SUBHADITYA NEWSWEEK PRESENTS NEWS OF THIS WEEK : SCIENCE,POLITICAL,SPORTS MOVIES AND BOOK NEWS THIS WEEK

 

1) Could a rice-meat hybrid be what’s for dinner? By Meghan Rosen

It may look like a bowl of chopped brains, but this pinkish product is actually a rice-meat hybrid.

A new take on lab-grown meat infuses cow cells into rice grains Foodies of the future may be dining on beefed-up rice.

A new lab-grown meat product merges rice grains with cow cells, scientists report February 14 in Matter. The rice acts as a scaffold that supports the growth of fat or muscle cells. Together, the ingredients form a rice-meat hybrid that steams up to a pinkish-brown mash.It tasted delicious, “nutty and a little sweet,” says Sohyeon Park, a chemical engineer at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. Lab-made beefy rice isn’t ready for the dinner table yet, she says, but it could one day offer a more sustainable way to eat meat. Current methods for producing meat include farming cattle, which requires vast expanses of pastureland and emits more than 100 million metric tons of methane into the atmosphere each year. Finding ways to eschew the moo may be better for the environment, scientists suggest. Some potential alternatives include cricket farming and swapping meat for fermented fungal spores (SN: 5/2/19; SN: 5/5/22).

Lab-grown meat is another way to cut the cow (mostly) out of the equation. In the lab, Park and colleagues coated rice grains with fish gelatin and enzymes and then added cow cells to each grain. The fishy coating helped the cells stick to and grow inside the grains. And rice offers a 3-D structure for cells to cling to, like vines climbing a trellis. That structure gives the cultured cells a more meatlike heft, Park says. On their own, the cells grow in thin, flat layers.

Nutritionally, the hybrid rice is more sizzle than steak, with just 8 percent more protein than conventional rice. But Park hopes to boost that number by packing more cow cells into each grain. Rice wasn’t originally on her radar; but the grains worked surprisingly well, she says. What’s more, they’re inexpensive, nutritious and already popular — a grade-A ingredient.

2) These South American cave paintings reveal a surprisingly old tradition By Bruce Bower

A cave in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina, contains 895 painted designs (some shown). Researchers have dated three examples of this cave art to between around 8,200 and 5,100 years ago.

Near the southernmost tip of South America, people may have started cave painting nearly 8,200 years ago, several millennia earlier than previously suggested by ancient rock art in that area.

Dating of comblike depictions in a cave in Argentina indicates that these designs belonged to a rock art tradition that lasted more than 3,000 years, ending around 5,100 years ago, researchers report February 14 in Science Advances. Ancient South Americans painted a variety of designs on the cave’s internal wall and part of its ceiling over roughly 130 generations, probably to preserve cultural knowledge shared by regional hunter-gatherer groups, archaeologist Guadalupe Romero Villanueva and colleagues say. Prior studies suggested that extremely dry conditions kept South America sparsely populated during this period.  Small, dispersed groups would have needed a central spot to preserve visually their ecological and ritual know-how, the investigators say.

This creativity, this 12,000-year-old print of human hands, and this extraordinary depiction of long-extinct species, is remarkable and moving

Paint pigments used in the Argentinian cave designs provided the oldest direct dates for rock art in the Americas, Romero Villanueva says. For comparison, indirect measures of mineral growths that formed over and underneath an Indonesian cave depiction suggest it’s the oldest known rock art anywhere, dating to at least 45,500 years ago (SN: 1/13/21).

The Argentinian cave, known as Cueva Huenul 1, lies about 1,000 meters above sea level in a desert region of northwestern Patagonia. Its internal wall and part of its ceiling display 895 painted designs, including geometric shapes, cross-shaped lines and figures of humans and llama relatives known as guanacos.

Romero Villanueva, of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Buenos Aires, and colleagues radiocarbon-dated minuscule chips from four cave paintings of similar, comblike designs. Three paintings yielded reliable age estimates.

 (A) Original photograph and digital enhancement of the complete rock art panel. (B) Original photograph and digital enhancement of the dated black comb-shaped motif. (C) Digital tracing of the complete rock art panel showing the dated black comb-shaped motif underlaying a series of superimpositionsPhoto and digital traci

Dating of material excavated inside the cave, including guanaco bones bearing butchery marks, indicate that people first reached the site as early as around 11,700 years ago. The scientists say that no signs of hunting or other daily activities appear in the cave when rock art was produced there, underscoring the cave’s transition from a general-purpose site to a special place for keeping cultural knowledge alive via painted images.

3) Scandinavia's first farmers slaughtered the hunter-gatherer population, DNA analysis suggests by Lund University

Overview of dataset. Credit Nature (2024)

Following the arrival of the first farmers in Scandinavia 5,900 years ago, the hunter-gatherer population was wiped out within a few generations, according to a new study from Lund University in Sweden, among others. The results, which are contrary to prevailing opinion, are based on DNA analysis of skeletons and teeth found in what is now Denmark.The extensive study has been published as four separate articles in the journal Nature. An international research team, of which Lund University in Sweden is a member, has been able to draw new conclusions about the effects of migration on ancient populations by extracting DNA from skeletal parts and teeth of prehistoric people.

The study shows, among other things, that there have been two almost total population turnovers in Denmark over the past 7,300 years. The first population change happened 5,900 years ago when a farmer population, with a different origin and appearance, drove out the gatherers, hunters and fishers who had previously populated Scandinavia. Within a few generations, almost the entire hunter-gatherer population was wiped out.

"This transition has previously been presented as peaceful. However, our study indicates the opposite. In addition to violent death, it is likely that new pathogens from livestock finished off many gatherers," says Anne Birgitte Nielsen, geology researcher and head of the Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory at Lund University.

A thousand years later, about 4,850 years ago, another population change took place when people with genetic roots in Yamnaya—a livestock herding people with origins in southern Russia—came to Scandinavia and wiped out the previous farmer population. Once again, this could have involved both violence and new pathogens. These big-boned people pursued a semi-nomadic life on the steppes, tamed animals, kept domestic cattle and moved over large areas using horses and carts.The people who settled in our climes were a mix between Yamnaya and Eastern European Neolithic people. This genetic profile is dominant in today's Denmark, whereas the DNA profile of the first farmer population has been essentially erased.

"This time there was also a rapid population turnover, with virtually no descendants from the predecessors. We don't have as much DNA material from Sweden, but what there is points to a similar course of events. In other words, many Swedes are to a great extent also descendants of these semi-nomads," says Birgitte Nielsen, who contributed quantitative pollen data that show how the vegetation changed in connection with the population changes.

Hunter-gatherers in a violent encounter

The results do not just overturn previous theories about amorous and peaceful meetings between groups of people. The study also provides a deepened understanding of historical migration flows, and the interpretation of archaeological finds and changes in vegetation and land use found in paleoecological data.

"Our results help to enhance our knowledge of our heredity and our understanding of the development of certain diseases. Something that in the long term could be beneficial, for example in medical research," concludes Birgitte Nielsen.

4) Greenland's ice sheet is melting and being replaced by vegetation, finds major satellite analysis :by University of Leeds

Russell Glacier and proglacial area, near Kangerlussuaq, west Greenland.

