Africa & World

Indian teenager Lalit Patidar has secured a Guinness World Record (GWR) for the hairiest face on a male, with an official measurement of 201.72 hairs per square centimetre, according to a statement by Guinness World Records (GWR).

GWR described the 18-year-old as having a “one-in-a-billion werewolf syndrome,” scientifically known as hypertrichosis, a rare condition that results in excessive hair growth. The statement noted that “over 95 per cent of his face is covered in hair.”

Reacting to the recognition, Lalit expressed his excitement, saying, “I am speechless, I don’t know what to say because I’m very happy to receive this recognition.”

GWR highlighted the rarity of Lalit’s condition, stating that he is one of only around 50 documented cases worldwide since the Middle Ages, making him “one in a billion and certainly a special person.”

Despite achieving the record, Lalit has faced challenges, including ridicule and stares from others. The statement recounted his experiences, noting that his schoolmates were initially afraid of him.

“The other children at school were even scared of him when he arrived on his first day,” GWR stated.

Lalit recalled, “They were scared of me, but when they got to know me and started talking to me, they realised I was not so different from them. It was just my appearance that was different, but inside, I am the same.”

Although most people treat him well, he acknowledged that some have been less kind. In response to those who suggest he remove his facial hair, he said, “There is not much to say to people about that. I tell them that I like how I am, and I don’t want to change my look.”

Lalit has embraced his identity despite the challenges, drawing strength from his family and sharing his experiences online.

“Lalit fully embraces who he is and what makes him unique, even inviting others to follow his daily life on his YouTube channel,” GWR added.

His record was officially confirmed during a trip to Milan, Italy, where he appeared on GWR’s television show Lo Show dei Record. As part of the verification process, a trichologist assessed his facial hair by shaving small portions to determine the hairs per square centimetre.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to create a strategic bitcoin reserve, a day before hosting cryptocurrency industry executives at the White House.

According to White House crypto czar David Sacks, the reserve will be funded with bitcoin seized by the federal government through criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings. Sacks, a billionaire investor, made the announcement in a post on X, stating that the reserve would serve as a “digital Fort Knox” for bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold.”

At Friday’s White House crypto summit, Trump is expected to formally outline plans for the reserve, which will include bitcoin and four other cryptocurrencies—ether, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. The president’s announcement earlier this week of these five digital assets led to a surge in their market value.

Details on how the reserve will function or its benefits to taxpayers remain unclear. Sacks stated that the government will implement a strategy to maximize the value of its holdings but did not provide specifics. He emphasized that the U.S. will not sell bitcoin deposited into the reserve, positioning it as a long-term store of value.

Pope Francis’ health has shown slight improvement, the Vatican reported on Wednesday, though it cautioned that the prognosis for the 88-year-old pontiff remains uncertain as he continues to battle pneumonia.

“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father in the last 24 hours have shown a further, slight improvement,” the Vatican stated in its nightly bulletin. “Although a slight improvement is being recorded, the prognosis remains reserved.”

The Argentine pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties and bronchitis. His condition later worsened, raising concerns among Catholics worldwide.

Over the weekend, Francis suffered respiratory attacks that required high oxygen levels and blood transfusions. However, the Vatican confirmed that no further such episodes had occurred, although he remains on oxygen therapy and continues breathing exercises.

A CT scan conducted on Tuesday showed a “normal progression of the pulmonary inflammatory condition,” while blood tests on Wednesday confirmed ongoing improvement. Additionally, a mild renal insufficiency detected over the weekend has now resolved, the Vatican said.

Doctors have warned that the Pope’s recovery could be prolonged, with his hospital stay expected to extend beyond this week.

Despite his condition, Francis has remained engaged in Church affairs from his hospital suite. Now in his 13th day at the hospital, he was reportedly “sitting in a chair and continuing with the treatment as normal,” according to a Vatican source. He received the Eucharist in the morning and spent the afternoon working.

This marks the Pope’s fourth and longest hospitalization. Having had part of a lung removed as a young man, he has experienced increasing health challenges in recent years, including frequent bronchitis and chronic hip and knee pain, which have necessitated the use of a wheelchair.

Faithful from around the world continue to gather at the Vatican and outside the Gemelli Hospital to pray for his recovery, with a fresh round of prayers held in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday evening.

President Donald Trump has announced plans to introduce a “gold card” visa program, offering a path to U.S. citizenship for $5 million. The new initiative would replace the EB-5 investor visa program, which has been in place since 1990.

Speaking Tuesday in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized the benefits of the proposed visa, stating that recipients would be “wealthy and successful,” contributing significantly to the economy through spending, taxation, and job creation.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that the Trump Gold Card would replace the EB-5 visa within two weeks. The EB-5 program allows foreign investors to obtain legal residency by investing approximately $1 million in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 jobs. Lutnick argued that the new program would eliminate fraud concerns associated with the EB-5 system while increasing investment requirements. The gold card would function as a green card, granting permanent residency and a pathway to citizenship.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, nearly 8,000 people were granted investor visas in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022. A 2021 Congressional Research Service report cited concerns over fraud in the EB-5 program, including challenges in verifying the legal sources of investment funds.

Investor visa programs are widely used globally, with more than 100 countries—including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada, and Italy—offering “golden visas” to affluent individuals, according to advisory firm Henley & Partners.

Trump did not specify whether the new program would include job creation requirements. While the EB-5 visa program is capped, he suggested the federal government could issue up to 10 million “gold cards” to help reduce the national deficit, calling the proposal “potentially fantastic.”

Describing the initiative, Trump said the gold card would be “somewhat like a green card, but at a higher level of sophistication,” designed for wealthy individuals or those with exceptional talent. He suggested that companies could sponsor talented individuals through the program.

Although Congress determines citizenship qualifications, Trump stated that the gold card program would not require congressional approval.

The United Nations has reported violent clashes in northern South Sudan, resulting in civilian casualties and the injury of a UN peacekeeper.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that fighting erupted on February 14 and 15 in Nassir, Upper Nile State, near the Sudanese border, between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and “armed youth.”

While the UN did not specify the identity of the armed groups involved, it confirmed that heavy weaponry was used, leading to multiple deaths and injuries among civilians and combatants. A UN peacekeeper on patrol was also wounded during mortar shelling.

Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, condemned the violence and called for restraint, stressing the need to protect UN peacekeepers.

The UN also warned of rising tensions in Western Equatoria, where “organized forces” are engaged in hostilities, though further details were not provided.

South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has struggled with instability, political unrest, and violent clashes. A 2018 peace agreement mandated the unification of armed forces ahead of long-delayed elections, but UNMISS has noted that this process remains incomplete.

Russia has declared its willingness to support Iran in addressing issues related to its nuclear programme.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made this known in an interview with the Iranian news agency IRNA on Tuesday.

Peskov emphasized that Moscow values its strong ties with Tehran and is committed to enhancing cooperation across various sectors.

“Iran support includes providing assistance in dealing with important matters like the nuclear programme,” he stated.

He further stressed that diplomatic efforts remain the preferred approach to resolving international concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities, provided all parties demonstrate the necessary political will.

In 2015, Iran reached a nuclear agreement with the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, and France. The deal granted Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear programme.

However, in 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement and reinstated sanctions on Iran. In response, Tehran gradually scaled back its nuclear commitments, including increased uranium enrichment.