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WHO and FIND Join Forces to Accelerate Diagnostic Innovation and Access

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FIND and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that lays the foundation for accelerating innovation and achieving equitable access to quality diagnostics for people globally. One year on from the historic resolution to strengthen diagnostics, and with FIND as co-lead of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator diagnostics pillar, this new agreement marks a step change in a strengthened partnership between WHO and FIND to speed up both innovation and access to diagnostics, supporting countries to implement the World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution on diagnostics. “We are proud to be signing this MoU with WHO, as quality and accessible diagnostic testing is the backbone of health systems, primary healthcare and health security,” said Dr. Ayoade Alakija, Board Chair of FIND. “At a time when there have been three cases of H5N1 avian flu spillover events from cows to humans in the last month and an outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the importance of diagnostic testing to identify outbreaks and quash them before they become major epidemics or even pandemics has never been more critical.” This new agreement establishes FIND as the key strategic partner for diagnostics, working with WHO and others to address a number of priority areas including antimicrobial resistance, infectious diseases like HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, and noncommunicable diseases like hypertension, heart disease, cervical cancer and diabetes. Signed on 1 June 2024 at a ceremony attended by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Dr. Yukiko Nakatani (Assistant Director-General), and Dr. Ayoade Alakija (Board Chair of FIND), the MoU will also see the two organizations building new avenues to share knowledge and scale up critical activities to accelerate access to life-saving diagnostics. The signing of this MoU formalizes a long-standing partnership between WHO and FIND and marks a major milestone in the journey towards better health and well-being across the world. By leveraging the strengths and expertise of both WHO and FIND, this partnership promises to drive innovation on diagnostic tests and also improve access to the tests to reduce health inequalities, ultimately leading to a healthier future for people everywhere.  

WHO and FIND Join Forces to Accelerate Diagnostic Innovation and Access Read More »

Modi 3.0: Full List of Ministers and Their Portfolios in the New BJP Government

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The new council of ministers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi includes 61 members from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 11 leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies. Of the 72 ministers, 43 have served three or more terms in Parliament, and 39 were ministers in the previous Union government. Full List of Ministries and Ministers in Modi 3.0 Government Here is a look at the top ministers and the portfolios they held in the previous Narendra Modi-led government: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Portfolios: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, all important policy issues, and portfolios not allocated to any minister Ministry of Home Affairs Union Minister: Amit Shah Ministers of State: Nityanand Rai, Bandi Sanjay Kumar Ministry of Cooperation Union Minister: Amit Shah Ministers of State: Krishan Pal, Murlidhar Mohol Ministry of Defence Union Minister: Rajnath Singh Minister of State: Sanjay Seth Ministry of External Affairs Union Minister: S Jaishankar Ministers of State: Kirtivardhan Singh, Pabitra Margherita Ministry of Finance Union Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of State: Pankaj Chaudhary Ministry of Corporate Affairs Union Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of State: Harsh Malhotra Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Union Minister: Nitin Gadkari Ministers of State: Ajay Tamta, Harsh Malhotra Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Union Minister: JP Nadda Ministers of State: Anupriya Patel, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers Union Minister: JP Nadda Minister of State: Anupriya Patel Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Union Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya Minister of State: Raksha Nikhil Khadse Ministry of Labour and Employment Union Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya Minister of State: Shobha Karandlaje Ministry of Food Processing Industries Union Minister: Chirag Paswan Minister of State: Ravneet Singh Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Union Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ministers of State: Ram Nath Thakur, Bhagirath Choudhary Ministry of Rural Development Union Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ministers of State: Dr. Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani, Kamlesh Paswan Ministry of Power Union Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar Minister of State: Shripad Naik Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Union Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar Minister of State: Tokhan Sahu Ministry of Tourism Union Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Minister of State: Suresh Gopi Ministry of Culture Union Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Minister of State: Rao Inderjit Singh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw Minister of State: L Murugan Ministry of Railways Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw Ministers of State: Ravneet Singh, V Somanna Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw Minister of State: Jitin Prasada Ministry of Civil Aviation Union Ministers: Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Murlidhar Mohol Ministry of Education Union Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan Ministers of State: Sukanta Majumdar, Jayant Chaudhary Ministry of Women and Child Development Union Minister: Annapurna Devi Minister of State: Savitri Thakur Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Union Minister: Bhupendra Yadav Minister of State: Kirtivardhan Singh Ministry of Jal Shakti Union Minister: CR Paatil Ministers of State: V Somanna, Raj Bhushan Choudhary Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Union Minister: Kiren Rijiju Ministers of State: L Murugan, Arjun Ram Meghwal Ministry of Minority Affairs Union Minister: Kiren Rijiju Minister of State: George Kurian Ministry of Heavy Industries Union Minister: HD Kumaraswamy Minister of State: Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma Ministry of Steel Union Minister: HD Kumaraswamy Minister of State: Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma Ministry of Communication Union Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia Minister of State: Dr. Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region Union Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia Minister of State: Sukanta Majumdar Ministry of Textiles Union Minister: Giriraj Singh Minister of State: Pabitra Margherita Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Union Minister: Prahlad Joshi Ministers of State: BL Verma, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Union Minister: Prahlad Joshi Minister of State: Shripad Naik Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Union Minister: Hardeep Singh Puri Minister of State: Suresh Gopi Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Union Minister: Jitan Ram Manjhi Minister of State: Shobha Karandlaje Ministry of Panchayati Raj Union Minister: Lallan Singh Minister of State: SP Singh Baghel Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Union Minister: Lallan Singh Ministers of State: SP Singh Baghel, George Kurian Ministry of Commerce and Industry Union Minister: Piyush Goyal Minister of State: Jitin Prasada Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Union Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal Minister of State: Shantanu Thakur Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Union Minister: Dr. Virendra Kumar Ministers of State: Ramdas Athawale, BL Verma Ministry of Tribal Affairs Union Minister: Jual Oram Minister of State: Durgadas Uikey Ministry of Coal Union Minister: G Kishan Reddy Minister of State: Satish Chandra Dubey Ministry of Mines Union Minister: G Kishan Reddy Minister of State: Satish Chandra Dubey Ministers of State (Independent Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Culture Dr. Jitendra Singh: Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space Arjun Ram Meghwal: Ministry of Law and Justice Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav: Ministry of Ayush

