28, May 2026
Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery unveils ‘Madhuragini’: A celebration of the sacred stories of Lord Ram-Sita’s wedding, told in Madhubani art
Bengaluru, May 28 : Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery, invites every woman to be the bride of her dreams with the launch of their latest bridal collection Madhuragini. Drawing from the sacred traditions of the land of Mithila, the collection is a celebration of Madhubani art, which was first crafted as part of the grand celebrations for the wedding of Lord Ram and Sita. This ancient visual language, rich with symbolism of divine union, transition of a woman, and spiritual protection, is meticulously translated into our pieces through fine craftsmanship, ensuring every motif carries the weight of heritage and the grace of a blessing.
This masterpiece is crafted in 22kt gold, inspired by the Madhubani art form that has long defined the essence of weddings in Bihar. Complementing this is a thoughtfully curated, accessible range including necklace sets, earrings, rings, maang tikkas, naths, and mangalsutra dolnas. Crafted across price ranges, these pieces are designed to accompany every bridal trousseau, from ceremony to celebration.
Madhuragini unfolds in two exquisite layers, each capturing a moment in the journey of love and togetherness.
The first layer of the masterpiece, the Samyukta Haar, a divine choker, captures the grandeur of the wedding as it unfolds like a sacred procession in gold. At its centre, the Dulha and Dulhan stand in harmony, symbols of balance and union, accompanied by the graceful Mor and surrounded by Baratiyaan that echo the vibrant spirit of a traditional Bihari ceremony. Sacred elements such as the Shankh mark auspicious beginnings, while delicate jaal work binds the composition in a story of interconnectedness, anchored by the Tree of Life – a timeless emblem of lineage, continuity, and generational blessing. The presence of Palash, the Flame of the Forest, brings with it vitality, renewal, and the spirit of celebration, emerging as a quiet metaphor for marriage itself—two lives coming together in shared warmth and harmony. The narrative gently culminates in the Nrityangana, a dancing form that embodies grace, transition, and the celebration of womanhood – reflecting not an end, but a becoming, where a new chapter unfolds and her divine feminine energy is honoured in its fullest expression.
The second layer, the Sita Haar, draws from the sacred Kohbar Ghar, which is the chamber of union where new beginnings take root. Capturing the emotional essence of togetherness and abundance, the motifs of this layer settle upon the bride like a blessing. The Latpatiya Sugga speaks of love and companionship; the Maach Raas reflects fertility, harmony, and abundance, while the Shankh carries the resonance of auspiciousness and protection. This layer celebrates the sacred bond of marriage through traditional pairs of Shankh (Conch), Maach Raas (Fish), and Latpatiya Sugga (Parrots). Together, these motifs glimmer with a story of togetherness, continuity, and shared destiny.
Sandeep Kohli, CEO, Indriya, said,
“At Indriya, we believe in bridal jewellery being deeply personal. Madhuragini is an ode to Bihar’s rich artistic legacy and thoughtfully designed brides who remain rooted to their heritage. Playing to contemporary sensibilities, the collection’s strong center piece and supplementary pret pieces; crafted into 22K gold add to the relevance and traditional appeal to consumers, who have a willingness to invest in gold jewellery, especially keeping in mind its purity, quality and design.”
Shantiswarup Panda, Head of Marketing & Visual Merchandizing, Indriya, added,
“Weddings are a crowning moment in a bride’s journey, and the jewellery she chooses becomes an enduring investment in that defining milestone. With ‘Be the Bride of your Dreams’ our ambition is to carry on rich local heritage for contemporary brides. In Bihar, families and brides remain rooted in local culture and heritage, where every ritual carries deep meaning. With Madhuragini, we draw from the highly regarded Madhubani art, which takes from the celestial union of Lord Ram and Sita; as it stands as one of the most enduring symbols of love and sanctity in India. The collection honours this legacy through modern storytelling and design, allowing brides to connect with their roots in a way that feels both deeply personal and timeless.”