An estimated 11,000 sq miles or 28,707 sq kilometers of Greenland's ice sheet and glaciers have melted over the last three decades, according to a major analysis of historic satellite records. The total area of ice loss is equivalent to the size of Albania, and represents about 1.6% of Greenland's total ice and glacier cover. Where there was once ice and snow, there is now barren rock, wetlands and areas of shrub.A team of scientists from the University of Leeds, who have tracked the changes across Greenland from the 1980s through to the 2010s, say warmer air temperatures are causing the ice to retreat, which in turn is having an impact on the temperature of the land surface, greenhouse gas emissions and the stability of the landscape.

Comparison between landcover classifications for the late 1980s and for the late 2010s at 30 m resolution reveals greening as vegetation coverage expands, especially in the south-west and north-east.

Permafrost—a permanently frozen layer below the Earth's surface—is being "degraded" by the warming and in some areas, scientists warn that it could have an impact on the infrastructure, buildings and communities that exist above it.

Their findings are published in an article titled "Land cover changes across Greenland dominated by a doubling of vegetation in three decades" in the journal Scientific Reports.

Impact of global warming

Greenland is part of the Arctic region. It is the world's biggest island, around 836,330 sq miles in size (2.1 million sq km). Most of the land is covered by ice and glaciers and it is home to almost 57,000 people.Since the 1970s, the region has been warming at double the global mean rate. On Greenland, average annual air temperatures between 2007 and 2012 were 3°C warmer, compared with the 1979 to 2000 average.

Above Sydgletscher looking to Bowdoin Fjord, at Qaanaaq, north-west Greenland

And the researchers warn that more extreme temperatures are likely in the future.

Jonathan Carrivick, an Earth scientist based in the Faculty of Environment at Leeds and one of the authors of the study, said, "Warmer temperatures are linked to the land cover changes that we are seeing on Greenland.

"By analyzing high resolution satellite images, we have been able to produce a detailed record of the land cover changes that are taking place."

Ice disappears to be replaced by bare rock and shrubs

Ice loss was concentrated around the edges of present-day glaciers but also in the north and south-west of Greenland. There were also high levels of ice loss in localized areas in the west, mid-north-west and south-east.

Over the three decades, the amount of land with vegetation growing on it increased by 33,774 sq miles (87,475 sq km), more than doubling over the study period.

A pronounced increase in vegetation was seen across the south-west, east and north-east. The greatest increase in dense wetland vegetation occurred in the vicinity of Kangerlussuaq in the south-west and in isolated areas in the north-east.

Analysis by the researchers revealed that vegetation had increased along a latitudinal gradient between 63° north and 69° north and declined north of this.Carrivick said, "We have seen signs that the loss of ice is triggering other reactions which will result in further loss of ice and further 'greening' of Greenland, where shrinking ice exposes bare rock that is then colonized by tundra and eventually shrub."At the same time, water released from the melting ice is moving sediment and silt, and that eventually forms wetlands and fenlands."Loss of ice triggers further warmingThe loss of ice affects land surface temperatures because of albedo, which is the measure of how reflective a surface is.Snow and ice are good reflectors of the sun's energy hitting the Earth's surface and this helps to keep the Earth cooler. As the ice retreats, it exposes bedrock which absorbs more solar energy, raising the temperature of the land surface.

Similarly, as ice melts it increases the quantity of water in lakes. Water absorbs more solar energy than snow and this also increases the temperature of the land surface.

Proglacial area of Fan Glacier, Qaanaaq, north-west Greenland

Greenhouse gas emitter

The analysis shows a near quadrupling of wetlands across Greenland, particularly in the east and north-east. The wetlands are a source of methane emissions.

Writing in the paper, the researchers noted, "Expansion of vegetation and especially in wetland areas indicates but also exacerbates permafrost thaw, active layer thickening and thus emissions of greenhouse gases previously stored in these Arctic soils."The researchers also developed a model to predict those areas on Greenland that are likely to see "marked and accelerated" change in the future.Dr. Michael Grimes, the lead author of the report who conducted the research as part of their Ph.D., added, "The expansion of vegetation, occurring in tandem with the retreat of glaciers and the ice sheet, is significantly altering the flow of sediments and nutrients into coastal waters."These changes are critical, particularly for the indigenous populations whose traditional subsistence hunting practices rely on the stability of these delicate ecosystems."Moreover, the loss of ice mass in Greenland is a substantial contributor to global sea level rise, a trend that poses significant challenges both now and in the future."

5) Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells: An Overview of Concepts, Applications, Limitations, and Proposed Solutions

1Department of Medical Services, King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif, Saudi Arabia

2Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

3Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

4Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

5Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia

6Chief of Medical Department, King Faisal Medical Complex (KFMC), Taif, Saudi Arabia

Adaptive immunity, orchestrated by B-cells and T-cells, plays a crucial role in protecting the body from pathogenic invaders and can be used as tools to enhance the body’s defense mechanisms against cancer by genetically engineering these immune cells. Several strategies have been identified for cancer treatment and evaluated for their efficacy against other diseases such as autoimmune and infectious diseases. One of the most advanced technologies is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a pioneering therapy in the oncology field. Successful clinical trials have resulted in the approval of six CAR-T cell products by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, there have been various obstacles that limit the use of CAR T-cell therapy as the first line of defense mechanism against cancer. Various innovative CAR-T cell therapeutic designs have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical trial settings and have demonstrated much potential for development. Such trials testing the suitability of CARs against solid tumors and HIV are showing promising results. In addition, new solutions have been proposed to overcome the limitations of this therapy. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding this novel technology, including CAR T-cell structure, different applications, limitations, and proposed solutions.

 

1 Introduction

The global cancer burden, cancer incidence, and mortality estimations have increased rapidly. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, 19.3 million diagnosed cases and 10.0 million deaths worldwide in 2020 have been attributed to cancer (Sung et al., 2021). The relationship between cancer and the immune system was shown by Rudolf Virchow more than 150 years ago (Adams et al., 2015). Interest in immune system activation as a therapeutic approach for treating cancer began in the late 19th century when William Coley injected heat-inactivated bacteria into the tumor mass, resulting in its size reduction. Although the failure to achieve desirable clinical outcomes with early immunotherapies such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2 treatments, novel immunotherapies launched in the 21st century have achieved robust clinical results, establishing cancer immunotherapy as one of the foremost anchors of anticancer therapies (Lesterhuis et al., 2011; Jiang T. et al., 2016; Castro et al., 2018).

 

The effective eradication of cancer cells via the immune system involves several steps known as the cancer-immunity cycle, defined as a series of steps involving increased antitumor T-cell responses that are initiated upon recognition of the tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) captured from dying tumor cells by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells (DCs). Upon capturing TAA’s, DCs get activated, express CCR7, mature, and 1) migrate to draining lymph nodes, 2) present the captured antigens to naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules, 3) express T-cell costimulatory molecules, for example, CD40, CD80, and CD86, 4) secrete critical cytokines to regulate T-cell responses, 5) activate naïve CD8+ T-cells converting them into cytotoxic T-cells, which immigrate from lymphoid organs into the bloodstream and reach tissues and ultimately infiltrate the tumor. Activated cytotoxic T cells recognize the specific TAA (presented to them by DC’s) found on MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules of tumor cells and kill the tumor cells via secreting perforins and granzymes that result in the release of additional TAAs, which trigger the initiation of another cycle of cancer immunity (Chen and Mellman, 2013).

