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A 61-year-old man was sucked up to his shoulders out of a plane window after the debris from the shattered engine struck the glass. His wife held on to him for several minutes to save him. A passenger told Greek outlet ERT that the man's head and shoulders were sticking out of the window. The terrifying incident happened on a Ryanair flight to Memmingen, Germany. The Boeing 737 left the Macedonia airport in Thessaloniki, Greece, at 5:55 am on Friday morning. Nearly an hour later, passengers heard a loud bang, which caused the plane's glass to shatter.&nbsp;The Serbian man was immediately sucked out of the window as the plane cruised at a height of 20,000ft. The plane's engine had failed, and several pieces from its motor were flung around, with debris hitting the windows, cracking them open. It triggered immediate chaos on the plane. The man's wife held on to him for 5 minutes, making every effort to keep him safe and inside the plane. Footage shows oxygen masks hanging in the cabin and a hole in the window.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">This is almost impossible, but it actually happened. A Malta Air Boeing 737-800 operating Ryanair flight FR1879 from Thessaloniki to Memmingen returned safely to Greece after a cabin window shattered during the climb through FL150, triggering a cabin decompression and the… <a href="https://t.co/IS9cLDnyXx">pic.twitter.com/IS9cLDnyXx</a>&mdash; Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) <a href="https://x.com/Turbinetraveler/status/2075501649234198757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The flight returned to Thessaloniki after "a passenger window dislodged inflight", Ryanair said in a statement. It added that the plane landed safely, and one passenger requested and received medical assistance. Another plane was arranged for the passengers who flew back at 9:53 am. “A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on Friday morning (10 July) returned to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged inflight. The aircraft landed normally and passengers returned to the terminal.”<h2>Seatbelt saved the Serbian man</h2>A female passenger told &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Radio Thessaloniki 94.5, "A noise was heard as if a tire had burst. There was panic with screams, screams and voices because we immediately lost altitude from the decompression." She thought that somebody had opened the emergency door. The woman said the man sucked out of the window was wearing a seatbelt. "They grabbed him and held him down, fortunately he hadn't taken off his seatbelt. His head was completely outside the plane."

A Serbian man was sucked out of a plane window after debris from the broken engine smashed into the glass at an altitude of 20,000ft. The Ryanair flight was going to Germany from Greece. The man's wife held onto him for several minutes to prevent him from falling off the plane.

A 61-year-old man was sucked up to his shoulders out of a plane window after the debris from the shattered engine struck the glass. His wife held on to him for several minutes to save him. A passenger told Greek outlet ERT that the man's head and shoulders were sticking out of the window. The terrifying incident happened on a Ryanair flight to Memmingen, Germany. The Boeing 737 left the Macedonia airport in Thessaloniki, Greece, at 5:55 am on Friday morning. Nearly an hour later, passengers heard a loud bang, which caused the plane's glass to shatter. The Serbian man was immediately sucked out of the window as the plane cruised at a height of 20,000ft. The plane's engine had failed, and several pieces from its motor were flung around, with debris hitting the windows, cracking them open. It triggered immediate chaos on the plane. The man's wife held on to him for 5 minutes, making every effort to keep him safe and inside the plane. Footage shows oxygen masks hanging in the cabin and a hole in the window.

A Serbian man was sucked out of a plane window after debris from the broken engine smashed into the glass at an altitude of 20,000ft. The Ryanair flight was going to Germany from Greece. The man's wife held onto him for several minutes to prevent him from falling off the plane.

Man sucked out of plane window up to shoulders at 20,000ft. Seatbelt and his wife saved him

Choosing a vacation spot usually depends on your likes and dislikes. For example, whether you love beaches or mountains, the kind of food you want to explore, if you are looking for adventure or simply a quiet place to relax, etc. But Gen Z has added a new dimension to it. They are picking the places they want to visit based on their astrological charts. This is called Astrocartography, a branch of astrology that maps the position of planets at the time of your birth onto the globe.Cartography lines are drawn and reveal destinations which they believe the cosmos has chosen for them. These are places they think will fulfil their destiny and bring them love and luck.&nbsp;Astrocartography was developed in the 1970s, but the year 2025 is when it really came to the forefront. Travel agencies, tour operators, cruise lines and others are seeing a growing trend where youngsters are asking to go to specific places because they align with their birth chart. The idea is to take the trip chosen for you by the universe. People pick the place depending on what they want from the trip. Krishnan Sampath, Senior Vedic Astrologer, says, "Astrocartography is a way to learn about where energy is in the universe and how it relates to our individual experiences while we travel around the world."&nbsp;"Instead of only thinking about the latest hot vacation destination, they're beginning to ask themselves which travel destination is most suitable (based not only on their current state of life but also on who they are as a person and their preferences)," he adds.&nbsp;Arvind Subbarao, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, iMeUsWe, a website that offers astrology services, says, "A growing trend in the travel choices is purposeful travel. With so many recommendations, reviews, and built-out itineraries available to choose from, the challenge now isn't about finding the information but finding information that is relevant." The load of information available these days is another reason why Astrocartography is gaining popularity. It helps narrow down the choices and lends the final decision more meaning.<h2>Too much information is messing our minds</h2>Social media is full of recommendations and trips everyone must take. But not everything suits everyone. An influencer or even a friend might recommend a place because they liked its nightlife, food, or because it has many tourist spots. But what you are looking for is a quieter and more peaceful experience where you can just relax.&nbsp;Since travelling is not a "one size fits all" situation, narrowing it down is really important. This is where Astrocartography enters the picture. It not only provides a few options, but it also makes sure they are curated for you based on what you are looking to gain from a trip.<h2>How to get your astrocartography chart?</h2>To get your <a href="https://horoscopes.astro-seek.com/astrocartography-online-astro-map-relocation">astrocartography map</a>, you need to visit a website where you enter your birth details. It generates a map with planetary lines where each planet indicates a particular experience. Places falling on the Jupiter lines will help you connect with your fellow traveller. Mars is linked to courage, action and drive. So people looking for adventure can choose places where such activities are available. Venus lines are linked to romance and beauty, making places on this line attractive to couples.&nbsp;Astrocartography combines a travel website with astrology, easing your stress about planning vacations. Definitely worth a shot. &nbsp;

Your birth chart not only offers you a path while navigating life, but can also be used to plan your next vacation. People are increasingly turning to Astrocartography to find a destination that aligns with their stars and goals. 

Choosing a vacation spot usually depends on your likes and dislikes. For example, whether you love beaches or mountains, the kind of food you want to explore, if you are looking for adventure or simply a quiet place to relax, etc. But Gen Z has added a new dimension to it. They are picking the places they want to visit based on their astrological charts. This is called Astrocartography, a branch of astrology that maps the position of planets at the time of your birth onto the globe. Cartography lines are drawn and reveal destinations which they believe the cosmos has chosen for them. These are places they think will fulfil their destiny and bring them love and luck. Astrocartography was developed in the 1970s, but the year 2025 is when it really came to the forefront. Travel agencies, tour operators, cruise lines and others are seeing a growing trend where youngsters are asking to go to specific places because they align with their birth chart. The idea is to take the trip chosen for you by the universe. People pick the place depending on what they want from the trip. Krishnan Sampath, Senior Vedic Astrologer, says, "Astrocartography is a way to learn about where energy is in the universe and how it relates to our individual experiences while we travel around the world." "Instead of only thinking about the latest hot vacation destination, they're beginning to ask themselves which travel destination is most suitable (based not only on their current state of life but also on who they are as a person and their preferences)," he adds. Arvind Subbarao, Co-Founder & CEO, iMeUsWe, a website that offers astrology services, says, "A growing trend in the travel choices is purposeful travel. With so many recommendations, reviews, and built-out itineraries available to choose from, the challenge now isn't about finding the information but finding information that is relevant." The load of information available these days is another reason why Astrocartography is gaining popularity. It helps narrow down the choices and lends the final decision more meaning. Too much information is messing our minds Social media is full of recommendations and trips everyone must take. But not everything suits everyone. An influencer or even a friend might recommend a place because they liked its nightlife, food, or because it has many tourist spots. But what you are looking for is a quieter and more peaceful experience where you can just relax. Since travelling is not a "one size fits all" situation, narrowing it down is really important. This is where Astrocartography enters the picture. It not only provides a few options, but it also makes sure they are curated for you based on what you are looking to gain from a trip. How to get your astrocartography chart? To get your astrocartography map, you need to visit a website where you enter your birth details. It generates a map with planetary lines where each planet indicates a particular experience. Places falling on the Jupiter lines will help you connect with your fellow traveller. Mars is linked to courage, action and drive. So people looking for adventure can choose places where such activities are available. Venus lines are linked to romance and beauty, making places on this line attractive to couples. Astrocartography combines a travel website with astrology, easing your stress about planning vacations. Definitely worth a shot.

Your birth chart not only offers you a path while navigating life, but can also be used to plan your next vacation. People are increasingly turning to astrocartography to find a destination that aligns with their stars and goals.&nbsp;

Astrocartography: People are using astrology to choose vacation destinations. Here's why

India has tightened rules governing the sale of oral medicines that contain alcohol. In an order dated 8 July 2026, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that starting January 2027, oral medicines containing more than 12 per cent ethyl alcohol and sold in bottles larger than 30 ml will no longer be sold over the counter (OTC).<h2>What exactly has changed?</h2>The amendment makes two key changes to the Drugs Rules, 1945. Under the Drugs (Tenth Amendment) Rules, 2026, oral medications containing more than 12 per cent alcohol can no longer be sold over the counter. This means they will be treated as prescription medicines under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 and a prescription from a medical professional would be required for their purchase. Additionally, these products will now have to comply fully with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/weapon-of-war-india-at-un-condemns-conflict-related-sexual-violence-highlights-role-of-women-peacekeepers-1783645114228">'Weapon of war': India at UN condemns conflict-related sexual violence, highlights role of women peacekeepers</a>In simple terms, medicines that meet both conditions, more than 12 per cent ethyl alcohol and a bottle size above 30 ml, will no longer be freely sold across pharmacy counters. The new rules will come into force six months after their publication in the Official Gazette, meaning the changes are expected to take effect in January 2027.<h2>Why has the government done this?</h2>While the notification does not explicitly state the reason, the move is widely seen as an effort to prevent the misuse of alcohol-based medicinal formulations, particularly cough syrups and similar oral medicines that are sometimes consumed for intoxication rather than treatment.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahadev-app-mastermind-sourabh-chandrakar-arrested-in-oman-inside-the-240-crore-a-day-betting-empire-wion-decodes-1783578959074">Mahadev app mastermind Sourabh Chandrakar arrested in Oman: Inside the ₹240-crore-a-day betting empire | WION Decodes</a>The Health Ministry said the amendments were made after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the country's highest technical body on drug regulation. The initiative is in line with the Government's continued efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for drugs, promote the rational and responsible use of medicinal products and safeguard public health. &nbsp;

Buying certain alcohol-based oral medicines won't be as easy from January 2027. The government has ruled that medicines containing more than 12% alcohol and sold in bottles larger than 30 ml can no longer be sold over the counter. Scroll down to see which medicines are affected.

India has tightened rules governing the sale of oral medicines that contain alcohol. In an order dated 8 July 2026, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that starting January 2027, oral medicines containing more than 12 per cent ethyl alcohol and sold in bottles larger than 30 ml will no longer be sold over the counter (OTC). What exactly has changed? The amendment makes two key changes to the Drugs Rules, 1945. Under the Drugs (Tenth Amendment) Rules, 2026, oral medications containing more than 12 per cent alcohol can no longer be sold over the counter. This means they will be treated as prescription medicines under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 and a prescription from a medical professional would be required for their purchase. Additionally, these products will now have to comply fully with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Also read | 'Weapon of war': India at UN condemns conflict-related sexual violence, highlights role of women peacekeepers In simple terms, medicines that meet both conditions, more than 12 per cent ethyl alcohol and a bottle size above 30 ml, will no longer be freely sold across pharmacy counters. The new rules will come into force six months after their publication in the Official Gazette, meaning the changes are expected to take effect in January 2027. Why has the government done this? While the notification does not explicitly state the reason, the move is widely seen as an effort to prevent the misuse of alcohol-based medicinal formulations, particularly cough syrups and similar oral medicines that are sometimes consumed for intoxication rather than treatment. Also read | Mahadev app mastermind Sourabh Chandrakar arrested in Oman: Inside the ₹240-crore-a-day betting empire | WION Decodes The Health Ministry said the amendments were made after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the country's highest technical body on drug regulation. The initiative is in line with the Government's continued efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for drugs, promote the rational and responsible use of medicinal products and safeguard public health.

Buying certain alcohol-based oral medicines won't be as easy from January 2027. The government has ruled that medicines containing more than 12% alcohol and sold in bottles larger than 30 ml can no longer be sold over the counter. Scroll down to see which medicines are affected.

Prescription only: India changes rules for alcohol-based cough syrups and oral medicines

The United States has taken a major step towards space warfare with a new electromagnetic weapon capable of disrupting enemy satellites. Meadowlands, developed by L3 Harris, does not physically damage them, and simply silences them. The US Space Force has acknowledged that this offensive weapon can block radio waves, rendering them incapable of communicating or sharing data with forces on the ground. The Space Force said in a statement that it provides the military with a "robust toolkit for spectrum dominance."&nbsp;Meadowlands reportedly consists of an antenna dish mounted to a wheeled trailer. It can be moved around on the ground or on a large cargo aircraft and deployed under enemy satellites. Reports suggest that Space Force has requested nearly $460 million in Fiscal Year 2027 to develop Meadowlands, and for related training. The US Space Force has a dedicated unit for systems like the Meadowlands.&nbsp;<h2>Donald Trump has stressed Space Superiority</h2>President Donald Trump has often made it clear that the country needs to strengthen its defences in space. In his second term, he is treating space as an active warfighting domain and wants to achieve undisputed "Space Superiority".&nbsp;US Space Force Col. Angelo Fernandez, commander of Mission Delta 3 – Space Electromagnetic Warfare, said, "Continued U.S. Space Force investment in electromagnetic warfare systems, software, and advanced training is essential to modern warfare." The agency added that such warfare capabilities were at the centre of Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran in June 2025 when the US military attacked the country's nuclear sites.&nbsp;&nbsp;It said in a statement that electromagnetic warfare professionals "created a silence zone to ensure secure bomber ingress and egress, effectively halting adversary communications to provide vital indications and warnings."&nbsp;On day one of Operation Epic Fury, the current war against Iran, the US deployed similar capabilities, Guardians from Mission Delta 3, and launched targeted non-kinetic strikes. It jammed and disrupted Iran's ground-based air defence sensors and military communications networks

US Space Force has acquired a weapon that can be counted as a major step in space warfare. It can deny and disrupt signals on enemy satellites to prevent communication. The agency described it as a "robust toolkit for spectrum dominance."

The United States has taken a major step towards space warfare with a new electromagnetic weapon capable of disrupting enemy satellites. Meadowlands, developed by L3 Harris, does not physically damage them, and simply silences them. The US Space Force has acknowledged that this offensive weapon can block radio waves, rendering them incapable of communicating or sharing data with forces on the ground. The Space Force said in a statement that it provides the military with a "robust toolkit for spectrum dominance." Meadowlands reportedly consists of an antenna dish mounted to a wheeled trailer. It can be moved around on the ground or on a large cargo aircraft and deployed under enemy satellites. Reports suggest that Space Force has requested nearly $460 million in Fiscal Year 2027 to develop Meadowlands, and for related training. The US Space Force has a dedicated unit for systems like the Meadowlands. Donald Trump has stressed Space Superiority President Donald Trump has often made it clear that the country needs to strengthen its defences in space. In his second term, he is treating space as an active warfighting domain and wants to achieve undisputed "Space Superiority". US Space Force Col. Angelo Fernandez, commander of Mission Delta 3 – Space Electromagnetic Warfare, said, "Continued U.S. Space Force investment in electromagnetic warfare systems, software, and advanced training is essential to modern warfare." The agency added that such warfare capabilities were at the centre of Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran in June 2025 when the US military attacked the country's nuclear sites. It said in a statement that electromagnetic warfare professionals "created a silence zone to ensure secure bomber ingress and egress, effectively halting adversary communications to provide vital indications and warnings." On day one of Operation Epic Fury, the current war against Iran, the US deployed similar capabilities, Guardians from Mission Delta 3, and launched targeted non-kinetic strikes. It jammed and disrupted Iran's ground-based air defence sensors and military communications networks

US Space Force has acquired a weapon that can be counted as a major step in space warfare. It can deny and disrupt signals on enemy satellites to prevent communication. The agency described it as a "robust toolkit for spectrum dominance."