Abhishek Rastogi, Head of Design, Indriya, further added that “Weddings in India are a profound expression of culture, and in Mithila, they begin with art that blesses the union itself. Designing Madhuragini was about translating the intricate storytelling of Madhubani art into fine jewellery. From the sacred Kohbar Ghar murals painted within the marital chamber to the graceful Dulha-Dulhan surrounded by the Baratiyaan, alongside traditional Jodis of Latpatiya Sugga (intertwined parrots), Joda Mor (twin peacocks), Maachh-Raas (dance of the fish), and divine floral motifs like Palash, iconic elements of Madhubani art have been thoughtfully woven and reinterpreted to preserve their symbolism while embracing a refined contemporary aesthetic. The craftsmanship lies in balancing detail with wearability, as it is woven not painted, to create pieces that are not just visually striking but also emotionally resonant for the bride.
Indriya’s regional bridal collections extend this tribute to the diverse cultural tapestries of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, alongside a divine collection of South Temple Jewellery. These pieces are meticulously crafted for the woman who seeks to be the bride of her dreams, honoring her sacred heritage on her most important day. Whether through the regal motifs of the West or the spiritual grace of the South, Indriya ensures every bride wears a masterpiece that resonates with her heritage and makes her heart whisper— dil abhi bhara nahi.
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- By Neel Achary
28, May 2026
Swaranjali Delhi to Organise ‘Shraddhanjali 2026’ in Bhubaneswar on June 20
Bhubaneswar: Renowned cultural organisation Swaranjali Delhi is set to present Shraddhanjali 2026, a special evening dedicated to Guru Late Suramani Bauri Bandhu Sethi, on June 20, 2026, at Gita Govinda Sadan, Jayadev Bhawan, Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar.
The cultural programme, organised in association with Shreyas Webmedia Solutions, which is also the official media partner for the event, will begin at 5 PM and feature an array of classical music and dance performances by eminent artistes and young talents.
The event will showcase an Odissi dance recital by noted artiste Ms. Geet Mullick, while the disciples of Shri Avimanyu Sahoo from Sishuniketan School, Mancheswar, will present a group vocal performance.
Music lovers will also witness a Sitar and Sarod duet by Shri Jeeban Prakash Das and Shri Sandeep Rout. The programme further includes a vocal recital by Smt. Bilambita Banisudha and a solo sitar performance by Shri Subrata De.
The accompanying artistes for the evening include Shri Pran Prakash Das, Shri Lalit Kumar Kar, Shri Kulamani Sahoo and Shri Dhaneswar Ojha. The event will be anchored by Vidwan Shri Alok Das.
Organisers said the event aims to pay tribute to the immense contribution of Guru Late Suramani Bauri Bandhu Sethi towards Indian classical music and culture while bringing together distinguished artistes and audiences on a common cultural platform.
Art enthusiasts, music lovers and members of the cultural fraternity have been cordially invited to attend the programme.
For further details and RSVP, interested persons may contact 9910300319, 8447507053 or 9937001349.
Websites:
www.swaranjali.org
shreyaswebmediasolutions.com
28, May 2026
Established 100 percent bio-based nylon 66 manufacturing technology
Tokyo, Japan, May 28, 2026 – Toray Industries, Inc. and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) have established a first-of-a-kind series of manufacturing technologies for bio-based adipic acid through the fermentation of bio-muconic acid using starch residues and 100% bio-based nylon 66 using it.
As global demand rises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil resources, the chemical industry is increasingly focusing on renewable biomass raw materials that do not compete with food supplies.
Cassava pulp, a residue generated during starch extraction from cassava, can be stably supplied and utilized without encouraging farmland expansion, helping reduce indirect land use change (ILUC) risks.
Demonstration Process Overview
| Engineering Process | Body | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Saccharification | Toray | Produced 5 dry-tons of glucose sugar per day using 66 tons of cassava pulp with ~85% moisture. |
| Fermentation | GC | Produced bio-muconic acid efficiently using proprietary microbial strains in pilot-scale fermenters (~50 m³). |
| Refinement | Toray + GC | Developed technology to refine high-purity bio-muconic acid suitable for conversion into adipic acid. |
| Chemical Conversion | Toray | Converted bio-muconic acid into bio-based adipic acid with purity suitable for nylon 66 polymerization. |
| Polymerization & Fibrosis | Toray | Successfully polymerized and processed nylon 66 fiber on a laboratory scale using bio-based adipic acid and bio-based HMDA. |
Future Plans
- Toray and GC aim to scale production and reduce manufacturing costs.
- Toray plans to establish a supply chain for textile products using 100% bio-based nylon 66 by FY2028.
