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<p>A first-edition copy of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," discovered in a Scottish bookstore's discount bin in the late 1990s, recently sold for an impressive $69,000 at auction. The hardback is among the 200 early editions distributed to bookstores before its widespread 1997 release, making it a coveted literary treasure.</p>

<p>The 58-year-old Scottish woman, who stumbled upon this literary gem while touring the Scottish Highlands with her family, shared her serendipitous story.</p>

<p>Purchasing the book before the Harry Potter phenomenon took hold, she recognised its cover and title after reading an early interview with then-unknown author J.K. Rowling in The Scotsman newspaper, as reported by the New York Post.</p>

<p>Placed in a wicker 'bargain bucket,' the book lacked a dust jacket, allowing her to negotiate a lower price. Unaware of its potential value, her children later researched online, suspecting it might be a first edition due to the missing dust jacket.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/the-harry-potter-tv-series-just-what-die-hard-fans-have-waited-for-with-bated-breath-602533">Also read |&nbsp;Harry Potter TV Series: Just what die-hard fans have waited for with bated breath</a></p>

<h2><strong>Hidden in plain sight</strong></h2>

<p>The book spent years in storage, overlooked and placed in an inconspicuous cupboard under the stairs—a whimsical parallel to Harry Potter's humble accommodations at the Dursleys' home in the novel.</p>

<p>Upon learning that the first print run editions didn't include a dust jacket, the owner decided to authenticate her copy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Sotheby's to auction rare Baghdadi astrolabe</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sothebys-to-auction-rare-baghdadi-astrolabe-650333/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Despite being one of the best-selling books globally, this first edition's remarkable preservation adds to its allure for collectors.</p>

<p>The novel, retitled "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" for US audiences, achieved monumental success, selling over 120 million copies and securing its place among the best-selling books of all time.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A first-edition copy of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," discovered in a Scottish bookstore's discount bin in the late 1990s, recently sold for an impressive $69,000 at auction.

A first-edition copy of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," discovered in a Scottish bookstore's discount bin in the late 1990s, recently sold for an impressive $69,000 at auction. The hardback is among the 200 early editions distributed to bookstores before its widespread 1997 release, making it a coveted literary treasure. The 58-year-old Scottish woman, who stumbled upon this literary gem while touring the Scottish Highlands with her family, shared her serendipitous story. Purchasing the book before the Harry Potter phenomenon took hold, she recognised its cover and title after reading an early interview with then-unknown author J.K. Rowling in The Scotsman newspaper, as reported by the New York Post. Placed in a wicker 'bargain bucket,' the book lacked a dust jacket, allowing her to negotiate a lower price. Unaware of its potential value, her children later researched online, suspecting it might be a first edition due to the missing dust jacket. Also read | Harry Potter TV Series: Just what die-hard fans have waited for with bated breath Hidden in plain sight The book spent years in storage, overlooked and placed in an inconspicuous cupboard under the stairs—a whimsical parallel to Harry Potter's humble accommodations at the Dursleys' home in the novel. Upon learning that the first print run editions didn't include a dust jacket, the owner decided to authenticate her copy. Also watch | Sotheby's to auction rare Baghdadi astrolabe Despite being one of the best-selling books globally, this first edition's remarkable preservation adds to its allure for collectors. The novel, retitled "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" for US audiences, achieved monumental success, selling over 120 million copies and securing its place among the best-selling books of all time. (With inputs from agencies)

Harry Potter's rare first edition found in discount bin sells for $69,000 at auction

<p>One of the first pieces of advice the doctors give patients before entering an MRI (magnetic resonance imagining) machine is to&nbsp;get rid of anything metal/ferrous on them. A patient in the US,&nbsp;however, did not pay heed to the advice and faced immediate repercussions. The 57-year-old woman patient in the midwestern state of Wisconsin received superficial wounds to her right buttock when she carried a concealed firearm&nbsp;inside the powerful magnetism of the MRI device.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A detailed report by the&nbsp;US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the incident took place earlier this year. As soon as the woman was glided into the MRI machine, the magnets activated the metal trigger of the handgun and the firearm was discharged.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It was reported that a patient was brought into the magnet room with a concealed ferrous handgun. In the process of entering the bore, the handgun was attracted to the magnet and fired a single round. The patient received a gunshot wound in the right buttock area," the FDA's record read.</p>

<p>After the gun discharge, the machine was stopped and a physician tended to the woman. The report by the physician described the "entry and exit holes as very small and superficial, only penetrating subcutaneous tissue".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Later, as per protocol, the woman was shifted to a hospital where she informed she was okay and healing well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The FDA in its&nbsp;assessment said&nbsp;prior to the exam, the patient had undergone a standard screening procedure for ferrous objects, which includes weapons specifically. However, she answered no to all screening questions.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-unintentional-shootings-in-mri-rooms-a-reflection-of-us-gun-culture-667371"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Unintentional Shootings in MRI Rooms: A Reflection of US Gun Culture?</strong></a></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Brazilian man dies</strong></h2>

<p>While the Wisconsin woman was lucky to come out alive, a man in Brazil did not have the same luck. In January, earlier this year, a man in Brazil died after forgetting to put his gun away which got similarly triggered inside the MRI machine.</p>

<p>Leandro Mathias de Novaes (40), the deceased, was a lawyer and vocal supporter of gun rights. He had taken his mother to Laboratorio Cura in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a checkup. Despite the hospital authorities instructing both to leave ferrous objects outside, Leandro, unbeknownst to anyone, went with the gun inside the MRI room.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/mri-machine-triggers-handgun-man-dies-in-freak-accident-562376"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;MRI machine triggers handgun, man dies in freak accident</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The gun which the Novaes was carrying under his clothes, went off, injuring him in the abdomen. He was rushed to Sao Luiz Morumbi Hospital where he passed away a few weeks later.</p>

<p>An MRI machine generates a magnetic field in order to image internal organs accurately. This magnetic field is strong enough to pull objects towards it or at least cause a magnetic effect on them.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


One of the first pieces of advice the doctors give patients before entering an MRI (magnetic resonance imagining) machine is to get rid of anything metal/ferrous on them.

One of the first pieces of advice the doctors give patients before entering an MRI (magnetic resonance imagining) machine is to get rid of anything metal/ferrous on them. A patient in the US, however, did not pay heed to the advice and faced immediate repercussions. The 57-year-old woman patient in the midwestern state of Wisconsin received superficial wounds to her right buttock when she carried a concealed firearm inside the powerful magnetism of the MRI device. A detailed report by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the incident took place earlier this year. As soon as the woman was glided into the MRI machine, the magnets activated the metal trigger of the handgun and the firearm was discharged. "It was reported that a patient was brought into the magnet room with a concealed ferrous handgun. In the process of entering the bore, the handgun was attracted to the magnet and fired a single round. The patient received a gunshot wound in the right buttock area," the FDA's record read. After the gun discharge, the machine was stopped and a physician tended to the woman. The report by the physician described the "entry and exit holes as very small and superficial, only penetrating subcutaneous tissue". Later, as per protocol, the woman was shifted to a hospital where she informed she was okay and healing well. The FDA in its assessment said prior to the exam, the patient had undergone a standard screening procedure for ferrous objects, which includes weapons specifically. However, she answered no to all screening questions. Watch | Gravitas: Unintentional Shootings in MRI Rooms: A Reflection of US Gun Culture? × Brazilian man dies While the Wisconsin woman was lucky to come out alive, a man in Brazil did not have the same luck. In January, earlier this year, a man in Brazil died after forgetting to put his gun away which got similarly triggered inside the MRI machine. Leandro Mathias de Novaes (40), the deceased, was a lawyer and vocal supporter of gun rights. He had taken his mother to Laboratorio Cura in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a checkup. Despite the hospital authorities instructing both to leave ferrous objects outside, Leandro, unbeknownst to anyone, went with the gun inside the MRI room. Also read | MRI machine triggers handgun, man dies in freak accident The gun which the Novaes was carrying under his clothes, went off, injuring him in the abdomen. He was rushed to Sao Luiz Morumbi Hospital where he passed away a few weeks later. An MRI machine generates a magnetic field in order to image internal organs accurately. This magnetic field is strong enough to pull objects towards it or at least cause a magnetic effect on them. (With inputs from agencies)

Woman goes inside MRI machine with loaded gun, gets shot in her buttock

<p>Questions arose when a $800,000&nbsp;diamond ring disappeared from the Ritz hotel in Paris, sparking speculation about a targeted theft, an act of negligence, or an opportunistic swipe. Two days later, the hotel provided an unexpected answer to the mystery.</p>

<p>Contrary to various online theories, the Ritz hotel said that its security team had located the missing ring in the bag of a vacuum cleaner. While this explanation raised eyebrows, the hotel insisted that its client, a Malaysian businesswoman, was pleased with the outcome.</p>

<h2><b>How did the ring end up in the vacuum cleaner?</b></h2>

<p>The Malaysian guest reported leaving the ring on a table while she went window shopping, only to discover it missing upon her return.</p>

<p>The hotel initially explored all leads, and police were involved, with prosecutors prepared to handle the case if it pointed to a high-profile burglary. The potential loss was described as "colossal."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/want-to-escape-doomsday-a-us-company-is-selling-affordable-55k-bunkers-to-survive-end-of-times-668544">Also read |&nbsp;Want to escape doomsday? A US company is selling affordable $55k bunkers to survive end of times</a></p>

<h2><strong>Ritz hotel's troubled history</strong></h2>

<p>This incident was not the first time the famed Ritz hotel faced security challenges. In 2018, a member of the Saudi royal family reported the theft of approximately $8,60,252 worth of jewellery from her suite. Additionally, five armed men had previously made off with jewels exceeding $4.3 million from display windows within the hotel.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Tintin comic latest edition addresses racism controversy?</strong></p>

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<p>Expressing appreciation for the hotel staff's efforts, the Ritz thanked those involved in the search. However, reports suggested that doubts persisted about the exact circumstances of the ring's discovery.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Questions arose when a $800,000 diamond ring disappeared from the Ritz hotel in Paris, sparking speculation about a targeted theft, an act of negligence, or an opportunistic swipe.

Questions arose when a $800,000 diamond ring disappeared from the Ritz hotel in Paris, sparking speculation about a targeted theft, an act of negligence, or an opportunistic swipe. Two days later, the hotel provided an unexpected answer to the mystery. Contrary to various online theories, the Ritz hotel said that its security team had located the missing ring in the bag of a vacuum cleaner. While this explanation raised eyebrows, the hotel insisted that its client, a Malaysian businesswoman, was pleased with the outcome. How did the ring end up in the vacuum cleaner? The Malaysian guest reported leaving the ring on a table while she went window shopping, only to discover it missing upon her return. The hotel initially explored all leads, and police were involved, with prosecutors prepared to handle the case if it pointed to a high-profile burglary. The potential loss was described as "colossal." Also read | Want to escape doomsday? A US company is selling affordable $55k bunkers to survive end of times Ritz hotel's troubled history This incident was not the first time the famed Ritz hotel faced security challenges. In 2018, a member of the Saudi royal family reported the theft of approximately $8,60,252 worth of jewellery from her suite. Additionally, five armed men had previously made off with jewels exceeding $4.3 million from display windows within the hotel. Also watch | Tintin comic latest edition addresses racism controversy? Expressing appreciation for the hotel staff's efforts, the Ritz thanked those involved in the search. However, reports suggested that doubts persisted about the exact circumstances of the ring's discovery. (With inputs from agencies)

Lost from a table, Paris hotel finds customer's missing diamond ring worth $800k in vacuum cleaner bag

<p>A bizarre incident took place at a beach in Hakodate, on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, which quickly triggered conspiracy theories linked with the country's Fukushima nuclear power plant, that hit headlines after the treated water from it was discharged into the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thousands of tonnes of dead fish, including sardines and mackerel, washed ashore on Thursday (Dec 7) morning. The incident covered a stretch of beach nearly half a mile long, leaving both locals and officials confused.</p>

<p>As residents began collecting and even selling the stranded fish, authorities swiftly issued a warning urging people to refrain from consuming them due to unknown health risks.</p>

<p>Experts are scrambling to determine the cause behind this unusual phenomenon.</p>

<p>While the exact reason remains unknown, speculation has arisen, with some pointing fingers at the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Massive number of dead fish washing up along the coast of northern Japan <a href="https://t.co/xeCn4yv5xB">pic.twitter.com/xeCn4yv5xB</a></p>
— DeepCoverPatriot☦️ (@samuelculper3rd) <a href="https://twitter.com/samuelculper3rd/status/1732832507471499626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>This follows Japan's controversial decision to release a second batch of wastewater from the Fukushima facility in October. This move drew criticism, especially from China.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/enormous-pliosaur-sea-monster-skull-with-razor-sharp-teeth-found-on-uks-jurassic-coast-668290">Enormous Pliosaur 'sea monster' skull with razor-sharp teeth found on UK's Jurassic Coast</a></p>

<h2><strong>Possible causes</strong></h2>

<p>Takashi Fujioka, a researcher at the Hakodate Fisheries Research Institute, shared insights into the peculiar incident, stating, "One possible cause is that the school of fish was chased by a larger fish, became exhausted, and was washed up by the waves. Another possible cause is that the school of fish entered cold waters during their migration and were then washed ashore. But details are uncertain."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/surgery-without-cutting-skin-researchers-develop-3d-printer-that-uses-ultrasound-668244">Surgery without being cut open? Researchers develop 3D printer that uses ultrasound</a></p>

<p>Fujioka, cautioning against consuming the stranded fish, said, "We don't know for sure under what circumstances these fish were washed up, so I do not recommend eating them."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/doha-forum-qatar-pm-gaza-war-puts-an-entire-generation-at-the-risk-of-radicalisation-668303">Doha Forum | Qatar PM: Gaza war puts an entire generation at the risk of radicalisation</a></strong></p>

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<p>The scene at the beach drew the attention of officials who were seen inspecting the site and working to collect the fish, adding an air of urgency to unravel the mystery behind this massive fish stranding.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A bizarre incident took place at a beach in Hakodate, on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, which quickly triggered conspiracy theories linked with the country's Fukushima nuclear power plant, that hit headlines after the treated water from it was discharged into the Pacific Ocean.