Declaration of space wars? America's latest weapon can jam enemy satellites

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has confirmed that the US space agency possesses images of unidentified objects which scientists have not yet been able to explain. Speaking on The Jack Gordon Podcast, Isaacman said some imagery collected by NASA could not currently be explained away as comets or other known natural phenomena."We have captured imagery... based on the data that we have within that imagery, we don't know what it is," Isaacman said, adding that President Donald Trump has been supportive of greater transparency around such material.<h2>There's life out there</h2>While Isaacman stopped short of saying that the unexplained images could be proof of aliens, he said he believes humanity could eventually discover that life is common across the universe, though he acknowledged there is no definitive evidence yet."I think there's a very real possibility we're going to arrive at a conclusion in our lifetime that perhaps there's life everywhere out there and that it isn't as infrequent as we might think it to possibly be," he said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/do-not-open-until-2276-inside-the-us-time-capsule-that-won-t-be-opened-for-250-years-america-anniversary-1783040677941">Do not open until 2276: Inside the US time capsule that won't be opened for 250 years</a><h2>NASA may have proof of alien life</h2>While Isaacman said NASA has images that remain unexplained, he rejected one of the most persistent UFO conspiracy theories. When asked whether the US government had recovered crashed alien spacecraft or extraterrestrial bodies, he said he had never seen evidence to support those claims.However, Isaacman revealed that NASA may already have proof of aliens. "We got samples on Mars right now. If we bring them back, there is a very high probability that they will point to, at some point, microbial life at least on Mars," he said.NASA has long viewed Mars sample analysis as one of the best opportunities to determine whether the Red Planet once hosted microscopic life, although plans to return those samples have faced delays and funding challenges.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/humans-to-live-on-the-moon-by-2029-nasa-awards-600mn-in-contracts-unveils-next-phase-of-lunar-base-plans-1782868223488">Humans to live on the Moon by 2029? NASA awards $600mn in contracts, unveils next phase of lunar base plans</a><h2>'Are we alone?'</h2>Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and civilian astronaut appointed to lead NASA, said the search for life elsewhere remains one of the agency's biggest scientific goals."I can't hate the subject. In fact, I'm incredibly fascinated about it because that is at the heart of what we're trying to do at NASA, answer the question: Are we alone?" said the NASA director. He also defended future human exploration of space, arguing that humanity's long-term future should not be confined to Earth. "I do not believe it is our destiny to remain on one planet," Isaacman said. &nbsp;

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the agency has captured images of unidentified objects that scientists still cannot explain. He also claimed that Mars samples could provide evidence of ancient alien life and help answer humanity's biggest question: Are we alone?

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has confirmed that the US space agency possesses images of unidentified objects which scientists have not yet been able to explain. Speaking on The Jack Gordon Podcast, Isaacman said some imagery collected by NASA could not currently be explained away as comets or other known natural phenomena. "We have captured imagery... based on the data that we have within that imagery, we don't know what it is," Isaacman said, adding that President Donald Trump has been supportive of greater transparency around such material. There's life out there While Isaacman stopped short of saying that the unexplained images could be proof of aliens, he said he believes humanity could eventually discover that life is common across the universe, though he acknowledged there is no definitive evidence yet. "I think there's a very real possibility we're going to arrive at a conclusion in our lifetime that perhaps there's life everywhere out there and that it isn't as infrequent as we might think it to possibly be," he said. Also read | Do not open until 2276: Inside the US time capsule that won't be opened for 250 years NASA may have proof of alien life While Isaacman said NASA has images that remain unexplained, he rejected one of the most persistent UFO conspiracy theories. When asked whether the US government had recovered crashed alien spacecraft or extraterrestrial bodies, he said he had never seen evidence to support those claims. However, Isaacman revealed that NASA may already have proof of aliens. "We got samples on Mars right now. If we bring them back, there is a very high probability that they will point to, at some point, microbial life at least on Mars," he said. NASA has long viewed Mars sample analysis as one of the best opportunities to determine whether the Red Planet once hosted microscopic life, although plans to return those samples have faced delays and funding challenges. Also read | Humans to live on the Moon by 2029? NASA awards $600mn in contracts, unveils next phase of lunar base plans 'Are we alone?' Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and civilian astronaut appointed to lead NASA, said the search for life elsewhere remains one of the agency's biggest scientific goals. "I can't hate the subject. In fact, I'm incredibly fascinated about it because that is at the heart of what we're trying to do at NASA, answer the question: Are we alone?" said the NASA director. He also defended future human exploration of space, arguing that humanity's long-term future should not be confined to Earth. "I do not believe it is our destiny to remain on one planet," Isaacman said.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the agency has captured images of unidentified objects that scientists still cannot explain. He also claimed that Mars samples could provide evidence of ancient alien life and help answer humanity's biggest question: Are we alone?

Did NASA chief just confirm aliens? US Space agency's director Jared Isaacman REVEALS: 'We have images...'

Fidji Simo announced on Thursday (Jul 9) that she was stepping down from her full-time role at OpenAI as CEO of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) Deployment due to health issues, transitioning to a part-time adviser role. Simo has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a neuroimmune condition she has lived with for about seven years after being diagnosed around 2019. She has described experiencing severe flare-ups requiring ongoing treatment and management. Who is Fidji Simo, what is POTS, and how did her diagnosis make her an advocate of AI for tackling such rare diseases?<h2>About Fidji Simo, who is exiting as OpenAI AGI CEO</h2>Fidji Simo, born on 5 October 1985, is a French-American business executive. She grew up in Sète, a small fishing town in southern France, and was the first in her family to graduate high school. She later earned a Master of Science in Management from HEC Paris and spent her final year at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.Simo joined Facebook- now Meta Platforms- &nbsp;in 2011, eventually becoming head of the Facebook app and a key aide of founder-CEO Mark Zuckerberg. From 2021 to 2025, she served as CEO of grocery delivery company Instacart. She joined OpenAI's board in March 2024 and was appointed the company's first CEO of Applications in May 2025, later retitled CEO of AGI Deployment. Reporting to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, she oversaw product, engineering, operations and business teams. She has also served on the boards of Shopify and Cirque du Soleil, among others.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/samantha-ruth-prabhu-opens-up-about-health-struggles-amid-myositis-diagnosis-691838">Samantha Ruth Prabhu opens up about health struggles amid Myositis diagnosis</a><h2>What is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) which Fidgi Simo is suffering from?</h2>Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that affects heart rate, blood circulation and other involuntary body functions. It is marked by an unusually rapid increase in heart rate when standing. Common symptoms include dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, fainting, chest pain, nausea, heart palpitations and difficulty standing for long periods. POTS often overlaps with conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), migraines and Long COVID. Around 80 per cent of diagnosed cases occur in women, and the condition is often underdiagnosed.Simo has said she consulted nearly 40 specialists before receiving a diagnosis, highlighting the difficulties many patients face in obtaining appropriate care.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/the-boys-actress-erin-moriarty-reveals-graves-disease-diagnosis-go-get-checked-1749954958809">The Boys actress Erin Moriarty reveals Graves disease diagnosis: Go get checked...'</a><h2>How Fidgi Simo managed POTS while on a high-flying career</h2>Simo has spoken publicly about living with POTS to raise awareness and reduce stigma around chronic illnesses. She managed the condition through medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments, including exercise, sleep, nutrition and avoiding known triggers, while continuing to lead major technology companies. However, a severe flare-up in early 2026 led to medical leave in April, and her recovery took longer than expected, prompting her to step down from her full-time position.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/on-quest-to-reverse-ageing-bryan-johnson-gets-diagnosed-with-incurable-disease-1783623424119/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/on-quest-to-reverse-ageing-bryan-johnson-gets-diagnosed-with-incurable-disease-1783623424119/embed</a>Based on her experiences, Simo also became an advocate for neuroimmune research. She co-founded the Metrodora Institute and ChronicleBio, and serves as president of the non-profit Complex Disorders Alliance (CODA), supporting research, improved diagnosis and better treatments for conditions such as POTS and CFS. She has also highlighted the potential of AI to improve care for patients with complex chronic illnesses.

OpenAI executive Fidji Simo is stepping down from her full-time role as the firm's AGI CEO, after a severe POTS flare-up. Here's who she is, what postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is, its symptoms and how she managed it alongside a busy career.

Fidji Simo announced on Thursday (Jul 9) that she was stepping down from her full-time role at OpenAI as CEO of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) Deployment due to health issues, transitioning to a part-time adviser role. Simo has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a neuroimmune condition she has lived with for about seven years after being diagnosed around 2019. She has described experiencing severe flare-ups requiring ongoing treatment and management. Who is Fidji Simo, what is POTS, and how did her diagnosis make her an advocate of AI for tackling such rare diseases? About Fidji Simo, who is exiting as OpenAI AGI CEO Fidji Simo, born on 5 October 1985, is a French-American business executive. She grew up in Sète, a small fishing town in southern France, and was the first in her family to graduate high school. She later earned a Master of Science in Management from HEC Paris and spent her final year at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Simo joined Facebook- now Meta Platforms- in 2011, eventually becoming head of the Facebook app and a key aide of founder-CEO Mark Zuckerberg. From 2021 to 2025, she served as CEO of grocery delivery company Instacart. She joined OpenAI's board in March 2024 and was appointed the company's first CEO of Applications in May 2025, later retitled CEO of AGI Deployment. Reporting to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, she oversaw product, engineering, operations and business teams. She has also served on the boards of Shopify and Cirque du Soleil, among others. Also read: Samantha Ruth Prabhu opens up about health struggles amid Myositis diagnosis What is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) which Fidgi Simo is suffering from? Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that affects heart rate, blood circulation and other involuntary body functions. It is marked by an unusually rapid increase in heart rate when standing. Common symptoms include dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, fainting, chest pain, nausea, heart palpitations and difficulty standing for long periods. POTS often overlaps with conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), migraines and Long COVID. Around 80 per cent of diagnosed cases occur in women, and the condition is often underdiagnosed. Simo has said she consulted nearly 40 specialists before receiving a diagnosis, highlighting the difficulties many patients face in obtaining appropriate care. Also read: The Boys actress Erin Moriarty reveals Graves disease diagnosis: Go get checked...' How Fidgi Simo managed POTS while on a high-flying career Simo has spoken publicly about living with POTS to raise awareness and reduce stigma around chronic illnesses. She managed the condition through medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments, including exercise, sleep, nutrition and avoiding known triggers, while continuing to lead major technology companies. However, a severe flare-up in early 2026 led to medical leave in April, and her recovery took longer than expected, prompting her to step down from her full-time position. https://www.wionews.com/videos/on-quest-to-reverse-ageing-bryan-johnson-gets-diagnosed-with-incurable-disease-1783623424119/embed Based on her experiences, Simo also became an advocate for neuroimmune research. She co-founded the Metrodora Institute and ChronicleBio, and serves as president of the non-profit Complex Disorders Alliance (CODA), supporting research, improved diagnosis and better treatments for conditions such as POTS and CFS. She has also highlighted the potential of AI to improve care for patients with complex chronic illnesses.

OpenAI executive Fidji Simo is stepping down from her full-time role as the firm's AGI CEO, after a severe POTS flare-up. Here's who she is, what postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is, its symptoms and how she managed it alongside a busy career.

Fidji Simo to step down as OpenAI's AGI Deployment CEO due to POTS. Know more about the disease, symptoms and how she managed it

The brown huntsman, Heteropoda jugulan, has been identified as the fastest spider on Earth. Clocking at 3.59 metres (12 feet) per second (13km/hr or 8mph), the hairy-legged huntsman is faster than the current world record-holder. A team of German and British scientists studied more than 250 spider species and concluded that the huntsman is faster than the Moroccan flic-flac spider, which tops out at 1.7 m/s (6 km/hr). The spiders were collected from London, the German city of Greifswald, North America, southern Europe and Australia.&nbsp;The brown huntsman is only found in Australia, and is often seen in homes in south-east Queensland. The venomous spiders are as large as a human hand, but rarely bite humans. The spiders used in the study were observed using cameras and ran on gridded paper. The huntsman registered a high speed of 3.59 m/s only for a fraction of a second, and its sustained speed stood at 2 m/s. The paper will be published in a scientific journal, and it also includes other studies about spider speeds.<h2>How spiders move</h2>One such work was done by Dr Christofer Clemente, an evolutionary biomechanist at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. His work, published in 2021, tried to understand how spiders moved. He just grabbed a bunch of spiders from his backyard without really selecting any special creatures. “I am interested in how different animals of different sizes move and whether muscle might limit the speed at which animals can run,” he said.Also Read: <a href="https://www">82-million-year-old fossil reveals Antarctica was home to the largest dinosaurs to ever walk Earth</a>&nbsp;He said that even though the huntsman only peaked at 3.59 m/s for a small time, that is "still really fast". Clemente says spiders use "a combination of muscles to retract their limbs and hydraulic pressure to push them outwards." To run really fast, a creature should have a "sweet spot" between legs and muscles. The legs should be long, but "not so big that you have to support this huge mass". He believed before the study that the huntsman might have the “best spider body type for speed.”<h2>There could be faster spiders than brown huntsman</h2>Dr Jonas Wolff, of the University of Greifswald in Germany, a lead author of the study, said that running speeds can determine the ecological niche of spiders, and how they interact with the environment. He says that the study also revealed that “it was not the largest species that ran the fastest”, and spiders that catch prey in webs are not necessarily slower than huntsmans. Meanwhile, it is possible that there are faster huntsman species that are yet to be analysed. &nbsp;

The brown huntsman spiders found in Australia are the fastest spiders on Earth. A study has found that the Heteropoda jugulan species can run at speeds of 13km/hr. However, there could be much faster spiders out there, scientists said.

The brown huntsman, Heteropoda jugulan, has been identified as the fastest spider on Earth. Clocking at 3.59 metres (12 feet) per second (13km/hr or 8mph), the hairy-legged huntsman is faster than the current world record-holder. A team of German and British scientists studied more than 250 spider species and concluded that the huntsman is faster than the Moroccan flic-flac spider, which tops out at 1.7 m/s (6 km/hr). The spiders were collected from London, the German city of Greifswald, North America, southern Europe and Australia. The brown huntsman is only found in Australia, and is often seen in homes in south-east Queensland. The venomous spiders are as large as a human hand, but rarely bite humans. The spiders used in the study were observed using cameras and ran on gridded paper. The huntsman registered a high speed of 3.59 m/s only for a fraction of a second, and its sustained speed stood at 2 m/s. The paper will be published in a scientific journal, and it also includes other studies about spider speeds. How spiders move One such work was done by Dr Christofer Clemente, an evolutionary biomechanist at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. His work, published in 2021, tried to understand how spiders moved. He just grabbed a bunch of spiders from his backyard without really selecting any special creatures. “I am interested in how different animals of different sizes move and whether muscle might limit the speed at which animals can run,” he said. Also Read: 82-million-year-old fossil reveals Antarctica was home to the largest dinosaurs to ever walk Earth He said that even though the huntsman only peaked at 3.59 m/s for a small time, that is "still really fast". Clemente says spiders use "a combination of muscles to retract their limbs and hydraulic pressure to push them outwards." To run really fast, a creature should have a "sweet spot" between legs and muscles. The legs should be long, but "not so big that you have to support this huge mass". He believed before the study that the huntsman might have the “best spider body type for speed.” There could be faster spiders than brown huntsman Dr Jonas Wolff, of the University of Greifswald in Germany, a lead author of the study, said that running speeds can determine the ecological niche of spiders, and how they interact with the environment. He says that the study also revealed that “it was not the largest species that ran the fastest”, and spiders that catch prey in webs are not necessarily slower than huntsmans. Meanwhile, it is possible that there are faster huntsman species that are yet to be analysed.

The brown huntsman spiders found in Australia are the fastest spiders on Earth. A study has found that the Heteropoda jugulan species can run at speeds of 13km/hr. However, there could be much faster spiders out there, scientists said.

Arachnophobes beware! Fastest spider on Earth, that moves 12 feet in 1 second, has just been identified

A fresh political storm has erupted in Washington after reports that FBI Director Kash Patel has ordered hundreds of bureau personnel to assist in an investigation linked to Donald Trump's long-running claims about the 2020 presidential election. The move has triggered sharp criticism from Senate Democrats, who have accused the FBI of "misusing taxpayers dollars" by diverting resources away from national security priorities to pursue what they describe as a politically driven investigation.Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a letter, has demanded answers from Patel and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after reports that the FBI had mobilised 260 intelligence analysts from field offices across the United States.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-appeals-again-in-e-jean-carroll-case-tries-to-defy-order-to-pay-his-sexual-assault-victim-5-8-million-claims-unrecoverable-loss-1783565071503">Trump appeals again in E. Jean Carroll case, tries to defy order to pay his sexual assault victim $5.8 million, claims 'unrecoverable loss'</a><h2>FBI's latest 'priority investigation'</h2>According to internal FBI documents cited by MS NOW, 260 FBI analysts have been reassigned to support what is described as a "priority investigation" based in Atlanta, Georgia. The investigation's focus? The 2020 election, Trump claims he won.Warner argued that the decision amounts to a misuse of federal resources. "Dedicated FBI special agents and intelligence analysts work tirelessly to identify legitimate threats involving terrorism, counterintelligence, espionage, cyberattacks and violent crime," he wrote. "Unlike those serious threats, this fool's errand of an investigation will only erode trust in the FBI, the Department of Justice and America's elections."The senator went further, calling it "a misuse of taxpayer dollars" and alleging that critical national security personnel were being redirected to serve the political interests of the president. Warner has also requested a formal briefing from the FBI and Justice Department.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/never-before-seen-footage-reveals-what-epstein-s-private-island-little-st-james-actually-looked-like-from-the-inside-watch-1783578066878">Never-before-seen footage exposes eerie interiors of Jeffrey Epstein's private island Little St. James | Watch</a><h2>Massive deployment raises questions</h2>The reported scale of the operation has drawn particular attention. An unclassified FBI memo reportedly instructed every field office to immediately provide support to the Atlanta investigation, with staffing quotas determined by the size of each office. The 260 analysts have reportedly been tasked with completing 708 records checks each by July 17, while overtime, including weekends and holidays, has been authorised. Separate teams of FBI agents are also said to be working on the investigation.But what are they looking for? According to the MS NOW report citing an official, the "short answer" is they are "Looking for derogatory information".For this, investigators are examining social media activity, business records, travel history and associations in an effort to identify potentially incriminating information.<h2>Trump vs Biden: 2020 election dispute</h2>Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in Georgia by 11,779 votes in the 2020 presidential election. The outcome has since been reaffirmed through recounts, post-election audits, state certification processes and multiple court rulings.

