Researchers have developed a diagnostic platform based on the gene editing tool CRISPR which could one day be used to respond to viral and bacterial outbreaks, monitor antibiotic resistance, and detect cancer.

The researchers adapted a CRISPR protein that targets RNA as a rapid, inexpensive, highly sensitive diagnostic tool.

The new tool, dubbed SHERLOCK (Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing), can be designed for use as a paper-based test that does not require refrigeration.

It is well suited for fast deployment and widespread use inside and outside of traditional settings — such as at a field hospital during an outbreak, or a rural clinic with limited access to advanced equipment, the researchers said.

"There is great excitement around this system," said study co-author Deborah Hung from Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US.

"There is still much work to be done, but if SHERLOCK can be developed to its full potential it could fundamentally change the diagnosis of common and emerging infectious diseases," Hung said.

In a study published in the journal Science, the researchers described how this RNA-targetting CRISPR enzyme, Cas13a, was harnessed as a highly sensitive detector — able to indicate the presence of as little as a single molecule of a target RNA or DNA molecule. 

The scientists demonstrated the method's versatility on a range of applications, including detecting the presence of Zika virus in patient blood or urine samples within hours, and rapidly reading human genetic information, such as risk of heart disease, from a saliva sample.

"We can now effectively and readily make sensors for any nucleic acid, which is incredibly powerful when you think of diagnostics and research applications," said Jim Collins, Professor of Bioengineering at MIT, and faculty member at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard. 

"This tool offers the sensitivity that could detect an extremely small amount of cancer DNA in a patient's blood sample, for example, which would help researchers understand how cancer mutates over time," Collins said.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday paid tributes to the legendary leader, Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar, on his 126th birth anniversary, recalling his outstanding contribution to the uplift of the weaker sections of the society.

In his message to the people, Amarinder described Dr Ambedkar as a scholar, jurist, economist, social reformer and statesman par excellence.

Though he hailed from a humble family, he went to join the league of top global leaders as a result of his dedicated commitment to the backward and weaker sections, said the chief minister, adding that the Indian Constitution was the result of Dr Ambedkar’s hard work, dedication and far sightedness.

The CM exhorted the people to follow the path shown by the great social reformer, urging them to work towards the realisation of Dr Ambedkar’s vision and dream by carving out an egalitarian society for securing justice and equality for all the sections of society.

Amarinder called upon the people to follow the ideals of Dr Ambedkar and rise above the petty considerations of caste, colour and creed to lead India on the path of holistic progress.

The CM regretted his inability to attend the state level function in honour of the legendary leader, who had played a remarkable role in shaping modern India, due to his indisposition.

Thanks to satellite technology, tracking pollution causing illegal stubble burning is apparently proving extremely easy this harvest season in Punjab.

Whenever a fire is noticed by the two Indian satellites "Modis" and "Soumi", they send its image to Hyderabad-based center which then sends the same to a center set up at Punjab Agriculture University, Patiala.

Within no time, with the help of a specially developed software, these images are processed and a SMS as well as an e-mail is sent to the concerned district officials with exact the location of fire – read suspected stubble burning — including latitude and longitude of the place or village.

"Earlier it was really difficult for us to prevent or detect stubble burning as our teams were required to roam around and look for smoke to catch the offenders. But now, it really easy because the satellite images track the exact location and that helps out teams to reach the place quickly," the chief environmental engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Patiala, Krunesh Garg told The Statesman over phone.

He said as a result of exact location and quick response, 33 cases of fire have been tracked in past three days. Out of this, nine cases – including four in Patiala – were of illegal burning of wheat straw in agricultural fields.

In all these cases, the block level response teams – comprising of a revenue department official, an agriculture department official, a PPCB official and a policeman – have fined nine farmers for stubble burning.

While a farmer is fined Rs.2,500 for stubble burning on two acre land, fine for two to five acre land is Rs.5000 and Rs.5,000 for land above over five acre.