 

Cancer eradication through cytotoxic immune responses is evident; however, cancers can grow progressively, suggesting their ability to mask and not be recognized by the immune system as seen in carcinogen-induced mouse models. This mechanism prompted Schreiber and others to hypothesize the immunoediting concept to explain the progressive growth of otherwise immunogenic cancers (Shankaran et al., 2001; Dunn et al., 2004; Schreiber et al., 2011; Matsushita et al., 2012). The immunoediting process of human cancers can be related to neoepitope presentation. Non-silent point mutations that lead to antigenic neoepitopes (T-cell recognition) are lost more frequently in cancers than in silent point mutations, thus preventing T-cells from recognizing and identifying cancer cells (Rooney et al., 2015). This concept suggests that the ability of cancers to progress and grow could be impaired by loss of immunogenicity; however, this perception alone contradicts another evidence that T-cells are adequately activated to enhance their cancer recognition by the administration of immune-activating cytokines or immune checkpoints releases such as programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) or cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) that leads to robust tumor responses in patients and mice (Chambers et al., 2001; Pardoll, 2012). T cells are central infiltrates of the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME), and their population consists of naïve, effector, memory, and regulatory T cells (Hashimoto et al., 2018). The antigen stimulation of T cell receptors (TCRs) initiates an intrinsic program that guides the differentiation of T cells into cytotoxic effectors capable of eradicating the antigen; however, these cells start dying gradually except for a small number of surviving memory T cells that provide long-term protection against the antigen (Chang et al., 2014). Chronic exposure of T cells to the same antigen leads to remarkable alterations, thus affecting their activation and differentiation and eventually causing T-cell exhaustion (Wherry, 2011; Schietinger and Greenberg, 2014). T effector cell exhaustion is highlighted by the loss of effector functions such as proliferation, cytotoxicity, metabolic and transcriptional molecule alterations, and immune checkpoint upregulation (Guo et al., 2018; Li H. et al., 2019). Different factors have been identified that play several roles in T-cell exhaustion; the intrinsic factors relate to transcription, epigenetic, and metabolic factors, whereas the extrinsic factors include extracellular and cytokine interactions that create the TME and the immunosuppressive network (Maimela et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2020). Therefore, the use of engineered T-cells targeting specific cell-surface antigens is considered a great approach to ensure specificity and overcome the shortcomings of other available immunotherapies.

 

In this review, we present a comprehensive prospect of the developmental and experimental progress in the field of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy while relating to some aspects of adaptive immunity as the rationale behind the evolution of this cutting-edge technology. The significance of this review is the broad inclusiveness of current therapeutic applications of CAR T-cells in hematological malignancies, solid tumors, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection while focusing on some recently published results of pre-clinical and clinical trials, pointing out some drawbacks, and suggesting some modifications.

 

2 Adoptive Immune Therapy

Cancer immune therapy, which exploits the body’s immune system to combat cancer cells, can be classified into three categories: adoptive cell therapies (ACTs), tumor vaccines, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). These therapies have proven beneficial in patients with advanced tumors, and some have reached complete remission (Li D. et al., 2019). ACT is mainly based on the concept that the immune system can control a patient’s cancer in the long-term and has been demonstrated by three independent approaches. The first approach involved tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which can be isolated from tumor lesions (e.g., melanoma) and expanded in vitro, followed by patient re-infusion, resulting in tumor regression and remission in a considerable number of patients. However, the downsides of the TILs approach included access limitations to the removable metastases or tumors, time-consuming preparation of T cells, and tumor-reactive T-cell clones were rarely found, which hindered the success of this strategy. The second approach involved T-cell receptor (TCR) engineering, where TCRs identified from TILs were virally transduced into peripheral blood T-cells, making them capable of inducing tumor regressions upon re-infusion into the patient. Unfortunately, this method was explicitly restricted because of its dependency on identifying MHC peptides expressed by tumors via their MHC complexes (Dudley et al., 2002; Zacharakis et al., 2018; Benmebarek et al., 2019). The third ACT approach is CAR-engineered T cells and is marked as the beginning of a new era in cancer therapy by providing a transformative approach to tumor exclusion and gained attention over the other two as it offered a series of innovative modifications (Kershaw et al., 2006; Lamers et al., 2011; Mikkilineni and Kochenderfer, 2017). CARs are synthetic receptors that have the specificity of a monoclonal antibody and a signaling domain capable of inducing a cascade of events in the CAR-engineered immune cells (e.g., T-lymphocytes) upon target engagement. Engineering immune cells to express CARs is achieved by transferring protein-coding sequences using viral vectors (e.g., Lentiviral or Retroviral). CAR T-cells display immunological characteristics similar to activated T cells such as generating an immune response against target cells and expanding within the patient ensuring long-term protection (Porter et al., 2011; Grupp et al., 2013; Heiblig et al., 2015).

 

3 Evolution of CAR-T Cells

Conventional T cells can distinguish between foreign peptide-MHCs (pMHCs) and the body’s pMHCs via their TCRs, which can trigger a small number of agonist pMHCs compared with thousands self-pMHCs (Sykulev et al., 1996; Irvine et al., 2002; Huang et al., 2013). Genetic insertion of CARs, in immune cells, particularly T-cells, redirects them to target a preferred antigen (Jackson et al., 2016). CARs are bioengineered receptors which specifically target a desired antigen; almost 30 years ago, the first CARs were generated and undergone multiple modifications since they contributed to their development and evolution (Kobold et al., 2015; Lim and June, 2017). The flexibility of CARs arises from their ability to recognize antigens in the absence of MHC presentation, which is the opposite of innate TCRs (Lim and June, 2017). Additionally, CARs have advanced properties compared with conventional T-cells, as they combine the antigen-binding ability of monoclonal antibodies with T-cell self-renewal and lytic capacity (Ramos and Dotti, 2011; Curran et al., 2012; Maher, 2012). Also, TCRs can recognize short peptide sequences, whereas CAR T-cells can recognize several tumor antigens in different forms, such as proteins, glycolipids, and carbohydrates (Abbott et al., 2020). CAR T-cell recognition and destruction of tumor cells occur in an independent-manner of MHCs; this promotes enhanced cell recognition undisturbed by the tumor’s ability to avoid MHC-restricted recognition of T-cells, such as the tumor’s ability to encourage defective antigen processing by downregulating human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules (Dotti et al., 2014). It is considered an advantage where MHC expression is suppressed or lost due to the immunosuppressive cancer microenvironment (Garrido et al., 2016). CARs have been proven effective in treating cancers, especially hematological tumors. The specificity of CARs in targeting cancers makes them an appealing alternative to standard cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation (Sadelain et al., 2013). CARs consist of three major domains: 1) extracellular domain (ectodomain), which can be further divided into an antigen-recognition domain, a single peptide on the cell surface cleaved from the mature CAR cell (Goulart et al., 2017). The antigen-recognition domain is a single-chain fragment variant (scFV) chiefly comprising of heavy and variable light chain regions composed of an antigen-specific immunoglobin separated by a flexible linker and attached to the transmembrane domain by a spacer (hinge) responsible for the transmission of receptor-binding signals (Zhang et al., 2017). 2) transmembrane domain is essential for receptor stability and surface expression; it is a hydrophobic alpha helix that extends in the cell membrane (Ramos and Dotti, 2011; Zhang et al., 2017). 3) intracellular domain (endo-domain), which upon stimulation, clusters and undergoes conformational changes, thus enabling the recruitment and phosphorylation of downstream signaling proteins (Cantrell, 2002; Su and Vale, 2018). The intracellular domain classifies CARs into five generations: first has a single activation domain, a cytoplasmic domain mostly CD3 zeta (CD3ζ), and some studies used the gamma chain (γ) of the Fc receptors, the second generation has CD3ζ plus one costimulatory domain, obtained from costimulatory molecules such as 4-1BB or CD28 connected to an activator domain (CD3ζ/γ chain of Fc receptor) to enhance both cell proliferative and cytotoxic competences of CAR T cells (Finney et al., 1998; Hombach et al., 2001; Acuto and Michel, 2003). The third generation is similar to the second generation but has multiple costimulatory domains with CD3ζ, such as 4-1BB and CD28, CD134, and CD137 (Sadelain et al., 2013; Zhang et al., 2017; Guedan et al., 2019). The fourth generation CARs, known as T cells redirected for universal cytokine-mediated killing (TRUCKs), were engineered to release transgenic cytokine-like interleukin 12 (IL-12) upon CAR signaling in the tumor tissue to overcome TME immunosuppression and endorse robust therapeutic outcomes (Chmielewski et al., 2014; Chmielewski and Abken, 2015, 2020). IL-12 is responsible for the induction of IFN-γ, perforin, and granzymes in T-cells, and inhibits Treg proliferation (Kubin et al., 1994; Cao et al., 2009). Other cytokines studied in the fourth generation are IL-15 and IL-18 (Hurton et al., 2016). IL-15 belongs to the γ-chain family and holds important properties for T cell expansion and survival (Klebanoff et al., 2004). Additionally, IL-18 CAR T-cells treatment of large pancreatic and lung tumors exhibited changes in the immune cell landscape related to the tumor; a significant increase in the macrophages (CD206− M1) and NKs (NKG2D+) was observed besides a decrease in Tregs such as M2 macrophages suppressive CD103+ DCs, suggesting the ability of “IL-18 TRUCKs” to sensitize large tumor lesions for efficient immune destruction (Chmielewski and Abken, 2017).The fifth generation of CARs is currently being explored; it is mainly designed based on the second generation. However, it contains a truncated cytoplasmic receptor (IL-12) and a β-chain domain (IL-2Rβ truncated intracellular interleukin 2β chain receptor) along with the transcription factor STAT3/5 binding motif

