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<p>Dr SS Badrinath was the founder and chairman of Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai. He died on Tuesday at 83.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu Congress Vice President Rama Suganthan confirmed the news of his demise on X.</p>

<p>Former vice president of India, M Venkaiah Naidu,&nbsp;also condoled the death of Dr Badrinath.</p>

<p>Here's everything you need to know about Dr SS Badrinath, a stalwart who built an iconic hospital that has helped thousands of patients, and still continues to do so.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>SS Badrinath's Early Life</strong></h2>

<p>Dr Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath was born on 24 February 1940 in Triplicane, Chennai. His father, Sri SV Srinivasa Rao, worked for the Madras Government as an engineer in the Department of Public Works and Food Production. His mother, Lakshmi Devi, was the daughter of a leading advocate from Nerur, Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Badrinath was the youngest of seven siblings. He lost both his parents when he was a teenager.</p>

<h2><strong>SS Badrinath's Education</strong></h2>

<p>Due to a childhood illness, Dr Badrinath started his education when he was seven. He studied at the PS High School in Mylapore and Sri Ramakrishna Mission High School in Chennai. He completed his intermediate collegiate study at Loyola College in Chennai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Badrinath studied at the Madras Medical College between 1957 and 1962. He completed his education using the life insurance policy money obtained after the death of his father.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Badrinath secured the highest marks in ophthalmology in the university exams and completed his medical studies on the first attempt.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For his post-graduation, he went to the United States of America and attended the Grasslands Hospital, New York University postgraduate medical school and Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary between 1963 and 1968.</p>

<h2><strong>SS Badrinath's Medical Career</strong></h2>

<ul>
	<li>In 1969, Dr Badrinath passed the examination for the Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada.</li>
	<li>In 1970, he passed the American Board Examination in Ophthalmology. Dr Badrinath started his first job at the Voluntary Health Services in Adyar in the same year.</li>
	<li>Between 1970 and 1972, Dr Badrinath started his private practice in ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery at the HM Hospital and Vijaya Hospital in Chennai.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>In 1978, Dr Badrinath founded the Medical Research Foundation. Sankara Nethralaya is the hospital unit of this foundation.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>In 1999, the Government of India awarded Dr SS Badrinath with Padma Bhushan for building Sankara Nethralaya, a hospital that provided quality care at affordable cost, teaching and training ophthalmologists and paramedical personnel and research in vision sciences.</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>SS Badrinath's Personal Life</strong></h2>

<p>Dr Badrinath is survived by his wife, Dr Vasanthi Iyer, and their two sons. The two had met in Brooklyn in 1966 and married on 3 June 1967.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Dr SS Badrinath was the founder and chairman of Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai. He died on Tuesday at 83. Tamil Nadu Congress Vice President Rama Suganthan confirmed the news of his demise on X.

Dr SS Badrinath was the founder and chairman of Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai. He died on Tuesday at 83. Tamil Nadu Congress Vice President Rama Suganthan confirmed the news of his demise on X. Former vice president of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, also condoled the death of Dr Badrinath. Here's everything you need to know about Dr SS Badrinath, a stalwart who built an iconic hospital that has helped thousands of patients, and still continues to do so. SS Badrinath's Early Life Dr Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath was born on 24 February 1940 in Triplicane, Chennai. His father, Sri SV Srinivasa Rao, worked for the Madras Government as an engineer in the Department of Public Works and Food Production. His mother, Lakshmi Devi, was the daughter of a leading advocate from Nerur, Tamil Nadu. Dr Badrinath was the youngest of seven siblings. He lost both his parents when he was a teenager. SS Badrinath's Education Due to a childhood illness, Dr Badrinath started his education when he was seven. He studied at the PS High School in Mylapore and Sri Ramakrishna Mission High School in Chennai. He completed his intermediate collegiate study at Loyola College in Chennai. Dr Badrinath studied at the Madras Medical College between 1957 and 1962. He completed his education using the life insurance policy money obtained after the death of his father. Dr Badrinath secured the highest marks in ophthalmology in the university exams and completed his medical studies on the first attempt. For his post-graduation, he went to the United States of America and attended the Grasslands Hospital, New York University postgraduate medical school and Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary between 1963 and 1968. SS Badrinath's Medical Career In 1969, Dr Badrinath passed the examination for the Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada. In 1970, he passed the American Board Examination in Ophthalmology. Dr Badrinath started his first job at the Voluntary Health Services in Adyar in the same year. Between 1970 and 1972, Dr Badrinath started his private practice in ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery at the HM Hospital and Vijaya Hospital in Chennai. In 1978, Dr Badrinath founded the Medical Research Foundation. Sankara Nethralaya is the hospital unit of this foundation. In 1999, the Government of India awarded Dr SS Badrinath with Padma Bhushan for building Sankara Nethralaya, a hospital that provided quality care at affordable cost, teaching and training ophthalmologists and paramedical personnel and research in vision sciences. SS Badrinath's Personal Life Dr Badrinath is survived by his wife, Dr Vasanthi Iyer, and their two sons. The two had met in Brooklyn in 1966 and married on 3 June 1967. (With inputs from agencies)

Who was SS Badrinath? Sankara Nethralaya founder & Padma Bhushan-winning Indian doctor dies at 83

<p>The guidelines for naming a planet’s surface features are not gender inclusive and are biased in favour of men, a researcher at The Open University has alleged.</p>

<p>Annie Lennox’s allegations are backed by an analysis of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) database, which reveals that only two per cent of the known Moon craters are named after women.</p>

<p>Planetary features generally include craters, mountains, valleys, canyons, oceans and volcanoes discovered on a planet or its satellite.</p>

<p>Lennox wrote an open letter to the IAU – an international association of professional astronomers – urging them to change the policies governing the naming of planetary features, which she claims are biased towards “cisgender (cis) white men.”</p>

<p>“Distant craters on the Moon, Mars and Mercury record a history much closer to home: celebrating the achievements of mankind, and to a much lesser extent womankind,” she wrote in her letter.</p>

<p>Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Riccioli initiated the practice of naming lunar craters in 1635, adopting the titles of renowned scientists for his discoveries—an approach still followed by the IAU today.</p>

<p>Although the IAU doesn't directly assign names, it facilitates the formation of working groups or task forces to propose and approve names for specific features, often guided by historical figures, mythology, or cultural themes.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-without-oxygen-this-is-when-our-planet-will-lose-an-oxygen-rich-atmosphere-660107"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Earth without oxygen? This is when our planet will lose an oxygen-rich atmosphere</strong></a></p>

<p>Lennox highlighted the impact of IAU's guidelines on the diversity and inclusivity of scientific communities responsible for naming.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Surface features are named following conventions that are set and maintained by the IAU. Frustratingly, elements of the current conventions crystallise historic injustices and contribute to a lack of diversity within the nomenclature,” she writes.</p>

<p>Her research revealed that Mercury exhibits a slightly better representation of women, with 11.8 per cent of its 415 craters having female names.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: A supernova can tear apart a planet's atmosphere</strong></p>

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<p>On the other hand, planetary features on Mars show a significant gender disparity, with only 1.8 per cent of its 280 craters named after women. Venus, while having all craters named after females, sees a nuanced situation—only 38 per cent are attributed to actual women who made substantial contributions to society, as noted by Lennox.</p>

<p>“On the one planet intended to exclusively celebrate the contributions of women, more features have been given meaningless, arbitrary female first names or the names of mythological goddesses than those of real women,” she points out.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The guidelines for naming a planet’s surface features are not gender inclusive and are biased in favour of men, a researcher at The Open University has alleged. Annie Lennox’s allegations are backed by an analysis of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) database, which reveals that only two per cent of the known Moon craters are named after women.

The guidelines for naming a planet’s surface features are not gender inclusive and are biased in favour of men, a researcher at The Open University has alleged. Annie Lennox’s allegations are backed by an analysis of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) database, which reveals that only two per cent of the known Moon craters are named after women. Planetary features generally include craters, mountains, valleys, canyons, oceans and volcanoes discovered on a planet or its satellite. Lennox wrote an open letter to the IAU – an international association of professional astronomers – urging them to change the policies governing the naming of planetary features, which she claims are biased towards “cisgender (cis) white men.” “Distant craters on the Moon, Mars and Mercury record a history much closer to home: celebrating the achievements of mankind, and to a much lesser extent womankind,” she wrote in her letter. Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Riccioli initiated the practice of naming lunar craters in 1635, adopting the titles of renowned scientists for his discoveries—an approach still followed by the IAU today. Although the IAU doesn't directly assign names, it facilitates the formation of working groups or task forces to propose and approve names for specific features, often guided by historical figures, mythology, or cultural themes. Also read: Earth without oxygen? This is when our planet will lose an oxygen-rich atmosphere Lennox highlighted the impact of IAU's guidelines on the diversity and inclusivity of scientific communities responsible for naming. “Surface features are named following conventions that are set and maintained by the IAU. Frustratingly, elements of the current conventions crystallise historic injustices and contribute to a lack of diversity within the nomenclature,” she writes. Her research revealed that Mercury exhibits a slightly better representation of women, with 11.8 per cent of its 415 craters having female names. Watch: Gravitas: A supernova can tear apart a planet's atmosphere × On the other hand, planetary features on Mars show a significant gender disparity, with only 1.8 per cent of its 280 craters named after women. Venus, while having all craters named after females, sees a nuanced situation—only 38 per cent are attributed to actual women who made substantial contributions to society, as noted by Lennox. “On the one planet intended to exclusively celebrate the contributions of women, more features have been given meaningless, arbitrary female first names or the names of mythological goddesses than those of real women,” she points out. (With inputs from agencies)

Most cosmic surfaces are named after men and one researcher is not happy with the bias

<p>A tool bag that was accidentally slipped by NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), will be flying over Britain on Tuesday (Nov 21) and be visible from the ground.</p>

<p>The tool bag is orbiting the Earth around five minutes ahead of the ISS, and it has already been spotted by astronauts both onboard the space station and on the ground.</p>

<p>The bag is surprisingly bright and can be spotted with the naked eye in a clear sky. However, amateurs can also use binoculars or a telescope for a clear view.</p>

<h2><strong>What time will the tool bag be visible?</strong></h2>

<p>Britons in the south are expected to have a clear view of the tool bag on Tuesday evening. The best time to spot the bag would be between 5.30 pm and 5.41 pm.</p>

<p>Astronomers from the Virtual Telescope Project first spotted the object from the ground last week.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gaganyaan: India's first mission to send astronauts to space</strong></p>

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<p>Gianluca Masi, the project founder, posted an image, adding: &nbsp;“The object looks like a sharp dot of light in the centre, as the telescope tracked it.”&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How did the bag end up there?</strong></h2>

<p>On November 2, when NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were conducting repairs on the International Space Station’s (ISS) solar panels, they accidentally let a tool bag slip away.</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Last seen by <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Satoshi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Satoshi</a> while floating over Mount Fuji 🗻 the 'Orbital Police' can confirm that the lost EVA gear is being tracked 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM">https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM</a> <a href="https://t.co/eksfu9fPFw">pic.twitter.com/eksfu9fPFw</a></p>
— Dr Meganne Christian (@astro_meganne) <a href="https://twitter.com/astro_meganne/status/1721297966999236802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The tool bag is expected to orbit around Earth for a few months, during which it will continue to descend until 70 miles or 113 kilometres.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/science/8-weird-things-astronauts-have-left-on-the-moon-1691144540606"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;8 Weird Things Astronauts Have Left On The Moon</strong></a></p>

<p>After reaching there, it will start to disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere.</p>

<p>Notably, it was not the first time that astronauts dropped a repair kit accidentally into the Earth’s orbit.</p>

<p>On November 18, 2008, astronauts lost a similar repair kit during an operation outside the ISS.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A tool bag that was accidentally slipped by NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), will be flying over Britain on Tuesday (Nov 21) and be visible from the ground.

A tool bag that was accidentally slipped by NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), will be flying over Britain on Tuesday (Nov 21) and be visible from the ground. The tool bag is orbiting the Earth around five minutes ahead of the ISS, and it has already been spotted by astronauts both onboard the space station and on the ground. The bag is surprisingly bright and can be spotted with the naked eye in a clear sky. However, amateurs can also use binoculars or a telescope for a clear view. What time will the tool bag be visible? Britons in the south are expected to have a clear view of the tool bag on Tuesday evening. The best time to spot the bag would be between 5.30 pm and 5.41 pm. Astronomers from the Virtual Telescope Project first spotted the object from the ground last week. Watch: Gaganyaan: India's first mission to send astronauts to space × Gianluca Masi, the project founder, posted an image, adding: “The object looks like a sharp dot of light in the centre, as the telescope tracked it.” How did the bag end up there? On November 2, when NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were conducting repairs on the International Space Station’s (ISS) solar panels, they accidentally let a tool bag slip away. Last seen by @Astro_Satoshi while floating over Mount Fuji 🗻 the 'Orbital Police' can confirm that the lost EVA gear is being tracked 🫡 https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM pic.twitter.com/eksfu9fPFw — Dr Meganne Christian (@astro_meganne) November 5, 2023 × The tool bag is expected to orbit around Earth for a few months, during which it will continue to descend until 70 miles or 113 kilometres. Also read: 8 Weird Things Astronauts Have Left On The Moon After reaching there, it will start to disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere. Notably, it was not the first time that astronauts dropped a repair kit accidentally into the Earth’s orbit. On November 18, 2008, astronauts lost a similar repair kit during an operation outside the ISS. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s lost tool bag orbiting Earth can be spotted with naked eyes on Tuesday

<p>France's late&nbsp;emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s hat was sold for a record price of 1.932 million euros ($2.1 million) at an auction in Paris on Sunday.</p>

<p>The auction of the hat, which is known as a bicorne, beat the previous record for a Napoleonic hat that was held by the same auction house in 2014. It was bought for €1.88&nbsp;million ($2.05mn) by a South Korean businessman.</p>

<p>According to auctioneer Jeane-Pierre Osenat, the black-coloured hat — which has the French flag’s blue-white-red colours as insignia —&nbsp;attracted interest from collectors “the world over”.</p>

<p>He, however, declined to give the identity or nationality of the eventual buyer.</p>

