such as detoxification and protein synthesis typically carried out by the liver. Tiny robot surgeon The University of Leeds has developed a tiny robot that can travel deep into the lungs and detect early signs of cancer. It is only 2 millimetres in diameter and is transported into the smallest bronchial tubes using magnets. As per researchers, during testing on a cadaver, the magnetic tentacle robot travelled 37 per cent deeper than standard equipment, that too with significantly less tissue damage. In 2024, the global community looks forward to many more significant medical advancements, many of which are expected to involve Artificial Intelligence (AI). (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope

<p>An Australian teenager narrowly escaped death after being bitten by a blue-ringed octopus, which just so happens to be one of the world's most toxic animals. He had a lucky escape after accidentally picking up the deadly octopus while picking shells at a popular beach near Perth.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>From bad to worse</strong></h2>

<p>As per a report in the local news publication Perth Now, the incident almost took a turn for the worse. The young man, 18-year-old Jacob Eggington, was collecting shells for his young niece.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He had just taken out shells from his pocket to give to her when he spotted the blue-ringed octopus.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/enormous-pliosaur-sea-monster-skull-with-razor-sharp-teeth-found-on-uks-jurassic-coast-668290">Enormous Pliosaur 'sea monster' skull with razor-sharp teeth found on UK's Jurassic Coast</a></strong></p>

<p>Jacob's brother Joshua told 7News Perth that as soon as the teenager "saw the octopus, he yelled really loudly."</p>

<p>"Just a few seconds later and the toddler would have been holding it." This could've proven deadly.</p>

<p>"That's probably when the more dramatic thoughts (started), to think what could have happened. So in the same way, he did get bit, but, but he probably saved one of his niece’s or nephew’s life," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Blue-ringed octopus bite</strong></h2>

<p>Jacob was rushed to Rockingham Hospital, where he had to undergo emergency treatment for more than six hours for the blue octopus sting. If the deadly marine animal had bitten the toddler, it could've been fatal.</p>

<p>As per Murdoch University marine scientist professor Jennifer Verduin, a bite from the blue-ringed octopus can kill within 30 minutes.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-fossil-shows-teenager-tyrannosaur-feasted-on-two-baby-dinos-before-dying-study-668463">As a teenager, the tyrannosaur only ate baby dinosaurs, and a fossil is proof</a></strong></p>

<p>The deadly cephalopod injects its victims with Tetrodotoxin, a chemical that stops nerves from signalling to muscles. It rapidly weakens and paralyses muscles, leading to respiratory arrest and eventually death.&nbsp;There is no antivenom, which makes encounters with the ocean animal&nbsp;extremely dangerous.</p>

<p>Issuing a warning ahead of the summer holidays, Verduin said, "They're very good at hiding so we wouldn't normally see them that often, but they are there."</p>

<p>Beachgoers have been asked to wear reef shoes to protect themselves. In case someone gets bit, they should seek immediate medical treatment, warns the report.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An Australian teenager narrowly escaped death after being bitten by a blue-ringed octopus, which just so happens to be one of the world's most toxic animals. He had a lucky escape after accidentally picking up the deadly octopus while picking shells at a popular beach near Perth.

An Australian teenager narrowly escaped death after being bitten by a blue-ringed octopus, which just so happens to be one of the world's most toxic animals. He had a lucky escape after accidentally picking up the deadly octopus while picking shells at a popular beach near Perth. From bad to worse As per a report in the local news publication Perth Now, the incident almost took a turn for the worse. The young man, 18-year-old Jacob Eggington, was collecting shells for his young niece. He had just taken out shells from his pocket to give to her when he spotted the blue-ringed octopus. Also read | Enormous Pliosaur 'sea monster' skull with razor-sharp teeth found on UK's Jurassic Coast Jacob's brother Joshua told 7News Perth that as soon as the teenager "saw the octopus, he yelled really loudly." "Just a few seconds later and the toddler would have been holding it." This could've proven deadly. "That's probably when the more dramatic thoughts (started), to think what could have happened. So in the same way, he did get bit, but, but he probably saved one of his niece’s or nephew’s life," he added. Blue-ringed octopus bite Jacob was rushed to Rockingham Hospital, where he had to undergo emergency treatment for more than six hours for the blue octopus sting. If the deadly marine animal had bitten the toddler, it could've been fatal. As per Murdoch University marine scientist professor Jennifer Verduin, a bite from the blue-ringed octopus can kill within 30 minutes. Also read | As a teenager, the tyrannosaur only ate baby dinosaurs, and a fossil is proof The deadly cephalopod injects its victims with Tetrodotoxin, a chemical that stops nerves from signalling to muscles. It rapidly weakens and paralyses muscles, leading to respiratory arrest and eventually death. There is no antivenom, which makes encounters with the ocean animal extremely dangerous. Issuing a warning ahead of the summer holidays, Verduin said, "They're very good at hiding so we wouldn't normally see them that often, but they are there." Beachgoers have been asked to wear reef shoes to protect themselves. In case someone gets bit, they should seek immediate medical treatment, warns the report. (With inputs from agencies)

