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Extra.ie
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Four famous psychics all predict the same disaster for 2025
The world is being warned to prepare for a major disaster in 2025, as four famous psychics all predict the same chilling event they say will be taking place later this year. Bulgarian mystic and healer Baba Vanga, 16th-century French astrologer Nostradamus, London-based Hypnotherapist Nicolas Aujula and Brazilian psychic Athos Salomé all issued the same prophecy for 2025. Baba Vanga has often been described as the 'Nostradamus of the Balkans' and previously accurately predicted 9/11 and the death of Princess Diana before her own death in 1996. The Bulgarian-born prophet Baba Vanga. Pic: Facebook She also predicted that the East would be rocked by a series of earthquakes as a result of climate change, some of which have already come to pass, if we remember the quakes in Myanmar and Thailand last month but she also predicted a war in Europe in the year 2025. Meanwhile 38 year old Brazilian psychic Athos Salomé, who has been dubbed the 'Living Nostradamus' says we are 'teetering on the brink of WWIII, adding that 'the worst is yet to come'. Salomé warns 'This is not just a war of men, but of machines, and in this aspect what comes next?' Nicolas Aujula Pic: REX Features London based hypotherapist and psychic 38 year old Nicolas Aujula agrees and says 2025 will be 'a year where there is a lack of compassion in the world' He added ' We will see horrific acts of human evil towards each other in the name of religion and nationalism' Based on his psychic abilities he says he predicts WWIII could be upon us by the middle of this year. Meanwhile the earliest predictions of a disasterous 2025 came from Nostradamus, who warned in his book Les Prophéties, first published in 1555, and allegedly predicting future events, that this year the UK is going to be drawn into a war. Nostradamus. Pic: Rainer Binder/ullstein bild via Getty Images Whether you subscribe to such thinking or not, the predictions of four renowed psychics should give us all something to ponder on this bank holiday weekend.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
VerSe Innovation allegedly billed Builder.ai without services; Indian company denies claims
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Bengaluru-based VerSe Innovation , the parent firm of news aggregator platform Dailyhunt , and London-based artificial intelligence startup allegedly inflated revenue by issuing invoices to each other without services being provided in many of those cases, a Bloomberg report two companies routinely billed one another for roughly the same amounts between 2021 and 2024, the news agency reported citing documents it reviewed, adding that collected close to $60 million in revenue from VerSe in the four-year period for services such as application Innovation cofounder and CEO Umang Bedi , terming the allegations 'factually incorrect and baseless', told ET that the amount invoiced and accounted for as revenue in its financial statements by the company was against 'services that VerSe (or a relevant subsidiary) rendered and delivered to VerSe has accounted as an expense, in VerSe's financial statements, only for services that it in fact received from or its relevant subsidiary. All these services have also been verified from time to time by reputable external organisations,' he the nature of these services, Bedi said that provided cloud compute services to VerSe, which amounted to $80 million for the 2020-25 period. On the other hand, the London-based startup availed advertising services from VerSe for around $50 million during this 2021 and 2022, VerSe Innovation raised a total of about $1.5 billion in capital from marquee investors such as Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers'), Luxor Capital, Sofina, The Carlyle Group, Alpha Wave, Google and is also a backer of which itself filed for bankruptcy in May after one of its large lenders seized most of its cash. This was preceded by the $1.5-billion valued startup's admission that it overstated its sales to creditors. In the US, prosecutors have also subpoenaed the company demanding that it hand over financial statements, accounting policies and a list of people in the know and documents, Bloomberg reported that the two companies appear to have interspersed the timing and amount of the invoices to avoid suspicion, though each firm ultimately spent approximately the same amount.'Any suggestion that and VerSe coordinated with one another to inflate sales figures or that they routinely billed one another for roughly the same amount or that products and services weren't actually provided against payments made or that there was a practice of reporting bogus revenue in coordination or that payments were intentionally interspersed in timing and amount of the invoices to avoid suspicion, are not only baseless and factually incorrect but also defamatory and irresponsible,' Bedi said on these VerSe Innovation, the reports of alleged 'round-tripping' of money with comes close on the heels of audit firm Deloitte flagging lack of 'appropriate internal controls' as part of its opinion on the company's 2023-24 financials. The Big Four firm weaknesses in internal controls over several