Senate Democrats have accused FBI Director Kash Patel of diverting hundreds of bureau personnel to investigate Donald Trump's 2020 election claims, calling it a "misuse of taxpayer dollars" and a politically driven "fool's errand". 

A fresh political storm has erupted in Washington after reports that FBI Director Kash Patel has ordered hundreds of bureau personnel to assist in an investigation linked to Donald Trump's long-running claims about the 2020 presidential election. The move has triggered sharp criticism from Senate Democrats, who have accused the FBI of "misusing taxpayers dollars" by diverting resources away from national security priorities to pursue what they describe as a politically driven investigation. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a letter, has demanded answers from Patel and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after reports that the FBI had mobilised 260 intelligence analysts from field offices across the United States. Also read | Trump appeals again in E. Jean Carroll case, tries to defy order to pay his sexual assault victim $5.8 million, claims 'unrecoverable loss' FBI's latest 'priority investigation' According to internal FBI documents cited by MS NOW, 260 FBI analysts have been reassigned to support what is described as a "priority investigation" based in Atlanta, Georgia. The investigation's focus? The 2020 election, Trump claims he won. Warner argued that the decision amounts to a misuse of federal resources. "Dedicated FBI special agents and intelligence analysts work tirelessly to identify legitimate threats involving terrorism, counterintelligence, espionage, cyberattacks and violent crime," he wrote. "Unlike those serious threats, this fool's errand of an investigation will only erode trust in the FBI, the Department of Justice and America's elections." The senator went further, calling it "a misuse of taxpayer dollars" and alleging that critical national security personnel were being redirected to serve the political interests of the president. Warner has also requested a formal briefing from the FBI and Justice Department. Also read | Never-before-seen footage exposes eerie interiors of Jeffrey Epstein's private island Little St. James | Watch Massive deployment raises questions The reported scale of the operation has drawn particular attention. An unclassified FBI memo reportedly instructed every field office to immediately provide support to the Atlanta investigation, with staffing quotas determined by the size of each office. The 260 analysts have reportedly been tasked with completing 708 records checks each by July 17, while overtime, including weekends and holidays, has been authorised. Separate teams of FBI agents are also said to be working on the investigation. But what are they looking for? According to the MS NOW report citing an official, the "short answer" is they are "Looking for derogatory information". For this, investigators are examining social media activity, business records, travel history and associations in an effort to identify potentially incriminating information. Trump vs Biden: 2020 election dispute Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in Georgia by 11,779 votes in the 2020 presidential election. The outcome has since been reaffirmed through recounts, post-election audits, state certification processes and multiple court rulings.

Senate Democrats have accused FBI Director Kash Patel of diverting hundreds of bureau personnel to investigate Donald Trump's 2020 election claims, calling it a "misuse of taxpayer dollars" and a politically driven "fool's errand".&nbsp;

Kash Patel's 'fool errand' EXPOSED: 260 FBI agents deployed to investigate Trump's 2020 election loss; Democrats slam 'misuse of taxpayer dollars'

A century-old clock tower partially collapsed at Kozhikode Railway Station in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The tower, once an iconic structure at the front of the station, collapsed onto Platform No 3 on Thursday (Jul 9). Debris fell onto Platform No. 2 and Track No. 3, but no injuries were reported. The incident came amid widespread flooding and landslide risks across Kerala. Videos shared on social media showed the collapse and its aftermath. Watch the video below.<h2>A century-old icon, the clock tower fell when station was busy as usual</h2>The clock tower, a vestige of the colonial era, was more than a century old. According to railway officials, its top part, including the clock, fell during heavy southwest monsoon rains, although the structure had already been marked for demolition as part of the station redevelopment project.&nbsp;Many passengers were on the platform when the tower collapsed, but fortunately, no one was directly underneath it when it fell. Speaking to local reporters and on social media, some passengers described how they narrowly escaped being struck by the debris. A parked Kozhikode–Kannur passenger train was nearby but was locked, with no boarding or alighting taking place, reports said. Railway staff later cleared the debris and began restoration work.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/monsoon-instensifies-landslide-kills-3-in-wayanad-floods-kill-18-in-maharashtra-1783449708050/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/monsoon-instensifies-landslide-kills-3-in-wayanad-floods-kill-18-in-maharashtra-1783449708050/embed</a><h2>Railway station was being renovated</h2>The railway station has been undergoing renovation and restoration work for several months. The clock tower had already been marked for demolition as part of the station redevelopment plan under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Preliminary dismantling work was scheduled to begin that day, and the area around the tower had been cordoned off as a precaution. Railway officials meanwhile described the collapse as part of the planned demolition process, rather than an unexpected structural failure, although the heavy rainfall is believed to have hastened the collapse. Some train services were shifted to alternate stations due to the incident, but overall operations were not significantly disrupted.&nbsp;Local legislators raised questions about delays in the redevelopment project and accountability for the incident. The collapse has also sparked discussion about the maintenance and safe handling of heritage railway structures during the monsoon season.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-dead-at-least-6-injured-in-wayanad-landslide-minister-calls-it-man-made-disaster-1783415272970">One dead, at least 7 injured in Kerala's Wayanad landslide, minister calls it 'man-made disaster'</a><h2>Intense southwest monsoon in Kerala</h2>The tower collapse took place amid heavy southwest monsoon rains in Kerala, which began in early June. The state has experienced widespread flooding, waterlogging, and landslides, particularly in the hilly and northern districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad.This year's monsoon has been marked by short but extremely intense spells of rain. In the neighbouring Wayanad district, a major landslide on 7 July at the Kalladi–Anakkampoyil tunnel project site, reportedly triggered by heavy rain, killed at least six people, mostly migrant workers. The incident has drawn criticism, with some describing it as a possible "man-made disaster" due to allegations that safety warnings had been ignored.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Kozhikode, Keralam: A portion of the clock tower at Kozhikode Railway Station collapsed on Platform No. 3 at around 11 am. No injuries were reported. (Video source: Kozhikode Railway Police) <a href="https://t.co/qhDpSsZNCT">pic.twitter.com/qhDpSsZNCT</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2075273744529178682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2026</a></blockquote>
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A century-old clock tower collapsed at Kozhikode Railway Station in the south Indian state of Kerala during heavy monsoon rains. Here is what happened:

A century-old clock tower partially collapsed at Kozhikode Railway Station in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The tower, once an iconic structure at the front of the station, collapsed onto Platform No 3 on Thursday (Jul 9). Debris fell onto Platform No. 2 and Track No. 3, but no injuries were reported. The incident came amid widespread flooding and landslide risks across Kerala. Videos shared on social media showed the collapse and its aftermath. Watch the video below. A century-old icon, the clock tower fell when station was busy as usual The clock tower, a vestige of the colonial era, was more than a century old. According to railway officials, its top part, including the clock, fell during heavy southwest monsoon rains, although the structure had already been marked for demolition as part of the station redevelopment project. Many passengers were on the platform when the tower collapsed, but fortunately, no one was directly underneath it when it fell. Speaking to local reporters and on social media, some passengers described how they narrowly escaped being struck by the debris. A parked Kozhikode–Kannur passenger train was nearby but was locked, with no boarding or alighting taking place, reports said. Railway staff later cleared the debris and began restoration work. https://www.wionews.com/videos/monsoon-instensifies-landslide-kills-3-in-wayanad-floods-kill-18-in-maharashtra-1783449708050/embed Railway station was being renovated The railway station has been undergoing renovation and restoration work for several months. The clock tower had already been marked for demolition as part of the station redevelopment plan under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Preliminary dismantling work was scheduled to begin that day, and the area around the tower had been cordoned off as a precaution. Railway officials meanwhile described the collapse as part of the planned demolition process, rather than an unexpected structural failure, although the heavy rainfall is believed to have hastened the collapse. Some train services were shifted to alternate stations due to the incident, but overall operations were not significantly disrupted. Local legislators raised questions about delays in the redevelopment project and accountability for the incident. The collapse has also sparked discussion about the maintenance and safe handling of heritage railway structures during the monsoon season. Also read: One dead, at least 7 injured in Kerala's Wayanad landslide, minister calls it 'man-made disaster' Intense southwest monsoon in Kerala The tower collapse took place amid heavy southwest monsoon rains in Kerala, which began in early June. The state has experienced widespread flooding, waterlogging, and landslides, particularly in the hilly and northern districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad. This year's monsoon has been marked by short but extremely intense spells of rain. In the neighbouring Wayanad district, a major landslide on 7 July at the Kalladi–Anakkampoyil tunnel project site, reportedly triggered by heavy rain, killed at least six people, mostly migrant workers. The incident has drawn criticism, with some describing it as a possible "man-made disaster" due to allegations that safety warnings had been ignored.

A century-old clock tower collapsed at Kozhikode Railway Station in the south Indian state of Kerala during heavy monsoon rains. Here is what happened:

WATCH: Century-old clock tower falls onto railway platform at India's Kozhikode Railway Station

A remotely controlled pair of humanoid robots completed a surgery for the first time ever. In another case, one humanoid with human assistance carried out the procedure. The proof-of-concept preclinical trial was carried out by scientists at the University of California San Diego and involved gallbladder removals in large, non-primate mammals, Popular Science reported. Robotic surgeries are common today, but they are massive devices with multiple arms and weigh over 800 kg. However, the humanoids that carried out the procedures in this case are only about five feet tall and just 27 kg. Nicknamed Surgie, the bots can be customised and are much more affordable.&nbsp;Michael Yip, an engineer at the University of California San Diego, published their study in the journal Nature. They said that the robots were equipped with adapters to hold surgical tools, and that controlling them remotely felt natural. “We were surprised at how well Surgie meshed with our workspace and workflow,” said UC San Diego surgeon Nikita Thareja.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/man-from-year-3700-warns-of-apocalyptic-war-with-robots-1783492147310">Man claims he travelled to year 3700. Robots had killed 30% of humans. Here is what else he says he saw</a><h2>Humanoid robots cost much less</h2>Study co-author Shanglei Liu said these humanoids are easy to deploy in the operating room since they take up a fraction of the space and cost a fraction as much. The researchers concur that humanoid robots can help address the healthcare crisis in the world. They can be easily deployed in rural areas, on the battlefield, and even in space.<h2>Challenges faced by humanoid robots</h2>However, the Surgie bots did face some challenges. They had to be recalibrated multiple times, which stretched the surgery for a longer period compared to existing surgical systems. There was a lag in response time between the controller and the robot, which researchers said needs to be worked on. The team cited real world examples to express confidence that this issue would be overcome. Notably, robotic laparoscopic surgery took six hours when it was carried out for the first time. Today it only takes around 30 minutes.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/humanoid-robots-are-learning-to-cook-and-clean-in-china-here-s-how-they-could-replace-millions-of-jobs-1782834768024">Humanoid robots are learning to cook and clean in China: Here's how they could replace millions of jobs</a>&nbsp;Scientists say that besides doing the surgery, Surgies can also assist in grabbing tools and cleaning up later. Yip said the goal is to create an "autonomous surgical assistant." He added that the goal is to have an operating theatre where humanoid robots and humans work side by side as an integrated team.

In a world first, scientists at the University of California San Diego controlled humanoid robots remotely to carry out a surgery. The team believes this has major implications for the future, as they can be deployed in rural areas, on the battlefield and even in space.

A remotely controlled pair of humanoid robots completed a surgery for the first time ever. In another case, one humanoid with human assistance carried out the procedure. The proof-of-concept preclinical trial was carried out by scientists at the University of California San Diego and involved gallbladder removals in large, non-primate mammals, Popular Science reported. Robotic surgeries are common today, but they are massive devices with multiple arms and weigh over 800 kg. However, the humanoids that carried out the procedures in this case are only about five feet tall and just 27 kg. Nicknamed Surgie, the bots can be customised and are much more affordable. Michael Yip, an engineer at the University of California San Diego, published their study in the journal Nature. They said that the robots were equipped with adapters to hold surgical tools, and that controlling them remotely felt natural. “We were surprised at how well Surgie meshed with our workspace and workflow,” said UC San Diego surgeon Nikita Thareja. Also Read: Man claims he travelled to year 3700. Robots had killed 30% of humans. Here is what else he says he saw Humanoid robots cost much less Study co-author Shanglei Liu said these humanoids are easy to deploy in the operating room since they take up a fraction of the space and cost a fraction as much. The researchers concur that humanoid robots can help address the healthcare crisis in the world. They can be easily deployed in rural areas, on the battlefield, and even in space. Challenges faced by humanoid robots However, the Surgie bots did face some challenges. They had to be recalibrated multiple times, which stretched the surgery for a longer period compared to existing surgical systems. There was a lag in response time between the controller and the robot, which researchers said needs to be worked on. The team cited real world examples to express confidence that this issue would be overcome. Notably, robotic laparoscopic surgery took six hours when it was carried out for the first time. Today it only takes around 30 minutes. Also Read: Humanoid robots are learning to cook and clean in China: Here's how they could replace millions of jobs Scientists say that besides doing the surgery, Surgies can also assist in grabbing tools and cleaning up later. Yip said the goal is to create an "autonomous surgical assistant." He added that the goal is to have an operating theatre where humanoid robots and humans work side by side as an integrated team.

In a world first, scientists at the University of California San Diego controlled humanoid robots remotely to carry out a surgery. The team believes this has major implications for the future, as they can be deployed in rural areas, on the battlefield and even in space.

Humanoid robots make medical history, perform surgery for the first time. Here's how 'Surgies' worked

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented an unusual farewell gift to leaders attending Wednesday's NATO summit in Ankara. Each leader received a vintage revolver engraved with their name, along with live ammunition, making it clear that the firearm was not intended as a display piece.&nbsp;British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was the first to reveal the gift. He said he and several other leaders were presented with a revolver bearing their names.&nbsp;The firearm was placed inside a red box lined with black fabric. The package also included six live rounds and a note stating that the weapon was exempt from export controls.<h2>NATO summit gift catches leaders off guard</h2>The gift left several officials from NATO member states surprised and created what some described as "insane" situations for security teams responsible for transporting the weapons.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/social-media-ban-for-teens-on-the-cards-pm-modi-praises-australia-s-under-16-social-media-ban-says-we-re-taking-lessons-from-you-1783614717670">Social media ban for teens on the cards? PM Modi praises Australia's under-16 ban, says 'we're taking lessons from you'</a>&nbsp;"An unusual gift from President Erdogan at the NATO summit: a Magnum revolver with ammunition, engraved with my name," Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on X.&nbsp;Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he only became aware of the exact nature of the gift after arriving back in Belgium.&nbsp;"The prime minister was surprised and immediately handed it over to airport police so it could be placed in a secure safe, and the matter was handled in accordance with relevant procedures," &nbsp;AFP reported, citing an official.&nbsp;De Wever's security team also took charge of the revolvers given to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, creating additional security and protocol challenges.&nbsp;Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's revolver has already been placed at the Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government, along with other official state gifts.&nbsp;Images released by the office of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda showed the firearm to be a Gumusay .357 Magnum, a rare revolver produced by Turkish state-owned arms manufacturer MKE during the 1990s.&nbsp;According to reports, Turkey wanted to showcase its defence industry, which has become a major export sector and an important part of Ankara's foreign policy.&nbsp;As per the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, Turkey was the world's third-largest exporter of small arms between 2019 and 2024. The country exported about USD 3 billion worth of small arms during the period, behind only the United States and Italy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gifted engraved vintage revolvers with live ammunition to NATO leaders at the Ankara summit, surprising recipients and creating security and protocol challenges.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented an unusual farewell gift to leaders attending Wednesday's NATO summit in Ankara. Each leader received a vintage revolver engraved with their name, along with live ammunition, making it clear that the firearm was not intended as a display piece. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was the first to reveal the gift. He said he and several other leaders were presented with a revolver bearing their names. The firearm was placed inside a red box lined with black fabric. The package also included six live rounds and a note stating that the weapon was exempt from export controls. NATO summit gift catches leaders off guard The gift left several officials from NATO member states surprised and created what some described as "insane" situations for security teams responsible for transporting the weapons. Also Read: Social media ban for teens on the cards? PM Modi praises Australia's under-16 ban, says 'we're taking lessons from you' "An unusual gift from President Erdogan at the NATO summit: a Magnum revolver with ammunition, engraved with my name," Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on X. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he only became aware of the exact nature of the gift after arriving back in Belgium. "The prime minister was surprised and immediately handed it over to airport police so it could be placed in a secure safe, and the matter was handled in accordance with relevant procedures," AFP reported, citing an official. De Wever's security team also took charge of the revolvers given to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, creating additional security and protocol challenges. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's revolver has already been placed at the Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government, along with other official state gifts. Images released by the office of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda showed the firearm to be a Gumusay .357 Magnum, a rare revolver produced by Turkish state-owned arms manufacturer MKE during the 1990s. According to reports, Turkey wanted to showcase its defence industry, which has become a major export sector and an important part of Ankara's foreign policy. As per the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, Turkey was the world's third-largest exporter of small arms between 2019 and 2024. The country exported about USD 3 billion worth of small arms during the period, behind only the United States and Italy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gifted engraved vintage revolvers with live ammunition to NATO leaders at the Ankara summit, surprising recipients and creating security and protocol challenges.