Modi 3.0: Full List of Ministers and Their Portfolios in the New BJP Government Read More »

CBSE Warns Schools After AI Finds Huge Gap Between Theory and Practical Marks Among 50% of Student Results

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has discovered a significant discrepancy between theory and practical marks in certain subjects for 50% or more students in around 500 CBSE-affiliated schools. This finding emerged from the analysis of last year’s results using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The AI analysis revealed the need for meticulous assessment during practical examinations in schools. As a result, the CBSE has issued an advisory to these schools, urging them to review and enhance their internal assessment procedures. “The aim is to implement a more robust, transparent, and reliable mechanism to ensure that the assessment process is realistic and adds substantial value to the students’ academic journey,” the CBSE advisory stated. This advisory emphasizes the importance of fairness and accuracy in practical examinations, aiming to improve the overall quality of education in CBSE-affiliated institutions.  

CBSE Warns Schools After AI Finds Huge Gap Between Theory and Practical Marks Among 50% of Student Results Read More »

Payhawk Looks to M&A After 86% Revenue Jump

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Spend management platform Payhawk is reportedly entering acquisition mode. Co-founder and CEO Hristo Borisov stated in an interview with CNBC on Thursday (June 6) that the company aims to acquire early-stage startups that have already raised significant funds. He asserted that Payhawk has a better “product-market fit” than its competitors, who have achieved multibillion-dollar valuations by offering free corporate cards to other startups. Payhawk issues smart cards for employees to make payments and track expenses, and it has seen significant growth in the first quarter of the year, with revenues up 86% and a 57% increase in customers. To build on this growth, Borisov mentioned that the company hopes to merge with or acquire other firms. “Many businesses that got funded in the last two or three years are now in a position where they’re looking at strategic options,” Borisov said. “This is something we’re actively doing. We’re looking for companies to buy.” “Our vision is to be able to provide a single platform that provides a homogeneous environment for your corporate expense needs with a single provider,” he added. “There is going to be some market consolidation.” These efforts coincide with the shift from traditional expense management methods to digital solutions that speed reimbursement times and reduce the risk of human error. This trend was highlighted in a recent PYMNTS report, which discussed how businesses are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to optimize procurement and spend management strategies. Edwin Poot and Jonathan Vaux, global chief technology officer and head of propositions and partnerships at Thredd, discussed with PYMNTS how the largest corporations in America still use very old, monolithic systems to manage their treasury functions. Ernest Rolfson, CEO and founder of Payments-as-a-Service solution Finexio, pointed out the inefficiency of manually filing reporting and reconciliations, advocating for automated, digital solutions. Research by PYMNTS Intelligence has shown that virtual cards and digital spend management solutions can help finance departments close books faster while also guarding against fraud.  