"In the nine cases so far, farmers have been fined Rs.32,000 out of which we have recovered Rs.20,000 from the offenders," Garg said.

The PPCB officials hope this satellite tracking will help bring down stubble burning in Punjab. A campaign has been launched by the PPCB to make farmers aware about the satellite tracking and SMS system which will help authorities track them in no time if they indulged in illegal burning of wheat straw in agricultural fields.

At the same time, PPCB and agriculture department is encouraging farmers to use wheat straw as fodder. "The real use of this tracking will be in paddy season as when instances of stubble burning are lot more than the Rabi season," Garg said adding they farmers will also benefit from the drive as stubble eliminates essential nutrients of the soil.

India on Friday denied that there was any change in its policy on Tibet as was being made out following Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

‘’Let me make it absolutely clear that there is no change whatsoever in Government of India’s policy towards the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of the People’s Republic of China,’’ MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

Similarly, India’s approach to seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question with China remained unchanged, he added.  The clarification came after Beijing raised a storm over the Dalai Lama’s visit to the North-eastern state, which it claims is part of Chinese territory. China repeatedly opposed the visit and asked India to deny the Dalai Lama permission to visit Arunachal Pradesh.

However, New Delhi refused to buckle under pressure and firmly told Beijing that the Dalai Lama was free to travel anywhere in India but must refrain from indulging in any political activity.

Actress Karisma Kapoor's ex-husband Sanjay Kapoor finally ties the knot with his lady love, Priya Sachdev.

According to sources close to them, the duo tied the knot in a private ceremony but they will soon host a reception for their friends from the industry .

Sanjay and Priya met in New York and dated for fiveyears. Both come from broken marriages. Sanjay was married to Karisma while Priya was married to hotelier Vikram Chatwal. 

Sanjay and Karisma got divorced last year after being married for 13 years. They also have two kids.

The Kapoor girl is rumoured to be dating a Mumbai-based businessman Sandeep Toshniwal.

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a fine of Rs.50 lakh on the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd (THDC), for disposing debris and muck excavated out of construction road for power house of the Chamoli based Vishnugad-Peepalkoti Hydroelectric Project into the Alaknanda River. 

The judgement was delivered on Thursday in New Delhi by NGT Chairperson Swatenter Kumar. The petition in this matter was moved to National Green Tribunal by environmental activist Vimal Bhai. 

The road construction led to huge amounts of muck and debris which were directly being dumped into the river, in violation of the law, including the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, as well as the Environmental Clearance conditions granted to the THDC for construction and operation of the hydroelectric project. 

Thanking NGT for the judgement, activist Vimal Bhai said, “Keeping this judgement in mind, the state government, central government should strengthen their vigilance bodies not just for Vishnugad-Peepalkoti project but for all the hydro power project being run in the state of Uttarakhand and in the Himalayas, so that the natural flow of river is not disturbed and the river bed is preserved.”

The unchecked dumping increases the risk of landslides, destabilisation of slopes and damage to the river flow. Considering the gross negligence in disposing muck and debris accumulated and ignoring the prescribed muck disposal plan, the NGT imposed the fine.   

The NGT asked for an absolute restriction on muck dumping in the Alaknanda River by the THDC. More so, as a further deterrent, the NGT made it clear that in case the muck dumping continues, an additional cost of Rs.25 lakh would be imposed.

The Tribunal also directed the project proponent to maintain computerised records of water samples upstream and downstream as a precautionary measure, much needed in light of the unpredictable climatic conditions which affect the Alaknanda and other rivers in the State of Uttarakhand. 

British universities have called on the government for a “new immigration policy” to encourage international students to choose the UK, after recent figures showed a “worrying decline” in the number of students from countries like India.
Universities UK, the representative body for higher education institutions, expressed concerns this week over a “worrying decline” in the number of international students coming to Britain due to a perception of being unwelcome.
It urged the British government to drop international students from its annual target of immigration cuts.

