Hopes of breakthrough in fight against dementia

HONG KONG • Hong Kong researchers have made what could be a major breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, the South China Morning Post said yesterday.

The team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology injected mice affected by dementia with a specific protein and successfully restored the animals' memories.

Construction workers killed in India landslide

NEW DELHI • A huge landslide hit a camp for construction workers in a remote part of north-eastern India yesterday, killing at least 16, police said.

Heavy rains triggered the disaster in the Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, which lies on the Tibetan border. The workers, who were building a hotel, were asleep when the landslide hit their camp.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

China plans mission to Mars around 2020

BEIJING • China is aiming to launch its first mission to Mars around 2020, National Space Administration director Xu Dazhe said yesterday.

China's recent space efforts have been focused on exploring the moon. The nation's first lunar rover - the Yutu, or Jade Rabbit - was launched in 2013 but has been hit by mechanical troubles.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE