at 18:00 (JST), November 24 (Ai-CC by Clipchamp)

 

20241124180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Gino Tani in Tokyo.

A group of Japanese researchers say they have developed a set of simple questions to detect Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Project Professor Ito Daisuke at Keio University has been leading the research.
The group enrolled 155 people for the test, including those with no cognitive issues, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. The subjects were asked certain questions. Their verbal and behavior responses were observed to find out if those questions helped to determine if they have any troubles with their cognitive functions.

（Japanese）

The researchers asked three questions. The subjects were asked whether they feel they have difficulties in their daily lives, if they noted any particular news over the past three months, and if they have favorite pastimes.
Over 83% of those who answered no to both of the first two questions It answered yes with concrete answers for the third question actually had Alzheimer's disease. The researchers also found that 87% of those who turned their heads to their family members or companions for help during the interview had the disease.

This task can be done in part of the flow of regular medical services. The burden on patients and doctors is very small. Nursing caregivers can also run a quick test, so it would be good if it leads  o awareness of Alzheimer's.

Promising drugs to treat the Alzheimer's have become available since last year in Japan, which makes early detection of the disease more important.

Delegates at the United Nations Climate Conference have agreed on a climate funding deal. COP 29 negotiators released a document on Sunday after a two-day extension of talks in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku. The document sets a goal of at least $300 billion per year to help developing countries tackle climate change under the leadership of developed nations by 2035. It also calls on parties to work together to scale up financing to developing countries from public and private sources to at least an annual $1.3 trillion. But some countries have voiced their criticism right after the document was adopted, saying the finance target is too low.

The goal is too little, too distant. It is 2035, it's too far gone. That the developing country is saying that it's taking the limit $300 billion till 2035 is a joke. And it's not something we should take lightly. I do not think it's something we should clap our hands and force us to take it.

Critical statements from developing nations drew loud applause from the floor. The representative of the European Union countered the criticism by saying we are tripling the 100 billion goal and we feel it ambitious.

NATO's Secretary-general has met with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to discuss a range of global security issues. NATO officials say Mark Rutte met Trump on Friday in Palm Beach, Florida. They are believed to have covered topics, including the situation in Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for relying on the U.S. for defense and has vowed to review the alliance. After taking office, he is expected to demand that other members increase defense spending. Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency reported that Trump is considering creating the post of special envoy for the Russia Ukraine conflict to bring an end to Russia's invasion. The report says Trump may tap his aide Richard Grenell for the position. Grenell worked for the former Trump administration as the ambassador to Germany and the acting Director of National Intelligence. Trump accompanied Grenell at his talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in September. A senior Ukrainian Defense Ministry official estimates that Russia possesses at least 10 units of the new type of missile it launched against the country on Thursday. The Russian missiles are a new type of intermediate-range ballistic missile known as the Oreshnik. In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said their use was in response to Ukraine's attacks on Russia using American and British-made long-range missiles. Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency deputy chief Vadim Skibitsky said on Friday that there may be at least 10 of these new missiles. Also on Friday, Putin mentioned mass production of the weapons at a meeting in Moscow with representatives from the defense ministry and related industries.

We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions. Depending on the situation and the nature of the security threats that are created for Russia, it is necessary to establish serial production.

Concerns are growing that fighting between Russia and Ukraine may intensify. A senior official in the Ukrainian military says of the land seized by its troops in Russia's western region of Kursk, over 40% is back in Russian control. The source in the Ukrainian general staff disclosed the information to Reuters news agency, the source told Reuters that in the cross-border offensive in to the Kursk region in August, Ukraine took about 1400 square kilometers. But the source added that due to increased Russian counterattacks, Ukraine now controls only around 800 square kilometers. The source says Ukraine will try to hold the land still under its control for as long as militarily appropriate. The source also confirmed that about 11,000 North Korean troops had arrived in the Kursk region to support Russia, but most of them are still in the final stages of training.

People in Paris are protesting to end violence targeting women. The UN designates November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Protesters marched in the French capital on Saturday, with the color symbolizing the movement purple. The organizers say 80,000 people took part. The public has been angered by a series of sex crimes, including a case in which a man drugged his wife and allowed other men to rape her.

We're fighting not just for ourselves, but also for future generations of women. The whole world should speak up.

Men are trying to change as well. I think it's important to show our support for women.

French government statistics show that last year 93 women were killed by their partners.

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And that's the news this hour.

I'm Gene Otani from all of us here at NHK Newsline to all around the world.

Thanks very much for joining us.