Payhawk Looks to M&A After 86% Revenue Jump Read More »

Maharashtra Govt Alleges Injustice to State Students in NEET Exam Results; Seeks Cancellation

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The Maharashtra government has demanded the immediate cancellation of last month’s NEET exam results, citing injustice to students from the state. Several aspirants of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), conducted on May 5 at 4,750 centers in 571 cities, previously alleged that mark inflation led to a record 67 candidates achieving the top rank, including six from the same exam center in Haryana. The results were declared on June 4. The National Testing Agency (NTA) denied any irregularities, attributing the high scores to changes in NCERT textbooks and grace marks for time lost at exam centers. Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif stated, “The NEET exams were probably conducted after taking money. The results are such that no student of Maharashtra will get admission for the MBBS course in government or private colleges in the state.” He mentioned that many parents have approached him regarding the issue and that the state might approach the court for resolution. NEET-UG is the qualifying entrance exam for various medical and dental courses, with over 80,000 MBBS seats available in more than 540 medical colleges across India. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called for an investigation into the alleged irregularities, stating, “First the NEET exam paper was leaked and now the students allege that there has been a scam in its results as well.” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin also criticized NEET, claiming it undermines social justice and federalism. He highlighted issues like question paper leaks, clustering of toppers at specific centers, and mathematically improbable grace marks as major concerns.  

Maharashtra Govt Alleges Injustice to State Students in NEET Exam Results; Seeks Cancellation Read More »

India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup Match at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium

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India faces Pakistan in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup match at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Eisenhower Park, New York. The pitch conditions and security measures are crucial for the event. When the old rivals square off on Sunday, a confident and well-adjusted India will attempt to exploit Pakistan’s unpredictability and lack of familiarity with the challenging conditions in New York. The flagship match is expected to draw the tournament’s largest crowd at the recently constructed 34,000-seat stadium. The stadium’s 22-yard pitch has been a hot topic due to its unpredictability, which the ICC has acknowledged. In the three games played so far, teams have struggled to score more than 100 runs in six innings. Concerns have been raised about whether the low-scoring format can help promote cricket in the United States. Damian Hough, the Adelaide Oval groundskeeper, oversaw the installation of the venue’s four drop-in pitches in April, but they have not yet fully settled. The uneven bounce of the pitch has raised safety concerns, particularly after Indian captain Rohit Sharma had to stop batting during the opening match against Ireland due to a shoulder injury. “I don’t know what to expect from the pitch, to be honest. We will prepare as if the conditions are going to be like this (for the Pakistan game). This is going to be a game where all XI of us will need to contribute,” Rohit said after the match against Ireland. The ICC issued a statement acknowledging the issues with the pitches: “The ICC recognises that the pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted.” Pakistan has not yet adjusted to the stadium’s conditions. After losing to tournament newcomers USA, they flew into New York and took a rest day. Babar Azam and his team have had little time to adapt, which could be a disadvantage in this crucial match. A loss to India could severely impact their chances of qualifying. India may maintain their strategy of including an additional specialist fast bowler, but they might consider including Kuldeep Yadav due to his recent performance and favorable matchups against Pakistani batters. If included, one of Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel might miss out. The batting order is expected to remain with Rohit and Virat Kohli as openers and Rishabh Pant at No. 3. Pakistan will aim to recover from their loss to the USA. Babar Azam will need to improve his performance, as his 43 runs from 44 deliveries were below the expected strike rate for T20 cricket. The team will hope for a strong performance from their bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi.  