<p>The hat was last owned by businessman Jean-Louis Noisiez, who died last year.</p>

<h2><strong>Final price went four times more than the reserved price&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The hat was initially estimated for 600,000 to 800,000 euros ($655,00 to $873,000), but the final price went for more than double the estimate and nearly four times the reserve price, the auction house based in Fontainebleau, south of Paris, said.</p>

<p>“One million four hundred fifty thousand [euros] to my left, 1.5 million, we have 1.5 million in the room, 1.5 million for Napoleon’s hat. We’re leaving it at 1.5 million for this major Napoleon symbol, I’m selling for 1.5 million [before fees], no regrets, sold,” Osenat said as he brought down the hammer to applause, reports AFP news agency.</p>

<p>It is believed that Napoleon owned around 120 such hats in total over 15 years, most of which are now lost.</p>

<p>“The hat in itself represented the emperor’s image,” auction house expert Jean-Pierre Osenat said ahead of the sale.</p>

<h2><strong>Auction comes ahead of Hollywood release</strong></h2>

<p>The auction house said that the hat, which went for Sunday’s auction, was worn by Napoleon towards the middle of his time as emperor, which lasted from 1808 to 1815.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/who-is-the-pitch-invader-who-gate-crashed-world-cup-2023-final-between-india-and-australia-660548">Who is the pitch invader who gate-crashed World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia?</a></p>

<p>The auction comes ahead of the release of a Hollywood biopic on Napoleon. The film is directed by Ridley Scott and features Joaquin Phoenix as the French emperor. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/macallan-1926-rare-whisky-becomes-worlds-most-expensive-bottle-after-being-sold-at-auction-for-record-27mn-660342">Macallan 1926: Rare whisky becomes world’s most expensive as bottle goes for record $2.7mn at auction</a></p>

<p>It features massive-scale battles across Europe but also portrays the emperor’s complex relationship with his wife Josephine.</p>

<p>Phoenix said that his character was “socially awkward”, but also a “romantic”.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


France's late emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s hat was sold for a record price of 1.932 million euros ($2.1 million) at an auction in Paris on Sunday. The auction of the hat, which is known as a bicorne, beat the previous record for a Napoleonic hat that was held by the same auction house in 2014.

France's late emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s hat was sold for a record price of 1.932 million euros ($2.1 million) at an auction in Paris on Sunday. The auction of the hat, which is known as a bicorne, beat the previous record for a Napoleonic hat that was held by the same auction house in 2014. It was bought for €1.88 million ($2.05mn) by a South Korean businessman. According to auctioneer Jeane-Pierre Osenat, the black-coloured hat — which has the French flag’s blue-white-red colours as insignia — attracted interest from collectors “the world over”. He, however, declined to give the identity or nationality of the eventual buyer. The hat was last owned by businessman Jean-Louis Noisiez, who died last year. Final price went four times more than the reserved price The hat was initially estimated for 600,000 to 800,000 euros ($655,00 to $873,000), but the final price went for more than double the estimate and nearly four times the reserve price, the auction house based in Fontainebleau, south of Paris, said. “One million four hundred fifty thousand [euros] to my left, 1.5 million, we have 1.5 million in the room, 1.5 million for Napoleon’s hat. We’re leaving it at 1.5 million for this major Napoleon symbol, I’m selling for 1.5 million [before fees], no regrets, sold,” Osenat said as he brought down the hammer to applause, reports AFP news agency. It is believed that Napoleon owned around 120 such hats in total over 15 years, most of which are now lost. “The hat in itself represented the emperor’s image,” auction house expert Jean-Pierre Osenat said ahead of the sale. Auction comes ahead of Hollywood release The auction house said that the hat, which went for Sunday’s auction, was worn by Napoleon towards the middle of his time as emperor, which lasted from 1808 to 1815. Also read | Who is the pitch invader who gate-crashed World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia? The auction comes ahead of the release of a Hollywood biopic on Napoleon. The film is directed by Ridley Scott and features Joaquin Phoenix as the French emperor. Also read | Macallan 1926: Rare whisky becomes world’s most expensive as bottle goes for record $2.7mn at auction It features massive-scale battles across Europe but also portrays the emperor’s complex relationship with his wife Josephine. Phoenix said that his character was “socially awkward”, but also a “romantic”. (With inputs from agencies)

French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s hat auctioned for record $2 million

<p>A radio station in Philadelphia has banned Taylor Swift’s music this weekend ahead of Monday night's Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs NFL game. This move is temporary as the radio station announced they will be doing their bit to support the home team as they don't want teams to get influenced courtesy of Taylor Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Chiefs.</p>

<p>A host named Nugget at the radio station told a local news outlet, "Q102 is punting Taylor Swift from the radio station for the entire weekend because while Q102 loves Taylor Swift, we can't get enough of her, this weekend it's really important we show our support for the Birds.”</p>

<p>Taylor Swift’s music will be back on the station post Tuesday, once the game is over.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are reports that Taylor too will attend the game. The NFL game is scheduled for Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. She is said to be a good-luck charm for Kelce and the Chiefs. The team has won every game that Swift has attended so far, and the NFL has playfully pointed out Kelce's improved on-field performance when she's there.</p>

<p>However, it’s highly unlikely that she will make it to the game since she is currently busy with her Eras Tour concerts. There is one for Monday evening in Rio de Janeiro. The concert was rescheduled after there was an overheating episode on the previous date.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-postpones-rio-show-due-to-extreme-heat-after-fan-death-660226">Taylor Swift postpones Rio show due to extreme heat after fan's death</a></p>


A radio station in Philadelphia has banned Taylor Swift’s music this weekend ahead of Monday night's Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs NFL game. This move is temporary as the radio station announced they will be doing their bit to support the home team as they don't want teams to get influenced courtesy of Taylor Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Chiefs.

A radio station in Philadelphia has banned Taylor Swift’s music this weekend ahead of Monday night's Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs NFL game. This move is temporary as the radio station announced they will be doing their bit to support the home team as they don't want teams to get influenced courtesy of Taylor Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Chiefs. A host named Nugget at the radio station told a local news outlet, "Q102 is punting Taylor Swift from the radio station for the entire weekend because while Q102 loves Taylor Swift, we can't get enough of her, this weekend it's really important we show our support for the Birds.” Taylor Swift’s music will be back on the station post Tuesday, once the game is over. There are reports that Taylor too will attend the game. The NFL game is scheduled for Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. She is said to be a good-luck charm for Kelce and the Chiefs. The team has won every game that Swift has attended so far, and the NFL has playfully pointed out Kelce's improved on-field performance when she's there. However, it’s highly unlikely that she will make it to the game since she is currently busy with her Eras Tour concerts. There is one for Monday evening in Rio de Janeiro. The concert was rescheduled after there was an overheating episode on the previous date. Taylor Swift postpones Rio show due to extreme heat after fan's death

US radio station bans Taylor Swift's music ahead of the Chiefs-Eagles game

<p>Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, is once again under scrutiny, this time for allegedly "harassing" a humpback whale while riding a jetski during a public holiday.</p>

<p>This investigation adds to a series of probes into Bolsonaro's actions, ranging from environmental offences to political misconduct, reported the Guardian.</p>

<p>Known as "Captain Chainsaw" for his anti-environmental policies during his four-year administration, Bolsonaro now faces allegations of environmental misconduct during a jetski excursion near São Sebastião on Brazil's south-eastern coastline.</p>

<p>In June, a man resembling Bolsonaro was reportedly filmed within 15 metres of a humpback whale, using a mobile phone to capture the distressed behaviour&nbsp;of the whale.</p>

<p>Brazilian law prohibits the deliberate harassment of cetaceans, including humpback whales, and mandates a minimum distance of 100 metres for vessels with engines running.</p>

<p>Environmental agency Ibama enforces regulations that prohibit vessels from approaching marine animals too closely and engaging in activities that may disturb them. Such regulations include maintaining a distance of 300 metres from dolphins or whales and avoiding excessive noise in their vicinity.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Brazil court sentences three in pro-Bolsonaro riots</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Previous offences and fines</strong></h2>

<p>Bolsonaro's environmental track record includes a fine for illegal fishing within a marine reserve over a decade ago.</p>

<p>Critics argue that, during his presidency, he dismantled environmental protections, resulting in severe consequences for nature.</p>

<p>Another right-wing politician was recently fined for a similar offence in the same region.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-17-years-prison-sentence-for-pro-bolsonaro-defendant-in-january-8-riots-636079">Also read |&nbsp;Brazil: 17-year prison sentence for pro-Bolsonaro defendant in January 8 riots</a></p>

<p>Since losing power, Bolsonaro has faced multiple investigations, including accusations of plotting a coup, misappropriation of expensive jewels, and falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records. Banned from seeking election until 2030, there are concerns that the former president may eventually face imprisonment.</p>

<p>Bolsonaro dismisses the humpback whale inquiry as political persecution, a claim he attributes to Brazilian politicians and environmentalists.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, is once again under scrutiny, this time for allegedly "harassing" a humpback whale while riding a jetski during a public holiday.

Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, is once again under scrutiny, this time for allegedly "harassing" a humpback whale while riding a jetski during a public holiday. This investigation adds to a series of probes into Bolsonaro's actions, ranging from environmental offences to political misconduct, reported the Guardian. Known as "Captain Chainsaw" for his anti-environmental policies during his four-year administration, Bolsonaro now faces allegations of environmental misconduct during a jetski excursion near São Sebastião on Brazil's south-eastern coastline. In June, a man resembling Bolsonaro was reportedly filmed within 15 metres of a humpback whale, using a mobile phone to capture the distressed behaviour of the whale. Brazilian law prohibits the deliberate harassment of cetaceans, including humpback whales, and mandates a minimum distance of 100 metres for vessels with engines running. Environmental agency Ibama enforces regulations that prohibit vessels from approaching marine animals too closely and engaging in activities that may disturb them. Such regulations include maintaining a distance of 300 metres from dolphins or whales and avoiding excessive noise in their vicinity. Also watch | Brazil court sentences three in pro-Bolsonaro riots Previous offences and fines Bolsonaro's environmental track record includes a fine for illegal fishing within a marine reserve over a decade ago. Critics argue that, during his presidency, he dismantled environmental protections, resulting in severe consequences for nature. Another right-wing politician was recently fined for a similar offence in the same region. Also read | Brazil: 17-year prison sentence for pro-Bolsonaro defendant in January 8 riots Since losing power, Bolsonaro has faced multiple investigations, including accusations of plotting a coup, misappropriation of expensive jewels, and falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records. Banned from seeking election until 2030, there are concerns that the former president may eventually face imprisonment. Bolsonaro dismisses the humpback whale inquiry as political persecution, a claim he attributes to Brazilian politicians and environmentalists. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil's Bolsonaro faces probe for ‘harassing’ humpback whale in latest legal woe

<p>Elon Musk was very active on Twitter (now X) anyway, and after he took over the social media platform, his posts (formerly tweets) are getting greater attention. Musk often pokes fun at trending issues, and in focus this time is the Sam Altman-OPenAI saga and the Microsoft bit that followed it.</p>

<p>Sam Altman, former CEO of OpenAI that created the hugely popular AI tool ChatGPT was fired from the company just days ago. In a public statement, OpenAI's board accused Altman of hiding information and said that it no longer had confidence in Altman's leadership of the company.</p>

<p>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced on Monday (November 20) that Altman will join&nbsp;the company and will head an artificial intelligence division.</p>

<p>Enter Elon Musk.</p>

<p>The billionaire entrepreneur has quipped that since Altman has now joined Microsoft "...they will have to use&nbsp;Teams'</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Now they will have to use Teams!</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1726517415356629320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Teams is a workplace communication application developed by Microsoft and though the employees can have a lighthearted workplace chat using emojis and even gifs, the communication on Teams has some semblance of being semi-official.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has been reported, that OpenAI board fired Altman during a meeting organised on Google Meet and not Teams, which was used at OpenAI. Musk's poke appears to suggest that if ever Microsoft fires Altman, they cannot avoid using Teams as it is in-house workplace communication app.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/explained-a-timeline-of-sam-altmans-troubled-journey-from-openai-to-microsoft-660785">Explained | Boardroom battle: Timeline of Sam Altman’s quick journey from OpenAI to Microsoft</a></strong></p>

<p>Microsoft, which has dragged former OpenAI CEO in its camp, itself owns 49 per cent of the firm. In the post, Musk has commented on, Nadella was assuring that the tech giant remains committed to its partnership with OpenAI.</p>

<p>"We remain committed to our partnership with OpenAI and have confidence in our product roadmap, our ability to continue to innovate with everything we announced at Microsoft Ignite, and in continuing to support our customers and partners. We look forward to getting to know Emmett Shear and OAI's new leadership team and working with them. And we’re extremely excited to share the news that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, together with colleagues, will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success," Nadella posted.</p>


Elon Musk was very active on Twitter (now X) anyway, and after he took over the social media platform, his posts (formerly tweets) are getting greater attention.

Elon Musk was very active on Twitter (now X) anyway, and after he took over the social media platform, his posts (formerly tweets) are getting greater attention. Musk often pokes fun at trending issues, and in focus this time is the Sam Altman-OPenAI saga and the Microsoft bit that followed it. Sam Altman, former CEO of OpenAI that created the hugely popular AI tool ChatGPT was fired from the company just days ago. In a public statement, OpenAI's board accused Altman of hiding information and said that it no longer had confidence in Altman's leadership of the company. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced on Monday (November 20) that Altman will join the company and will head an artificial intelligence division. Enter Elon Musk. The billionaire entrepreneur has quipped that since Altman has now joined Microsoft "...they will have to use Teams' Now they will have to use Teams! — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 20, 2023 × Teams is a workplace communication application developed by Microsoft and though the employees can have a lighthearted workplace chat using emojis and even gifs, the communication on Teams has some semblance of being semi-official. It has been reported, that OpenAI board fired Altman during a meeting organised on Google Meet and not Teams, which was used at OpenAI. Musk's poke appears to suggest that if ever Microsoft fires Altman, they cannot avoid using Teams as it is in-house workplace communication app. Also Read: Explained | Boardroom battle: Timeline of Sam Altman’s quick journey from OpenAI to Microsoft Microsoft, which has dragged former OpenAI CEO in its camp, itself owns 49 per cent of the firm. In the post, Musk has commented on, Nadella was assuring that the tech giant remains committed to its partnership with OpenAI. "We remain committed to our partnership with OpenAI and have confidence in our product roadmap, our ability to continue to innovate with everything we announced at Microsoft Ignite, and in continuing to support our customers and partners. We look forward to getting to know Emmett Shear and OAI's new leadership team and working with them. And we’re extremely excited to share the news that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, together with colleagues, will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success," Nadella posted.

