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The E-4B Nightwatch, an American "doomsday plane", flew to Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC, Tuesday night, according to flight tracking site FlightRadar. This comes as President Donald Trump weighs striking Iran's nuclear facilities deep underground. The move by the plane was likely made as a security measure amid the Iran-Israel war. E-4B Nightwatch is the militarised version of Boeing 747-800 and has been designed as a safe bunker to keep important American officials safe in case of a nuclear war. This included the American president, the Secretary of Defence and other national security officials who can keep the government running in the face of a catastrophe on Earth.&nbsp;Flight trackers noted that the plane made a long, winding route to the capital, leaving Bossier City, Louisiana, just before 6 pm on Tuesday. The plane landed in Maryland at 10 pm, flying near the coast and the border of Virginia and North Carolina, as per FlightRadar.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-committed-to-diplomacy-but-won-t-hesitate-to-act-in-self-defence-against-israel-israranl-i-war-1750302422390">Iran says committed to 'diplomacy' but won't hesitate to act in 'self-defence' against Israel</a>&nbsp;It issued an unusual callsign, ORDER01 instead of the usual ORDER6, according to flight data, sparking confusion about what was going on. Notably, the US has a fleet of four E-4Bs that make regular flights to maintain preparedness in case a situation crops up.&nbsp;<h2>About the E-4B Nightwatch "doomsday plane"</h2>&nbsp;It is called the "doomsday plane" because of the reason for its existence. The four aircraft are similar to what we see in apocalypse movies and TV shows, where the world is facing a crisis while the government is working to control it, sitting in a safe space. These planes are the safe space meant for US officials, kind of like a "Flying Pentagon."&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/idf-says-missiles-launched-from-iran-towards-israel-residents-asked-to-take-shelter-1750314347663/embed&nbsp;It can accommodate 112 people and is a control room for the government from where the President, Secretary of Defence, and the Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff can monitor what's happening on the ground and maintain communication. They are one of a kind US Air Force aircraft, with a range of 11,265 km.&nbsp;These planes can fly for an entire week without the need to ever landing on the ground and can be refuelled mid-air. The E-4B Nightwatch can also whip out missiles at enemies, survive nuclear blasts, cyberattacks and electromagnetic effects. It can communicate with anyone in any part of the world because of the 67 satellite dishes and antennas in its ray dome.&nbsp;The planes have three decks, with 18 bunks, a briefing room, a teamwork area, a conference room, a command room, and a designated rest area.&nbsp;The situation in Iran and Israel is getting worse by the day, with several people having lost their lives. Trump has asked Iran for “unconditional surrender,” which Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, rejected.&nbsp;On Thursday, Iran launched air attacks on Israel. Several civilian areas, including a hospital, were hit by Iranian missile strikes. In Iran, the ISNA news agency reported that an area near the heavy water facility of the Khondab nuclear facility was targeted by Israel.

As the Iran Israel conflict escalated, an E 4B Nightwatch, an American doomsday plane, was seen in Washington. The aircraft is meant to keep the president safe in case of a nuclear war.

The E-4B Nightwatch, an American "doomsday plane", flew to Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC, Tuesday night, according to flight tracking site FlightRadar. This comes as President Donald Trump weighs striking Iran's nuclear facilities deep underground. The move by the plane was likely made as a security measure amid the Iran-Israel war. E-4B Nightwatch is the militarised version of Boeing 747-800 and has been designed as a safe bunker to keep important American officials safe in case of a nuclear war. This included the American president, the Secretary of Defence and other national security officials who can keep the government running in the face of a catastrophe on Earth. Flight trackers noted that the plane made a long, winding route to the capital, leaving Bossier City, Louisiana, just before 6 pm on Tuesday. The plane landed in Maryland at 10 pm, flying near the coast and the border of Virginia and North Carolina, as per FlightRadar. Also Read: Iran says committed to 'diplomacy' but won't hesitate to act in 'self-defence' against Israel It issued an unusual callsign, ORDER01 instead of the usual ORDER6, according to flight data, sparking confusion about what was going on. Notably, the US has a fleet of four E-4Bs that make regular flights to maintain preparedness in case a situation crops up. About the E-4B Nightwatch "doomsday plane" It is called the "doomsday plane" because of the reason for its existence. The four aircraft are similar to what we see in apocalypse movies and TV shows, where the world is facing a crisis while the government is working to control it, sitting in a safe space. These planes are the safe space meant for US officials, kind of like a "Flying Pentagon." https://www.wionews.com/videos/idf-says-missiles-launched-from-iran-towards-israel-residents-asked-to-take-shelter-1750314347663/embed It can accommodate 112 people and is a control room for the government from where the President, Secretary of Defence, and the Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff can monitor what's happening on the ground and maintain communication. They are one of a kind US Air Force aircraft, with a range of 11,265 km. These planes can fly for an entire week without the need to ever landing on the ground and can be refuelled mid-air. The E-4B Nightwatch can also whip out missiles at enemies, survive nuclear blasts, cyberattacks and electromagnetic effects. It can communicate with anyone in any part of the world because of the 67 satellite dishes and antennas in its ray dome. The planes have three decks, with 18 bunks, a briefing room, a teamwork area, a conference room, a command room, and a designated rest area. The situation in Iran and Israel is getting worse by the day, with several people having lost their lives. Trump has asked Iran for “unconditional surrender,” which Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, rejected. On Thursday, Iran launched air attacks on Israel. Several civilian areas, including a hospital, were hit by Iranian missile strikes. In Iran, the ISNA news agency reported that an area near the heavy water facility of the Khondab nuclear facility was targeted by Israel.

As the Iran-Israel conflict escalated, an E-4B Nightwatch, an American "doomsday plane", was seen in Washington. The aircraft is meant to keep the president safe in case of a nuclear war.

'Doomsday plane' E-4B, a nuclear holocaust bunker, can stay in air for a week at a stretch, refuel in the sky

A female passenger went berserk on board a Southwest Airlines flight and started getting feisty with another woman on June 17. The 32-year-old was reportedly intoxicated and started hurling insults at the female passenger. She refused to sit next to her and got violent and pulled her hair. Co-passengers intervened, and she was finally restrained using zip ties. She continued kicking everyone around her while lying down in the aisle. The incident happened on the flight from New York to Kansas. At around 1:10 am, Leanna Perry boarded the flight from LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B. She was reportedly drunk and went ballistic when she saw she was seated next to another woman. Viral videos of the incident show her hitting the woman and grabbing her hair as other passengers hold on to her and ask her to let go.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/american-airlines-flight-man-drags-attendant-shouts-crazy-1748601257047"> 'Help me', shouts man on American Airlines flight; removes clothes and drags flight attendant</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">People have gone absolutely insane <a href="https://t.co/eGVAGEcQTP">pic.twitter.com/eGVAGEcQTP</a>&mdash; Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefiantLs/status/1935340130694295682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

She continued to pull the woman's hair, spat on her and subjected her to insults, including about her weight and appearance. Passengers tried to restrain her, but she kept kicking everyone. She can be heard saying, "I am not even touching her b***h," as a passenger tells her, "You need to let go."&nbsp;"You can't even see your stomach, look at her outfit," she continues to speak as Southwest officials tie her hands behind her back. The woman even hurls insults at the man sitting next to the woman and then spits on her.&nbsp;She finally falls to the ground and keeps kicking her legs into the air.&nbsp;Perry was finally removed from the flight and taken to a hospital. She was later handed over to the NYC Department of Corrections, as per reports.&nbsp;Southwest praised its crew for the swift action against the woman. It isn't clear if any legal proceedings are taking place against the woman.&nbsp;Meanwhile, social media users were horrified to see the woman acting in this manner. People couldn't believe she was drunk and suggested she was probably on drugs. Another pointed out how several people in America are losing it these days.&nbsp;"We have an entire generation of people in this country that would benefit from being punched in the face. It’s like an empathy reset button," a user wrote. &nbsp;

A crazy incident happened on a flight in New York when a woman started shouting and pulling another woman's hair. She spat on her, insulted her, after which the crew restrained her with zip ties.  

A female passenger went berserk on board a Southwest Airlines flight and started getting feisty with another woman on June 17. The 32-year-old was reportedly intoxicated and started hurling insults at the female passenger. She refused to sit next to her and got violent and pulled her hair. Co-passengers intervened, and she was finally restrained using zip ties. She continued kicking everyone around her while lying down in the aisle. The incident happened on the flight from New York to Kansas. At around 1:10 am, Leanna Perry boarded the flight from LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B. She was reportedly drunk and went ballistic when she saw she was seated next to another woman. Viral videos of the incident show her hitting the woman and grabbing her hair as other passengers hold on to her and ask her to let go. Also Read: 'Help me', shouts man on American Airlines flight; removes clothes and drags flight attendant

A crazy incident happened on a flight in New York when a woman started shouting and pulling another woman's hair. She spat on her, insulted her, after which the crew restrained her with zip ties. &nbsp;

Drunk passenger pulls woman's hair, is zip tied after maniacal episode on flight in New York

Sun has blasted an X flare towards Earth once again. The eruption reached us and disrupted communications systems. Sunspot region 4114 released the X flare, the most powerful solar flare, on Tuesday at 5:49 p.m. ET. &nbsp;Radio blackout was reported over the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The sunspot has been highly active in the past few weeks and has released several solar flares. &nbsp;But Tuesday's event was the strongest flare spewed by it so far. Scientists predict that this is not the end and more solar flares can be expected, with one incoming today.&nbsp;The sunspot is facing right at Earth, and G1 geomagnetic storms could be expected over the next few days. AR4115 has been growing in size and has produced several smaller flares, including an M1.5 event.&nbsp;Multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were recorded in 24 hours from sunspot region 4114. However, Earth escaped them all since the solar particles either passed north of Earth, behind Earth, or came from the far side of the sun. A glancing impact from the June 15 CME associated with AR4114 remains possible on June 18. Another shock from a C5.5 flare at 8:13 UTC on June 17 may arrive on June 20.&nbsp;"Sunspot 4114 is large and unstable, with a ‘delta-class’ magnetic field that harbours energy for strong explosions," according to spaceweather.com. On June 15, it released an M8.46 class solar flare that caused a shortwave radio blackout over North America. Frequencies at below 20 Megahertz lost signals.&nbsp;More solar flares are expected to hit Earth this week released by the active sunspot region, which is still facing Earth, according to spaceweather.com. The Sun is rotating which will move the sunspot away from Earth in the coming days. However, it will continue to remain active and the next time it faces Earth, more solar flares can be unleashed towards us.&nbsp;<h2>What is a sunspot?</h2>&nbsp;More sunspots are emerging, with one observed in the southeast region. However, it is hard to tell at this point how big it is.&nbsp;A sunspot forms during solar maximum, when the Sun goes through an 11-year cycle. It is a dark, cooler area which forms when strong magnetic activity slows down the flow of hot gas from the star’s interior to its surface. The solar maximum started in October 2024.

The sun has blasted a powerful X ray towards Earth, which caused blackouts over the Pacific, including Hawaii. There is more in store as the sunspot has released more solar material.

Sun has blasted an X flare towards Earth once again. The eruption reached us and disrupted communications systems. Sunspot region 4114 released the X flare, the most powerful solar flare, on Tuesday at 5:49 p.m. ET. Radio blackout was reported over the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The sunspot has been highly active in the past few weeks and has released several solar flares. But Tuesday's event was the strongest flare spewed by it so far. Scientists predict that this is not the end and more solar flares can be expected, with one incoming today. The sunspot is facing right at Earth, and G1 geomagnetic storms could be expected over the next few days. AR4115 has been growing in size and has produced several smaller flares, including an M1.5 event. Multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were recorded in 24 hours from sunspot region 4114. However, Earth escaped them all since the solar particles either passed north of Earth, behind Earth, or came from the far side of the sun. A glancing impact from the June 15 CME associated with AR4114 remains possible on June 18. Another shock from a C5.5 flare at 8:13 UTC on June 17 may arrive on June 20. "Sunspot 4114 is large and unstable, with a ‘delta-class’ magnetic field that harbours energy for strong explosions," according to spaceweather.com. On June 15, it released an M8.46 class solar flare that caused a shortwave radio blackout over North America. Frequencies at below 20 Megahertz lost signals. More solar flares are expected to hit Earth this week released by the active sunspot region, which is still facing Earth, according to spaceweather.com. The Sun is rotating which will move the sunspot away from Earth in the coming days. However, it will continue to remain active and the next time it faces Earth, more solar flares can be unleashed towards us. What is a sunspot? More sunspots are emerging, with one observed in the southeast region. However, it is hard to tell at this point how big it is. A sunspot forms during solar maximum, when the Sun goes through an 11-year cycle. It is a dark, cooler area which forms when strong magnetic activity slows down the flow of hot gas from the star’s interior to its surface. The solar maximum started in October 2024.

The sun has blasted a powerful X-ray towards Earth, which caused blackouts over the Pacific, including Hawaii. There is more in store as the sunspot has released more solar material.

Sunspot blasts strong X-ray solar flares causing blackouts in Hawaii. There is more to come

Juneteenth, a US federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery of Black Americans. Juneteenth, also known as Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, or Jubilee Day, is celebrated annually on June 19 across the United States In 2021, then-US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing it as a national holiday. For those who don't know, the word Juneteenth is made from two words "June" and “nineteenth.”<h2>How did Juneteenth begin?</h2> Now a national holiday, Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866 and are one of the oldest-running African American holidays. On this particular day after the end of the Civil War, the enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, were told that they had been freed - two years after then-President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a pivotal moment in American history that declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states freed. General Gordon Granger's order said, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free…” The first official Juneteenth celebrations took place in Texas with people gathered for prayer, singing and speeches to honour their newfound freedom. Texas officially declared Juneteenth a holiday in 1980. The celebration spread across the country as African Americans migrated to new places and cities.<h2>How is Juneteenth connected to George Floyd's death &nbsp;</h2>Juneteenth was declared a national holiday after it gained attention following the death of a black man, George Floyd, who was killed on May 25, 2020, by Derek Chauvin, a 44-year-old White police officer. The tragedy sparked widespread protests that led to the origin of Black Lives Matter.How is Juneteenth celebrated? Juneteenth is celebrated with much zeal by the Black Americans. After becoming a federal holiday in 2021, people get a day off from the work, school are closed and a lot of events, fairs, parade, concerts, the reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and other activities are organised across the country.<h2>Juneteenth and red-hued food?</h2>The red-hued food and drink has been a staple of the Juneteenth cuisine. As per the reports, the red colour represents the sacrifice and bloodshed of millions of enslaved people who had faced the suffering.&nbsp; &nbsp;

What is Juneteenth and why ‘Black Independence Day’ is celebrated with red-hued food

Juneteenth, a US federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery of Black Americans. Juneteenth, also known as Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, or Jubilee Day, is celebrated annually on June 19 across the United States In 2021, then-US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing it as a national holiday. For those who don't know, the word Juneteenth is made from two words "June" and “nineteenth.” How did Juneteenth begin? Now a national holiday, Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866 and are one of the oldest-running African American holidays. On this particular day after the end of the Civil War, the enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, were told that they had been freed - two years after then-President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a pivotal moment in American history that declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states freed. General Gordon Granger's order said, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free…” The first official Juneteenth celebrations took place in Texas with people gathered for prayer, singing and speeches to honour their newfound freedom. Texas officially declared Juneteenth a holiday in 1980. The celebration spread across the country as African Americans migrated to new places and cities. How is Juneteenth connected to George Floyd's death Juneteenth was declared a national holiday after it gained attention following the death of a black man, George Floyd, who was killed on May 25, 2020, by Derek Chauvin, a 44-year-old White police officer. The tragedy sparked widespread protests that led to the origin of Black Lives Matter. How is Juneteenth celebrated? Juneteenth is celebrated with much zeal by the Black Americans. After becoming a federal holiday in 2021, people get a day off from the work, school are closed and a lot of events, fairs, parade, concerts, the reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and other activities are organised across the country. Juneteenth and red-hued food? The red-hued food and drink has been a staple of the Juneteenth cuisine. As per the reports, the red colour represents the sacrifice and bloodshed of millions of enslaved people who had faced the suffering.