“While the UK government continues to count international students as long-term migrants in its target to reduce migration, there is a continued pressure to reduce their numbers, adding to the perception that they are not welcome here,” saidDame Julia Goodfellow, President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent.
“If the UK wants to remain a top destination for international students, we need a new immigration policy that encourages them to choose the UK,” she said.

In reference to the realities of Brexit, she said: “As the UK prepares to exit the EU, it is more important than ever that we project a welcoming message to talented people from across the world.”

The most recent figureson international students in the UK showed a worrying decline in the number of new international enrolments over recent years, Goodfellow said.

“At the same time, competitor countries such as the USA and Australia have seen increases. Both countries open their arms to international students and classify them as being non-permanent or temporary residents in their immigration systems.”

Her comments followed a new ComRes poll commissioned by Universities UK which found that nearly 73 per cent of the British public were in favour of international students coming to study in the UK.
The poll released yesterday revealsthat most members of the British public do not view international students as immigrants to the UK.

The results showthat only 26 per cent of the British public think of international students as immigrants when thinking about government immigration policy.

Goodfellow added: “It is clear that the British public does not see international students as long-term migrants, but as valuable, temporary visitors. They come to the UK, study for a period, then the vast majority return home.
“The UK could be doing much better than this. The UK has the potential to be one of the world's fastest growing destinations for international students, building on its current status as the second most popular destination for international students [after the US].”

The public poll of over 4,000 adults conducted last month also found that 75 per centof the British public agreed that international students should be able to work in the UK for a fixed period of time after they have graduated, seen as a major factor behind the drop in international student numbers in recent years.

The latest Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), UK's official agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of quantitative information about higher education, had revealed earlier this year that while Indians remain the third-largest category ofstudentsfrom outside the European Union, they registered a decrease of 9 per cent in 2015-16 over the previous year.
“Indiasaw the largest percentage decrease, at 44 per cent between 2011/12 and 2015/16. In numbers, this meant that in 2015/16, the number ofstudentenrolments domiciled fromIndiawas 13,150 less than in 2011/12. It is worth noting however, that the decline instudentenrolments domiciled fromIndiabegan a year earlier, in 2010/11,” the HESA said in its analysis.
Universities UK and other groups have been lobbying the government to ease its immigration policy towards students over the years.
“Over the last five years, the number of Indian students attending UK universities has halved. I have consistently asked the government to remove students from the net migration target,” said Lord Bilimoria, leading Indian-origin entrepreneur and Cobra Beer founder, who himself came to the UK as a student.
“We should immediately re-introduce the two-year post- study work visa, which I fought hard to introduce before its withdrawal in 2012, to allow foreign students to implement their much needed skills here and help boost our economy,” he added.

The government plans to issue an advisory to states asking them to crack down against unfair imposition of service charge on food and drink bills, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Friday.

“Service charge does not exist. It is being wrongly charged. We have prepared an advisory on this issue. We have sent it to the PMO for approval,” Paswan told reporters here.

A senior ministry official said the advisory, once approved by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), will be issued to all states and union territories.

The advisory will also be useful for Voluntary Consumer Organisations (VCOs) fighting for consumer right, he said.
“No customer should be forced to pay service charge. If customers want they can pay a tip to waiters or give their consent to levy the charge in the bill,” the official said while explaining the nature of proposed advisory.

The levying of service charge without seeking customer consent will be considered as unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, he added.

The minister said consumers should be informed about service charge in the menu card itself.

Earlier too on several occasions, Paswan spoke against unfair imposition of service charge on food bill and had even sought explanation from hotels and restaurants' bodies.

In January, the Department of Consumer Affairs stated that service charge on food bills is not compulsory and a customer can choose to have it waived if not satisfied with experience.

States were told to ensure that hotels/restaurants disseminate this information through displays in their premises.

“A number of complaints from consumers have been received that hotels and restaurants are following the practice of charging 'service charge' in the range of 5-20 per cent, in lieu of tips, which a consumer is forced to pay irrespective of the kind of service provided to him,” it had said.

