The only full timer out of the 200,000 Nepalis in the US to work for Nepal's democracy and social justice movements in 2005-06.
Saturday, January 18, 2025
सम्पुर्ण नेपाली का लागि निःशुल्क शिक्षा र निःशुल्क स्वास्थ्य
Take a look at this: Some Of The Most Notable Attempts In Cashless Economy In The World. There are several countries that have managed to achieve something like 80% cashless, or 90% cashless. But nobody has managed to connect the dots and say a cashless economy can translate to everybody having education and health care for free. That is why Jay Sah's idea will make Nepal a Vishwa Guru.
Antibiotic Resistance
Free Education And Health Care For All In Nepal By Way Of A Referendum
IIT Baba: Abhay Singh
This was a full circle moment.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) January 16, 2025
In 2013, I watched Michael Bloomberg give the commencement speech at my college graduation.
Yesterday, I had the chance to sit down with him and chat about my new book and what it means to live a truly wealthy life.
Life is crazy sometimes. pic.twitter.com/Rtio730VA1
भुमी सम्बन्धि अध्यादेश ल्याएर यो दुई दलको सरकारले प्रमाणित गरेको छ कि आफ्नो स्वार्थपुर्ती को लागि यो दुई दल का नेता र रास्ट्रपति ले कुनै हदसम्म गएर नेपाल राष्ट्रको सबै जग्गा जमिन ,नदि नाला बनजङल निकुञ्ज जस्ता राष्ट्रको सम्पती आफ्नो कार्यकर्ता मा बाड्ने छ।
— Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh (@Amreshjnu) January 16, 2025
Watch this fierce takedown of Rahul Gandhi's anti-India stand. pic.twitter.com/CpYyHVtJkB
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 16, 2025
Congrats @JeffBezos and @blueorigin! https://t.co/BezlCmVaUd
— Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) January 16, 2025
Thanks to great work by the @xAI team and support from many others, which is much appreciated! https://t.co/b5QsONAaEX
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
They give us COVID, we give them the woke mind virus. 😆
— Marc Andreessen 🇺🇸 (@pmarca) January 16, 2025
How? Via satellite? @pmarca https://t.co/wlMk6fPcRu
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Congratulations on your milestone! @JeffBezos https://t.co/CXRFcNGB49
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
.@NASA+ is live now as @AstroHague and @AstroSuni prepare for a spacewalk set to begin at 8am ET today to repair the NICER X-ray telescope. https://t.co/OdJKqyOdor
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) January 16, 2025
No man can fully grasp how far and how fast we have come, but condense, if you will, the 50,000 years of man’s recorded history in a time span of but a half-century. Stated in these terms, we know very little about the first 40 years, except at the end of them advanced man had…
— roon (@tszzl) January 16, 2025
In geological framing, we are currently strapped to a rocket. Humbling and incredible. pic.twitter.com/SXmmWZS2SJ
— Justin Halford (@Justin_Halford_) January 16, 2025
using that framework,
— James Campbell (@jam3scampbell) January 16, 2025
AlexNet came out 4 days ago
GPT-1 came out 2 days ago
GPT-4 came out 14 hours ago
o3 came out 35 minutes ago
— zan (@avrzan) January 16, 2025
Wow, a lot has happened in 21 years! https://t.co/QNoOWuIfLP
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
Sending a pass email in record time puts you in the top 1% of VCs. Bar is on the floor. pic.twitter.com/C3S2CJRNM1
— Nichole Wischoff (@NWischoff) January 16, 2025
The New York Times is evil propaganda https://t.co/6vsGOQkFbS
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
I disagree @elonmusk How Drone Fever Spread Across New Jersey and Beyond How Drone Fever Spread Across New Jersey and Beyond - The New York Times https://t.co/GHU6SaxaOm
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Actual footage of @ElonMusk & @JeffBezos at the Catalina Wine Mixer
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
pic.twitter.com/XE7VV8cCG1
Friday, January 17, 2025
Some Of The Most Notable Attempts In Cashless Economy In The World
Several countries around the world have made significant strides toward establishing cashless economies, each leveraging unique strategies, technologies, and policies. Here are some of the most notable attempts:
1. Sweden: The Pioneer of a Cashless Society
Sweden is often cited as a leader in the global push toward a cashless economy. Key highlights include:
- Mobile Payment Dominance: Apps like Swish, developed by major banks in collaboration with the government, are widely used for peer-to-peer transfers and retail payments.
- Declining Cash Usage: Cash accounts for less than 10% of transactions in Sweden, with many businesses refusing to accept cash altogether.
- Supportive Policies: The government supports digital payments but emphasizes financial inclusivity to ensure no one is left behind.
2. China: A Digital Payments Powerhouse
China has witnessed a meteoric rise in mobile payments, driven by tech giants and consumer adoption.
- Platforms: Alipay (by Ant Group) and WeChat Pay (by Tencent) dominate the market, enabling everything from microtransactions to large-scale purchases.
