Latest news with #TheTelegraph
The Star
an hour ago
- Health
- The Star
Toddler survives deadly encounter with cobra by biting its head off
A two-year-old boy survived what could have been a lethal encounter with a cobra in the most bizarre way: He bit its head off. News reports said Govinda Kumar was playing at his home in Bankatwa village in India's eastern state of Bihar on July 25 when a nearly one-metre-long cobra slithered close by. He mistook the venomous snake for a toy and tried to grab it, according to Times of India. The cobra coiled itself around the boy's hand. Startled, Govinda reacted by biting the snake's head clean off. 'He killed it on the spot,' the boy's grandmother Mateshwari Devi was quoted as saying. The boy then passed out and was rushed to a hospital. He was transferred to Government Medical College and Hospital Bettiah for specialist care, where doctors treated him for ingesting some of the snake's venom when he bit it. Dr Saurab Kumar, an associate professor at the hospital's paediatrics department, told The Telegraph that Govinda likely survived because the cobra's venom did not enter his bloodstream. The boy sank his teeth into the cobra but it was not able to bite him, he said. 'I received the child active and alert, but his mouth and face were swollen because of the reaction to the venom in the oral cavity,' said Dr Kumar. Cobra venom contains neurotoxins that can impair the nervous system and damage tissues and blood cells, with the severity of symptoms depending on the species. Govinda was discharged on July 26. According to 2023 data from the World Health Organisation, snakes bite some 5.4 million people globally each year, leading to as many as 137,880 deaths. The number of people left with amputations or permanent disabilities may be up to three times higher. India accounts for roughly half of all snake bite-related deaths, according to a report published by News Decoder earlier in 2025. The country has around 300 species of snakes, including 60 highly venomous species such as the Russell's vipers, kraits and saw-scaled vipers, which are responsible for most of the bite- related deaths. The Indian cobra completes this list of the 'big four' species responsible for the most snake bites in India. — The Straits Times/ANN
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Teacher who ‘stabbed parents on hiking trail' caught after five-day manhunt
A 28-year-old schoolteacher has been charged with the murder of a married couple stabbed to death in front of their children after a five-day manhunt. Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on a walking trail at Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas on Saturday. They had been out hiking with their daughters, aged seven and nine, who alerted authorities that their parents had been attacked. The girls were not hurt, police said. Andrew James McGann was arrested at a barbershop in Springdale, some 30 miles from the park, after five days on the run. He was charged with two counts of capital murder and was being held without bond in the state's Washington County jail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Police have declined to discuss a motive for the killings. 'If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state, our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice, because that's what the people of Arkansas frankly deserve,' Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the governor of Arkansas, told reporters. Mr McGann, a fourth-grade teacher, had recently been hired at Springdale Public Schools for the upcoming year, but had not yet started in his position or come into contact with any of its families or students, a school district spokesperson said in a statement. 'Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers,' Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent, said. The suspect had previously taught at a small Oklahoma school district until May, before resigning to take a job in another state, according to a Sand Springs Public Schools spokesperson. The statement added that Mr McGann had passed all background checks. The Brink family said the couple had died as 'heroes protecting their little girls.' 'Our entire state is grieving for the tragic loss and senseless and horrific crime that's taken place in this area,' a spokesperson for the family said. A lawyer for Mr McGann could not be reached. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Can you believe this? Zuckerberg offered $1 billion pay package to an AI researcher - what happened next was shocking