An extremely poisonous octopus bit an Australian teen. He is lucky to be alive

<p>A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers).</p>

<p>However, the on-orbit refuelling won't come cheap, its cost will start from a whopping $20 million.</p>

<h2><strong>The company behind it</strong></h2>

<p>The company has conducted tests, launched a fuel depot demonstrator, and is planning its next launch in 2024 for a mission with the Air Force Research Lab.</p>

<p>"We are delivering fuel in geostationary orbit for a mission that is being undertaken by the Air Force Research Lab," said CEO Daniel Faber.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/playing-action-video-games-for-an-hour-significantly-boosts-alertness-study-668167">Playing action video games for an hour significantly boosts alertness: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>"At the moment, they're treating it as a demonstration, but it's getting a lot of interest from across the US government, from people that realise the value of refuelling," he added.</p>

<p>The company also has its first private customer lined up: Astroscale, a Japanese satellite servicing company, for its satellite designed for refuelling called LEXI. It is scheduled for launch in 2026.</p>

<h2><strong>Why does this matter?</strong></h2>

<p>Currently, the space is full of debris, a large part of which is made up of satellites, and space vehicles that have run out of fuel.</p>

<p>This initiative, as per CNN, comes as there is a growing interest in on-orbit servicing, which is seen as essential for a safe and sustainable development of space.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-detect-oldest-black-hole-ever-observed-its-a-million-times-the-mass-of-sun-report-668329">Astronomers detect oldest black hole ever observed. It's a million times the mass of Sun: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>Simone D’Amico, an associate professor of astronautics at Stanford University, noted that this is key to the safe and sustainable development of space.</p>

<p>"Could you imagine a ground mobility infrastructure, roads and cities, without gas stations and auto repair shops? Could you imagine single-use cars or aeroplanes?" he asked.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The development of space infrastructure and the proliferation of space assets is reaching a critical volume that is not sustainable any more without a change of paradigm."</p>

<p>"It's probably the only company in the world that has positioned itself to deploy 'gas stations' in orbit," said the Stanford University who has no affiliation with Orbit Fab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I think Orbit Fab's approach is really visionary and can pay off in the mid to long term. However, it has high risk in the short term, since satellites have to be designed having reusability and refuelling in mind," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers).

A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers). However, the on-orbit refuelling won't come cheap, its cost will start from a whopping $20 million. The company behind it The company has conducted tests, launched a fuel depot demonstrator, and is planning its next launch in 2024 for a mission with the Air Force Research Lab. "We are delivering fuel in geostationary orbit for a mission that is being undertaken by the Air Force Research Lab," said CEO Daniel Faber. Also read | Playing action video games for an hour significantly boosts alertness: Study "At the moment, they're treating it as a demonstration, but it's getting a lot of interest from across the US government, from people that realise the value of refuelling," he added. The company also has its first private customer lined up: Astroscale, a Japanese satellite servicing company, for its satellite designed for refuelling called LEXI. It is scheduled for launch in 2026. Why does this matter? Currently, the space is full of debris, a large part of which is made up of satellites, and space vehicles that have run out of fuel. This initiative, as per CNN, comes as there is a growing interest in on-orbit servicing, which is seen as essential for a safe and sustainable development of space. Also read | Astronomers detect oldest black hole ever observed. It's a million times the mass of Sun: Report Simone D’Amico, an associate professor of astronautics at Stanford University, noted that this is key to the safe and sustainable development of space. "Could you imagine a ground mobility infrastructure, roads and cities, without gas stations and auto repair shops? Could you imagine single-use cars or aeroplanes?" he asked. "The development of space infrastructure and the proliferation of space assets is reaching a critical volume that is not sustainable any more without a change of paradigm." "It's probably the only company in the world that has positioned itself to deploy 'gas stations' in orbit," said the Stanford University who has no affiliation with Orbit Fab. "I think Orbit Fab's approach is really visionary and can pay off in the mid to long term. However, it has high risk in the short term, since satellites have to be designed having reusability and refuelling in mind," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Space gas stations: American startup aims to revolutionise space technology