 

1) Electoral bonds scheme 'unconstitutional’: Supreme Court strikes down poll funding system

The Supreme Court holds that anonymous electoral bonds scheme is violative of the right to information under Article 19(1)(a). In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Thursday said the electoral bonds scheme has to be struck down as “unconstitutional”. It has delivered a unanimous verdict on a batch of pleas challenging the legal validity of the central government’s electoral bond scheme which allowed for anonymous funding to political parties. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud held that the anonymous electoral bonds scheme is violative of the right to information under Article 19(1)(a). The bench had on November 2 last year reserved its verdict in the matter.

The Supreme Court said political parties are relevant units in the electoral process and information about funding of political parties is essential for electoral choices. The court also directed the State Bank of India or SBI to not issue any more of these bonds. Follow Live Updates on Electoral bonds case

The decision is seen as a setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has been the largest beneficiary of the system it introduced in 2017. The SBI shall submit details of electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019, to date to the Election Commission, the Supreme Court said. "In a very significant judgment which will have a long-term effect on our electoral democracy, the Supreme Court has struck down the electoral bonds scheme and all the provisions that were made to bring it into effect in the income tax act, in the companies act, etc. everything has been struck down. They have held that this violates the fundamental right to information of citizens to know about who is contributing this much money to political parties," advocate Prashant Bhushan told reporters on the Supreme Court's verdict.

The scheme, which was notified by the government on January 2, 2018, was pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring in transparency in political funding. According to the provisions of the scheme, electoral bonds could be purchased by any citizen of India or entity incorporated or established in the country. An individual can buy electoral bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals.

Only the political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and which secured not less than 1 per cent of the votes polled in the last elections to the Lok Sabha or a state legislative assembly were eligible to receive electoral bonds.

According to the notification, electoral bonds shall be encashed by an eligible political party only through an account with an authorised bank.

In April 2019, the apex court had declined to stay the electoral bonds scheme and made it clear that it would accord an in-depth hearing on the pleas as the Centre and the Election Commission had raised "weighty issues" that had "tremendous bearing on the sanctity of the electoral process in the country". The Constitution bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, had on October 31 last year commenced hearing arguments on the four petitions, including those filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

During the hearing in the matter, the apex court had underscored the need for reducing the cash component in the electoral process.

2) Rahul Gandhi's yatra in Bihar: Riding in Jeep Wrangler with Tejashwi Yadav at the wheel

Rahul Gandhi with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav during the Bihar yatra

Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are scheduled to address a public meeting in Kaimur at around 3 pm. Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD on Friday joined the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress's ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Bihar's Sasaram. Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi were seen sitting in a sports utility vehicle as it slowly moved. They were seen waving at the crowd that had queued up on both sides of the road.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader was later also seen driving Rahul Gandhi and other leaders in the lead jeep as the procession made its way through Sasaram. Tejashwi Yadav also shared the stage with Rahul Gandhi during a public meeting in Kaimur at Dhaneychha in the Durgawati block of Kaimur. In the meeting, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the Centre alleging it as “anti-farmer” and “anti-labour”.

“What the government is calling development is anti-farmer and anti-labour,” the Congress leader said. “In the name of development, everything is being handed over to Adani. This is not development, this is theft,” Rahul Gandhi said. Both leaders of the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' are scheduled to address a public meeting in Kaimur around 3 pm on Friday, news agency PTI reported.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi at AICC headquarters in New Delh

The ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, which started in Manipur on January 14, is scheduled to cover 6,713 km in 67 days, passing through 110 districts in 15 states, before culminating in Mumbai on March 20. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will join Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as it enters Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli on Friday. A public meeting scheduled for both leaders to address in Chandauli will also mark the beginning of the party’s election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls.

“Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will bring about a massive change in the politics of Uttar Pradesh. The yatra will receive a grand welcome at the entrance point Naubatpur in Chandauli. Both leaders will address a public meeting in Chandauli, and the yatra flag will be handed over to Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) chief Ajay Rai there,” Avinash Pandey, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (in-charge of UP), told HT over the phone.

3) Bharat bandh What protesting farmers want:

Farmers block the railway tracks in Amritsar on Thursday as they continue their 'Delhi Chalo' protest march demanding a law guaranteeing MSP for crops

Bharat bandh today: Farmers are seeking guaranteed crop prices, renewing a movement that succeeded in getting three laws repealed in 2021.

Gramin Bharat Bandh today: Tens of thousands of farmers across the country are protesting for guaranteed crop prices, renewing a movement that succeeded in getting the Centre's three contentious agricultural laws repealed in 2021. The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), which is part of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), has called for a Gramin Bharat Bandh on Friday, February 16, citing a host of unmet demands of farmers. BKU leader Pawan Khatana said during the "Bharat bandh" called by his union, farmers had been asked to suspend work for a day to press the government for demands. "Farmers have been asked to shun work in farms, or not to go to markets for any purchases. Traders and transporters have also been exhorted to join the strike," Pawan Khatana said.

Farmers run for cover after police fired tear gas to disperse protesting farmers who were marching to New Delhi near the Punjab-Haryana border at Shambhu

Bharat bandh: Why are farmers protesting?