In a stunning revelation that reflects the escalating talent war in the artificial intelligence industry, Mira Murati, founder of Thinking Machines Lab , has disclosed that her entire 50-member team unanimously rejected lucrative job offers from Meta, including one jaw-dropping package worth $1 billion. The development throws light on the increasing lengths to which tech behemoths are willing to go in their pursuit of top AI minds. Meta's aggressive recruitment campaign As per a report by Wired, Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta has been on a relentless hunt to hire AI experts, targeting researchers at Murati's San Francisco-based AI start-up, Thinking Machines. The social media conglomerate, which recently consolidated its AI research efforts under Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), reportedly made offers ranging from $200 million to $1 billion, with substantial portions tied to stock options and multi-year vesting schedules, as per a report by The Telegraph. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category others Data Science Data Analytics Technology Design Thinking Digital Marketing healthcare Cybersecurity MBA Degree Management Healthcare PGDM Project Management Finance Others Product Management Operations Management Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Data Science CXO MCA Leadership Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details Mira Murati, former Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI and now among the most influential figures in the AI sector, confirmed that despite the extraordinary compensation, not a single member of her company accepted Meta's overtures. 'So far at Thinking Machines Lab, not a single person has taken the offer,' Murati told Wired, as mentioned in a report by The Telegraph. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Neuropathy is not from Low vitamin B. Meet the Real Enemy of Neuropathy (Stop Doing This) Health Insight Journal Learn More Undo Disputed figures and Meta's official stand While Murati's disclosure made headlines, Meta's spokesperson Andy Stone pushed back against the figures reported. In a statement to The Telegraph, Stone acknowledged that Meta had extended offers to a few individuals at Thinking Machines, including one 'sizeable' proposal. However, he maintained that the broader monetary claims were 'off' and questioned the motives behind the leak, stating, 'This all begs the question, who is spinning this narrative and why?' Despite the contention, industry observers note that Meta's ongoing hiring spree reflects its commitment to regaining AI dominance after internal frustration over slow progress. The company has made several high-profile poaching attempts in recent months, including personalized WhatsApp messages from Zuckerberg himself to leading researchers. Live Events Thinking Machines: No product, yet $12 billion valuation The allure of Thinking Machines Lab is evident in its rising valuation. Despite having no consumer-facing product yet, the startup recently secured $2 billion in new funding, pushing its valuation to $12 billion. Murati revealed that the company plans to unveil its first product within the next few months, with open-source components designed to foster collaboration within the AI community. This rapid valuation growth, coupled with an elite team, makes Thinking Machines a hotbed of talent, one that Meta and other rivals are eager to tap. However, Murati's announcement that none of her researchers were tempted by Meta's riches further cements the startup's internal cohesion and mission-oriented culture. Meta's high-stakes AI ambitions Meta's recent establishment of its Superintelligence Labs signals its intensified focus on long-term AI innovation. With Alexandr Wang, founder of Scale AI, and Nat Friedman, former GitHub CEO, now leading the lab, Zuckerberg has realigned Meta's AI strategy to accelerate development of advanced AI tools. This shift comes amid fierce competition from the likes of OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, and Apple. Notably, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also confirmed that his employees had received nine-figure offers from Meta in recent weeks. The unprecedented pay packages reflect the strategic importance of AI leadership for future growth and geopolitical influence, as per the report by The Telegraph. An ethical stance or strategic branding? While the news has captivated the tech world, questions persist about whether Murati's move is entirely altruistic or part of a broader brand positioning strategy. With the AI industry under scrutiny for its ethical practices and monopolistic ambitions, Murati's public refusal of excessive compensation could bolster her company's reputation as values-driven and independent. Still, it signals a turning point in the AI labor market, where not every researcher can be bought with billions. For now, Thinking Machines Lab remains immune to Meta's vast war chest, though the question remains: for how long? As the AI arms race continues to escalate, the saga between Meta and Thinking Machines may just be the opening chapter. With more funding rounds, product launches, and talent bids expected in the months ahead, the spotlight will remain firmly on leaders like Mira Murati and Mark Zuckerberg. FAQs What is Mira Murati's Thinking Machines Lab, and why is it in the spotlight? Thinking Machines Lab is a San Francisco-based AI startup founded by Mira Murati, the former CTO of OpenAI. It recently made headlines after Murati revealed that her entire 50-member team rejected job offers from Meta, including a staggering $1 billion offer, highlighting the growing battle for AI talent. Did Meta really offer $1 billion to a Thinking Machines Lab researcher? According to Murati, one of her team members was offered a $1 billion compensation package by Meta. However, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone disputed the claim, saying the reported figures were exaggerated and questioned the motives behind the leak.
Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Why men don't talk to the GP about prostate cancer
Men are often more familiar with Formula 1 world champions than they are with signs of prostate cancer, research has found. A new survey has exposed widespread confusion among men about prostate cancer and prostate health more widely. The poll found that 27 per cent of men could name more leading racing drivers than signs of prostate problems. Meanwhile, a third were too shy to speak to their GP about their problems, while almost half were unaware of how screening worked. A quarter believed they did not need to be checked unless they had symptoms. Why we're campaigning for change The Telegraph is campaigning for the introduction of targeted screening so those most at risk, such as black men and those with a family history of disease, are offered PSA tests. Experts are also calling for current NHS guidance to be rewritten so that GPs are told to discuss prostate cancer risks with men, rather than waiting to see if they bring it up. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do appear, they can include changes in urination, such as needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night, difficulty starting or stopping urination, a weak urine stream, and a feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely. However, urination problems are also common in old age, as well as being linked to other less serious problems. Persistent back pain, fatigue and weight loss can be symptoms of advanced disease. Early diagnosis is critical Late diagnosis is linked to far worse survival. Men diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage have five-year survival rates of almost 100 per cent. This compares to rates of around 50 per cent once it has spread beyond the prostate. Every year, around 55,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most common cancer in men, with 12,000 deaths. However, prostate cancer is the only major cancer with no screening programme. The poll of 2,000 men by Vista Health found 35 per cent have delayed or avoided speaking to a healthcare professional about potential prostate issues. Embarrassment was the most common reason, cited by 16 per cent. Widespread ignorance Twenty-six per cent of respondents did not know where the prostate is located and 65 per cent could not confidently explain its function (it makes semen and controls the flow of urine). A fifth of men wrongly believed the prostate was located in the bladder, when the small gland is actually below. More than a quarter of men said they had sought tests after public figures spoke out. It comes after The Telegraph revealed that almost 5,000 extra men have been referred by the NHS for urological cancer in the six months after Sir Chris Hoy, 49, the six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, spoke about his diagnosis. The polling found that a quarter of men said they were also more likely to undergo checks if encouraged by their partners, while four in ten said the y would do so for peace of mind. The polling was commissioned by Vista Health, which offers a prostate screening service, including PSA blood testing and MRI where needed. Dr Reem Hasan, the chief medical officer at Vista Health, said: 'These findings are a real wake-up call. Many men are understandably worried about prostate cancer, but too often they don't fully understand what the prostate is, what it does, or whether they may be at increased risk. That confusion can quickly become fear and sadly, fear can delay action. Empowerment over embarrassment 'We urgently need to replace myths with facts, and embarrassment with empowerment. Prostate health should not be a taboo topic. Getting checked does not have to be invasiv e or uncomfortable. A simple PSA blood test, followed by an MRI if needed, can offer clarity and real peace of mind.' The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is currently considering whether to recommend the rollout of testing. In the past, it has rejected the idea because of concern that PSA tests are too unreliable, and would result in too many men undergoing needless procedures. However, in recent years the back-up technology used to confirm a diagnosis has significantly improved, with hopes that further advances being tested in Prostate Cancer UK's Transform trial could mean that, in future, screening could cut deaths by 40 per cent.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘It's a cry for help': Italian farmers introduce tourist levy on popular hiking trail
Italian farmers are tackling overtourism by charging a visitors a fee for hiking on a public footpath in the Dolomites. Four farmers have set up a turnstile on the Seceda mountain, a popular place to visit for pictures of the striking Odle Peaks, according to The Telegraph. Some 8,000 people walked along the mountain path on a single day last week. Videos on social media show long lines of tourists queuing behind one another on the Seceda trail. It is thought that more visitors are swapping beach resorts for the mountains this year in search of cooler temperatures. While there is a long-established 'right to roam' convention throughout the Dolomites, farmers say that the influx of visitors has damaged their land, and that they do not have the requisite funds to restore it. At the turnstile, visitors have to pay €5 (£4.32) per person for access to the path. The turnstile was set up for a brief period in July as a deliberate protest by the farmers. They hoped the action would compel the authorities to supply compensation for the care of the meadows and path. It was closed down after an initial, seven-day stint, but reopened it this week as the crowds continued to flock to see the peaks. The mountain is accessed via a cable car which carries hikers in the summer and skiers in winter. 'It's a cry for help,' said Georg Rabanser, one of the owners of the land that the path flows through, The Telegraph reported. 'We were hoping for a call from the provincial government, but we received nothing, just hot air, nothing of substance. 'We didn't even receive a cease and desist order,' he added. 'The authorities need to understand that while the cable car operators receive huge amounts of money from the invasion of tourists, we don't make anything and yet we have to bear the cost of damage done to our land and the rubbish that is left behind by badly behaved visitors,' he said. Meanwhile, the local tourist association are questioning the legality of the new turnstile. Christina Demetz, a destination manager at the Val Gardena tourist board, told The Independent that visitors should not feel obliged to pay the fee, and that plans are in place to remove the turnstile. 'Seceda is a high alpine pasture with many landowners who are obligated to maintain and mow the meadows—an essential contribution to the area's unique biodiversity,' Ms Demetz explained. 'A long-established hiking trail runs across the land at the top of the ridge, and many people walk along it. However, visitors often stray off the path and sit on the blooming meadows, which still need to be mowed'. To tackle this, she said rangers have been deployed in the Dolomites to raise awareness among visitors to keep to the path, and explained that the turnstile asking for a fee was a 'private initiative' of a landowner 'This measure was not coordinated with our organisation and is beyond our responsibility,' she said. 'We have already informed the relevant authorities of the situation, as free and fair access to hiking trails is very important to us.' The matter is being looked into by the Province of South Tyrol and the local municipal office, which plan to have the turnstile removed, Ms Demetz said, adding that there are two other alternative routes that allow access to the pasture. The Independent has contacted the Province of Bolzano/South Tyrol for the daily Crossword