Vintage gun, live ammo: Erdogan's 'unusual' gift to NATO leaders creates security headache

India has become one of the first countries to introduce Awiqli, the world's first once-a-week basal insulin approved for clinical use. The new treatment offers adults living with diabetes an alternative to daily basal insulin injections.&nbsp;The launch comes at a time when India is dealing with one of the world's largest diabetes burdens. According to a Reuters report, more than 101 million people in the country are living with diabetes, while another 136 million are estimated to have prediabetes.<h2>How is Awiqli different from existing insulin?</h2>Novo Nordisk said Awiqli, also known as insulin icodec, reduces the number of insulin injections from 365 a year to just 52. The company said it provides blood sugar control that is comparable to, or better than, existing daily basal insulin therapies.&nbsp;Awiqli is a long-acting basal insulin that provides steady background insulin support throughout the week. Unlike conventional basal insulin, which requires one injection every 24 hours, Awiqli is injected once every week on the same day using a pre-filled pen device.&nbsp;The injection is administered under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Doctors adjust the dose according to a patient's blood glucose levels.&nbsp;People with Type 1 diabetes must use Awiqli together with short-acting insulin taken during mealtimes. People with Type 2 diabetes can use it on its own or along with other diabetes medicines, including rapid-acting insulin when needed.&nbsp;The medicine contains insulin icodec, which binds to the blood protein albumin. This helps the insulin stay in the body for a longer period, allowing it to work for an entire week. It also helps move glucose from the bloodstream into cells, which lowers blood sugar levels.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="v">Watch: Fighter jet escorts Khamenei's coffin ahead of final burial; 'Kill Trump' banner appears in Mashhad</a>&nbsp;According to Novo Nordisk, people in India begin insulin treatment an average of seven to nine years later than recommended because of the fear of injections, anticipated pain, treatment complexity and concerns about sticking to the treatment plan.<h2>What is the price of Awiqli?</h2>The 700-unit 1 ml FlexTouch pen has been priced at Rs 2,611, which works out to Rs 3.73 per unit. According to the company, this makes it around 30 to 40 per cent cheaper per unit than current daily basal insulin options.&nbsp;Patients starting insulin therapy generally need about 10 units a day. With Awiqli, the same weekly requirement of about 70 units is delivered through a single injection instead of seven daily doses. At that dosage, the weekly insulin cost comes to about Rs 261.&nbsp;The larger 2,100-unit 3 ml FlexTouch pen has been priced at Rs 7,833.

Novo Nordisk stated that Awiqli (insulin icodec) cuts the number of required insulin injections from 365 per year to just 52, thanks to its once-weekly dosing.

India has become one of the first countries to introduce Awiqli, the world's first once-a-week basal insulin approved for clinical use. The new treatment offers adults living with diabetes an alternative to daily basal insulin injections. The launch comes at a time when India is dealing with one of the world's largest diabetes burdens. According to a Reuters report, more than 101 million people in the country are living with diabetes, while another 136 million are estimated to have prediabetes. How is Awiqli different from existing insulin? Novo Nordisk said Awiqli, also known as insulin icodec, reduces the number of insulin injections from 365 a year to just 52. The company said it provides blood sugar control that is comparable to, or better than, existing daily basal insulin therapies. Awiqli is a long-acting basal insulin that provides steady background insulin support throughout the week. Unlike conventional basal insulin, which requires one injection every 24 hours, Awiqli is injected once every week on the same day using a pre-filled pen device. The injection is administered under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Doctors adjust the dose according to a patient's blood glucose levels. People with Type 1 diabetes must use Awiqli together with short-acting insulin taken during mealtimes. People with Type 2 diabetes can use it on its own or along with other diabetes medicines, including rapid-acting insulin when needed. The medicine contains insulin icodec, which binds to the blood protein albumin. This helps the insulin stay in the body for a longer period, allowing it to work for an entire week. It also helps move glucose from the bloodstream into cells, which lowers blood sugar levels. Also Read: Watch: Fighter jet escorts Khamenei's coffin ahead of final burial; 'Kill Trump' banner appears in Mashhad According to Novo Nordisk, people in India begin insulin treatment an average of seven to nine years later than recommended because of the fear of injections, anticipated pain, treatment complexity and concerns about sticking to the treatment plan. What is the price of Awiqli? The 700-unit 1 ml FlexTouch pen has been priced at Rs 2,611, which works out to Rs 3.73 per unit. According to the company, this makes it around 30 to 40 per cent cheaper per unit than current daily basal insulin options. Patients starting insulin therapy generally need about 10 units a day. With Awiqli, the same weekly requirement of about 70 units is delivered through a single injection instead of seven daily doses. At that dosage, the weekly insulin cost comes to about Rs 261. The larger 2,100-unit 3 ml FlexTouch pen has been priced at Rs 7,833.

Novo Nordisk stated that Awiqli (insulin icodec) cuts the number of required insulin injections from 365 per year to just 52, thanks to its once-weekly dosing.

World's first once-a-week insulin launched in India: Here's how much it costs

Scientists have for the first time captured a haunting portion of the Atlantic Ocean spanning 60,000 square kilometres, about the size of Lake Michigan. The Doldrums Megatransform and Fracture Zone consists of tectonic fractures where Earth's crust is being reshaped constantly. At a depth of 13,123 feet, they discovered in this twilight zone two never-before-seen hydrothermal fields. These are regions on the seafloor from which heat and chemicals seep into the ocean from inside Earth, creating the perfect conditions for life to thrive. This region was teeming with shrimps, crabs and anemones, along with a barreleye fish seen for the very first time.<h2>First-ever sighting of the Barreleye fish</h2>The discovery was made by researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The fish belongs to a species named Winteria telescope and was seen at a depth of 2,300 feet, filmed for the first time in its natural habitat. Barreleye fish gets its name from the way its eyes are arranged - two tubular eyes capped with light-sensitive lenses. The interesting part is that they got to see the transparent, fluid-filled dome of the head inside which the eyes are located. Since this dome is extremely delicate, it collapses when the fish is removed from the sea. Hence, humans had never really seen this feature of the Barreleye fish.<h2>Creepiest resident of the deep sea</h2>At 12,000 feet, they found the bigfin squid, belonging to the genus Magnapinna. It is one of the eeriest creatures residing in the deepest portion of the ocean. Scientists used the remotely controlled underwater vehicle SuBastian and the autonomous underwater vehicle The Childlike Empress from the deck of the research vessel Falkor (too) to peer deep into the Atlantic Ocean. Marine scientist Aaron Micallef of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California led the team in this endeavour.&nbsp;"Even in the Atlantic Ocean, where plate boundaries have been studied for decades, there are still places where the first close look can reveal something entirely new," Micallef said. The Doldrums is an active fault system that slices across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, part of the world's longest mountain chain.

The Doldrums fault system, located deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean, has revealed itself as a haunting and creepy zone at a depth of over 13,000 feet. Scientists saw a fish with barrel-like eyes for the first time, along with two never-before-seen hydrothermal fields. 

Scientists have for the first time captured a haunting portion of the Atlantic Ocean spanning 60,000 square kilometres, about the size of Lake Michigan. The Doldrums Megatransform and Fracture Zone consists of tectonic fractures where Earth's crust is being reshaped constantly. At a depth of 13,123 feet, they discovered in this twilight zone two never-before-seen hydrothermal fields. These are regions on the seafloor from which heat and chemicals seep into the ocean from inside Earth, creating the perfect conditions for life to thrive. This region was teeming with shrimps, crabs and anemones, along with a barreleye fish seen for the very first time. First-ever sighting of the Barreleye fish The discovery was made by researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The fish belongs to a species named Winteria telescope and was seen at a depth of 2,300 feet, filmed for the first time in its natural habitat. Barreleye fish gets its name from the way its eyes are arranged - two tubular eyes capped with light-sensitive lenses. The interesting part is that they got to see the transparent, fluid-filled dome of the head inside which the eyes are located. Since this dome is extremely delicate, it collapses when the fish is removed from the sea. Hence, humans had never really seen this feature of the Barreleye fish. Creepiest resident of the deep sea At 12,000 feet, they found the bigfin squid, belonging to the genus Magnapinna. It is one of the eeriest creatures residing in the deepest portion of the ocean. Scientists used the remotely controlled underwater vehicle SuBastian and the autonomous underwater vehicle The Childlike Empress from the deck of the research vessel Falkor (too) to peer deep into the Atlantic Ocean. Marine scientist Aaron Micallef of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California led the team in this endeavour. "Even in the Atlantic Ocean, where plate boundaries have been studied for decades, there are still places where the first close look can reveal something entirely new," Micallef said. The Doldrums is an active fault system that slices across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, part of the world's longest mountain chain.

The Doldrums fault system, located deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean, has revealed itself as a haunting and creepy zone at a depth of over 13,000 feet. Scientists saw a fish with barrel-like eyes for the first time, along with two never-before-seen hydrothermal fields.&nbsp;

13,123 feet below Atlantic, in the Doldrums, an eerie creature is seen for the first time

Overnight rain in Delhi-NCR sent app-based cab and autorickshaw fares skyrocketing. In a city where these rides are not metered, commuters had to shell out double or triple the usual amount for a ride. Whether this surge pricing is fair or not is a rhetorical question at this point. Meanwhile, in another metropolis like Mumbai, meter-based charging is the norm. There, a driver can only request a higher fare by citing the discomfort and extra time spent navigating low-lying areas of the maximum city.&nbsp;In Noida, commuters were forced to spend over twice the regular cost for autos and over thrice the fare for taxis on Rapido, Ola, Uber, etc. For a distance of approximately 11 kilometers, from the usual Rs 110-150, the prices went up to Rs 276 and more at around 8:20 IST. “The minute there is a sense that it may rain, the prices begin to show an upward trend. And today was a perfect situation where it had rained all night; the price hike was bizarre,” said Renee Fernandez, a media professional.&nbsp;<h3>Price hike at its peak</h3>

Low-lying areas across the city are facing severe waterlogging. While highways remain mostly clear, numerous inner streets are completely inundated with rainwater. Hours later, when the price for the same route was checked, it had come down.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/3-day-chakka-jam-hits-delhi-ncr-autos-cabs-go-on-strike-over-petrol-diesel-price-hike-4-lakh-autos-and-cabs-off-roads-1779334093293">Delhi-NCR 'chakka jam': 4 lakh autos, cabs to stay off roads as transport strike begins. All we know</a>&nbsp;“My office is nearly 27 kilometers away, and the cabs usually charge about Rs 450 on normal days, but the rains not only made getting it difficult, but I was charged nearly three times at about Rs 1,285. To add to it, the drive took about 55 minutes instead of a 40-minute drive from Faridabad to Noida," said Chiraj Talreja, a corporate employee.

Another commuter, Kareena, said, "It was after 9 PM, and it was pouring heavily. I tried booking a cab or an auto for 25 minutes. I eventually had to hitch a ride with my colleague, who stays about 4 kms from my home, and we requested the auto driver to drop me after her end location. I had to pay him extra for the ride."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-uber-ola-rapido-cabs-on-feb-7-drivers-announce-nationwide-strike-under-all-india-breakdown-here-s-why-1770357999492">No Uber, Ola, Rapido cabs on Feb 7? Drivers announce nationwide strike under ‘All India Breakdown’—Here's why</a>&nbsp;According to the forecast, it is said to be generally cloudy sky. One or two spells of light to moderate rain at most places and heavy rainfall at isolated places with occasional thunderstorm activity during the evening/night.&nbsp;&nbsp;Until the rain gods stop pouring, officegoers may have to carpool with colleagues or share a cab. Only a meter can help; that change may take a while to be calibrated.

Overnight rain across Delhi-NCR caused a massive surge in app-based cab and autorickshaw fares, forcing commuters in cities like Noida to shell out double or triple the usual prices.

Overnight rain in Delhi-NCR sent app-based cab and autorickshaw fares skyrocketing. In a city where these rides are not metered, commuters had to shell out double or triple the usual amount for a ride. Whether this surge pricing is fair or not is a rhetorical question at this point. Meanwhile, in another metropolis like Mumbai, meter-based charging is the norm. There, a driver can only request a higher fare by citing the discomfort and extra time spent navigating low-lying areas of the maximum city. In Noida, commuters were forced to spend over twice the regular cost for autos and over thrice the fare for taxis on Rapido, Ola, Uber, etc. For a distance of approximately 11 kilometers, from the usual Rs 110-150, the prices went up to Rs 276 and more at around 8:20 IST. “The minute there is a sense that it may rain, the prices begin to show an upward trend. And today was a perfect situation where it had rained all night; the price hike was bizarre,” said Renee Fernandez, a media professional. Price hike at its peak

Overnight rain across Delhi-NCR caused a massive surge in app-based cab and autorickshaw fares, forcing commuters in cities like Noida to shell out double or triple the usual prices.

It's 'raining' money for cab drivers: Delhi NCR commuters forced to shell out over 3 times the fare

The increasing urbanisation and migration-driven economy of India are changing family structures. The development is prompting a growing number of elderly parents to live alone despite their children being financially stable and emotionally connected. The most important part to observe is that remittances from migrated children can improve their materialistic life, but they can't replace the rising physical and psychological toll of separation that leads to loneliness, creating a growing eldercare crisis when required during a chronic health care crisis. In response, experts indicated that the rise of nuclear families, overseas migration and career-driven mobility has created a "care gap" that traditional family structures are no longer equipped to bridge. They argue that elder care must now be viewed as a public health priority, requiring professional support systems that address seniors' social, emotional, physical and medical needs alongside family involvement. Highlighting the changing social and economic realities which altered the way families care for ageing parents, Neha Sinha, Dementia Specialist, Co-Founder and CEO of Epoch Elder Care, said, "Nuclear families are becoming the norm for a range of reasons - employment concentrated in metro hubs, opportunities abroad, increasing women in the workforce and evolving social values. In the past, in traditional joint families, someone was always present, offering comfort, care and companionship. But even that wasn't sufficient. Conditions like dementia demand specialised expertise that most families, however present, are simply not equipped to provide. And beyond physical care lies an equally urgent crisis: chronic loneliness. Research increasingly links social isolation to a significantly higher likelihood of developing neurocognitive conditions - making it not just an emotional concern, but a clinical one." She underscored that the elder care ecosystem of India must evolve beyond the traditional expectation that families alone are responsible for looking after ageing parents. "The elder care ecosystem in India must evolve to address this in full - social, emotional, physical, and medical needs together, not in silos. Treating elder care as purely a family responsibility is no longer viable. It is, increasingly, a public health imperative that demands structured, professional, and compassionate intervention," she added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/unresponsive-for-nearly-7-years-chinese-man-wakes-up-after-wife-bites-his-toes-1783588404846">Unresponsive for nearly 7 years, Chinese man wakes up after wife bites his toes</a><h3>Rising elderly population living alone</h3>Highlighting similar concerns, Shreya Anand, Director at Vedaanta Senior Living, noted that the rising number of elderly people living alone should not be mistaken for a sign that families have become indifferent. "A- One of the biggest misconceptions is that elderly parents living alone means families have stopped caring. In reality, the opposite is often true. Children are moving away for education, careers and better opportunities, often with the encouragement of their parents. The emotional bond remains intact, but physical distance creates new challenges," she said. She noted that while technology helps families stay connected, it cannot replace the reassurance and support that come from physical presence. "We've entered an era where love is no longer measured by proximity. A phone call can provide reassurance, but it cannot replace companionship, immediate support during emergencies or the confidence of knowing someone is around," she added.&nbsp;WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-railways-unauthorized-decorations-on-nandigram-express-lead-to-suspensions-1783575719380/embed According to Anand, professional senior living communities can complement family support by providing a secure and socially engaging environment for older adults while allowing younger generations to pursue educational and professional opportunities. "This is where the conversation around elder care needs to evolve. Families shouldn't have to choose between pursuing opportunities and ensuring their parents are cared for. Professional senior living communities can bridge that gap by creating an ecosystem where seniors remain socially active, secure and independent, while families enjoy peace of mind. At Vedaanta Senior Living, we've always believed that the best care doesn't take seniors away from their families; it extends the family's support system. As migration continues to reshape Indian households, the need isn't just for better elder care, it's for communities where seniors can continue living life on their own terms," she further said. &nbsp;

The most important part to observe is that remittances from migrated children can improve their material life, but they can't replace the rising physical and psychological toll of separation that leads to loneliness.