<p>What's in a name? For a small town in Japan, a lot. The shrinking town of Kainan in Japan's Wakayama prefecture is offering people with a particular surname millions of Yen to relocate there. Do you qualify for the 'moolah,' here's all you need to know.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How can I get the money?</strong></h2>

<p>To get ¥1 million (around $6,940), which just so happens to be the minimum reward, all you need is the surname 'Suzuki'. A further ¥1 million will be given for each child under 18 years of age.</p>

<h2><strong>Why Suzuki?</strong></h2>

<p>Suzuki happens to be Japan's second most common surname. Furthermore, the town has a rather fascination association with 'Suzuki', it is the name's birthplace.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kainan launched the campaign to repopulate back in 2021. At the time, they estimated that around 750,000 Suzukis live in Tokyo and the neighbouring prefectures of Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-supporter-ex-cop-sentenced-to-11-years-in-jail-for-role-in-jan-6-riots-667415">US: Trump supporter ex-police chief sentenced to over 11 years in jail for role in Jan 6 riots</a></strong></p>

<p>However, two years into the campaign, the town has failed to attract a single Suzuki, reports The Guardian.</p>

<p>Talking to the publication, Tomonari Fujita, head of the town’s urban development division, said: "I can confirm that not a single Suzuki-san has relocated to Kainan so far."</p>

<p>"One person made some initial inquiries, but it didn't go any further than that," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Why is the town paying people to live there?</strong></h2>

<p>Across Japan, prefectures have been witnessing a steady decline in the number of residents. In 2022, the population of Japanese nationals fell by a record 800,000 to 125.4 million.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, the number of foreigners rose to a record high of almost three million, reports The Guardian.</p>

<p>As per the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research forecasts, Japan's population will fall to just 87 million by 2070.</p>

<p>In 2022, for the sixth year in a row, Japan witnessed a fall in its number of births. In 2021, the nation saw a 3.5 per cent fall from the previous year (2020). It had just 811,604 births, which is the lowest level on record, as per data by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-sees-record-breaking-fall-in-birth-rate-was-elon-musk-right-will-the-country-cease-to-exist-484729">Japan sees record-breaking fall in birth rate. Was Elon Musk right, will the country 'cease to exist'?</a></strong></p>

<p>In fact, this is the lowest number of births in the country's 123-year history; the country began keeping records in 1899, and the year 2021 saw the lowest numbers ever.</p>

<p>The country's total fertility rate, which is the number of children a Japanese woman will have in her lifetime, has also fallen by 0.30 points to 1.30 per woman.</p>

<p>Japan's fertility rate has witnessed a steady decline since 1975 when it first fell below 2.0.</p>

<p>Incidentally, if you were to look at news items on the nation's birth rates for the past few years, every year this record gets broken. Voicing concern, in May 2022, Tesla CEO Elon Musk had spoken about Japan's falling birth rate, warning that the country may soon "cease to exist" adding that it would be a great loss for the world.</p>

<p>On X, (known as Twitter back then), "At risk of stating the obvious, unless something changes to cause the birth rate to exceed the death rate, Japan will eventually cease to exist. This would be a great loss for the world."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


What's in a name? For a small town in Japan, a lot. The shrinking town of Kainan in Japan's Wakayama prefecture is offering people with a particular surname millions of Yen to relocate there.