A bizarre incident took place at a beach in Hakodate, on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, which quickly triggered conspiracy theories linked with the country's Fukushima nuclear power plant, that hit headlines after the treated water from it was discharged into the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of tonnes of dead fish, including sardines and mackerel, washed ashore on Thursday (Dec 7) morning. The incident covered a stretch of beach nearly half a mile long, leaving both locals and officials confused. As residents began collecting and even selling the stranded fish, authorities swiftly issued a warning urging people to refrain from consuming them due to unknown health risks. Experts are scrambling to determine the cause behind this unusual phenomenon. While the exact reason remains unknown, speculation has arisen, with some pointing fingers at the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Massive number of dead fish washing up along the coast of northern Japan pic.twitter.com/xeCn4yv5xB — DeepCoverPatriot☦️ (@samuelculper3rd) December 7, 2023 × This follows Japan's controversial decision to release a second batch of wastewater from the Fukushima facility in October. This move drew criticism, especially from China. Also Read | Enormous Pliosaur 'sea monster' skull with razor-sharp teeth found on UK's Jurassic Coast Possible causes Takashi Fujioka, a researcher at the Hakodate Fisheries Research Institute, shared insights into the peculiar incident, stating, "One possible cause is that the school of fish was chased by a larger fish, became exhausted, and was washed up by the waves. Another possible cause is that the school of fish entered cold waters during their migration and were then washed ashore. But details are uncertain." Also Read | Surgery without being cut open? Researchers develop 3D printer that uses ultrasound Fujioka, cautioning against consuming the stranded fish, said, "We don't know for sure under what circumstances these fish were washed up, so I do not recommend eating them." Watch | Doha Forum | Qatar PM: Gaza war puts an entire generation at the risk of radicalisation × The scene at the beach drew the attention of officials who were seen inspecting the site and working to collect the fish, adding an air of urgency to unravel the mystery behind this massive fish stranding. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | Fukushima conspiracy revived after thousands of dead fish mysteriously appear in Japan

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<p>A coffee shop in the US state of California has fired three of its employees after a viral video showed them blocking a Jewish woman from using the bathroom while hurling anti-Israel comments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amy and Chris Hillyard, the owners of Farley’s East in Oakland took to social media to announce the sacking saying the action of the employees was unacceptable.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We do not tolerate any behaviour at Farley’s that makes people feel unwelcome or unsafe. Because this act was not aligned with our values, the employees involved in the incident are no longer employed by Farley’s,” the message read.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Events like these strike fear in the Jewish community and perpetuate the rise of anti-Semitism in our community and around the world.”</p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hamas-war-british-team-helping-palestinian-authority-prepare-for-governance-667592"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: British team helping Palestinian authority prepare for governance</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>What did the employees do?</strong></h2>

<p>In the video, recorded by the Jewish customer, the three employees could be seen blocking the women from using the restroom. The customer had reportedly gone into the bathroom previously and noticed antisemitic graffiti scribbled on the mirror (Zionism = fascism) and the diaper-changing station (Your neutrality/apathy is enabling genocide).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The customer wanted to return and record the graffiti but the employees stood in her way. One of the people in the video told the lady that the cafe was a "private property" and that she needed to leave.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another employee said, while gesturing his hand toward the door: “I know Israel loves taking private property and saying it’s their own, but we got to head [out]."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-dance-again-freed-hamas-hostage-mia-schem-strikes-defiance-with-new-tattoo-668602"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;'We will dance again': Freed Hamas hostage Mia Schem strikes defiance with new tattoo</strong></a></p>

<p>At this point, a woman who works at a neighbouring business offers her the use of its bathroom.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I should not be excluded when other people are allowed,” she tells the employee from the neighbouring business.</p>

<p>As the argument progresses, one of the employees says: “All you’re going to get is a video of us saying that ‘Zionism is antisemitism’ because it is."</p>

<p>To which, the customer responds: “If you agree with [the graffiti], why are you afraid that I take a picture of it?”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Afterwards, the employees allow the woman to enter the restroom to record the graffiti and later give her a sendoff by saying: “Free Palestine. Now please go. It’s always … great, we LOVE it.”</p>

<p>The video gained more than 2.6 million views when it was posted on Tuesday.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A coffee shop in the US state of California has fired three of its employees after a viral video showed them blocking a Jewish woman from using the bathroom while hurling anti-Israel comments.

A coffee shop in the US state of California has fired three of its employees after a viral video showed them blocking a Jewish woman from using the bathroom while hurling anti-Israel comments. Amy and Chris Hillyard, the owners of Farley’s East in Oakland took to social media to announce the sacking saying the action of the employees was unacceptable. “We do not tolerate any behaviour at Farley’s that makes people feel unwelcome or unsafe. Because this act was not aligned with our values, the employees involved in the incident are no longer employed by Farley’s,” the message read. “Events like these strike fear in the Jewish community and perpetuate the rise of anti-Semitism in our community and around the world.” × Watch | Israel-Hamas war: British team helping Palestinian authority prepare for governance What did the employees do? In the video, recorded by the Jewish customer, the three employees could be seen blocking the women from using the restroom. The customer had reportedly gone into the bathroom previously and noticed antisemitic graffiti scribbled on the mirror (Zionism = fascism) and the diaper-changing station (Your neutrality/apathy is enabling genocide). The customer wanted to return and record the graffiti but the employees stood in her way. One of the people in the video told the lady that the cafe was a "private property" and that she needed to leave. Another employee said, while gesturing his hand toward the door: “I know Israel loves taking private property and saying it’s their own, but we got to head [out]." Also read | 'We will dance again': Freed Hamas hostage Mia Schem strikes defiance with new tattoo At this point, a woman who works at a neighbouring business offers her the use of its bathroom. “I should not be excluded when other people are allowed,” she tells the employee from the neighbouring business. As the argument progresses, one of the employees says: “All you’re going to get is a video of us saying that ‘Zionism is antisemitism’ because it is." To which, the customer responds: “If you agree with [the graffiti], why are you afraid that I take a picture of it?” Afterwards, the employees allow the woman to enter the restroom to record the graffiti and later give her a sendoff by saying: “Free Palestine. Now please go. It’s always … great, we LOVE it.” The video gained more than 2.6 million views when it was posted on Tuesday. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Coffee shop fires three antisemitic staffers for blocking Jewish customer from using washroom

<p>Fashion label Zara has stirred up the hornet’s nest with its latest advertisement campaign which many netizens think is insensitive in the backdrop of&nbsp;the current political climate and makes light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.</p>

<p>With grotesque images surfacing on the internet of children in Gaza dying because of the constant bombardment of residential areas by Israeli missiles and heavy machines, Zara’s latest ad campaign titled “The Jacket” appeared to some as mocking the deaths. There has been a public outcry since photos from the campaign shoot were published on the brand’s Instagram page.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is the controversial Zara brand advert all about?</strong></h2>

<p>In some photos, models are seen wearing outfits from Zara’s latest campaign while there is chaos in the background, structures torn apart, rubble, and statues with missing limbs.</p>

<p>One photo in particular that has caused furor shows a model carrying what looks like a body wrapped in white cloth, similar to how Muslims around the world bury their dead.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ZARA ATELIER. Collection 04_The Jacket<br />
A limited edition collection from the house celebrating our commitment to craftsmanship and passion for artistic expression. <a href="https://t.co/EiUO0avB4w">https://t.co/EiUO0avB4w</a> <a href="https://t.co/nK15aTYNdJ">pic.twitter.com/nK15aTYNdJ</a></p>
— ZARA (@ZARA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZARA/status/1733033751947747409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Palestinian artist Hazem Harb expressed his dismay on Instagram, stating, “Using death and destruction as a backdrop for fashion is beyond sinister, its complicity [...] should outrage us as consumers. Boycott Zara.”</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-priyanka-chopra-calls-for-humanitarian-ceasefire-for-children-in-gaza-668351">Priyanka Chopra calls for 'humanitarian ceasefire for children' in Gaza</a></p>

<h2><strong>Check out some reactions here:</strong></h2>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ban Zara … make them pay for this <a href="https://t.co/orh17hrbJf">https://t.co/orh17hrbJf</a></p>
— Ateeb Ahmad (@ateebahmad81) <a href="https://twitter.com/ateebahmad81/status/1733968536593113114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All Muslim countries should ban Zara brand in their country and give economic defeat to the enemy<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoycottZara?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoycottZara</a> <a href="https://t.co/uAEmnw3cbm">pic.twitter.com/uAEmnw3cbm</a></p>
— Sadia Batool (@painhub512) <a href="https://twitter.com/painhub512/status/1733883421598887951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Several netizens are finding comparisons in the pictures to the destruction in Gaza.</p>

<p>The fashion brand meanwhile asserts the campaign is a deliberate design choice aimed at highlighting the versatility of the garment.</p>

<p>Post the backlash, Zara has pulled down the controversial images.</p>

<p>However, the company hasn’t issued any statement in this regard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Zara is one of the wealthiest clothing retailers in the world, and its founder, Amancio Ortega, ranks as the 14th wealthiest individual globally.&nbsp;</p>


Fashion label Zara has stirred up the hornet’s nest with its latest advertisement campaign which many netizens think is insensitive in the backdrop of the current political climate and makes light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Fashion label Zara has stirred up the hornet’s nest with its latest advertisement campaign which many netizens think is insensitive in the backdrop of the current political climate and makes light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. With grotesque images surfacing on the internet of children in Gaza dying because of the constant bombardment of residential areas by Israeli missiles and heavy machines, Zara’s latest ad campaign titled “The Jacket” appeared to some as mocking the deaths. There has been a public outcry since photos from the campaign shoot were published on the brand’s Instagram page. What is the controversial Zara brand advert all about? In some photos, models are seen wearing outfits from Zara’s latest campaign while there is chaos in the background, structures torn apart, rubble, and statues with missing limbs. One photo in particular that has caused furor shows a model carrying what looks like a body wrapped in white cloth, similar to how Muslims around the world bury their dead. ZARA ATELIER. Collection 04_The Jacket A limited edition collection from the house celebrating our commitment to craftsmanship and passion for artistic expression. https://t.co/EiUO0avB4w pic.twitter.com/nK15aTYNdJ — ZARA (@ZARA) December 8, 2023 × Palestinian artist Hazem Harb expressed his dismay on Instagram, stating, “Using death and destruction as a backdrop for fashion is beyond sinister, its complicity [...] should outrage us as consumers. Boycott Zara.” Also read: Priyanka Chopra calls for 'humanitarian ceasefire for children' in Gaza Check out some reactions here: Ban Zara … make them pay for this https://t.co/orh17hrbJf — Ateeb Ahmad (@ateebahmad81) December 10, 2023 × All Muslim countries should ban Zara brand in their country and give economic defeat to the enemy#BoycottZara pic.twitter.com/uAEmnw3cbm — Sadia Batool (@painhub512) December 10, 2023 × Several netizens are finding comparisons in the pictures to the destruction in Gaza. The fashion brand meanwhile asserts the campaign is a deliberate design choice aimed at highlighting the versatility of the garment. Post the backlash, Zara has pulled down the controversial images. However, the company hasn’t issued any statement in this regard. Zara is one of the wealthiest clothing retailers in the world, and its founder, Amancio Ortega, ranks as the 14th wealthiest individual globally.