Highlighting provisions under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, the ministry had said a consumer can make a complaint to the appropriate consumer forum against unfair trade practices.

“Our Department's view is that imposing service charge is an unfair trade practice and consumers need not pay,” Paswan had said in January.

The minister had said there was no provision under the existing law to take action against hotels/restaurants.

However, he said that in future such cases would be addressed effectively by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) proposed in the new Consumer Protection Bill.

On food wastage at hotels and restaurants, Paswan said the government will not bring a law or issue any advisory, rather it will encourage them to take voluntary steps.

Hotels and restaurants have been asked to take voluntary measures such as training its staff to create awareness amongst customers on portion of dishes served.

The magic of Kingsman was still on and fans just got another dose of happiness. This time, the stakes are even higher as the sequel of Kingsman is going to hit big screen in September.

Director Matthew Vaughn and lead-actor Taron Egerton are excited about the flick and said, “If the first Kingsman was Captain America, then this is very much The Avengers now.”

The first film followed Egerton as a talented but misguided teen in London who is later introduced to the breakneck world of international spying.

This time Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry, and Game of Thrones‘ Pedro Pascal have joined the cast as members of the Statesmen.

It is still not clear whether Colin Firth is going to be in the film in anything more than a flashback.

Yash Raj Films (YRF) has bagged the overseas distribution rights — excluding Middle East and North Africa — for Salman Khan Film's next production Tubelight.

This is Salman Khan Films' first collaboration with YRF for the overseas territory. 

Avtar Panesar, Vice President, International Operations, YRF, said in a statement: "Salman Khan is arguably the biggest box office draw today and growing with each film.

"With him and director Kabir Khan reuniting for the third time, it makes Tubelight a very special and hugely anticipated film with a great deal of excitement both within the business and audiences alike." 

After delivering blockbusters Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Ek Tha Tiger, the dream team of Salman and Kabir got together for Tubelight, which will release this Eid. 

Amar Butala, Chief Operating Officer, Salman Khan Films, said: "Our last production Bajrangi Bhaijaan is Salman's biggest overseas grosser to date and we hope to set new benchmarks with Tubelight and to reach out to newer audiences and markets."

Tubelight will also feature Sohail Khan and Chinese star Zhu Zhu. 

Exposure to higher levels of air pollution may increase cardiovascular disease risk by lowering levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly known as "good" cholesterol, says a study.

Higher exposure to black carbon, a marker of traffic-related pollution, is significantly associated with a lower "good" cholesterol level, showed the findings published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

The lower levels of HDL observed with high levels of air pollution "may put individuals at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease down the line," said lead author Griffith Bell from the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle.

In the study of 6,654 middle-aged and older US adults from diverse ethnic backgrounds, participants living in areas with high levels of traffic-related air pollution tended to have lower HDL levels.

Higher particulate matter exposure over three months was associated with a lower HDL particle number, the researchers said. 

Changes in HDL levels may already appear after brief and medium-length exposures to air pollution, the authors noted.

Men and women responded to air pollutants differently. While HDL was lower at higher pollution exposure for both sexes, but the magnitude was greater in women.

The findings are part of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, an ongoing US study examining the lifestyle factors that predict development of cardiovascular disease. 
 

Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the Belt and Road Forum for international cooperation to be held in Beijing on May 14-15.

Putin made the disclosure on Thursday when he met visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, who was here for meetings with the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee and with the Russian chair of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee.

China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes, Xinhua news agency reported.

"China has viewed Russia as an important partner among the Belt and Road countries," Zhang told Putin, adding that the Chinese government will make good preparations for Putin's attendance.

"It is the strategic consensus reached by both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin to integrate the Belt and Road Initiative and Russia's Eurasian Economic Union," said Zhang.

He called on both sides to speed up the construction of major energy projects, expand two-way investment and finance cooperation in order to promote the common development.

Hailing the rapid growth of two-way trade volume since last year, Putin said the bilateral trade structure has improved.

"Sound progresses have scored on the Russia-China cooperation on major energy projects," said Putin. 