What's in a name? For a small town in Japan, a lot. The shrinking town of Kainan in Japan's Wakayama prefecture is offering people with a particular surname millions of Yen to relocate there. Do you qualify for the 'moolah,' here's all you need to know. How can I get the money? To get ¥1 million (around $6,940), which just so happens to be the minimum reward, all you need is the surname 'Suzuki'. A further ¥1 million will be given for each child under 18 years of age. Why Suzuki? Suzuki happens to be Japan's second most common surname. Furthermore, the town has a rather fascination association with 'Suzuki', it is the name's birthplace. Kainan launched the campaign to repopulate back in 2021. At the time, they estimated that around 750,000 Suzukis live in Tokyo and the neighbouring prefectures of Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa. Also read | US: Trump supporter ex-police chief sentenced to over 11 years in jail for role in Jan 6 riots However, two years into the campaign, the town has failed to attract a single Suzuki, reports The Guardian. Talking to the publication, Tomonari Fujita, head of the town’s urban development division, said: "I can confirm that not a single Suzuki-san has relocated to Kainan so far." "One person made some initial inquiries, but it didn't go any further than that," he added. Why is the town paying people to live there? Across Japan, prefectures have been witnessing a steady decline in the number of residents. In 2022, the population of Japanese nationals fell by a record 800,000 to 125.4 million. On the other hand, the number of foreigners rose to a record high of almost three million, reports The Guardian. As per the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research forecasts, Japan's population will fall to just 87 million by 2070. In 2022, for the sixth year in a row, Japan witnessed a fall in its number of births. In 2021, the nation saw a 3.5 per cent fall from the previous year (2020). It had just 811,604 births, which is the lowest level on record, as per data by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Also read | Japan sees record-breaking fall in birth rate. Was Elon Musk right, will the country 'cease to exist'? In fact, this is the lowest number of births in the country's 123-year history; the country began keeping records in 1899, and the year 2021 saw the lowest numbers ever. The country's total fertility rate, which is the number of children a Japanese woman will have in her lifetime, has also fallen by 0.30 points to 1.30 per woman. Japan's fertility rate has witnessed a steady decline since 1975 when it first fell below 2.0. Incidentally, if you were to look at news items on the nation's birth rates for the past few years, every year this record gets broken. Voicing concern, in May 2022, Tesla CEO Elon Musk had spoken about Japan's falling birth rate, warning that the country may soon "cease to exist" adding that it would be a great loss for the world. On X, (known as Twitter back then), "At risk of stating the obvious, unless something changes to cause the birth rate to exceed the death rate, Japan will eventually cease to exist. This would be a great loss for the world." (With inputs from agencies)

This Japan town will pay you a million Yen to live there...on one condition

<p>Pornography is freely available on the internet, and is often accessed by children. To protect the young ones from accessing inappropriate porn content online, Britain has now proposed a new age-check guidance that may use artificial intelligence.</p>

<h2><strong>How will AI do that?</strong></h2>

<p>As per a Reuters report, Artificial Intelligence will evaluate if a viewer looks of age. It would do so by analysing the viewer's feature. This, as per the report, would likely require the user to click and upload a selfie.</p>

<p>This comes as Britain on Tuesday (Dec 5th) recommended a new age-check guidance to protect children from accessing pornography online. The nation recently passed the Online Safety Act that requires websites and applications that display and/or publish pornographic material to ensure that children under the age of 18 years do not stumble across pornography on their service.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/350-year-old-steamy-explicit-sketch-expected-to-sell-for-half-million-dollars-see-it-here-667104">350-year-old steamy, 'explicit' sketch expected to sell for half million dollars. See it here!</a></strong></p>

<p>"Regardless of their approach, we expect all services to offer robust protection to children from stumbling across pornography, and also to take care that privacy rights and freedoms for adults to access legal content are safeguarded," said media regulator Ofcom CEO Melanie Dawes, as reported by the news agency.</p>

<p>Among its guidance are other proposals like photo identification matching, making it mandatory for users to upload a photo ID such as passport or driving licence to prove their age, and even credit card checks. Further suggestions include open banking — where to confirm that they are over 18, users can authorise their bank to share information with online porn sites.</p>

