Samsung Electronics said on Friday it has participated in a Series D investment round for the US biotech company Element Biosciences as a strategic investor, expecting to create synergy in the potential medical and digital health care sectors.

Samsung Electronics joins other investors, including Fidelity and Foresite Capital, in the US company’s $277 million Series D round, reports Yonhap news agency.

The South Korean tech giant said the investment will help it explore new business opportunities in a wide range of fields, from medical devices to digital health, by combining Element Bioscience’s DNA analysis technology with its AI capabilities, medical devices and digital health technologies.

“Their products set a new industry standard and are foundational to the next wave of biological innovation,” said Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee of Samsung. “We are incredibly excited about Element’s vision to make precision medicine affordable and are impressed with the team they built together.”

Founded in 2017, Element Bioscience is known for disruptive DNA sequencing and multi-omics technologies for the research market. It posted $25 million in sales last year.

DNA sequencing is a technology that determines the exact sequence of nucleotides, or bases, in a DNA molecule. The sequence of the bases, often called the blueprint of life, encodes the biological information that cells use to develop and operate.

In the future, DNA sequencing data will be combined with clinical data from hospitals and everyday life data, such as sleep and exercise, to enable personalised health care. AGENCIES

A man has been arrested on Thursday after a woman was found dead at his house in Sydney’s inner-west. New South Wales Police Force said in a statement that just after 11:00 a.m. local time, emergency services were called to a home on Clements Street in Russell Lea, following reports of a domestic incident.

With nearly 5,000 residents, the suburb is located 6 km west of Sydney’s central business district, Xinhua news agency reported.

Upon arrival, officers found the body of a woman in her 50s, whose identity has not been formally confirmed.

A 42-year-old man, known to the woman, was arrested at the scene before being taken to Burwood police station.

Detective Superintendent Christine McDonald told local media that the female victim sustained “significant and multiple” stab injuries to her upper body.

Police are currently investigating the stabbing as a domestic violence incident, as the pair lived together, while it is not believed that they were in an intimate relationship, McDonald noted at a press conference.

AGENCIES

India has dismissed Pakistan’s attempt to inject Kashmir into a discussion of the workings of the Security Council as an undignified misuse of the General Assembly forum.

Pratik Mathur, a minister at India’s UN mission, reacting to Pakistan bringing up Kashmir, said that it “misused this forum to spread baseless and deceitful narratives, which is not a surprise.”

“I will not dignify these remarks with any response just to save valuable time of this august body,” he added witheringly.

Mathur, who did not name Pakistan and referred to it as “one delegation” was reacting to Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Munir Akram’s suggestion to set up a Security Council body to monitor the implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir.

But the target of his condescending dismissal was clear.

Regardless of the topic under discussion or its relevance, Pakistan consistently brings up Kashmir.

While India does directly take on Pakistan by naming it by exercising its formal right of reply on major issues, New Delhi does not name it on other occasions like on Tuesday to deprive Islamabad of an opportunity to prolong the issue, which is ignored by almost all the other 192 members of the UN, but at the same time making a clear rebuttal.

Since it was not named, Pakistan did not get a right to reply when it could amplify its statement.

Because Kashmir does not get traction at the UN, Akram repeatedly tries to link it to Palestine – as he did on Tuesday – but with no effect.

For example, in last year’s high-level session of the General Assembly, only one country besides Pakistan even mentioned Kashmir – which means 191 nations ignored it.

Even that was an anodyne remark made in the passing by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who only said that resolving the dispute through dialogue by India and Pakistan “will pave the way for regional peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia.”

Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has himself pathetically admitted Islamabad’s failure to get support for its cause.

“We face a particularly uphill task to try and get Kashmir onto the centre of the agenda at the United Nations,” he said at a news conference here last year.

India “strongly object vociferously object and they perpetuate a post facto narrative” to shut out Kashmir, he lamented.

India maintains that Kashmir and all disputes between the neighbours are bilateral matters under the 1972 Simla Agreement signed by Bilawal’s grandfather Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was then Pakistan’s President, and India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Moreover, when harping on the implementation of the Security Council resolution on plebiscite Kashmir, Islamabad ignores a key element that required it to first withdraw from all areas of Kashmir it occupied.

Security Council Resolution 47 adopted on April 21, 1948, requires the Pakistani government first to secure the withdrawal from the State of Jammu and Kashmir of tribesmen and Pakistani nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the State for the purpose of fighting and to prevent any intrusion into the State of such elements and any furnishing of material aid to those fighting in the State.

The “tribesmen” referred to in the resolution are Pakistani soldiers sent in disguised as tribesmen.

That resolution also requires Islamabad to not fund or arm terrorists who continue attacks in Kashmir, which element Pakistan ignores. AGENCIES

India’s non-banking financial sector has grown to become the third largest in the world, next only to the United States and the United Kingdom, according to an SBI (NS:SBI) report that highlights the growing strength of the country’s financial sector.Non-banking financial institutions do not possess a full banking licence and thus, cannot accept public deposits. These entities focus on giving loans to consumers and businesses which play a key role in driving up economic growth.

Over the past decade, the Indian banking system has demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming numerous challenges posed by both domestic and international economic environments, the report states.

It said that the improvement in asset quality and the strong macroeconomic fundamentals have played a crucial role in improving the Indian banking sector.

It highlighted that the Indian government and regulatory bodies have focused on creating a level playing field for financial institutions. This has involved initiatives such as the creation of strong banks through mergers and capital infusion, improving governance practices, expanding the reach and quality of financial services, and enhancing the adoption of digital banking.