aspects of VerSe Innovation's business, including its advertising revenue and relationship with gaps, Deloitte said, 'could potentially result in material misstatement' of VerSe Innovation's account. Bedi said that while 'weaknesses were noted in certain internal controls, the statutory auditors have clearly opined that these weaknesses 'do not affect our opinion on the said consolidated financial statements of the company''.In its annual financial statements for 2023-24, VerSe Innovation had updated its financials for the previous fiscal -- adjusting its total income to Rs 1,356 crore from Rs 1,809 crore filed with its 2022-23 statements. Deloitte had highlighted the changes in the figures reported for 2022-23, while also flagging an unsubstantiated claim of Rs 35 crore connected to unexplained invoices from a supplier which the company did not recognise as a trade payable. The company had said that the restatement in revenue for 2022-23 was because of adjustments made on account of adoption of Indian Accounting Standards
The Print
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
CDS Gen Chauhan admits to losses during Op Sindoor, rejects Pakistan's claim of 6 fighters downed
'I think what is important is not jet being down but why they were being..,' he told the media house in Singapore, where he is attending the annual Shangri-La Dialogue organised by London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). He made the comments in an interview to Bloomberg TV . Gen Chauhan was asked 'whether or not Pakistan downed an Indian jet or in fact more than that'. New Delhi: India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan Saturday admitted to fighter aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor but denied Pakistan's claim that it downed six Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, terming it 'absolutely incorrect'. Taken aback by his response, the Bloomberg TV journalist asked Gen Chauhan again if he meant IAF jets were indeed downed to which he responded saying he was talking about why 'they' were downed. 'The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets, again targeting at long range,' the CDS said. On Pakistan's claims that it downed six IAF jets, he said, 'Absolutely incorrect. That is not the information which I said is important. What is important is why they were down. That is more important for us. And what did we do after that. That is more important.' There was no immediate response on the total number or types of aircraft India lost during Operation Sindoor, besides the 'tactical mistake' the CDS referred to in his response. In a separate interview to Reuters on camera, Gen Chauhan said, 'What I can say is that on the 7th [May], in the initial stages, there were losses but numbers, that is not important. What was important is why these losses occur and what we will do after that. 'We rectified tactics and then went back on 7th, 8th and 10th, and on 10th in large numbers to hit airbases deep inside Pakistan. Penetrated all their air defence with impunity and carried out precision strikes.' He added that the IAF 'flew all types of aircraft with all types of ordinances on the 10th'. Gen Chauhan's response to another question underlining that both India and Pakistan 'displayed rationality' during the conflict took the Reuters journalist by surprise. He told the news agency, 'During this operation, I found both sides displaying a lot of rationality in their thoughts as well as actions. So why should we assume that in the nuclear domain there will be irrationality on someone else's part?' While India has not outrightly denied the loss of IAF assets, it is yet to confirm exact details. Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General, Air Operations, had in a press conference on 11 May said 'losses are part of combat'. He was responding to a query on Pakistan's claim of having shot down IAF aircraft. However, he emphasised that all IAF pilots were back home which meant that while India may have lost aircraft, pilots ejected safely. 'We are in a combat scenario. Losses are a part of combat. The question to be asked is, have we achieved our objectives of decimating the terrorist camps? The answer is a thumping yes,' he said. He added, 'At this time I would not like to comment on the numbers, which platforms did we lose? We are still in a combat situation. If I comment, it will be advantageous to the adversary. All our pilots are back home.' Asked about unverified reports that IAF shot down Pakistani aircraft, he had said, 'Their planes were prevented from entering inside our border…Definitely, we have downed a few planes…definitely, there are losses on their side which we have inflicted.' (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: Asim Munir just stole his 5th star & has nothing to show for it. It'll make him desperate, dangerous
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Why neurologist Guy Leschziner links the seven deadly sins to human biology
Gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust and anger are traditionally seen as the root of all evil. But can these undesirable behaviours actually stem from the biology of our brains? Neurologist Guy Leschziner believes so. Last November, when he launched his book Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human, and delved into the neuroscientific and psychological basis of these human tendencies, the London-based professor encouraged much debate. 'The seven deadly sins are woven into the tapestry of what it is to be human,' he later wrote in The Guardian. 'Each of these tendencies, at least in moderation or in specific circumstances, can be seen as a tool for survival.' He went on to say that the origins of the definition of these traits lies in evolutionary imperatives to preserve the tribe and they raise more of a biological question for us than a moral one. A window into human society 'I was trying to understand how the brain, our biology, influences why we behave badly, and how a better understanding of these processes could actually give us opportunities to make the world a better place,' Leschziner tells The Hindu, on the sidelines of the Kerala Literature Festival 2025. 'I study people at the extremes of the human experience to understand how their brains cause changes in behaviour and how it applies to all of us.' In the introduction of the book, Leschziner explains how the past 25 years of his life as a practising doctor have offered him a window into human society, allowing him to explore aspects of humanity that few outside the world of medicine can see. Leschziner's grandfather was himself a victim of the deadly sins: he escaped Nazi Germany with his brother, but their families perished in concentration camps. At his clinic, Leschziner encounters patients from countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and the former Yugoslavia — 'all in London as an outcome of war and upheaval, fruits of human sins'. A consultant neurologist at the Department of Neurology and Sleep Disorders Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, as well as London Bridge Hospital, the Cromwell Hospital, and One Welbeck, Leschziner is a determinist. 'I believe that everything is a function of the connections within our brain and how it works,' he explains. 'There are factors entirely beyond our control that influence how we behave. For some, it's genetic; for others, it's due to disease or disorder. But, for many, it's shaped by what we're exposed to — either in the womb or later in life — which fundamentally affects how our brains are configured.' Making sense of sleep Seven Deadly Sins is Leschziner'sthird book, and has won critical acclaim. However, initially, he had no intention of becoming an author as he was busy with his medical practice. A literary agent, impressed by Leschziner's BBC radio series on the mysteries of sleep, persuaded him to pen his experiences. Leschziner's first book, The Nocturnal Brain: Nightmares, Neuroscience and the Secret World of Sleep, published in 2019, provided fascinating insights into the sleeping mind, as he drew on case studies of his own patients. The Scientist named it the best neuroscience book of the year, while Forbes termed it one of the must-read books of the year. He is glad that sleep is finally receiving more attention in medical research. Throughout his remarkable career, Leschziner has helped people manage insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, and many other sleep disorders. 'When I was in medical school, we were taught nothing at all about sleep; it didn't even figure on the curriculum,' says Leschziner, who was the clinical lead for the Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy's Hospital, one of Europe's largest sleep units, for over a decade. 'There are entire generations of doctors who know nothing about sleep or were never taught its importance. Now we're beginning to understand the far-reaching consequences of poor sleep on our physical, psychological, and neurological health.' Shortcut to dementia? He says that getting less than the recommended seven to eight-and-a-half hours of sleep is a growing concern. 'Sleep is crucial for every aspect of our daytime functioning,' says Leschziner. 'We know it's linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, and there is increasing evidence that it raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. One major issue, which I believe will affect the entire world in the future, is the connection between sleep and dementia — especially as dementia is becoming more prevalent globally with ageing populations.' Leschziner is equally intrigued by dreams. 'One of the major mysteries that remains is the function of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep — the stage we most closely associate with dreaming,' he says. 'This stage is crucial for memory consolidation, moving information from the brain's short-term memory circuits to longer-term storage. But REM sleep serves other roles as well; it is probably responsible for regulating our emotions. My own view is that, during sleep, we're essentially creating a model of the world because we need it to make sense of our experiences.' Though initially hesitant to wield the pen, writing has taken Leschziner into a world beyond the hospital. 'I chose a career in neurology after reading Oliver Sacks' The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat,' he says. 'If my books can inspire even one person to study the brain, I'll be very happy.'
Metro
9 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
Could London be the next city to introduce a tourist tax?