Now a national holiday, Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866 and are one of the oldest-running African American holidays. On this particular day, after the end of the Civil War, the enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas.

Making travel easier and hassle-free. On Wednesday (June 18), Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the FASTag-based annual pass at Rs 3000.The newly announced pass that will enable seamless and cost-effective travel will be effective from Aug 15. &nbsp;If you are interested in getting one, here is the basic information that you need to know.<h2>FASTag Annual Passes announced</h2>The pass that is designed for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans will allow users to travel across India without getting stuck in the long queue at the toll plaza.Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways has shared a details post on his official handle on X.“In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at Rs 3,000, effective from August 15, 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes first—this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans,'' Gadkari wrote. &nbsp;''The Annual Pass will enable seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country. A dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH,'' he added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Important Announcement 📢 🔹In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000, effective from 15th August 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes…&mdash; Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) <a href="https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari/status/1935233211480854812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This pass will be ideal for frequent travelers, who don't have to pay tolls or check their FASTag each time.&nbsp;<h2>How to Get the FASTag Annual Pass</h2> The annual pass will be valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. The pass is specially designed for non-commercial vehicles.. &nbsp;As per the details available, the dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be available on the Rajmarg Yatra App, as well as on the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH. So users with existing FASTag accounts will only have to pay for the pass. &nbsp;So users have to visit the mentioned site and app for the activation, where the option to buy the pass will reportedly be available. The process may require basic verifications such as a vehicle registration number or phone number linked to the FASTag &nbsp;As of now, NHAI prepaid offers a variety of options to recharge, you can use your debit card, credit card, net banking and UPI to recharge your FASTag and pay the amount of Rs 3000 in advance. &nbsp; &nbsp;As of now, the available features on FASTag and its transactions are: &nbsp;SMS alerts for transactions The customer will receive SMS alerts on his registered mobile numbers for all the transactions done in his tag account. Cashless transactionCustomers don't need to worry about carrying cash for the toll payments. Online rechargeCustomer may recharge their tag account online through online or net banking. Web portal for customersCustomers can access their statements by logging on to the FASTag customer portal. &nbsp;

FASTag annual pass: How to apply for Rs 3000 pass, launch date, eligibility and more

Making travel easier and hassle-free. On Wednesday (June 18), Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the FASTag-based annual pass at Rs 3000. The newly announced pass that will enable seamless and cost-effective travel will be effective from Aug 15. If you are interested in getting one, here is the basic information that you need to know. FASTag Annual Passes announced The pass that is designed for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans will allow users to travel across India without getting stuck in the long queue at the toll plaza. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways has shared a details post on his official handle on X. “In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at Rs 3,000, effective from August 15, 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes first—this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans,'' Gadkari wrote. ''The Annual Pass will enable seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country. A dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH,'' he added.

The pass that is designed for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans will allow the users to travel across the India without getting stuck in the long queue on the toll plaza.

A scientist has uncovered a secret river that might have helped Egyptians build the pyramids. An ancient branch of the River Nile might have been used to transport material to build the mammoth structures that have defied logical explanation. Dr Eman Ghoneim suggests in a study that the part of the Nile that once ran through Giza. This also explains why there are a bunch of pyramids in that part of Cairo.&nbsp;Ghoneim relied on technology in the outer world to discover the river branch that no longer exists. He used radar satellite data from space to study the Nile Valley. The data showed an "invisible world of information beneath the surface." She detailed the research to the 13th Congress of Egyptologists earlier this year.&nbsp;What solidifies the belief that Egyptians relied on this river branch to build the pyramids is the fact that it passed through 38 different pyramid sites. Dubbed the Ahramat Branch, it ran from Giza to Faiyum.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/another-lost-city-detected-under-egyptian-pyramid-by-scientists-bu-it-says-expert-1749609642375">Another city detected under Egyptian pyramid by scientists who found Khafre towers. 'Bu****it', says expert</a>&nbsp;Ghoneim says the river was by no means tiny. It was "really, really long," Ghoneim told IFL Science. "Its width was equivalent to today's Nile course width," running about half a kilometre or more, she added.&nbsp;However, it is merely an assumption that the river branch was used to transport material to build the pyramids. Besides, it is hard to tell whether the river was active during the Old and Middle Kingdoms, around 4,700 years ago,&nbsp;But Ghoneim says that the "pyramids were located exactly at the bank of the branch." So they had something to do with each other.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/20000-year-old-labyrinth-with-3000-rooms-lies-under-egypt-pyramid-9012892">20,000-year-old labyrinth with 3,000 rooms lies under Egypt pyramid, centuries-old claim resurfaces</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;Ghoneim has also proposed what the pyramids might have originally signified. She thinks the massive structures were "valley temples" and could have served as ports in ancient times.&nbsp;Egypt remains a mystery to the world. The River Nile does not run its usual course as it did thousands of years ago. It has shifted, and with it, several towns are also believed to have vanished.&nbsp;Ghoneim said, "As branches disappeared, Ancient Egyptian cities and towns also silted up and disappeared, and we have no clue actually where to find them."&nbsp;What Ghoneim proposes is merely the tip of the iceberg, which might remain for a long, long time. But lately, claims have been made about underground cities lying deep under the Giza pyramids. If a river ran near them, it means some towns and cities might have also existed there, as claimed by Ghoneim. Could the underground structures recently detected under the pyramids be the same cities that vanished?&nbsp;

An ancient branch of the Nile is believed to have flowed through Giza, where several pyramids were constructed. It does not exist anymore, but could have been a crucial link in transporting material for the pyramids.

A scientist has uncovered a secret river that might have helped Egyptians build the pyramids. An ancient branch of the River Nile might have been used to transport material to build the mammoth structures that have defied logical explanation. Dr Eman Ghoneim suggests in a study that the part of the Nile that once ran through Giza. This also explains why there are a bunch of pyramids in that part of Cairo. Ghoneim relied on technology in the outer world to discover the river branch that no longer exists. He used radar satellite data from space to study the Nile Valley. The data showed an "invisible world of information beneath the surface." She detailed the research to the 13th Congress of Egyptologists earlier this year. What solidifies the belief that Egyptians relied on this river branch to build the pyramids is the fact that it passed through 38 different pyramid sites. Dubbed the Ahramat Branch, it ran from Giza to Faiyum. Also Read: Another city detected under Egyptian pyramid by scientists who found Khafre towers. 'Bu****it', says expert Ghoneim says the river was by no means tiny. It was "really, really long," Ghoneim told IFL Science. "Its width was equivalent to today's Nile course width," running about half a kilometre or more, she added. However, it is merely an assumption that the river branch was used to transport material to build the pyramids. Besides, it is hard to tell whether the river was active during the Old and Middle Kingdoms, around 4,700 years ago, But Ghoneim says that the "pyramids were located exactly at the bank of the branch." So they had something to do with each other. Also Read: 20,000-year-old labyrinth with 3,000 rooms lies under Egypt pyramid, centuries-old claim resurfaces Ghoneim has also proposed what the pyramids might have originally signified. She thinks the massive structures were "valley temples" and could have served as ports in ancient times. Egypt remains a mystery to the world. The River Nile does not run its usual course as it did thousands of years ago. It has shifted, and with it, several towns are also believed to have vanished. Ghoneim said, "As branches disappeared, Ancient Egyptian cities and towns also silted up and disappeared, and we have no clue actually where to find them." What Ghoneim proposes is merely the tip of the iceberg, which might remain for a long, long time. But lately, claims have been made about underground cities lying deep under the Giza pyramids. If a river ran near them, it means some towns and cities might have also existed there, as claimed by Ghoneim. Could the underground structures recently detected under the pyramids be the same cities that vanished?

An ancient branch of the Nile is believed to have flowed through Giza, where several pyramids were constructed. It does not exist anymore, but could have been a crucial link in transporting material for the pyramids.

Scientist suggests Egyptian pyramids were 'ancient ports', built near a Nile branch that disappeared

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni have again garnered attention for their warm camaraderie on the sidelines of the G7 Summit held in Canada’s Kananaskis. After the summit ended on Wednesday (June 18) morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's informal interaction went viral.&nbsp;Giorgia Meloni during her interaction with the PM Modi, a video of which has gone viral on social media, seems to be telling him that he was “the best" and that she was “trying to be" like him.&nbsp;While Prime Minister Modi can be seen laughing and showing a ‘thumbs up’ gesture to the Italian Prime Minister in the video shared across various social media platforms.WION could not verify the authenticity of this claim.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 G7 Summit | Giorgia Meloni to PM Modi: “You are the BEST, I am trying to be as you.” 🥰 <a href="https://t.co/INHY2SuAQj">pic.twitter.com/INHY2SuAQj</a>&mdash; Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1935222673417670840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A picture of their meeting was also shared by the Italian Prime Minister on her Instagram page with the caption, "Italy and India, bound by a great friendship."&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi reshared the picture on X and wrote &nbsp;“Fully agree with you, PM Giorgia Meloni. India's friendship with Italy will continue to get stronger, greatly benefitting our people!”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fully agree with you, PM Giorgia Meloni. India’s friendship with Italy will continue to get stronger, greatly benefitting our people!<a href="https://twitter.com/GiorgiaMeloni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GiorgiaMeloni</a> <a href="https://t.co/LaYIIZn8Ry">https://t.co/LaYIIZn8Ry</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1935097584823230921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Their interaction revived the popular term "Melodi" used by netizens during their COP28 meeting in Dubai and the G20 Summit in India.&nbsp;During COP28, Meloni had shared a selfie with Modi and captioned it "Good friends at COP28, #Melodi". The post immediately went viral and the term "Melodi" is used by the netizens whenever both leaders meet.&nbsp;G7 Summit&nbsp;Indian Prime Minister held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders during the Group of Seven summit in Canada.&nbsp;At the international summit, PM Modi interacted with leaders of Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.&nbsp;In a post on X, the prime minister wrote, “Together for global progress!”&nbsp;“Productive exchanges with G7 leaders on key global challenges and shared aspirations for a better planet,” PM Modi added.

Prime Minister Modi can be seen laughing and showing a ‘thumbs up’ gesture to the Italian Prime Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni have again garnered attention for their warm camaraderie on the sidelines of the G7 Summit held in Canada’s Kananaskis. After the summit ended on Wednesday (June 18) morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's informal interaction went viral. Giorgia Meloni during her interaction with the PM Modi, a video of which has gone viral on social media, seems to be telling him that he was “the best" and that she was “trying to be" like him. While Prime Minister Modi can be seen laughing and showing a ‘thumbs up’ gesture to the Italian Prime Minister in the video shared across various social media platforms. WION could not verify the authenticity of this claim.

Prime Minister Modi can be seen laughing and showing a ‘thumbs up’ gesture to the Italian Prime Minister

'You're the best,' says Giorgia Meloni to PM Modi, video goes viral: WATCH

The "city-killer" asteroid that is projected to smash into the Moon in 2032 will damage Earth's satellites as it makes its sojourn towards us. Scientists have discovered that even though asteroid 2024 YR4 will miss our planet, it will pose a “potential danger” to our satellites and even astronauts on the International Space Station.&nbsp;Recently, new observations made into the asteroid increased the chances of it hitting the moon from 3.8 to 4.3 per cent. Astronomers around the world have been studying the asteroid to understand more about it. At one point, it threatened to collide with Earth. However, later calculations showed that Earth is safe, but the moon is not.&nbsp;Now, scientists from the University of Western Ontario have revealed the expected aftermath of the asteroid, both for Earth and the Moon. The space rock will release energy equivalent to 6.5 megatons of TNT upon impact with our lunar satellite. This is way more than the energy released by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 during World War II, which stood at nearly 0.015 megatons of TNT.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-2024-yr4-moon-earth-collision-2032-space-rock-1749628743606">What will happen on Dec 22, 2032? Not good things for our Moon, as scientists await major event</a>&nbsp;The asteroid will also gouge a crater nearly one kilometre in diameter on its surface. The debris generated by the asteroid crash will weigh a whopping 100,000,000kg. The study by the Ontario scientists is yet to be peer reviewed.&nbsp;This debris will be a problem for Earth that will continue to be hit by lunar material for days, and probably even years. According to the researchers, 10 per cent of this debris could “accrete to the Earth on timescales of a few days”. The satellites hovering over Earth will take the hit from the resulting meteorites.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-something-unexpected-moving-2-700km-under-earth-s-surface-1750225822229">Scientists discover someting unexpected moving 2,700km under Earth's surface</a>&nbsp;“Of primary concern are ejecta particles above the impact hazard threshold (0.1 mm) for satellites delivered directly to low Earth orbit on relatively short timescales – days to months – and that could pose a hazard to spacecraft," the study states.&nbsp;The scale of damage and destruction to Earth's satellites will depend on the location where the asteroid hits the Moon, and will be the most critical factor. The size of the crater and the amount of debris released will also impact how much and for how long the satellites are impacted.&nbsp;“Because the moon is orbiting the Earth at approximately 1km per second, for ejected material to reach Earth quickly, the impacting object needs to hit the trailing edge of the moon,” it says.The scientists simulated the asteroid in 10,000 ways and noted that it hit the Moon in 410 of them. Right now, it is estimated that the asteroid will hit its southern hemisphere.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This will all occur during the few days of maximum ejecta delivery from a 2024 YR4 impact," researchers say.By 2032, Earth will have even more satellites than it has today. This greatly increases the chances of a clash happening above the planet when asteroid 2024 YR4 strikes the Moon. &nbsp;

The "city-killer" asteroid will not only smash into the Moon, but also release such a huge amount of debris that Earth's satellites and even astronauts will be in danger for days, even years.

