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Indian Scientists develop molecule that could be a potential candidate to treat Alzheimer’s
Science & Technology

Indian Scientists develop molecule that could be a potential candidate to treat Alzheimer’s

Scientists have developed a small molecule that disrupts the mechanism through which neurons become dysfunctional in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The molecule could be a potential drug candidate to halt or cure the leading cause of dementia (70-80%) worldwide. In the Alzheimer's brain, abnormal levels of naturally forming protein clump together to form plaques that collect between neurons and disrupt cell function. This is caused by production and deposition of the amyloid peptide (Aβ) that accumulates in the central nervous system. The multifactorial nature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) attributed to multifaceted amyloid toxicity has kept researchers from developing effective treatment. A team of scientists led by Professor T. Govindaraju from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Sc...
Chinese firms buying out British schools that are under financial stress; Ploy to expand Chinese influence over Britain’s education system, investigation reveals
Analysis, Europe, Featured, World

Chinese firms buying out British schools that are under financial stress; Ploy to expand Chinese influence over Britain’s education system, investigation reveals

Hundreds of independent schools which are under financial stress after the impact of coronavirus pandemic are being targeted by Chinese investorsNine of the 17 schools under Chinese control are owned by firms whose founders or bosses are among China's most senior Communist Party members;Schools are using educational tools for teaching children a 'whitewashed' view of ChinaOne firm admitted its acquisition of British schools is aimed at supporting China's controversial Belt And Road strategy, which aims to expand Beijing's global influence.This is not a new phenomenon as it was reported way back in 2015 that Chinese investors were buying Britain's schools. Neither the British government nor the opposition saw the threat from such buying of schools.Will the British take control of their...
India emerges key mover of global S&T partnerships
Science & Technology

India emerges key mover of global S&T partnerships

India has emerged a key mover of global S&T partnerships in critical areas like energy, water, health and astronomy which are global challengesIndia has driven Mission Innovation to boost research, development and innovation and related investment in clean energy, the Dutch Indian Water Alliance for Leadership Initiative (DIWALI)India has funded 9 RD&D projects under smart grids engaging 17 Indian institutes, 22 foreign institutes and 15 industries and 8 innovators.The COVID 19 established India’s position as one of the key movers in tackling the pandemic crisis.India has joined the 'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)' as a founding member to support the responsible and human-centric development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). PIB Delhi: Devasthal...
Chinese State-Owned Companies Covertly Supply Arms to Burmese Military, Claims “Justice For Myanmar” Advocacy Group
Asia, Featured, World

Chinese State-Owned Companies Covertly Supply Arms to Burmese Military, Claims “Justice For Myanmar” Advocacy Group

An advocacy group called "Justice For Myanmar" has accused Chinese state-owned companies of being the biggest arms supplier to the Burmese military, a claim China has denied. The group has listed 122 top business partners of the military government, which staged a coup on Feb. 1, ousting the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD). Citing research by Justice For Myanmar, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that the five biggest suppliers of arms and military equipment to Burma’s military are China North Industries Group (NORINCO), the Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC), the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), the China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp. (CASIC), and the China National Aero-Technology Imp...
WHO Chief slams rich countries for hogging Covid-19 vaccines, resulting in reduction in doses for poorer countries
Featured, World

WHO Chief slams rich countries for hogging Covid-19 vaccines, resulting in reduction in doses for poorer countries

WHO Chief Tedros said money is not the only challenge we face. If there are no vaccines to buy, money is irrelevant.Even if we have the funds, we can only deliver vaccines to poorer countries if high-income countries cooperate in respecting the deals COVAX has done, and the new deals it is doing, Tedros said.The G7 countries have shown leadership, but we need all countries to step up. We still face a gap of at least 22.9 billion dollars to fully finance the ACT Accelerator this year.   The World Health Organisation has accused wealthy countries for hogging Covid vaccines resulting in reduction in doses for poorer countries. The WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus observations came days after the World Trade Organisation chief called on the UK to send vaccines abroad. ...
Chinese Blogger arrested for questioning PLA’s neglect of low ranking soldiers and government version of Galwan clash
Asia, World