Elon Musk takes a dig after Satya Nadella announces Altman is joining Microsoft

<p>A five-year-old California boy fatally stabbed his twin brother, authorities said.</p>

<p>The twins were fighting when one brother grabbed a small kitchen knife and stabbed his sibling in unincorporated Scotts Valley, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. The boy died at the hospital.</p>

<p>"We are heartbroken for the family of these two young children and share in their grief," the sheriff's office wrote in a Facebook post.</p>

<p>Authorities said they do not plan to file criminal charges in the death.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-china-pledge-cooperation-to-tackle-climate-crisis-after-talks-in-california-658769"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;APEC summit: US and China pledge cooperation on climate crisis</strong></a></p>

<p>"California law dictates that age, criminal intent, and knowledge of wrongfulness are factors needed to charge a child with a crime," the Facebook post stated.</p>

<p>"Based on the current investigation, there is no indication of negligence or criminal activity by any other party."</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;UK: Concerns over alleged Chinese activities</strong></p>

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<p>Scotts Valley is roughly 89km south of San Francisco.</p>


A five-year-old California boy fatally stabbed his twin brother, authorities said. The twins were fighting when one brother grabbed a small kitchen knife and stabbed his sibling in unincorporated Scotts Valley, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

A five-year-old California boy fatally stabbed his twin brother, authorities said. The twins were fighting when one brother grabbed a small kitchen knife and stabbed his sibling in unincorporated Scotts Valley, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. The boy died at the hospital. "We are heartbroken for the family of these two young children and share in their grief," the sheriff's office wrote in a Facebook post. Authorities said they do not plan to file criminal charges in the death. Also read: APEC summit: US and China pledge cooperation on climate crisis "California law dictates that age, criminal intent, and knowledge of wrongfulness are factors needed to charge a child with a crime," the Facebook post stated. "Based on the current investigation, there is no indication of negligence or criminal activity by any other party." Watch: UK: Concerns over alleged Chinese activities × Scotts Valley is roughly 89km south of San Francisco.

California: Five-year-old won't be charged for fatally stabbing twin brother

<p>X owner Elon Musk said the accounts of users who post terms like “decolonisation”, “from the river to the sea” and other “similar euphemisms” which “necessarily imply genocide” will get suspended from the social media platform.<br />
<br />
“Clear calls for extreme violence are against our terms of service and will result in suspension,” wrote the billionaire.</p>

<p>“Anyone calling for a genocide of any people will be suspended,” he said, while replying to a user who said, “So many influential accounts here support Hamas’ massacre. Will you suspend them?”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As I said earlier this week, “decolonization”, “from the river to the sea” and similar euphemisms necessarily imply genocide.<br />
<br />
Clear calls for extreme violence are against our terms of service and will result in suspension. <a href="https://t.co/1fCFo5Lezb">https://t.co/1fCFo5Lezb</a></p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1725645884409401435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>In his post shared on Friday (Nov 17), Musk re-shared a post which was uploaded two days ago and stated, “Yes, ‘decolonisation’ necessarily implies a Jewish genocide, thus it is unacceptable to any reasonable person.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes, “decolonization” necessarily implies a Jewish genocide, thus it is unacceptable to any reasonable person</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1724936047489167852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>This post was shared in response to a user who stated that “‘decolonisation’ is the woke version of jihad, and it should be viewed and treated that way.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">At risk of stating the obvious, anyone advocating the genocide of *any* group will be suspended from this platform</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1725656810449772662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The posts were shared two days after Musk was slammed for endorsement of an antisemitic post on X in which Jewish people were accused of spreading hatred against white people.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-condemns-elon-musk-for-abhorrent-promotion-of-anti-semitism-659879">White House condemns Elon Musk for 'abhorrent promotion' of antisemitism</a></p>

<p>“You have said the actual truth,” stated Musk, while posting from his personal account on X.</p>

<h2><strong>Musk argues over the 'actual truth'</strong></h2>

<p>The comment was made by Musk when a user shared a video which was part of a campaign against antisemitism, in which a father was seen reprimanding his son for his antisemitic remarks on the internet.<br />
<br />
“Jewish communities [sic] have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them,” said another user, while responding to the post.<br />
<br />
“I’m deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realisation that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don’t exactly like them too much,” the user added.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Elon Musk faces backlash for endorsing antisemitic conspiracy</strong></p>

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<p>Responding to the whole conversation, Musk said that it was “the actual truth”.<br />
<br />
In the follow-up posts, the owner of X wrote that he doesn’t believe that “all Jewish communities” hate white people, however, added that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) “unjustly attacks the majority of the West, despite the majority of the West supporting the Jewish people and Israel. This is because they cannot, by their own tenets, criticize the minority groups who are their primary threat.”<br />
<br />
“I am deeply offended by ADL’s messaging and any other groups who push de facto anti-white racism or anti-Asian racism or racism of any kind. I’m sick of it. Stop now,” he stated.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


X owner Elon Musk said the accounts of users who post terms like “decolonisation”, “from the river to the sea” and other “similar euphemisms” which “necessarily imply genocide” will get suspended from the social media platform.

X owner Elon Musk said the accounts of users who post terms like “decolonisation”, “from the river to the sea” and other “similar euphemisms” which “necessarily imply genocide” will get suspended from the social media platform. “Clear calls for extreme violence are against our terms of service and will result in suspension,” wrote the billionaire. “Anyone calling for a genocide of any people will be suspended,” he said, while replying to a user who said, “So many influential accounts here support Hamas’ massacre. Will you suspend them?” As I said earlier this week, “decolonization”, “from the river to the sea” and similar euphemisms necessarily imply genocide. Clear calls for extreme violence are against our terms of service and will result in suspension. https://t.co/1fCFo5Lezb — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 17, 2023 × In his post shared on Friday (Nov 17), Musk re-shared a post which was uploaded two days ago and stated, “Yes, ‘decolonisation’ necessarily implies a Jewish genocide, thus it is unacceptable to any reasonable person.” Yes, “decolonization” necessarily implies a Jewish genocide, thus it is unacceptable to any reasonable person — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 15, 2023 × This post was shared in response to a user who stated that “‘decolonisation’ is the woke version of jihad, and it should be viewed and treated that way.” At risk of stating the obvious, anyone advocating the genocide of *any* group will be suspended from this platform — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 17, 2023 × The posts were shared two days after Musk was slammed for endorsement of an antisemitic post on X in which Jewish people were accused of spreading hatred against white people. Also read: White House condemns Elon Musk for 'abhorrent promotion' of antisemitism “You have said the actual truth,” stated Musk, while posting from his personal account on X. Musk argues over the 'actual truth' The comment was made by Musk when a user shared a video which was part of a campaign against antisemitism, in which a father was seen reprimanding his son for his antisemitic remarks on the internet. “Jewish communities [sic] have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them,” said another user, while responding to the post. “I’m deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realisation that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don’t exactly like them too much,” the user added. Watch: Elon Musk faces backlash for endorsing antisemitic conspiracy Responding to the whole conversation, Musk said that it was “the actual truth”. In the follow-up posts, the owner of X wrote that he doesn’t believe that “all Jewish communities” hate white people, however, added that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) “unjustly attacks the majority of the West, despite the majority of the West supporting the Jewish people and Israel. This is because they cannot, by their own tenets, criticize the minority groups who are their primary threat.” “I am deeply offended by ADL’s messaging and any other groups who push de facto anti-white racism or anti-Asian racism or racism of any kind. I’m sick of it. Stop now,” he stated. (With inputs from agencies)

X users making genocide calls, even through euphemisms, will be suspended, warns Musk

<p>A bottle of The Macallan 1926 set the record for the world’s most expensive bottle of whisky after being sold at an auction in London for $2.7 million. The single malt whisky went under the hammer for a record-setting amount at a Sotheby’s auction, on Saturday (Nov 18) and is said to be one of the world’s most sought-after bottles of Scotch whisky.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>‘New record’ for ‘oldest vintage’</strong></h2>

<p>The rare bottle had been expected to raise $934,275 and $1.49 million but surpassed estimates to fetch a whopping $2.7 million, more than double its estimated price. The sale set a “new record for any bottle of spirit or wine sold at auction,” Sotheby’s told news agency AFP.</p>

<p>The Adami 1926 is the oldest Macallan vintage ever produced. It is also worth noting that this is not the first time that a Macallan 1926 bottle has fetched a record-breaking amount at an auction.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/rare-1918-us-stamp-inverted-jenny-sells-for-record-breaking-2-million-658807">Rare 1918 US stamp with ‘Inverted Jenny’ plane error sold for record-breaking $2 million</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2019, one of the Macallan 1926 bottles went under the hammer for a whopping $1.86 million and set the previous record for the most expensive bottle ever sold.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What makes this whisky so special?</strong></h2>

<p>Sotheby’s head of whisky, Jonny Fowle, told AFP that he had been allowed to sample the valuable dram before the sale.</p>

<p>Fowle said: “I tasted a tiny drop – a tiny drop – of this. It’s very rich, it’s got a lot of dried fruit as you would expect, a lot of spice, a lot of wood.”</p>

<p>He added it had spent 60 years in dark European oak, which was reflected in the colour. “It’s not a whisky to take lightly. It’s a rich, rich dram, but it is incredible,” Fowle said.</p>

<p>The whisky is said to have spent around six decades maturing in dark oak sherry casks before becoming one of just 40 bottled in 1986. However, not all were for sale as some were offered to The Macallan’s top clients.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Macallan distillery is based in Moray, northern Scotland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The Macallan 1926 is the one whisky that every auctioneer wants to sell and every collector wants to own,” Fowle had said ahead of the auction last month.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dubai-p7-number-plate-sold-for-a-record-breaking-amount-580916">Dubai P7, world's most expensive number plate, sold for a record breaking amount</a></strong><br />
<br />
According to Sotheby’s, the labels for the 40 bottles from the 1926 cask are different. Two bottles did not have labels, while around 14 were decorated with the iconic Fine and Rare labels and a dozen were labelled by pop artist Sir Peter Blake.</p>

<p>So far, the record has been broken three times between 2018 and 2019 by three of the different variations – Sir Peter Blake, Michael Dillon, and Fine and Rare.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This time around, it is one of the 12 Macallan 1926 bottles that in 1993 had their labels designed by the Italian painter Valerio Adami.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is also believed that out of all these bottles, only one has been opened and consumed while one is said to be destroyed during the Japanese earthquake of 2011 and another is unaccounted for.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A bottle of The Macallan 1926 set the record for the world’s most expensive bottle of whisky after being sold at an auction in London for $2.7 million. The single malt whisky went under the hammer for a record-setting amount at a Sotheby’s auction, on Saturday (Nov 18) and is said to be one of the world’s most sought-after bottles of Scotch whisky.

A bottle of The Macallan 1926 set the record for the world’s most expensive bottle of whisky after being sold at an auction in London for $2.7 million. The single malt whisky went under the hammer for a record-setting amount at a Sotheby’s auction, on Saturday (Nov 18) and is said to be one of the world’s most sought-after bottles of Scotch whisky. ‘New record’ for ‘oldest vintage’ The rare bottle had been expected to raise $934,275 and $1.49 million but surpassed estimates to fetch a whopping $2.7 million, more than double its estimated price. The sale set a “new record for any bottle of spirit or wine sold at auction,” Sotheby’s told news agency AFP. The Adami 1926 is the oldest Macallan vintage ever produced. It is also worth noting that this is not the first time that a Macallan 1926 bottle has fetched a record-breaking amount at an auction. ALSO READ | Rare 1918 US stamp with ‘Inverted Jenny’ plane error sold for record-breaking $2 million In 2019, one of the Macallan 1926 bottles went under the hammer for a whopping $1.86 million and set the previous record for the most expensive bottle ever sold. What makes this whisky so special? Sotheby’s head of whisky, Jonny Fowle, told AFP that he had been allowed to sample the valuable dram before the sale. Fowle said: “I tasted a tiny drop – a tiny drop – of this. It’s very rich, it’s got a lot of dried fruit as you would expect, a lot of spice, a lot of wood.” He added it had spent 60 years in dark European oak, which was reflected in the colour. “It’s not a whisky to take lightly. It’s a rich, rich dram, but it is incredible,” Fowle said. The whisky is said to have spent around six decades maturing in dark oak sherry casks before becoming one of just 40 bottled in 1986. However, not all were for sale as some were offered to The Macallan’s top clients. The Macallan distillery is based in Moray, northern Scotland. “The Macallan 1926 is the one whisky that every auctioneer wants to sell and every collector wants to own,” Fowle had said ahead of the auction last month. ALSO READ | Dubai P7, world's most expensive number plate, sold for a record breaking amount According to Sotheby’s, the labels for the 40 bottles from the 1926 cask are different. Two bottles did not have labels, while around 14 were decorated with the iconic Fine and Rare labels and a dozen were labelled by pop artist Sir Peter Blake. So far, the record has been broken three times between 2018 and 2019 by three of the different variations – Sir Peter Blake, Michael Dillon, and Fine and Rare. This time around, it is one of the 12 Macallan 1926 bottles that in 1993 had their labels designed by the Italian painter Valerio Adami. It is also believed that out of all these bottles, only one has been opened and consumed while one is said to be destroyed during the Japanese earthquake of 2011 and another is unaccounted for. (With inputs from agencies)

Macallan 1926: Rare whisky becomes world’s most expensive as bottle goes for record $2.7mn at auction

<p>Close to the summit of an underwater mountain near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is where the Lost City Hydrothermal Field exits.&nbsp;Jagged towers, bathed in ghostly blue light, tell a story of discovery, resilience, and impending threats.</p>

<p>Discovered in 2000, the Lost City Hydrothermal Field lies over 700 metres beneath the ocean surface, shrouded in mystery. This venting environment, enduring for at least 120,000 years, testifies to the unique interaction of the upthrusting mantle with seawater, a saga unparalleled in the ocean's depths.</p>