<p>The regulator, as per Reuters, spoke against weak verification methods like self-declaration of age, online payment methods that do not have any age restrictions, and disclaimers or warnings. It said that these would no longer meet the standards in its new guidance, which is expected to be published in early 2025.</p>

<h2><strong>Britain and pornography</strong></h2>

<p>In Britain, the legal age to watch porn is 18 years or more. However, as per a 2021-2022 study by the Office of the Children's Commissioner for England, on average, children first access pornographic content online at the young age of 13. Nearly a quarter of children actually stumble across porn at an even younger age — around 11 years. Shockingly, one in 10 people reported seeing their first porn content at the tender young age of nine years.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/world/europe/how-young-is-too-young-to-watch-porn--1675153977278" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/world/europe/how-young-is-too-young-to-watch-porn--1675153977278&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjz3J72-fyCAxUpa_UHHUaVBMYQFnoECAgQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3WRUx5covEa5QUObvR6J9_" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/world/europe/how-young-is-too-young-to-watch-porn--1675153977278" target="_blank">How young is too young to watch&nbsp;porn?</a></strong></p>

<p>In spite of that, not everyone is in favour of mandatory age verification. The Institute of Economic Affairs, a free-market think tank, contends that it threatens user privacy and that by increasing the amount of sensitive data held by third parties, this could potentially expose users to breaches and abuse.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Pornography is freely available on the internet, and is often accessed by children. To protect the young ones from accessing inappropriate porn content online, Britain has now proposed a new age-check guidance that may use artificial intelligence.

Pornography is freely available on the internet, and is often accessed by children. To protect the young ones from accessing inappropriate porn content online, Britain has now proposed a new age-check guidance that may use artificial intelligence. How will AI do that? As per a Reuters report, Artificial Intelligence will evaluate if a viewer looks of age. It would do so by analysing the viewer's feature. This, as per the report, would likely require the user to click and upload a selfie. This comes as Britain on Tuesday (Dec 5th) recommended a new age-check guidance to protect children from accessing pornography online. The nation recently passed the Online Safety Act that requires websites and applications that display and/or publish pornographic material to ensure that children under the age of 18 years do not stumble across pornography on their service. Also read | 350-year-old steamy, 'explicit' sketch expected to sell for half million dollars. See it here! "Regardless of their approach, we expect all services to offer robust protection to children from stumbling across pornography, and also to take care that privacy rights and freedoms for adults to access legal content are safeguarded," said media regulator Ofcom CEO Melanie Dawes, as reported by the news agency. Among its guidance are other proposals like photo identification matching, making it mandatory for users to upload a photo ID such as passport or driving licence to prove their age, and even credit card checks. Further suggestions include open banking — where to confirm that they are over 18, users can authorise their bank to share information with online porn sites. The regulator, as per Reuters, spoke against weak verification methods like self-declaration of age, online payment methods that do not have any age restrictions, and disclaimers or warnings. It said that these would no longer meet the standards in its new guidance, which is expected to be published in early 2025. Britain and pornography In Britain, the legal age to watch porn is 18 years or more. However, as per a 2021-2022 study by the Office of the Children's Commissioner for England, on average, children first access pornographic content online at the young age of 13. Nearly a quarter of children actually stumble across porn at an even younger age — around 11 years. Shockingly, one in 10 people reported seeing their first porn content at the tender young age of nine years. Also read | How young is too young to watch porn? In spite of that, not everyone is in favour of mandatory age verification. The Institute of Economic Affairs, a free-market think tank, contends that it threatens user privacy and that by increasing the amount of sensitive data held by third parties, this could potentially expose users to breaches and abuse. (With inputs from agencies)

AI to determine if the person watching porn is too young. Here's how

<p>A steamy sketch from more than three centuries ago has earned the "explicit" tag by the auction house selling it.</p>

<p>The sketch is being sold by international auction house Christie's and is expected to sell for around half a million dollars or GBP 250,000-400,000 (USD 313,748–501,998).</p>

