From an average of about 18 days in the lab, the longevity of C. elegans, the popular model organism for ageing research, increased 40–60% when researchers used a mutant that lacked the function of a particular gene (flr-4) and fed them a specific bacterial diet — E. coli strain H. …
Read More »Daily Archives: September 16, 2018
U.S. warns countries against dealing with Ira
The United States has warned that it will have a “fundamentally different set of rules” to deal with the countries continuing to have economic activities with Iran after its sanctions against Tehran become fully operational on November 4. “Make no mistake about it, come November 4 (and) there will be …
Read More »Daily Mail’s new ‘pro-Remain’ helmsman
What difference can a newspaper Editor make? Britain’s tabloids have often been credited — either by themselves or others — with having an extraordinary sway over public opinion. The Sun ’s claim that it had swung the 1992 general election towards a surprise victory for the Conservatives continues to be …
Read More »Scripting radical change in Uzbekistan
Radical change can sometimes come without revolution. In Uzbekistan, journalist Abu Ali Niyazmatov said that the changes are so dramatic every day that it is sometimes hard to keep up with reforms introduced by the new President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who came to power just two years ago. “Changes are going …
Read More »When reporters are killed in line of duty
Samim Faramarz, 28, and his cameraperson, Ramiz Ahmadi, 23, were among the first few journalists at the scene of the suicide attack in Kabul on September 5. As they finished the first broadcast about the explosion at a local sports club, Faramarz described the grim situation to his viewers. “I …
Read More »Shielding suspects, killing hopes of justice
In March 2015, barely two months into his presidency, Maithripala Sirisena pledged a fresh probe into war-time crimes. While firmly ruling out the UN’s direct participation, he said that the views of international experts would be considered, and that domestic investigators would work “efficiently and impartially”. His promise came as …
Read More »New entrants in Xi’s Belt and Road dreams
Later in September, Hong Kong’s first high-speed train will head for Guangzhou, a port city and industrial power house. Its 200-km-an-hour sprint will finally end in nearby Shenzhen, the crucible of China’s reforms. The high-speed train will cover a short span of 141 km between Hong Kong’s West Kowloon station …
Read More »Rohingya crisis reinforces China-Myanmar bond
The two countries have signed an MoU to establish a 1,700 km corridor, connecting key areas China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) got a high-octane boost last week, when Myanmar — facing the heat from the West because of the Rohingya refugee crisis — inked an agreement with Beijing to …
Read More »‘Decision on convicts will be fair’
Governor denies referring matter to Home Ministry Clarifying that no reference had been made to the Union Home Ministry in connection with the release of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Saturday said a decision would be taken in a just and …
Read More »Successfully prevented Rohingya influx into country: BSF DG
The Border Security Force has prevented the influx of Rohingya into India after they fled Myanmar, Director General of the force K.K. Sharma said on Saturday. “About eight to 10 lakh Rohingya have entered Bangladesh. We have prevented their illegal influx in the country [India],” he said. The BSF guards …
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