- The companies will continue collaboration toward biomass-derived material commercialization and a recycling-oriented society.
Government Support
This initiative was supported under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) “FY2023 Supplementary Budget Project for Future-Oriented Co-Creation in the Global South.”
28, May 2026
73 percent of Americans Are Stressed and Many Are Turning to AI, Alcohol, and Social Media to Cope, New National Study Finds
New data from AMFM Healthcare reveals a convergence of financial pressure, sleep disruption, and environmental stressors signaling a shift in how Americans experience and manage mental health
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (May 28, 2026) – AMFM Healthcare on Wednesday released findings from a new national survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, revealing that nearly three in four Americans (72.7%) feel stressed on a regular basis, and that many are turning to a mix of healthy, harmful, and emerging digital behaviors to cope.
The survey found that stress is being driven by a convergence of pressures. More than 82.2% of adults say the cost of living is a major source of stress, while 77.1% report that stress has negatively affected their sleep quality. At the same time, 58.5% say feelings of loneliness have increased, reinforcing broader concerns about how mental health challenges are showing up in everyday life.
The data also points to a less commonly discussed, but increasingly relevant, contributor to mental health strain: environmental conditions. More than half of Americans (53.0%) say weather negatively affects their mental health, suggesting that stress is not only emotional and financial, but also shaped by daily surroundings and lived conditions.
“Stress today isn’t coming from one place, it’s layered,” said Ted Guastello, CEO, AMFM Healthcare. “Financial pressure, poor sleep, and loneliness are already taking a toll, and when environmental factors like weather are added in, it helps explain why stress can feel so persistent and difficult to manage.”
The survey also reveals a shift in how Americans are coping. While 69.2% say they use exercise to manage stress, nearly half (46.7%) report using alcohol or cannabis. Meanwhile, 50.8% say social media increases their stress or anxiety, highlighting how some coping behaviors may actually be making stress worse.
One of the most notable findings is the role of technology in emotional coping. Nearly one in three respondents (31.5%) say they have used AI tools or chatbots to cope with stress, reflecting a growing trend as people look for support that is immediate, accessible, and available around the clock.
“We’re seeing people fill gaps in care however they can,” said Guastello. “AI tools are accessible and available 24/7, which makes them appealing, but they’re not a replacement for human care. This reflects a bigger issue: people are looking for support, but the system isn’t always meeting them where they are.”
To better understand whether stress is being experienced differently across the country, the survey findings were also analyzed by region. The results suggest that while stress is widespread nationwide, the factors shaping it, and the ways people experience it, can vary depending on where they live.
In the Midwest, 60.2% say weather affects their mental health, the highest of any region, alongside widespread sleep disruption (76.7%). In the Northeast, stress appears to be more closely tied to isolation, with the highest reported increase in loneliness (60.6%) and a strong share of respondents (59.6%) also citing weather as a factor.
In the South, stress remains closely connected to financial strain, with 73.4% reporting regular stress and 81.6% citing cost of living as a major source of stress. The region also saw the highest share of respondents (52.1%) saying social media contributes to their stress. In the West, economic pressure is even more pronounced, with a nation-leading 84.3% citing cost of living, alongside elevated digital stress (52.0%) and fewer respondents (47.4%) pointing to weather as a factor.
“These regional differences tell an important story,” added Guastello. “Stress may be a national issue, but it doesn’t look exactly the same everywhere. Where people live, how they connect, and what pressures they face all influence how stress shows up, which is why support needs to be flexible, accessible, and responsive to real-life needs.”
Despite widespread need, many Americans still face barriers to care, including cost, long wait times, and stigma, leaving millions to manage stress on their own.
The AMFM Healthcare Local Stress Forecast surveyed adults 18+ across all 50 states to better understand how stress is evolving, and what it will take to address it.
For more information on AMFM Healthcare’s programs, please visit our websites at amfmtreatment.com, missionprephealthcare.com, and missionconnectionhealthcare.
28, May 2026
Arkade Developers Delivers Strong Fy26 Performance Driven By Robust Pre-sales And Project Pipeline
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Maintained a strong balance sheet with net debt of ₹ 73 Cr and a net debt-to-equity ratio of Rs. 0.08 as on March 31st, 2026.