In many European cities, paying a tourist tax is nothing new. If anything, it's expected. From Paris to Barcelona to Amsterdam, the majority of our favourite hotspots come with an extra fee, whether we pay it at our accommodation or the airport. Its purpose is simple: to provide the city with money for things like general upkeep, sustainability initiatives, and an increased demand on public services. And as many places grapple with the effects of overtourism, taxes are increasing, and new ones are being introduced. For example, Venice doubled its tax for daytrippers earlier this year, while the Azores implemented one on January 1. Recently, there's been talk of London joining the club. Last month, the Centre for London released a report called Arts for All, urging the Greater London Authority to 'explore the implementation of a tourist tax' to help invest in the capital's arts and cultural scene. Last year, Mayor Sadiq Khan voiced his potential support, too. In October, he told The Standard he'd be 'happy to look into' whether a tax for overnight stays would be feasible. But, while the arts do need funding – the report says that physical engagement with arts and culture in London sits below or close to the national average – what would a potential tourist tax mean for the wider community, including daytrippers from the UK? 'Tourists are going to be more accepting of the tax if they can understand where it is being spent,' explains travel expert, Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pearl Lemon Adventures, a London-based travel and tourism company, to find out. Essentially, if the money tourists pay goes towards upgrading infrastructure and transportation, as well as financing and upgrading major attractions, we might all get on board with it. There's no denying London feels the effects of overtourism. Visitor numbers to the UK are on the up: VisitBritain estimates that there were 41.2 million visits to the UK for the full year 202, 1% up on 2019, with most of them heading to the capital. London has also been described as the 'Wild West' of Airbnbs. In Westminster in particular, councillors said more than 10,500 homes were used as holiday lets, and residents claim that one mansion block close to Hyde Park hosts more guests per night than The Ritz. With rent prices in the capital already eye-wateringly high, short-term lets only serve to make living in the city even more expensive. London also has the most congested roads in Europe, with analysis by analytics company Inrix finding drivers in the capital spent 101 hours sitting in traffic in 2024. Though there is some merit to the idea, Shukla adds that a tourist tax is 'not without its problems.' He says that the success of a tax depends on various factors, with the volume of tourism being a big consideration. Currently, around 30 million tourists flock to London every year. Should the same number still come with a tourist tax, it will ensure a steady flow of income. However, if the tax deters tourists, it could lead to fewer visits and less income than expected. Another concern is London's competitiveness compared to other global locations. Currently, Spanish cities like Madrid and Valencia (which boast better weather than the UK) don't have a tourist tax. Neither do up-and-coming European city break destinations like Helsinki or Tallinn. 'If an additional expense like tourist tax is imposed, travellers may opt to visit places that do not have these costs, impacting London's tourism sector,' states Shulka. Similarly, Mayor Sadiq Khan noted that the money raised would need to be strictly monitored. If it were spent elsewhere, with people not seeing the benefits locally or regionally, it wouldn't be fair. He said: 'It's really important to give that reassurance to the [tourism] sector, because they've had a tough few years, particularly post-pandemic. 'If we can reassure the [tourism] sector that we can work on a scheme that benefits inward tourism, it benefits more tourists to come, I think they'd be supportive of it as well.' Officials estimate that a levy could raise significant amounts of cash for local services and the tourism industry. For example, should the UK follow in the footsteps of Paris, which charges visitors up to €16 per night in premium hotels, or Barcelona, which adds up to €4 a night plus a regional fee, an extra £240 million could be generated annually. This is on the basis of adding a 5% tax to overnight stays, according to Euro Weekly. In short, no. English local authorities can't introduce their own tourist taxes,it needs to go through Parliament instead. Legislation to Parliament would have to be introduced for this to happen. However, some UK local authority areas, including Manchester and Liverpool, have established Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) which cover tourism-related businesses. These are legal loopholes, and are operated by local organisations, meaning they can collect levies in their areas. 'If London were to impose a tourist tax, it would probably be similar to the charge on overnight stays currently implemented in places like Manchester,' says Shulka. So even though an overnight fee could be charged, day visitors are unlikely to be affected. Like we mentioned earlier, to prevent overtourism, cities like Venice have imposed fees for day visitors. But in London's case, Shulka says the main motivation would likely be different, specifically generating funds to improve tourism infrastructure upgrades and city services. Shulka adds: 'I think one of the reasons why day-trippers don't typically pay a tourist tax is that they spend only a few hours in the city and therefore use fewer public resources compared to overnight visitors.' Since they don't stay in paid accommodation, they aren't charged through the usual channels. Finally, for day-trippers to be affected, Shulka states that policies targeting them would need to be implemented. This includes things like tourist passes, access fees or visitor registrations. Over on Reddit, there's a huge discussion about the idea of a tourist tax, and as you would expect, the reviews are mixed. More Trending Many Londoners are for a tax, making the point that they have to pay it in other European cities, so why not here? 'Some visitors are surprised when they find out they don't owe tourist tax,' one person adds. 'Yes please. And then ring fence that money to go back into benefiting the local economy. Some new trains for the Bakerloo Line would be nice! Or some new cycle lanes,' another says. A Barcelona resident was also positive about a London tax: 'As a tourist, I wouldn't mind that extra fee.' They continued, saying that their Spanish city has it, and 'regardless of the real use of the money that it generates, it's not a barrier for tourists.' Another tourist agrees: 'I would pay it gladly every time I visit London (and I try to do it a couple of times a year at least). Others were a little more sceptical, saying they would support it if they could guarantee that the money would benefit Londoners. However, some were straight up against it, citing that hotels are 'already overpriced', so 'the answer isn't to drive them further away.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Man unleashes smoke grenades and sledgehammer in raid on Mayfair hotel MORE: Heaven nightclub bouncer cleared of rape charge MORE: British flight attendant 'in tears' in court accused of smuggling 46kg of drugs