The "city-killer" asteroid that is projected to smash into the Moon in 2032 will damage Earth's satellites as it makes its sojourn towards us. Scientists have discovered that even though asteroid 2024 YR4 will miss our planet, it will pose a “potential danger” to our satellites and even astronauts on the International Space Station. Recently, new observations made into the asteroid increased the chances of it hitting the moon from 3.8 to 4.3 per cent. Astronomers around the world have been studying the asteroid to understand more about it. At one point, it threatened to collide with Earth. However, later calculations showed that Earth is safe, but the moon is not. Now, scientists from the University of Western Ontario have revealed the expected aftermath of the asteroid, both for Earth and the Moon. The space rock will release energy equivalent to 6.5 megatons of TNT upon impact with our lunar satellite. This is way more than the energy released by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 during World War II, which stood at nearly 0.015 megatons of TNT. Also Read: What will happen on Dec 22, 2032? Not good things for our Moon, as scientists await major event The asteroid will also gouge a crater nearly one kilometre in diameter on its surface. The debris generated by the asteroid crash will weigh a whopping 100,000,000kg. The study by the Ontario scientists is yet to be peer reviewed. This debris will be a problem for Earth that will continue to be hit by lunar material for days, and probably even years. According to the researchers, 10 per cent of this debris could “accrete to the Earth on timescales of a few days”. The satellites hovering over Earth will take the hit from the resulting meteorites. Also Read: Scientists discover someting unexpected moving 2,700km under Earth's surface “Of primary concern are ejecta particles above the impact hazard threshold (0.1 mm) for satellites delivered directly to low Earth orbit on relatively short timescales – days to months – and that could pose a hazard to spacecraft," the study states. The scale of damage and destruction to Earth's satellites will depend on the location where the asteroid hits the Moon, and will be the most critical factor. The size of the crater and the amount of debris released will also impact how much and for how long the satellites are impacted. “Because the moon is orbiting the Earth at approximately 1km per second, for ejected material to reach Earth quickly, the impacting object needs to hit the trailing edge of the moon,” it says. The scientists simulated the asteroid in 10,000 ways and noted that it hit the Moon in 410 of them. Right now, it is estimated that the asteroid will hit its southern hemisphere. “This will all occur during the few days of maximum ejecta delivery from a 2024 YR4 impact," researchers say. By 2032, Earth will have even more satellites than it has today. This greatly increases the chances of a clash happening above the planet when asteroid 2024 YR4 strikes the Moon.

The "city-killer" asteroid will not only smash into the Moon, but also release such a huge amount of debris that Earth's satellites and even astronauts will be in danger for days, even years.

'City-killer' asteroid will gouge 1km crater in Moon, releasing debris that will threaten Earth for years

Scientists in Chile have discovered a tiny predator living 26,246 feet below the surface of the ocean. The Atacama Trench, also known as the Peru-Chile Trench, is one of the deepest trenches known to man. This region is completely dark, and this predator lives its entire life nestled here.The predator is a crustacean that has been named "Dulcibella camanchaca" and is only four centimetres long.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since it lives at such a deep point in the ocean, it can withstand pressures up to 800 times stronger than pressures found on land. The name translates to "darkness" in the local language of the people in the Andes. Researchers published details about the discovery in the journal Systematics and Biodiversity.&nbsp;The Atacama Trench runs for 6,000 kilometres along the coast. However, it plunges even further, to almost 25,246 ft off the coast of northern Chile. This is within the deepest part of the ocean, known as the Hadal zone.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-something-unexpected-moving-2-700km-under-earth-s-surface-1750225822229">Scientists discover someting unexpected moving 2,700km under Earth's surface</a>&nbsp;The samples of the crustacean were discovered in this region in 2023. Researchers at the Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía (IMO)—based at Universidad de Concepción in Chile- carried out a deep ocean survey and pulled out samples of the predator. They were frozen and later studied through genomic analysis.The "DNA and morphology data pointed to this species being a new genus," researchers wrote in the study. Johanna Weston, lead author of the study and expert on the Hadal zone from WHOI, said in a statement that this indicates "the Atacama Trench is an endemic hotspot."D. camanchaca not only looks like an alien, but also hunts in the most horrifying and violent way. It has raptorial appendages, limb-like features that it uses to grasp its prey. It swoops in with it and holds down smaller crustaceans to kill them.“This finding underlines the importance of continued deep-ocean exploration, particularly in Chile’s front yard,” IMO’s Carolina González, co-lead author of the study, said in a press statement.Scientists plan to conduct more studies in the Atacama Trench. Finding a new creature once again proves that there is a lot more that is hiding in the heart of the world's oceans. &nbsp;

The tiny predator is a crustacean that spends its entire life at depths where it is always dark. It uses a killer method to overpower its prey.

Scientists in Chile have discovered a tiny predator living 26,246 feet below the surface of the ocean. The Atacama Trench, also known as the Peru-Chile Trench, is one of the deepest trenches known to man. This region is completely dark, and this predator lives its entire life nestled here. The predator is a crustacean that has been named "Dulcibella camanchaca" and is only four centimetres long. Since it lives at such a deep point in the ocean, it can withstand pressures up to 800 times stronger than pressures found on land. The name translates to "darkness" in the local language of the people in the Andes. Researchers published details about the discovery in the journal Systematics and Biodiversity. The Atacama Trench runs for 6,000 kilometres along the coast. However, it plunges even further, to almost 25,246 ft off the coast of northern Chile. This is within the deepest part of the ocean, known as the Hadal zone. Also Read: Scientists discover someting unexpected moving 2,700km under Earth's surface The samples of the crustacean were discovered in this region in 2023. Researchers at the Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía (IMO)—based at Universidad de Concepción in Chile- carried out a deep ocean survey and pulled out samples of the predator. They were frozen and later studied through genomic analysis. The "DNA and morphology data pointed to this species being a new genus," researchers wrote in the study. Johanna Weston, lead author of the study and expert on the Hadal zone from WHOI, said in a statement that this indicates "the Atacama Trench is an endemic hotspot." D. camanchaca not only looks like an alien, but also hunts in the most horrifying and violent way. It has raptorial appendages, limb-like features that it uses to grasp its prey. It swoops in with it and holds down smaller crustaceans to kill them. “This finding underlines the importance of continued deep-ocean exploration, particularly in Chile’s front yard,” IMO’s Carolina González, co-lead author of the study, said in a press statement. Scientists plan to conduct more studies in the Atacama Trench. Finding a new creature once again proves that there is a lot more that is hiding in the heart of the world's oceans.

The tiny predator is a crustacean that spends its entire life at depths where it is always dark. It uses a killer method to overpower its prey.

Predator discovered 26,246 feet deep inside the ocean is only 4 centimetres long

Israel's ongoing war on Iran had a curious element: Many of the attacks were actually launched from inside Iranian territory. And the intelligence agency Mossad was able to pinpoint the location of several leaders, including military chiefs whom the Israeli Defence Forces killed. This is only possible with insider information, and a network of spies in Iran and abroad. Iranian dissidents and exiles allegedly provide much of the information. There is a vast network of Iranians opposed to the Islamic Republic regime. Many of them live within Iran. Others are part of the vast Iranian diaspora population, estimated to number up to 8 million, and living in many Western countries, including the US and Europe. Many of the Iranian diaspora members are exiles who fled the country in the wake of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 that led to the fall of the monarchy led by the Pahlavi dynasty's Shahs.&nbsp; Some of them formed groups abroad that allegedly orchestrated attacks and assassinations in Iran, and helped expose the Iranian secret nuclear weapons programme.&nbsp; While much of their activities are under-reported and unconfirmed, below are some of the most important dissident and exile groups and internal resistance movements that are possibly helping enemies of Iran. &nbsp;<h2>People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK)</h2>MEK, founded in 1965, is a Marxist-Islamist group. It was initially a part of the Islamic Revolution of 1979, but fell out with the regime. Its leadership went into exile in different parts of the world, including in Iraq and Europe, particularly Albania. It is believed that during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, MEK collaborated with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.&nbsp; MEK's structure is allegedly formed like a cult. &nbsp;It has been linked in the past to Western and Israeli intelligence agencies. The group was among those who shared information on the nuclear facilities of Iran in Natanz and Arak to the West. Over the years, there have been accusations that the MEK is receiving Israeli backing for assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists between 2010 and 2012. One of the MEK operatives, Majid Jamali Fashi, had reportedly confessed to having been trained by Mossad for one such killing. The US has, however, officially denied any MEK involvement.&nbsp; Many of the MEK leaders have openly met and received backing from US officials in the past, including diplomats Mike Pompeo and John Bolton. The MEK is thought to be sharing intelligence with Iran's enemies. In 2022, Iran's parallel army, the IRGC, claimed that it had arrested teams affiliated with MEK who were planning attacks in Khuzestan, Fars and Isfahan. &nbsp;<h2>National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)</h2>NCRI is the public face and political front of MEK. Currently led by Maryam Rajavi, NCRI advocates for a secular and democratic Iran. NCRI has a so-called ‘government-in-exile’, and engages in lobbying efforts in the West.&nbsp; NCRI also provided intelligence on Iran’s nuclear programme to the West, helping expose it to the world.&nbsp; Though NCRI is not directly implicated in assassinations inside Iran, it is thought to have provided intelligence to facilitate the killings. The NCRI's main role is to provide information and advocacy for a new Iran among Western institutions and governments.&nbsp; While there have been speculations, it is not clearly established if NCRI has any formal connection to Mossad. But its reports in the 2000s were crucial to Western diplomatic efforts and sanctions against Iran.<h2>The Kingdom Assembly of Iran (Tondar)</h2>Tondar, based in the US, is a monarchist group that seeks the restoration of the Pahlavi dynasty. &nbsp;It also advocates armed resistance against the current regime.&nbsp; While it's not as prominent as the MEK, Iran in the past accused this group of disruptive activities, including the 2008 Shiraz mosque bombing that killed 14 people.&nbsp; Its leader, Jamshid Sharmahd, was executed by Iran in 2024 for what it called ‘US-sponsored terrorism.’&nbsp; Despite Iran's allegations, Tondar’s connection to foreign intelligence agencies like Mossad is not clearly proven.<h2>National Council of Iran and Reza Pahlavi</h2>Led by Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran, the exiled son of the last Shah, NCI actively promotes a constitutional monarchy, using peaceful advocacy and public diplomacy.&nbsp;Reza Pahlavi, who lives mostly in the US, also formed a government-in-exile, but lacks an organised movement.&nbsp; However, the crown prince is visible and active among monarchist supporters. He has visited Israel in recent years and has links with Western policymakers. His influence is symbolic and political, not operational, and he has not been openly connected to violence or intelligence operations targeting Iran.<h2>Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (ASMLA)</h2> Based in Khuzestan, the ASMLA is an Arab separatist group which seeks autonomy. &nbsp;The 2018 Ahvaz military parade attack that killed 25 people was blamed on ASMLA by Iran, which claimed that it got the backing of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the West.&nbsp; It is not clear if these allegations are true, and no public admission of any links with Mossad exists. &nbsp;It is believed that ASMLA acts on its own, separate from the intelligence networks of Israel or the West.&nbsp;<h2>Many groups want regime change in Iran, and are helping Israel and West</h2>These are only some of the most prominent dissident and exile groups. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals disgruntled with the Iranian regime who are possibly helping its enemies, particularly Israel. &nbsp;While only the MEK is credibly tied to assassinations, it is clear that Mossad has benefited from cooperation by other groups.&nbsp; The 2018 nuclear archive theft and the 2020 killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh were carried out by Israel, allegedly with help from internal networks in Iran.

There is a vast network of Iranians opposed to the Islamic Republic regime. Many of them live within Iran. Others are part of the vast Iranian diaspora population, estimated to number up to 8 million

Israel's ongoing war on Iran had a curious element: Many of the attacks were actually launched from inside Iranian territory. And the intelligence agency Mossad was able to pinpoint the location of several leaders, including military chiefs whom the Israeli Defence Forces killed. This is only possible with insider information, and a network of spies in Iran and abroad. Iranian dissidents and exiles allegedly provide much of the information. There is a vast network of Iranians opposed to the Islamic Republic regime. Many of them live within Iran. Others are part of the vast Iranian diaspora population, estimated to number up to 8 million, and living in many Western countries, including the US and Europe. Many of the Iranian diaspora members are exiles who fled the country in the wake of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 that led to the fall of the monarchy led by the Pahlavi dynasty's Shahs. Some of them formed groups abroad that allegedly orchestrated attacks and assassinations in Iran, and helped expose the Iranian secret nuclear weapons programme. While much of their activities are under-reported and unconfirmed, below are some of the most important dissident and exile groups and internal resistance movements that are possibly helping enemies of Iran. People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK) MEK, founded in 1965, is a Marxist-Islamist group. It was initially a part of the Islamic Revolution of 1979, but fell out with the regime. Its leadership went into exile in different parts of the world, including in Iraq and Europe, particularly Albania. It is believed that during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, MEK collaborated with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. MEK's structure is allegedly formed like a cult. It has been linked in the past to Western and Israeli intelligence agencies. The group was among those who shared information on the nuclear facilities of Iran in Natanz and Arak to the West. Over the years, there have been accusations that the MEK is receiving Israeli backing for assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists between 2010 and 2012. One of the MEK operatives, Majid Jamali Fashi, had reportedly confessed to having been trained by Mossad for one such killing. The US has, however, officially denied any MEK involvement. Many of the MEK leaders have openly met and received backing from US officials in the past, including diplomats Mike Pompeo and John Bolton. The MEK is thought to be sharing intelligence with Iran's enemies. In 2022, Iran's parallel army, the IRGC, claimed that it had arrested teams affiliated with MEK who were planning attacks in Khuzestan, Fars and Isfahan. National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) NCRI is the public face and political front of MEK. Currently led by Maryam Rajavi, NCRI advocates for a secular and democratic Iran. NCRI has a so-called ‘government-in-exile’, and engages in lobbying efforts in the West. NCRI also provided intelligence on Iran’s nuclear programme to the West, helping expose it to the world. Though NCRI is not directly implicated in assassinations inside Iran, it is thought to have provided intelligence to facilitate the killings. The NCRI's main role is to provide information and advocacy for a new Iran among Western institutions and governments. While there have been speculations, it is not clearly established if NCRI has any formal connection to Mossad. But its reports in the 2000s were crucial to Western diplomatic efforts and sanctions against Iran. The Kingdom Assembly of Iran (Tondar) Tondar, based in the US, is a monarchist group that seeks the restoration of the Pahlavi dynasty. It also advocates armed resistance against the current regime. While it's not as prominent as the MEK, Iran in the past accused this group of disruptive activities, including the 2008 Shiraz mosque bombing that killed 14 people. Its leader, Jamshid Sharmahd, was executed by Iran in 2024 for what it called ‘US-sponsored terrorism.’ Despite Iran's allegations, Tondar’s connection to foreign intelligence agencies like Mossad is not clearly proven. National Council of Iran and Reza Pahlavi Led by Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran, the exiled son of the last Shah, NCI actively promotes a constitutional monarchy, using peaceful advocacy and public diplomacy. Reza Pahlavi, who lives mostly in the US, also formed a government-in-exile, but lacks an organised movement. However, the crown prince is visible and active among monarchist supporters. He has visited Israel in recent years and has links with Western policymakers. His influence is symbolic and political, not operational, and he has not been openly connected to violence or intelligence operations targeting Iran. Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (ASMLA) Based in Khuzestan, the ASMLA is an Arab separatist group which seeks autonomy. The 2018 Ahvaz military parade attack that killed 25 people was blamed on ASMLA by Iran, which claimed that it got the backing of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the West. It is not clear if these allegations are true, and no public admission of any links with Mossad exists. It is believed that ASMLA acts on its own, separate from the intelligence networks of Israel or the West. Many groups want regime change in Iran, and are helping Israel and West These are only some of the most prominent dissident and exile groups. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals disgruntled with the Iranian regime who are possibly helping its enemies, particularly Israel. While only the MEK is credibly tied to assassinations, it is clear that Mossad has benefited from cooperation by other groups. The 2018 nuclear archive theft and the 2020 killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh were carried out by Israel, allegedly with help from internal networks in Iran.