"The east-route gas pipeline project and Yamal liquefied natural gas (LNG) project have advanced smoothly, while the west-route gas pipeline projects are under negotiation," he said.

Putin said Russia welcomed the active participation of Chinese investors into Russia's economic development.

He also called on the two sides to explore new areas of cooperation in order to add new impetus into the strategic partnership of comprehensive coordination.

American writer-producer Micheal Pellico, who has scripted Raveena Tandon-starrer Maatr, says political leaders view the unity of women as a threat to their hegemony.

Pellico, also the executive producer of the upcoming thriller, says his film is based on the idea of women's unity.

“Political leaders live in fear that women will unite someday and stand up as a group. They know that when women unite, it spells trouble for their governments. Maatr is an extension of this idea.”

Pellico says he found director Ashtar Sayed perfect to realise his vision.

“When I met Ashtar, I realised that both of us shared a common passion and anger about the situation surrounding rape and other violent crimes against women. We wanted the story to be told with the international audience in mind.

“We made a conscious effort right from the beginning that the story may be based in India but owing to its subject, it is important that it is made in an international style so that it appeals to a larger audience. I don't want people to think that this story is only made for India.”

Pellico says that cases like 2012's Nirbhaya gang rape are not uncommon but when it comes to reporting the crime the victim is often discouraged and asked to hide her identity due to social stigma.

“It happens so many times that ridiculous excuses are given for the rape – that the girl's clothes were inappropriate, she was drinking, she went out with men late in the night, partied and so on. We often mistreat and terrorise the victim, instead of taking care of them. We don't try to understand the trauma they go through.”

The writer says that Maatr is not about seeking revenge, it is about seeking justice.

“When I was writing this story, I was sure that this woman is not a superhero. She doesn't know any martial arts. She's an everyday common woman. Maatr is not about seeking revenge, but justice.

“What I want to show the audience, especially the women, is that every woman possesses the mental strength, resolve and intelligence to seek justice.”

Maatr is slated to release on April 21.

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in Islamabad on Friday demanding consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav for the 14th time as well as a copy of the chargesheet filed against him.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says that the Indian High Commissioner told Pakistan that India was studying the Pakistan Arms Act under which Jadhav was convicted.

However, Pakistan has maintained that since this is case of espionage, they would not be granting consular access to Jadhav.

Apart from diplomatic options, India is expected to explore other legal remedies within Pakistan's legal system to appeal against the verdict.

Earlier, India had described Pakistani's sentencing of Jadhav a 'premeditated murder' and said that there was no evidence of him being a spy.

Kulbhushan Jadhav was reportedly arrested on 3 March, 2016 in Balochistan's Mashkel area on claims of his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities.

Bollywood celebrities such as Farhan Akhtar and Anupam Kher have come out in support of the CRPF jawans, who were heckled by the local youths in Jammu and Kashmir.

The video shows some youths beating CRPF jawans during bypoll to the Srinagar parliamentary constituency on April 9.

Actor Farhan Akhtar tweeted that quick action must be taken against the perpetrators and lauded the jawans for their control.

“The footage of our soldiers being slapped and heckled is sickening… their restraint admirable. Action must be taken immediately,” Farhan wrote.

While an angry Randeep Hooda wrote, “Had this soldier used his gun it would've become human rights violation? Then what's this? Should've given the 'azaadi' right there! Very angry!!”

South Indian star Kamal Haasan condemned the act and tweeted, “Integrate into India. Shame on those who dare touch my soldiers. Height of valour is non-violence. CRPF has set a fine example.”

Actor Anupam Kher posted a video which he captioned, “As a peace loving person I may applaud our soldiers for their restraint. But I still want to say, 'Don't take panga with our soldiers'.”

In his clip, Anupam called for people to raise their voice and treat the incident as a serious human rights issue that must be discussed.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit retweeted the veteran actor's post and wrote, “I applaud your stand sir and hope others in the film industry will follow you on this biggest #HumanRightsViolations of our soldiers.”