The farmers, who rode on tractors and trucks from Haryana and Punjab, said the Centre has failed to meet some of their key demands from the previous protests. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed a set of agricultural laws that the protesting farmers said would hurt their incomes.

But farmers' unions now claimed that the government hasn’t made progress on other important demands such as guaranteed crop prices, a doubling of farmers’ income and loan waivers. The demand for legislation that will guarantee minimum prices is at the heart of their protests.

What are the demands?

The farmers are demanding legal guarantees of a minimum support price or MSP, which acts as a safety net for the farming community. The farmers argue that by making MSP a legal guarantee, margins for the farmers can be protected.

Along with this demand, farmers also ask for the withdrawal of cases registered during the last agitation in 2020-21.

Their list of demands also include pensions for farmers, loan waivers and withdrawal from world trade organisation.

The farmers also want the government to honour a promise to double their incomes, complaining that costs of cultivation have jumped over the past few years while incomes have stagnated, making farming a loss-making enterprise.

The farmers also insist that the government ensure at least 50 per cent profit over their overall cost of production.

Farmers' protest: What happened in 2021?

In November 2021, the government's announcement that the controversial laws would be repealed was widely seen as a victory for the farmers.

The government had defended the three farms laws as necessary reforms to modernise Indian farming, but farmers feared the government’s move to introduce market reforms in agriculture would leave them poorer.

The protests, which began in northern India, triggered nationwide demonstrations and drew international support. Dozens of farmers died due to suicides, bad weather and Covid19.

In 2021, when the Modi government repealed the farm laws, the government said it would set up a panel of growers and government officials to find ways to ensure support prices for all produce. Farmers accuse the government of going slow in fulfilling that promise.

4) Bharat bandh today: Farmers block roads in Punjab; are banks closed? Top updates on nationwide protest

Members of the farm union Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) block railway tracks during a protest to demand minimum crop prices at a railway station in Rajpura

Bharat bandh today: Gramin or Grameen Bharat Bandh is scheduled to begin from 6am to 4pm. Farmers would join in ‘chakka jam’ from 12 noon to 4pm Commuters, including officer-goers and schoolchildren, across the country are likely to face inconvenience as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of various farmer unions, and other farmers' groups have called for a ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’ or nationwide strike on Friday, February 16, citing a host of unmet demands, including the legalisation of minimum support prices (MSPs). The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has also urged all like-minded farmers' organisations to unite and take part in the February 16 Gramin Bharat Bandh.

The Gramin or Grameen Bharat Bandh is scheduled to begin from 6am to 4pm as the farmers would join in ‘chakka jam’ on major roads across the country from 12 noon to 4pm Several political parties, including the Congress, have also extended support to the 'Gramin Bharat Bandh'.

The Bharat bandh call comes even as the marathon talks between three Union ministers and leaders of protesting farmer unions concluded without a resolution in Chandigarh late on Thursday while Union minister Arjun Munda termed the discussion as “positive” and said that another meeting will be held on Sunday. The farmer leaders said they will continue to stay put at the two borders of Punjab and Haryana.

Bharat bandh today: 3,000 govt buses to remain off roads in Punjab

Around 3,000 state-run buses will stay off roads on Friday as driver and conductor unions affiliated with Punjab Roadways and PRTC have thrown their weight behind the Bharat Bandh against the Centre’s proposed hit-and-run law. The law, under Section 106(2)BNS, proposes stringent penalties, including a 10-year jail term and a fine of ₹7 lakh, for drivers involved in hit-and-run accidents.

In addition to showing solidarity with the nationwide Bharat bandh call, the Punjab government bus drivers and conductors demand better security and facilities. They highlight the risks associated with their profession and the lack of support from authorities, particularly in cases of accidents. The workers, earning between ₹400 to 500 per day, question how they could afford such hefty fines and provide for their families.

Ludhiana: Farmers block main roads

Schools, colleges and markets are open in Ludhiana, but the bus service is halted. Farmers have blocked the main roads in different locations. According to officials of Punjab roadways, most routes have been blocked by the farmers, due to which all the bus services have been cancelled. Ranjit Singh Bagga, general manager of of Punjab roadways, said, “We have deputed four buses on different routes, including Raikot, Chandigarh, Ferozepur and Bathinda but the buses returned due to road closures. Also, there are no passengers at the bus stand."

Bharat bandh: Noida police issues traffic advisory

The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police has imposed restrictions under CrPC Section 144, including a ban on unauthorised public assemblies, across the district in view of Bharat bandh called by farmers' unions.

The police also cautioned commuters going to Delhi and coming back from the capital city of traffic diversions in Noida and urged citizens to opt for Metro rail service "as far as possible" to avoid inconvenience.

The decisions have been taken in view of the proposed protest marches called by the SKM and other unions, the police said. The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), part of SKM, had earlier called for a Bharat bandh on February 16. The Noida-based Bharatiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) has also extended support to the bandh.

Bharat bandh: Traders to continue their business operations

Traders are poised to continue their business operations uninterrupted, reaffirming their "commitment to serving communities and maintaining economic stability," news agency ANI reported.

BC Bhartia, president, and Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said traders will keep their establishments open during the bharat bandh, emphasising their role in ensuring the availability of essential goods and services to the public, asserting their right to conduct business and support the economy.

"Despite the Bharat Bandh called by farmers on 16th Feb, traders nationwide stand resilient in their commitment to serve communities and maintain economic stability. As, Secretary General of CAIT, I emphasize the vital role traders play in our nation's economy. We assert our right to conduct business, urging fellow traders to keep establishments open," posted on X.

The CAIT urged traders across the country to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their establishments and customers during the bharat bandh. The organisation advised members to cooperate with local authorities and adhere to all safety protocols to prevent any disruptions.

Gramin Bharat Bandh: Are banks, schools, offices closed?

Transportation, agricultural activities, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) rural works, private offices, village shops, and rural industrial and service sector institutions are expected to remain shut due to farmer unions' nationwide strike on February 16. The strike is likely to disrupt roads and transportation, possibly leading to traffic jams. As of now, school holidays have not been announced.

Some reports claimed that emergency services such as ambulance operations, newspaper distribution, marriage, medical shops, students going for board exams, etc., are unlikely to be affected during the strike.

As of now, banks haven't announced about disruption in services. The Reserve Bank of India’s holiday matrix also states that banks will remain open.

Bharat bandh: Why are farmers protesting again?

In 2020, farmers held a massive protest against Centre's now-repealed three far, laws at Delhi borders.This time around, the ‘Delhi chalo’ call was announced, advocating for legal guarantees to minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, Swaminathan Commission's formula implementation, full debt waiver for farmers, pension for farmers and labourers, and withdrawal of cases against protestors from the 2020-21 demonstrations.The government announces support prices for more than 20 crops each year to set a benchmark, but state agencies buy only rice and wheat at the support level, benefiting around just 7 per cent of farmers who raise those crops, news agency Reuters reported.State agencies buy the two staples at government-fixed MSP to build reserves to run the world's biggest food welfare programme that entitles 800 million Indians to free rice and wheat. This costs the government $24.7 billion annually - its largest outgoing subsidy.

In 2021, when the Centre repealed the farm laws after India's longest farmers' protest in years, the government said it would set up a panel of growers and government officials to find ways to ensure support prices for all produce. Farmers accuse the government of going slow in fulfilling that promise.

The farmers also want the government to honour a promise to double their incomes, complaining that costs of cultivation have jumped over the past few years while incomes have stagnated, making farming a loss-making enterprise.