The increasing urbanisation and migration-driven economy of India are changing family structures. The development is prompting a growing number of elderly parents to live alone despite their children being financially stable and emotionally connected. The most important part to observe is that remittances from migrated children can improve their materialistic life, but they can't replace the rising physical and psychological toll of separation that leads to loneliness, creating a growing eldercare crisis when required during a chronic health care crisis. In response, experts indicated that the rise of nuclear families, overseas migration and career-driven mobility has created a "care gap" that traditional family structures are no longer equipped to bridge. They argue that elder care must now be viewed as a public health priority, requiring professional support systems that address seniors' social, emotional, physical and medical needs alongside family involvement. Highlighting the changing social and economic realities which altered the way families care for ageing parents, Neha Sinha, Dementia Specialist, Co-Founder and CEO of Epoch Elder Care, said, "Nuclear families are becoming the norm for a range of reasons - employment concentrated in metro hubs, opportunities abroad, increasing women in the workforce and evolving social values. In the past, in traditional joint families, someone was always present, offering comfort, care and companionship. But even that wasn't sufficient. Conditions like dementia demand specialised expertise that most families, however present, are simply not equipped to provide. And beyond physical care lies an equally urgent crisis: chronic loneliness. Research increasingly links social isolation to a significantly higher likelihood of developing neurocognitive conditions - making it not just an emotional concern, but a clinical one." She underscored that the elder care ecosystem of India must evolve beyond the traditional expectation that families alone are responsible for looking after ageing parents. "The elder care ecosystem in India must evolve to address this in full - social, emotional, physical, and medical needs together, not in silos. Treating elder care as purely a family responsibility is no longer viable. It is, increasingly, a public health imperative that demands structured, professional, and compassionate intervention," she added. Also read: Unresponsive for nearly 7 years, Chinese man wakes up after wife bites his toes Rising elderly population living alone Highlighting similar concerns, Shreya Anand, Director at Vedaanta Senior Living, noted that the rising number of elderly people living alone should not be mistaken for a sign that families have become indifferent. "A- One of the biggest misconceptions is that elderly parents living alone means families have stopped caring. In reality, the opposite is often true. Children are moving away for education, careers and better opportunities, often with the encouragement of their parents. The emotional bond remains intact, but physical distance creates new challenges," she said. She noted that while technology helps families stay connected, it cannot replace the reassurance and support that come from physical presence. "We've entered an era where love is no longer measured by proximity. A phone call can provide reassurance, but it cannot replace companionship, immediate support during emergencies or the confidence of knowing someone is around," she added. WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-railways-unauthorized-decorations-on-nandigram-express-lead-to-suspensions-1783575719380/embed According to Anand, professional senior living communities can complement family support by providing a secure and socially engaging environment for older adults while allowing younger generations to pursue educational and professional opportunities. "This is where the conversation around elder care needs to evolve. Families shouldn't have to choose between pursuing opportunities and ensuring their parents are cared for. Professional senior living communities can bridge that gap by creating an ecosystem where seniors remain socially active, secure and independent, while families enjoy peace of mind. At Vedaanta Senior Living, we've always believed that the best care doesn't take seniors away from their families; it extends the family's support system. As migration continues to reshape Indian households, the need isn't just for better elder care, it's for communities where seniors can continue living life on their own terms," she further said.

The most important part to observe is that remittances from migrated children can improve their material life, but they can't replace the rising physical and psychological toll of separation that leads to loneliness.

How are migration and urbanisation leaving millions of elderly parents without care

For Democrats, the November midterm elections were about trying to win majorities in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, which could have upended Donald Trump's legislative agenda and turned him into a lame-duck president for the rest of his term. But the exit of Democratic Senate contender Graham Platner over sexual assault allegations appears to have dealt a sharp blow to those hopes. Platner announced that he is suspending his campaign, leaving Democrats scrambling to find a replacement candidate in one of their key Senate targets.<h2>Platner's message on suspending his Senate campaign</h2>In an 11-minute video posted on X on Thursday (Jul 9), Platner announced his decision to suspend campaign operations. He said it was necessary for the movement to continue because it "can't be me", citing the loss of key resources such as fundraising and institutional support following actions by Democratic leaders and the media. Platner, who won the Democratic primary decisively in June, stressed that his decision was not an admission of guilt and denied the allegations against him. He accused the Democratic establishment and sections of the media of acting as "judge, jury and executioner".<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/democratic-party-s-maine-senate-candidate-graham-plater-faces-sexual-assault-charge-1783527136273/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/democratic-party-s-maine-senate-candidate-graham-plater-faces-sexual-assault-charge-1783527136273/embed</a><h2>Democrats' path to flipping Maine Senate seat in jeopardy</h2>Platner said he would not immediately file formal withdrawal paperwork, in order to allow time for a fair replacement process. Maine Democrats have until around July 27 to select and certify a new nominee. Platner stressed the need for an "open, transparent, and democratic" process for choosing a replacement candidate.However, the damage has already been done for the Democrats.&nbsp;They had hoped to flip the Maine Senate seat currently held by Republican Senator Susan Collins in one of the party's best pickup opportunities. Although Maine backed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, Collins has remained one of the Republican Party's strongest statewide candidates. Platner's exit leaves Democrats scrambling to field a replacement nominee with only a few months remaining before the election, potentially weakening their chances of regaining control of the Senate.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-democrats-bad-republicans-for-unpatriotic-us-house-vote-to-end-iran-war-1780575903086">Trump slams Democrats, ‘bad’ Republicans for ‘unpatriotic’ US House vote to end Iran war</a><h2>What is the sexual assault allegation against Graham Platner?</h2>Platner was accused of sexual assault by Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old woman who said she had an on-and-off dating relationship with him for more than two years beginning around 2019. The two reportedly met through a dating app. Racicot alleged that, in late 2021, an intoxicated Platner entered her Maine home uninvited and forced her to have sex despite her repeated objections and requests for him to stop.She described the incident as rape, saying she ended all contact with Platner afterwards and disclosed the alleged assault to her therapist and trusted confidants at the time.Platner has denied the allegations, calling any accusation of non-consensual behaviour "categorically untrue".&nbsp;But his position has been complicated by renewed scrutiny of past allegations of mistreatment of women, as well as previously deleted online comments in which he suggested that sexual assault victims bore "some responsibility". Support eroded in recent weeks, with growing calls for him to withdraw from the Maine Senate race. Several national Democratic leaders also withdrew their endorsements, significantly undermining his viability as a candidate.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-media-and-democrats-would-spin-even-iranian-surrender-as-us-defeat-1779123203379">Trump says media and Democrats would spin even Iranian surrender as US defeat</a><h2>How Platner's exit hurts Democrats</h2>An Army veteran, Platner built a notable grassroots and populist campaign despite being a political newcomer, winning the Democratic primary against better-known establishment figures.A rushed replacement process could leave Democrats with a weaker or less unified candidate, giving Collins an even stronger advantage. The episode may also force Democrats to divert resources away from other competitive Senate races, making their path to a Senate majority even more difficult.<h2>The current position of the Senate and House of Representatives</h2>In the 119th US Congress, Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. The Democratic caucus of 47 includes two independents who caucus with the Democrats.Among the 35 Senate seats up for election in the midterms, Republicans are defending about 23 seats. While Democrats have more pickup opportunities, the overall electoral map is still considered relatively favourable to Republicans. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to secure a 51-49 majority.States such as Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina are competitive battlegrounds, although Republicans currently hold a slight-to-moderate advantage in retaining Senate control.In the House of Representatives, Republicans hold a narrow 218-212 majority, with several seats vacant. Despite the slim Republican advantage, Democrats remain favoured by many political analysts and prediction markets to regain control of the House in the midterms, with some forecasts placing their chances at between 70 and 85 per cent.

Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate for Maine, suspended his campaign after sexual assault allegations. This is a setback to Democratic hopes of flipping a key Senate seat in the 2026 US midterm elections.

For Democrats, the November midterm elections were about trying to win majorities in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, which could have upended Donald Trump's legislative agenda and turned him into a lame-duck president for the rest of his term. But the exit of Democratic Senate contender Graham Platner over sexual assault allegations appears to have dealt a sharp blow to those hopes. Platner announced that he is suspending his campaign, leaving Democrats scrambling to find a replacement candidate in one of their key Senate targets. Platner's message on suspending his Senate campaign In an 11-minute video posted on X on Thursday (Jul 9), Platner announced his decision to suspend campaign operations. He said it was necessary for the movement to continue because it "can't be me", citing the loss of key resources such as fundraising and institutional support following actions by Democratic leaders and the media. Platner, who won the Democratic primary decisively in June, stressed that his decision was not an admission of guilt and denied the allegations against him. He accused the Democratic establishment and sections of the media of acting as "judge, jury and executioner". https://www.wionews.com/videos/democratic-party-s-maine-senate-candidate-graham-plater-faces-sexual-assault-charge-1783527136273/embed Democrats' path to flipping Maine Senate seat in jeopardy Platner said he would not immediately file formal withdrawal paperwork, in order to allow time for a fair replacement process. Maine Democrats have until around July 27 to select and certify a new nominee. Platner stressed the need for an "open, transparent, and democratic" process for choosing a replacement candidate. However, the damage has already been done for the Democrats. They had hoped to flip the Maine Senate seat currently held by Republican Senator Susan Collins in one of the party's best pickup opportunities. Although Maine backed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, Collins has remained one of the Republican Party's strongest statewide candidates. Platner's exit leaves Democrats scrambling to field a replacement nominee with only a few months remaining before the election, potentially weakening their chances of regaining control of the Senate. Also read: Trump slams Democrats, ‘bad’ Republicans for ‘unpatriotic’ US House vote to end Iran war What is the sexual assault allegation against Graham Platner? Platner was accused of sexual assault by Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old woman who said she had an on-and-off dating relationship with him for more than two years beginning around 2019. The two reportedly met through a dating app. Racicot alleged that, in late 2021, an intoxicated Platner entered her Maine home uninvited and forced her to have sex despite her repeated objections and requests for him to stop. She described the incident as rape, saying she ended all contact with Platner afterwards and disclosed the alleged assault to her therapist and trusted confidants at the time. Platner has denied the allegations, calling any accusation of non-consensual behaviour "categorically untrue". But his position has been complicated by renewed scrutiny of past allegations of mistreatment of women, as well as previously deleted online comments in which he suggested that sexual assault victims bore "some responsibility". Support eroded in recent weeks, with growing calls for him to withdraw from the Maine Senate race. Several national Democratic leaders also withdrew their endorsements, significantly undermining his viability as a candidate. Also read: Trump says media and Democrats would spin even Iranian surrender as US defeat How Platner's exit hurts Democrats An Army veteran, Platner built a notable grassroots and populist campaign despite being a political newcomer, winning the Democratic primary against better-known establishment figures. A rushed replacement process could leave Democrats with a weaker or less unified candidate, giving Collins an even stronger advantage. The episode may also force Democrats to divert resources away from other competitive Senate races, making their path to a Senate majority even more difficult. The current position of the Senate and House of Representatives In the 119th US Congress, Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. The Democratic caucus of 47 includes two independents who caucus with the Democrats. Among the 35 Senate seats up for election in the midterms, Republicans are defending about 23 seats. While Democrats have more pickup opportunities, the overall electoral map is still considered relatively favourable to Republicans. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to secure a 51-49 majority. States such as Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina are competitive battlegrounds, although Republicans currently hold a slight-to-moderate advantage in retaining Senate control. In the House of Representatives, Republicans hold a narrow 218-212 majority, with several seats vacant. Despite the slim Republican advantage, Democrats remain favoured by many political analysts and prediction markets to regain control of the House in the midterms, with some forecasts placing their chances at between 70 and 85 per cent.

Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate for Maine, suspended his campaign after sexual assault allegations. This is a setback to Democratic hopes of flipping a key Senate seat in the 2026 US midterm elections.

Why Graham Platner ending Maine Senate campaign after sexual assault allegation complicates Democrats' midterm election chances

A woman in China is garnering praise after her efforts to wake up her vegetative husband bore fruit. For nearly seven years, Zhao Jinqian could not move after suffering severe brain injuries and multiple fractures. However, his wife, Song Mei, 45, stimulated Zhao’s fingers and toes to aid nerve recovery by biting on them, which finally led him to wake up, SCMP reported. Song and Zhao lived a simple life, using their basic means to help others. Song gave free painting lessons to children of poor families, while Zhao sponsored a student from a remote mountain area using the money he earned working on construction sites.&nbsp;In October 2019, he fell six feet from a warehouse roof while trying to save a three-year-old. He held the kid in his arms and took the impact upon himself. Zhao suffered multiple injuries, and doctors didn't give him much chance of waking up. Song quit her job as a teacher and started selling paintings online to sustain the family. She massaged him, talked to him daily, sang to him, and barely slept for four hours every night. The man whose son Zhao had saved lived nearby and raised 45,000 yuan (US$6,600) for Zhao’s treatment.<h2>Song kept biting her husband's toes for years</h2>Following the doctor's advice to stimulate his nerves, Song accidentally bit his toe. She noticed a small response and decided to follow through with the same action. She covered his foot with a food bag and kept biting on it. Song did this for years and finally saw a change in her husband in 2024. He opened his eyes, even though he could not talk or move. She believed that the stimulation was working and kept at it.&nbsp;Her efforts have triggered small changes in Zhao. He can now raise his hand, stand up for some time and understand what is being said. On June 30, Song burst into laughter when Zhao said, “Song Mei, I love you.” He has been practising writing, but the only words he can pen are his wife's name. Zhao will undergo further treatment, although no details have been released. Song's dedication has made her a hero on social media, with people praising her efforts all these years.

A 45-year-old woman in China was able to wake up her vegetative husband after years of effort. She bit on the toes of her brain-dead husband to stimulate the nerves. He can now stand for a bit and can write only her name.

A woman in China is garnering praise after her efforts to wake up her vegetative husband bore fruit. For nearly seven years, Zhao Jinqian could not move after suffering severe brain injuries and multiple fractures. However, his wife, Song Mei, 45, stimulated Zhao’s fingers and toes to aid nerve recovery by biting on them, which finally led him to wake up, SCMP reported. Song and Zhao lived a simple life, using their basic means to help others. Song gave free painting lessons to children of poor families, while Zhao sponsored a student from a remote mountain area using the money he earned working on construction sites. In October 2019, he fell six feet from a warehouse roof while trying to save a three-year-old. He held the kid in his arms and took the impact upon himself. Zhao suffered multiple injuries, and doctors didn't give him much chance of waking up. Song quit her job as a teacher and started selling paintings online to sustain the family. She massaged him, talked to him daily, sang to him, and barely slept for four hours every night. The man whose son Zhao had saved lived nearby and raised 45,000 yuan (US$6,600) for Zhao’s treatment. Song kept biting her husband's toes for years Following the doctor's advice to stimulate his nerves, Song accidentally bit his toe. She noticed a small response and decided to follow through with the same action. She covered his foot with a food bag and kept biting on it. Song did this for years and finally saw a change in her husband in 2024. He opened his eyes, even though he could not talk or move. She believed that the stimulation was working and kept at it. Her efforts have triggered small changes in Zhao. He can now raise his hand, stand up for some time and understand what is being said. On June 30, Song burst into laughter when Zhao said, “Song Mei, I love you.” He has been practising writing, but the only words he can pen are his wife's name. Zhao will undergo further treatment, although no details have been released. Song's dedication has made her a hero on social media, with people praising her efforts all these years.

A 45-year-old woman in China was able to wake up her vegetative husband after years of effort. She bit on the toes of her brain-dead husband to stimulate the nerves. He can now stand for a bit and can write only her name.