India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup Match at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium Read More »

EU Initiates Complaints Against Microsoft’s 365 Education Suite Over Privacy Concern

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Microsoft is currently facing two complaints in the European Union (EU) regarding its online education software, 365 Education. According to a report by Reuters, the latest charges against the US-based tech giant have been brought to the Austrian privacy watchdog by the privacy advocacy group NOYB. The group has urged the Austrian Data Protection Authority to investigate these complaints and potentially impose a fine on Microsoft. What is Microsoft 365 Education Suite? During the COVID-19 pandemic, online educational programs gained popularity as schools transitioned to remote teaching. Microsoft’s 365 Education suite offers various tools for students, including Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Complaints Against Microsoft’s 365 Education Suite First Complaint: The advocacy group NOYB alleged that Microsoft shifted the burden of complying with EU data privacy laws (GDPR) onto schools. According to NOYB, schools cannot adequately manage student data under these regulations. NOYB lawyer Maartje de Graaf stated: “Under the current system that Microsoft is imposing on schools, your school would have to audit Microsoft or give them instructions on how to process pupils’ data. Everyone knows that such contractual arrangements are out of touch with reality. This is nothing more but an attempt to shift the responsibility for children’s data as far away from Microsoft as possible.” Second Complaint: The second complaint centers around cookies installed in Microsoft’s 365 Education suite that advertisers use to track consumers. NOYB lawyer Felix Mikolasch expressed concerns: “Our analysis of the data flows is very worrying. Microsoft 365 Education appears to track users regardless of their age. This practice is likely to affect hundreds of thousands of pupils and students in the EU and EEA (European Economic Area).” EU’s Previous Warnings to Microsoft Last month, the EU warned Microsoft that it could impose a fine of up to 1% of its global annual revenue if it fails to provide requested information about the risks associated with its generative AI tools in the Bing search engine. In March, the EU asked tech giants, including Microsoft, to provide details on how they manage risks from AI tools. Microsoft has been accused of dodging questions about its “Copilot in Bing” and “Image Creator” features, which the EU fears may violate new laws by spreading misinformation and manipulating voters.  

EU Initiates Complaints Against Microsoft’s 365 Education Suite Over Privacy Concern Read More »

USA vs Pakistan Highlights, T20 World Cup 2024: USA Secures Shocking Victory Over Pakistan in Super Over

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In a stunning turn of events at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the United States defeated Pakistan in a thrilling T20 World Cup match on Thursday. The match, which went into a Super Over after both teams ended with tied scores, saw the USA emerging victorious. Match Summary Pakistan Innings: Total: 159 for 7 in 20 overs Key Performances: Babar Azam: 44 off 43 balls Shadab Khan: Crucial partnership with Babar, contributing significantly to the score Shaheen Afridi: 23 not out off 16 balls Bowling Highlights: Nosthush Kenjige: 3 wickets for 30 runs in 4 overs Pakistan, after being invited to bat first, faced early setbacks and were struggling at 26 for 3 within 4.4 overs. Babar Azam and Shadab Khan stabilized the innings with a 72-run partnership. Shaheen Afridi’s late surge ensured Pakistan reached a competitive total. USA Innings: Total: 159 for 3 in 20 overs Key Moments: Final ball drama: Nitish Kumar hit a four off Haris Rauf’s last delivery to tie the match and push it into a Super Over Chasing a target of 160, the USA kept up with the required run rate but needed 5 runs off the final ball to win. Nitish Kumar’s boundary off the last ball leveled the scores, leading to a Super Over. Super Over: USA Set Target: 19 runs Pakistan’s Reply: 13 runs In the Super Over, the USA set a challenging target of 19 runs. Pakistan, in their response, could only manage 13 runs, handing the USA a shocking and memorable victory. Highlights Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas Match Decider: Super Over Player of the Match: Nosthush Kenjige for his impressive bowling performance This victory marks a significant achievement for the USA cricket team, showcasing their growing capabilities in the international cricket arena. The match was filled with intense moments and ended in a dramatic finish, making it a memorable encounter in the T20 World Cup 2024.