In 2016, the Narendra Modi government pledged to step up investment in rural development, aiming to double farmer incomes by 2022.

Farmers also insist that the government ensure at least 50 per cent profit over their overall cost of production.

Who else are supporting?

A number of public intellectuals and artists issued a joint statement on Wednesday in support of the joint call by the workers and farmers for a sectoral industrial strike and Grameen Bharat Bandh on February 16.

A total of 34 people signed the joint statement, which appeals to people from all walks of life "to extend all support to this momentous action" of the farmers and the workers.

Prabhat Patnaik, economist; Irfan Habib, historian; Nasir Tyabji, economic historian; Anil Chandra, cultural activist; and P Sainath, journalist, are some of the people who signed the statement.

"The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) have given a united call for an Industrial/Sectoral Strike and Grameen Bharat Bandh on 16 February. They have joined forces to launch united and coordinated struggles and bring together all sections of the labouring classes who face the severest brunt of the attack by the BJP-led government's pro-corporate, anti-people policies," the statement read.

The statement claimed that the farmers and workers have joined hands to create a far more powerful force to challenge the government's ever-more aggressive offensive on their lives and livelihoods and its poisonous communal propaganda to disrupt any united struggle. This force will gain increasing momentum as it takes its campaign to the farthest corners of the country, the statement said.

'Dilli Chalo' protest

The third meeting between Union ministers and the farmer leaders ended in a stalemate on Thursday night. The next round of the talks will take place on Sunday. After the meeting concluded, Union minister Arjun Munda said the third round of talks with the leaders of the protesting farmers was, however, "positive".

"Today, a very positive discussion happened between the government and the farmers' unions. Focusing on the topics highlighted by the farmers' union, we have decided that the next meeting will take place on Sunday at 6 pm... We all will find a solution peacefully...," Munda said.

The third round of talks between the Union ministers and the 14 farmer union leaders concluded after around five hours. Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and minister of state (MoS) for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, represented the central government at the meeting. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann was also present at the meeting.

5) Congress claims bank accounts frozen: 'No money to pay electricity bill, salaries'

Congress' Bank Accounts Allegedly Frozen By IT Department Ahead Of Elections

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said freezing the bank accounts just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections is an assault on Indian democracy. The Congress party on Friday alleged that four of its main bank accounts have been frozen by the Income Tax department on “flimsy grounds”. The accounts, including that of the Indian Youth Congress, were frozen on an Income Tax demand of ₹210 crore for 2018-19, an election year, Congress treasurer Ajay Maken said.

Maken added that Congress had filed its Income Tax return for the concerned year a “few days late” and that is why this action, according to PTI. “Democracy has completely ended in India. All the accounts of the country's main opposition party have been frozen,” Maken said in a press conference.

Maken said that the party was informed on Thursday that banks are not honouring the cheques issued by the party.

“On further investigation, we got to know that the Youth Congress bank accounts have been frozen. The accounts of the Congress party have also been seized,” Maken said, according to ANI. "Income tax asked for ₹210 crore recovery from Youth Congress and Congress party. The crowdfunding money in our accounts has been frozen. Just 2 weeks before elections when the opposition's accounts are frozen, it is equivalent to freezing the democracy..."

Maken added that the party at present lacks funds to spend, settle bills, or pay salaries to its employees."Right now we don't have any money to spend, to pay electricity bills, to pay salaries to our employees. Everything will be impacted, not only Nyay Yatra but all political activities will be impacted..." he said.

However, an hour after Maken's press conference, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha said that the party approached the Income Tax Appellate Authority (ITAT) over the issue, which granted interim relief. “Very graciously, the ITAT...said that there will be only a lien on the bank account. There are no restrictions. The party can operate its accounts,” he said in a video message.

He added that the tribunal will hear the case next on Wednesday.Deep assault on Indian democracy: Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the move to freeze the accounts of the country’s largest Opposition party just before the Lok Sabha elections is a deep assault on Indian democracy.

“Power drunk Modi govt has frozen the accounts of the country’s largest Opposition party - the Indian National Congress - just before the Lok Sabha elections,” Kharge wrote on X. “This is a deep assault on India's Democracy! Kharge alleged that the “unconstitutional” money collected by the BJP would be utilised by them for elections, but the money collected by the Congress through crowdfunding has been seized.

“That is why, I have said that there won't be any elections in the future. We appeal to the Judiciary to save the multi-party system in this country and protect India's Democracy,” he said.

Kharge added: We will take to the streets and fight strongly against this autocracy!

Congress not about money, but people: Rahul Gandhi

Reacting to the development, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Narendra Modi government of being behind the IT department's action.

“Don't be afraid Modi ji, Congress is not about the power of money but of people. We have never bowed down before dictatorship, nor will we ever bow down. Every Congress worker will fight tooth and nail to protect India's democracy,” he wrote on X.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also termed the move by the Income Tax department as “shocking” and “utterly shameful”

1) India vs England Live Score 3rd Test Day 3, IND vs ENG: Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav strike early, IND off to flier

ndia vs England Live Score 3rd Test Day 3, IND vs ENG

Ravichandran Ashwin made history on Day 2 by taking his 500th wicket but India will now have to play the rest of the Test without him as the senior spinner-allrounder withdrew from the match late on Friday due to a family emergency. This means that India have their tasks cut out, with England arguably being the happier lot at the end of the second day despite losing three wickets.

Ben Duckett has led a strong reply from England after India scored 445 batting first. England start Day 3 on 207/2 in just 35 overs, trailing India by 238 runs. Opener Duckett starts on an overnight score of 133 off just 118 balls and he has Joe Root at the other end on nine off 13. Duckett has smashed an incredible 21 fours and two sixes thus far in his innings as England rattled along at a scoring rate just under six. They were handed a late blow on Day 2 with Ollie Pope falling to Mohammed Siraj on 39 off 55, thus ending a 93-run stand which he built with Duckett. Before that, Duckett shared an opening stand of 84 runs with Zak Crawley which came in just 80 balls.

India's breakthrough came in the 14th over when Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Crawley on 15 and thus became the second Indian after Anil Kumble to reach 500 Test wickets. However, India will have to play without their senior spinner and all-rounder for the rest of this match a Ashwin withdrew from the match after the day's play on Friday due to a family emergency. It means that India are effectively left with 10 men to pick from for batting and bowling but they can have a substitute fielder in place at all times.

Duckett needed only 88 balls for his third test century, all scored after tea. His 118-delivery innings so far included two sixes and 21 fours. His was the quickest hundred by an England batter against India, beating Graham Gooch’s 95-ball century in 1990. Duckett also became the first visiting batter to score 100-plus runs within a test session on Indian soil.

Earlier, India resumed its first innings on 326-5 and lost Yadav in the fourth over of the morning, caught behind off James Anderson for 4. The bigger blow came six balls later — century-maker Jadeja offered a simple return catch to Root. Jadeja was out for 112, adding only two more runs to his total. Overall, he faced 225 deliveries and hit nine fours as well as a six in his second test hundred at his home ground.

After the drinks break, Ashwin was penalized by umpire Joel Wilson for running onto the danger area of the pitch, and England was awarded five penalty runs. That meant it started its first innings from 5-0. India reached lunch at 388-7 thanks to a 57-run partnership between Ashwin and debutant Dhruv Jurel for the eighth wicket. Post lunch, Jurel survived two dropped catches as he made his way to 46. His was the third highest score for an India keeper-batter on test debut.