Chinese Blogger arrested for questioning PLA’s neglect of low ranking soldiers and government version of Galwan clash

Chinese blogger Qiu Ziming has been arrested for questioning the government version of Galwan clash (Photo: 163.com) A popular blogger, identified as Qiu Ziming, 38, has been arrested by police over his social media posts which questioned the PLA's attitude towards low ranking soldiers. Police in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing have arrested Qiu for 'demeaning military casualties' from the Galwan clash with Indian army troops. Qiu, a former reporter with the weekly Economic Observer, had 2.5 million followers on China’s Twitter-like platform Weibo when he published two posts on Friday that suggested a commander survived the clashes because he was the highest ranking officer there, reports South China Morning Post (SCMP). His post also questioned the government version of the...
China supports India in hosting BRICS 2021, says its Foreign Ministry
National, World

China supports India in hosting BRICS 2021, says its Foreign Ministry

Brics Leader’s Family Photo on the side line of the 10th BRICS Summit China said it supports India in hosting this year’s BRICS meeting. This will be the third time India will host the BRICS Summit after 2012 and 2016. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told media in Beijing on Monday that China will work with India and other members to strengthen communication and dialogue and consolidate cooperation and work for greater progress under BRICS. He said, China attaches importance to BRICS mechanism and is committed to deepening strategic partnership within it to consolidate solidarity and cooperation. BRICS is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2021, but it will be the 13th BRICS Summit which India is chairing. Last week, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar launched the websit...
Sankalp Diwas – Time to free POJK from the illegal occupation of Pakistan
Featured, National

Sankalp Diwas – Time to free POJK from the illegal occupation of Pakistan

(Translated from the original in Kannada on Samvada.org)   After the British left India, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh of the Dogra Dynasty acceded to the Union of India on October 26, 1947. Jammu and Kashmir has been an integral part of India since time immemorial. However, Pakistan's nefarious ploy to illegally usurp Jammu & Kashmir in the aftermath of the partition of the country in 1947, was bolstered by Prime Minister Nehru's reckless move to take the issue to the United Nations. This resulted in the declaration of a ceasefire resulting in Pakistan sitting over 90,000 kms of India's territory including the Gilgit-Baltistan and Shaksgam valley, even before the Indian army could repel and oust Pakistan from the occupied areas. In 196...
Mars 2020/Perseverance Key Facts
Science & Technology

Mars 2020/Perseverance Key Facts

Mission Name: Mars 2020 Rover Name: Perseverance Main Job: The Mars 2020/Perseverance rover is designed to better understand the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient life. The mission will collect and store a set of rock and soil samples that could be returned to Earth in the future. It will also test new technology to benefit future robotic and human exploration of Mars. Launch: July 30, 2020 Landing: Feb. 18, 2021 Landing Site: Jezero Crater, MarsTech Demo: The Mars Helicopter is a technology demonstration, hitching a ride on the Perseverance rover. Key Objectives Explore a geologically diverse landing siteAssess ancient habitabilitySeek signs of ancient life, particularly in special rocks known to preserve signs of life over timeGather rock and soil samples...
Japan to work in close coordination with parliaments around the world to support the cause of freedom, democracy, rule of law and human rights in Tibet
Asia, Featured, World

Japan to work in close coordination with parliaments around the world to support the cause of freedom, democracy, rule of law and human rights in Tibet

Japan’s All-Party Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet today convened its general meeting at the House of Representatives’ office auditorium to discuss the Tibet issue and to strengthen its support to the Tibetan peoples` struggle for justice and human rights in Tibet, informs the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). 49 Japanese parliamentarians attended the meeting, says the CTA release. The Japanese version of CTA’s White Paper titled ‘Tibet was Never a Part of China, But Middle Way Approach Remains a Viable Solution’ was also distributed to all the Japanese parliamentarians and the staff during the meeting. In his opening remarks, Mr Nagao Takashi, General Secretary and Member of House of Representatives announced the good news that the world’s largest parliamentary suppor...