Unresponsive for nearly 7 years, Chinese man wakes up after wife bites his toes

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Jul 8) insisted he still wanted Greenland, as NATO leaders met for their summit in Ankara. Once again putting the frozen island at the centre of transatlantic politics, he said the United States should control the Arctic island because it is important for global security. "Greenland is a big problem for us," he told reporters, saying it was "very important for the United States, but it's not important for Denmark"."We need it for protection of the world, not just the United States.. It doesn't help Denmark, but it helps us."Denmark and Greenland have pushed back hard, saying the territory is "not for sale". The European Union, meanwhile, said that "decisions about the future of Greenland are for Greenlanders and Danes". But, why is everyone obsessed with the frozen island? WION Decodes.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/blood-bags-bombs-and-expected-betrayal-report-reveals-how-denmark-prepped-for-us-invasion-of-greenland-after-trump-threat-1773984239604">Blood bags, bombs, and betrayal? Denmark's plan to stop Trump from invading Greenland REVEALED!</a><h2>Why Greenland matters strategically</h2>Greenland sits between North America and Europe, which gives it military value. The island also serves as a critical gateway to the Arctic Ocean.The US already operates Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) there, and the Space Force says the base’s early-warning radar is used to detect incoming sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missile threats over the Arctic. That makes Greenland a key part of America’s northern security footprint.The island’s importance is also growing as Russia expands its Arctic military presence and China pushes harder in the region too. Notably, China has now declared itself a "near-Arctic state."Reuters has reported that Trump is arguing the US needs control of Greenland because of Chinese and Russian activity near the territory, while AP notes that the island’s location above the Arctic Circle and near emerging sea routes adds to its strategic weight.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-doubles-down-insists-european-troops-don-t-impact-trump-s-goal-of-greenland-acquisition-at-all-1768529366586">Trump hellbent on 'acquiring' Greenland, White House says NATO troops don't faze him 'at all'</a><h2>What Washington wants from Greenland</h2>The US is not just looking at military geography. Greenland is also attractive because of its rare earths and other critical minerals, which matter for defence systems, electric vehicles and advanced technology supply chains. As the ice melts, new Arctic shipping routes are also opening up, which increases the island’s value for trade and logistics.Trump has repeatedly framed the issue as a national security question, saying Greenland is necessary for protection. Reuters has also reported that US officials are still talking with Denmark and Greenland about enhanced security arrangements, even as the idea of US control remains off the table for Copenhagen and Nuuk.<h2>Why Denmark and Greenland are pushing back</h2>Greenland’s leadership has made one thing clear: it is not for sale. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has rejected Trump’s renewed push, while Danish leaders say Greenland’s future must be decided through sovereignty and democratic self-determination, not by transfer or purchase. Denmark has also signalled it is open to deeper security cooperation, but not ownership.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-beware-denmark-soldiers-will-shoot-first-ask-questions-later-if-us-tries-to-invade-greenland-1767862463458">Trump Beware! Denmark soldiers will 'shoot first, ask questions later' if US tries to invade Greenland</a><h2>Could this affect NATO?</h2>Yes, and that is what makes the issue so delicate. Pressure from Washington risks straining relations with Denmark, another NATO member, at a time when the alliance is trying to present unity on Ukraine and the wider security picture. Notably, divisions among NATO allies could be exploited by Russia and China to expand their strategic and economic influence in the Arctic, challenging Western security interests.For now, Greenland remains Danish territory with broad autonomy. But in Trump’s view, and in Washington’s strategic calculus, it is much more than an ice-covered island. It is a military outpost, a mineral prize and a front line in the Arctic power struggle.&nbsp;

Donald Trump has once again declared that the US 'needs' Greenland, reigniting a debate that goes far beyond buying an island. WION Decodes why Greenland has become one of the world's most strategically valuable territories.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Jul 8) insisted he still wanted Greenland, as NATO leaders met for their summit in Ankara. Once again putting the frozen island at the centre of transatlantic politics, he said the United States should control the Arctic island because it is important for global security. "Greenland is a big problem for us," he told reporters, saying it was "very important for the United States, but it's not important for Denmark". "We need it for protection of the world, not just the United States.. It doesn't help Denmark, but it helps us." Denmark and Greenland have pushed back hard, saying the territory is "not for sale". The European Union, meanwhile, said that "decisions about the future of Greenland are for Greenlanders and Danes". But, why is everyone obsessed with the frozen island? WION Decodes. Also read | Blood bags, bombs, and betrayal? Denmark's plan to stop Trump from invading Greenland REVEALED! Why Greenland matters strategically Greenland sits between North America and Europe, which gives it military value. The island also serves as a critical gateway to the Arctic Ocean. The US already operates Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) there, and the Space Force says the base’s early-warning radar is used to detect incoming sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missile threats over the Arctic. That makes Greenland a key part of America’s northern security footprint. The island’s importance is also growing as Russia expands its Arctic military presence and China pushes harder in the region too. Notably, China has now declared itself a "near-Arctic state." Reuters has reported that Trump is arguing the US needs control of Greenland because of Chinese and Russian activity near the territory, while AP notes that the island’s location above the Arctic Circle and near emerging sea routes adds to its strategic weight. Also read | Trump hellbent on 'acquiring' Greenland, White House says NATO troops don't faze him 'at all' What Washington wants from Greenland The US is not just looking at military geography. Greenland is also attractive because of its rare earths and other critical minerals, which matter for defence systems, electric vehicles and advanced technology supply chains. As the ice melts, new Arctic shipping routes are also opening up, which increases the island’s value for trade and logistics. Trump has repeatedly framed the issue as a national security question, saying Greenland is necessary for protection. Reuters has also reported that US officials are still talking with Denmark and Greenland about enhanced security arrangements, even as the idea of US control remains off the table for Copenhagen and Nuuk. Why Denmark and Greenland are pushing back Greenland’s leadership has made one thing clear: it is not for sale. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has rejected Trump’s renewed push, while Danish leaders say Greenland’s future must be decided through sovereignty and democratic self-determination, not by transfer or purchase. Denmark has also signalled it is open to deeper security cooperation, but not ownership. Also read | Trump Beware! Denmark soldiers will 'shoot first, ask questions later' if US tries to invade Greenland Could this affect NATO? Yes, and that is what makes the issue so delicate. Pressure from Washington risks straining relations with Denmark, another NATO member, at a time when the alliance is trying to present unity on Ukraine and the wider security picture. Notably, divisions among NATO allies could be exploited by Russia and China to expand their strategic and economic influence in the Arctic, challenging Western security interests. For now, Greenland remains Danish territory with broad autonomy. But in Trump’s view, and in Washington’s strategic calculus, it is much more than an ice-covered island. It is a military outpost, a mineral prize and a front line in the Arctic power struggle.

Donald Trump has once again declared that the US 'needs' Greenland, reigniting a debate that goes far beyond buying an island. WION Decodes why Greenland has become one of the world's most strategically valuable territories.

Trump demands Greenland again. Why the frozen island considered strategically important for global security? WION Decodes

Iran-US tensions are rising once again on Thursday (Jul 9), with the last 24 hours seeing attacks and counter-attacks as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) appears to be unravelling. Iran claimed to have targeted US Patriot air defence systems in Kuwait, a satellite communications antenna in Qatar, and a US Army fuel storage facility in Bahrain using drones and missiles. The funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, culminating in his planned burial in Mashhad on Thursday, have been delayed by the renewed fighting. The latest escalation comes after US President Donald Trump declared the truce "over", while Iranian officials accused Washington of violating the MoU.<h2>US launches fresh strikes against Iran, as 14 killed</h2>US Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a second wave of overnight strikes between late Wednesday and early Thursday near the Strait of Hormuz in response to earlier Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. Explosions were reported in Sirik, Bushehr, Konarak, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, with around 90 additional Iranian military and transport-related targets reportedly struck, according to the Associated Press. Iran's Health Ministry said 14 people were killed and 78 wounded in US strikes across multiple provinces over the past two days. US officials said the strikes were intended to deter further attacks on international shipping.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/war-clouds-loom-over-iran-once-again-hegseth-cancels-israel-trip-oil-prices-rise-as-trump-says-peace-deal-is-over-1783504754014">War clouds loom over Iran once again? Hegseth cancels Israel trip, oil prices rise as Trump says peace deal is ‘over’</a><h2>Bahrain thwarts Iranian attacks on US military sites</h2>Bahrain's Defence Force reported thwarting Iranian missile and drone attacks on Thursday. Although some reports indicated damage to a residential building near Bahrain International Airport, no fatalities were reported. Air defence sirens sounded as Gulf states intercepted incoming projectiles. Iran also claimed attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and Qatar.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-how-war-in-west-asia-hits-your-next-meal-explained-1783577552046/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-how-war-in-west-asia-hits-your-next-meal-explained-1783577552046/embed</a><h2>Khamenei funeral delayed</h2>The burial of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been delayed amid the renewed hostilities. His coffin had been travelling through Najaf and Karbala in Iraq as part of a multi-day funeral procession before its planned burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad in north-eastern Iran. Funeral processions have drawn massive crowds across Iran and Iraq amid strong anti-US sentiment. Khamenei's burial had already been postponed from March because of the war, with the final burial originally scheduled for July 9.<h2>A dangerous escalation</h2>The renewed exchanges follow Iranian attacks on at least three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was "over" while attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of violating the MoU and warned of further action, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said prospects for a lasting agreement would diminish if US military operations continued.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-really-benefitted-from-the-iran-war-1783058269342">Who really benefitted from the Iran war?</a>&nbsp;Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, condemned the attacks on their territory and called for restraint. The new tensions are once again putting at risk global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, oil markets and regional stability. Oil prices have risen sharply, shipping insurance costs are increasing and stock market volatility has continued amid fears of a broader regional conflict, according to international media reports.&nbsp;(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

Fresh strikes and counter-attacks across the Gulf are reported as Iran-US tensions have escalated again. CENTCOM targeted Iranian sites, while Iran claimed attacks on US bases.  Khamenei's funeral has been delayed amid renewed fighting.

Iran-US tensions are rising once again on Thursday (Jul 9), with the last 24 hours seeing attacks and counter-attacks as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) appears to be unravelling. Iran claimed to have targeted US Patriot air defence systems in Kuwait, a satellite communications antenna in Qatar, and a US Army fuel storage facility in Bahrain using drones and missiles. The funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, culminating in his planned burial in Mashhad on Thursday, have been delayed by the renewed fighting. The latest escalation comes after US President Donald Trump declared the truce "over", while Iranian officials accused Washington of violating the MoU. US launches fresh strikes against Iran, as 14 killed US Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a second wave of overnight strikes between late Wednesday and early Thursday near the Strait of Hormuz in response to earlier Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. Explosions were reported in Sirik, Bushehr, Konarak, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, with around 90 additional Iranian military and transport-related targets reportedly struck, according to the Associated Press. Iran's Health Ministry said 14 people were killed and 78 wounded in US strikes across multiple provinces over the past two days. US officials said the strikes were intended to deter further attacks on international shipping. Also read: War clouds loom over Iran once again? Hegseth cancels Israel trip, oil prices rise as Trump says peace deal is ‘over’ Bahrain thwarts Iranian attacks on US military sites Bahrain's Defence Force reported thwarting Iranian missile and drone attacks on Thursday. Although some reports indicated damage to a residential building near Bahrain International Airport, no fatalities were reported. Air defence sirens sounded as Gulf states intercepted incoming projectiles. Iran also claimed attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and Qatar. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-how-war-in-west-asia-hits-your-next-meal-explained-1783577552046/embed Khamenei funeral delayed The burial of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been delayed amid the renewed hostilities. His coffin had been travelling through Najaf and Karbala in Iraq as part of a multi-day funeral procession before its planned burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad in north-eastern Iran. Funeral processions have drawn massive crowds across Iran and Iraq amid strong anti-US sentiment. Khamenei's burial had already been postponed from March because of the war, with the final burial originally scheduled for July 9. A dangerous escalation The renewed exchanges follow Iranian attacks on at least three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was "over" while attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of violating the MoU and warned of further action, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said prospects for a lasting agreement would diminish if US military operations continued. Also read: Who really benefitted from the Iran war? Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, condemned the attacks on their territory and called for restraint. The new tensions are once again putting at risk global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, oil markets and regional stability. Oil prices have risen sharply, shipping insurance costs are increasing and stock market volatility has continued amid fears of a broader regional conflict, according to international media reports. (Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

Fresh strikes and counter-attacks across the Gulf are reported as Iran-US tensions have escalated again. CENTCOM targeted Iranian sites, while Iran claimed attacks on US bases. &nbsp;Khamenei's funeral has been delayed amid renewed fighting.

Iran targets US Patriot missile defence systems in Kuwait, US army fuel storage in Bahrain; Khamenei funeral delayed as US strikes kill 14 Iranians

For nearly six years, Indian agencies have chased Sourabh Chandrakar across countries. Now, with the alleged mastermind of the Mahadev betting app detained in Oman, authorities finally have a chance to bring one of India's most wanted economic fugitives back home.But the bigger story isn't where Chandrakar was caught. It is how two men from Chhattisgarh allegedly built one of India's biggest illegal online betting empires, operating from luxury villas in Dubai while handling bets worth hundreds of crores every day.Here's how investigators say the Mahadev network actually worked.<h2>Step 1: Build one brand, operate hundreds of betting platforms</h2>According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Mahadev Online Book wasn't just a single betting app.It "operated as a large-scale international betting syndicate", in other words, the Mahadev app functioned as an umbrella network controlling dozens of betting websites and exchanges. This included platforms and domain names such as Tiger Exchange, Gold365 and Laser247.Users could allegedly place bets on almost anything, from cricket, football and tennis to poker, card games, elections and other games of chance.Even after several platforms were blocked by Indian authorities, investigators say fresh domains continued appearing under different names.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-decodes-why-is-the-us-threatening-india-with-fresh-12-5-tariff-under-section-301-which-industries-stand-to-lose-the-most-1783489179101">WION Decodes: Why is the US threatening India with fresh 12.5% tariff under Section 301? Which industries stand to lose the most?</a><h2>Step 2: Run India from Dubai</h2>The brains behind the operation, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, allegedly shifted to Dubai around 2019. From there, investigators say they controlled the entire network without physically operating in India.According to the ED, the duo rented nearly 20 villas in Dubai that housed around 3,500 employees managing customer support, betting operations, payments and technical infrastructure.<h2>Step 3: Franchise the betting business</h2>Unlike a traditional betting website, Mahadev allegedly expanded through a franchise model.The ED says local operators across India were given independent "panels" or "branches." In its press release dated 25 March 2026, the ED noted, "The operation was structured through a franchise-based network of 'Panels' or ‘Branches’ operated by associates across India, while the main promoters Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal operated and controlled the betting syndicate from Dubai."These franchisees handled customers, collected bets and managed day-to-day gambling activity in their regions.In return, investigators allege Chandrakar and Uppal retained 70 to 75 per cent of the profits, while the remaining revenue was "distributed among panel operators managing the betting operations".This allowed Chandrakar and Uppal to grow the network rapidly without directly managing every betting operation.<h2>Step 4: Move money through thousands of dummy accounts</h2>Handling illegal gambling money posed another challenge.Investigators claim the syndicate solved it by creating thousands of mule bank accounts using KYC documents belonging to unsuspecting individuals."The Proceeds of Crime (PoC) generated from commission of scheduled offences were systematically layered through thousands of mules or dummy bank accounts opened using KYC documents of unsuspecting individuals."Money from bettors would first enter these accounts, making it harder for authorities to trace the original source. Notably, this layering process is a common technique in money laundering because it breaks the direct trail between the crime and the final beneficiary.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/india-s-brahmos-vs-usa-s-tomahawk-russia-s-kalibr-and-china-s-yj-18-why-nations-are-lining-up-for-the-make-in-india-missile-1782892168517">India's BrahMos vs USA's Tomahawk, Russia's Kalibr and China's YJ-18: Why nations are lining up for the Make-in-India missile</a><h2>Step 5: Send the money abroad to turn black money white</h2>Once the funds were split across thousands of accounts, investigators say they were moved outside India using multiple channels.According to the ED, "Subsequently, the illicit funds were transferred outside India through hawala channels, cryptocurrency transactions and complex financial layering mechanisms, and were eventually invested in high-value movable and immovable assets in the UAE and India."<h2>Step 6: Voilà! ₹240-crore-a-day operation</h2>The sheer size of the alleged operation is what stunned investigators. According to the ED's chargesheet, Mahadev was operating around 3,200 betting panels across India.Together, these allegedly generated around ₹240 crore every day. If accurate, that would make it one of India's largest illegal betting syndicates.<h2>Chandrakar was arrested and let go earlier</h2>Based on an Interpol red notice, the alleged mastermind, Chandrakar, was briefly detained in Dubai in 2024, but the extradition request never materialised, and he was eventually released.Now, officials say he has been detained in Oman after allegedly travelling on a fake passport issued by a Southeast Asian country.Unlike the UAE case, India has an operational extradition treaty with Oman, raising hopes that Chandrakar may finally be brought back to face trial.<h2>What happens next?</h2>Chandrakar's detention does not end the Mahadev investigation. The CBI, the ED and Chhattisgarh Police continue to investigate the wider network, including alleged money laundering, public servants, financial facilitators and the sprawling franchise structure that investigators say kept the betting empire running even after repeated government crackdowns.If extradited, Chandrakar's questioning could provide investigators with their clearest picture yet of how one of India's biggest alleged online betting syndicates was built, financed and operated across borders.

Sourabh Chandrakar's detention in Oman has put the spotlight back on the Mahadev betting app. How did the alleged syndicate grow into a ₹240-crore-a-day operation? From Dubai control rooms to hawala networks and cryptocurrency, here's a step-by-step breakdown of how the empire worked.