During the pandemic, the government maintained the financial sector’s stability through substantial capital and liquidity buffers. This resilience is credited to the proactive measures taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The report also points out that the RBI’s efforts in strengthening the financial system included enforcing the regulatory measures that ensured the sector remained well-cushioned against economic shocks. These measures have not only helped in maintaining stability but also in fostering growth and innovation within the sector.

Recently India’s digital banking landscape has also seen significant advancements. The push towards digital banking has been a major contributor to the sector’s growth. This transition to digital platforms has expanded access to financial services, making them more inclusive and efficient.

The report also highlights that the government and regulatory bodies have prioritised customer protection, ensuring that the interests of the public are safeguarded amidst the digital transformation. AGENCIES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his gratitude to several world leaders for their best wishes as he formed the BJP-led NDA government for the third consecutive time.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended his congratulations via a post on X, to which PM Modi responded, “Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other’s concerns.”

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also congratulated Modi, writing: “Warmest congratulations to Prime Minister of India @narendramodi for your third consecutive term as Prime Minister and the formation of a new Government. Looking forward to continuing to expand our relations and work together for the common good and the well-being of our peoples.”

PM Modi thanked the Finnish PM and said that the nation looks forward to deepening bilateral relations.

PM Modi also appreciated the greetings from Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and assured a continued close partnership between the two nations in his third term.

Ugandan President Yoweri K Museveni also congratulated PM Modi, emphasising the shared aspirations between Africa and India.

“The people of Africa share common aspirations and goals with Indians. When India won her independence in 1947, Africans were inspired to fight and overthrow the yoke of colonialism. Today, all of Africa enjoys political freedom,” said Museveni, adding that Uganda views India as a “strategic ally” and looks forward to strengthening bilateral relations.

PM Modi thanked Museveni, highlighting the strong partnership and the significance of the African Union becoming a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency.

Hamid Karzai, the former President of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also congratulated PM Modi for retaining the post for the third time.

Extending his best wishes, he expressed confidence in PM Modi’s leadership and India’s progress.

The Prime Minister thanked Hamid Karzai for his warm wishes.

Meanwhile, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, also congratulated PM Modi on X.

“Congratulations to @narendramodi on winning a third term as Prime Minister. You have strengthened India’s position as a source of innovation for global progress in sectors like health, agriculture, women-led development, and digital transformation. Look forward to a continued partnership to enhance the lives of people across India and the world,” Gates wrote.

PM Modi thanked Gates, recalling their recent conversation and expressing optimism about their partnership driving innovation in governance, healthcare, climate change, and sustainable development.

AGENCIES

New Delhi, May 5

 The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which comes under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, has warned users of multiple vulnerabilities in Google Chrome and GitLab (an open-core company) which could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information, bypass security restriction and cause denial-of-service (DoS) conditions on the targeted system.

The affected software includes Chrome versions before 124.0.6367.118/.119 for Mac and Windows and Chrome versions prior to 124.0.6367.118 for Linux.

For GitLab, the affected software includes — GitLab Community Edition (CE) and Enterprise Edition (EE) versions before 16.11.1, 16.10.4 and 16.9.6.

“Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Google Chrome which could be exploited by a remote attacker to trigger remote code execution and DoS conditions on the targeted system,” said the CERT-In advisory.

According to the cyber agency, these vulnerabilities exist in Google Chrome due to the use-after-free flaw in Dawn and Picture in Picture components.

On the other hand, multiple vulnerabilities such as authentication bypass vulnerability, security restriction bypass, and denial of service exist in GitLab due to improper authentication mechanisms, flaws in handling domain-based restrictions when processing crafted email addresses, path traversal vulnerability and an inefficient regular expression, respectively.

As mentioned by the cyber agency, an attacker could use “these vulnerabilities by persuading a victim to visit a specially crafted website.”

AGENCIES

Kiev, May 1

 Ukraine’s agricultural exports via Black Sea ports have reached pre-conflict levels, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported, citing a senior diplomat.

Since last summer, Ukraine has exported about 25 million tons of foodstuff through the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny, said Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s permanent representative to the United Nations, on Tuesday.

A total of 1,300 cargo vessels have departed from Ukraine since a “humanitarian corridor” was established in the Black Sea on August 10, 2023, Kyslytsya added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

According to Kyslytsya, these vessels delivered grain and other agricultural goods from Ukraine to 40 countries.

In August 2023, Ukraine established the “humanitarian corridor” for cargo ships in the Black Sea as an alternative to the Black Sea Grain Initiative that collapsed in July of the same year. AGENCIES

Tel Aviv, May 1

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv on Wednesday at the start of a fresh round of talks aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

The release of the hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement was currently a top priority, Herzog said at the meeting, according to his office.

“We’re determined to get a ceasefire that brings the hostages home, and to get it now. And the only reason that that wouldn’t be achieved is because of Hamas,” Blinken said.

Blinken said there was a proposal on the table: “And as we’ve said, no delays, no excuses. The time is now.”

“At the same time, even as we’re working with relentless determination to get the ceasefire that brings the hostages home, we also have to be focused on people in Gaza who are suffering in this crossfire of Hamas’s making, and so focused on getting them the assistance they need – the food, medicine, the water, the shelter – is also very much on our minds and in the work that we’re doing.”

Blinken said he planned to discuss these issues with Herzog.

A meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planned for later in Jerusalem.

Blinken had previously spoken of a “very, very generous” proposal from Israel for a deal with Hamas.

As part of mediation efforts in Cairo, a response from Hamas is now being awaited.

Israel has announced a rapid start to the controversial offensive in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip if no agreement is reached.

Blinken had previously also visited Saudi Arabia and Jordon as part of his multi-day trip. AGENCIES