USA vs Pakistan Highlights, T20 World Cup 2024: USA Secures Shocking Victory Over Pakistan in Super Over Read More »

NEET-UG 2024 Results Controversy: Normalization Process and Cut-Off Scores Under Scrutiny

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The NEET-UG 2024 results, announced on Tuesday, have stirred significant controversy and concern among students and parents. Objections have been raised regarding the normalization process, the unprecedented number of perfect scores, and the overall admission chances to government medical colleges. Controversial Results Students and parents have expressed shock over the announcement that 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720. Notably, six of these students have consecutive seat numbers and are from Haryana, suggesting they may have taken the exam at the same center. This anomaly has led to demands for an investigation into potential discrepancies in the results. Demands for Investigation Parents have written to the National Testing Agency (NTA) seeking a thorough investigation into these alleged discrepancies before the commencement of counseling. Additionally, scorecards of students scoring 718 and 719 have circulated on social media, raising further questions. Parents argue that such scores are technically impossible under the exam’s marking scheme, which awards four marks per correct answer and deducts one mark for incorrect answers. NTA’s Response In response, the NTA stated that it received representations and court cases from candidates concerning lost time during the exam held on May 5. To address this, the NTA applied a normalization formula based on a 2018 Supreme Court judgment, which compensates for lost time with grace marks. This adjustment led to some candidates receiving scores of 718 or 719. Concerns Over High Scores Parent representative Ruiee Kapoor found the NTA’s explanation unsatisfactory, arguing that a score of 718 or 719 is improbable. Kapoor also highlighted the unusual number of perfect scores and the significant increase in cut-off marks, which rose from 137 to 164. This increase has made it more challenging for even top scorers to secure seats in prestigious institutions like AIIMS Delhi. Easier Exam Sections An NTA official explained that more students scored higher marks due to the normalization process and relatively easier physics and chemistry sections aligned with NCERT books. This approach aimed to ensure equity and discourage reliance on coaching institutes. Specific Concerns Some parents questioned the fairness of grace marks for lost time, suggesting this provision should have been specified in the exam brochure. Sachin Bangad, a parent representative, claimed the exam was “managed,” pointing to the unusual concentration of perfect scores at a single exam center in Faridabad, Haryana. The NTA acknowledged that an incorrect distribution of papers at this center led to a 45-minute delay, which was compensated using a court-mandated formula. Calls for Transparency Experts, including faculty doctors, have demanded clarity on the normalization criteria and its application across exam centers. Parents argue that the significantly higher cut-off scores have diminished the chances of many candidates aspiring to join government medical colleges. According to Bangad, students scoring below 660 marks now face slim chances of securing admission to government medical colleges, compared to previous years when students with 600 marks could secure seats. The controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 results underscores the need for transparency and fairness in the exam’s normalization process and scoring criteria. As stakeholders continue to demand explanations and investigations, the NTA faces increasing pressure to address these concerns and ensure a fair admissions process for all candidates.  

NEET-UG 2024 Results Controversy: Normalization Process and Cut-Off Scores Under Scrutiny Read More »

Union Health Ministry Assesses Preparedness for Heat Wave Conditions with States/UTs

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Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), led a virtual meeting with representatives from various States and Union Territories to evaluate the preparedness for heat wave conditions and the implementation of fire and electrical safety measures in healthcare facilities across India. This meeting comes in response to the long-range forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), issued on May 27, 2024, predicting above-normal temperatures for most of India in June 2024. The forecast particularly highlights an increased likelihood of heat wave days in Northwest and Central India, while parts of southern peninsular India may experience normal to below-normal temperatures. Key Highlights from the Meeting Heat Wave Preparedness: The Union Health Ministry emphasized the need for robust heat wave action plans in healthcare facilities. States/UTs were instructed to ensure the availability of essential medical supplies and to implement measures to prevent heat-related illnesses. Fire and Electrical Safety: Discussions included the current status of fire safety measures and electrical systems in hospitals. The need for regular safety drills and compliance with fire safety norms was reiterated.  

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