<p>Despite its extreme locale, life thrives in the Lost City. The vents release hydrogen, methane, and gases that sustain thriving microbial communities in the absence of oxygen, according to Science Alert. From snails to crustaceans, an range of creatures live in its chimneys, showcasing the adaptability of life in unconventional ecosystems.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-pilots-spellbinding-encounter-with-northern-lights-from-cockpit-takes-internet-by-storm-660162">Also read | Pilot's spellbinding encounter with Northern Lights from cockpit takes internet by storm</a></p>

<h2><strong>A glimpse into extraterrestrial habitats</strong></h2>

<p>The hydrocarbons emanating from the Lost City's vents spark intrigue, suggesting a potential parallel to extraterrestrial habitats.</p>

<p>Scientists ponder the&nbsp;question of life's origin in analogous environments, speculating about the possibilities on celestial bodies such as Enceladus, Europa, or Mars.</p>

<p>In stark contrast to black smokers, traditional underwater volcanic vents, the Lost City's calcite vents defy expectations. They produce copious amounts of hydrogen and methane, diverging from the mineral-rich emissions of black smokers. The sheer size of these vents hints at a storied history and prolonged activity.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/at-global-average-temperature-of-2-degrees-earth-likely-to-see-disastrous-40-feet-of-sea-level-rise-659748">Also read |&nbsp;At global average temperature of 2 degrees, Earth likely to see disastrous 40 feet of sea level rise</a></p>

<h2><strong>Mining threatens this habitat</strong></h2>

<p>The allure of the Lost City extends beyond scientific fascination, attracting commercial interests. In 2018, Poland secured mining rights around the area, posing a substantial threat to this delicate ecosystem. Scientists raise alarm about potential plumes and discharges from mining activities, urging for the Lost City's protection.</p>

<p>Urgent calls resonate for its designation as a World Heritage site, a plea to shield this underwater marvel from the irreversible impacts of mining and environmental degradation.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Close to the summit of an underwater mountain near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is where the Lost City Hydrothermal Field exits. Jagged towers, bathed in ghostly blue light, tell a story of discovery, resilience, and impending threats.

Close to the summit of an underwater mountain near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is where the Lost City Hydrothermal Field exits. Jagged towers, bathed in ghostly blue light, tell a story of discovery, resilience, and impending threats. Discovered in 2000, the Lost City Hydrothermal Field lies over 700 metres beneath the ocean surface, shrouded in mystery. This venting environment, enduring for at least 120,000 years, testifies to the unique interaction of the upthrusting mantle with seawater, a saga unparalleled in the ocean's depths. Despite its extreme locale, life thrives in the Lost City. The vents release hydrogen, methane, and gases that sustain thriving microbial communities in the absence of oxygen, according to Science Alert. From snails to crustaceans, an range of creatures live in its chimneys, showcasing the adaptability of life in unconventional ecosystems. Also read | Pilot's spellbinding encounter with Northern Lights from cockpit takes internet by storm A glimpse into extraterrestrial habitats The hydrocarbons emanating from the Lost City's vents spark intrigue, suggesting a potential parallel to extraterrestrial habitats. Scientists ponder the question of life's origin in analogous environments, speculating about the possibilities on celestial bodies such as Enceladus, Europa, or Mars. In stark contrast to black smokers, traditional underwater volcanic vents, the Lost City's calcite vents defy expectations. They produce copious amounts of hydrogen and methane, diverging from the mineral-rich emissions of black smokers. The sheer size of these vents hints at a storied history and prolonged activity. Also read | At global average temperature of 2 degrees, Earth likely to see disastrous 40 feet of sea level rise Mining threatens this habitat The allure of the Lost City extends beyond scientific fascination, attracting commercial interests. In 2018, Poland secured mining rights around the area, posing a substantial threat to this delicate ecosystem. Scientists raise alarm about potential plumes and discharges from mining activities, urging for the Lost City's protection. Urgent calls resonate for its designation as a World Heritage site, a plea to shield this underwater marvel from the irreversible impacts of mining and environmental degradation. (With inputs from agencies)

Unique 'Lost City' deep in the ocean is a marvel, but it now faces mining threats

<p>The impact of lifestyle choices on health and longevity is a well-established concept, encompassing exercise, sleep patterns, and dietary habits.</p>

<p>A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8982510/">study</a> published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition delves into the intriguing connection between eating dinner early and potential longevity.</p>

<p>The research hones in on L'Aquila, a province in Abruzzo, Italy, known for its high population of nonagenarians (people aged 90 to 99) and centenarians (those reaching 100 years old). Examining 68 people&nbsp;from this region, the study sheds light on their dietary practices, particularly the timing of their evening meals.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/children-develop-behavioural-issues-if-mothers-experience-high-stress-during-pregnancy-study-660254">Also read |&nbsp;Children develop behavioural issues if mothers experience high stress during pregnancy: Study</a></p>

<h2><strong>Early dinners and caloric regimen</strong></h2>

<p>Surprisingly, the majority of nonagenarians and centenarians in L'Aquila consumed their dinners early, typically around 7:13 pm</p>

<p>The researchers delved deeper, uncovering a distinctive dietary pattern—a tight calorie regimen. These people&nbsp;maintained low calorie intake for a significant duration, spanning 17.5 hours from dinner to lunch the following day.</p>

<h2><strong>A plant-forward approach</strong></h2>

<p>The survey participants exhibited a diet rich in cereals, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Conversely, their intake of meat, processed meat, eggs, and sweets remained notably low.</p>

<p>This plant-forward approach aligns with patterns often associated with enhanced well-being and longevity.</p>

<p>"Our results support the importance of a daily caloric restriction lapse, hampering nocturnal postprandial stress and optimising metabolic response, associated with high consumption of&nbsp;plant-based foods&nbsp;and physical activity for the longevity of centenarians from Abruzzo," the scientists added.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/blood-test-to-diagnose-depression-among-teens-scientists-reach-key-breakthrough-660195">Also read |&nbsp;Blood test to diagnose depression among teens? Scientists reach key breakthrough</a></p>

<p>Beyond dietary habits, the nonagenarians and centenarians in L'Aquila maintained an active lifestyle by personally tending to their land.</p>

<p>This engagement in physical activities, coupled with their distinctive dietary choices, contributes to the broader understanding of lifestyle factors influencing longevity.</p>

<p>As the study from L'Aquila reveals, eating early dinners and adopting specific dietary practices may play a role in promoting longevity.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The impact of lifestyle choices on health and longevity is a well-established concept, encompassing exercise, sleep patterns, and dietary habits. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition delves into the intriguing connection between eating dinner early and potential longevity.

The impact of lifestyle choices on health and longevity is a well-established concept, encompassing exercise, sleep patterns, and dietary habits. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition delves into the intriguing connection between eating dinner early and potential longevity. The research hones in on L'Aquila, a province in Abruzzo, Italy, known for its high population of nonagenarians (people aged 90 to 99) and centenarians (those reaching 100 years old). Examining 68 people from this region, the study sheds light on their dietary practices, particularly the timing of their evening meals. Also read | Children develop behavioural issues if mothers experience high stress during pregnancy: Study Early dinners and caloric regimen Surprisingly, the majority of nonagenarians and centenarians in L'Aquila consumed their dinners early, typically around 7:13 pm The researchers delved deeper, uncovering a distinctive dietary pattern—a tight calorie regimen. These people maintained low calorie intake for a significant duration, spanning 17.5 hours from dinner to lunch the following day. A plant-forward approach The survey participants exhibited a diet rich in cereals, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Conversely, their intake of meat, processed meat, eggs, and sweets remained notably low. This plant-forward approach aligns with patterns often associated with enhanced well-being and longevity. "Our results support the importance of a daily caloric restriction lapse, hampering nocturnal postprandial stress and optimising metabolic response, associated with high consumption of plant-based foods and physical activity for the longevity of centenarians from Abruzzo," the scientists added. Also read | Blood test to diagnose depression among teens? Scientists reach key breakthrough Beyond dietary habits, the nonagenarians and centenarians in L'Aquila maintained an active lifestyle by personally tending to their land. This engagement in physical activities, coupled with their distinctive dietary choices, contributes to the broader understanding of lifestyle factors influencing longevity. As the study from L'Aquila reveals, eating early dinners and adopting specific dietary practices may play a role in promoting longevity. (With inputs from agencies)

Dine early, live long: Eating dinner at 7pm linked to longer life, study finds

<p>In a bizarre and challenging step, the residents of mainland China were offered stinky tofu as a topping option on their pizza by Pizza Hut for just one week in July 2023.<br />
<br />
The unusual creation included traditional Changsha stinky tofu which was fermented to a deep black hue and served with creamy yellow durian. Garlic and chilli were sprinkled as garnishing on this out-of-the-world pizza.<br />
<br />
A lot of customers who were attracted by the weird combination stated that it “sounds outrageous but tastes great” on the Chinese social media.<br />
<br />
This is not the first time such a bizarre pizza has been offered by pizza outlets to its customers. Recently, snake pizza made headlines for being the most unusual fusion food.<br />
<br />
Pizza Hut had joined hands with Central Hong Kong's snake restaurant “Ser Wong Fun” to create this unusual recipe, which was said to date back more than a century.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/fusion-food-gone-too-far-hong-kong-introduces-snake-meat-pizza-656817">Fusion food gone too far? Hong Kong introduces snake meat pizza</a></p>

<p>The snake pizza was a modern makeover of a traditional snake soup dish which was popular in Southern China, Hong Kong and across other parts of Southeast Asia like Thailand and Vietnam.<br />
<br />
Taiwanese show host and YouTuber, Chen Tzu-chien, also known as Retina, has been touring and taste-testing such weird pizza creations.<br />
<br />
In one video, he can be heard reading out a letter sent by the pizza conglomerate. “Pizza Hut dares to challenge the limits of pizza. It will definitely bring you a surprise in both taste and looks,” he said.</p>

<h2><strong>Weird pizza toppings around the world</strong></h2>

<p>Oyster vermicelli and pork intestines have been a traditional Taiwanese street food dish and are famous for their thick, soupy texture. A limited-edition pizza with toppings of local oysters, braised pork intestine, vermicelli and plenty of coriander was launched by Pizza Hut in Taiwan in May 2023.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Snakes on a plate: World's first snake pizza</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-snakes-on-a-plate-worlds-first-snake-pizza-657057/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">The pizza chain had earlier used other food combinations like preserved eggs and pig blood cake; crispy salted chicken and fried squid rings; and red vinasse.<br />
<br />
In 2022, it also launched rice pizzas which swapped the traditional dough base for rice which was grilled till it formed a crisp crust.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></div>


In a bizarre and challenging step, the residents of mainland China were offered stinky tofu as a topping option on their pizza by Pizza Hut for just one week in July 2023.

In a bizarre and challenging step, the residents of mainland China were offered stinky tofu as a topping option on their pizza by Pizza Hut for just one week in July 2023. The unusual creation included traditional Changsha stinky tofu which was fermented to a deep black hue and served with creamy yellow durian. Garlic and chilli were sprinkled as garnishing on this out-of-the-world pizza. A lot of customers who were attracted by the weird combination stated that it “sounds outrageous but tastes great” on the Chinese social media. This is not the first time such a bizarre pizza has been offered by pizza outlets to its customers. Recently, snake pizza made headlines for being the most unusual fusion food. Pizza Hut had joined hands with Central Hong Kong's snake restaurant “Ser Wong Fun” to create this unusual recipe, which was said to date back more than a century. Also read: Fusion food gone too far? Hong Kong introduces snake meat pizza The snake pizza was a modern makeover of a traditional snake soup dish which was popular in Southern China, Hong Kong and across other parts of Southeast Asia like Thailand and Vietnam. Taiwanese show host and YouTuber, Chen Tzu-chien, also known as Retina, has been touring and taste-testing such weird pizza creations. In one video, he can be heard reading out a letter sent by the pizza conglomerate. “Pizza Hut dares to challenge the limits of pizza. It will definitely bring you a surprise in both taste and looks,” he said. Weird pizza toppings around the world Oyster vermicelli and pork intestines have been a traditional Taiwanese street food dish and are famous for their thick, soupy texture. A limited-edition pizza with toppings of local oysters, braised pork intestine, vermicelli and plenty of coriander was launched by Pizza Hut in Taiwan in May 2023. Watch: Gravitas: Snakes on a plate: World's first snake pizza The pizza chain had earlier used other food combinations like preserved eggs and pig blood cake; crispy salted chicken and fried squid rings; and red vinasse. In 2022, it also launched rice pizzas which swapped the traditional dough base for rice which was grilled till it formed a crisp crust. (With inputs from agencies)

Outrageous but tasty! Stinking tofu pizza sells in mainland China for a week

<p>A forest officer in England stumbled upon the footprint of a dinosaur that is believed to be at least 140 million years old.</p>

<p>During a routine jogging last Sunday (Nov 12), National Trust ranger Sophie Giles chanced upon the fossilised treasure on the grounds of Brownsea Castle, in Poole Harbour, Dorset.</p>

<p>The footprint is believed to belong to Iguanodon— a three-toed bulky herbivore which was 36ft long and lived between 157 and 93 million years ago, around the Mesozoic Era, the Telegraph reported.</p>

<h2><strong>Footprint fossilised for thousands of years&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>According to experts, the foot was imprinted when the area was covered in tropical forests and swamps. As a result, it fossilised over thousands of years and became easier to see after it filled with water during a rain shower.</p>

<p>Local media reports say that the region is known for its Jurassic coastline and is abound with dinosaur footprints. Every year, it attracts hundreds of fossil hunters from around the world.</p>

<p>It is thought that the rock originated from the nearby Isle of Purbeck peninsula, where dinosaur footprints have been found near the village of Langton Matravers.</p>

<p>Posting about the "exciting find" on social media, the National Trust said: "We believe that the rock may have come from the Isle of Purbeck, where you can already see many dinosaur footprints at Langton Matravers."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/osama-bin-ladens-21-yr-old-letter-goes-viral-after-tiktok-influencers-promote-it-netizens-say-eyes-opened-659443">Osama bin Laden’s 21-yr-old letter goes viral after TikTok influencers promote it, netizens say 'eyes opened'</a></p>

<h2><strong>Discovery creates excitement&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The organisation said that it is actively seeking further research to uncover further details about the identity and history of this ancient relic.</p>

<p>Commenting on the discovery, Dr Martin Munt, curator of the Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown, on the Isle of Wight, confirmed to BBC that the latest footprint clearly came from a three-toed dinosaur.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/sinkholes-tunnels-staggering-wealth-of-microbial-life-in-mexicos-underwater-labyrinth-unravelled-659447">Sinkholes, tunnels: Staggering wealth of microbial life in Mexico’s underwater labyrinth unravelled</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;“It is certainly what we call a tridactyl (three-toed) footprint, of the date we are talking about it could have been made by an iguanodon or related dinosaur,” he was quoted as saying.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


A forest officer in England stumbled upon the footprint of a dinosaur that is believed to be at least 140 million years old. During a routine jogging last Sunday (Nov 12), National Trust ranger Sophie Giles chanced upon the fossilised treasure on the grounds of Brownsea Castle, in Poole Harbour, Dorset.