For nearly six years, Indian agencies have chased Sourabh Chandrakar across countries. Now, with the alleged mastermind of the Mahadev betting app detained in Oman, authorities finally have a chance to bring one of India's most wanted economic fugitives back home. But the bigger story isn't where Chandrakar was caught. It is how two men from Chhattisgarh allegedly built one of India's biggest illegal online betting empires, operating from luxury villas in Dubai while handling bets worth hundreds of crores every day. Here's how investigators say the Mahadev network actually worked. Step 1: Build one brand, operate hundreds of betting platforms According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Mahadev Online Book wasn't just a single betting app. It "operated as a large-scale international betting syndicate", in other words, the Mahadev app functioned as an umbrella network controlling dozens of betting websites and exchanges. This included platforms and domain names such as Tiger Exchange, Gold365 and Laser247. Users could allegedly place bets on almost anything, from cricket, football and tennis to poker, card games, elections and other games of chance. Even after several platforms were blocked by Indian authorities, investigators say fresh domains continued appearing under different names. Also read | WION Decodes: Why is the US threatening India with fresh 12.5% tariff under Section 301? Which industries stand to lose the most? Step 2: Run India from Dubai The brains behind the operation, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, allegedly shifted to Dubai around 2019. From there, investigators say they controlled the entire network without physically operating in India. According to the ED, the duo rented nearly 20 villas in Dubai that housed around 3,500 employees managing customer support, betting operations, payments and technical infrastructure. Step 3: Franchise the betting business Unlike a traditional betting website, Mahadev allegedly expanded through a franchise model. The ED says local operators across India were given independent "panels" or "branches." In its press release dated 25 March 2026, the ED noted, "The operation was structured through a franchise-based network of 'Panels' or ‘Branches’ operated by associates across India, while the main promoters Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal operated and controlled the betting syndicate from Dubai." These franchisees handled customers, collected bets and managed day-to-day gambling activity in their regions. In return, investigators allege Chandrakar and Uppal retained 70 to 75 per cent of the profits, while the remaining revenue was "distributed among panel operators managing the betting operations". This allowed Chandrakar and Uppal to grow the network rapidly without directly managing every betting operation. Step 4: Move money through thousands of dummy accounts Handling illegal gambling money posed another challenge. Investigators claim the syndicate solved it by creating thousands of mule bank accounts using KYC documents belonging to unsuspecting individuals. "The Proceeds of Crime (PoC) generated from commission of scheduled offences were systematically layered through thousands of mules or dummy bank accounts opened using KYC documents of unsuspecting individuals." Money from bettors would first enter these accounts, making it harder for authorities to trace the original source. Notably, this layering process is a common technique in money laundering because it breaks the direct trail between the crime and the final beneficiary. Also read | India's BrahMos vs USA's Tomahawk, Russia's Kalibr and China's YJ-18: Why nations are lining up for the Make-in-India missile Step 5: Send the money abroad to turn black money white Once the funds were split across thousands of accounts, investigators say they were moved outside India using multiple channels. According to the ED, "Subsequently, the illicit funds were transferred outside India through hawala channels, cryptocurrency transactions and complex financial layering mechanisms, and were eventually invested in high-value movable and immovable assets in the UAE and India." Step 6: Voilà! ₹240-crore-a-day operation The sheer size of the alleged operation is what stunned investigators. According to the ED's chargesheet, Mahadev was operating around 3,200 betting panels across India. Together, these allegedly generated around ₹240 crore every day. If accurate, that would make it one of India's largest illegal betting syndicates. Chandrakar was arrested and let go earlier Based on an Interpol red notice, the alleged mastermind, Chandrakar, was briefly detained in Dubai in 2024, but the extradition request never materialised, and he was eventually released. Now, officials say he has been detained in Oman after allegedly travelling on a fake passport issued by a Southeast Asian country. Unlike the UAE case, India has an operational extradition treaty with Oman, raising hopes that Chandrakar may finally be brought back to face trial. What happens next? Chandrakar's detention does not end the Mahadev investigation. The CBI, the ED and Chhattisgarh Police continue to investigate the wider network, including alleged money laundering, public servants, financial facilitators and the sprawling franchise structure that investigators say kept the betting empire running even after repeated government crackdowns. If extradited, Chandrakar's questioning could provide investigators with their clearest picture yet of how one of India's biggest alleged online betting syndicates was built, financed and operated across borders.

Sourabh Chandrakar's detention in Oman has put the spotlight back on the Mahadev betting app. How did the alleged syndicate grow into a ₹240-crore-a-day operation? From Dubai control rooms to hawala networks and cryptocurrency, here's a step-by-step breakdown of how the empire worked.

Mahadev app mastermind Sourabh Chandrakar arrested in Oman: Inside the ₹240-crore-a-day betting empire | WION Decodes

A British man flying from London to Spain has been arrested for allegedly trying to kiss a male steward on the flight. The 30-year-old was heavily drunk when he got handsy with the steward, and tried kissing his neck. The rest of the crew saw the assault and stepped in. The pilot radioed in to air traffic controllers and informed them about the incident. Police got onto the Ryanair flight as soon as it touched down in Majorca. The alleged assault was investigated; however, the tourist escaped arrest initially.&nbsp;The steward decided not to press charges, but later changed his mind and accused him of sexual assault. However, by then the man had passed through passport control. He was arrested while taking the return flight to London. The tourist was taken to the court, after which an investigation was launched into the kissing incident on the flight. He was released on bail. It is unclear whether he is still in Majorca or has returned to England.<h2>Another Briton assaulted a male steward on the plane last year</h2>The case comes after another Briton assaulted a steward on a flight from Newcastle to Palma last year. Court documents show that Mark Turnbull touched a flight attendant’s bottom and nipples “in a lewd way”. Prosecutors told the court that the man touched the victim's chest area and "pinched his right nipple".&nbsp;&nbsp;When the steward, holding the snacks and beverage trolley, turned his back against him, he grabbed his buttocks with both his hands, the prosecutors said. Upon seeing the assault, other passengers intervened and restrained the man. The pilot informed airport officials about the incident. The police caught hold of the man after the flight landed, who got aggressive and resisted arrest. He later confessed to the crime on a video call.

A Briton flying to Spain got drunk and assaulted a flight steward, trying to kiss him on the neck. He managed to leave the airport upon arrival without any hassle. However, he was arrested while trying to board the return flight.

A British man flying from London to Spain has been arrested for allegedly trying to kiss a male steward on the flight. The 30-year-old was heavily drunk when he got handsy with the steward, and tried kissing his neck. The rest of the crew saw the assault and stepped in. The pilot radioed in to air traffic controllers and informed them about the incident. Police got onto the Ryanair flight as soon as it touched down in Majorca. The alleged assault was investigated; however, the tourist escaped arrest initially. The steward decided not to press charges, but later changed his mind and accused him of sexual assault. However, by then the man had passed through passport control. He was arrested while taking the return flight to London. The tourist was taken to the court, after which an investigation was launched into the kissing incident on the flight. He was released on bail. It is unclear whether he is still in Majorca or has returned to England. Another Briton assaulted a male steward on the plane last year The case comes after another Briton assaulted a steward on a flight from Newcastle to Palma last year. Court documents show that Mark Turnbull touched a flight attendant’s bottom and nipples “in a lewd way”. Prosecutors told the court that the man touched the victim's chest area and "pinched his right nipple". When the steward, holding the snacks and beverage trolley, turned his back against him, he grabbed his buttocks with both his hands, the prosecutors said. Upon seeing the assault, other passengers intervened and restrained the man. The pilot informed airport officials about the incident. The police caught hold of the man after the flight landed, who got aggressive and resisted arrest. He later confessed to the crime on a video call.

A Briton flying to Spain got drunk and assaulted a flight steward, trying to kiss him on the neck. He managed to leave the airport upon arrival without any hassle. However, he was arrested while trying to board the return flight.

Drunk British tourist tries to kiss male steward on Ryanair flight to Spain, arrested

Scientists have discovered 73 new underwater volcanoes with a technology used to detect impact craters on Mars. The researchers were mapping the ocean floor for volcanic calderas when they came across them. Calderas are formed when a volcano collapses after emptying its magma, leaving behind depressions on the ocean floor. This would mean that they are extinct and harmless. However, scientists have warned that many of these calderas mark volcanic systems which could explode again in the future. Such an eruption would come with catastrophic consequences. The findings were published in Nature Communications Earth &amp; Environment.&nbsp;Initially, 87,435 possible structures were flagged as being possible volcanic craters. Later analysis reduced this number to 78. Since five of those had already been confirmed, the final figure stood at 73. Eight of them are on underwater mountain ranges, nine in volcanic arcs, while 61 were found in the middle of tectonic plates.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientist-warns-next-big-disaster-hidden-volcano-ethiopia-hayli-gubbi-1764228500671">World is not ready for its next big disaster, scientist warns - ‘Nobody’s watching...’</a><h2>Volcanic eruptions under the ocean</h2>Underwater volcanoes are one of the least understood natural creations, with only 30 having been documented till now. If the latest findings are confirmed, it would mark a major step in learning more about the seafloor. Most of Earth's volcanic activity occurs under the sea. Tectonic movement causes the plates of the Earth's crust to slide or collide, triggering magma to move upwards. It typically ends up forming new rock. But in some cases, the lava piles up to form volcanoes. An eruption causes them to collapse, forming the caldera.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/worst-year-to-be-alive-when-skies-darkened-in-the-dark-ages-as-volcanoes-kept-erupting-1782560191068">Worst year to be alive: When skies darkened in the Dark Ages as volcanoes kept erupting</a>&nbsp;But a one-time eruption is not the rule, as they can explode again. One example is the Tonga volcano that did not erupt for years and shocked everyone when it did. The explosion was extremely intense and hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The shockwaves from it were even recorded in space. The resulting tsunami was up to 148 feet tall, with the waves reaching Peru and Fiji, where two and one people died, respectively.&nbsp;The team doesn't have enough data to say for sure which of these volcanoes could erupt within our lifetime. However, a group of seven calderas have been described as posing the highest potential risk, which require more investigation.&nbsp;

The discovery of 73 underwater volcanoes could help scientists prepare for disasters like the one in Tonga. They cause one of the strongest eruptions, yet are hardly understood.  Scientists have warned that these craters could erupt again.

Scientists have discovered 73 new underwater volcanoes with a technology used to detect impact craters on Mars. The researchers were mapping the ocean floor for volcanic calderas when they came across them. Calderas are formed when a volcano collapses after emptying its magma, leaving behind depressions on the ocean floor. This would mean that they are extinct and harmless. However, scientists have warned that many of these calderas mark volcanic systems which could explode again in the future. Such an eruption would come with catastrophic consequences. The findings were published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment. Initially, 87,435 possible structures were flagged as being possible volcanic craters. Later analysis reduced this number to 78. Since five of those had already been confirmed, the final figure stood at 73. Eight of them are on underwater mountain ranges, nine in volcanic arcs, while 61 were found in the middle of tectonic plates. Also Read: World is not ready for its next big disaster, scientist warns - ‘Nobody’s watching...’ Volcanic eruptions under the ocean Underwater volcanoes are one of the least understood natural creations, with only 30 having been documented till now. If the latest findings are confirmed, it would mark a major step in learning more about the seafloor. Most of Earth's volcanic activity occurs under the sea. Tectonic movement causes the plates of the Earth's crust to slide or collide, triggering magma to move upwards. It typically ends up forming new rock. But in some cases, the lava piles up to form volcanoes. An eruption causes them to collapse, forming the caldera. Also Read: Worst year to be alive: When skies darkened in the Dark Ages as volcanoes kept erupting But a one-time eruption is not the rule, as they can explode again. One example is the Tonga volcano that did not erupt for years and shocked everyone when it did. The explosion was extremely intense and hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The shockwaves from it were even recorded in space. The resulting tsunami was up to 148 feet tall, with the waves reaching Peru and Fiji, where two and one people died, respectively. The team doesn't have enough data to say for sure which of these volcanoes could erupt within our lifetime. However, a group of seven calderas have been described as posing the highest potential risk, which require more investigation.

The discovery of 73 underwater volcanoes could help scientists prepare for disasters like the one in Tonga. They cause one of the strongest eruptions, yet are hardly understood. &nbsp;Scientists have warned that these craters could erupt again.

Scientists warn of catastrophic explosion under the ocean after major discovery

More than five years after Jeffrey Epstein's death, a newly surfaced video is giving the public one of its clearest looks yet inside Little Saint James, the private Caribbean island that became synonymous with the disgraced financier's sex trafficking empire.&nbsp; The footage, which runs for more than 16 minutes, was filmed by Romanian artist Ion Nicola, who worked with Epstein between 2010 and 2019. The video, which was shared with Storyful by Nicola, captures large sections of the island that have rarely, if ever, been seen publicly.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explosive-epstein-files-accuse-trump-of-raping-13-year-old-murdering-a-new-born-white-house-says-this-about-allegations-1769823565436">Explosive Epstein files accuse Trump of raping a 13-year-old, murdering a newborn</a><h2>What does the never-before-seen footage from Epstein island show?</h2>What makes the footage striking isn't just the luxury. It's the eerie normalcy. Manicured lawns stretch towards the sea. Winding roads cut through tropical vegetation. Sculptures dot the landscape. A pier extends into turquoise water while a floating trampoline bobs offshore. At first glance, it resembles an exclusive private resort.Then the camera reaches the island's most infamous building.<h2>Inside the mysterious 'temple'</h2>The striped blue-and-white structure, often referred to online as Epstein's "temple" or "mosque," is shown in unusual detail.Inside, the video shows an office overlooking the ocean, an Apple computer on the desk, bookshelves framed by ornate pillars, sculptures collected from different cultures and a striking mural covering much of the ceiling. A camera mounted on a tripod is also visible behind the desk. Watch a clip of the video shared by Storyful on X here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Never-before-seen footage of the private island of convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein gives a detailed tour of the hideaway to which a number of survivors allege they were trafficked and exploited. Ion Nicola, a Romanian artist who told Storyful he worked for Epstein… <a href="https://t.co/XUnwYkE2SU">pic.twitter.com/XUnwYkE2SU</a>&mdash; Storyful (@Storyful) <a href="https://x.com/Storyful/status/2074917340412838183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to previous New York Times reporting, Epstein personally instructed Nicola on aspects of the building's design. In one email, he even suggested “instead of allah, i thought j’s and e ‘s” (sic).Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/epstein-files-33-000-pages-released-yet-they-re-heavily-redacted-full-transparency-or-just-a-pacifier-for-maga-1756890944032">Epstein files: 33,000 pages released, yet they're heavily redacted. 'Full transparency' or just a pacifier for MAGA?</a><h2>Why the footage is drawing attention now</h2>The release comes months after US lawmakers published additional photographs from the island as part of renewed scrutiny surrounding the Epstein files.Although investigators have previously documented the estate, the new footage offers a different perspective, revealing the layout of the island, including its oversized sundial, pool, landscaped gardens and secluded pathways.Little Saint James, located in the US Virgin Islands, has long remained one of the most recognisable symbols of the Epstein case.Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls. His death fuelled years of public speculation, while demands for greater transparency surrounding the investigation have continued.The newly surfaced footage does not introduce new criminal evidence. Instead, it provides one of the most complete visual records yet of the secluded island where some of the most disturbing allegations connected to Epstein unfolded.

A newly surfaced 16-minute video offers one of the clearest looks yet inside Jeffrey Epstein's notorious private island, including the mysterious 'temple' that has fuelled years of speculation. Scroll down to watch the rare footage.

More than five years after Jeffrey Epstein's death, a newly surfaced video is giving the public one of its clearest looks yet inside Little Saint James, the private Caribbean island that became synonymous with the disgraced financier's sex trafficking empire. The footage, which runs for more than 16 minutes, was filmed by Romanian artist Ion Nicola, who worked with Epstein between 2010 and 2019. The video, which was shared with Storyful by Nicola, captures large sections of the island that have rarely, if ever, been seen publicly. Also read | Explosive Epstein files accuse Trump of raping a 13-year-old, murdering a newborn What does the never-before-seen footage from Epstein island show? What makes the footage striking isn't just the luxury. It's the eerie normalcy. Manicured lawns stretch towards the sea. Winding roads cut through tropical vegetation. Sculptures dot the landscape. A pier extends into turquoise water while a floating trampoline bobs offshore. At first glance, it resembles an exclusive private resort. Then the camera reaches the island's most infamous building. Inside the mysterious 'temple' The striped blue-and-white structure, often referred to online as Epstein's "temple" or "mosque," is shown in unusual detail. Inside, the video shows an office overlooking the ocean, an Apple computer on the desk, bookshelves framed by ornate pillars, sculptures collected from different cultures and a striking mural covering much of the ceiling. A camera mounted on a tripod is also visible behind the desk. Watch a clip of the video shared by Storyful on X here:

A newly surfaced 16-minute video offers one of the clearest looks yet inside Jeffrey Epstein's notorious private island, including the mysterious 'temple' that has fuelled years of speculation. Scroll down to watch the rare footage.