<h2><strong>'The French Bed'</strong></h2>

<p>The etching in question is titled "The French Bed" and was drawn by Dutch Painter Rembrandt around 350 years ago in 1646. To view it online on Christie's website, users have to click past an "explicit content" warning.</p>

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<p>It is part of a collection named "Old Masters I" that goes on auction on Thursday (Dec 7).</p>

<h2><strong>What is explicit about the etching?</strong></h2>

<p>"The French Bed"&nbsp;or Het Ledikant is a monochrome picture, hidden away behind the sign "EXPLICIT CONTENT. This lot contains explicit material and mature subject matter," on Christie's website.</p>

<p>You can see it here:</p>

<p><img alt="Rembrandt " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d569f9d-b241-4226-b3a3-aef49e5f7f77" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202023-12-07T115254.807.jpg" /></p>

<p><em><sup>(Image credit: Christie's website)</sup></em></p>

<p>It depicts a man and a woman on a four-poster bed passionately engaged in lovemaking. The couple is depicted to be semi-clothed and amorous.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They seem to have just tumbled onto the bed, with the trousers and skirts off, but shirts still on."</p>

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<p>Christie describes the Rembrandt piece as "one of a small number of explicitly erotic prints" by the Dutch painter.</p>

<p>"The delicately named ‘French Bed’ is one of a small number of explicitly erotic prints by Rembrandt, and one of the rarest etchings in his entire oeuvre."</p>

<p>They further write that the woman looks at her lover with a smile, and "the perplexing fact that she has three arms and hands adds to the vivacity of the scene."</p>

<p>However, the auction house goes on to say that the painting isn't "crass or obscene".</p>

<p>"It is to Rembrandt’s credit—and very much in line with his humane and slightly subversive character – that he did not try to classicise, moralise or otherwise elevate his print. Nor is it in any way crass or obscene, and that's makes this etching so charming and light-hearted: they are just two young people having a good time together."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A steamy sketch from more than three centuries ago has earned the "explicit" tag by the auction house selling it. The sketch is being sold by international auction house Christie's and is expected to sell for around half a million dollars or GBP 250,000-400,000 (USD 313,748–501,998).

A steamy sketch from more than three centuries ago has earned the "explicit" tag by the auction house selling it. The sketch is being sold by international auction house Christie's and is expected to sell for around half a million dollars or GBP 250,000-400,000 (USD 313,748–501,998). 'The French Bed' The etching in question is titled "The French Bed" and was drawn by Dutch Painter Rembrandt around 350 years ago in 1646. To view it online on Christie's website, users have to click past an "explicit content" warning. Also read | Boris Johnson's apologies over COVID-19 pandemic handling met with signs of 'dead can't hear'. Watch! It is part of a collection named "Old Masters I" that goes on auction on Thursday (Dec 7). What is explicit about the etching? "The French Bed" or Het Ledikant is a monochrome picture, hidden away behind the sign "EXPLICIT CONTENT. This lot contains explicit material and mature subject matter," on Christie's website. You can see it here: (Image credit: Christie's website) It depicts a man and a woman on a four-poster bed passionately engaged in lovemaking. The couple is depicted to be semi-clothed and amorous. "They seem to have just tumbled onto the bed, with the trousers and skirts off, but shirts still on." Also read | Moo-d boosting therapy: This farm offers relaxation through unique cow cuddling sessions Christie describes the Rembrandt piece as "one of a small number of explicitly erotic prints" by the Dutch painter. "The delicately named ‘French Bed’ is one of a small number of explicitly erotic prints by Rembrandt, and one of the rarest etchings in his entire oeuvre." They further write that the woman looks at her lover with a smile, and "the perplexing fact that she has three arms and hands adds to the vivacity of the scene." However, the auction house goes on to say that the painting isn't "crass or obscene". "It is to Rembrandt’s credit—and very much in line with his humane and slightly subversive character – that he did not try to classicise, moralise or otherwise elevate his print. Nor is it in any way crass or obscene, and that's makes this etching so charming and light-hearted: they are just two young people having a good time together." (With inputs from agencies)

350-year-old steamy, 'explicit' sketch expected to sell for half-a-million dollars

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