A forest officer in England stumbled upon the footprint of a dinosaur that is believed to be at least 140 million years old. During a routine jogging last Sunday (Nov 12), National Trust ranger Sophie Giles chanced upon the fossilised treasure on the grounds of Brownsea Castle, in Poole Harbour, Dorset. The footprint is believed to belong to Iguanodon— a three-toed bulky herbivore which was 36ft long and lived between 157 and 93 million years ago, around the Mesozoic Era, the Telegraph reported. Footprint fossilised for thousands of years According to experts, the foot was imprinted when the area was covered in tropical forests and swamps. As a result, it fossilised over thousands of years and became easier to see after it filled with water during a rain shower. Local media reports say that the region is known for its Jurassic coastline and is abound with dinosaur footprints. Every year, it attracts hundreds of fossil hunters from around the world. It is thought that the rock originated from the nearby Isle of Purbeck peninsula, where dinosaur footprints have been found near the village of Langton Matravers. Posting about the "exciting find" on social media, the National Trust said: "We believe that the rock may have come from the Isle of Purbeck, where you can already see many dinosaur footprints at Langton Matravers." Also read | Osama bin Laden’s 21-yr-old letter goes viral after TikTok influencers promote it, netizens say 'eyes opened' Discovery creates excitement The organisation said that it is actively seeking further research to uncover further details about the identity and history of this ancient relic. Commenting on the discovery, Dr Martin Munt, curator of the Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown, on the Isle of Wight, confirmed to BBC that the latest footprint clearly came from a three-toed dinosaur. Also read | Sinkholes, tunnels: Staggering wealth of microbial life in Mexico’s underwater labyrinth unravelled “It is certainly what we call a tridactyl (three-toed) footprint, of the date we are talking about it could have been made by an iguanodon or related dinosaur,” he was quoted as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

Forest officer stumbles upon 140-million-year-old dinosaur footprint while jogging

<p>At first, some of the most inaccessible extremes of mapped cave systems hidden in mysterious underwater labyrinths were sampled by the researchers.<br />
<br />
In these cave systems which are spread across 1,500 kilometres, the researchers have found thriving microbial metropolises which are within the layer of freshwater.<br />
<br />
Mexico's Yucatan carbonate aquifer is among the most extensive groundwater systems present on Earth and only some of its parts have been mapped properly.<br />
<br />
The groundwater system has numerous sinkholes, some of which are toxic in nature, as well as a complex web of subterranean tunnels. The system's massive caves provide drinking water to ten million visitors every year as well as two million locals.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bizarre-researchers-found-70-million-years-old-dinosaur-species-that-slept-like-modern-day-birds-659261">Rare! Researchers find 70-million-year old dinosaur species that slept like modern-day birds</a></p>

<p>"These are incredibly special samples of underground rivers that are particularly difficult to obtain," stated geobiologist Matthew Selensky, who was involved in the research while at Northwestern University.<br />
<br />
Northwestern University's geobiologist Magdalena Osburn and her team sequenced genes using 78 water samples, which were collected by a team of cave divers, to understand the different microbe species.</p>

<h2><strong>Researchers&nbsp;discover&nbsp;4,183 unique sequences</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers discovered 4,183 unique sequences which represented 917 different families of microbes, which had unique patterns of species in various areas.<br />
<br />
"The microbial communities form distinct niches," stated Osburn. "There is a varying cast of characters that seem to move around, depending on where you look. But when you look across the whole data set, there's a core set of organisms that seem to be performing key roles in each ecosystem,” she added.<br />
<br />
While looking into the 12 sites which were sampled, the researchers found the same family of bacteria: Comamonadaceae.<br />
<br />
Comamonadaceae are tiny, rod-shaped organisms which are found in water and soil environments. They need oxygen and swishy tail-like flagella is used by them to move about.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Top Chinese pharmaceutical companies use parts of endangered animals as ingredients: Report</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/top-chinese-pharmaceutical-companies-use-parts-of-endangered-animals-as-ingredients-report-650291/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"It seems that Comamonadaceae performs slightly different roles in different parts of the aquifer, but it's always performing a major role. Depending on the region, it has a different partner. Comamonadaceae and its partners probably have some mutualistic metabolism, maybe sharing food,” explained Osburn.<br />
<br />
"This underground river system provides drinking water for millions of people. So, whatever happens with the microbial communities there has the potential to be felt by humans,” Osburn noted.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


At first, some of the most inaccessible extremes of mapped cave systems hidden in mysterious underwater labyrinths were sampled by the researchers. In these cave systems which are spread across 1,500 kilometres, the researchers have found thriving microbial metropolises which are within the layer of freshwater.

At first, some of the most inaccessible extremes of mapped cave systems hidden in mysterious underwater labyrinths were sampled by the researchers. In these cave systems which are spread across 1,500 kilometres, the researchers have found thriving microbial metropolises which are within the layer of freshwater. Mexico's Yucatan carbonate aquifer is among the most extensive groundwater systems present on Earth and only some of its parts have been mapped properly. The groundwater system has numerous sinkholes, some of which are toxic in nature, as well as a complex web of subterranean tunnels. The system's massive caves provide drinking water to ten million visitors every year as well as two million locals. Also read: Rare! Researchers find 70-million-year old dinosaur species that slept like modern-day birds "These are incredibly special samples of underground rivers that are particularly difficult to obtain," stated geobiologist Matthew Selensky, who was involved in the research while at Northwestern University. Northwestern University's geobiologist Magdalena Osburn and her team sequenced genes using 78 water samples, which were collected by a team of cave divers, to understand the different microbe species. Researchers discover 4,183 unique sequences The researchers discovered 4,183 unique sequences which represented 917 different families of microbes, which had unique patterns of species in various areas. "The microbial communities form distinct niches," stated Osburn. "There is a varying cast of characters that seem to move around, depending on where you look. But when you look across the whole data set, there's a core set of organisms that seem to be performing key roles in each ecosystem,” she added. While looking into the 12 sites which were sampled, the researchers found the same family of bacteria: Comamonadaceae. Comamonadaceae are tiny, rod-shaped organisms which are found in water and soil environments. They need oxygen and swishy tail-like flagella is used by them to move about. Watch: Top Chinese pharmaceutical companies use parts of endangered animals as ingredients: Report "It seems that Comamonadaceae performs slightly different roles in different parts of the aquifer, but it's always performing a major role. Depending on the region, it has a different partner. Comamonadaceae and its partners probably have some mutualistic metabolism, maybe sharing food,” explained Osburn. "This underground river system provides drinking water for millions of people. So, whatever happens with the microbial communities there has the potential to be felt by humans,” Osburn noted. (With inputs from agencies)

Sinkholes, tunnels: Staggering wealth of microbial life in Mexico’s underwater labyrinth unravelled

<p>“Letter to America”, a two-decade-old letter written by the late&nbsp;terrorist Osama bin Laden,&nbsp;is going viral online after some TikTok influencers claimed that the missive provides clues to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and that it can be read to make sense of the current world order.</p>

<p>Many TikTok influencers started sharing the text from the British news outlet ‘The Guardian’, which had published the two-page document in 2002 containing his ideological standing and explanation over what led him to engineer the 9/11 terror attacks.</p>

<h2><strong>Osama's statement on 9/11 attacks gaining traction</strong></h2>

<p>Among the major takeaways of the 21-year incendiary document, bin Laden’s statement that the 9/11 attacks happened because of America’s support of Israel caught everyone’s attention.</p>

<p>“They threw hundreds of thousands of soldiers against us and have formed an alliance with the Israelis to oppress us and occupy our land; that was the reason for our response on the eleventh,” the letter, which can easily be found elsewhere online, reads in part.</p>

<h2><strong>Letter read by millions of users</strong></h2>

<p>The TikTok trend gained traction after an influencer, Lynnette Adkins, posted a short video on the social media platform in which she can be heard telling her nearly 12 million followers, “I need everyone to stop doing what they’re doing right now and go read ‘Letter to America,’ I feel like I’m going through an existential crisis right now.”</p>

<p>The responses to her videos ranged from a user saying that their “eyes have been opened,” to another user claiming, “We’ve been lied to our entire lives, I remember watching people cheer when Osama was found and killed.”</p>

<h2><strong>Guardian removes article&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>After the letter went viral, The Guardian removed the original letter from its site.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-eam-jaishankar-discusses-pro-khalistani-extremism-with-uk-leaders-659411">India's EAM Jaishankar discusses pro-Khalistani extremism with UK leaders</a></p>

<p>Now, when a user opens the particular link, they are greeted with a message which reads, “This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama bin Laden’s ‘Letter to the American people’, as reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002. The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023.”</p>

<h2><strong>Netizens question move&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Many netizens shared the screenshot of the website on social media X and questioned the British daily’s decision to take down the article.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/us-hikers-loyal-dog-found-by-his-dead-body-weeks-after-death-on-hiking-trail-659345">US: Hiker's loyal dog found alive near his body weeks after death on trail</a></p>

<p>A user wrote, “It's incredibly odd for to me that ‘A Letter to America’ penned by bin Laden was removed from The Guardian today. This letter was printed on their site in 2002 and removed after TikTokers started to examine it due to his mention of Israel and Palestine.”</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It's incredibly odd to me that 'A Letter to America' penned by bin Laden was removed from The Guardian today. This letter was printed on their site in 2002 and removed after TikTokers started examine it due to his mention of Israel and Palestine. <a href="https://t.co/68bMWIpkYI">pic.twitter.com/68bMWIpkYI</a></p>
— Denisse Takes (@denissetakes) <a href="https://twitter.com/denissetakes/status/1724911082790338656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Another user asked why the letter was removed from the site and wrote, “Letter to America is trending, so I went to pull it up. The guardian just removed the document. Osama bin Laden’s letter to America starts trending on Twitter, and The Guardian immediately removes it from their archive?”</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the UK outlet told TheWrap, “The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared on social media without the full context. Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the&nbsp;news article that originally contextualised it instead.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


“Letter to America”, a two-decade-old letter written by the late terrorist Osama bin Laden, is going viral online after some TikTok influencers claimed that the missive provides clues to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and that it can be read to make sense of the current world order.

“Letter to America”, a two-decade-old letter written by the late terrorist Osama bin Laden, is going viral online after some TikTok influencers claimed that the missive provides clues to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and that it can be read to make sense of the current world order. Many TikTok influencers started sharing the text from the British news outlet ‘The Guardian’, which had published the two-page document in 2002 containing his ideological standing and explanation over what led him to engineer the 9/11 terror attacks. Osama's statement on 9/11 attacks gaining traction Among the major takeaways of the 21-year incendiary document, bin Laden’s statement that the 9/11 attacks happened because of America’s support of Israel caught everyone’s attention. “They threw hundreds of thousands of soldiers against us and have formed an alliance with the Israelis to oppress us and occupy our land; that was the reason for our response on the eleventh,” the letter, which can easily be found elsewhere online, reads in part. Letter read by millions of users The TikTok trend gained traction after an influencer, Lynnette Adkins, posted a short video on the social media platform in which she can be heard telling her nearly 12 million followers, “I need everyone to stop doing what they’re doing right now and go read ‘Letter to America,’ I feel like I’m going through an existential crisis right now.” The responses to her videos ranged from a user saying that their “eyes have been opened,” to another user claiming, “We’ve been lied to our entire lives, I remember watching people cheer when Osama was found and killed.” Guardian removes article After the letter went viral, The Guardian removed the original letter from its site. Also read | India's EAM Jaishankar discusses pro-Khalistani extremism with UK leaders Now, when a user opens the particular link, they are greeted with a message which reads, “This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama bin Laden’s ‘Letter to the American people’, as reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002. The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023.” Netizens question move Many netizens shared the screenshot of the website on social media X and questioned the British daily’s decision to take down the article. Also read | US: Hiker's loyal dog found alive near his body weeks after death on trail A user wrote, “It's incredibly odd for to me that ‘A Letter to America’ penned by bin Laden was removed from The Guardian today. This letter was printed on their site in 2002 and removed after TikTokers started to examine it due to his mention of Israel and Palestine.” It's incredibly odd to me that 'A Letter to America' penned by bin Laden was removed from The Guardian today. This letter was printed on their site in 2002 and removed after TikTokers started examine it due to his mention of Israel and Palestine. pic.twitter.com/68bMWIpkYI — Denisse Takes (@denissetakes) November 15, 2023 × Another user asked why the letter was removed from the site and wrote, “Letter to America is trending, so I went to pull it up. The guardian just removed the document. Osama bin Laden’s letter to America starts trending on Twitter, and The Guardian immediately removes it from their archive?” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the UK outlet told TheWrap, “The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared on social media without the full context. Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the news article that originally contextualised it instead.” (With inputs from agencies)

Osama bin Laden’s 21-yr-old letter goes viral after TikTok influencers promote it, netizens say 'eyes opened'

<p>The first recorded use of a phrase related to a dog being a human's best friend is by Frederick the Great of Prussia in the 18th century. But for several millennia, dogs have accompanied humankind's progress through thick and thin. According to ancient Indian scriptures, the victorious Pandava king Yudhishthira refused to enter heaven without the dog who had accompanied him, his brothers and their wife Draupadi till the gates of heaven.</p>

<p>Keeping the age-old maxim of dogs being the epitome of loyalty, a tiny canine was found alive by the side of her owner's body, 10 weeks after the pair went missing in the Colorado mountains.</p>

<p>The duo, Rich Moore (71) and his Jack Russell terrier Finney went missing on August 19 after a planned hike to Colorado's Blackhead peak.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hachiko-worlds-most-loyal-dog-turns-100-hachikos-loyal-echoes-acrioss-generations-wion-656798">Hachiko: World's most loyal dog turns 100 | Hachiko's loyal echoes acrioss generations | WION</a></strong></p>

<p>Blackhead is a rugged peak that rises to the east of the town of Pagosa Springs in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado in the United States.</p>

<h2><strong>What happened?</strong></h2>

<p>After the duo went missing, the rescue teams launched a mission in the area between the Blackhead Peak and the spot where Moore's car was parked.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A hunter found Moore's body on October 30, Sky News reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moore's loyal dog Finney was found by his dead body. She had lost half her body weight and is expected to have survived by hunting small animals such as mice while avoiding predators such as mountain lions, coyotes and bears, according to Delinda VanneBrightyn from Taos Search and Rescue team.</p>

<p>"If that dog could talk it would be an amazing story," she said. "We probably could not even believe the story the dog would tell."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: The story of Hachiko: The faithful dog</strong></p>

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<p>Finney was taken to a veterinarian and is currently with Moore's family, according to the local police.</p>

<p>VanneBrightyn said they were very glad to return Finney to the family "because they have lost their loved one, but they still have this wonderful, loyal dog", Sky News reported.</p>

<p>Finney’s resilience will likely be a comfort to Moore’s family as they navigate the grieving process, VanneBrightyn further noted.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The first recorded use of a phrase related to a dog being a human's best friend is by Frederick the Great of Prussia in the 18th century. But for several millennia, dogs have accompanied humankind's progress through thick and thin.