Never-before-seen footage exposes eerie interiors of Jeffrey Epstein's private island Little St. James | Watch

The United States has indicted Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his associates under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act on charges including murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and alleged links to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The RICO Act targets organised criminal enterprises engaged in offences such as murder, extortion, fraud, and drug trafficking, and carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years' imprisonment for each count. US authorities are expected to seek Bishnoi's extradition from India, where he is currently lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail in Gujarat. The development brings the India-US extradition treaty into focus and recalls the challenges India faced in securing the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana and its unsuccessful attempts to bring David Coleman Headley (Daood Gilani) to India. While the treaty provides a legal framework for extradition, the process is often lengthy and complex, with its success depending on factors such as the quality of evidence presented, approval by Indian and US courts, competing criminal proceedings, and the principle of dual criminality. Here is a lowdown:<h2>The extradition treaty between India and the United States&nbsp;</h2>Signed in 1997, the India-US Extradition Treaty entered into force in 1999, replacing the 1931 UK-US Extradition Treaty that had previously applied to British India. The treaty applies mainly to serious crimes such as terrorism, organised crime, financial fraud, and drug offences. It applies to persons who are formally accused, charged, or convicted of an extraditable offence in the requesting country. An extraditable offence is one that is punishable under the laws of both countries by imprisonment for more than one year or by a more severe penalty.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-may-seek-lawrence-bishnoi-s-extradition-from-india-1783507348591/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-may-seek-lawrence-bishnoi-s-extradition-from-india-1783507348591/embed</a><h2>The principle of dual criminality</h2>The treaty does not prohibit the extradition of a country's own nationals. The dual criminality principle means that the offence for which extradition is sought must be recognised as a crime in both jurisdictions, although the exact legal classification or terminology does not have to be identical. The treaty covers not only the commission of offences but also attempts, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and participation in organised criminal activity.<h2>Exceptions and grounds for refusal</h2>In practice, extradition is often more complicated because of the treaty's exceptions and safeguards, which includes political and human rights considerations. Both countries may refuse extradition for political offences. Extradition may also be denied if the individual could face the death penalty without adequate assurances that the sentence will neither be imposed nor carried out. Other recognised grounds for refusal include double jeopardy, expiry of the limitation period where applicable, insufficient evidence, or failure to satisfy the treaty's requirements.The treaty also contains the rule of specialty, under which an extradited person may be prosecuted only for the offences for which extradition was granted and nothing more, unless the requested country consents otherwise. It also prohibits the person's re-extradition to a third country without the consent of the country that surrendered them.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/most-wanted-fbi-puts-50-000-bounty-on-lawrence-bishnoi-aide-goldy-brar-after-charging-him-in-hardeep-nijjar-murder-case-1783477220291">'Most wanted': FBI puts $50,000 bounty on Lawrence Bishnoi aide Goldy Brar after charging him in Hardeep Nijjar murder case</a><h2>How does the extradition process work?</h2>Extradition requests are made through diplomatic channels and must be supported by relevant documents, including arrest warrants, a statement of facts, details of the alleged offences, and the applicable legal provisions. The requested country is responsible for arresting the individual and conducting judicial proceedings to determine whether the treaty's requirements have been met. In India, extradition requests are examined by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs before being placed before a magistrate, who conducts an inquiry under the Extradition Act, 1962. If the court finds the request legally sustainable, the final decision on surrender rests with the central government.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-gurinderjit-singh-nagra-fbi-names-in-alleged-rs-3-3-crore-cross-border-extortion-case-1783573114849">Who is Gurinderjit Singh Nagra? FBI names in alleged Rs 3.3 crore cross-border extortion case</a><h2>India-US extradition in numbers</h2>Over the past 17 years, India has extradited more than 25 individuals to the United States, mainly in cases involving financial fraud, cybercrime, organised crime, narcotics offences, and murder-for-hire. The number remains relatively modest compared with extraditions from countries such as Mexico, largely because of India's extensive judicial scrutiny and multiple avenues for legal appeal.According to official figures and public reports, the United States extradited 11 individuals to India between 2002 and 2018. In 2025, it extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, one of the most significant extraditions between the two countries in recent years. David Coleman Headley, however, has not been extradited to India, having entered into a plea agreement with US authorities that complicated India's efforts to secure his transfer.

The US plans to seek Lawrence Bishnoi's extradition from India, according to reports. This brings to focus the India-US Extradition Treaty. Here's how the treaty works, its legal safeguards, delays, and past extraditions 

The United States has indicted Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his associates under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act on charges including murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and alleged links to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The RICO Act targets organised criminal enterprises engaged in offences such as murder, extortion, fraud, and drug trafficking, and carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years' imprisonment for each count. US authorities are expected to seek Bishnoi's extradition from India, where he is currently lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail in Gujarat. The development brings the India-US extradition treaty into focus and recalls the challenges India faced in securing the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana and its unsuccessful attempts to bring David Coleman Headley (Daood Gilani) to India. While the treaty provides a legal framework for extradition, the process is often lengthy and complex, with its success depending on factors such as the quality of evidence presented, approval by Indian and US courts, competing criminal proceedings, and the principle of dual criminality. Here is a lowdown: The extradition treaty between India and the United States Signed in 1997, the India-US Extradition Treaty entered into force in 1999, replacing the 1931 UK-US Extradition Treaty that had previously applied to British India. The treaty applies mainly to serious crimes such as terrorism, organised crime, financial fraud, and drug offences. It applies to persons who are formally accused, charged, or convicted of an extraditable offence in the requesting country. An extraditable offence is one that is punishable under the laws of both countries by imprisonment for more than one year or by a more severe penalty. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-may-seek-lawrence-bishnoi-s-extradition-from-india-1783507348591/embed The principle of dual criminality The treaty does not prohibit the extradition of a country's own nationals. The dual criminality principle means that the offence for which extradition is sought must be recognised as a crime in both jurisdictions, although the exact legal classification or terminology does not have to be identical. The treaty covers not only the commission of offences but also attempts, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and participation in organised criminal activity. Exceptions and grounds for refusal In practice, extradition is often more complicated because of the treaty's exceptions and safeguards, which includes political and human rights considerations. Both countries may refuse extradition for political offences. Extradition may also be denied if the individual could face the death penalty without adequate assurances that the sentence will neither be imposed nor carried out. Other recognised grounds for refusal include double jeopardy, expiry of the limitation period where applicable, insufficient evidence, or failure to satisfy the treaty's requirements. The treaty also contains the rule of specialty, under which an extradited person may be prosecuted only for the offences for which extradition was granted and nothing more, unless the requested country consents otherwise. It also prohibits the person's re-extradition to a third country without the consent of the country that surrendered them. Also read: 'Most wanted': FBI puts $50,000 bounty on Lawrence Bishnoi aide Goldy Brar after charging him in Hardeep Nijjar murder case How does the extradition process work? Extradition requests are made through diplomatic channels and must be supported by relevant documents, including arrest warrants, a statement of facts, details of the alleged offences, and the applicable legal provisions. The requested country is responsible for arresting the individual and conducting judicial proceedings to determine whether the treaty's requirements have been met. In India, extradition requests are examined by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs before being placed before a magistrate, who conducts an inquiry under the Extradition Act, 1962. If the court finds the request legally sustainable, the final decision on surrender rests with the central government. Also read: Who is Gurinderjit Singh Nagra? FBI names in alleged Rs 3.3 crore cross-border extortion case India-US extradition in numbers Over the past 17 years, India has extradited more than 25 individuals to the United States, mainly in cases involving financial fraud, cybercrime, organised crime, narcotics offences, and murder-for-hire. The number remains relatively modest compared with extraditions from countries such as Mexico, largely because of India's extensive judicial scrutiny and multiple avenues for legal appeal. According to official figures and public reports, the United States extradited 11 individuals to India between 2002 and 2018. In 2025, it extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, one of the most significant extraditions between the two countries in recent years. David Coleman Headley, however, has not been extradited to India, having entered into a plea agreement with US authorities that complicated India's efforts to secure his transfer.

The US plans to seek Lawrence Bishnoi's extradition from India, according to reports. This brings to focus the India-US Extradition Treaty. Here's how the treaty works, its legal safeguards, delays, and past extraditions&nbsp;

Lawrence Bishnoi extradition to US: Easier said than done? What the bilateral treaty says, and how the process works

Severe flooding in southern China triggered by Typhoon Maysak has triggered a unique emergency in Guangxi: an estimated 800 to 900 snakes have escaped into local villages after floodwaters destroyed a breeding facility in Hengzhou city. Social media is flooded with videos of the reptiles poking their heads above the floodwater, posing a fresh problem for residents battling the natural tragedy.<h2>Poisonous snakes among the escaped reptiles</h2>Reports suggest that among the estimated 900 escaped snakes are highly poisonous snakes like cobras. Local officials have confirmed that the escaped reptiles mainly comprise three species commonly raised in the region for traditional medicine and leather production. These are - Monocled Cobras (venomous), King Rat Snakes (non-venomous), and Water Snakes (non-venomous).Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-is-macron-wearing-sunglasses-indoors-mysterious-shades-spark-domestic-abuse-speculation-online-another-shiner-1783407347884">Why is Macron wearing sunglasses indoors? Mysterious shades spark domestic abuse speculation online: 'Another shiner?'</a>The shocking incident occurred in Dengwei Village (Yunbiao Township) after heavy rainfall from Typhoon Maysak caused regional nearby Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs to overflow, destroying low-lying agricultural facilities and small-scale snake farms.Wu Zhi, head of the Dengwei village committee, stated that while the vast majority of the snakes are non-venomous water snakes that were quickly washed away or trapped on floating debris, venomous cobras remain a critical threat. Watch alarming videos shared by residents here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 BREAKING: Around 900 snakes, including venomous cobras, escaped after floodwaters destroyed a snake farm in Hengzhou, <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>. At least one person has been hospitalized after a snake bite as rescue teams race to capture the reptiles.<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/%E7%9F%AD%E5%86%8A%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#短冊メーカー</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/sstvi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sstvi</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PORESP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PORESP</a> <a href="https://t.co/wDNTmKWn0s">https://t.co/wDNTmKWn0s</a> <a href="https://t.co/TsJcerhYwA">pic.twitter.com/TsJcerhYwA</a>&mdash; Eyes on the Globe (@eyes_globe) <a href="https://x.com/eyes_globe/status/2074439813936427491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">After the collaps of the Liulan Reservoir (六蓝水库) dam in China, a farm dedicated for raising venomous snakes was washed out by the flood. Now poisonous snakes are everywhere. An alligator farm was also washed out <a href="https://t.co/2JYrrXbg0S">pic.twitter.com/2JYrrXbg0S</a>&mdash; Bin Xie (@bxieus) <a href="https://x.com/bxieus/status/2074701904441975200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>At least one person suffers from a snake bite</h2>According to a Global Times report, at least one villager has been hospitalised following a venomous snakebite.Local emergency management bureaus have meanwhile warned that rescue efforts are complicated by stranded residents being temporarily unable to reach medical care due to waist-deep floodwaters.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-steals-wall-street-bell-relic-says-they-ll-have-to-fight-like-hell-to-get-iconic-heirloom-back-1783393395626">Trump 'steals' Wall Street relic, says they'll have to 'fight like hell' to get iconic heirloom back | Watch</a><h2>Special capture teams on hunt for snakes</h2>A specialised civilian and emergency response team of more than a dozen personnel has been deployed across the flooded zones. Equipped with fishing nets, bamboo sticks, and electric stun devices, they are conducting house-to-house searches to clear the reptiles from residential spaces.Authorities have strictly warned residents against attempting to handle or capture any snakes by hand, advising them to stay indoors, avoid wading through stagnant water or handling floating debris blindly, and immediately report sightings to frontline workers.

 Floodwaters from Typhoon Maysak destroyed a snake breeding facility in southern China, releasing an estimated 800 to 900 snakes, including venomous cobras. One person has already been hospitalised after a snakebite. Scroll down to watch the viral videos.

Severe flooding in southern China triggered by Typhoon Maysak has triggered a unique emergency in Guangxi: an estimated 800 to 900 snakes have escaped into local villages after floodwaters destroyed a breeding facility in Hengzhou city. Social media is flooded with videos of the reptiles poking their heads above the floodwater, posing a fresh problem for residents battling the natural tragedy. Poisonous snakes among the escaped reptiles Reports suggest that among the estimated 900 escaped snakes are highly poisonous snakes like cobras. Local officials have confirmed that the escaped reptiles mainly comprise three species commonly raised in the region for traditional medicine and leather production. These are - Monocled Cobras (venomous), King Rat Snakes (non-venomous), and Water Snakes (non-venomous). Also read | Why is Macron wearing sunglasses indoors? Mysterious shades spark domestic abuse speculation online: 'Another shiner?' The shocking incident occurred in Dengwei Village (Yunbiao Township) after heavy rainfall from Typhoon Maysak caused regional nearby Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs to overflow, destroying low-lying agricultural facilities and small-scale snake farms. Wu Zhi, head of the Dengwei village committee, stated that while the vast majority of the snakes are non-venomous water snakes that were quickly washed away or trapped on floating debris, venomous cobras remain a critical threat. Watch alarming videos shared by residents here:

&nbsp;Floodwaters from Typhoon Maysak destroyed a snake breeding facility in southern China, releasing an estimated 800 to 900 snakes, including venomous cobras. One person has already been hospitalised after a snakebite. Scroll down to watch the viral videos.

Watch: Over 900 snakes slither through China floodwaters; Typhoon Maysak unleashes venomous cobras - one bitten

A tornado ripped through a high-rise building in China, sucking a man from his 12th-story apartment. The incident happened late Monday night in China’s Hubei province, where extremely powerful storms ravaged the region. Videos of the tornado are circulating on the internet, with people showing damage inside their homes. The 30-year-old man miraculously survived the raging tornado and is in the ICU. The tornado reached wind speeds of nearly 150 km per hour, almost the strength of hurricane-force winds.&nbsp;Not only was the man swept into the tornado, but his house was also almost ripped apart. Cabinets fell off the walls and the sofa was flung away. Even heavy vehicles could not withstand the strength of the tornado, which threw semi-trucks as far as 100 feet. The violent storm ravaged more than 4,800 homes in Hubei. Tornadoes in Hubei are extremely rare, although China does witness a few of them occasionally. The last time one was reported in Hubei was in 2021.<h2>Why did tornadoes hit Hubei?</h2>At least two tornadoes formed in the Hubei province. Citing the reason for them, meteorologists said that cold air from the north collided with warm air brought in by Typhoon Maysak in the south, resulting in the tornadoes. A video shows the strong winds lifting a woman into the air. Another piece of footage shows a man recording the tornado as it approaches him. He continues to film as things inside his home scatter around.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Tornado w Chinach podniosło kobietę w powietrze😱Co ona tam robiła w taką niepogodę?? Pokażcie to swoim niejadkom. <a href="https://t.co/5XAZXRCf7k">pic.twitter.com/5XAZXRCf7k</a>&mdash; Ekonomat (@ekonomat_pl) <a href="https://x.com/ekonomat_pl/status/2074774991892344982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇨🇳 A horrific tornado in China ripped a man out of his own apartment A deadly tornado tore through central China’s Hubei province with wind speeds reaching 260 km/h. At least 17 people were killed and more than 331 injured. In the city of Huanggang, the wind was so powerful… <a href="https://t.co/DBqlw6WjaD">pic.twitter.com/DBqlw6WjaD</a>&mdash; Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) <a href="https://x.com/visegrad24/status/2074867008911319240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Violent wedge tornado tonight in Huanggang, Hubei Procince, China. Two major city took a direct hit, already hearing 2 fatalities and hundreds injuries, more info coming <a href="https://t.co/5gqgggLTrB">pic.twitter.com/5gqgggLTrB</a>&mdash; Eric1101 (@Ericwang1101) <a href="https://x.com/Ericwang1101/status/2074143419996528717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Typhoon Maysak and Super Typhoon Bavi</h2> The severe storm is the result of Typhoon Maysak that swept the southern Chinese province of Guangxi over the weekend. Hubei is hundreds of kilometres away from this region, but it has still faced thunderstorms and a tornado linked to the typhoon. According to state media, at least 17 people have died, hundreds are injured, and tens of thousands have been evacuated.<h2>Xi Jinping orders all-out rescue efforts</h2>President Xi Jinping has ordered "all-out" rescue and relief operations following the devastation. The eastern coast of the country is facing a threat from another storm, Super Typhoon Bavi, churning across the Pacific. It is expected to hit the coast later this week, as per forecasts. The extreme weather has been linked to climate change.&nbsp;

China has been ravaged by storms, following Typhoon Maysak that made landfall last week, with Super Typhoon Bavi on its way. A tornado ripped through the Hubei province, lifting a man from his 12th-story apartment. 

A tornado ripped through a high-rise building in China, sucking a man from his 12th-story apartment. The incident happened late Monday night in China’s Hubei province, where extremely powerful storms ravaged the region. Videos of the tornado are circulating on the internet, with people showing damage inside their homes. The 30-year-old man miraculously survived the raging tornado and is in the ICU. The tornado reached wind speeds of nearly 150 km per hour, almost the strength of hurricane-force winds. Not only was the man swept into the tornado, but his house was also almost ripped apart. Cabinets fell off the walls and the sofa was flung away. Even heavy vehicles could not withstand the strength of the tornado, which threw semi-trucks as far as 100 feet. The violent storm ravaged more than 4,800 homes in Hubei. Tornadoes in Hubei are extremely rare, although China does witness a few of them occasionally. The last time one was reported in Hubei was in 2021. Why did tornadoes hit Hubei? At least two tornadoes formed in the Hubei province. Citing the reason for them, meteorologists said that cold air from the north collided with warm air brought in by Typhoon Maysak in the south, resulting in the tornadoes. A video shows the strong winds lifting a woman into the air. Another piece of footage shows a man recording the tornado as it approaches him. He continues to film as things inside his home scatter around.

China has been ravaged by storms, following Typhoon Maysak that made landfall last week, with Super Typhoon Bavi on its way. A tornado ripped through the Hubei province, lifting a man from his 12th-story apartment.&nbsp;

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