Mossad was able to pinpoint the location of several leaders, including military chiefs whom the Israeli Defence Forces killed. This is only possible with insider information

Who is helping Iran's enemies? Dissidents, exiles, monarchists, Marxists and resistance groups within opposed to the regime, listed

Scientists have found proof that the insides of the Earth are highly active. The discovery was made at a depth of 2,700km, where the team from ETH Zurich said that solid rock is in constant motion. Flowing rock might sound like a strange term, but the researchers say that's the consistency of the rock."Our discovery shows that the Earth is not only active on the surface, but is also in motion deep inside," said lead author Professor Motohiko Murakami.&nbsp;"We have finally found the last piece of the puzzle."&nbsp;It is neither liquid nor hard and brittle like the regular rocks found on the surface. Instead, it is like boiling water in a pot and moves on convection currents. The next step is to map the hidden currents of solid rock deep inside the Earth.&nbsp;Further studies into the flowing rock could also pinpoint the energy that powers volcanoes, earthquakes, tectonic plates, and the Earth's magnetic field.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/us-military-video-shows-strange-flying-disc-over-afghan-pakistan-border-1750221595672">US military footage shows strange flying disc over Afghan-Pakistan border. Watch</a>&nbsp;Scientists studied a part of the Earth's mantle known as the D' layer. It is seen as a strange region since seismic waves from earthquakes hit high speeds every time they hit this layer. They think it is because of the presence of a different type of material here. Murakami had earlier discovered that perovskite, the material which makes up most of the lower mantle, transforms into a new mineral around the D' layer when there is extreme heat and pressure, called post-perovskite.&nbsp;&nbsp;He pointed out that this is why seismic waves started behaving strangely when they hit this portion.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-nasa-find-life-on-mars-in-2013-curiosity-photo-of-a-mushroom-raises-suspicion-1750216019369">Did NASA find life on Mars in 2013? Curiosity photo of a 'mushroom' raises suspicion</a>&nbsp;However, they argued that this phenomenon alone could not explain the change in speed of seismic waves. Professor Murakami knew that when seismic waves travelled through harder material, they sped up.&nbsp;So he created the conditions in Earth's mantle in a laboratory. As part of the experiment, he crushed tiny grains of perovskite at pressures up to 115 gigapascals, over 16 million pounds per square inch. This helped him replicate the conditions of the D' layer. He found that the crystals in the post-perovskite lined up in the same direction.&nbsp;He tested this area and found that only this specific alignment could cause the seismic waves to travel faster. They argued that something was happening around the D' layer that forced the crystals to face the same direction. This led them to conclude that solid rock was flowing horizontally along the boundary between the Earth's mantle and the core.&nbsp;

A mysterious zone in Earth's mantle is constantly in motion. Scientists have discovered that something is travelling deep inside the planet.

Scientists have found proof that the insides of the Earth are highly active. The discovery was made at a depth of 2,700km, where the team from ETH Zurich said that solid rock is in constant motion. Flowing rock might sound like a strange term, but the researchers say that's the consistency of the rock. "Our discovery shows that the Earth is not only active on the surface, but is also in motion deep inside," said lead author Professor Motohiko Murakami. "We have finally found the last piece of the puzzle." It is neither liquid nor hard and brittle like the regular rocks found on the surface. Instead, it is like boiling water in a pot and moves on convection currents. The next step is to map the hidden currents of solid rock deep inside the Earth. Further studies into the flowing rock could also pinpoint the energy that powers volcanoes, earthquakes, tectonic plates, and the Earth's magnetic field. Also Read: US military footage shows strange flying disc over Afghan-Pakistan border. Watch Scientists studied a part of the Earth's mantle known as the D' layer. It is seen as a strange region since seismic waves from earthquakes hit high speeds every time they hit this layer. They think it is because of the presence of a different type of material here. Murakami had earlier discovered that perovskite, the material which makes up most of the lower mantle, transforms into a new mineral around the D' layer when there is extreme heat and pressure, called post-perovskite. He pointed out that this is why seismic waves started behaving strangely when they hit this portion. Also Read: Did NASA find life on Mars in 2013? Curiosity photo of a 'mushroom' raises suspicion However, they argued that this phenomenon alone could not explain the change in speed of seismic waves. Professor Murakami knew that when seismic waves travelled through harder material, they sped up. So he created the conditions in Earth's mantle in a laboratory. As part of the experiment, he crushed tiny grains of perovskite at pressures up to 115 gigapascals, over 16 million pounds per square inch. This helped him replicate the conditions of the D' layer. He found that the crystals in the post-perovskite lined up in the same direction. He tested this area and found that only this specific alignment could cause the seismic waves to travel faster. They argued that something was happening around the D' layer that forced the crystals to face the same direction. This led them to conclude that solid rock was flowing horizontally along the boundary between the Earth's mantle and the core.

A mysterious zone in Earth's mantle is constantly in motion. Scientists have discovered that something is travelling deep inside the planet.

Scientists discover something unexpected moving 2,700km under Earth's surface

A footage of a flying saucer recorded in 2020 over the Afghan-Pakistan border has now been released to the public. Investigative journalists Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp, who made it public on Tuesday, claim that government officials shot the video. The Department of Defense called the disc a UAP - unidentified anomalous phenomena.&nbsp;Military footage has often recorded 'tic-tac'-shaped UFOs in the past, and the department says that this object appears different from those. The UFO can be seen moving in and out of the clouds in the video. It is between 200 and 400 meters in diameter, although it is hard to tell its exact size.&nbsp;The researchers spoke about the footage of the flying saucer on their podcast Weaponized."There's depth of field. There's relative distance. The shape is undeniable," Corbell said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-futuristic-ufo-buga-sphere-has-wires-increased-in-weight-invisible-energy-dried-up-grass-around-it-shocking-claims-by-mexican-scientists-1749546077492">UFO Buga sphere has wires; 'invisible energy' dried up grass around it, SHOCKING claims by Mexican scientists</a>&nbsp;"And the movement? It's extraordinary. You're seeing it dip into clouds, then emerge and reverse direction. That's not an artefact. That's a real object in motion."&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: NEW UAP FOOTAGE -Is it a sphere? The lighting/reflection on the “bottom” is uncommon in IR. May be spherical? -90° turn? (Moves cloud to cloud?) -Symbology looks legit (Wescam IR camera), filmed close to Afghan/Pakistan border -Any evidence of CGI? Camera artifacts? <a href="https://t.co/R7njUUX6hl">https://t.co/R7njUUX6hl</a> <a href="https://t.co/ekMmLYkMwz">pic.twitter.com/ekMmLYkMwz</a>&mdash; MarikvR (@MvonRen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MvonRen/status/1935058767059824857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The two researchers say the footage is 100 per cent “real and legit”, since they spent two years investigating it and checked its authenticity with multiple sources. They also checked the video with government officials who work in the US government UFO programmes.&nbsp;Not only Corbell and Knapp, but several other officials have also studied the footage for years, but it was always intended to remain a secret.&nbsp;"It was not supposed to be made public. But it should've been."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/warmongers-will-hide-in-bunkers-as-the-world-burns-from-a-nuclear-holocaust-tulsi-gabbard-issues-chilling-warning-1749613126713">Warmongers will hide in 'bunkers' as the world burns from a 'nuclear holocaust', Tulsi Gabbard issues chilling warning</a>&nbsp;Corbell told DailyMail.com that this is the first time that "military-filmed footage of a disc-shaped UAP, designated as such by the military, has been captured on camera and released to the public."Corbell and Knapp accessed internal government slides, according to which the footage was captured "during a reconnaissance mission by a high-altitude Air Force platform."&nbsp;The videos released include raw thermal imagery, along with two additional enhanced clips. It shows the disc zooming in a strange manner in and out of the clouds and has an unusual heat signature. They argue that since they were captured on a thermal sensor, heat should have been detected if any traditional propulsion was present. "But there's nothing. That's one of the wildest aspects."&nbsp;"You do not see plumes of heat coming off this disc-shaped object," Corbell said.&nbsp;A regular aircraft on Earth uses jet or propeller engines, which leave trails in the sky. But in this case, no such occurrence seems to have happened.&nbsp;

Video of a flying saucer shot by government officials over the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has been released. The object can be seen zooming in and out of the clouds without a trace of heat. 

A footage of a flying saucer recorded in 2020 over the Afghan-Pakistan border has now been released to the public. Investigative journalists Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp, who made it public on Tuesday, claim that government officials shot the video. The Department of Defense called the disc a UAP - unidentified anomalous phenomena. Military footage has often recorded 'tic-tac'-shaped UFOs in the past, and the department says that this object appears different from those. The UFO can be seen moving in and out of the clouds in the video. It is between 200 and 400 meters in diameter, although it is hard to tell its exact size. The researchers spoke about the footage of the flying saucer on their podcast Weaponized. "There's depth of field. There's relative distance. The shape is undeniable," Corbell said. Also Read: UFO Buga sphere has wires; 'invisible energy' dried up grass around it, SHOCKING claims by Mexican scientists "And the movement? It's extraordinary. You're seeing it dip into clouds, then emerge and reverse direction. That's not an artefact. That's a real object in motion."

Video of a flying saucer shot by government officials over the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has been released. The object can be seen zooming in and out of the clouds without a trace of heat.&nbsp;

US military footage shows strange flying disc over Afghan-Pakistan border. Watch

Passengers of a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Toronto were in for a strange surprise when the plane was turned around after being in the air for three hours. The reason shocked them further - the plane wasn't legal to fly.The Airbus A330-300 PH‑AKA was put into service after the AC on the plane, originally meant to travel to Toronto, failed to work. After a delay of 1.5 hours, passengers boarded the above Airbus, according to a passenger who talked to View from the Wing.&nbsp;However, when the plane was over the Atlantic, the passengers were told that this plane was not supposed to fly. It needed maintenance, which could not be done in Toronto. So, the plane was turned back to Amsterdam.&nbsp;Passengers were caught unawares because of the sudden change, and the airline now owes them 600 Euros. The passenger told the publication that even though the pilot and the crew apologised to them, it clearly shows the flaws that exist in their system.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/denied-boarding-for-being-late-man-calls-in-with-fake-bomb-threat-from-own-phone-to-delay-flight-gets-caught-1749619653738">Angry at being turned away from gate, man calls in with fake bomb threat to delay flight</a>&nbsp;He added that the plane was perfectly fine to fly and there were no safety concerns. The only issue was the maintenance, which should have happened before the plane left. No one on the ground noticed this as the plane got ready to fly. When it was flying across the Atlantic and had spent nearly three hours in the air, that is when someone on the ground spotted the error.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/inspired-by-leonardo-man-flies-for-free-over-120-times-in-6-years-by-posing-as-pilots-and-attendants-1749706923172">Inspired by Leonardo? Man flies for free over 120 times in 6 years by posing as pilots and attendants</a>&nbsp;Four hours remained in the journey when the plane was turned back, leaving people arguing why it could not travel another four hours to its destination instead of taking the three-hour trip back. This is because KLM wanted to perform the maintenance in Amsterdam. If the plane had travelled to Toronto, then the airline would have had to fly it back to Amsterdam empty.&nbsp;People are now wondering how an airline could send a plane that required maintenance with people on board.&nbsp;Earlier, American Airlines sent the wrong plane to Naples, Italy, which was too big to land on the runway. It was diverted to Rome because it was too big to land.

A KLM flight that was not supposed to fly was sent to Toronto from Amsterdam. When the ground staff realised the mistake, they called it back after three hours.

Passengers of a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Toronto were in for a strange surprise when the plane was turned around after being in the air for three hours. The reason shocked them further - the plane wasn't legal to fly. The Airbus A330-300 PH‑AKA was put into service after the AC on the plane, originally meant to travel to Toronto, failed to work. After a delay of 1.5 hours, passengers boarded the above Airbus, according to a passenger who talked to View from the Wing. However, when the plane was over the Atlantic, the passengers were told that this plane was not supposed to fly. It needed maintenance, which could not be done in Toronto. So, the plane was turned back to Amsterdam. Passengers were caught unawares because of the sudden change, and the airline now owes them 600 Euros. The passenger told the publication that even though the pilot and the crew apologised to them, it clearly shows the flaws that exist in their system. Also Read: Angry at being turned away from gate, man calls in with fake bomb threat to delay flight He added that the plane was perfectly fine to fly and there were no safety concerns. The only issue was the maintenance, which should have happened before the plane left. No one on the ground noticed this as the plane got ready to fly. When it was flying across the Atlantic and had spent nearly three hours in the air, that is when someone on the ground spotted the error. Also Read: Inspired by Leonardo? Man flies for free over 120 times in 6 years by posing as pilots and attendants Four hours remained in the journey when the plane was turned back, leaving people arguing why it could not travel another four hours to its destination instead of taking the three-hour trip back. This is because KLM wanted to perform the maintenance in Amsterdam. If the plane had travelled to Toronto, then the airline would have had to fly it back to Amsterdam empty. People are now wondering how an airline could send a plane that required maintenance with people on board. Earlier, American Airlines sent the wrong plane to Naples, Italy, which was too big to land on the runway. It was diverted to Rome because it was too big to land.

A KLM flight that was not supposed to fly was sent to Toronto from Amsterdam. When the ground staff realised the mistake, they called it back after three hours.

KLM plane to Toronto that needed maintenance returns to Amsterdam after 3 hours in air

The Curiosity Rover has spotted a mushroom on Mars, leading some alien enthusiasts to proclaim that we have found "life" on the red planet. The rover took a photo on the Martian surface, which shows an object similar to a mushroom. It is not a new discovery, as the rover took the image in 2013. It went into the archives and has now been found by UFO hunter Scott Waring.The object appears to have a stem like a regular mushroom with a canopy on top. Waring says he is "not sure how or why NASA could overlook such a thing," since NASA has been trying to "find life on other planets and moons."&nbsp;Waring says the space agency should have used the expensive equipment on board Curiosity to examine the structure. After finding the photo, he strongly believes that a mushroom "pushed up out of the Mars dirt."&nbsp;"NASA should have poked it, bumped it, knocked it over, cut it open with their tools on the Curiosity rover," Waring said.<h2>People think NASA is not telling everything</h2>People are also questioning the reason for NASA ignoring this image, while some simply think that the space agency is keeping secrets from the public.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-comet-discovered-2-billion-kilometres-from-sun-is-acting-in-a-bizarre-way-1750143967728">Only 1 of 5: Comet discovered 2 billion kilometres from Sun is acting in a bizarre way</a>&nbsp;A user wrote on social media, "Looks like a mushroom to me! NASA know far more about MARS than they let on."&nbsp;Curiosity was launched in 2011 and landed on Aeolis Palus inside Gale crater in 2012. Its primary purpose is to hunt for evidence that life once existed on Mars. So why didn't NASA pursue this Martian "mushroom."&nbsp;For one, scientists do not think it is a mushroom, but merely two rocks placed on top of one another. Besides, the conditions on Mars mean that no form of life can currently thrive on the surface of the red planet.&nbsp;<h2>Possible explanations for mushroom on Mars?</h2>&nbsp;Dr Gareth Dorrian, a planetary physicist from the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline that the mushroom could be a geological formation from billions of years ago when liquid water flowed on Mars.&nbsp;It could also be two rocks, with the top one having gradually settled onto the bottom one as the wind blows away the sand and dust.&nbsp;Besides, the current conditions on Mars are just not ripe to support life. Dorrian points out that the atmospheric pressure at the Martian surface is extremely thin. This allows ultraviolet and particle radiation to constantly bombard the planet. The radiation is known to damage complex molecules like DNA.&nbsp;The temperatures on Mars range from 20°C during the day to -100°C at night. Dorrian says, "No known forms of life can simultaneously tolerate these extremes of temperatures, radiation levels, and low atmospheric pressure." &nbsp;

A photo taken by Curiosity rover in 2013 shows a mushroom-like object on Mars. NASA did not pursue it further, and now that the image has been revealed, people are asking why not.