- QR Code Usage: QR codes are ubiquitous, making payments accessible for vendors and customers, even in rural areas.
- Cashless Integration: Entire cities, such as Hangzhou, have become near-cashless ecosystems.
- Policy Backing: The Chinese government encourages digital payments while piloting a central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital yuan.
3. India: The Digital Push Post-Demonetization
India’s drive toward a cashless economy gained momentum with the 2016 demonetization policy and subsequent government initiatives.
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI): This real-time payment system has revolutionized digital transactions, enabling interbank transfers through mobile apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.
- Aadhaar-Linked Payments: The biometric-based Aadhaar system allows seamless identification for digital transactions and subsidies.
- Incentives for Adoption: Programs like Digital India promote cashless transactions by providing incentives to businesses and consumers.
4. Kenya: A Mobile Money Revolution
Kenya’s M-Pesa system, launched in 2007 by Safaricom, is a global model for mobile money success.
- Inclusivity: M-Pesa provides financial services to millions who lack access to traditional banking.
- Versatility: Users can send money, pay bills, and access loans using basic mobile phones, even without internet access.
- Economic Impact: The system has boosted economic activity and lifted thousands out of poverty.
5. South Korea: A Government-Driven Shift
South Korea’s efforts to go cashless are supported by robust infrastructure and government initiatives.
- Cashless Dominance: Card payments account for nearly all transactions, with mobile payment apps gaining traction.
- Incentives: Tax benefits encourage card usage, while businesses are incentivized to adopt digital payment systems.
- Advanced Technology: Integration of NFC, QR codes, and digital wallets facilitates seamless transactions.
6. Singapore: A Smart Nation Initiative
Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative emphasizes digital payments as a pillar of economic transformation.
- Centralized Systems: PayNow and SGQR integrate banking and payment platforms, making transactions seamless.
- Public Transport: The adoption of cashless payments for transportation has accelerated adoption across demographics.
- Private Sector Collaboration: Banks, fintech companies, and the government collaborate to promote digital literacy and infrastructure.
7. Estonia: A Digital Society
Estonia is renowned for its advanced digital infrastructure and e-governance systems.
- E-Residency Program: Estonia offers e-residency, enabling individuals worldwide to establish businesses and access digital financial services.
- Minimal Cash Usage: Most transactions, including government services, are conducted electronically.
- Blockchain Integration: Estonia uses blockchain technology to secure digital transactions and government records.
8. The Netherlands: Cards and Contactless Payments
The Netherlands is among Europe’s most cashless countries.
- Card Usage: Debit and credit cards dominate transactions, supported by widespread contactless payment infrastructure.
- Bank-Driven Ecosystem: Dutch banks collaborate on initiatives like iDEAL, a payment system that facilitates seamless online and in-store transactions.
- Consumer Behavior: Public attitudes strongly favor cashless payments, even for small purchases.
9. Nigeria: Cashless Policy Initiatives
Nigeria’s government has actively promoted cashless transactions to reduce reliance on cash and improve economic transparency.
- Mobile Money Services: Platforms like Paga and OPay provide accessible financial services, particularly for unbanked populations.
- Bank Charges on Cash: The Central Bank of Nigeria implemented cash-handling fees to encourage electronic payments.
- Growing Adoption: Despite challenges, digital payments are increasingly popular in urban and rural areas.
10. Canada: A Tech-Driven Transformation
Canada’s financial ecosystem has seen a significant rise in digital payments driven by technology and consumer preferences.
- Tap-and-Go Cards: Contactless payments are widely used for retail and transportation.
- Mobile Payment Apps: Services like Interac, Apple Pay, and Google Pay offer convenient transaction options.
- Cryptocurrency Adoption: Canada is among the leaders in cryptocurrency awareness and usage.
Emerging Trends in Cashless Economies
- Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Countries like China, Sweden, and Nigeria are piloting CBDCs to modernize financial systems.
- QR Code Standardization: Nations like Singapore and India are standardizing QR code systems for seamless transactions across platforms.
- Cross-Border Payments: Cashless systems are evolving to simplify international transactions, reducing costs and delays.
- Digital Literacy Initiatives: Ensuring that underserved populations can access and understand digital payment systems is a growing focus.
Conclusion
The global movement toward cashless economies highlights the transformative potential of digital payment systems. While challenges like digital literacy, cybersecurity, and inclusivity remain, these notable attempts demonstrate the feasibility of creating more transparent, efficient, and accessible financial ecosystems. As technology continues to evolve, the cashless future is not only possible but increasingly inevitable.
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing global health threats today. It has reached alarming levels worldwide, posing significant risks to human health, food security, and global development. Here's an overview of the problem:
Key Statistics
-
Deaths and Morbidity:
- According to a 2022 study published in The Lancet, antibiotic-resistant infections directly caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, with an additional 4.95 million deaths associated with bacterial resistance.
- These numbers are expected to rise, with estimates suggesting 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if no action is taken.