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Project pipeline comprises an estimated GDV of ₹ 12,800 Cr across approximately 4.25 million sq. ft. of saleable carpet area, providing strong growth visibility.
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Successfully advanced business development initiatives through strategic land acquisitions across key micro-markets in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
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Continued expansion of customer-centric business verticals including Arkade Finroof and Assist 360 to strengthen the overall homeownership ecosystem.
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The company continued to maintain its track record of timely project execution and delivery across ongoing developments.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Amit Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, said: “FY26 has been a year of steady and resilient performance for Arkade Developers, driven by disciplined execution, sustained demand across key MMR micro-markets, and our continued focus on operational excellence. Our performance reflects the growing strength of the Arkade brand and our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality developments that create long-term value for customers and stakeholders alike.
28, May 2026
AAEON to Showcase In-Vehicle Excellence at ITS America Conference & Expo 2026
Make sure to visit AAEON at Booth #1044 for live demos, new products, and more.
Orange, California – May 28: AAEON, an industry-leading provider of edge AI solutions, will present new and upcoming products at ITS America Conference & Expo, an essential event showcasing the technologies and platforms shaping the future of intelligent transportation.
Date: June 9th – 12th, 2026
Booth: #1044
Venue: Hall B, Huntington Place, Detroit, Michigan
The conference, which focuses on shaping a safer, smarter, and more connected future for transportation, will host over 100 conferences and showcase the technological innovations of over 170 exhibitors for attendees from over 23 countries throughout the event.
At booth 1044, AAEON will present a number of platforms particularly suited to the smart transportation sector, the most notable of which being the BOXER-8658AI, an E-Mark certified Fanless PoE Embedded AI System powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX. Alongside this, the BOXER-8646AI, which boasts 12 PoE LAN ports with up to 200 TOPS of AI performance from the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin, will also be shown as a key platform for smart parking and AI-driven ANPR systems.
From its In-vehicle Embedded Box PC lineup, AAEON showcase the VPC-5640S, an E-Mark certified system with integrated GPS, NEO-M9V and G-Sensor support. In addition to these pertinent features, the system also boasts quad PoE LAN ports and a 9V to 36V DC power input range with both circuit protection and ignition delay on/off.
From its single-board and development kit lineup, AAEON will showcase products across form factors, all with proven track records of in-vehicle and intelligent transportation use. These include the Intel Core Ultra processor-powered GENE-MTH6, UP Xtreme ARL and UP Xtreme i14, the latter of which is due to feature in a live AI-driven heart rate monitoring application demonstration. Upcoming embedded boards, powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, will also be on show, including the MIX-PTLWV1, which represents the company’s first Mini-ITX industrial motherboard featuring the platform.
AAEON will also present two video demonstrations in collaboration with Intel. The first will illustrate how smart intersection technology combined with Vision Language Models (VLMs) on AAEON hardware featuring Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors can enable advanced traffic event monitoring. The second will focus on the impact that agentic AI can have on advanced route planning within broader smart city infrastructure.
28, May 2026
Indian Bank partners with OpenText for advanced AI infrastructure & IT Service Management Solutions
Chennai, May 28: Indian Bank announces the adoption of advanced observability and service management from OpenText, a global leader in secure information management for AI, to further strengthen Bank’s digital transformation journey and modernise enterprise-wide IT and service management operations.
The objective of this initiative is to increase efficiency, improve the performance of the information technology infrastructure, and equip the Bank to deal with changing compliance requirements.
With increasing demand for compliance, resilience, and improved customer experience, financial institutions are expected to respond efficiently. Customers are also expecting responses to flow seamlessly and on real-time basis. The OpenText OSM solutions will help the Bank to effectively address challenges and opportunities.
“The OpenText OSM platform brings a transformative approach to IT and regulatory management, positioning Indian Bank for sustained growth in an increasingly digital financial landscape,” said Deepak Sarda, Chief Information Officer and Chief General Manager, Indian Bank. “This initiative will improve operational efficiency while enabling innovation across the IT infrastructure and application ecosystem of the Bank.”
This collaboration reinforces Indian Bank’s commitment to leveraging technology-led transformation to deliver efficient, secure, and customer-centric banking services.