Here's why netizens are calling for ban on fashion label Zara amid Israel-Hamas war

<p>McDonald’s UK has condemned the “disgusting behaviour” of one of its alleged employees after he covered the blanket and other belongings of a homeless man in bleach with a mop.</p>

<p>A video of the incident was shared on social media Saturday night (Dec 9). The clip, reportedly recorded on Victoria Street in London, shows a security guard manhandling a homeless man outside a Nationwide bank branch, next to McDonald’s.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">McDonald’s Security Staff throw cold water over Homeless man’s bedding at London’s Victoria station.<br />
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After the video of the incident went viral, McDonald’s announced they had fired the security guards involved.<br />
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<a href="https://t.co/ypVpWOQLwe">pic.twitter.com/ypVpWOQLwe</a></p>
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/OliLondonTV/status/1733925123218878924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The victim, 25, has been identified as Aaron McCarthy from Limerick, Ireland.</p>

<h2><strong>McDonald issues apology</strong></h2>

<p>McDonald’s said in a statement posted on X: “The third-party security guards involved have been permanently removed from our restaurants and the restaurant team has been reminded of the importance of treating all people with respect, including vulnerable people both in the restaurant and within the wider community.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Dimentia patients living in the dark | 40% people with dimentia in UK don't even know they have it</strong></p>

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<p>“We would like to wholeheartedly apologise to the gentleman in the video and will work with the council to locate him and make amends as part of our ongoing work to support homelessness charities in &amp; around the area.”</p>

<p>It added it was “shocked and saddened” by the footage.</p>

<h2><strong>Details about the incident</strong></h2>

<p>According to media reports, McCarthy was sitting outside the Nationwide branch when one of the McDonald’s guards asked him to move away. McCarthy reportedly refused to comply, which prompted the aggressive behaviour of the guards.</p>

<p>“I told them I was outside the bank, not McDonald’s and so I had nothing to do with them but then one of them came out with a bucket of water with bleach in it, I could smell it,” McCarthy was quoted as saying by local media.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-sunaks-political-enemies-allegedly-plotting-the-end-of-his-career-in-london-restaurant-report-668134"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;UK PM Sunak`s political enemies were allegedly plotting end of his career in London restaurant: Report</strong></a></p>

<p>“The guy started mopping the floor and kicking my stuff into the water. It was disgusting. I had to leave because it was so stressful, and I hardly slept the entire night because my bedding was all soaked. You can still smell the bleach on my blanket,” he added.</p>

<p>The incident also triggered an outcry from onlookers, with some of them also recording it on their mobile phones.</p>

<p>One man can be heard saying: “That’s wrong, you know that, you’re covering his sleeping bag, what are you doing? You’ve covered his sleeping bag in water and it’s winter. That is outrageous.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


McDonald’s UK has condemned the “disgusting behaviour” of one of its alleged employees after he covered the blanket and other belongings of a homeless man in bleach with a mop.

McDonald’s UK has condemned the “disgusting behaviour” of one of its alleged employees after he covered the blanket and other belongings of a homeless man in bleach with a mop. A video of the incident was shared on social media Saturday night (Dec 9). The clip, reportedly recorded on Victoria Street in London, shows a security guard manhandling a homeless man outside a Nationwide bank branch, next to McDonald’s. McDonald’s Security Staff throw cold water over Homeless man’s bedding at London’s Victoria station. After the video of the incident went viral, McDonald’s announced they had fired the security guards involved. pic.twitter.com/ypVpWOQLwe — Oli London (@OliLondonTV) December 10, 2023 × The victim, 25, has been identified as Aaron McCarthy from Limerick, Ireland. McDonald issues apology McDonald’s said in a statement posted on X: “The third-party security guards involved have been permanently removed from our restaurants and the restaurant team has been reminded of the importance of treating all people with respect, including vulnerable people both in the restaurant and within the wider community. Watch: Dimentia patients living in the dark | 40% people with dimentia in UK don't even know they have it × “We would like to wholeheartedly apologise to the gentleman in the video and will work with the council to locate him and make amends as part of our ongoing work to support homelessness charities in & around the area.” It added it was “shocked and saddened” by the footage. Details about the incident According to media reports, McCarthy was sitting outside the Nationwide branch when one of the McDonald’s guards asked him to move away. McCarthy reportedly refused to comply, which prompted the aggressive behaviour of the guards. “I told them I was outside the bank, not McDonald’s and so I had nothing to do with them but then one of them came out with a bucket of water with bleach in it, I could smell it,” McCarthy was quoted as saying by local media. Also read: UK PM Sunak`s political enemies were allegedly plotting end of his career in London restaurant: Report “The guy started mopping the floor and kicking my stuff into the water. It was disgusting. I had to leave because it was so stressful, and I hardly slept the entire night because my bedding was all soaked. You can still smell the bleach on my blanket,” he added. The incident also triggered an outcry from onlookers, with some of them also recording it on their mobile phones. One man can be heard saying: “That’s wrong, you know that, you’re covering his sleeping bag, what are you doing? You’ve covered his sleeping bag in water and it’s winter. That is outrageous.” (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: McDonald’s UK apologises after guard soaks blanket of homeless man in bleach

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<p>Archaeologists in Italy discovered a bakery prison in Pompeii which enslaved workers who were exploited to make bread. According to a report by the news agency Reuters on Friday (Dec 8), the bakery was discovered during excavations at the ruins of Pompeii.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, Italy's culture ministry said the finding emerged in Region IX, Insula 10, where excavations were underway as part of a larger project to secure and consolidate the slopes that form the edge of the unexcavated areas of the city.</p>

<h2><strong>A bakery with no view of the outside world</strong></h2>

<p>In a small room, with no view of the outside world and with small windows high in the wall with iron bars to let the light in, slaves and donkeys were forced to walk around for hours to grind grain to make bread.</p>

<p>Speaking to Reuters, Pompeii Archaeological Park's Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel said, "We are in the house's bakery and behind me, there is the big oven. The stable was right here, the donkeys used to live between these two spaces and, as you can see, there are a lot of mills."</p>

<p>"The paving stones were also a bit slippery, so here we have something that exists in other parts of the city but is particularly clear here, which helped us understand this phenomenon. There are carvings," Zuchtriegel added.</p>

<p><img alt="A look at the bakery." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34e81028-b6fe-4cdb-8489-0687b0d029ec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2892%29.png" /></p>

<p><em><strong>Photo: The bakery did not provide a&nbsp;view of the outside world and with small windows high in the wall with iron bars to let the light in.</strong></em></p>

<p>The archaeologist also said that the bakery highlighted the very precarious living conditions of enslaved people and animals exploited for this gruelling work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pompeii, which was rediscovered in the 18th century, is one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions. The city has seen a flurry of archaeological activity in recent times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In August, archaeologists discovered a small bedroom in a Roman villa near the city that was almost certainly used by slaves, throwing light on their condition in the ancient world.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Archaeologists in Italy discovered a bakery prison in Pompeii which enslaved workers who were exploited to make bread. According to a report by the news agency Reuters on Friday (Dec 8), the bakery was discovered during excavations at the ruins of Pompeii.

Archaeologists in Italy discovered a bakery prison in Pompeii which enslaved workers who were exploited to make bread. According to a report by the news agency Reuters on Friday (Dec 8), the bakery was discovered during excavations at the ruins of Pompeii. In a statement, Italy's culture ministry said the finding emerged in Region IX, Insula 10, where excavations were underway as part of a larger project to secure and consolidate the slopes that form the edge of the unexcavated areas of the city. A bakery with no view of the outside world In a small room, with no view of the outside world and with small windows high in the wall with iron bars to let the light in, slaves and donkeys were forced to walk around for hours to grind grain to make bread. Speaking to Reuters, Pompeii Archaeological Park's Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel said, "We are in the house's bakery and behind me, there is the big oven. The stable was right here, the donkeys used to live between these two spaces and, as you can see, there are a lot of mills." "The paving stones were also a bit slippery, so here we have something that exists in other parts of the city but is particularly clear here, which helped us understand this phenomenon. There are carvings," Zuchtriegel added. Photo: The bakery did not provide a view of the outside world and with small windows high in the wall with iron bars to let the light in. The archaeologist also said that the bakery highlighted the very precarious living conditions of enslaved people and animals exploited for this gruelling work. Pompeii, which was rediscovered in the 18th century, is one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions. The city has seen a flurry of archaeological activity in recent times. In August, archaeologists discovered a small bedroom in a Roman villa near the city that was almost certainly used by slaves, throwing light on their condition in the ancient world. (With inputs from agencies)

Archaeologists discover ancient bakery in Italy's Pompeii which enslaved workers

<p>An extremely rare white alligator has been born in a Florida reptile park. The officials at the park welcomed the news in a Facebook post, marking the first documented case of such a hatchling since a nest of leucistic alligators was discovered in Louisiana 36 years ago.</p>

<p>"This is beyond rare; it is absolutely extraordinary and the first one in the world," Gatorland Orlando announced in the social media post.</p>

<p>The authorities revealed that there are only seven such surviving white alligators in the world, with three of them residing in Gatorland park.</p>

<p>Watch video here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Gatorland Orlando announced a rare white alligator was born. The park says this is the first solid white alligator to be documented since a nest of leucistic gators were discovered in Louisiana about 36 years ago. <a href="https://t.co/4mjtlCFvy8">pic.twitter.com/4mjtlCFvy8</a></p>
— 1440 Daily Digest (@Join1440) <a href="https://twitter.com/Join1440/status/1733290497874268588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Park officials said in the post that "Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator. They differ from albino alligators, which have pink eyes and a complete loss of pigment.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Leucism in alligators causes white colouration, but they often have patches or splotches of normal colouration on their skin. Without the darker skin pigmentation, they can't have direct sunlight for long periods of time because they sunburn easily. Leucistic alligators also have brilliant blue eyes compared to the pink eyes of an albino alligator," it added.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: 40 Crocodiles rip apart a Cambodian man</strong></p>

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<p>“The new baby female leucistic alligator and her normal coloured brother, born to parents Jeyan and Ashley, weigh 96 grams and are currently 49 cm long. These are incredibly special animals in the reptile world, and we are being very careful with their safety and security,” the park statement said.</p>

<p>The officials are now asking for the public’s help in naming the rare alligator. They also revealed that park visitors will be able to see the white alligator from early next year.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ducks-arent-that-unique-quack-quack-calling-frog-with-musical-voice-discovered-in-india-667913"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Ducks aren't that unique. 'Quack quack' calling Frog with musical voice discovered in India</strong></a></p>

<p>“For now, however, we continue to keep them safe where we can closely monitor their health and growth,” said Mark McHugh, president and CEO of Gatorland.</p>

<p>The video of the alligator has attracted much attention on social media, having accumulated over 16,000 views and 1,000 likes.</p>

<p>“Oh, those smiles! I love them!” posted a Facebook user. “So beautiful,” added another. “I'm so excited for this new baby! Gatorland just gets more exciting all the time!” joined a third.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An extremely rare white alligator has been born in a Florida reptile park. The officials at the park welcomed the news in a Facebook post, marking the first documented case of such a hatchling since a nest of leucistic alligators was discovered in Louisiana 36 years ago.

An extremely rare white alligator has been born in a Florida reptile park. The officials at the park welcomed the news in a Facebook post, marking the first documented case of such a hatchling since a nest of leucistic alligators was discovered in Louisiana 36 years ago. "This is beyond rare; it is absolutely extraordinary and the first one in the world," Gatorland Orlando announced in the social media post. The authorities revealed that there are only seven such surviving white alligators in the world, with three of them residing in Gatorland park. Watch video here: Gatorland Orlando announced a rare white alligator was born. The park says this is the first solid white alligator to be documented since a nest of leucistic gators were discovered in Louisiana about 36 years ago. pic.twitter.com/4mjtlCFvy8 — 1440 Daily Digest (@Join1440) December 9, 2023 × Park officials said in the post that "Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator. They differ from albino alligators, which have pink eyes and a complete loss of pigment.” “Leucism in alligators causes white colouration, but they often have patches or splotches of normal colouration on their skin. Without the darker skin pigmentation, they can't have direct sunlight for long periods of time because they sunburn easily. Leucistic alligators also have brilliant blue eyes compared to the pink eyes of an albino alligator," it added. Watch: Gravitas: 40 Crocodiles rip apart a Cambodian man × “The new baby female leucistic alligator and her normal coloured brother, born to parents Jeyan and Ashley, weigh 96 grams and are currently 49 cm long. These are incredibly special animals in the reptile world, and we are being very careful with their safety and security,” the park statement said. The officials are now asking for the public’s help in naming the rare alligator. They also revealed that park visitors will be able to see the white alligator from early next year. Also read: Ducks aren't that unique. 'Quack quack' calling Frog with musical voice discovered in India “For now, however, we continue to keep them safe where we can closely monitor their health and growth,” said Mark McHugh, president and CEO of Gatorland. The video of the alligator has attracted much attention on social media, having accumulated over 16,000 views and 1,000 likes. “Oh, those smiles! I love them!” posted a Facebook user. “So beautiful,” added another. “I'm so excited for this new baby! Gatorland just gets more exciting all the time!” joined a third. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Extremely rare white alligator with blue eyes born in Florida reptile park

<p>The latest trend which has left researchers baffled and has forced people to worry about the growing dangers of artificial intelligence technology in the future is its use by websites and applications for undressing women in photos.<br />
<br />
Such applications and websites have been gaining popularity, as per the report published by Bloomberg. According to the information gathered by social network analysis company Graphika, undressing websites were visited by 24 million people in September.<br />
<br />
As per Graphika, popular social networks are being used by many of these undressing or “nudify” services for marketing. The researchers said that from the start of the year, the number of links which advertised the undressing apps saw an increase of more than 2,400 per cent on social media, which included Reddit and X.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-launches-gemini-its-most-advanced-ai-model-that-powers-bard-intensifying-competition-with-openai-666952">Google launches Gemini, its most advanced AI model that powers Bard, intensifying competition with OpenAI</a></p>

<p>AI is being used by the services for recreating an image in which the person is nude. Many of these platforms only use AI on images of women.</p>

<h2><strong>AI's deepfake pornography</strong></h2>

<p>Such applications have become a part of a worrying trend of non-consensual pornography which is being developed and distributed due to the advancement in artificial intelligence. This can be called as one kind of fabricated media, also known as deepfake pornography.<br />
<br />
Such applications are bound to face ethical and legal hurdles as the images are generally picked from social media and distributed without any control, consent or knowledge of the subject.<br />
<br />
Graphika said that such applications are becoming popular at a time when many open-source diffusion models are being released and images of superior quality are being created by artificial intelligence.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Artificial Intelligence can strip you of your dignity</strong></p>

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<p>Since they are open source, the models which are being used by the app developers are available for free. “You can create something that actually looks realistic,” said Santiago Lakatos, who works as an analyst at Graphika, while speaking to Bloomberg. He added that earlier deepfakes were often blurry.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the report stated that one of the apps had made payment for sponsored content on YouTube – owned by Google – for appearing first when the word “nudify” is searched.<br />
<br />
Speaking about the same, a Google spokesperson said ads “that contain sexually explicit content are not allowed by the company. We’ve reviewed the ads in question and are removing those that violate our policies.”&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The latest trend which has left researchers baffled and has forced people to worry about the growing dangers of artificial intelligence technology in the future is its use by websites and applications for undressing women in photos.

