A new nanoparticle-based therapy developed by Indian researchers could pave the way for a more comprehensive and effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease by targeting multiple pathological mechanisms simultaneously, according to a study released on Tuesday.

Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali — an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) — have developed a multifunctional nanoplatform that integrates an antioxidant found in green tea, a neurotransmitter and an amino acid to slow disease progression, improve memory and support functions.

Alzheimer’s disease is an increasing global health challenge, particularly as ageing populations place greater pressure on healthcare systems. Existing therapies typically focus on a single pathological feature such as amyloid plaque formation or oxidative stress, which has limited their clinical success. The researchers noted that Alzheimer’s is a multifactorial disease and therefore requires a treatment approach capable of addressing several disease pathways at once.

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing the ASPIRE (A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industry, and Entrepreneurship) scheme to promote entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities in rural areas, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

The scheme aims to create an enabling ecosystem for job creation through skill development, incubation and support to micro-enterprises. As of now, 109 Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs) have been approved across the country. Under ASPIRE, a total of 1,16,726 beneficiaries have been trained, of whom 18,444 have become self-employed, 13,824 have secured wage employment and 1,141 micro-enterprises have been established.

The ministry has been collecting category-wise (SC/ST/OBC/General) and gender-wise data since 2022. During this period, out of 56,721 beneficiaries trained, 27,970 were women, 8,365 belonged to the Scheduled Caste category and 9,311 to the Scheduled Tribe category.

A workshop on "The Investment Facilitation Landscape: Emerging Trends and Approaches" was organised to examine emerging global trends in investment facilitation and ease of doing business.

It brought together policymakers, experts and industry stakeholders for focused discussions comprising three technical sessions covering India's Approach to Investment Facilitation, International Investment Facilitation Framework Landscape, Investment Facilitation and Ease of Doing Business, and Options for Investment Facilitation Cooperation.

The sessions explored practical ways to align India's domestic reforms with global best practices, and explored practical ways to align India's domestic reforms with global best practices.

India will host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from December 17 to 19, bringing global policymakers, scientists, practitioners and Indigenous knowledge holders together to shape the future of holistic health and well-being.

The summit, jointly organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, will be held in New Delhi under the theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being.” The event builds on the inaugural summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in 2023.

According to the government, the summit comes at a time when health systems worldwide are facing challenges such as inequitable access, environmental stress and rising chronic diseases. The discussions will focus on reaffirming the role of Traditional Medicine while anchoring it firmly in science, evidence-based practice and ethical governance.

IndusInd Bank said on Tuesday the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved HDFC Bank’s plan to buy up to a 9.50 per cent stake in the private lender.

The approval allows HDFC Bank to become a significant shareholder in IndusInd Bank, which has been facing financial and governance challenges in recent months.

The RBI has asked HDFC Bank to complete the acquisition of a major shareholding within one year from the date of approval, which was granted on December 15. If the bank fails to do so within this period, the approval will be cancelled.

This condition has been put in place to ensure timely compliance with regulatory norms.

The Indian Army has signed a memorandum of understanding to fast-track indigenous drone capabilities for land systems, with the collaboration to be coordinated through the 515 Army Base Workshop in Secunderabad. The partnership establishes a pathway from evaluation to field induction and scaling up of drone technologies, aligned with operational requirements and indigenous manufacturing goals. The collaboration is to be coordinated through the Army Base Workshop.

The MoU focuses on technology infusion in drone manufacturing, with emphasis on IC engine-based drones and systems capable of operating in GPS-denied environments. Raghu Vamsi Par East will provide technical consultancy to the Army Base Workshop for a comprehensive evaluation of drone technologies. The Army said the agreement strengthens indigenous capability, reduces dependence on imports for critical unmanned systems and shortens the time required to field drone solutions in support of operations.

The lingering appeal of the over 40,000 songs sung in 14 languages by legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam is a testimony to his mark on Indian film music, said IT Minister D Sridhar Babu on Monday.

Sridhar Babu, along with former vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu, unveiled a statue of Balasubrahmanyam at the Ravindra Bharati premises. Addressing the gathering, the minister said that despite changes across generations, the legend’s songs continued to be listened to with the same appeal, connecting with Telugu audiences and music listeners across the country.

He said Balasubrahmanyam’s work extended beyond playback singing, noting his contributions as an actor, music composer and dubbing artist. The minister added that the singer encouraged young talent and adapted to new musical styles while maintaining discipline and humility.

India’s Unemployment Rate (UR), declined to 4.7 per cent in November this year, at its lowest level since April, for individuals aged 15 years and above.

According to Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) monthly labour force and unemployment data, rural unemployment eased to a new low of 3.9 percent, while urban unemployment fell to 6.5 percent, matching the lowest reading recorded earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) among persons of age 15 years and above rose to 55.8 per cent in November.

The LFPR in rural areas also increased to 58.6 per cent last month, while in urban areas it dipped slightly to 50.4 per cent. LFPR is an estimate of the number of people actively engaged in the workforce, in Current Weekly Status (CWS).

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Vijay Diwas today. The Gallery has the portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on display. It aims to educate visitors about our national heroes who displayed dauntless resolve and unconquerable spirit in defending our nation. It is also an initiative to honour the memory of our bravehearts who have laid down their lives in the service of the motherland.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military decoration, awarded for displaying the most exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice during war. The corridors where the Param Vir Dirgha has now been created, earlier displayed portraits of British ADCs. The initiative to display portraits of Indian national heroes marks a meaningful step toward shedding the colonial mindset and embracing, with pride, the richness of India’s culture, heritage, and timeless traditions.

Vijay Diwas is not just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of courage, sacrifice and a defining moment in India’s military history. Every year, the day asks us to pause and remember the cost of freedom and the strength it takes to protect it.

Beyond parades and official ceremonies, Vijay Diwas carries an emotional weight. It honours not only victory, but also the countless soldiers who stood firm in the face of adversity so that future generations could live in peace.

Vijay Diwas marks India’s historic victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, a conflict that led to the creation of Bangladesh. After 13 intense days of fighting, the Pakistani armed forces surrendered on December 16, 1971. Over 90,000 prisoners of war were taken, making it one of the largest military surrenders since the Second World War.