27, May 2026
India’s Global Trade Pivot: Mapping the Regions Powering the Nation’s Economic Rise
India’s trade diplomacy is entering a new era — one defined not by dependence on a single geography, but by diversified economic engagement across multiple global power centres. A recent visual released by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, captures this transformation by highlighting five major regions shaping India’s international trade ecosystem: NAFTA, Europe, ASEAN, NEA (North-East Asia), and WANA (West Asia & North Africa).
Beyond its infographic appeal, the map reflects a deeper economic reality: India is strategically positioning itself as a pivotal node in global supply chains at a time when geopolitical shifts, manufacturing realignments, and energy transitions are redefining world trade.
Trade as Strategic Statecraft
For decades, India’s trade policy was often viewed through the lens of import management and tariff protection. Today, however, trade has become a critical instrument of strategic influence, industrial growth, and geopolitical balancing.
India’s outreach across North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Gulf demonstrates a deliberate “multi-alignment” strategy aimed at:
- Reducing overdependence on any single market
- Strengthening export competitiveness
- Securing energy supplies
- Expanding technology partnerships
- Integrating into resilient global supply chains
This diversification is particularly significant amid growing uncertainties surrounding global manufacturing concentration, protectionism, and geopolitical fragmentation.
North America: India’s Premium Export Corridor
The NAFTA region — led by the United States — continues to serve as India’s most lucrative export destination.
The US remains India’s largest trading partner, driven by robust demand for:
- Information technology services
- Pharmaceuticals
- Engineering goods
- Textiles and apparel
- Electronics and telecom products
India is also benefiting from the “China-plus-one” manufacturing strategy adopted by global corporations seeking alternative sourcing destinations. American firms are increasingly viewing India as a long-term manufacturing and innovation partner, especially in sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, defence, and digital infrastructure.
Trade relations with Canada and Mexico are also expanding, opening opportunities in agriculture, automotive components, and industrial manufacturing.
Europe: Sustainability Meets Commerce
Europe represents more than just a trading partner for India — it is increasingly becoming a technology and sustainability collaborator.
Negotiations surrounding the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement have regained momentum, reflecting mutual strategic interests in:
- Green hydrogen
- Electric mobility
- Climate technologies
- Digital governance
- Advanced manufacturing
European markets continue to offer Indian exporters access to high-value consumers, particularly in pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive components, and engineering products.
At the same time, emerging regulations such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are pushing Indian industries toward cleaner and more sustainable manufacturing practices.
For India Inc., Europe is evolving into both a commercial opportunity and a compliance-driven transformation catalyst.
ASEAN: The Indo-Pacific Growth Engine
ASEAN remains central to India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific ambitions.
The region’s importance lies not only in trade volumes but also in supply-chain integration, maritime connectivity, and strategic geography. Nations such as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia are becoming increasingly important for Indian businesses seeking regional manufacturing ecosystems.
India’s engagement with ASEAN is accelerating in sectors including:
- Electronics assembly
- Digital economy partnerships
- Fintech collaboration
- Logistics and shipping
- Food processing
- Renewable energy
As global companies diversify production bases away from concentrated markets, Southeast Asia and India are emerging as complementary growth hubs rather than competitors.
North-East Asia: Technology and Industrial Partnerships
North-East Asia — particularly Japan and South Korea — plays a foundational role in India’s industrial modernization journey.
Japanese and Korean investments have been instrumental in:
- Automotive manufacturing
- Metro rail infrastructure
- Electronics production
- Industrial corridors
- Smart city development
China, despite geopolitical and strategic tensions, remains deeply embedded in India’s trade matrix through electronics, industrial machinery, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and solar components.
This duality highlights one of India’s biggest economic challenges: balancing supply-chain dependence with national industrial resilience.
India’s growing focus on semiconductor manufacturing, electronics localization, and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes reflects efforts to gradually reduce vulnerabilities while retaining integration with global technology ecosystems.
WANA: Energy Security and Investment Flows
The WANA region — encompassing West Asia and North Africa — remains indispensable to India’s economic stability.
The Gulf economies are among India’s largest suppliers of crude oil and LNG, making the region critical for India’s energy security. Beyond hydrocarbons, however, economic engagement is rapidly diversifying.
Sovereign wealth funds from the UAE and Saudi Arabia are increasingly investing in:
- Infrastructure
- Logistics
- Renewable energy
- Digital platforms
- Retail and consumer sectors
India’s large expatriate workforce in the Gulf also contributes significantly through remittances, creating strong economic interdependence.
The proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) further underlines the region’s growing importance as a logistics and connectivity bridge linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
India’s Emerging Trade Identity
The Department of Commerce’s regional trade map ultimately reflects a broader transformation in India’s economic identity.
India is no longer merely participating in global trade — it is actively shaping its position within the evolving world order. From supply-chain diversification and digital commerce to energy transition and strategic manufacturing, India’s trade policy is increasingly aligned with long-term geopolitical and economic ambitions.
For businesses, this presents substantial opportunities:
- Export market expansion
- Manufacturing relocation
- Technology partnerships
- Infrastructure investments
- Regional supply-chain integration
However, sustaining momentum will require continued reforms in logistics efficiency, regulatory simplification, export competitiveness, and industrial productivity.
Outlook
As global trade undergoes structural realignment, India’s diversified regional engagement strategy may prove to be one of its greatest economic strengths.
The message behind the government’s infographic is clear: India is building not just trade relationships, but a globally interconnected economic architecture designed to support its ambitions of becoming a leading manufacturing, technology, and consumption powerhouse in the decades ahead.
27, May 2026
Transforming Global Food Systems: New Geospatial Innovations Aim to Combat Hunger and Support Agricultural Stability
Strategic Funding Bridges the Gap Between Data and Real-World Action
ST. LOUIS – May 27, 2026 – A new suite of geospatial innovations designed to turn data into actionable intelligence for global food systems was announced today. The Geospatial Innovation for Food Security (GIFS) Challenge has selected three project awardees to develop tools that will aid humanitarian agencies, governments, and agricultural specialists to navigate the complexities of agricultural production, climate variability, and supply chain disruptions.
Launched by Taylor Geospatial, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) for global public benefit, the GIFS Challenge addresses a critical gap in technologies to address food insecurity. While geospatial research is abundant, it often does not align with the problems those on the front lines actually face and stops short of providing usable tools.
“These projects prioritize execution over theory, ensuring that the work functions under the real-world constraints of time, scale, and uncertainty,” said Rachel Opitz, GIFS program manager at Taylor Geospatial. “The GIFS awardees are not just producing research; they are building tools that can be used to manage resources more efficiently and that humanitarian teams in conflict zones can use to identify food system risks before they become crises.”
The selected projects, chosen through a competitive process with external expert review, include:
Early Warning Systems for Hunger & Malnutrition
The United Nations World Food Programme, in partnership with the REACH Initiative, is developing Afghanistan’s PULSE platform (Platform for Understanding Local Shocks and Emergencies). The system tracks hazards affecting food access and supply routes, helping responders plan in environments where ground-level data is often incomplete. This includes combining climate, food security, nutrition and market data to give a complete picture of the on-ground realities.
“AF-PULSE reduces the risk of hunger and malnutrition escalating into famine-like conditions during conflict and disasters by helping prioritize limited resources and reaching communities sooner – ultimately saving lives,” said Raul Cumba, Head of Research, Assessment and Monitoring for WFP Afghanistan. “It is a gamechanger for disaster risk reduction and preparedness, providing crucial insights tailored to local contexts.”
By integrating information and community feedback with GeoAI models trained by rapid assessment feeds, the system can forecast supply chain disruptions and identify alternate transport routes to ensure timely humanitarian response. The researchers’ work focuses on Afghanistan; however, their methodology and outcomes can serve as a template for other countries facing conflict.
Predicting Food System Instability
A collaboration between Arizona State University, the University of Maryland, and Washington University in St. Louis—alongside partners NASA Harvest, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET)—is developing a GeoAI capability to identify early signals of instability in food systems.
“Decision-makers often have to assess food security risks with limited and delayed information about what is happening on the ground,” said Inbal Becker-Reshef, Director of NASA Harvest. “By generating more timely and transparent information, it will help address critical gaps and support organizations working to anticipate emerging food security risks.”
The system aligns in-season satellite-based embeddings with natural-language queries, enabling users to generate accessible, question-driven insights while explicitly communicating uncertainty. For example, a FEWS NET analyst could ask, “Which fields have been prepared?” The tool would generate a map showing likely prepared fields and provide an estimate, such as “about 80% of fields appear prepared,” along with an indication of how confident the system is in that estimate. The framework is designed to lower technical barriers and accelerate innovation across the GeoAI and food security communities.