The Curiosity Rover has spotted a mushroom on Mars, leading some alien enthusiasts to proclaim that we have found "life" on the red planet. The rover took a photo on the Martian surface, which shows an object similar to a mushroom. It is not a new discovery, as the rover took the image in 2013. It went into the archives and has now been found by UFO hunter Scott Waring. The object appears to have a stem like a regular mushroom with a canopy on top. Waring says he is "not sure how or why NASA could overlook such a thing," since NASA has been trying to "find life on other planets and moons." Waring says the space agency should have used the expensive equipment on board Curiosity to examine the structure. After finding the photo, he strongly believes that a mushroom "pushed up out of the Mars dirt." "NASA should have poked it, bumped it, knocked it over, cut it open with their tools on the Curiosity rover," Waring said. People think NASA is not telling everything People are also questioning the reason for NASA ignoring this image, while some simply think that the space agency is keeping secrets from the public. Also Read: Only 1 of 5: Comet discovered 2 billion kilometres from Sun is acting in a bizarre way A user wrote on social media, "Looks like a mushroom to me! NASA know far more about MARS than they let on." Curiosity was launched in 2011 and landed on Aeolis Palus inside Gale crater in 2012. Its primary purpose is to hunt for evidence that life once existed on Mars. So why didn't NASA pursue this Martian "mushroom." For one, scientists do not think it is a mushroom, but merely two rocks placed on top of one another. Besides, the conditions on Mars mean that no form of life can currently thrive on the surface of the red planet. Possible explanations for mushroom on Mars? Dr Gareth Dorrian, a planetary physicist from the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline that the mushroom could be a geological formation from billions of years ago when liquid water flowed on Mars. It could also be two rocks, with the top one having gradually settled onto the bottom one as the wind blows away the sand and dust. Besides, the current conditions on Mars are just not ripe to support life. Dorrian points out that the atmospheric pressure at the Martian surface is extremely thin. This allows ultraviolet and particle radiation to constantly bombard the planet. The radiation is known to damage complex molecules like DNA. The temperatures on Mars range from 20°C during the day to -100°C at night. Dorrian says, "No known forms of life can simultaneously tolerate these extremes of temperatures, radiation levels, and low atmospheric pressure."

A photo taken by Curiosity rover in 2013 shows a mushroom-like object on Mars. NASA did not pursue it further, and now that the image has been revealed, people are asking why not.

Did NASA find life on Mars in 2013? Curiosity photo of a 'mushroom' raises suspicion

As the world tilts towards AI, robots and everything digital, Godfather of AI and Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton said that there's only one job that won't be replaced by Artificial Intelligence.While stressing that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity one day, he made a revelation on which job would be saved.<h2>Here's the one job AI won't replace</h2>Hinton believes that the job of "plumbing" will not be affected by the AI revolution.Hinton is a Nobel Prize winner who earned his nickname for his work on neural networks and has revealed the risks of mass joblessness in the future, saying that technology will “get to be better than us at everything."During an interview on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast, he said that the takeover will happen eventually, but there are still jobs that are safer than others for now."I'd say it's going to be a long time before it's as good at physical manipulation. So a good bet would be to be a plumber," he said, according to a report.The godfather of AI added that "intellectual" labour would be the worst hit as AI would easily take over those jobs."For mundane intellectual labour, AI is just going to replace everybody," he said.He stressed that most jobs will not be able to withstand the wave of disruption AI will bring in the future."In the past, new technologies have come in, which didn’t led to joblessness. New jobs were created. So the classic example people use is automatic telemachines. When automatic tele machines came in, a lot of bank tellers didn’t lose their jobs, they just got to do more interesting things," Hinton said.He noted that he saw an article recently, saying that many university graduates are already struggling to find jobs, adding that one reason could be that companies have started using AI to do the kind of work these graduates will do.&nbsp;

While stressing that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity one day, he made a revelation on which job would be saved.

As the world tilts towards AI, robots and everything digital, Godfather of AI and Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton said that there's only one job that won't be replaced by Artificial Intelligence. While stressing that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity one day, he made a revelation on which job would be saved. Here's the one job AI won't replace Hinton believes that the job of "plumbing" will not be affected by the AI revolution. Hinton is a Nobel Prize winner who earned his nickname for his work on neural networks and has revealed the risks of mass joblessness in the future, saying that technology will “get to be better than us at everything." During an interview on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast, he said that the takeover will happen eventually, but there are still jobs that are safer than others for now. "I'd say it's going to be a long time before it's as good at physical manipulation. So a good bet would be to be a plumber," he said, according to a report. The godfather of AI added that "intellectual" labour would be the worst hit as AI would easily take over those jobs. "For mundane intellectual labour, AI is just going to replace everybody," he said. He stressed that most jobs will not be able to withstand the wave of disruption AI will bring in the future. "In the past, new technologies have come in, which didn’t led to joblessness. New jobs were created. So the classic example people use is automatic telemachines. When automatic tele machines came in, a lot of bank tellers didn’t lose their jobs, they just got to do more interesting things," Hinton said. He noted that he saw an article recently, saying that many university graduates are already struggling to find jobs, adding that one reason could be that companies have started using AI to do the kind of work these graduates will do.

While stressing that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity one day, he made a revelation on which job would be saved.

Godfather of AI reveals THIS one job AI won't replace | SPOILER: It's not a desk job

New viruses have been discovered lurking in the depths of oceans worldwide. Marine biologist Benjamin Minch and virologist Mohammad Moniruzzaman from the University of Miami tested seawater samples and identified 230 giant viruses that have never been seen before by humans.The scientists think the new viruses will help learn more about the ocean and the life it sustains. "By better understanding the diversity and role of giant viruses in the ocean and how they interact with algae and other ocean microbes, we can predict and possibly manage harmful algal blooms, which are human health hazards in Florida as well as all over the world," says Moniruzzaman.The research has been published in Nature npj Viruses.&nbsp;Algae blooms have become a growing threat in the world as the environment gets hotter. Giant viruses are often responsible for killing phytoplankton, the tiny, photosynthesising organisms commonly found in oceans, lakes, and rivers. Phytoplankton produce the majority of Earth's oxygen, which is why it is important to protect them from these viruses.&nbsp;<h2>Viruses can cause the death of phytoplankton</h2>&nbsp;Doing a deep dive into the viruses can help eliminate the reasons behind the death of phytoplankton. The researchers noted that in several cases, the viruses take over the photosynthesis function of their hosts in order to survive. "The giant viruses play an outsized role in manipulating their host's metabolism during infection and influencing marine biogeochemistry," they wrote.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-comet-discovered-2-billion-kilometres-from-sun-is-acting-in-a-bizarre-way-1750143967728">Only 1 of 5: Comet discovered 2 billion kilometres from Sun is acting in a bizarre way</a>&nbsp;Besides the 230 new giant viruses, the study also identified 569 new functional proteins, including nine involved in photosynthesis.&nbsp;The newly discovered viruses fit into two categories - Imitervirales and Algavirales. Both groups have different survival and infection tactics. Imitervirales are the most complex and have a flexible "life strategy" that potentially allows the virus to survive in a wider variety of hosts.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the researchers are convinced that there are a lot more viruses still hiding in the ocean, waiting to be discovered. "This study allowed us to create a framework to improve existing tools for detecting novel viruses that could aid in our ability to monitor pollution and pathogens in our waterways," says Minch. &nbsp;

Scientists have discovered 230 new viruses in the world's oceans that might be killing the Earth's source of oxygen. They are hoping to avoid these deaths in the near future by studying more about these viruses.

New viruses have been discovered lurking in the depths of oceans worldwide. Marine biologist Benjamin Minch and virologist Mohammad Moniruzzaman from the University of Miami tested seawater samples and identified 230 giant viruses that have never been seen before by humans. The scientists think the new viruses will help learn more about the ocean and the life it sustains. "By better understanding the diversity and role of giant viruses in the ocean and how they interact with algae and other ocean microbes, we can predict and possibly manage harmful algal blooms, which are human health hazards in Florida as well as all over the world," says Moniruzzaman. The research has been published in Nature npj Viruses. Algae blooms have become a growing threat in the world as the environment gets hotter. Giant viruses are often responsible for killing phytoplankton, the tiny, photosynthesising organisms commonly found in oceans, lakes, and rivers. Phytoplankton produce the majority of Earth's oxygen, which is why it is important to protect them from these viruses. Viruses can cause the death of phytoplankton Doing a deep dive into the viruses can help eliminate the reasons behind the death of phytoplankton. The researchers noted that in several cases, the viruses take over the photosynthesis function of their hosts in order to survive. "The giant viruses play an outsized role in manipulating their host's metabolism during infection and influencing marine biogeochemistry," they wrote. Also Read: Only 1 of 5: Comet discovered 2 billion kilometres from Sun is acting in a bizarre way Besides the 230 new giant viruses, the study also identified 569 new functional proteins, including nine involved in photosynthesis. The newly discovered viruses fit into two categories - Imitervirales and Algavirales. Both groups have different survival and infection tactics. Imitervirales are the most complex and have a flexible "life strategy" that potentially allows the virus to survive in a wider variety of hosts. Meanwhile, the researchers are convinced that there are a lot more viruses still hiding in the ocean, waiting to be discovered. "This study allowed us to create a framework to improve existing tools for detecting novel viruses that could aid in our ability to monitor pollution and pathogens in our waterways," says Minch.

Scientists have discovered 230 new viruses in the world's oceans that might be killing the Earth's source of oxygen. They are hoping to avoid these deaths in the near future by studying more about these viruses.

Never-before-seen viruses are killing the Earth's source of oxygen

The doomsday fish has already been seen four times this year. First in India towards the end of May, then in Australia, and twice in New Zealand. What led these rare creatures to come up from the ocean? These are the recent sightings of the “ominous” fish. 

Doomsday fish seen four times in last 20 days, including in India. Here are all the recent sightings

Meet the real-life Vicky Donor, Ari Nagel. This maths professor is the father of 165 children, and I'm not kidding. The New York City man recently welcomed his 165th child into the world. However, he’s now planning to put a stop to his sperm donations. &nbsp;Nagel, also known as The Sperminator, has been helping women conceive for several years.Ari Nagel - the SperminatorNagel, a maths professor in Brooklyn, has assisted hundreds of women in getting pregnant over the past decade. In a recent interview with the New York Post, he revealed that he currently has ten women pregnant across multiple continents.“I have ten women currently pregnant in the US, Canada, Asia, Africa, and Europe,” he told NYPost.However, now, he's celebrating the birth of his latest baby in Connecticut. This was Nagel's fourth child with the same woman. &nbsp;As per NYPost, he has 56 kids in New York, 20 in New Jersey, and 13 in Connecticut.Though many sperm donors chose to stay away from the child. But Nagel is different. Apart from donating the sperm, he also maintains a relationship with his children and often gets involved in their lives. He also enjoys vacationing with his kids.“Some moms don’t want me to play a role, but I leave them the option if they change their mind, and most do once the child gets a little older and starts asking questions,” he said

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Even the mother of some children had asked for financial support. However, due to a financial crunch, he was not able to provide the help. &nbsp;Planning to stop?After fathering over 160 children, Nagel has shared his plans to retire from sperm donation. He intends to stop when he turns 50. “Physically I can keep going, but there may be increased risks for things like autism with older males,” he shared with the publication.For those who are curious about Ari's fees, he does not charge for his services. ''I think the motivation of why I help these women, in some ways, is why does anyone have kids? I think in some ways I'm getting a lot of the joy and love that a lot of other parents experience,'' he said earlier on The Dr. Oz Show.

Real-life Vicky Donor! Meet Ari Nagel, 'the Sperminator': Math professor and father to 165

Meet the real-life Vicky Donor, Ari Nagel. This maths professor is the father of 165 children, and I'm not kidding. The New York City man recently welcomed his 165th child into the world. However, he’s now planning to put a stop to his sperm donations. Nagel, also known as The Sperminator, has been helping women conceive for several years. Ari Nagel - the Sperminator Nagel, a maths professor in Brooklyn, has assisted hundreds of women in getting pregnant over the past decade. In a recent interview with the New York Post, he revealed that he currently has ten women pregnant across multiple continents. “I have ten women currently pregnant in the US, Canada, Asia, Africa, and Europe,” he told NYPost. However, now, he's celebrating the birth of his latest baby in Connecticut. This was Nagel's fourth child with the same woman. As per NYPost, he has 56 kids in New York, 20 in New Jersey, and 13 in Connecticut. Though many sperm donors chose to stay away from the child. But Nagel is different. Apart from donating the sperm, he also maintains a relationship with his children and often gets involved in their lives. He also enjoys vacationing with his kids. “Some moms don’t want me to play a role, but I leave them the option if they change their mind, and most do once the child gets a little older and starts asking questions,” he said

After fathering over 160 children, Nagel has shared his plans to retire from sperm donation. He intends to stop when he turns 50.&nbsp;

Real-life Vicky Donor! Meet Ari Nagel, 'The Sperminator': Maths professor and father to 165

Who is Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei? In his increasingly rare appearances at Friday sermons, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei often kept a loaded gun by his side. The Islamic Republic's 86-year-old leader has good reasons to do so, particularly amid the current war with Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hasn't kept it a secret that he would like Khamenei dead. Often reported to be living in bunkers, Khamenei has survived bids on his life in the past. So, who really is Khamenei? How did he rise to power in Iran? And who all want him dead? Here is a profile:<h2>Ali Khamenei, Iran's second supreme leader</h2>Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei&nbsp;has been the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, becoming only the second person to hold that post after the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini.&nbsp;This means he has been in power for 36 years, making him one of the longest-serving heads of state in present-day world. Born on April 19, 1939, in Mashhad, Iran, Khamenei is a so-called ‘Grand Ayatollah’. Born into the family of a modest Islamic scholar,&nbsp; Khamenei studied Islamic theology in Qom under prominent scholars, including Ruhollah Khomeini, his mentor.<h2>A political life dotted with protests, arrests, exile</h2>As a young man, Khamenei was active in protests against the Shah dynasty's rule, way back in the 1960s. He was arrested several times, and lived in exile for three years during the Shah's regime.&nbsp; His humble background, which included studying the religion, has informed his commitment to Islamic governance and his fight against Western influence.<h2>Confidant and inheritor of Khomeini's power</h2>After the establishment of the Islamic Republic following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Khamenei became a close confidant of Khomeini. He rose through the ranks in the clergy-government nexus of Iran.&nbsp; Since the Revolution, Khomenei held important posts, such as the deputy defence minister in the provisional revolutionary government. He was also the Supervisor of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards or IRGC and oversaw the parallel military's early operations.<h2>Rise through the ranks: From president to Supreme Leader</h2>In 1980, Khomeini appointed him as Tehran’s Friday Prayers Imam, &nbsp;a key post in Iran with significant religious and political import. He was elected a parliamentarian in 1980, representing &nbsp;Tehran in the Majlis. A year later, he was elected the President of Iran after the assassination of then president Mohammad Ali Rajai, and went on to serve two terms till 1989. &nbsp;After the death of Khomeini in 1989, he was elected by the Assembly of Experts as the Supreme Leader of Iran.&nbsp;Thus, the son of a simple Islamic scholar became the ultimate authority over Iran’s political, military, social and religious life. Over the years, Khamanei served in several other important positions in Iran, including as the&nbsp; chairman of the Revolution’s Cultural Council, President of the Expediency Council, and Chairman of the Committee for Revision of the Constitution.<h2>Survivor of assassination attempts</h2>Much of the hagiography around Khamenei is about his survival of assassination attempts. While several of the attempts are either unreported or underplayed in Iran, two of them stand out.&nbsp;Perhaps the most prominent is the bid on his life in 1981.<h2>The Friday prayer bomb attack</h2>On 27 June 1981, Khamenei was at a Friday sermon at Abuzar Mosque in Tehran when a bomb exploded near him. &nbsp;The bomb, hidden in a tape recorder, severely injured Khamenei, leaving him permanently paralysed in his right arm. The blast also damaged his vocal cords and lungs. After months in the hospital, Khamenei came back to the limelight. The assassination attempt and survival made him almost a demigod for his supporters.<h2>Attack at Tehran University</h2>An almost similar attack took place on 15 March 1985 in Tehran University, again during Friday prayers. This time, it was a suicide bomber.&nbsp;Khamenei, who was president at the time, escaped unharmed, even as several people died in the blast.&nbsp; &nbsp;Khamenei continued in office, but this time, he began a crackdown on opposition groups. &nbsp;There have been other reported attempts on the life of Khamenei, including a drone attack in 2022.&nbsp;<h2>Who all wanted him dead?</h2>The opposition group Mojahedin-e Khalq or MEK was the 1981 attack perpetrators, according to Iran’s official narrative. For the 1985 attack, no group has been named officially, but the needle of suspicion still pointed to MEK. &nbsp;Over the past two decades, Israel has been among the main adversaries who wanted Khamenei dead. In the first hours of its attacks on Iran this month, Israel reportedly targeted Khamenei's residence or nearby areas.&nbsp; He is reportedly sheltering in a bunker. And Israel is closing in. Iran’s military leaders and Khamenei's top advisor Ali Shamkhani are among those killed in Israel’s initial wave of airstrikes on June 13. With several top names in his inner circle gone, Khamenei, one of the longest-serving leaders of West Asia, is looking more vulnerable than ever.&nbsp; But will he weather this storm too? Watch this space.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not kept it a secret that he would like Khamenei dead