The latest trend which has left researchers baffled and has forced people to worry about the growing dangers of artificial intelligence technology in the future is its use by websites and applications for undressing women in photos. Such applications and websites have been gaining popularity, as per the report published by Bloomberg. According to the information gathered by social network analysis company Graphika, undressing websites were visited by 24 million people in September. As per Graphika, popular social networks are being used by many of these undressing or “nudify” services for marketing. The researchers said that from the start of the year, the number of links which advertised the undressing apps saw an increase of more than 2,400 per cent on social media, which included Reddit and X. Also read: Google launches Gemini, its most advanced AI model that powers Bard, intensifying competition with OpenAI AI is being used by the services for recreating an image in which the person is nude. Many of these platforms only use AI on images of women. AI's deepfake pornography Such applications have become a part of a worrying trend of non-consensual pornography which is being developed and distributed due to the advancement in artificial intelligence. This can be called as one kind of fabricated media, also known as deepfake pornography. Such applications are bound to face ethical and legal hurdles as the images are generally picked from social media and distributed without any control, consent or knowledge of the subject. Graphika said that such applications are becoming popular at a time when many open-source diffusion models are being released and images of superior quality are being created by artificial intelligence. Watch: Gravitas: Artificial Intelligence can strip you of your dignity Since they are open source, the models which are being used by the app developers are available for free. “You can create something that actually looks realistic,” said Santiago Lakatos, who works as an analyst at Graphika, while speaking to Bloomberg. He added that earlier deepfakes were often blurry. Meanwhile, the report stated that one of the apps had made payment for sponsored content on YouTube – owned by Google – for appearing first when the word “nudify” is searched. Speaking about the same, a Google spokesperson said ads “that contain sexually explicit content are not allowed by the company. We’ve reviewed the ads in question and are removing those that violate our policies.” (With inputs from agencies)

Tech’s dark world: Apps, websites misuse AI for undressing women in photos, gain popularity

<p>A Canadian cyclist has made a world record for the longest distance covered riding a bicycle hands-free. He covered 130.29 km (80.95 miles) without using his hands to steady the bicycle on the road and set a new world record for the longest distance cycled.</p>

<p>Robert Murray, a resident of Canada's Alberta province, covered the distance in 5 hours and 37 minutes on June 12 this year. The news about his feat was published by Guinness World Records on its website on Wednesday (Dec 6).</p>

<p>Murray's attempt at the world record was part of a fundraising campaign for the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Alzheimer’s is something that runs in my family, and I have since lost my grandma to the disease,” said Robert as quoted by Guinness World Records.</p>

<p>“Breaking a record and raising money for a cause near and dear to my heart was just a double win!”</p>

<h2><strong>A childhood hobby</strong></h2>

<p>Roberts's love for cycling developed during his childhood when he and his sister would travel 10 kms to attend swimming classes.</p>

<p>When he was 15, he saved money to buy his first road bike. He used the same bike to break the record.</p>

<p>“A lot of the parts have since been replaced but it’s the same frame,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It has a lot of the same scratches and dents from all the times I have fallen off of it.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>As he cycled around in his teens, he soon learnt to ride the bike without using hands.</p>

<p>“Personally, I find it to be a more comfortable position to be in rather than hunched over,” he said as quoted by Guinness World Records.</p>

<p>“I can text, change the song, get anything out of my backpack all while riding my bike. It’s like second nature for me.”&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Canadian cyclist has made a world record for the longest distance covered riding a bicycle hands-free. He covered 130.29 km (80.95 miles) without using his hands to steady the bicycle on the road and set a new world record for the longest distance cycled.

A Canadian cyclist has made a world record for the longest distance covered riding a bicycle hands-free. He covered 130.29 km (80.95 miles) without using his hands to steady the bicycle on the road and set a new world record for the longest distance cycled. Robert Murray, a resident of Canada's Alberta province, covered the distance in 5 hours and 37 minutes on June 12 this year. The news about his feat was published by Guinness World Records on its website on Wednesday (Dec 6). Murray's attempt at the world record was part of a fundraising campaign for the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary. “Alzheimer’s is something that runs in my family, and I have since lost my grandma to the disease,” said Robert as quoted by Guinness World Records. “Breaking a record and raising money for a cause near and dear to my heart was just a double win!” A childhood hobby Roberts's love for cycling developed during his childhood when he and his sister would travel 10 kms to attend swimming classes. When he was 15, he saved money to buy his first road bike. He used the same bike to break the record. “A lot of the parts have since been replaced but it’s the same frame,” he said. “It has a lot of the same scratches and dents from all the times I have fallen off of it.” As he cycled around in his teens, he soon learnt to ride the bike without using hands. “Personally, I find it to be a more comfortable position to be in rather than hunched over,” he said as quoted by Guinness World Records. “I can text, change the song, get anything out of my backpack all while riding my bike. It’s like second nature for me.” (With inputs from agencies)

Canadian cyclist sets new world record by riding hands-free for 130 kilometres

<p>In a devastating turn of events last week, a 23-year-old Australian man, identified as Josh Taylor, met with a fatal accident at a remote campsite on Bribie Island in Australia's Brisbane.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taylor, accompanied by friends and family, was out on a day at the beach in Queensland on Saturday,&nbsp;when he reportedly fell into a deep hole dug for the purpose of roasting a pig.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-three-men-drown-in-madhya-pradeshs-dewas-district-as-onlookers-film-it-shout-save-them-626313">India: Three men drown in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district as onlookers film it, shout 'save them'</a></strong></p>

<p>Eyewitnesses told Australian media that Taylor stood up from his chair, lost his footing, and fell into the hole as its walls collapsed around him. Taylor's friends sought assistance from fellow beachgoers to get Taylor out of the 1.5 metres of sand before the paramedics arrived on the scene.</p>

<p>A total of 15 people were involved in the effort to rescue Taylor but he could not be retrieved with a live pulse.</p>

<p>He was subsequently airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical state, where he succumbed on Thursday (Dec 8), the Queensland police confirmed in an official statement.</p>

<h2><strong>What next?</strong></h2>

<p>Authorities are now conducting further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, authorities are appealing for any dash-camera footage from the northern end of Bribie Island on the day of the incident.</p>

<p>In an emotional statement, Taylor's family confirmed that his life support was switched off on Thursday afternoon.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;Watch: Drowning man saved by passers-by in India's Bengaluru</strong></p>

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<p>Describing him as the "best son, brother, boyfriend, and mate," the family expressed profound grief, stating that Taylor fought courageously until the end.</p>

<p>A GoFundMe page has been established on behalf of Taylor's parents to assist the family during this difficult time.</p>

<p>The fundraiser, which so far has raised&nbsp;over $43,417 (£34,643),&nbsp;describes him&nbsp;as a "vibrant and adventurous soul" who brought joy to those around him.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a devastating turn of events last week, a 23-year-old Australian man, identified as Josh Taylor, met with a fatal accident at a remote campsite on Bribie Island in Australia's Brisbane.

In a devastating turn of events last week, a 23-year-old Australian man, identified as Josh Taylor, met with a fatal accident at a remote campsite on Bribie Island in Australia's Brisbane. Taylor, accompanied by friends and family, was out on a day at the beach in Queensland on Saturday, when he reportedly fell into a deep hole dug for the purpose of roasting a pig. Also read | India: Three men drown in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district as onlookers film it, shout 'save them' Eyewitnesses told Australian media that Taylor stood up from his chair, lost his footing, and fell into the hole as its walls collapsed around him. Taylor's friends sought assistance from fellow beachgoers to get Taylor out of the 1.5 metres of sand before the paramedics arrived on the scene. A total of 15 people were involved in the effort to rescue Taylor but he could not be retrieved with a live pulse. He was subsequently airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical state, where he succumbed on Thursday (Dec 8), the Queensland police confirmed in an official statement. What next? Authorities are now conducting further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Additionally, authorities are appealing for any dash-camera footage from the northern end of Bribie Island on the day of the incident. In an emotional statement, Taylor's family confirmed that his life support was switched off on Thursday afternoon. Also watch | Watch: Drowning man saved by passers-by in India's Bengaluru × Describing him as the "best son, brother, boyfriend, and mate," the family expressed profound grief, stating that Taylor fought courageously until the end. A GoFundMe page has been established on behalf of Taylor's parents to assist the family during this difficult time. The fundraiser, which so far has raised over $43,417 (£34,643), describes him as a "vibrant and adventurous soul" who brought joy to those around him. (With inputs from agencies)

Man dies after getting buried deep in sand pit near beach

<p>Mexico-based startup on Thursday (Dec 7) was accused of selling a health supplement made from endangered totoaba fish to several countries including the United States and China, The Associated Press reported citing environmental watchdogs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The advocates raised concerns that the company, named The Blue Formula, could be selling fish that is illegally caught in the wild.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The company calls the product "nature's best kept secret" and comes in a small sachet of powder. It contains collagen taken from the fish and is meant to be consumed by mixing it into a drink.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/new-jersey-police-apprehend-albert-einswine-a-pot-bellied-fugitive-pig-on-the-loose-667642">New Jersey Police apprehend 'Albert Einswine', a pot-bellied 'fugitive' pig on the loose</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The report mentioned that the export sale of totoaba fish is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Both, Mexico and the US, are signatories of this convention.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is only allowed if the fish are bred in captivity with a particular permit. The commercial import is also illegal under US trade law because it is listed as a protected species.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The company was first reported by the environmental watchdog group Cetacean Action Treasury in November. Now, a coalition of environmental charities — The Center for Biological Diversity, National Resources Defense Council and Animal Welfare Institute — filed a written complaint to CITES on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/are-cat-ladies-more-at-risk-of-schizophrenia-study-shows-mysterious-link-667591">Are cat moms more at risk of schizophrenia? Study shows mysterious link</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The company hasn't said anything yet, but it claims on its website that it is "100%" sustainable as it sources fish from Cygnus Ocean.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the Cygnus Ocean is a farm which has a permit to breed totoaba. The company also claims that it is using a portion of its profits to release some farmed fish back into the wild.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Advocates like Alejandro Olivera, the Center for Biological Diversity's Mexico representative&nbsp;was quoted as saying,&nbsp;"there is no good enforcement of the traceability of totoaba in Mexico. So it could be easily used to launder wild totoaba".&nbsp;</p>


Mexico-based startup on Thursday (Dec 7) was accused of selling a health supplement made from endangered totoaba fish to several countries including the United States and China, The Associated Press reported citing environmental watchdogs.

Mexico-based startup on Thursday (Dec 7) was accused of selling a health supplement made from endangered totoaba fish to several countries including the United States and China, The Associated Press reported citing environmental watchdogs. The advocates raised concerns that the company, named The Blue Formula, could be selling fish that is illegally caught in the wild. The company calls the product "nature's best kept secret" and comes in a small sachet of powder. It contains collagen taken from the fish and is meant to be consumed by mixing it into a drink. Also read: New Jersey Police apprehend 'Albert Einswine', a pot-bellied 'fugitive' pig on the loose The report mentioned that the export sale of totoaba fish is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Both, Mexico and the US, are signatories of this convention. It is only allowed if the fish are bred in captivity with a particular permit. The commercial import is also illegal under US trade law because it is listed as a protected species. The company was first reported by the environmental watchdog group Cetacean Action Treasury in November. Now, a coalition of environmental charities — The Center for Biological Diversity, National Resources Defense Council and Animal Welfare Institute — filed a written complaint to CITES on Thursday. Also read: Are cat moms more at risk of schizophrenia? Study shows mysterious link The company hasn't said anything yet, but it claims on its website that it is "100%" sustainable as it sources fish from Cygnus Ocean. Notably, the Cygnus Ocean is a farm which has a permit to breed totoaba. The company also claims that it is using a portion of its profits to release some farmed fish back into the wild. Advocates like Alejandro Olivera, the Center for Biological Diversity's Mexico representative was quoted as saying, "there is no good enforcement of the traceability of totoaba in Mexico. So it could be easily used to launder wild totoaba".