Jurel was eventually caught behind off Rehan Ahmed, who finished with 2-85. Overall, Ashwin and Jurel combined for 77 runs. Jasprit Bumrah scored 26 and frustrated the visitors with a final 30-run partnership with Siraj. India’s innings ended just before tea when Mark Wood dismissed Bumrah lbw to finish with 4-114.

Here are some highlights around IND vs ENG 3rd Test Day 3:

- England start on an overnight score of 207/2, trailing India by 238 runs

- Ben Duckett ended Day 2 batting on 133 off 118, with Joe Root at the other end on nine runs

- England were handed a late blow with Ollie Pope falling to Mohammer Siraj

- Ravichandran Ashwin took his 500th wicket by ending an opening partnership of 89 runs between Duckett and Zak Crawley

- India will be without Ashwin for the rest of the Test as he withdrew due to a family emergency late on Friday

2) Ayhika Mukherjee, Sreeja Akula stun world No 1 and 2 as beaten India rattle China

India's Ayhika Mukherjee in action.

The powerhouses restored order to eke out a 3-2 victory in the end, but not before they were rattled unlike too many times in the recent past. In table tennis, the Chinese aren't used to this. Their women's team blazed to the 2022 World Team Table Tennis Championships gold medal without dropping a single match. Sun Yingsha has never been beaten in an event of such kind, winning all her 26 singles matches in international team tournaments.

Enter Ayhika Mukherjee and Sreeja Akula, with their Friday blockbusters featuring the biggest wins of their singles careers. The two stunned World No 1 Sun and No 2 Wang Yidi, respectively, to hand India a jaw-dropping 2-1 lead against China in their opening encounter of this World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan. The powerhouses restored order to eke out a 3-2 victory in the end, but not before they were rattled unlike too many times in the recent past.

This is now the second time in less than six months that Indian women have come out on top in encounters with the Chinese — a feat considered almost improbable in women's TT — after Ayhika and Sutirtha Mukherjee went past Wang and Cheng Meng for last year's Asian Games doubles bronze.

It was Ayhika, with her unique Dr. Neubauer Gorilla backhand rubber, that set the Sun on the world No 1's winning march with a 3-1 (12-10, 2-11, 13-11, 11-6) outcome that gave India the head start. India's top-ranked Manika Batra went down to world No 4 Wang Manyu 1-3 (3-11, 8-11, 15-13, 6-11) before Sreeja, fresh into the top 50, got the team back up with a clinical 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 13-11) triumph over No 2 Wang. Manika again managed to snatch a game yet not the match in her 1-3 defeat to Sun (3-11, 6-11, 13-11, 9-11), while Manyu remained too good for Ayhika in the 3-0 (11-9, 13-11, 11-6) decider.

The defeat, especially from the position they found themselves in, would pinch India, but also pump in belief for their remaining group matches — they take on Hungary next on Sunday — as they seek a quarter-final finish and a Paris Olympics quota from this event.

Ayhika, ranked 155 in singles, kept the top-ranked player in a daze with her change of pace from the anti-spin backhand rubber, mixed by some terrific forehand winners especially off returns. The Indian trailed in every game, and still found a way to edge ahead. From being 3-5 and 7-10 in the opening game, Ayhika saved three game points and sealed it winning a rally where every shot came off her backhand.

Sun kept her at bay in the second game but Ayhika's combination of backhand slices followed by fast forehands proved effective in the third game, where she again zoomed ahead from 5-9 down. Sun sure was feeling the heat, getting a card for time-wasting in the fourth game and dishing out a service error at 6-6. From 8-6, Ayhika delivered three cracking forehands and a first bump in the end to seal the incredible win.

"I really feel great beating Sun Yingsha. Today was my day... I was confident and I just told myself that I should enjoy the match," Ayhika was quoted as saying by WTT.

World No. 1 foxed by Ayhika’s change of pace, the world No. 2 was blown away by Sreeja’s forehand. Sreeja said she has been working on that facet of her game to go with her long-pimped backhand rubber, and in the first two points itself against Wang, her big forehands were out. The 25-year-old Indian was bossing the forehand duels with the 2021 Worlds singles bronze medallist — like to go 9-7 up in the first game or reduce a 1-4 deficit in the second. Working into rallies with her backhand and unleashing the forehand the moment she got Wang out of position, a composed Sreeja pocketed the second game despite trailing for most of it.

The Indian was off to a 6-1 lead in the third on the back of a forehand winner, and even though Wang got back in it to set herself up for a game point, Sreeja saved it with another big forehand and eventually got the job done in straight games.

Against a Chinese, that’s a rare sight. Even rarer? Defeating two of them in a day.

3) Indian women assured of historic medal after entering semis in Badminton Asia Team Championship by beating Hong Kong

Indian women's badminton team creates history

After stunning top seeds China to top the group stage, India blanked Hong Kong. Indian women shuttlers assured themselves of a maiden Badminton Asia Team Championships medal by cruising to a 3-0 win over Hong Kong in the quarterfinals at Shah Alam in Malaysia on Friday.

After stunning top seeds China to top the group stage, India blanked Hong Kong riding on wins from double Olympic-medallist PV Sindhu, Ashmita Chaliha and the doubles pair of Ashwini Ponappa and Tanisha Crasto.India will now face the winner of the other quarterfinal between top seed Japan and China.

Returning from a long injury layoff, Sindhu registered a hard-fought 21-7, 16-21, 21-12 win against a lower-ranked Lo Sin Yan Happy.The women's doubles combination of Tanisha and Ponnappa then doubled the lead by getting the better of world no. 18 combination of Yeung Nga Ting and Yeung Pui Lam 21-10, 21-14 in 35 minutes.

Ashmita then wrapped up the tie with a comfortable 21-12, 21-13 triumph over Yeung Sum Yee, assuring the team of at least a bronze."It is a comfortable result for the women's team. I am very happy with their performance," former national coach Vimal Kumar, who is with the team, told PTI from Shah Alam."There was a little drift, so it was initially difficult to control the shuttle as it was going out. Sindhu was stretched a bit as it was tough from one end due to the drift but it is a good result, we are in the semifinals."Up against world no. 77 Lo, Sindhu zoomed to 11-1 in the opening game after her rival found the going tough. The Indian conceded six points after resumption before wrapping up the game.It turned out to be a tight battle after the change of sides as Sindhu and Lo moved neck and neck till 10-10 before the Hong Kong player went into the break with a one-point lead with the help of a cross drop.

Lo jumped to a 15-10 lead thereafter with Sindhu struggling to control the shuttle, hitting at the net and long. Lo too produced some good shots, including a body smash and Sindhu made few judgement errors at the backline.Lo eventually took the match to the decider when Sindhu went to the net again.In the decider, Sindhu was back in her element as she rushed to a 5-1 lead. Lo did engage the Indian in some exciting rallies but she lacked precision. The result was that Sindhu took a 11-7 cushing at the break after Lo served into the net.After resumption, Sindhu used her variety of strokes to accumulate points quickly, moving to 17-8. She grabbed nine match points when Lo sprayed into net and converted it in the second chance with Lo again going wide.The Indian men's team will face Japan later in the day in the quarterfinals.