Who is Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei? In his increasingly rare appearances at Friday sermons, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei often kept a loaded gun by his side. The Islamic Republic's 86-year-old leader has good reasons to do so, particularly amid the current war with Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hasn't kept it a secret that he would like Khamenei dead. Often reported to be living in bunkers, Khamenei has survived bids on his life in the past. So, who really is Khamenei? How did he rise to power in Iran? And who all want him dead? Here is a profile: Ali Khamenei, Iran's second supreme leader Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei has been the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, becoming only the second person to hold that post after the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini. This means he has been in power for 36 years, making him one of the longest-serving heads of state in present-day world. Born on April 19, 1939, in Mashhad, Iran, Khamenei is a so-called ‘Grand Ayatollah’. Born into the family of a modest Islamic scholar, Khamenei studied Islamic theology in Qom under prominent scholars, including Ruhollah Khomeini, his mentor. A political life dotted with protests, arrests, exile As a young man, Khamenei was active in protests against the Shah dynasty's rule, way back in the 1960s. He was arrested several times, and lived in exile for three years during the Shah's regime. His humble background, which included studying the religion, has informed his commitment to Islamic governance and his fight against Western influence. Confidant and inheritor of Khomeini's power After the establishment of the Islamic Republic following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Khamenei became a close confidant of Khomeini. He rose through the ranks in the clergy-government nexus of Iran. Since the Revolution, Khomenei held important posts, such as the deputy defence minister in the provisional revolutionary government. He was also the Supervisor of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards or IRGC and oversaw the parallel military's early operations. Rise through the ranks: From president to Supreme Leader In 1980, Khomeini appointed him as Tehran’s Friday Prayers Imam, a key post in Iran with significant religious and political import. He was elected a parliamentarian in 1980, representing Tehran in the Majlis. A year later, he was elected the President of Iran after the assassination of then president Mohammad Ali Rajai, and went on to serve two terms till 1989. After the death of Khomeini in 1989, he was elected by the Assembly of Experts as the Supreme Leader of Iran. Thus, the son of a simple Islamic scholar became the ultimate authority over Iran’s political, military, social and religious life. Over the years, Khamanei served in several other important positions in Iran, including as the chairman of the Revolution’s Cultural Council, President of the Expediency Council, and Chairman of the Committee for Revision of the Constitution. Survivor of assassination attempts Much of the hagiography around Khamenei is about his survival of assassination attempts. While several of the attempts are either unreported or underplayed in Iran, two of them stand out. Perhaps the most prominent is the bid on his life in 1981. The Friday prayer bomb attack On 27 June 1981, Khamenei was at a Friday sermon at Abuzar Mosque in Tehran when a bomb exploded near him. The bomb, hidden in a tape recorder, severely injured Khamenei, leaving him permanently paralysed in his right arm. The blast also damaged his vocal cords and lungs. After months in the hospital, Khamenei came back to the limelight. The assassination attempt and survival made him almost a demigod for his supporters. Attack at Tehran University An almost similar attack took place on 15 March 1985 in Tehran University, again during Friday prayers. This time, it was a suicide bomber. Khamenei, who was president at the time, escaped unharmed, even as several people died in the blast. Khamenei continued in office, but this time, he began a crackdown on opposition groups. There have been other reported attempts on the life of Khamenei, including a drone attack in 2022. Who all wanted him dead? The opposition group Mojahedin-e Khalq or MEK was the 1981 attack perpetrators, according to Iran’s official narrative. For the 1985 attack, no group has been named officially, but the needle of suspicion still pointed to MEK. Over the past two decades, Israel has been among the main adversaries who wanted Khamenei dead. In the first hours of its attacks on Iran this month, Israel reportedly targeted Khamenei's residence or nearby areas. He is reportedly sheltering in a bunker. And Israel is closing in. Iran’s military leaders and Khamenei's top advisor Ali Shamkhani are among those killed in Israel’s initial wave of airstrikes on June 13. With several top names in his inner circle gone, Khamenei, one of the longest-serving leaders of West Asia, is looking more vulnerable than ever. But will he weather this storm too? Watch this space.

&nbsp;Khamenei has been in power for 36 years, making him one of the oldest heads of state in the present world. No small feat, given who all wanted him dead &nbsp;

Israel wants to kill Ali Khamenei but he's survived assassination bids in the past. Who wanted Iran Supreme Leader dead? A profile

This mission joins a growing list of complex rescue operations New Delhi has undertaken for its citizens in recent years. Let's take a look at India's major citizen-rescue operations 


India begins evacuating citizens from Iran: From Yemen to Ukraine, how New Delhi always rescues its own

Bihar Election: Ahead of the Bihar election, scheduled for later this year, the Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that Patna is all set to get its first water metro on the Ganga River. He said that Bihar's capital is preparing for 16 jetties, 2 terminals, and a vessel manufacturing and repair centre for the metro services on water.&nbsp;As per Money Control, speaking at a consultation meeting on inland water transport development across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, Sonowal said, “The water metro system will connect both banks of the river and offer a clean, efficient and modern mobility solution for Patna. The National Inland Navigation Institute is being upgraded as a centre of excellence with new investment."&nbsp;This came while the &nbsp;National Waterway 1 (NW-1), which stretches 1,390 km from Varanasi to Haldia, is at the centre of India’s inland waterway plans.&nbsp;The minister said Bihar will see major development under this route.&nbsp;Moreover, the state will also see:<ul><li>Two cargo terminals in Patna</li><li>A vessel repair and manufacturing centre on the Ganga</li><li>16 community jetties in various districts</li><li>Kalu Ghat to be upgraded as a state-of-the-art waterway centre</li></ul>Furthermore, a special task force will be created to examine the inland navigation and river-based commerce in the 12 Ganga districts of Bihar.&nbsp;Sonowal also claimed that the BJP-led central government is closely working with &nbsp;Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to make NW-1 a successful project.&nbsp;

Water Metro in Patna? Union minister makes big promise ahead of Bihar election 


Bihar Election: Ahead of the Bihar election, scheduled for later this year, the Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that Patna is all set to get its first water metro on the Ganga River. He said that Bihar's capital is preparing for 16 jetties, 2 terminals, and a vessel manufacturing and repair centre for the metro services on water. As per Money Control, speaking at a consultation meeting on inland water transport development across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, Sonowal said, “The water metro system will connect both banks of the river and offer a clean, efficient and modern mobility solution for Patna. The National Inland Navigation Institute is being upgraded as a centre of excellence with new investment." This came while the National Waterway 1 (NW-1), which stretches 1,390 km from Varanasi to Haldia, is at the centre of India’s inland waterway plans. The minister said Bihar will see major development under this route. Moreover, the state will also see: Two cargo terminals in Patna A vessel repair and manufacturing centre on the Ganga 16 community jetties in various districts Kalu Ghat to be upgraded as a state-of-the-art waterway centre Furthermore, a special task force will be created to examine the inland navigation and river-based commerce in the 12 Ganga districts of Bihar. Sonowal also claimed that the BJP-led central government is closely working with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to make NW-1 a successful project.

Ahead of the Bihar election, scheduled for later this year, the Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that Patna is all set to get its first water metro on the Ganga River.

Water Metro in Patna? Union minister makes big promise ahead of Bihar election

A man in China has refused to bow down to property developers by building his own 10-storey tower in a place where every other house has been razed down to build a luxury resort. Chen Tianming lives in a village in Guizhou province, where all the houses were bought and torn down in 2018. However, the 42-year-old is in no mood to give in after seven years.&nbsp;His stone bungalow now looks like a pyramid with 10 storeys. The upper floors move when the wind is strong, and so he has tethered them to the ground with ropes and cables. The house is rickety and weird, with balconies and stairs poking out. It is built using plywood and contorted beams, and appears on shaky ground.&nbsp;After Chen refused to give in to developers, the project failed to take off. He received several demolition notices, but defied them all and continued to raise the height of his house, adding more and more floors to it. Chinese media compares his house to the creations of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/subproject-94-the-secret-cia-program-to-create-army-of-remote-controlled-animal-assassins-1749902696736">Declassified CIA documents reveal plans to create an army of remote-controlled 'animal assassins' during Cold War</a>&nbsp;He told AFP that his project started off as a practical way to expand the house, but his labyrinthine construction later turned into "an interest and hobby".&nbsp;<h2>Chen's 10-storey tower in Chinese village lacks permits</h2>&nbsp;Chen's house lacks proper building permits and has been deemed dangerous since the upper floors sway in the wind. But he has sworn not to let anyone demolish his house. "People often say it's unsafe and should be demolished... but I'll definitely never let anyone tear it down."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/man-drives-300km-hr-films-police-chase-and-posts-it-online-it-is-now-being-used-as-evidence-against-him-1749900181909">Man drives 300km/hr, films police chase and posts it online. It is now being used as evidence against him</a>&nbsp;Chen has received several demolition notices, ordering him to destroy the higher floors and only retain the original building. He completed construction on the fifth floor in 2019, the sixth in 2022 and the seventh in 2023.&nbsp;It was deemed an illegal construction last August. But he is in no mood to budge, and has spent tens of thousands of yuan fighting the notices in court. He has not won any of the preliminary hearings either, and has continued to appeal.&nbsp;<h2>Chen's house has become a tourist attraction</h2>&nbsp;Chen's house was built by his grandfather in the 1980s, and his parents refused to sell it to the developers who wanted to build a resort, complete with a theatre and artificial lake. All the houses in the area were bulldozed. In order to protect his home, Chen slept alone in the house so that no one would raze it at night.&nbsp;The project was scrapped six months later, and his house was given the name "nail house" - a Chinese term for those whose owners dig in and refuse to relocate despite official compensation offers.&nbsp;Today, Chen lights up his house with decorative lanterns at home, attracting the attention of passersby. In fact, it has become a tourist attraction itself, and local residents think it might be an official landmark. &nbsp;

A man in a Chinese village has built a 10-storey pyramid like house with things poking out from everywhere. He has defied every demolition order and is fighting notices in the court. But, he is adamant not to let the authorities raze his house.

A man in China has refused to bow down to property developers by building his own 10-storey tower in a place where every other house has been razed down to build a luxury resort. Chen Tianming lives in a village in Guizhou province, where all the houses were bought and torn down in 2018. However, the 42-year-old is in no mood to give in after seven years. His stone bungalow now looks like a pyramid with 10 storeys. The upper floors move when the wind is strong, and so he has tethered them to the ground with ropes and cables. The house is rickety and weird, with balconies and stairs poking out. It is built using plywood and contorted beams, and appears on shaky ground. After Chen refused to give in to developers, the project failed to take off. He received several demolition notices, but defied them all and continued to raise the height of his house, adding more and more floors to it. Chinese media compares his house to the creations of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. Also Read: Declassified CIA documents reveal plans to create an army of remote-controlled 'animal assassins' during Cold War He told AFP that his project started off as a practical way to expand the house, but his labyrinthine construction later turned into "an interest and hobby". Chen's 10-storey tower in Chinese village lacks permits Chen's house lacks proper building permits and has been deemed dangerous since the upper floors sway in the wind. But he has sworn not to let anyone demolish his house. "People often say it's unsafe and should be demolished... but I'll definitely never let anyone tear it down." Also Read: Man drives 300km/hr, films police chase and posts it online. It is now being used as evidence against him Chen has received several demolition notices, ordering him to destroy the higher floors and only retain the original building. He completed construction on the fifth floor in 2019, the sixth in 2022 and the seventh in 2023. It was deemed an illegal construction last August. But he is in no mood to budge, and has spent tens of thousands of yuan fighting the notices in court. He has not won any of the preliminary hearings either, and has continued to appeal. Chen's house has become a tourist attraction Chen's house was built by his grandfather in the 1980s, and his parents refused to sell it to the developers who wanted to build a resort, complete with a theatre and artificial lake. All the houses in the area were bulldozed. In order to protect his home, Chen slept alone in the house so that no one would raze it at night. The project was scrapped six months later, and his house was given the name "nail house" - a Chinese term for those whose owners dig in and refuse to relocate despite official compensation offers. Today, Chen lights up his house with decorative lanterns at home, attracting the attention of passersby. In fact, it has become a tourist attraction itself, and local residents think it might be an official landmark.

A man in a Chinese village has built a 10-storey pyramid like house with things poking out from everywhere. He has defied every demolition order and is fighting notices in the court. But, he is adamant not to let authorities raze his house.