Environmentalists claim Mexico-based startup selling health drink made from endangered fish

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<p>In what comes as a&nbsp;news straight out of a Bollywood movie, a group of strongmen in the western Indian state of Gujarat duped government officials for over a year by setting up a fake toll plaza and extracting millions from commuters, according to an&nbsp;<em>NDTV&nbsp;</em>report.</p>

<p>The fake toll plaza was reportedly built on private land in the Morbi district of the state, bypassing a national highway that connected Kutch. The men operating the plaza diverted the traffic from the actual route via land owned by the White House Ceramic Company, a closed factory in the Varghasia village.</p>

<p>The scammers baited the commuters by charging 50 per cent the price of the regular toll plaza.&nbsp;As per the details, the accused would charge from Rs 20 to Rs 200 from car owners to heavy truck drivers against the actual toll tax of Rs 110 to Rs 595.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, the accused managed to collect more than $8.9 million (Rs 75 crore) in illegal taxes from the commuters.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-airline-ticket-scam-worlds-most-active-extortion-gang-and-more-tech-it-out-ep-134-660045"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;New airline ticket scam, world's most active extortion gang, and more | Tech It Out: ​EP 134</strong></a></p>

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<p>Upon being informed of the scam, the authorities reached the spot to take charge of the situation.</p>

<p>"We received information that some vehicles were being diverted from the actual route of the Varghasia toll plaza and toll tax was being collected. The police and other officials reached the spot to investigate and filed a detailed complaint," local district Collector GT Pandya said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/new-jersey-police-apprehend-albert-einswine-a-pot-bellied-fugitive-pig-on-the-loose-667642" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | New Jersey police apprehend Albert Einswine, a pot-bellied 'fugitive' pig on the loose</strong></a></p>

<p>However, it has emerged that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the plaza manager had already written a letter to the local police, informing them of the ongoing scam. Local sources informed <em>The Hindu </em>that the commuters never complained as they were being let go by paying half the price.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The police have registered a complaint against the private White House Ceramic Company's owner Amarshi Patel and his aides Vanraj Singh Jhala, Harvijay Singh Jhala, Dharmendra Singh Jhala, Yuvraj Singh Jhala and unknown people.</p>

<h2><strong>Previous scam</strong></h2>

<p>Lately, the state of Gujarat has become notorious for such incidents. Last month, a former Gujarat-cadre Indian Administration Services (IAS) officer was arrested in the Dahod district for allegedly running six fake government offices.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These offices received grants worth Rs 18.6 crore for&nbsp;implementing “irrigation-related projects”.&nbsp;They allegedly received Rs 11.74 crore for the alleged fraud in the financial year 2020-2021 when 52 projects were approved under three fake offices.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


In what comes as a news straight out of a Bollywood movie, a group of strongmen in the western Indian state of Gujarat duped government officials for over a year by setting up a fake toll plaza and extracting millions from commuters, according to an NDTV report.

In what comes as a news straight out of a Bollywood movie, a group of strongmen in the western Indian state of Gujarat duped government officials for over a year by setting up a fake toll plaza and extracting millions from commuters, according to an NDTV report. The fake toll plaza was reportedly built on private land in the Morbi district of the state, bypassing a national highway that connected Kutch. The men operating the plaza diverted the traffic from the actual route via land owned by the White House Ceramic Company, a closed factory in the Varghasia village. The scammers baited the commuters by charging 50 per cent the price of the regular toll plaza. As per the details, the accused would charge from Rs 20 to Rs 200 from car owners to heavy truck drivers against the actual toll tax of Rs 110 to Rs 595. According to reports, the accused managed to collect more than $8.9 million (Rs 75 crore) in illegal taxes from the commuters. Watch | New airline ticket scam, world's most active extortion gang, and more | Tech It Out: EP 134 × Upon being informed of the scam, the authorities reached the spot to take charge of the situation. "We received information that some vehicles were being diverted from the actual route of the Varghasia toll plaza and toll tax was being collected. The police and other officials reached the spot to investigate and filed a detailed complaint," local district Collector GT Pandya said. Also read | New Jersey police apprehend Albert Einswine, a pot-bellied 'fugitive' pig on the loose However, it has emerged that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the plaza manager had already written a letter to the local police, informing them of the ongoing scam. Local sources informed The Hindu that the commuters never complained as they were being let go by paying half the price. The police have registered a complaint against the private White House Ceramic Company's owner Amarshi Patel and his aides Vanraj Singh Jhala, Harvijay Singh Jhala, Dharmendra Singh Jhala, Yuvraj Singh Jhala and unknown people. Previous scam Lately, the state of Gujarat has become notorious for such incidents. Last month, a former Gujarat-cadre Indian Administration Services (IAS) officer was arrested in the Dahod district for allegedly running six fake government offices. These offices received grants worth Rs 18.6 crore for implementing “irrigation-related projects”. They allegedly received Rs 11.74 crore for the alleged fraud in the financial year 2020-2021 when 52 projects were approved under three fake offices. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Fake toll plaza operating for 18 months in Gujarat dupes government of millions in taxes

<p>Police in New Jersey would have never thought that one day they would be chasing a fugitive named "Albert Einswine", a pig that had escaped a farm and remained on the loose until its decorated officers intervened&nbsp;using state-of-the-art technology (a rope) and apprehended the four-year-old 'criminal'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The pot-bellied pig went on a leisurely stroll after escaping the farm from the New Sharon section of&nbsp;Deptford Township, forcing the police to dispatch its officers to nab the fugitive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Deptford Township Police Department posted a video of the 'frenzied' chase where the pig gave the slip to the police officers multiple times. Each time any of them got close, the pig with his war cry, masquerading as a squeal, slipped away.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/big-medical-breakthrough-as-pig-to-human-kidney-transplant-succeeds-for-a-month-626196"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Big medical breakthrough as pig-to-human kidney transplant succeeds for a month</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Jokes write themselves&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>While one of the officers pursued the pig using a rope, his partner continued to&nbsp;laugh hysterically while recording the video.&nbsp;"We're all friends here," the officer could be heard telling the pig.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Sometimes the jokes just write themselves. Earlier this afternoon, Deptford officers were dispatched to the area of Tanyard Road and Brenner Drive for a report of a loose pig," the police department&nbsp;captioned the video as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that the suspect was soon apprehended and handed to its handler.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The suspect was identified as Albert Einswine, a 4-year-old pig from the New Sharon section of Deptford Township. Mr&nbsp;Einswine was released on his own recognizance."</p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/pig-about-to-get-slaughtered-kills-butcher-in-hong-kong-554874"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Pig, about to get slaughtered, regains consciousness, kills butcher in Hong Kong</strong></a></p>

<p>Speaking to&nbsp;&nbsp;WPVI-TV, Detective Sgt. Bob Jone&nbsp;reflected on the chase, saying they had to run a quarter mile to nab the pig.</p>

<p>“The video doesn’t show the whole thing. We had to chase the pig for a quarter mile. They’re faster than they look,” said Jones.</p>

<p>“He got pretty far for what it was. I don’t know where he was going to go.”</p>

<p>The department later shared a photo of officers with the collared 'apprehended' pig.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Police in New Jersey would have never thought that one day they would be chasing a fugitive named "Albert Einswine", a pig that had escaped a farm and remained on the loose until its decorated officers intervened using state-of-the-art technology (a rope) and apprehended the four-year-old 'criminal'.

Police in New Jersey would have never thought that one day they would be chasing a fugitive named "Albert Einswine", a pig that had escaped a farm and remained on the loose until its decorated officers intervened using state-of-the-art technology (a rope) and apprehended the four-year-old 'criminal'. The pot-bellied pig went on a leisurely stroll after escaping the farm from the New Sharon section of Deptford Township, forcing the police to dispatch its officers to nab the fugitive. The Deptford Township Police Department posted a video of the 'frenzied' chase where the pig gave the slip to the police officers multiple times. Each time any of them got close, the pig with his war cry, masquerading as a squeal, slipped away. Watch | Big medical breakthrough as pig-to-human kidney transplant succeeds for a month × Jokes write themselves While one of the officers pursued the pig using a rope, his partner continued to laugh hysterically while recording the video. "We're all friends here," the officer could be heard telling the pig. "Sometimes the jokes just write themselves. Earlier this afternoon, Deptford officers were dispatched to the area of Tanyard Road and Brenner Drive for a report of a loose pig," the police department captioned the video as saying. It added that the suspect was soon apprehended and handed to its handler. "The suspect was identified as Albert Einswine, a 4-year-old pig from the New Sharon section of Deptford Township. Mr Einswine was released on his own recognizance." × Also read | Pig, about to get slaughtered, regains consciousness, kills butcher in Hong Kong Speaking to WPVI-TV, Detective Sgt. Bob Jone reflected on the chase, saying they had to run a quarter mile to nab the pig. “The video doesn’t show the whole thing. We had to chase the pig for a quarter mile. They’re faster than they look,” said Jones. “He got pretty far for what it was. I don’t know where he was going to go.” The department later shared a photo of officers with the collared 'apprehended' pig. (With inputs from agencies)

New Jersey Police apprehend 'Albert Einswine', a pot-bellied 'fugitive' pig on the loose - Watch

<p>Billionaire Elon Musk has gone after Bob Iger once again, saying the Disney boss should be "fired immediately" after the company stopped advertising on X, adding that Walt Disney would have been "rolling in his grave".&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a series of posts on X (formerly known as Twitter), Musk lashed out at Iger over his management of Disney.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Walt Disney is turning in his grave over what Bob has done to his company. He [Iger] should be fired immediately,” wrote Musk.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk also quote-posted a report that said the state of New Mexico had&nbsp;brought a fresh lawsuit accusing Meta platforms Instagram and Facebook of allowing child predators to approach the minors freely after the algorithm distributed adult content to the kids.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Why no advertiser boycott, Bob Eiger? You are endorsing this material!" wrote Musk.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why no advertiser boycott, Bob Eiger? You are endorsing this material! <a href="https://t.co/EVza5VZeSa">https://t.co/EVza5VZeSa</a></p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1732775764980797940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Musk's rant against Iger comes days after the Tesla boss, during a public programme, went on a profanity-laden tirade against the advertisers who had pulled their ads from X.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Don’t advertise. If someone is going to try and blackmail me with advertising? Blackmail me with money? Go f**k&nbsp;yourself,” Musk said. “Go f**k&nbsp;yourself, is that clear? Hey Bob, if you’re in the audience. That’s how I feel, don’t advertise,"&nbsp;Musk said&nbsp;at&nbsp;<em>The New York Times&nbsp;</em>Dealbook Summit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk was responding after Iger, during one of the earlier sessions, explained his company's decision to pull advertising from the platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the barrage of expletives, Musk explained how advertisers, especially the likes of Disney&nbsp;were writing the "death sentence" of X.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"What this advertising boycott is going to do is, it is going to kill the company. And the whole world will know that those advertisers killed the company," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-faces-backlash-for-endorsing-antisemitic-conspiracy-659947"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Elon Musk faces backlash for endorsing antisemitic conspiracy</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Why the controversy?</strong></h2>

<p>Musk came under heavy fire after he endorsed a conspiracy theory that was interpreted as a form of antisemitic behaviour. Musk pointed to the "Great Replacement" theory which states that Jews and leftists are attempting to weaken white majorities with non-white immigrants that will lead to a "white genocide".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Soon after his post, the White House released a statement, accusing Musk of "abhorrent promotion" of antisemitism. As the controversy snowballed, the likes of Walt Disney, Warner Bros Discovery and NBC Universal parent Comcast pulled the plug on ads on X.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/go-f-yourself-elon-musks-profanity-laden-answer-to-advertisers-suspending-ads-on-x-watch-664464"><strong>Also read | 'Go f**k yourself': Elon Musk's profanity-laden answer to advertisers suspending ads on X</strong></a></p>

<p>Musk soon went into&nbsp;a damage control mode. He&nbsp;travelled to Israel and visited the sites where Hamas committed unspeakable acts of barbarity against the Israelis on October 7. He spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and insisted that there was not a single 'antisemitic' bone in his body.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk has attributed a 'significant decline' in X's advertising revenue to the allegations of antisemitism. According to Musk, the platform's advertising revenue has plummeted by 60 per cent in the US alone.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Billionaire Elon Musk has gone after Bob Iger once again, saying the Disney boss should be "fired immediately" after the company stopped advertising on X, adding that Walt Disney would have been "rolling in his grave".