The first recorded use of a phrase related to a dog being a human's best friend is by Frederick the Great of Prussia in the 18th century. But for several millennia, dogs have accompanied humankind's progress through thick and thin. According to ancient Indian scriptures, the victorious Pandava king Yudhishthira refused to enter heaven without the dog who had accompanied him, his brothers and their wife Draupadi till the gates of heaven. Keeping the age-old maxim of dogs being the epitome of loyalty, a tiny canine was found alive by the side of her owner's body, 10 weeks after the pair went missing in the Colorado mountains. The duo, Rich Moore (71) and his Jack Russell terrier Finney went missing on August 19 after a planned hike to Colorado's Blackhead peak. Also read | Hachiko: World's most loyal dog turns 100 | Hachiko's loyal echoes acrioss generations | WION Blackhead is a rugged peak that rises to the east of the town of Pagosa Springs in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado in the United States. What happened? After the duo went missing, the rescue teams launched a mission in the area between the Blackhead Peak and the spot where Moore's car was parked. A hunter found Moore's body on October 30, Sky News reported. Moore's loyal dog Finney was found by his dead body. She had lost half her body weight and is expected to have survived by hunting small animals such as mice while avoiding predators such as mountain lions, coyotes and bears, according to Delinda VanneBrightyn from Taos Search and Rescue team. "If that dog could talk it would be an amazing story," she said. "We probably could not even believe the story the dog would tell." Also watch | Gravitas: The story of Hachiko: The faithful dog × Finney was taken to a veterinarian and is currently with Moore's family, according to the local police. VanneBrightyn said they were very glad to return Finney to the family "because they have lost their loved one, but they still have this wonderful, loyal dog", Sky News reported. Finney’s resilience will likely be a comfort to Moore’s family as they navigate the grieving process, VanneBrightyn further noted. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Hiker's loyal dog found alive near his body weeks after death on trail

<p>A Boeing 747, which had departed from New York's John F Kennedy International Airport and was en route to Liege, Belgium, was forced to return on November 9 after a horse went loose inside the cargo hold.</p>

<p>The horse, which momentarily ran away from its stall onboard, was euthanised because of the extent of its injuries, as per reports. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The cargo flight, which was being run by charter airline Air Atlanta Icelandic, had climbed nearly 31,000 feet when Air Traffic Control was contacted by the crew in Boston and the issue of escape of horse was reported.</p>

<p>“We don’t have a problem (…) flying-wise,” stated one of the pilots, in a video which was shared by the YouTube channel “You Can See ATC,” but “we cannot get the horse back secured".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-us-direct-flights-soar-as-prices-plummet-boosts-travel-prospects-658288">China-US direct flights soar as prices plummet, boosts travel prospects</a></p>

<p>Speaking to CNN, a representative from Air Atlanta Icelandic confirmed that the information shared in the “You Can See ATC” video is correct.</p>

<h2><strong>Horse jumped after turbulence struck the flight</strong></h2>

<p>The horse was one of the 15 animals being transported to Liege, which is Europe's import hub.</p>

<p>As per John Cuticelli, head of the corporation responsible for operating animal quarantine and export at John F Kennedy International Airport, turbulence struck the flight shortly after its takeoff.</p>

<p>The horse got spooked by the turbulence hit and jumped halfway over the stall's high front barrier and was hung up, with his hind legs trapped on the stall's inside and his front legs on one side of the barrier.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Pakistan International Airlines grounds flights as it can no longer afford fuel&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>“The horse jumped and managed to get its two front legs over the (front) barrier and then got jammed. It’s only the second time in all the years I’ve been doing this that I’ve ever seen that happen. And we do thousands of horses a year. A very unfortunate event — but that horse was spooked," Cuticelli stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the recordings shared, Air Traffic Control was heard granting the request of the pilot to return to JFK Airport. The pilot also demanded that a veterinarian be sent inside the plane after it lands because “we have a horse in difficulty.”</p>

<p>Cuticelli stated, “We dispersed veterinary care, animal handlers, medical equipment, horse slings, a horse ambulance, everything necessary to accommodate that horse. We had to take the other horses out to get the equipment in to get the horse out."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cuticelli said that once the animal was present on the ground, it was euthanised as it was found that its injuries were too severe to survive.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


A Boeing 747, which had departed from New York's John F Kennedy International Airport and was en route to Liege, Belgium, was forced to return on November 9 after a horse went loose inside the cargo hold.

A Boeing 747, which had departed from New York's John F Kennedy International Airport and was en route to Liege, Belgium, was forced to return on November 9 after a horse went loose inside the cargo hold. The horse, which momentarily ran away from its stall onboard, was euthanised because of the extent of its injuries, as per reports. The cargo flight, which was being run by charter airline Air Atlanta Icelandic, had climbed nearly 31,000 feet when Air Traffic Control was contacted by the crew in Boston and the issue of escape of horse was reported. “We don’t have a problem (…) flying-wise,” stated one of the pilots, in a video which was shared by the YouTube channel “You Can See ATC,” but “we cannot get the horse back secured". Also read: China-US direct flights soar as prices plummet, boosts travel prospects Speaking to CNN, a representative from Air Atlanta Icelandic confirmed that the information shared in the “You Can See ATC” video is correct. Horse jumped after turbulence struck the flight The horse was one of the 15 animals being transported to Liege, which is Europe's import hub. As per John Cuticelli, head of the corporation responsible for operating animal quarantine and export at John F Kennedy International Airport, turbulence struck the flight shortly after its takeoff. The horse got spooked by the turbulence hit and jumped halfway over the stall's high front barrier and was hung up, with his hind legs trapped on the stall's inside and his front legs on one side of the barrier. Watch: Pakistan International Airlines grounds flights as it can no longer afford fuel “The horse jumped and managed to get its two front legs over the (front) barrier and then got jammed. It’s only the second time in all the years I’ve been doing this that I’ve ever seen that happen. And we do thousands of horses a year. A very unfortunate event — but that horse was spooked," Cuticelli stated. In the recordings shared, Air Traffic Control was heard granting the request of the pilot to return to JFK Airport. The pilot also demanded that a veterinarian be sent inside the plane after it lands because “we have a horse in difficulty.” Cuticelli stated, “We dispersed veterinary care, animal handlers, medical equipment, horse slings, a horse ambulance, everything necessary to accommodate that horse. We had to take the other horses out to get the equipment in to get the horse out." Cuticelli said that once the animal was present on the ground, it was euthanised as it was found that its injuries were too severe to survive. (With inputs from agencies)

Plane makes emergency return to JFK airport after horse breaks free in cargo

<p>Balenciaga is not past its over-the-top and in-your-face fashion as the luxury label stunned everyone with its latest towel skirt that is priced at a whopping $925 (Rs 77,000). The towel skirt is a gray terry cloth towel that is worn as a mid-rise knee-length skirt. The skirt is part of the label’s spring 2024 collection. The towel skirt, however, did not make it to the Paris Fashion Week and we wonder why.</p>

<p>Available in three colours like beige, black, and stone gray, the towel skirt has become a talking point, and rightfully so. Made with towel material and fitted with two buttons and a belt on the inside, the skirt is nothing more than what we wrap ourselves when fresh out of the shower.</p>

<p>The towel skirt has become a huge talking point on the internet with netizens slamming the brand and making fun of the skirt that is nothing more than a good old towel that you can wrap on your own and will make at a fraction of the cost of this towel skirt.</p>

<p><img alt="skirt" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="23c3fe9b-5922-41b5-b8d0-1697a1e1bcce" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS%20-%202023-11-16T173128.117.jpg" /></p>

<p>One user wrote on X, “Remember someone actually pitched this idea, managers agreed to it, someone manufactured it, someone made the marketing for it, someone uploaded it on the website, and still no one thought this is a bad idea.”</p>

<p>Another said, “I can literally buy one that looks like that for $15 at Kmart.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">FOR SALE:<br />
“Gently used” bath towel/towel skirt. I’ll take $900 and not a penny less since Balenciaga has theirs for $925. 😂<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Balenciaga?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Balenciaga</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TowelSkirt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TowelSkirt</a> <a href="https://t.co/7syMIfdHfa">pic.twitter.com/7syMIfdHfa</a></p>
— Always dreamin’ … (@MsAJF) <a href="https://twitter.com/MsAJF/status/1724955811087061032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Over nine hundred dollars for a towel skirt.<br />
<br />
If I saw someone wearing that in public I'd assume they didn't make it to the bathroom in time and were given a towel to cover up with. <a href="https://t.co/rDsOuala3v">pic.twitter.com/rDsOuala3v</a></p>
— Destry (@DestryBrod) <a href="https://twitter.com/DestryBrod/status/1724904851094827316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>But what’s even more interesting is the timing of this launch. This comes right after Balenciaga’s creative director Demna told Vogue that he was planning to turn away from gimmicky pieces and pare down the brand’s image.</p>

<p>“It’s a serious job, you know, to make clothes. It’s not about creating image or buzz or any of those things,” he said in an interview.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-dior-launches-luxury-skincare-line-for-infants-called-baby-dior-658070">Dior launches luxury skincare line for infants called Baby Dior</a></p>

<p>Previously, towels have caught the fancy of other designers too like when in 2020, labels like Prada, Fendi, and Ludovic de Saint Sernin sent towel skirts down the runway. Others like Miu Miu and Acne Studios did it in 2017 and 2015, respectively.&nbsp;</p>


Balenciaga is not past its over-the-top and in-your-face fashion as the luxury label stunned everyone with its latest towel skirt that is priced at a whopping $925 (Rs 77,000).

Balenciaga is not past its over-the-top and in-your-face fashion as the luxury label stunned everyone with its latest towel skirt that is priced at a whopping $925 (Rs 77,000). The towel skirt is a gray terry cloth towel that is worn as a mid-rise knee-length skirt. The skirt is part of the label’s spring 2024 collection. The towel skirt, however, did not make it to the Paris Fashion Week and we wonder why. Available in three colours like beige, black, and stone gray, the towel skirt has become a talking point, and rightfully so. Made with towel material and fitted with two buttons and a belt on the inside, the skirt is nothing more than what we wrap ourselves when fresh out of the shower. The towel skirt has become a huge talking point on the internet with netizens slamming the brand and making fun of the skirt that is nothing more than a good old towel that you can wrap on your own and will make at a fraction of the cost of this towel skirt. One user wrote on X, “Remember someone actually pitched this idea, managers agreed to it, someone manufactured it, someone made the marketing for it, someone uploaded it on the website, and still no one thought this is a bad idea.” Another said, “I can literally buy one that looks like that for $15 at Kmart.” FOR SALE: “Gently used” bath towel/towel skirt. I’ll take $900 and not a penny less since Balenciaga has theirs for $925. 😂#Balenciaga #TowelSkirt pic.twitter.com/7syMIfdHfa — Always dreamin’ … (@MsAJF) November 16, 2023 × Over nine hundred dollars for a towel skirt. If I saw someone wearing that in public I'd assume they didn't make it to the bathroom in time and were given a towel to cover up with. pic.twitter.com/rDsOuala3v — Destry (@DestryBrod) November 15, 2023 × But what’s even more interesting is the timing of this launch. This comes right after Balenciaga’s creative director Demna told Vogue that he was planning to turn away from gimmicky pieces and pare down the brand’s image. “It’s a serious job, you know, to make clothes. It’s not about creating image or buzz or any of those things,” he said in an interview. Also read: Dior launches luxury skincare line for infants called Baby Dior Previously, towels have caught the fancy of other designers too like when in 2020, labels like Prada, Fendi, and Ludovic de Saint Sernin sent towel skirts down the runway. Others like Miu Miu and Acne Studios did it in 2017 and 2015, respectively.