Chinese man fights to keep his 10-storey pyramid house held down with ropes deemed unsafe

A veterinarian in Japan died after contracting the thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, reportedly from a cat. This is the first case of a vet dying from the suspected animal-to-human transmission of the virus. The veterinarian association of the country has warned members to remain vigilant against the virus. They are shocked to know that the virus did not transmit to the vet in the typical way - through a tick bite. This has sent alarm bells ringing in Japan.&nbsp;An official of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA) confirmed to SCMP that the unnamed vet treated the cat at his clinic in Mie prefecture in May. He was hospitalised after developing symptoms and passed away soon after.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deadly-fungus-that-grows-astonishingly-quickly-in-heat-threatens-the-world-9043900">Cordyceps-like deadly fungus with high fatality rate threatens a hotter world</a>&nbsp;None of the staff members or the cat's owner contracted the virus. An autopsy did not find any signs of a tick bite either. This has left experts puzzled about how the virus was transmitted.“We are still not absolutely sure how this infection happened, and the ministry of health is working with prefectural authorities to determine all the details,” said Daisuke Tsukamoto, a spokesman for the JVMA.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/do-you-also-use-period-tracking-apps-you-might-want-to-reconsider-1749634393196">Period tracking apps are major red flags, report warns</a>&nbsp;The National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) has issued an advisory for veterinarians. The 17-page report has asked them to remain alert to avoid tick bites, how to know which animals is infected and the dangers their fluids can pose, and how to dispose of their dead bodies.&nbsp;<h2>Symptoms of the SFTS virus</h2>&nbsp;According to the research institute affiliated with Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the virus manifests itself in the form of fever, loss of energy and appetite, vomiting, jaundice and a tic bite. The white blood cell and platelet count go down, while AST enzyme levels in the liver, heart, muscles and kidneys rise.&nbsp;The first time the disease was identified was in 2011. It cannot be treated, and the infected person dies of multiple organ failure. Later research showed that cases of the virus likely existed in 2006 also. In 2011, 571 SFTS cases and 59 deaths were reported in China.&nbsp;<h2>In which countries has SFTS been found?</h2>&nbsp;Forty cases of the virus were reported in Japan in 2013, the first time SFTS reached the country. This year, a total of 1,071 cases have been confirmed, and 117 people have lost their lives. Cases of the virus have also been recorded in South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, with the fatality rate varying between 12 per cent and more than 30 per cent.&nbsp;The NIID recommended in 2019 that SFTS should be classified as a new viral haemorrhagic fever, in the same group as Ebola and dengue. Deer and boars in Japan, but also by hedgehogs, cattle, goats and sheep, are the primary carriers of the virus in Japan. &nbsp;

A Japanese vet died after reportedly getting infected with a virus possibly from a cat he treated. There were no signs of a tick bite, which has astounded experts. 

A veterinarian in Japan died after contracting the thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, reportedly from a cat. This is the first case of a vet dying from the suspected animal-to-human transmission of the virus. The veterinarian association of the country has warned members to remain vigilant against the virus. They are shocked to know that the virus did not transmit to the vet in the typical way - through a tick bite. This has sent alarm bells ringing in Japan. An official of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA) confirmed to SCMP that the unnamed vet treated the cat at his clinic in Mie prefecture in May. He was hospitalised after developing symptoms and passed away soon after. Also Read: Cordyceps-like deadly fungus with high fatality rate threatens a hotter world None of the staff members or the cat's owner contracted the virus. An autopsy did not find any signs of a tick bite either. This has left experts puzzled about how the virus was transmitted. “We are still not absolutely sure how this infection happened, and the ministry of health is working with prefectural authorities to determine all the details,” said Daisuke Tsukamoto, a spokesman for the JVMA. Also Read: Period tracking apps are major red flags, report warns The National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) has issued an advisory for veterinarians. The 17-page report has asked them to remain alert to avoid tick bites, how to know which animals is infected and the dangers their fluids can pose, and how to dispose of their dead bodies. Symptoms of the SFTS virus According to the research institute affiliated with Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the virus manifests itself in the form of fever, loss of energy and appetite, vomiting, jaundice and a tic bite. The white blood cell and platelet count go down, while AST enzyme levels in the liver, heart, muscles and kidneys rise. The first time the disease was identified was in 2011. It cannot be treated, and the infected person dies of multiple organ failure. Later research showed that cases of the virus likely existed in 2006 also. In 2011, 571 SFTS cases and 59 deaths were reported in China. In which countries has SFTS been found? Forty cases of the virus were reported in Japan in 2013, the first time SFTS reached the country. This year, a total of 1,071 cases have been confirmed, and 117 people have lost their lives. Cases of the virus have also been recorded in South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, with the fatality rate varying between 12 per cent and more than 30 per cent. The NIID recommended in 2019 that SFTS should be classified as a new viral haemorrhagic fever, in the same group as Ebola and dengue. Deer and boars in Japan, but also by hedgehogs, cattle, goats and sheep, are the primary carriers of the virus in Japan.

A Japanese vet died after reportedly getting infected with a virus possibly from a cat he treated. There were no signs of a tick bite, which has astounded experts.&nbsp;

Incurable disease with high fatality rate kills Japanese vet who treated a cat

Israel's attacks on Iran and its counteroffensive have brought unprecedented global attention to the Islamic Republic and its regime. Many are wondering how the theocratic state became the arch rival of the Jewish nation, leading to the current flare-up of hostilities. The religious identity of Iran, as an Islamic Republic, is at the core of its political and strategic belligerence towards Israel. But did you know that Iran, once part of the vast Persian empire, was a much more secular, hybrid and tolerant nation? Let's dive into how Iran moved from a hybrid-secular nation to an Islamic country.<h2>Religious makeup of Iran</h2>Iran is a Muslim-majority nation, with nearly 99 per cent of the population self-identifying as Muslim. Out of this, nearly 95 per cent or around 85 per cent of the total population, is Shia Muslim. &nbsp;Shias, who number around 80 million out of the nearly 87.6 million total population, are the majority community. &nbsp;Shia Islam was established as the official state religion during the Safavid dynasty of 1501–1736. Sunni Muslims, while a prominent community in the rest of West Asia, are a minority in Iran, consisting of around &nbsp;5 to 10 per cent of the Muslim population, or up to 10 per cent of the total population, and is estimated to be around 9 million people (Note that these are only figures in a range, as there could be undercounting of several minority communities). Most Sunnis belong to ethnic minority groups like the Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs, Baloch, and some Persians, and live mainly in provinces like Kurdistan, Sistan-Baluchistan, and Hormozgan.&nbsp; Non-Muslim communities are less than 1 per cent of the population. They include Christians, &nbsp;Baha’is, Zoroastrians, Jews, Yarsanis, and Sabean-Mandaeans. &nbsp;Note that many of the minority communities were persecuted, exiled or undercounted. Iran once hosted one of the largest Jewish populations in the region, for instance, before many of them were forced out. In Iran's past, Zorastrians - or Parsis - &nbsp;were driven out by Muslim conquerers and went into exile to various countries, including India. Bahai's are another silenced community.<h2> Is Islam really a big part of Iranians' daily life? &nbsp;</h2>Given the population figures, the obvious answer is yes, but there are some shifts observed by recent surveys, like the one by GAMAAN in 2020.&nbsp; It found that only 40 per cent of respondents self-identified as Muslim (32 per cent Shia, 5 pc Sunni and 3 pc Sufi).&nbsp; There may be a bias in this study as the survey might have been done only among urban and literate respondents.<h2>Was Iran less ‘Islamic’ before 1979?</h2>The best way to describe Iran just before the Islamic Revolution of 1979 would be as hybrid-secular. Under the Pahlavi dynasty of 1925–1979, which ruled just before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, religion and state were partially separated.&nbsp;Reza Shah Pahlavi, who ruled from 1925–1941, led a modernisation drive in Iran, offering a limited amount of secularisation. The Shah cut down the Shia clergy's influence. He centralised state power and brought in legal codes influenced by the West. He brought in secular reforms like a ban on the hijab in 1936, and promoted Western dress. Under his rule, mosques and Islamic seminaries lost autonomy, with the state taking control of education and judicial systems. Mohammad Reza Shah, who ruled from 1941–1979, continued with these policies. The stress was on modernisation and Westernisation, with undercurrents of secularism.&nbsp; The Islamic clergy was marginalised, with new reforms like the 1963 White Revolution, which included land reforms and women’s suffrage.&nbsp; The state, not the clergy, was in charge of waqf, or Islamic religious endowments.&nbsp;Secular laws were introduced on many aspects of life, even as Shia Islam remained the official state religion as enshrined in the 1906 Constitution. Side note here: The secular policies were creating disenchantment in Islamic clerics and religious people. There was also criticism that the Shah dynasty was beholden to the Anglo-American powers and former colonialists. Another point to note is that Iran was not fully secular like Turkey at the time, as the Shahs had continued the state's links to Shia Islam. Much of the society was still very religious.&nbsp;The Islamic clergy continued to have influence in rural areas and among traditional people who opposed the Shahs. So at best, Iran under the Pahlavis can be described as a hybrid of monarchy with secular laws and reforms, with a society that was still largely followers of Shia Islam. Under the Shahs, the state looked back at Iran's pre-Islam past for inspiration and national identity, based on its Persian heritage, with events celebrating Cyrus the Great, even as it sidelined Islamic religious authorities. Such a secularism, brought by decree from the top, had its pitfalls. As mentioned earlier, the Islamists and conservative sections of the society were angry, and that resentment was a factor that led to the Islamic Revolution. &nbsp;<h2>What was Iran's religion before it became a nation?</h2>&nbsp;Remember that Iran, in its current form as a nation, is part of a vast Persian empire that once spanned almost half the globe.&nbsp; So one has to look at present-day Iran as an inheritor of millennia of evolution when it comes to religion.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Pre-Islam Iran was the land where religions came and went</h2>From around 1000 BCE to 651 CE, &nbsp;Zoroastrianism was the predominant religion of empires centred around present-day Iran. The Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian empires had a religion that stressed on good versus evil. Ahura Mazda was their supreme deity. Fire temples and priestly classes known as the Magi were central to religion. Under these empires, new religions and cults emerged, and old ones are thought to have coexisted with them. During Achaemenid Empire, other communities that lived in the Persian region included Jews, Christians, and those following Mithraism and Manichaeism. &nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>The Muslim conquest of 651 CE started the change in Iran's religious landscape</h2>Islam was introduced to the Iranian region through the Arab Muslim conquests. Over the subsequent centuries, most Iranians converted, mainly to Shia Islam.&nbsp;&nbsp;By the 10th century AD, Shia Islam became deeply rooted in Iran, particularly with the Buyid dynasty and Safavids. At this time, Zoroastrians were persecuted. They and other minorities like Jews and Christians lived as protected, yet second-class citizens, generally known as ‘dhimmis’. Safavid Dynasty of 1501–1736 enforced the conversion of the Sunni population and established a strong Shia clergy. This was the era that brought in Iran's current Shia national identity. The Qajar Dynasty of 1789–1925 continued the Shia dominance, with the clerics given vast powers over key aspects of life like law and education.<h2>The stranglehold of religion was eased with the Constitutional Revolution</h2>In the late 19th century, during and under the influence of British colonialists, Western ideas like nationalism and constitutionalism were introduced to Iran.&nbsp; This led to the 1906 Constitutional Revolution, and Iranian nationhood. The constitution, while keeping Shia Islam as the state religion, still allowed limited religious freedoms for minorities like Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians.&nbsp; A parliament was introduced, and the powers of the monarchy, by this time under attack by the Western colonial powers, had been weakened. &nbsp;<h2>Iran's transition from semi-secular to Islamist</h2>Resentment towards the Pahlavi Dynasty of 1925–1979, particularly about its promotion of a pre-Islamic identity for Iran, was the seed for the Islamic Revolution of 1978--79. The clergy, whose powers were cut short by the Shahs, wanted to gain back control. Socially, Shia Islam was still the dominant force, which meant that at the ground level, religious minorities faced discrimination despite the legal protections ensured in the constitution. The Islamic Revolution was in fact, prompted and led by a disgruntled group of clerics, conservatives and traditionalists. They saw in the Shah’s dynasty the influence of Western cultural imperialism, which was aimed at preserving the Anglo-American interests, mainly in the then recently-emerged oil wealth of Iran. While the Western powers continued to plunder Iran's wealth, the country's economy suffered under the Shahs. It is from this disgruntlement that figures like the Ruhollah Ayatollah Khomeini emerged.&nbsp; Khomeini, who was living in exile at the time, advocated for a nation governed under Islamic principles. That was the beginning of the &nbsp;Islamic Revolution of 1979.<h2>Post Islamic Revolution: How Iran went back to Shia Islam</h2>The Islamic Revolution was a reaction to both the Shah regime, and the Anglo-American petrodollar interests that kept it in power.&nbsp; At the time, a return to Islamic principles was seen as the best way for Iran to come out of the Western influence, with the accusation that Iran's economy was suffering at the hands of the British-US duo, particularly the oil. After the Islamic Revolution, Khomeini established a nation under the so-called Velayat-e Faqih or Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist. Once again, Shia Islam, already the dominant religion, became the preeminent force of the state, with a cleric, the Supreme Leader in the form of Khomeini, becoming the ultimate authority.<h2>Sharia law changed the face of Iran's religious life</h2>A new constitution, established in 1979 enshrined Shia Islam as the state religion. Sharia, or Islamic law became the governing force for legal, social, and political aspects of Iran.&nbsp; &nbsp;Under Sharia, the state strictly enforced Islamic codes on dress and behaviour. &nbsp;Shia rituals like Ashura became central to national identity, and the clergy dominated politics and education. Technically, the non-Shia Muslims such as the Sunnis, as well as Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians are recognised as minorities, but in reality, their rights are limited, while unrecognised groups like Baha’is face persecution. Currently, Iran remains a theocracy, with Shia Islam as the ideological backbone.&nbsp; The government funds religious institutions, and the clergy controls key sectors.&nbsp;<h2>Will Iran go back to being hybrid -secular?</h2>Dissent is actively curtailed in Iran, which has witnessed several movements against the theocratic state, all of which were forcibly suppressed. Many of these movements are secular and reformist in nature, but are concentrated in urban youth and intellectuals, while the rural folk still remain highly religious. There is a segment of society yearning for reform and more liberal attitudes towards religion and life, yet the state retains tight control over these matters.&nbsp; Sometimes, these tensions come to the fore, as seen in the 2022 anti-veil protest in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death in police custody.&nbsp;For the time being, those wanting reforms and the Islamist state are in a tense coexistence.&nbsp;

There is a segment of society yearning for reform and more liberal attitudes towards religion and life, yet the Shia Islam state retains tight control over these matters. 