-
Economic Impact:
- Antibiotic resistance could lead to a 2-3.5% reduction in global GDP by 2050, costing the global economy up to $100 trillion.
-
Geographical Disparities:
- The problem is more acute in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to overuse in healthcare and agriculture, poor infection control, and limited access to alternative treatments.
Drivers of the Problem
-
Overuse and Misuse:
- Overprescription of antibiotics for viral infections.
- Self-medication and incomplete courses of antibiotics.
- Overuse in livestock and agriculture to promote growth and prevent disease.
-
Lack of New Antibiotics:
- Few new antibiotics have been developed in recent decades due to the high cost and low return on investment for pharmaceutical companies.
-
Global Travel and Trade:
- Resistant bacteria spread quickly across borders, exacerbated by international travel and trade.
-
Healthcare Settings:
- Poor infection prevention and control practices lead to the spread of resistant bacteria in hospitals and clinics.
Notable Examples
-
Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB):
- MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) are significant concerns, especially in regions like Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe.
-
Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE):
- These "superbugs" are resistant to last-resort antibiotics and have high mortality rates.
-
Resistance in Common Infections:
- Increasing resistance in pathogens causing urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections.
Global Responses
-
Surveillance:
- Programs like the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) aim to monitor and understand the problem.
-
Policy and Stewardship:
- Governments are implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs to ensure responsible use of antibiotics.
-
Research and Development:
- Incentives like public-private partnerships aim to develop new antibiotics and alternative therapies.
-
Public Awareness:
- Campaigns to educate the public on the proper use of antibiotics.
What’s at Stake?
Without urgent action, antibiotic resistance could lead to:
- Routine surgeries and minor infections becoming life-threatening.
- A return to a pre-antibiotic era where bacterial infections are largely untreatable.
- Disrupted food production due to the inability to control livestock diseases.
Antibiotic resistance is a complex problem requiring a coordinated global response involving governments, healthcare providers, researchers, and individuals.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
16: Jay Sah
Earth sure owes Earth a lot of money 😂 https://t.co/7X3dszAbWd
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Congratulations on reaching orbit on the first attempt! @JeffBezos https://t.co/EJl6L8aevV
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
Testing a new cron job. Nice thing is you can call it an AI agent now in 2025 pic.twitter.com/2Lw0zmCjrx
— Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) January 16, 2025
Much appreciated! https://t.co/I7k4YYcItk
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
Step Brothers is the perfect meme for @JeffBezos & me 🤣🤣
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
pic.twitter.com/3IxOmdo0fU
मंजिल एक और राही दो फिर प्यार कैसे ना हो? मंजिल = space. Translation: "One destination and two travelers—how could there not be love?"
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Well done, @JeffBezos, and the Blue Origin team! https://t.co/wbezf3UP11
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
And people will say this is AI 😂 pic.twitter.com/ZCh7e3T9tJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
This is Photoshop. Good old photoshop. https://t.co/FS4vAG8pQ6
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Did you get my email @AravSrinivas ? So we are doing the Wikipedia killer: Vidya. What you get: we use Perplexity for all our AI needs. What we get is in the email. :) https://t.co/bPyxArwxy8
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Haha sick burn 🤣🤣 https://t.co/kpypNtU3Cu
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
This proves in person (at Mar-A-Lago) beats exchanging sharp barbs on Twitter. https://t.co/U8gNe19KMs
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Custom alarms coming soon pic.twitter.com/JvlndTMd38
— Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) January 16, 2025
If it's possible (no idea if it is) someone should invent a Chinese nickname for Mao that looks like this curve when written. That would be a vivid way to remember him. https://t.co/8VcRCGLkHF
— Paul Graham (@paulg) January 16, 2025
Churchill did the same in India/Bengal around 1942: deliberate policy. "They are like rabbits. They will breed." https://t.co/4s61pQNdz6
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Looting is not normally considered a felony? https://t.co/QWBvsFc12Y
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
This is getting out of hand! ;) https://t.co/KnH9GCHMnh
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
The negativity bias in some journalism continues to baffle me. No wonder people think we live in the worst of times! pic.twitter.com/uxSfZ6h5xo
— Boyan Slat (@BoyanSlat) January 16, 2025
Clint Eastwood. #Classic
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
Thank you, President Biden. You were absolutely right when you stated last night that:
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 16, 2025
"An oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights & freedoms."
This is the defining issue of our time.
The single biggest advantage your startup has is speed.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) January 16, 2025
Get things done that same day instead of scheduling a meeting.
Build product and ship faster than anyone in your market.
Give customers an amazing experience and don’t keep them waiting.
Do this across all areas and win.
Every Starship launch is one more step towards Mars https://t.co/iNdAU8h0WD
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
Earth To Earth Rocketry + Hyperloop: Earth Before Mars https://t.co/LgvgFP6sgP https://t.co/5lq4MZdaxU
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) January 16, 2025
@paramendrakumarbhagat Let's Solve (1)
♬ original sound - Paramendra Kumar Bhagat