4) Carlos Alcaraz into Buenos Aires semi-finals

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates a point during an Argentina Open ATP quarterfinal tennis match against Andrea Vavassor

World number two Alcaraz, playing his first tournament since a shock quarter-final exit at the Australian Open, came through 7-6 (7/1), 6-1.Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals of the Buenos Aires clay-court tournament on Friday with a straight-sets win over Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori.

World number two Alcaraz, playing his first tournament since a shock quarter-final exit at the Australian Open, came through 7-6 (7/1), 6-1 against his 152nd-ranked opponent.

Vavassori, who stunned three-time major winner Andy Murray on clay at the Madrid Masters last year, matched the Spanish star blow-for-blow in the opening set.

However, Alcaraz then raced into a 5-0 lead in the second set before sealing victory after an hour and 40 minutes on court."In the first set he played such a high level," Alcaraz said."It was really tough to return his serve and challenging conditions with the wind. But I think I played better in the second set."His level went down a bit, with his serve as well and I put some returns in, took my chances and I think that was the difference."The 20-year-old Spaniard will face either Chilean third seed Nicolas Jarry or Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry, seeded sixth, for a place in Sunday's title match.The other semi-final will be an all-Argentine affair with Facundo Diaz up against Federico Coria.

5) Ramkumar Ramanathan feels India can tame Sweden on clay in Davis Cup

Ramkumar said their familiarity with the game style of Sweden players will also stand them in good stead.

Ramkumar Ramanathan says Indian Davis Cup team is well-equipped to tackle the challenge of Sweden.

Ramkumar Ramanathan says Indian Davis Cup team is well-equipped to tackle the challenge of Sweden even if the hosts choose to play on clay courts in the September tie. Indian team will travel to Sweden, hoping to get its first win over the European nation in the sixth clash between the two sides.Ramkumar said their familiarity with the game style of Sweden players will also stand them in good stead.India qualified for the World Group after beating Pakistan 4-0 recently in the playoffs held in Islamabad.

"I am sure they are going to play on clay. But we have been playing some unbelievable tennis and then there is Sumit Nagal, and I think he can grind them off, and I am sure he is very fit too," Ramkumar told media here during the felicitation ceremony of Davis Cup players organised by the KSLTA."Rankings don't matter on court because it comes down to how well we play on that particular day. You have seen how Aisam (ul-Haq Quershi of Pakistan) performed (in the Davis Cup), right?

The function was also attended by N Sriram Balaji, Saketh Myneni, Nikki Poonacha and Sunil Yajaman, the joint secretary of KSLTA.Ramkumar also hoped to polish his singles skills further ahead of the Sweden tie.

"Sweden is a great team and they have some very good players like Elias (Ymer, a world No. 160)."I am looking forward to play some good singles in the next few months. I have played Elias and he is a very skilled player. He has an unbelievable backhand and plays some very consistent tennis from the baseline. So, we know a few things about them and we need to use them."It is going to be a close contest, but I am sure we have an edge in doubles," said Ramkumar.Even though Rohan Bopanna no longer competes in the Davis Cup, India have a formidable doubles contingent with Yuki Bhambri, Sriram Balaji, Vijay Prashanth and Anirudh Chandrasekhar featuring inside top 100 rankings.

‘Bopanna is phenomenal’

Ramkumar also lauded Bopanna, who recently climbed to world No. 1 spot in doubles rankings."It is a phenomenal job, as being number one in the world is spectacular. It is not easy at all. I have to congratulate him for all the hard work and sacrifices he has done."Indian tennis and Indian players can look up to him for what he has achieved and I am sure he will inspire several players,” said Ramkumar, a former doubles partner of Bopanna.The players also reminisced about their first-ever trip to Pakistan and rated it as a memorable experience on and off the field.

6) India's 3rd straight ICC final loss to Australia at U19 World Cup triggers meme meltdown

Australia U19 players celebrate a wicket during the final match against India's U19 in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2024, at Willowmoore Park

India faced a third-successive ICC final loss to Australia in less than a year, facing a 79-run loss in the U19 World Cup final. In yet another chapter of World Cup final heartbreak, Australia inflicted a crushing defeat on defending champions India, clinching victory by a significant margin of 79 runs to seize their fourth Under-19 World Cup title at Willowmoore Park on Sunday.

The loss marked India's second consecutive defeat against Australia in the World Cup final within a short span of just three months; the senior men's team had faced a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Pat Cummins' Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final last November. India's pursuit of a daunting target of 254 runs encountered early hurdles as Australia's bowlers set the tone with two maiden overs, foreshadowing the demanding task that lay ahead for the Indian batters. The side kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with India's highest partnership coming for the ninth wicket (44 runs).

The Indian U19 team experienced a parallel narrative to their senior men's counterparts this year, triumphing in every match except the final. Following the loss, social media platforms were abuzz with commendation for the Australian team, alongside Indian fans expressing admiration for their own team despite the setback.

Concurrently, the third consecutive defeat to Australia sparked a wave of humorous memes and jokes on X.

SALAAR (HINDI) – DISNEY+ HOTSTAR

After minting crores at the box office, Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s action film, Salaar, is scheduled to arrive in Hindi on Disney+ Hotstar. Helmed by Prashanth Neel, the first part of the Telugu film revolved around a tribesman who aids his friend in becoming the undisputed ruler of Khansaar. A must-watch film for all cinephiles who love the action genre.

THIS IS ME…NOW: A LOVE STORY – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

Watch American singer and actress Jennifer Lopez star in Amazon Prime Video‘s musical movie, This Is Me…Now: A Love Story, which narrates her journey to love through her own eyes. Directed by Dave Meyers, the upcoming title is another binge-worthy title on the list of upcoming Friday OTT releases.

EINSTEIN AND THE BOMB – NETFLIX

What happened after theoretical physicist Einstein fled Nazi Germany? Netflix’s upcoming docuseries Einstein and the Bomb answers all your questions using archival footage and key moments from his life.

THE KERALA STORY – ZEE5

Directed by Sudipto Sen, The Kerala Story is a hard-hitting movie that tells the tale of a group of women who were kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam by a terrorist group. Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film made on a budget of Rs 15 crore, ended up earning over Rs 300 crore at the box office.

KSHETRAPATI – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

The list of new OTT releases arriving this Friday includes an exciting Kannada movie titled Kshetrapati. Written and directed by Shrikant Katagi, the movie starring Naveen Shankar revolves around a young man who rages a fight against the corrupt system and government officials after his father’s death.

BOOK OF THIS WEEK:

AI for You: The New Game Changer:by Shalini Kapoor (Author), Sameep Mehta (Author)

Artificial Intelligence is all around us. It is set to transform the way we run businesses. Yet people fear it and businesses struggle to derive maximum value from it. Learning from the best practices of industry leaders, AI For You brings together frameworks and tools for infusing AI in business processes. The book demystifies AI, simplifies the complexities around AI technologies and describes how to take AI from lab to field while satisfying the concerns of different stakeholders.

A must-read for builders, consumers, sponsors and sellers of AI, AI For You lays down the building blocks for the AI revolution while attempting to close the gap between the promise of AI and its actual impact.

Shalini Kapoor is a technologist, innovator and thought leader. Her path breaking technological solutions have launched global businesses and she now focuses on tech for impact to the billions. A well-known voice at industry forums, she has 15 patents, several women in STEM awards and was honoured as the first IBM Fellow in India

Sameep Mehta is a leader in the area of AI with 50+ patents and 80+ publications. He finished his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 2006. This book is the outcome of his vast experience in incubating AI research agenda, performing research and making the technology available to customers.