The project team plans to test the open-source tool in active conflict regions, including Sudan, Ukraine, Syria, and Haiti; however, like AF-PULSE, their findings will be applicable to any active conflict region.
Precision Agriculture
Led by researchers at the University of Missouri in partnership with the MU Extension, this project focuses on “water first” GeoAI model development to improve nitrogen application decisions. By combining satellite imagery and machine learning, the team maps plant-available soil water at sub-field scales. This allows agronomists, farmers, and developers of variable rate application plans to make more accurate nutrient application decisions based on water availability.
“There are no reliable tools that dynamically update estimates of crop nitrogen needed throughout the growing season based on local conditions,” said project lead Tim Haithcoat, Associate Professor in Data Science and Analytics, MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics. “Advancing a system that does that is a win for everybody – better harvests, fewer inputs, healthier ecosystems.”
The initial open-source model is being developed for rainfed arable farms in the US Midwest, focused on claypan soil regions in Missouri and Iowa, and is designed to be adaptable to regions with similar agricultural systems and soils globally.
“What excites us most is that this model doesn’t need to stay proprietary or locked to one region,” said Jasmine Neupane, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Systems Technology at the Digital Agriculture Research and Extension Center. “By designing it to travel—to adapt to different soils and seasons—we’re building something the global agricultural community can eventually use for precision agricultural management.”
The GIFS Challenge awardees represent Taylor Geospatial’s commitment to collaborative innovation, pairing world-class researchers with the practitioners responsible for global food security. All initiatives will now move from the proof-of-concept phase toward full operational deployment during an 18-month period. Each team will receive up to $550K in funding as well as expert guidance and support.
27, May 2026
Zapata’s Harvard Quantum Lab Co-Founders Drs. Cao and Olson Return as CTO and VP of Strategy and Operations
Cao rejoins following tenure as Head of Quantum at BCG X; Olson is one of the few IP attorneys globally who also has a background in theoretical physics
BOSTON, Massachusetts – May 27, 2026 – Zapata Quantum (OTC: ZPTA) (“Zapata,” “Zapata Quantum” or the “Company”), a leader in quantum computing algorithm and application development, today announced the return of two of its co-founders to the Company’s leadership team: Yudong Cao, Ph.D., former Head of Quantum at BCG X, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Jonathan Olson, Ph.D., J.D., as Vice President of Strategy and Operations.
“Yudong and Jonny are pioneers in quantum software and have helped shape the field through foundational work spanning algorithms, applications and intellectual property,” said Sumit Kapur, CEO of Zapata Quantum. “They know first-hand what it takes to translate scientific advances into practical applications, and their decision to return following our restructuring is a powerful validation of both our position and the opportunity ahead.”
Cao rejoins as CTO following his tenure as Head of Quantum at BCG X, a 3,000‑person global tech unit inside Boston Consulting Group. During his prior time at Zapata, he helped develop a significant portion of the Company’s foundational intellectual property portfolio, which today spans more than 60 granted and pending patents across quantum algorithms, optimization, machine learning and software techniques. His work in quantum application research includes Zapata’s quantum-enabled drug discovery study co-authored with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that was recognized as one of Nature Biotechnology’s Top 10 Papers of 2025.
“Quantum computing has made extraordinary progress, but significant work remains in turning technological advances into practical applications,” said Cao. “The next phase of the industry will require software infrastructure that helps organizations identify, develop and deploy quantum applications more effectively, including by leveraging advances in AI and formal verification methods. I’m excited to work alongside Jonny and the broader team to advance that vision.”
Olson rejoins as VP of Strategy and Operations and is one of the few intellectual property attorneys globally with a deep expertise in quantum algorithms and a background as a theoretical physicist. His postdoctoral research at Harvard University focused on quantum computing and machine learning. He also helped Zapata secure the first significant quantum computing appeal before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), establishing an important precedent that expanded the accessibility of quantum algorithm patents.
“I believe Zapata Quantum holds the key to unlocking an entirely new era of developing quantum applications at scale,” said Olson. “Organizations need better infrastructure for evaluating and developing quantum applications in a rigorous and repeatable way. Zapata uniquely combines the scientific leadership, enterprise experience and foundational IP needed to meet that challenge, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