The Trump administration should “shake things up” and hit terrorist groups inside Pakistan, a top former American diplomat has said, identifying the Taliban sanctuaries in the country as a “big problem” for Afghanistan.

The remarks by Zalmay Khalilzad, who served as the US ambassador to the United Nations and Afghanistan in the Bush administration, came as the US dropped a massive bomb – the largest non-nuclear bomb ever used by Americans in a conflict – near the Pakistan border in Afghanistan's Nanagarh province.

The US said the bomb targeted a tunnel complex of Islamic State-Khorasan, a regional affiliate of the terror group.
Khalilzad said the terrorist sanctuaries inside Pakistan “should not be accepted as (just) sanctuaries”.

The US and NATO forces were being attacked by terrorists hiding in those sanctuaries and “if we are attacked from those places… They would be legitimate targets for a response,” Khalilzad said during a discussion at the Hudson Institute, an American think tank, in Washington on Thursday.

Khalilzad, who had hosted Donald Trump for his first foreign policy speech during his presidential campaign, said, “Perhaps we have to do something to shake things up.”

He called for changing the balance on the ground from the one of stalemate that has favoured the Taliban to the one that favours the Afghan government and the coalition forces.

“I am encouraged by what is going on in terms of the review – to weaken the adversaries and strengthen the government, to strengthen it not only militarily but also economically and politically, but also to review the policy towards Pakistan, because I think one of the big problems of Afghanistan is the policies of Pakistan: the sanctuary policies,” he said.

Robin Raphel, a former assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, felt the US should not walk away from the region at this point.

Raphel, however, opposed the idea of an “all-out war” against Pakistan. “In my view, at the end of the day there has to be a negotiated political solution in Afghanistan, which would undoubtedly include some of the conservative elements including the Taliban in the government,” she said.

Hussain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US and the director, South and Central Asia, at the institute, who moderated the discussion, said Taliban are irreconcilable, a sentiment shared by Khalilzad, who said the alliance between the Taliban and Pakistan was the main problem.

“You cannot have reconciliation, if the insurgency feels that time is on its side. You cannot have a successful negotiation if there are safe sanctuaries. You cannot have successful negotiations if they feel that the Americans are going to leave,” Khalilzad said.

He also suggested ways to deal with the issue. “One, the military balance has to change in favour of the Afghan government. Two, Pakistan has to confront with the choices.

“If we are attacked from bases in another country, we have the right to defend ourselves. It is a principle of international law. We are there on the basis of a UN Security Council resolution and at the invitation of the Afghan government. We should not be accepting a safe sanctuary. We ought to make that very very clear to Pakistan,” he said.

“I hope that (National Security Adviser Lt Gen) H R McMaster makes that point clear when he sits across the table when he is in Islamabad,” he said, but added that Pakistan's “legitimate interests” should also be respected.

The discussion was held in the backdrop of the Trump administration reviewing its policies to break the stalemate in Afghanistan.

“Decisions made about policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan will have a crucial impact on the outcome of the global war on terrorism and Islamist extremism,” Haqqani said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided, despite the recent floods in Lima in Peru, to go ahead with its 130th session there this September, which will elect the host city of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Peru was doubtful to host the week-long IOC session due to the recent floods, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The IOC and the Peruvian government confirmed that preparations for the IOC session, to be held in Peru in September, are going ahead as planned," IOC said in a statement on Thursday.

Peru President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said: "The eyes of the world will be on Lima. Hosting the IOC session will send a vital message to the world that we are ready to welcome the world after the emergency situation."

IOC President Thomas Bach emphasised that the decision to keep Lima as the place for its session became possible after the Peruvian government's assurances.

"The Peruvian government has given us all necessary assurances that the IOC session will be organised in a great way," commented Bach.

The IOC announced a donation of $600,000 to support Peru's recovery efforts last week.

The 130th session will see the election of the host city of the 2024 Olympic Games between Paris and Los Angeles.