Billionaire Elon Musk has gone after Bob Iger once again, saying the Disney boss should be "fired immediately" after the company stopped advertising on X, adding that Walt Disney would have been "rolling in his grave". In a series of posts on X (formerly known as Twitter), Musk lashed out at Iger over his management of Disney. “Walt Disney is turning in his grave over what Bob has done to his company. He [Iger] should be fired immediately,” wrote Musk. Musk also quote-posted a report that said the state of New Mexico had brought a fresh lawsuit accusing Meta platforms Instagram and Facebook of allowing child predators to approach the minors freely after the algorithm distributed adult content to the kids. "Why no advertiser boycott, Bob Eiger? You are endorsing this material!" wrote Musk. Why no advertiser boycott, Bob Eiger? You are endorsing this material! https://t.co/EVza5VZeSa — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 7, 2023 × Musk's rant against Iger comes days after the Tesla boss, during a public programme, went on a profanity-laden tirade against the advertisers who had pulled their ads from X. “Don’t advertise. If someone is going to try and blackmail me with advertising? Blackmail me with money? Go f**k yourself,” Musk said. “Go f**k yourself, is that clear? Hey Bob, if you’re in the audience. That’s how I feel, don’t advertise," Musk said at The New York Times Dealbook Summit. Musk was responding after Iger, during one of the earlier sessions, explained his company's decision to pull advertising from the platform. After the barrage of expletives, Musk explained how advertisers, especially the likes of Disney were writing the "death sentence" of X. "What this advertising boycott is going to do is, it is going to kill the company. And the whole world will know that those advertisers killed the company," he said. Watch | Elon Musk faces backlash for endorsing antisemitic conspiracy Why the controversy? Musk came under heavy fire after he endorsed a conspiracy theory that was interpreted as a form of antisemitic behaviour. Musk pointed to the "Great Replacement" theory which states that Jews and leftists are attempting to weaken white majorities with non-white immigrants that will lead to a "white genocide". Soon after his post, the White House released a statement, accusing Musk of "abhorrent promotion" of antisemitism. As the controversy snowballed, the likes of Walt Disney, Warner Bros Discovery and NBC Universal parent Comcast pulled the plug on ads on X. Also read | 'Go f**k yourself': Elon Musk's profanity-laden answer to advertisers suspending ads on X Musk soon went into a damage control mode. He travelled to Israel and visited the sites where Hamas committed unspeakable acts of barbarity against the Israelis on October 7. He spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and insisted that there was not a single 'antisemitic' bone in his body. Musk has attributed a 'significant decline' in X's advertising revenue to the allegations of antisemitism. According to Musk, the platform's advertising revenue has plummeted by 60 per cent in the US alone. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk goes after Bob Iger again, wants him sacked from Disney

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


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

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

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

<p>In a major discovery, twin temples which were built on top of one another were unearthed by archaeologists in Iraq. The newer temple, which was&nbsp;reportedly built in the Hellenistic era and dates back to the fourth century BC, was said to be linked to Alexander the Great.<br />
<br />
Inside the temple, the archaeologists found a fired brick which had an Aramaic and Greek inscription, that referred to "the giver of two brothers", which was seen as a possible reference made to the Macedonian king, who had ruled for 13 years from 336 BC&nbsp;to 323 BC and conquered much of the known world.<br />
<br />
The archaeologists, who are associated with the British Museum in London, found the older temple during excavations being carried out in Girsu, which is a Sumerian city and is also called Tello in southeastern Iraq.<br />
<br />
The excavations were being carried out as part of the museum's ongoing venture called The Girsu Project which focuses on gathering more information about the storied history of the city.<br />
<br />
The remnants of the older Sumerian temple were discovered buried "on the exact same spot" as the newer temple which was dedicated to the "Greek god Hercules and his Sumerian equivalent, the hero-god Ningirsu [also known as Ninurta]," said Sebastien Rey, an archaeologist and curator of Ancient Mesopotamia at the British Museum, who headed the excavation, while responding to Live Science.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/archaeologists-hint-indonesias-giant-hidden-pyramid-likely-to-be-the-oldest-in-the-world-654812">Archaeologists hint Indonesia's giant hidden pyramid likely to be the oldest in the world</a></p>

<p>The researchers said that the temple was built on the same site where one stood 1,500 years earlier and it was no coincidence. They added that the site must have some significance for the people of Mesopotamia.<br />
<br />
"It shows that the inhabitants of Babylonia in the [fourth] century BC&nbsp;had a vast knowledge of their history. The legacy of the Sumerians was still very vibrant,” said Rey.</p>

<h2><strong>Inscription of Zeus on the coin</strong></h2>

<p>The archaeologists, while exploring the dual temple site, discovered a silver drachm (an ancient Greek coin) which was buried underneath an altar or shrine, along with a brick with the two brothers' inscription.<br />
<br />
"The inscription is very interesting because it mentions an enigmatic Babylonian name written in Greek and Aramaic," said Rey. "The name 'Adadnadinakhe,' which means 'Adad, the giver of brothers,' was clearly chosen as a ceremonial title on account of its archaizing tone and symbolic connotations. All the evidence points to the fact that the name was extraordinarily rare,” he added.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Peru archaeologists unearth 1,000-year-old mummies of children in Lima</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/peru-archaeologists-unearth-1000-year-old-mummies-of-children-in-lima-661772/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The inscription found appeared to be that of Zeus, the Greek sky god, who has been a symbol of a lightning bolt and an eagle. The two symbols were found on the coin, which is likely to have been struck in Babylon "under Alexander the Great's authority," said Rey.<br />
<br />
"It shows Hercules in a youthful, clean-shaven portrait that strongly recalls conventional representations of Alexander on one side, with Zeus on the other,” he added.<br />
<br />
Zeus also "famously acknowledged Alexander as his son through the agency of the Ammon oracle,” he added. "He became quite literally the 'giver of brothers' because he affirmed a fraternal bond between Alexander and Heracles,” said Rey.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a major discovery, twin temples which were built on top of one another were unearthed by archaeologists in Iraq. The newer temple, which was reportedly built in the Hellenistic era and dates back to the fourth century BC, was said to be linked to Alexander the Great.

In a major discovery, twin temples which were built on top of one another were unearthed by archaeologists in Iraq. The newer temple, which was reportedly built in the Hellenistic era and dates back to the fourth century BC, was said to be linked to Alexander the Great. Inside the temple, the archaeologists found a fired brick which had an Aramaic and Greek inscription, that referred to "the giver of two brothers", which was seen as a possible reference made to the Macedonian king, who had ruled for 13 years from 336 BC to 323 BC and conquered much of the known world. The archaeologists, who are associated with the British Museum in London, found the older temple during excavations being carried out in Girsu, which is a Sumerian city and is also called Tello in southeastern Iraq. The excavations were being carried out as part of the museum's ongoing venture called The Girsu Project which focuses on gathering more information about the storied history of the city. The remnants of the older Sumerian temple were discovered buried "on the exact same spot" as the newer temple which was dedicated to the "Greek god Hercules and his Sumerian equivalent, the hero-god Ningirsu [also known as Ninurta]," said Sebastien Rey, an archaeologist and curator of Ancient Mesopotamia at the British Museum, who headed the excavation, while responding to Live Science. Also read: Archaeologists hint Indonesia's giant hidden pyramid likely to be the oldest in the world The researchers said that the temple was built on the same site where one stood 1,500 years earlier and it was no coincidence. They added that the site must have some significance for the people of Mesopotamia. "It shows that the inhabitants of Babylonia in the [fourth] century BC had a vast knowledge of their history. The legacy of the Sumerians was still very vibrant,” said Rey. Inscription of Zeus on the coin The archaeologists, while exploring the dual temple site, discovered a silver drachm (an ancient Greek coin) which was buried underneath an altar or shrine, along with a brick with the two brothers' inscription. "The inscription is very interesting because it mentions an enigmatic Babylonian name written in Greek and Aramaic," said Rey. "The name 'Adadnadinakhe,' which means 'Adad, the giver of brothers,' was clearly chosen as a ceremonial title on account of its archaizing tone and symbolic connotations. All the evidence points to the fact that the name was extraordinarily rare,” he added. Watch: Peru archaeologists unearth 1,000-year-old mummies of children in Lima The inscription found appeared to be that of Zeus, the Greek sky god, who has been a symbol of a lightning bolt and an eagle. The two symbols were found on the coin, which is likely to have been struck in Babylon "under Alexander the Great's authority," said Rey. "It shows Hercules in a youthful, clean-shaven portrait that strongly recalls conventional representations of Alexander on one side, with Zeus on the other,” he added. Zeus also "famously acknowledged Alexander as his son through the agency of the Ammon oracle,” he added. "He became quite literally the 'giver of brothers' because he affirmed a fraternal bond between Alexander and Heracles,” said Rey. (With inputs from agencies)

Twin temples linked to Hercules and Alexander the Great discovered on top of each other in Iraq

<p>In a scenario not much different from the 2013 Hindi film <em>Special 26</em>&nbsp;that starred Akshay Kumar, a criminal gang recently posed as income tax (I-T) officials to stage a 'raid' on the residence of a counterfeit jewellery businessman in Mumbai's Sion area.</p>

<p>The eight-member group, allegedly tipped off by one of the insiders, seized ₹1.8 million ($21,600) kept by the jeweller&nbsp;for a family wedding, The Times of India reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The suspects were swiftly arrested by the police as the act was caught on CCTV.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the suspects, Rajkumar Gujjar (38) has been&nbsp;identified as a friend of the victim's grandson.</p>

<h2><b>How did the crime unfold?</b></h2>

<p>According to the details of investigation reported by the Times of India, Abhay Kasle (33), a member of the gang, informed Gujjar about Sushant Lohar (33), the alleged mastermind posing as an I-T officer, promising a 10 per cent commission for raid tips.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/robbers-tunnel-through-wall-loot-3-million-in-daring-delhi-jewellery-heist-640063">India: Robbers tunnel through wall, loot $3 million in daring Delhi jewellery heist</a></strong></p>

<p>Motivated by the lure of commission, the unsuspecting Gujjar purportedly disclosed false information about the Patwa family's substantial cash acquisition from a property deal.</p>

<p>Following the staged 'seizure,' the gang, while impersonating as Income Tax&nbsp;officials, fabricated a legal document&nbsp;and instructed the family to expect an official&nbsp;notice by the Income Tax department.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;24-year-old Indian student shot dead during a robbery attempt in Ohio</strong></p>

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<p>Apart from the prime accused Sushant Lohar, others involved in the operation were Kasle and Gujjar, who played a pivotal role in the scheme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, Santosh Patle (37), Rajaram Mangle (47), Amardeep Sonawane (29), Sharad Ekavade (33), and Bhaurao Ingle (52) were arrested for their involvement in the sham raid.</p>

<h2><strong>Looted money yet to be recovered</strong></h2>

<p>The efforts are ongoing to recover the ₹1.8 million seized by the gang.</p>

<p>The police have&nbsp;confiscated a vehicle and a forged identity card shown by the&nbsp;accused individuals when they allegedly committed&nbsp;the crime. Further scrutiny revealed photographs of two individuals donning police uniforms, purportedly for roles in a crime serial.</p>


In a scenario not much different from the 2013 Hindi film Special 26 that starred Akshay Kumar, a criminal gang recently posed as income tax (I-T) officials to stage a 'raid' on the residence of a counterfeit jewellery businessman in Mumbai's Sion area.

In a scenario not much different from the 2013 Hindi film Special 26 that starred Akshay Kumar, a criminal gang recently posed as income tax (I-T) officials to stage a 'raid' on the residence of a counterfeit jewellery businessman in Mumbai's Sion area. The eight-member group, allegedly tipped off by one of the insiders, seized ₹1.8 million ($21,600) kept by the jeweller for a family wedding, The Times of India reported. The suspects were swiftly arrested by the police as the act was caught on CCTV. One of the suspects, Rajkumar Gujjar (38) has been identified as a friend of the victim's grandson. How did the crime unfold? According to the details of investigation reported by the Times of India, Abhay Kasle (33), a member of the gang, informed Gujjar about Sushant Lohar (33), the alleged mastermind posing as an I-T officer, promising a 10 per cent commission for raid tips. Also read | India: Robbers tunnel through wall, loot $3 million in daring Delhi jewellery heist Motivated by the lure of commission, the unsuspecting Gujjar purportedly disclosed false information about the Patwa family's substantial cash acquisition from a property deal. Following the staged 'seizure,' the gang, while impersonating as Income Tax officials, fabricated a legal document and instructed the family to expect an official notice by the Income Tax department. Also watch | 24-year-old Indian student shot dead during a robbery attempt in Ohio × Apart from the prime accused Sushant Lohar, others involved in the operation were Kasle and Gujjar, who played a pivotal role in the scheme. Additionally, Santosh Patle (37), Rajaram Mangle (47), Amardeep Sonawane (29), Sharad Ekavade (33), and Bhaurao Ingle (52) were arrested for their involvement in the sham raid. Looted money yet to be recovered The efforts are ongoing to recover the ₹1.8 million seized by the gang. The police have confiscated a vehicle and a forged identity card shown by the accused individuals when they allegedly committed the crime. Further scrutiny revealed photographs of two individuals donning police uniforms, purportedly for roles in a crime serial.