This Balenciaga towel skirt will give you a mini heart attack; check its price here

<p>For over a century, it has been established that women generally outlive men. However,<a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2023/11/426536/us-men-die-6-years-women-life-expectancy-gap-widens"> recent research</a> led by UC San Francisco and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows a major widening of this gap in the United States over the past decade.</p>

<p>Life expectancy difference between American men and women increased to 5.8 years in 2021, the highest since 1996, said the study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on November 13.</p>

<p>This marks a notable shift from the smallest gap of 4.8 years recorded in 2010.</p>

<p>"There's been a lot of research into the decline in life expectancy in recent years, but no one has systematically analysed why the gap between men and women has been widening since 2010," the paper's first author, Brandon Yan, MD, MPH, a UCSF internal medicine resident physician and research collaborator at Harvard Chan School, told Science Daily.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/data-lab-are-chinas-women-turbocharging-the-economy-can-india-keep-up-629435">Also read |&nbsp;Data Lab | Are China's women turbocharging its economy? Can India catch up?</a></p>

<h2>What are the contributing&nbsp;factors?</h2>

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic was a key driver behind this expanding gender disparity from 2019-2021. Notably, unintentional injuries and poisonings, predominantly related to drug overdoses, along with accidents and suicide, also contributed to this trend.</p>

<p>The pandemic, disproportionately affecting men, played a pivotal role in this trend. The study pointed out that the virus's toll on men, combined with unintentional injuries and poisonings, significantly influenced the widening gap.</p>

<p>The decline in overall US&nbsp;life expectancy to 76.1 years in 2021, down from 78.8 years in 2019, is attributed in part to "deaths of despair."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Xi-Biden meet: Biden asked Xi Jinping to respect Taiwanese elections</strong></p>

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<p>These include suicides, drug use disorders, and alcoholic liver disease, often linked to economic hardship, depression, and stress.</p>

<p>While death rates from drug overdoses and homicides increased for both genders, men constitute an increasingly disproportionate share of these fatalities. This raises questions about the need for more specialised care, particularly in mental health, to address the growing life expectancy disparity.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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For over a century, it has been established that women generally outlive men. However, recent research led by UC San Francisco and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows a major widening of this gap in the United States over the past decade.

For over a century, it has been established that women generally outlive men. However, recent research led by UC San Francisco and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows a major widening of this gap in the United States over the past decade. Life expectancy difference between American men and women increased to 5.8 years in 2021, the highest since 1996, said the study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on November 13. This marks a notable shift from the smallest gap of 4.8 years recorded in 2010. "There's been a lot of research into the decline in life expectancy in recent years, but no one has systematically analysed why the gap between men and women has been widening since 2010," the paper's first author, Brandon Yan, MD, MPH, a UCSF internal medicine resident physician and research collaborator at Harvard Chan School, told Science Daily. Also read | Data Lab | Are China's women turbocharging its economy? Can India catch up? What are the contributing factors? The COVID-19 pandemic was a key driver behind this expanding gender disparity from 2019-2021. Notably, unintentional injuries and poisonings, predominantly related to drug overdoses, along with accidents and suicide, also contributed to this trend. The pandemic, disproportionately affecting men, played a pivotal role in this trend. The study pointed out that the virus's toll on men, combined with unintentional injuries and poisonings, significantly influenced the widening gap. The decline in overall US life expectancy to 76.1 years in 2021, down from 78.8 years in 2019, is attributed in part to "deaths of despair." Also watch | Xi-Biden meet: Biden asked Xi Jinping to respect Taiwanese elections These include suicides, drug use disorders, and alcoholic liver disease, often linked to economic hardship, depression, and stress. While death rates from drug overdoses and homicides increased for both genders, men constitute an increasingly disproportionate share of these fatalities. This raises questions about the need for more specialised care, particularly in mental health, to address the growing life expectancy disparity. (With inputs from agencies)

US men die six years before women, as life expectancy chasm widens

<p>The Hilton hotel chain is breaking from conventional hiring practices by urging jobseekers to submit TikTok videos instead of traditional resumes.</p>

<p>The company shared a video on its TikTok account, @hiremehiltonau, outlining the "recruitment process at Hilton" and encouraging applicants to showcase their suitability in a one-minute video, reported the Guardian.</p>

<p>In a 34-second video, Hilton advises potential employees to identify roles of interest and submit a brief video showcasing how they would add to the experience for Hilton guests.</p>

<p>The video tells users to make videos on TikTok, tagging Hilton, and using the hashtag #hiremehilton.</p>

<p>However, Hilton reassures those not on TikTok that traditional written CVs are still accepted through its website.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-decides-to-ban-tiktok-citing-negative-effects-on-social-harmony-658060">Also read |&nbsp;Nepal decides to ban TikTok citing negative effects on social harmony</a></p>

<h2><strong>Luring Gen Z workers?</strong></h2>

<p>Mary Hogg, Hilton Australasia's regional human resources director, explained that the TikTok pilot aims to attract Gen Z workers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“When you need somebody who’s going to have really good interpersonal skills, to be able to handle guest relationships or any of that side of things, you’ve got no idea [if they can do that] from the paper side,” she told the Guardian.</p>

<p>Tom Earls, a partner at Fair Work Lawyers, noted that legally, there is nothing preventing an employer from requesting TikToks as part of the job application process.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Nepal govt bans TikTok, launches probe into Chinese project</strong></p>

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<p>However, he stressed the need for employers to ensure that such requirements do not unreasonably impact applicants, potentially leading to age discrimination or other ethical concerns.</p>

<p>In 2021, TikTok initiated a similar programme, #TikTokResumes, encouraging applicants to showcase their skills through videos resembling a "personal essay" with looped-in audio.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Hilton hotel chain is breaking from conventional hiring practices by urging jobseekers to submit TikTok videos instead of traditional resumes. The company shared a video on its TikTok account, @hiremehiltonau, outlining the "recruitment process at Hilton" and encouraging applicants to showcase their suitability in a one-minute video, reported the Guardian.

The Hilton hotel chain is breaking from conventional hiring practices by urging jobseekers to submit TikTok videos instead of traditional resumes. The company shared a video on its TikTok account, @hiremehiltonau, outlining the "recruitment process at Hilton" and encouraging applicants to showcase their suitability in a one-minute video, reported the Guardian. In a 34-second video, Hilton advises potential employees to identify roles of interest and submit a brief video showcasing how they would add to the experience for Hilton guests. The video tells users to make videos on TikTok, tagging Hilton, and using the hashtag #hiremehilton. However, Hilton reassures those not on TikTok that traditional written CVs are still accepted through its website. Also read | Nepal decides to ban TikTok citing negative effects on social harmony Luring Gen Z workers? Mary Hogg, Hilton Australasia's regional human resources director, explained that the TikTok pilot aims to attract Gen Z workers. “When you need somebody who’s going to have really good interpersonal skills, to be able to handle guest relationships or any of that side of things, you’ve got no idea [if they can do that] from the paper side,” she told the Guardian. Tom Earls, a partner at Fair Work Lawyers, noted that legally, there is nothing preventing an employer from requesting TikToks as part of the job application process. Also watch | Nepal govt bans TikTok, launches probe into Chinese project However, he stressed the need for employers to ensure that such requirements do not unreasonably impact applicants, potentially leading to age discrimination or other ethical concerns. In 2021, TikTok initiated a similar programme, #TikTokResumes, encouraging applicants to showcase their skills through videos resembling a "personal essay" with looped-in audio. (With inputs from agencies)

Hilton hires with a twist, asks job seekers to send TikTok videos instead of traditional resumes

<p>A 32-year-old woman from Alabama, United States, Kelsey Hatcher who was born with two uteruses is now pregnant in both. She and her husband Caleb, in a recent interview, said that they were very surprised to learn that Kelsey was pregnant earlier this year but even more surprised when they found out that she was expecting two babies.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Doubleuhatchlings’</strong></h2>

<p>Kelsey, who is documenting her story on her Instagram account “doubleuhatchlings,” said she and her husband during her routine eight-week ultrasound appointment, back in May, found out that not only was she having twins but also that a foetus was present in each of her uteruses.</p>

<p>The massage therapist and mother-of-three has known about her rare condition “uterus didelphys” – where a person is born with two uteruses and two cervixes – since she was 17 years old.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-ai-tool-can-predict-heart-attack-risk-in-individuals-up-to-10-years-in-future-study-658641">This AI tool can predict heart attack risk in individuals up to 10 years in future: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>“We were kind of blown away! During that first ultrasound we had LOTS of laughs,” said Kelsey, in an Instagram post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“When I first found out, I was like, ‘I wonder if there’s anybody I can reach out to just to, you know, see what their experiences were,’” Hatcher told ABC News’ show ‘Good Morning America.’&nbsp;</p>

<p>“But I think I’ve only read of two other cases (in which) they’ve had (pregnancies) in completely separate uteruses, and no one that I’ve been able to reach out to,” the 32-year-old added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kelsey has three children ages seven, four and 23 months&nbsp;old and said with each of her three previous pregnancies, she had a single baby carried in one uterus which went full-term, with no complications.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Don’t be alarmed’</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking about her reaction to the news, Hatcher said she told the nurse to not be alarmed if she saw a second uterus on the ultrasound but the nurse saw a second baby on the scan. “Before she could say anything, I said, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s another one,’” Hatcher told ABC News.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-kerala-temple-lake-welcomes-new-crocodile-a-year-after-demise-of-revered-babiya-658624">India: Kerala temple lake welcomes new crocodile a year after demise of revered Babiya</a></strong></p>

<p>“Probably all I did was laugh for 30 minutes or so because it was just like, this is not happening,” she added. Pregnancies in both uteruses are exceedingly rare. Hatcher said she was told the odds were one in 50 million.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Doctors explain</strong></h2>

<p>“Most likely what happened is that she ovulated separately and had one egg come down each fallopian tube, meaning coming down on each side of the uterus, and then sperm travelled up on each separate uterus and fertilisation occurred separately,” Shweta Patel, the obstetrician-gynaecologist caring for Hatcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Women &amp; Infants Center, told ABC News.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Separately, Patel also told NBC affiliate WVTM that the pregnancy was “very, very rare” and because of its uniqueness, her pregnancy is considered high-risk.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-warns-world-failing-to-get-a-grip-on-climate-change-658514">UN warns world failing to get a grip on climate change</a></strong></p>

<p>Kelsey’s daughters could also be born hours, days, or even weeks apart considering that her uteruses could begin contracting at different times. “I think medically, this is such a rare thing that we don’t have a better way of describing it besides still calling them twins,” said Patel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hatcher is expected to give birth to both the babies or “the girlies” as she affectionately calls them, with a due date of December 25, Christmas Day.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A 32-year-old woman from Alabama, United States, Kelsey Hatcher who was born with two uteruses is now pregnant in both. She and her husband Caleb, in a recent interview, said that they were very surprised to learn that Kelsey was pregnant earlier this year but even more surprised when they found out that she was expecting two babies.

A 32-year-old woman from Alabama, United States, Kelsey Hatcher who was born with two uteruses is now pregnant in both. She and her husband Caleb, in a recent interview, said that they were very surprised to learn that Kelsey was pregnant earlier this year but even more surprised when they found out that she was expecting two babies. ‘Doubleuhatchlings’ Kelsey, who is documenting her story on her Instagram account “doubleuhatchlings,” said she and her husband during her routine eight-week ultrasound appointment, back in May, found out that not only was she having twins but also that a foetus was present in each of her uteruses. The massage therapist and mother-of-three has known about her rare condition “uterus didelphys” – where a person is born with two uteruses and two cervixes – since she was 17 years old. ALSO READ | This AI tool can predict heart attack risk in individuals up to 10 years in future: Study “We were kind of blown away! During that first ultrasound we had LOTS of laughs,” said Kelsey, in an Instagram post. “When I first found out, I was like, ‘I wonder if there’s anybody I can reach out to just to, you know, see what their experiences were,’” Hatcher told ABC News’ show ‘Good Morning America.’ “But I think I’ve only read of two other cases (in which) they’ve had (pregnancies) in completely separate uteruses, and no one that I’ve been able to reach out to,” the 32-year-old added. Kelsey has three children ages seven, four and 23 months old and said with each of her three previous pregnancies, she had a single baby carried in one uterus which went full-term, with no complications. ‘Don’t be alarmed’ Speaking about her reaction to the news, Hatcher said she told the nurse to not be alarmed if she saw a second uterus on the ultrasound but the nurse saw a second baby on the scan. “Before she could say anything, I said, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s another one,’” Hatcher told ABC News. ALSO READ | India: Kerala temple lake welcomes new crocodile a year after demise of revered Babiya “Probably all I did was laugh for 30 minutes or so because it was just like, this is not happening,” she added. Pregnancies in both uteruses are exceedingly rare. Hatcher said she was told the odds were one in 50 million. Doctors explain “Most likely what happened is that she ovulated separately and had one egg come down each fallopian tube, meaning coming down on each side of the uterus, and then sperm travelled up on each separate uterus and fertilisation occurred separately,” Shweta Patel, the obstetrician-gynaecologist caring for Hatcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Women & Infants Center, told ABC News. Separately, Patel also told NBC affiliate WVTM that the pregnancy was “very, very rare” and because of its uniqueness, her pregnancy is considered high-risk. ALSO READ | UN warns world failing to get a grip on climate change Kelsey’s daughters could also be born hours, days, or even weeks apart considering that her uteruses could begin contracting at different times. “I think medically, this is such a rare thing that we don’t have a better way of describing it besides still calling them twins,” said Patel. Hatcher is expected to give birth to both the babies or “the girlies” as she affectionately calls them, with a due date of December 25, Christmas Day. (With inputs from agencies)

‘One in 50 million chance’: US woman with rare double uterus pregnant in both

<p>A small propeller plane veered off the runway while landing at an airport in Texas and then collided with a moving car on a road nearby, thereby injuring one person.</p>

<p>A clip shared on social media X showed the exact moment the plane breached the fence during its emergency landing as it bounced and skidded onto a road before colliding with a white sedan.</p>

<p>The incident occurred at the Aero Country Airport in McKinney, a suburb approximately 35 miles north of Dallas.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Just took this vid! Repost with credit. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/aviation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#aviation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/crash?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#crash</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/texas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#texas</a> <a href="https://t.co/LfUxXIsiuD">pic.twitter.com/LfUxXIsiuD</a></p>
— Jack Schneider (@jacks_jets) <a href="https://twitter.com/jacks_jets/status/1723440575406338507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>'Flight was going too fast'&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>"I saw the airplane coming down the runway quickly I knew that he wasn't gonna have time to stop," Jack Schneider, who witnessed and captured the whole incident, told local news broadcaster WFAA-TV on Saturday.</p>

<p>"It was clearly going too fast, the tyres were smoking."</p>

<p>So far, it has not been revealed as to what caused the accident.</p>

<p>According to reports, the car driver suffered minor injuries and was admitted to a nearby hospital, while the two people in the plane escaped unhurt.</p>

<h2><strong>FAA announces investigation</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The&nbsp;McKinney Fire Department, in a statement, said that paramedics evaluated all three patients at the scene and transported the car's driver to the hospital with minor injuries.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/there-may-have-been-a-second-big-bang-new-study-claims-658501">There may have been a second Big Bang, new study claims</a></p>

<p>Local reports said that the single-engine Lancair IV-P also lost a wheel during the accident.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/revolutionary-scientists-have-developed-two-promising-medications-for-bad-cholesterol-658497">'Revolutionary': Scientists have developed two promising medications for 'bad' cholesterol</a></p>

<p>The McKinney Fire Department said that the flight had originated in Midland, a Texas oilpatch city 330 miles (531 kilometres) west of Dallas.</p>

<p>The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board announced that they are investigating the crash, adding that the NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


A small propeller plane veered off the runway while landing at an airport in Texas and then collided with a moving car on a road nearby, thereby injuring one person.