Israel's attacks on Iran and its counteroffensive have brought unprecedented global attention to the Islamic Republic and its regime. Many are wondering how the theocratic state became the arch rival of the Jewish nation, leading to the current flare-up of hostilities. The religious identity of Iran, as an Islamic Republic, is at the core of its political and strategic belligerence towards Israel. But did you know that Iran, once part of the vast Persian empire, was a much more secular, hybrid and tolerant nation? Let's dive into how Iran moved from a hybrid-secular nation to an Islamic country. Religious makeup of Iran Iran is a Muslim-majority nation, with nearly 99 per cent of the population self-identifying as Muslim. Out of this, nearly 95 per cent or around 85 per cent of the total population, is Shia Muslim. Shias, who number around 80 million out of the nearly 87.6 million total population, are the majority community. Shia Islam was established as the official state religion during the Safavid dynasty of 1501–1736. Sunni Muslims, while a prominent community in the rest of West Asia, are a minority in Iran, consisting of around 5 to 10 per cent of the Muslim population, or up to 10 per cent of the total population, and is estimated to be around 9 million people (Note that these are only figures in a range, as there could be undercounting of several minority communities). Most Sunnis belong to ethnic minority groups like the Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs, Baloch, and some Persians, and live mainly in provinces like Kurdistan, Sistan-Baluchistan, and Hormozgan. Non-Muslim communities are less than 1 per cent of the population. They include Christians, Baha’is, Zoroastrians, Jews, Yarsanis, and Sabean-Mandaeans. Note that many of the minority communities were persecuted, exiled or undercounted. Iran once hosted one of the largest Jewish populations in the region, for instance, before many of them were forced out. In Iran's past, Zorastrians - or Parsis - were driven out by Muslim conquerers and went into exile to various countries, including India. Bahai's are another silenced community. Is Islam really a big part of Iranians' daily life? Given the population figures, the obvious answer is yes, but there are some shifts observed by recent surveys, like the one by GAMAAN in 2020. It found that only 40 per cent of respondents self-identified as Muslim (32 per cent Shia, 5 pc Sunni and 3 pc Sufi). There may be a bias in this study as the survey might have been done only among urban and literate respondents. Was Iran less ‘Islamic’ before 1979? The best way to describe Iran just before the Islamic Revolution of 1979 would be as hybrid-secular. Under the Pahlavi dynasty of 1925–1979, which ruled just before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, religion and state were partially separated. Reza Shah Pahlavi, who ruled from 1925–1941, led a modernisation drive in Iran, offering a limited amount of secularisation. The Shah cut down the Shia clergy's influence. He centralised state power and brought in legal codes influenced by the West. He brought in secular reforms like a ban on the hijab in 1936, and promoted Western dress. Under his rule, mosques and Islamic seminaries lost autonomy, with the state taking control of education and judicial systems. Mohammad Reza Shah, who ruled from 1941–1979, continued with these policies. The stress was on modernisation and Westernisation, with undercurrents of secularism. The Islamic clergy was marginalised, with new reforms like the 1963 White Revolution, which included land reforms and women’s suffrage. The state, not the clergy, was in charge of waqf, or Islamic religious endowments. Secular laws were introduced on many aspects of life, even as Shia Islam remained the official state religion as enshrined in the 1906 Constitution. Side note here: The secular policies were creating disenchantment in Islamic clerics and religious people. There was also criticism that the Shah dynasty was beholden to the Anglo-American powers and former colonialists. Another point to note is that Iran was not fully secular like Turkey at the time, as the Shahs had continued the state's links to Shia Islam. Much of the society was still very religious. The Islamic clergy continued to have influence in rural areas and among traditional people who opposed the Shahs. So at best, Iran under the Pahlavis can be described as a hybrid of monarchy with secular laws and reforms, with a society that was still largely followers of Shia Islam. Under the Shahs, the state looked back at Iran's pre-Islam past for inspiration and national identity, based on its Persian heritage, with events celebrating Cyrus the Great, even as it sidelined Islamic religious authorities. Such a secularism, brought by decree from the top, had its pitfalls. As mentioned earlier, the Islamists and conservative sections of the society were angry, and that resentment was a factor that led to the Islamic Revolution. What was Iran's religion before it became a nation? Remember that Iran, in its current form as a nation, is part of a vast Persian empire that once spanned almost half the globe. So one has to look at present-day Iran as an inheritor of millennia of evolution when it comes to religion. Pre-Islam Iran was the land where religions came and went From around 1000 BCE to 651 CE, Zoroastrianism was the predominant religion of empires centred around present-day Iran. The Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian empires had a religion that stressed on good versus evil. Ahura Mazda was their supreme deity. Fire temples and priestly classes known as the Magi were central to religion. Under these empires, new religions and cults emerged, and old ones are thought to have coexisted with them. During Achaemenid Empire, other communities that lived in the Persian region included Jews, Christians, and those following Mithraism and Manichaeism. The Muslim conquest of 651 CE started the change in Iran's religious landscape Islam was introduced to the Iranian region through the Arab Muslim conquests. Over the subsequent centuries, most Iranians converted, mainly to Shia Islam. By the 10th century AD, Shia Islam became deeply rooted in Iran, particularly with the Buyid dynasty and Safavids. At this time, Zoroastrians were persecuted. They and other minorities like Jews and Christians lived as protected, yet second-class citizens, generally known as ‘dhimmis’. Safavid Dynasty of 1501–1736 enforced the conversion of the Sunni population and established a strong Shia clergy. This was the era that brought in Iran's current Shia national identity. The Qajar Dynasty of 1789–1925 continued the Shia dominance, with the clerics given vast powers over key aspects of life like law and education. The stranglehold of religion was eased with the Constitutional Revolution In the late 19th century, during and under the influence of British colonialists, Western ideas like nationalism and constitutionalism were introduced to Iran. This led to the 1906 Constitutional Revolution, and Iranian nationhood. The constitution, while keeping Shia Islam as the state religion, still allowed limited religious freedoms for minorities like Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians. A parliament was introduced, and the powers of the monarchy, by this time under attack by the Western colonial powers, had been weakened. Iran's transition from semi-secular to Islamist Resentment towards the Pahlavi Dynasty of 1925–1979, particularly about its promotion of a pre-Islamic identity for Iran, was the seed for the Islamic Revolution of 1978--79. The clergy, whose powers were cut short by the Shahs, wanted to gain back control. Socially, Shia Islam was still the dominant force, which meant that at the ground level, religious minorities faced discrimination despite the legal protections ensured in the constitution. The Islamic Revolution was in fact, prompted and led by a disgruntled group of clerics, conservatives and traditionalists. They saw in the Shah’s dynasty the influence of Western cultural imperialism, which was aimed at preserving the Anglo-American interests, mainly in the then recently-emerged oil wealth of Iran. While the Western powers continued to plunder Iran's wealth, the country's economy suffered under the Shahs. It is from this disgruntlement that figures like the Ruhollah Ayatollah Khomeini emerged. Khomeini, who was living in exile at the time, advocated for a nation governed under Islamic principles. That was the beginning of the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Post Islamic Revolution: How Iran went back to Shia Islam The Islamic Revolution was a reaction to both the Shah regime, and the Anglo-American petrodollar interests that kept it in power. At the time, a return to Islamic principles was seen as the best way for Iran to come out of the Western influence, with the accusation that Iran's economy was suffering at the hands of the British-US duo, particularly the oil. After the Islamic Revolution, Khomeini established a nation under the so-called Velayat-e Faqih or Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist. Once again, Shia Islam, already the dominant religion, became the preeminent force of the state, with a cleric, the Supreme Leader in the form of Khomeini, becoming the ultimate authority. Sharia law changed the face of Iran's religious life A new constitution, established in 1979 enshrined Shia Islam as the state religion. Sharia, or Islamic law became the governing force for legal, social, and political aspects of Iran. Under Sharia, the state strictly enforced Islamic codes on dress and behaviour. Shia rituals like Ashura became central to national identity, and the clergy dominated politics and education. Technically, the non-Shia Muslims such as the Sunnis, as well as Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians are recognised as minorities, but in reality, their rights are limited, while unrecognised groups like Baha’is face persecution. Currently, Iran remains a theocracy, with Shia Islam as the ideological backbone. The government funds religious institutions, and the clergy controls key sectors. Will Iran go back to being hybrid -secular? Dissent is actively curtailed in Iran, which has witnessed several movements against the theocratic state, all of which were forcibly suppressed. Many of these movements are secular and reformist in nature, but are concentrated in urban youth and intellectuals, while the rural folk still remain highly religious. There is a segment of society yearning for reform and more liberal attitudes towards religion and life, yet the state retains tight control over these matters. Sometimes, these tensions come to the fore, as seen in the 2022 anti-veil protest in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death in police custody. For the time being, those wanting reforms and the Islamist state are in a tense coexistence.

Did you know that Iran, once part of the vast Persian empire, was a much more secular, hybrid and tolerant nation?&nbsp;

Muslim country Iran wasn't always ‘Islamic’: How it went from hybrid secular to theocratic state

NASA has spotted an object 2.1 billion kilometres from the Sun which defies all principles of how the universe works. Only a handful of such events have been recorded ever since humans started keeping track of the many occurrences in space. This object in question is a comet orbiting between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus that has left scientists baffled because of the way it is behaving despite being so far away from the Sun.&nbsp;Named C/2025 D1 (Gröller), it was discovered by Hannes Gröller, an astronomer at the University of Arizona, using the Catalina Sky Survey. It is a historic discovery because it is acting in the opposite way a comet ideally does. Comets are made of water ice and develop a tail only when they reach a certain distance from the Sun.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/-jumping-jupiter-evicted-a-gas-giant-from-the-solar-system-it-could-be-lurking-at-the-edge-as-planet-nine-1749795964293">One planet is missing from the solar system, blame 'Jumping Jupiter'</a>&nbsp;This is the point at which comets become active and the heat from the Sun starts to vapourise the water ice, leading to a visible tail and a coma. This occurrence happens when comets pass at a distance of between 3 and 5 AU. But Comet C/2025 D1 (Gröller), is nowhere near this point. The comet is zooming at a distance of 14.1 AU from the Sun, the farthest for any active comet. This is 14 times further than Earth is from the Sun. It also has extremely high temperatures, making it an absolute anomaly.&nbsp;<h2>Comet Gröller contains elements from ancient solar system</h2>&nbsp;Experts are puzzled by this comet. Some of them think that the comet might be composed of some different chemical compounds normally not seen in comets. Ingredients more volatile than water, such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, could be present in Comet Gröller.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/voyager-spacecraft-crossed-wall-of-fire-to-reach-interstellar-space-what-is-it-1749714537835">Voyager spacecraft crossed 'wall of fire' to reach interstellar space. What is it?</a>&nbsp;They could also contain extremely rare supervolatiles, materials that do not exist in any celestial body whose orbits bring them towards the inner solar system. Scientists think that this comet can offer clues about the early solar system, when the Sun was born 4.6 billion years ago. It could also explain how the universe shaped up after the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.&nbsp;Comet Gröller is not the first such comet seen in the solar system. Only five ultradistant comets have been identified to date acting in a similar fashion beyond 20 AU. These comets are dynamically new, roaming in orbits which never bring them closer to the Sun. Their distance means that they are potentially frozen and belong to the early days of the Solar System.

A comet, only one of five ever discovered, is defying the rules of space. It has a tail, with its water ice fizzling away despite being at a great distance from the Sun. 

NASA has spotted an object 2.1 billion kilometres from the Sun which defies all principles of how the universe works. Only a handful of such events have been recorded ever since humans started keeping track of the many occurrences in space. This object in question is a comet orbiting between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus that has left scientists baffled because of the way it is behaving despite being so far away from the Sun. Named C/2025 D1 (Gröller), it was discovered by Hannes Gröller, an astronomer at the University of Arizona, using the Catalina Sky Survey. It is a historic discovery because it is acting in the opposite way a comet ideally does. Comets are made of water ice and develop a tail only when they reach a certain distance from the Sun. Also Read: One planet is missing from the solar system, blame 'Jumping Jupiter' This is the point at which comets become active and the heat from the Sun starts to vapourise the water ice, leading to a visible tail and a coma. This occurrence happens when comets pass at a distance of between 3 and 5 AU. But Comet C/2025 D1 (Gröller), is nowhere near this point. The comet is zooming at a distance of 14.1 AU from the Sun, the farthest for any active comet. This is 14 times further than Earth is from the Sun. It also has extremely high temperatures, making it an absolute anomaly. Comet Gröller contains elements from ancient solar system Experts are puzzled by this comet. Some of them think that the comet might be composed of some different chemical compounds normally not seen in comets. Ingredients more volatile than water, such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, could be present in Comet Gröller. Also Read: Voyager spacecraft crossed 'wall of fire' to reach interstellar space. What is it? They could also contain extremely rare supervolatiles, materials that do not exist in any celestial body whose orbits bring them towards the inner solar system. Scientists think that this comet can offer clues about the early solar system, when the Sun was born 4.6 billion years ago. It could also explain how the universe shaped up after the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago. Comet Gröller is not the first such comet seen in the solar system. Only five ultradistant comets have been identified to date acting in a similar fashion beyond 20 AU. These comets are dynamically new, roaming in orbits which never bring them closer to the Sun. Their distance means that they are potentially frozen and belong to the early days of the Solar System.

A comet, only one of five ever discovered, is defying the rules of space. It has a tail, with its water ice fizzling away despite being at a great distance from the Sun.&nbsp;

Only 1 of 5: Comet discovered 2 billion kilometres from Sun is acting in a bizarre way

Sally Ride, the first American woman and the third woman to fly in space, kept a part of her life hidden for over 27 years, which was only revealed after she died. A new documentary on the space pioneer's life tells about her romantic partner, who remained a mystery. &nbsp;Tam O’Shaughnessy opens up about the relationship in Sally, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.O’Shaughnessy says that no one knew about their relationship for 27 years. After Ride died in 2012 of complications from pancreatic cancer at age 61, the world learned about her.She says their friends and family sort of knew about them. O’Shaughnessy told People that she was to hold "a public celebration of her life, and then a national tribute at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC."Ten days before Ride died, O’Shaughnessy asked Ride what she should come out as to the public? Ride asked her to "decide what you want to say, how open you want to be about our relationship."Sally Ride joined NASA in 1978 and went to space in 1983 at the age of 32.In the documentary, O’Shaughnessy and Ride's romantic moments have been recreated using the former's memory of their time together. Ride was a private person, and the couple didn't have many photos together. The two were childhood friends, and the relationship turned romantic in 1985. She hopes that people will finally get to see Ride for "who she really was."“We had a wonderful relationship from the time we were kids until we became lovers,” O'Shaughnessy says. “I think it's something to be proud of.”Sally director Cristina Costantini says O’Shaughnessy's participation "changed everything"."Tam was the closest and most intimate voice that we could get to Sally,” film’s producer, Lauren Cioffi, added.O'Shaughnessy says remembering Sally in the documentary led her to break down several times, especially when talking about the time Sally got sick. "I got teary-eyed, and it just got me all the way through to my heart and guts. And that was a little bit of a surprise."Sally will be available on Nat Geo from June 16 and stream on Disney+ beginning June 17. ,

American astronaut Sally Ride had a romantic partner the world didn't know about for 27 years. Her identity was only revealed after she died in 2012.

Sally Ride, the first American woman and the third woman to fly in space, kept a part of her life hidden for over 27 years, which was only revealed after she died. A new documentary on the space pioneer's life tells about her romantic partner, who remained a mystery. Tam O’Shaughnessy opens up about the relationship in Sally, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. O’Shaughnessy says that no one knew about their relationship for 27 years. After Ride died in 2012 of complications from pancreatic cancer at age 61, the world learned about her. She says their friends and family sort of knew about them. O’Shaughnessy told People that she was to hold "a public celebration of her life, and then a national tribute at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC." Ten days before Ride died, O’Shaughnessy asked Ride what she should come out as to the public? Ride asked her to "decide what you want to say, how open you want to be about our relationship." Sally Ride joined NASA in 1978 and went to space in 1983 at the age of 32. In the documentary, O’Shaughnessy and Ride's romantic moments have been recreated using the former's memory of their time together. Ride was a private person, and the couple didn't have many photos together. The two were childhood friends, and the relationship turned romantic in 1985. She hopes that people will finally get to see Ride for "who she really was." “We had a wonderful relationship from the time we were kids until we became lovers,” O'Shaughnessy says. “I think it's something to be proud of.” Sally director Cristina Costantini says O’Shaughnessy's participation "changed everything". "Tam was the closest and most intimate voice that we could get to Sally,” film’s producer, Lauren Cioffi, added. O'Shaughnessy says remembering Sally in the documentary led her to break down several times, especially when talking about the time Sally got sick. "I got teary-eyed, and it just got me all the way through to my heart and guts. And that was a little bit of a surprise." Sally will be available on Nat Geo from June 16 and stream on Disney+ beginning June 17. ,

American astronaut Sally Ride had a romantic partner the world didn't know about for 27 years. Her identity was only revealed after she died in 2012.

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