Criminal gang members pose as taxmen to loot ₹1.8 million from Mumbai business family

<p>A Russian cargo plane was seen exploding in the sky minutes after it reportedly took off from Ulan-Ude airport in Buryatia region, over 5,600 km east of Moscow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Tu-204 airplane was seen trailing flames after its engine reportedly exploded. The pilots, however, were successful in making an emergency landing just minutes after the take off.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-russia-will-not-probe-prigozhin-plane-crash-under-international-rules-630385">Russia will not probe Prigozhin plane crash under international rules</a></strong></p>

<p>"I heard a powerful explosion coming from above. At first, I thought it was fireworks, but the sound was too strange. It was very scary," a woman witness Lyubov Pichueva was quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Express paper.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another witness said: "It was burning very bright just now. Something is falling out of it...It is dumping something."</p>

<h2><strong>Where was the flight headed?</strong></h2>

<p>The flight was reportedly headed to China. The aircraft took off from Baikal airport in Ulan-Ude and was headed for the Chinese city of Zhangzhou when the explosion occurred.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🔥 ✈️ Russia: Tu-204 cargo plane's engine caught fire at takeoff. The jet dumped fuel and managed to land in Ulan-Ude, near Mongolia.<br />
Putin's regime cannot function without Western technology. Sanctions loopholes must continue to be eliminated. <a href="https://t.co/e31oTRMEiM">pic.twitter.com/e31oTRMEiM</a></p>
— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) <a href="https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1732576846712304023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>WION cannot immediately verify the authenticity of the video.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Were there any casualties?</strong></h2>

<p>The incident resulted in no casualties. The aircraft had five people onboard, and the incident is currently being investigated by the East Siberian Transport Prosecutor's Office.</p>

<p>According to Alexey Tsydenov, head of the Buryatia region, the plane dumped its fuel before making an emergency landing using one engine.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Prigozhin Plane Crash: What happened to Putin's other rivals</strong></p>

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<p>Russia is the subject of a 'red flag' probe by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) due to a spate of air safety issues it has suffered in the recent past.</p>

<p>In the first eight months of this year, there were 120 air accidents in Russia involving civil aircraft operated by Russian airlines.</p>

<p>This, reports in the British media claim, is more than double the number in recent years despite significantly fewer flights amid&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine conflict.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Russian cargo plane was seen exploding in the sky minutes after it reportedly took off from Ulan-Ude airport in Buryatia region, over 5,600 km east of Moscow. The Tu-204 airplane was seen trailing flames after its engine reportedly exploded.

A Russian cargo plane was seen exploding in the sky minutes after it reportedly took off from Ulan-Ude airport in Buryatia region, over 5,600 km east of Moscow. The Tu-204 airplane was seen trailing flames after its engine reportedly exploded. The pilots, however, were successful in making an emergency landing just minutes after the take off. Also read | Russia will not probe Prigozhin plane crash under international rules "I heard a powerful explosion coming from above. At first, I thought it was fireworks, but the sound was too strange. It was very scary," a woman witness Lyubov Pichueva was quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Express paper. Another witness said: "It was burning very bright just now. Something is falling out of it...It is dumping something." Where was the flight headed? The flight was reportedly headed to China. The aircraft took off from Baikal airport in Ulan-Ude and was headed for the Chinese city of Zhangzhou when the explosion occurred. 🔥 ✈️ Russia: Tu-204 cargo plane's engine caught fire at takeoff. The jet dumped fuel and managed to land in Ulan-Ude, near Mongolia. Putin's regime cannot function without Western technology. Sanctions loopholes must continue to be eliminated. pic.twitter.com/e31oTRMEiM — Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) December 7, 2023 × WION cannot immediately verify the authenticity of the video. Were there any casualties? The incident resulted in no casualties. The aircraft had five people onboard, and the incident is currently being investigated by the East Siberian Transport Prosecutor's Office. According to Alexey Tsydenov, head of the Buryatia region, the plane dumped its fuel before making an emergency landing using one engine. Also watch | Prigozhin Plane Crash: What happened to Putin's other rivals × Russia is the subject of a 'red flag' probe by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) due to a spate of air safety issues it has suffered in the recent past. In the first eight months of this year, there were 120 air accidents in Russia involving civil aircraft operated by Russian airlines. This, reports in the British media claim, is more than double the number in recent years despite significantly fewer flights amid Russia-Ukraine conflict. (With inputs from agencies)

Video: China-bound Russian plane goes up in flames moments after terrifying explosion

<p>For years, scientists have attempted to decipher if climate and geography affect the way people speak their language. While some argue that ecological effects have negligible impact on the sonority of a language, others contend that right from temperature to elevation, languages are influenced by myriad entities.&nbsp;Now, a&nbsp;new remarkable study published by linguists claims that languages spoken&nbsp;in the warmer climates, in the tropics, are much louder than those spoken in colder climates.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr&nbsp;Søren Wichmann, together with colleagues from China published the study titled "Temperature shapes language sonority: Revalidation from a large dataset"&nbsp;in online journal, PNAS Newxus and demonstrated that average ambient temperature influences the loudness of languages.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Generally speaking, languages in warmer regions are louder than those in colder regions," said Wichmann.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-new-study-suggest-advises-mothers-to-talk-to-their-baby-bumps-662094"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: New study suggest advises mothers to talk to their baby bumps</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Methodology used</strong></h2>

<p>Without making the findings of the research complex for the layman, Wichmann said the basic idea of the study is that when speaking or listening, we are surrounded by air. The words spoken are transmitted through the air as sound waves and thus physical properties of air influence how they [spoken words] are produced and perceived.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"On the one hand, the dryness of cold air poses a challenge to the production of voiced sounds, which require vibration of the vocal cords. On the other hand, warm air tends to limit unvoiced sounds by absorbing their high-frequency energy," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To arrive at the conclusion, Wichmann and his colleagues used the Automated Similarity Judgment Program (ASJP) database which contains&nbsp;the basic vocabulary of 5,293 languages and is constantly being expanded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers found that languages around the Equator and Southern Hemisphere had high mean sonority indexes (MSI). Languages in Oceania have some of the highest MSIs.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/studying-new-language-leads-to-measurable-changes-in-brain-activity-research-373947"><strong>Also read | Studying new language leads to measurable changes in brain activity: Research</strong></a></p>

<p>However, there were some exceptions to the trend. Mesoamerica and Mainland Southeast Asia showed lower MSIs despite being tropical. Researchers said the exception means that the effect of temperature on sonority develops slowly and over the course of centuries or even millennia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Overall, however, we were able to establish a clear relationship between the mean sonority of&nbsp;<a href="https://phys.org/tags/language/" rel="tag">language</a>&nbsp;families and the mean annual temperature," said Wichmann.</p>

<p>Notably,&nbsp;the world record for low sonority belongs to the Salish languages on the northwest coast of North America.</p>

<p>Similar studies can help scientists identify how the languages evolved due to the migration of Homo sapiens across the planet. They could carry clues about&nbsp;the environment of their predecessor languages.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


For years, scientists have attempted to decipher if climate and geography affect the way people speak their language. While some argue that ecological effects have negligible impact on the sonority of a language, others contend that right from temperature to elevation, languages are influenced by myriad entities.

For years, scientists have attempted to decipher if climate and geography affect the way people speak their language. While some argue that ecological effects have negligible impact on the sonority of a language, others contend that right from temperature to elevation, languages are influenced by myriad entities. Now, a new remarkable study published by linguists claims that languages spoken in the warmer climates, in the tropics, are much louder than those spoken in colder climates. Dr Søren Wichmann, together with colleagues from China published the study titled "Temperature shapes language sonority: Revalidation from a large dataset" in online journal, PNAS Newxus and demonstrated that average ambient temperature influences the loudness of languages. "Generally speaking, languages in warmer regions are louder than those in colder regions," said Wichmann. Watch | Gravitas: New study suggest advises mothers to talk to their baby bumps × Methodology used Without making the findings of the research complex for the layman, Wichmann said the basic idea of the study is that when speaking or listening, we are surrounded by air. The words spoken are transmitted through the air as sound waves and thus physical properties of air influence how they [spoken words] are produced and perceived. "On the one hand, the dryness of cold air poses a challenge to the production of voiced sounds, which require vibration of the vocal cords. On the other hand, warm air tends to limit unvoiced sounds by absorbing their high-frequency energy," he added. To arrive at the conclusion, Wichmann and his colleagues used the Automated Similarity Judgment Program (ASJP) database which contains the basic vocabulary of 5,293 languages and is constantly being expanded. The researchers found that languages around the Equator and Southern Hemisphere had high mean sonority indexes (MSI). Languages in Oceania have some of the highest MSIs. Also read | Studying new language leads to measurable changes in brain activity: Research However, there were some exceptions to the trend. Mesoamerica and Mainland Southeast Asia showed lower MSIs despite being tropical. Researchers said the exception means that the effect of temperature on sonority develops slowly and over the course of centuries or even millennia. "Overall, however, we were able to establish a clear relationship between the mean sonority of language families and the mean annual temperature," said Wichmann. Notably, the world record for low sonority belongs to the Salish languages on the northwest coast of North America. Similar studies can help scientists identify how the languages evolved due to the migration of Homo sapiens across the planet. They could carry clues about the environment of their predecessor languages. (With inputs from agencies)

How loud is your language? That depends on the region you live in

<p>The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Wednesday (Nov 6) added Iftar,&nbsp;the meal that Muslims take to break the daytime fast during the holy month of Ramzan, on the list of intangible cultural heritage.</p>

<p>Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan jointly submitted the application for the inclusion of iftar to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.</p>

<p>“Iftar (also called Eftari or Iftor) is observed by Muslims at sunset in the month of Ramazan, upon completion of all religious and ceremonial rites,” stated UNESCO.</p>

<p>Iftar, which takes place after the sunset call to prayer in Ramazan, is related to gatherings “strengthening family and community ties and promoting charity, solidarity and social exchange,” it said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmiri-muslim-family-prepares-thousand-of-diwali-diyas-for-the-festival-656110">Kashmiri Muslim family prepares thousands of Diwali diyas for the Hindu festival</a></p>

<p>The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which has been holding meetings in Botswana since Monday, recognised the age-old traditional Muslim observance.</p>

<p>In many Muslim nations, it is customary that the people mark iftar by eating a date along with drinking tea. The recipes of pastries and dishes, however, vary greatly from one country to another.</p>

<p>The UN body said, “Iftar practice is typically transmitted within families, and children and youth are often entrusted with preparing components of traditional meals.”</p>

<h2><strong>Italian opera singing also part of the list</strong></h2>

<p>Italian opera singing - which is an art “transmitted only orally” between pupil and maestro that attracts students globally - has also been added by UNESCO to the list of intangible global heritage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is an official confirmation of what we already knew: opera singing is a world excellence,” said Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, after UNESCO's decision.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Kashmiri Muslim family prepares thousands of Diwali diyas for the Hindu festival</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kashmiri-muslim-family-prepares-thousands-of-diwali-diyas-for-the-hindu-festival-656839/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Opera started in Italy, which is home to Verdi and Scarlatti. Italian patriots sang the opera and some of the world’s greatest arias came from the peninsula.</p>

<p>Italian opera is “a physiologically controlled way of singing that enhances the carrying power of the voice in acoustic spaces such as amphitheatres and churches,” stated UNESCO.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;</em></p>


The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Wednesday (Nov 6) added Iftar, the meal that Muslims take to break the daytime fast during the holy month of Ramzan, on the list of intangible cultural heritage.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Wednesday (Nov 6) added Iftar, the meal that Muslims take to break the daytime fast during the holy month of Ramzan, on the list of intangible cultural heritage. Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan jointly submitted the application for the inclusion of iftar to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. “Iftar (also called Eftari or Iftor) is observed by Muslims at sunset in the month of Ramazan, upon completion of all religious and ceremonial rites,” stated UNESCO. Iftar, which takes place after the sunset call to prayer in Ramazan, is related to gatherings “strengthening family and community ties and promoting charity, solidarity and social exchange,” it said. Also read: Kashmiri Muslim family prepares thousands of Diwali diyas for the Hindu festival The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which has been holding meetings in Botswana since Monday, recognised the age-old traditional Muslim observance. In many Muslim nations, it is customary that the people mark iftar by eating a date along with drinking tea. The recipes of pastries and dishes, however, vary greatly from one country to another. The UN body said, “Iftar practice is typically transmitted within families, and children and youth are often entrusted with preparing components of traditional meals.” Italian opera singing also part of the list Italian opera singing - which is an art “transmitted only orally” between pupil and maestro that attracts students globally - has also been added by UNESCO to the list of intangible global heritage. “This is an official confirmation of what we already knew: opera singing is a world excellence,” said Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, after UNESCO's decision. Watch: Kashmiri Muslim family prepares thousands of Diwali diyas for the Hindu festival Opera started in Italy, which is home to Verdi and Scarlatti. Italian patriots sang the opera and some of the world’s greatest arias came from the peninsula. Italian opera is “a physiologically controlled way of singing that enhances the carrying power of the voice in acoustic spaces such as amphitheatres and churches,” stated UNESCO. (With inputs from agencies)

UNESCO adds iftar, a daytime meal in Ramzan, to cultural heritage list

<p>A steamy sketch from more than three centuries ago has earned the "explicit" tag by the auction house selling it.</p>

<p>The sketch is being sold by international auction house Christie's and is expected to sell for around half a million dollars or GBP 250,000-400,000 (USD 313,748–501,998).</p>

<h2><strong>'The French Bed'</strong></h2>

<p>The etching in question is titled "The French Bed" and was drawn by Dutch Painter Rembrandt around 350 years ago in 1646. To view it online on Christie's website, users have to click past an "explicit content" warning.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tragic-year-boris-johnsons-apologies-over-covid-19-pandemic-handling-met-with-signs-of-dead-cant-hear-667029">Boris Johnson's apologies over COVID-19 pandemic handling met with signs of 'dead can't hear'. Watch!</a></strong></p>