A small propeller plane veered off the runway while landing at an airport in Texas and then collided with a moving car on a road nearby, thereby injuring one person. A clip shared on social media X showed the exact moment the plane breached the fence during its emergency landing as it bounced and skidded onto a road before colliding with a white sedan. The incident occurred at the Aero Country Airport in McKinney, a suburb approximately 35 miles north of Dallas. Just took this vid! Repost with credit. #aviation #crash #texas pic.twitter.com/LfUxXIsiuD — Jack Schneider (@jacks_jets) November 11, 2023 × 'Flight was going too fast' "I saw the airplane coming down the runway quickly I knew that he wasn't gonna have time to stop," Jack Schneider, who witnessed and captured the whole incident, told local news broadcaster WFAA-TV on Saturday. "It was clearly going too fast, the tyres were smoking." So far, it has not been revealed as to what caused the accident. According to reports, the car driver suffered minor injuries and was admitted to a nearby hospital, while the two people in the plane escaped unhurt. FAA announces investigation The McKinney Fire Department, in a statement, said that paramedics evaluated all three patients at the scene and transported the car's driver to the hospital with minor injuries. Also read | There may have been a second Big Bang, new study claims Local reports said that the single-engine Lancair IV-P also lost a wheel during the accident. Also read | 'Revolutionary': Scientists have developed two promising medications for 'bad' cholesterol The McKinney Fire Department said that the flight had originated in Midland, a Texas oilpatch city 330 miles (531 kilometres) west of Dallas. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board announced that they are investigating the crash, adding that the NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.

Watch: Small plane skids off runway and hits a moving car in Texas

<p>A rare US postage stamp was auctioned for a record $2 million in New Yorkto Charles Hack, a 76-year-old stamp collector who is now a proud owner of the famous red, white and blue “Inverted Jenny” stamp which dates back to 1918.</p>

<p>The stamp features an inverted image of a plane, the result of a printing error.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>‘Holy grail of postage’</strong></h2>

<p>The real estate developer made the&nbsp;monumental purchase on Wednesday (Nov 8) of the stamp which originally cost only 24 cents. Hack told the Washington Post that he had been eyeing the coveted stamp since he was a child and called it the “holy grail of postage”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'Inverted Jenny' features a blue upside-down Curtiss JN-4 aeroplane on a red and white background which dominated postage stamp culture at the time.</p>

<p>It was a misprint of a stamp created in 1918 to commemorate the beginning of regular airmail service in the US.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="&quot;Inverted Jenny&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7c3cce47-716d-4a48-9de3-c6814e46e6ee" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WION%20IMAGES%21%20%2864%29_3.png" /></p>

<p><em><strong>Image shows&nbsp;rare United States postage stamp 'Inverted Jenny'.&nbsp;(Photo credit: Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries)</strong></em></p>

<p>The printers only created 100 of those inverted stamps before destroying the misprinted sheet, making the surviving stamps incredibly valuable and sought-after by collectors across the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/one-in-50-million-chance-us-woman-with-rare-double-uterus-pregnant-in-both-658675">‘One in 50 million chance’: US woman with rare double uterus pregnant in both</a></strong></p>

<p>“The error occurred either when an inverted carmine frame sheet was fed into the small hand press for the second impression or when the plate printer, after inking and wiping, placed an inverted blue vignette plate into the press,” said Smithsonian’s national postal museum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hack is also owner of a few other Inverted Jennys, he told the Washington Post. He bought one in the early 2000s for about $300,000.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2007, he bought another, better-quality stamp for around $1 million which was the 57th stamp printed in the original sheet of 100 stamps.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But this time around, Hack managed to buy number 49 on the sheet of 100 stamps which was reportedly bought by a financial clerk named William Robey&nbsp;before the postal officials could destroy the misprinted sheet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The number 49 had not been seen for a century since its original purchase in 1918 as it was held in a bank vault by its owner and his descendants before it was sold in 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/found-some-real-use-for-passport-internet-left-in-splits-over-this-unusual-use-of-a-passport-watch-658486">&nbsp;'Found some real use for passport!' Internet is in splits over THIS unusual use of a passport. Watch!</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Appearance on The Simpsons</strong></h2>

<p>The highly coveted stamp was also featured in a 1993 episode of the long-running American animated show <em>The Simpsons</em>. In the episode, Homer Simpson is seen looking at a sheet of Inverted Jennys during a yard sale.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The airplane’s upside down,” he says unaware of the stamp’s value before calling it “junk” and tossing it into a pile of “trash” that includes other priceless American artefacts including the Declaration of Independence and a multimillion-dollar Stradivarius violin.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A rare US postage stamp was auctioned for a record $2 million in New Yorkto Charles Hack, a 76-year-old stamp collector who is now a proud owner of the famous red, white and blue “Inverted Jenny” stamp which dates back to 1918.

A rare US postage stamp was auctioned for a record $2 million in New Yorkto Charles Hack, a 76-year-old stamp collector who is now a proud owner of the famous red, white and blue “Inverted Jenny” stamp which dates back to 1918. The stamp features an inverted image of a plane, the result of a printing error. ‘Holy grail of postage’ The real estate developer made the monumental purchase on Wednesday (Nov 8) of the stamp which originally cost only 24 cents. Hack told the Washington Post that he had been eyeing the coveted stamp since he was a child and called it the “holy grail of postage”. 'Inverted Jenny' features a blue upside-down Curtiss JN-4 aeroplane on a red and white background which dominated postage stamp culture at the time. It was a misprint of a stamp created in 1918 to commemorate the beginning of regular airmail service in the US. Image shows rare United States postage stamp 'Inverted Jenny'. (Photo credit: Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries) The printers only created 100 of those inverted stamps before destroying the misprinted sheet, making the surviving stamps incredibly valuable and sought-after by collectors across the world. ALSO READ | ‘One in 50 million chance’: US woman with rare double uterus pregnant in both “The error occurred either when an inverted carmine frame sheet was fed into the small hand press for the second impression or when the plate printer, after inking and wiping, placed an inverted blue vignette plate into the press,” said Smithsonian’s national postal museum. Hack is also owner of a few other Inverted Jennys, he told the Washington Post. He bought one in the early 2000s for about $300,000. In 2007, he bought another, better-quality stamp for around $1 million which was the 57th stamp printed in the original sheet of 100 stamps. But this time around, Hack managed to buy number 49 on the sheet of 100 stamps which was reportedly bought by a financial clerk named William Robey before the postal officials could destroy the misprinted sheet. The number 49 had not been seen for a century since its original purchase in 1918 as it was held in a bank vault by its owner and his descendants before it was sold in 2018. ALSO READ | 'Found some real use for passport!' Internet is in splits over THIS unusual use of a passport. Watch! Appearance on The Simpsons The highly coveted stamp was also featured in a 1993 episode of the long-running American animated show The Simpsons. In the episode, Homer Simpson is seen looking at a sheet of Inverted Jennys during a yard sale. “The airplane’s upside down,” he says unaware of the stamp’s value before calling it “junk” and tossing it into a pile of “trash” that includes other priceless American artefacts including the Declaration of Independence and a multimillion-dollar Stradivarius violin. (With inputs from agencies)

Rare 1918 US stamp with ‘Inverted Jenny’ plane error sold for record-breaking $2 million

<p>A dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard the RMS Titanic was sold for $103,000 (£84,000) at an auction. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Sunday (Nov 12), the menu was for a meal served on April 11, 1912. It is decorated with a red White Star Line burgee but the original gilt lettering is no longer visible. The menu was sold last Saturday at Henry Aldridge &amp; Son auction house in Wiltshire, southwest England.</p>

<p>AFP reported that this is believed to be the only surviving copy of a first-class April 11 dinner menu and was discovered in a photo album belonging to late Canadian amateur historian Len Stephenson.</p>

<p>Over 1,500 passengers and crew died when the vessel sank after hitting an iceberg on the evening of April 14, 1912.</p>

<p>Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said that the menu showed signs of water immersion having been partially erased, the reverse of the menu also clearly displays further evidence of this.</p>

<p>"This would point to the menu having been subjected to the icy North Atlantic waters on the morning of April 15 either having left the ship with a survivor who was exposed to those cold sea waters or recovered on the person of one of those lost," Aldridge added.</p>

<p>Other items sold in the auction included a Swiss-made pocket watch recovered from passenger Sinai Kantor, which sold for $1,19,000 and a tartan-patterned deck blanket likely used during the rescue operation that&nbsp;fetched over $117,000.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


A dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard the RMS Titanic was sold for $103,000 (£84,000) at an auction. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Sunday (Nov 12), the menu was for a meal served on April 11, 1912.

A dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard the RMS Titanic was sold for $103,000 (£84,000) at an auction. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Sunday (Nov 12), the menu was for a meal served on April 11, 1912. It is decorated with a red White Star Line burgee but the original gilt lettering is no longer visible. The menu was sold last Saturday at Henry Aldridge & Son auction house in Wiltshire, southwest England. AFP reported that this is believed to be the only surviving copy of a first-class April 11 dinner menu and was discovered in a photo album belonging to late Canadian amateur historian Len Stephenson. Over 1,500 passengers and crew died when the vessel sank after hitting an iceberg on the evening of April 14, 1912. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said that the menu showed signs of water immersion having been partially erased, the reverse of the menu also clearly displays further evidence of this. "This would point to the menu having been subjected to the icy North Atlantic waters on the morning of April 15 either having left the ship with a survivor who was exposed to those cold sea waters or recovered on the person of one of those lost," Aldridge added. Other items sold in the auction included a Swiss-made pocket watch recovered from passenger Sinai Kantor, which sold for $1,19,000 and a tartan-patterned deck blanket likely used during the rescue operation that fetched over $117,000. (With inputs from agencies)

Dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard Titanic auctioned for $103,000

<p>UK’s National Trust has uncovered a ‘devil-like figure’ in a 230-year-old painting made by 18th Century artist Joshua Reynolds, who died in 1792.</p>

<p>The discovery was made during restoration work. The ‘spirit’ was hidden behind layers of paint and varnish.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The painting depicts a death scene from Shakespeare's "Henry VI, Part 2" with the king witnessing the death of Cardinal Beaufort.</p>

<h2><strong>Why was the ‘spirit’ kept hidden?</strong></h2>

<p>According to John Chu, the Trust’s senior national curator for pictures and sculpture, it might not have been considered appropriate to represent a poetic figure of speech so literally in the form of this monstrous figure at that time.</p>

<p>“While it was considered acceptable in literature to introduce the idea of a demon as something in the mind of a person, to include it visually in a painting gave it too physical a form,” he said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;The latest dating trend in town: Girlfriend effect</strong></p>

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<p>"There were even people who argued that it should have been painted out, although records of conversations with the artist show he resisted such attempts to alter the work,” he added.</p>

<p>It is believed that after Reynolds’&nbsp;death, some artists hid it behind layers of paint and varnish, and this is how the figure went unseen for over two centuries.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/dinner-menu-for-first-class-passengers-onboard-titanic-sold-for-103000-658185"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard Titanic sold for $103,000 A dinner menu for first-class p</strong></a></p>

<p>"This is a large painting, and we wanted to ensure that it still represented what Reynolds originally painted, which included allowing the fiend to be uncovered through removing all the non-original darkened varnishes and ensuring it still correctly showed its form and perspective with the work we did," said John Chu.</p>

<p>Chu also said that due to several layers of paint on that area which covered the devil, it deteriorated into a small island of paint and became less clear due to the degradation of successive varnish layers.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


UK’s National Trust has uncovered a ‘devil-like figure’ in a 230-year-old painting made by 18th Century artist Joshua Reynolds, who died in 1792. The discovery was made during restoration work.

UK’s National Trust has uncovered a ‘devil-like figure’ in a 230-year-old painting made by 18th Century artist Joshua Reynolds, who died in 1792. The discovery was made during restoration work. The ‘spirit’ was hidden behind layers of paint and varnish. The painting depicts a death scene from Shakespeare's "Henry VI, Part 2" with the king witnessing the death of Cardinal Beaufort. Why was the ‘spirit’ kept hidden? According to John Chu, the Trust’s senior national curator for pictures and sculpture, it might not have been considered appropriate to represent a poetic figure of speech so literally in the form of this monstrous figure at that time. “While it was considered acceptable in literature to introduce the idea of a demon as something in the mind of a person, to include it visually in a painting gave it too physical a form,” he said. Watch: The latest dating trend in town: Girlfriend effect × "There were even people who argued that it should have been painted out, although records of conversations with the artist show he resisted such attempts to alter the work,” he added. It is believed that after Reynolds’ death, some artists hid it behind layers of paint and varnish, and this is how the figure went unseen for over two centuries. Also read: Dinner menu for first-class passengers onboard Titanic sold for $103,000 A dinner menu for first-class p "This is a large painting, and we wanted to ensure that it still represented what Reynolds originally painted, which included allowing the fiend to be uncovered through removing all the non-original darkened varnishes and ensuring it still correctly showed its form and perspective with the work we did," said John Chu. Chu also said that due to several layers of paint on that area which covered the devil, it deteriorated into a small island of paint and became less clear due to the degradation of successive varnish layers. (With inputs from agencies)

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