<p>It is part of a collection named "Old Masters I" that goes on auction on Thursday (Dec 7).</p>

<h2><strong>What is explicit about the etching?</strong></h2>

<p>"The French Bed"&nbsp;or Het Ledikant is a monochrome picture, hidden away behind the sign "EXPLICIT CONTENT. This lot contains explicit material and mature subject matter," on Christie's website.</p>

<p>You can see it here:</p>

<p><img alt="Rembrandt " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d569f9d-b241-4226-b3a3-aef49e5f7f77" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202023-12-07T115254.807.jpg" /></p>

<p><em><sup>(Image credit: Christie's website)</sup></em></p>

<p>It depicts a man and a woman on a four-poster bed passionately engaged in lovemaking. The couple is depicted to be semi-clothed and amorous.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They seem to have just tumbled onto the bed, with the trousers and skirts off, but shirts still on."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/moo-d-boosting-therapy-this-farm-offers-relaxation-through-unique-cow-cuddling-sessions-665959">Moo-d boosting therapy: This farm offers relaxation through unique cow cuddling sessions</a></strong></p>

<p>Christie describes the Rembrandt piece as "one of a small number of explicitly erotic prints" by the Dutch painter.</p>

<p>"The delicately named ‘French Bed’ is one of a small number of explicitly erotic prints by Rembrandt, and one of the rarest etchings in his entire oeuvre."</p>

<p>They further write that the woman looks at her lover with a smile, and "the perplexing fact that she has three arms and hands adds to the vivacity of the scene."</p>

<p>However, the auction house goes on to say that the painting isn't "crass or obscene".</p>

<p>"It is to Rembrandt’s credit—and very much in line with his humane and slightly subversive character – that he did not try to classicise, moralise or otherwise elevate his print. Nor is it in any way crass or obscene, and that's makes this etching so charming and light-hearted: they are just two young people having a good time together."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


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

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

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

<p>In 2022, a Japanese man known as Toco gained notoriety for an unusual endeavour—he spent $14,000 to transform himself into a dog. His escapades unfolded on the 'I Want To Be An Animal' YouTube channel, where he chronicled life as a canine, creating a mix of intrigue and controversy.</p>

<p>Toco's virtual stardom blossomed as he shared videos portraying everyday life with dog-like activities such as walking, eating dog food, and mastering tricks. Despite keeping his true identity under wraps, Toco continued captivating online audiences with his peculiar lifestyle choices.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/japanese-man-who-transformed-into-dog-says-people-misinfomed-about-him-624989">Also read |&nbsp;Japanese man who transformed into dog says people 'misinformed' about him</a></p>

<h2><strong>Failed agility test&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Adding a new chapter to his doggy adventures, Toco attempted a Crufts-style agility test in his backyard. The resulting Instagram video showcased a humorous mishap as he stumbled and collided with hurdles while clad in a custom-made collie costume.</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0YlTyYJ9G9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by トコ（toco） (@toco.ev)</a></p>
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<p>Zeppet, a company specialising in costume creation for TV and film, brought Toco's vision to life by crafting the bespoke collie costume. The meticulous work took 40 days, underscoring Toco's commitment to embracing his canine alter ego.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;A Japanese man spends 2 Million Yen to become a dog</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-japanese-man-spends-2-million-yen-to-become-a-dog-620564/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The viral agility test video stirred diverse reactions online. While some criticised Toco's eccentric choice, deeming it bizarre, others found it amusing and harmless.</p>

<p>Comments ranged from commending his bravery to playful remarks about the endearing quality of his "crash land photos." However, concerns were raised about Toco's mental well-being, with some asserting that dogs inherently differ from humans, regardless of costumes.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In 2022, a Japanese man known as Toco gained notoriety for an unusual endeavour—he spent $14,000 to transform himself into a dog. His escapades unfolded on the 'I Want To Be An Animal' YouTube channel, where he chronicled life as a canine, creating a mix of intrigue and controversy.

In 2022, a Japanese man known as Toco gained notoriety for an unusual endeavour—he spent $14,000 to transform himself into a dog. His escapades unfolded on the 'I Want To Be An Animal' YouTube channel, where he chronicled life as a canine, creating a mix of intrigue and controversy. Toco's virtual stardom blossomed as he shared videos portraying everyday life with dog-like activities such as walking, eating dog food, and mastering tricks. Despite keeping his true identity under wraps, Toco continued captivating online audiences with his peculiar lifestyle choices. Also read | Japanese man who transformed into dog says people 'misinformed' about him Failed agility test Adding a new chapter to his doggy adventures, Toco attempted a Crufts-style agility test in his backyard. The resulting Instagram video showcased a humorous mishap as he stumbled and collided with hurdles while clad in a custom-made collie costume. View this post on Instagram A post shared by トコ（toco） (@toco.ev) × Zeppet, a company specialising in costume creation for TV and film, brought Toco's vision to life by crafting the bespoke collie costume. The meticulous work took 40 days, underscoring Toco's commitment to embracing his canine alter ego. Also watch | A Japanese man spends 2 Million Yen to become a dog The viral agility test video stirred diverse reactions online. While some criticised Toco's eccentric choice, deeming it bizarre, others found it amusing and harmless. Comments ranged from commending his bravery to playful remarks about the endearing quality of his "crash land photos." However, concerns were raised about Toco's mental well-being, with some asserting that dogs inherently differ from humans, regardless of costumes. (With inputs from agencies)

Remember the Japanese man who spent $14k to turn himself into a dog? He failed a canine agility test

<p>In the United Kingdom, a young girl named Olivia Farnsworth gained the moniker "bionic" after a harrowing accident in 2016 when, at the tender age of seven, she was hit and dragged by a car. What followed left onlookers stunned.</p>

<p>Olivia suffers from a one-of-a-kind genetic condition, identified as chromosome 6 deletion, making her possibly the only person globally with these symptoms. This extremely rare condition renders her incapable of feeling pain, hunger, or fatigue, as highlighted in a report by Huffington Post.</p>

<h2><strong>The fearless ‘bionic’ girl</strong></h2>

<p>During the accident, Olivia's mother, Niki Trepak, observed that Olivia displayed an extraordinary lack of fear, leading to her being dubbed the 'bionic girl'.&nbsp;Despite being dragged about ten car lengths down the road, Olivia nonchalantly got up and walked away, leaving doctors and witnesses astounded.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-prince-harry-challenges-uk-government%E2%80%99s-decision-to-strip-him-of-security-detail-when-he-moved-to-us-666369">Also read |&nbsp;Prince Harry challenges UK government’s decision to strip him of security detail when he moved to US</a></p>

<p>Doctors, deeming her 'bionic',&nbsp;were perplexed by Olivia's resilience. Despite the severity of the impact, she sustained minimal injuries—a tyre mark on her chest and skin abrasions on her toe and hip. Her ability not to tense up during the incident is believed to have played a pivotal role in her miraculous escape from severe harm.</p>

<p>Olivia's unique condition began manifesting symptoms when she was just a few months old. From a lack of hair growth to severe colic, her mother recalls the challenges they faced. Notably, Olivia exhibited a lack of sleep, surviving on a mere two hours a night, a pattern that continued into her childhood.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Indigenous women bring tribe back from brink of extinction</strong></p>

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<p>Another facet of Olivia's condition is her indifference to food. Rejecting her mother's milk at just a few months old, she rarely experiences hunger and exhibits peculiar eating habits. Her mother notes that Olivia eats at school due to societal norms, but she doesn't inherently feel the need for sustenance.</p>

<p>Olivia's condition, chromosome 6p deletion, is a complex chromosome abnormality associated with behavioural issues, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and distinctive facial traits, as detailed by the National Organization for Rare Disorders.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In the United Kingdom, a young girl named Olivia Farnsworth gained the moniker "bionic" after a harrowing accident in 2016 when, at the tender age of seven, she was hit and dragged by a car.

In the United Kingdom, a young girl named Olivia Farnsworth gained the moniker "bionic" after a harrowing accident in 2016 when, at the tender age of seven, she was hit and dragged by a car. What followed left onlookers stunned. Olivia suffers from a one-of-a-kind genetic condition, identified as chromosome 6 deletion, making her possibly the only person globally with these symptoms. This extremely rare condition renders her incapable of feeling pain, hunger, or fatigue, as highlighted in a report by Huffington Post. The fearless ‘bionic’ girl During the accident, Olivia's mother, Niki Trepak, observed that Olivia displayed an extraordinary lack of fear, leading to her being dubbed the 'bionic girl'. Despite being dragged about ten car lengths down the road, Olivia nonchalantly got up and walked away, leaving doctors and witnesses astounded. Also read | Prince Harry challenges UK government’s decision to strip him of security detail when he moved to US Doctors, deeming her 'bionic', were perplexed by Olivia's resilience. Despite the severity of the impact, she sustained minimal injuries—a tyre mark on her chest and skin abrasions on her toe and hip. Her ability not to tense up during the incident is believed to have played a pivotal role in her miraculous escape from severe harm. Olivia's unique condition began manifesting symptoms when she was just a few months old. From a lack of hair growth to severe colic, her mother recalls the challenges they faced. Notably, Olivia exhibited a lack of sleep, surviving on a mere two hours a night, a pattern that continued into her childhood. Also watch | Indigenous women bring tribe back from brink of extinction Another facet of Olivia's condition is her indifference to food. Rejecting her mother's milk at just a few months old, she rarely experiences hunger and exhibits peculiar eating habits. Her mother notes that Olivia eats at school due to societal norms, but she doesn't inherently feel the need for sustenance. Olivia's condition, chromosome 6p deletion, is a complex chromosome abnormality associated with behavioural issues, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and distinctive facial traits, as detailed by the National Organization for Rare Disorders. (With inputs from agencies)

This UK teen is defying nature, as she feels no pain, hunger, or fatigue due to rare disorder

<p>Voted Italy's most handsome man in 2019 at the mere age of 17, Edoardo Santini has abandoned his pursuit in the glamour industry. The 21-year-old last week announced he was renouncing his career in the entertainment industry for the path of god.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Santini took to his Instagram handle and shared a video message, explaining the new spiritual journey he had embarked upon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"At 21 years of age I find myself on the path towards becoming a priest, God willing," Santini said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I've decided to give up modelling work, acting, and dance, but I won't abandon all my passions; I'll just live them differently, offering them up to God," he added, claiming to have joined a seminary near Florence.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/study-reveals-the-science-behind-why-we-find-certain-people-attractive-trending-on-wion-585894"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Study reveals the science behind why we find certain people attractive</strong></a></p>

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<p>The model said living with two priests in the last year was "the most beautiful experience" of his life - one which allowed him to pursue a different career.&nbsp;He also cited his parents example as the one that helped him in deciding to turn to church.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"At 21 years old, my father took the decision to marry my mother because she was pregnant and my mum, at 21, became a mother," said Santini.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Me, at 21 years old, I find myself taking the path to become, God willing, a priest. In these past years I've been able to meet people who have shown me what it means to be 'church'," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/entertainment/hollywood/top-10-most-handsome-men-in-world-a-list-of-global-charisma-kim-taehyung--1686313991090"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Top 10 Most Handsome Men in World: A List of Global Charisma</strong></a></p>

<p>Santini burst onto the scene when his chiselled looks led him to be crowned with the "Most Handsome Man" title in a pageant organised by ABE, a fashion group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Afterwards, he spent time studying drama and dance to achieve his dream of becoming a star. And though Santini has turned religious, he said he would not abandon everything which made him who he was.</p>

<p>"I will live them in a different context," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Voted Italy's most handsome man in 2019 at the mere age of 17, Edoardo Santini has abandoned his pursuit in the glamour industry. The 21-year-old last week announced he was renouncing his career in the entertainment industry for the path of god.

Voted Italy's most handsome man in 2019 at the mere age of 17, Edoardo Santini has abandoned his pursuit in the glamour industry. The 21-year-old last week announced he was renouncing his career in the entertainment industry for the path of god. Santini took to his Instagram handle and shared a video message, explaining the new spiritual journey he had embarked upon. "At 21 years of age I find myself on the path towards becoming a priest, God willing," Santini said. "I've decided to give up modelling work, acting, and dance, but I won't abandon all my passions; I'll just live them differently, offering them up to God," he added, claiming to have joined a seminary near Florence. Watch | Study reveals the science behind why we find certain people attractive × The model said living with two priests in the last year was "the most beautiful experience" of his life - one which allowed him to pursue a different career. He also cited his parents example as the one that helped him in deciding to turn to church. "At 21 years old, my father took the decision to marry my mother because she was pregnant and my mum, at 21, became a mother," said Santini. "Me, at 21 years old, I find myself taking the path to become, God willing, a priest. In these past years I've been able to meet people who have shown me what it means to be 'church'," he added. Also read | Top 10 Most Handsome Men in World: A List of Global Charisma Santini burst onto the scene when his chiselled looks led him to be crowned with the "Most Handsome Man" title in a pageant organised by ABE, a fashion group. Afterwards, he spent time studying drama and dance to achieve his dream of becoming a star. And though Santini has turned religious, he said he would not abandon everything which made him who he was. "I will live them in a different context," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

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