Category Archives: News

Over 3,000 Enumerators Deployed as Door-to-Door Census Begins in Odisha Capital

Bhubaneswar, Apr 17 (BNP): A door-to-door, digital-first census exercise has begun in Bhubaneswar and across Odisha, marking the next phase of preparations for Census 2027 after the completion of the self-enumeration process earlier this month.

The self-enumeration phase, conducted from April 1 to 15, saw participation from over two lakh residents who filled out detailed forms covering 33 questions. Authorities have now deployed more than 3,000 enumerators to carry out door-to-door verification and collect additional information from households that were not covered earlier.

Mayor Sulochana Das said the exercise is aimed at building a comprehensive and accurate database that reflects the city’s social and economic realities. The information gathered will play a crucial role in shaping future development plans and welfare initiatives.

She urged residents to cooperate fully with enumerators and ensure that the details they provide are accurate. According to her, the success of the census depends heavily on public participation, as the data collected will directly influence government policies and planning.

Officials noted that while the digital self-enumeration option received a strong response, a significant number of households are yet to be covered, making the door-to-door campaign essential.

Census 2027 will be India’s 16th national census and the eighth since Independence. It is also the first to introduce a digital self-enumeration feature, reflecting a broader shift towards technology-driven governance.

ETRI Develops Ultra-Lightweight Elastic Suit Weighing Under 1kg

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that it has developed an ultra-lightweight wearable assistive device based on a tensegrity structure to help the physical activities of the elderly, rehabilitation patients, and workers, and confirmed the effect of improving physical functions through clinical trials.

The elastic suit developed by the researchers this time was designed to solve the weight, price, and wearing burden problems of existing wearable robots. It is notable that the device is designed to deliver a sub-1kg lightweight wearing experience, affordability, and sufficient physical assistive functions.

The tensegrity structure applied to the elastic suit by the researchers helps the suit maintain a stable shape through a balance of tension and structural integrity, which is similar to how umbrellas or tents secure a stable structure through light strings and frames.

ETRI applied this principle to human assistive devices to naturally and smoothly support the spine and lower limbs, successfully reducing the user’s physical burden in basic daily movements such as sitting and standing, walking, and lifting objects.

In particular, this technology promotes efficient movement by naturally assisting balance at necessary moments without hindering the user’s movement, and assists the muscle strength and endurance of users with reduced physical functions.

Dr. Shin Hochul of the ETRI Human Enhancement & Assistive Technology Research Section, who is developing this technology, explained,

“This technology was inspired by the musculoskeletal structure of the human body, and it is a platform that can be expanded from passive products under 1kg to active systems equipped with motors and AI.”

ETRI conducted clinical trials on 20 elderly people aged 65 and older or people with physical disabilities in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Chungbuk National University Hospital to verify the effectiveness of the elastic suit. The joint research team analyzed major physical functions such as walking speed and balance, lower limb muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance before and after wearing.

The result showed that walking speed increased by approximately 14%, the time taken to carry objects was reduced by about 22%, and stair climbing and descending time by about 18%. The ability to perform sit-to-stand, which indicates lower limb muscle strength, improved by about 40%, and walking distance, an indicator of cardiorespiratory endurance, also increased by about 9%, confirming the overall physical function improvement effect. In addition, high satisfaction was shown in subjective survey results such as wearing effect, perceived weight, and structural safety.

Professor Kong Hyunho of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Chungbuk National University Hospital, who was in charge of the clinical trial, said,

“The elastic structure naturally supports movement and balance, so a significant improvement effect seems to have appeared especially for the elderly with reduced physical functions. Going forward, we plan to further optimize the auxiliary effect through customized designs tailored to the degree of disability and body type. The results of this study will be an important basis leading to the possibility of various clinical applications such as walking assistance for the elderly and rehabilitation training.”

Based on this elastic suit technology, ETRI is currently preparing for actual use tests of the elastic suit at various sites such as elderly rehabilitation centers, day care centers, and industrial sites. Furthermore, it plans to promote commercialization in the future to contribute to solving medical, care, and labor environment problems faced by an ultra-aging society.

ECI Starts EVM Commissioning Ahead of April 23 Assembly Polls

New Delhi, April 17 (BNP): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has commenced the commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units for constituencies going to polls in the first phase on April 23, officials said on Thursday.

The commissioning process began across various constituencies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I) in the presence of candidates, their authorised representatives, and General Observers, ensuring transparency in poll preparations.

According to the ECI, the commissioning will be followed by mock polls, where 1,000 votes will be cast in 5 per cent of randomly selected EVMs. Candidates or their representatives will also be allowed to conduct mock polls themselves.

Ahead of commissioning, EVMs and VVPATs were allocated to polling stations through a two-stage randomisation process using the EVM Management System (EMS). In the first stage, machines were distributed from district warehouses to assembly constituencies, and in the second stage, from constituencies to individual polling stations.

Officials said Tamil Nadu has a total of 75,064 polling stations, while 44,378 polling stations in West Bengal will go to polls in the first phase on April 23.

The first randomisation was carried out by District Election Officers (DEOs) in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties, while the second randomisation was conducted by Returning Officers (ROs) with candidates, their agents, and General Observers present.

Lists of allocated EVMs and VVPATs were shared with political parties and candidates at each stage. The machines have since been securely stored in designated strong rooms under the supervision of stakeholders, the Commission added.

The commissioning exercise is part of preparations for the ongoing General Elections to Legislative Assemblies in several states and accompanying bye-elections scheduled this year.

AMPP to Host Webcast Highlighting India’s Role in Advancing Maritime Safety, Sustainability, and Global Trade Resilience

Two-hour session features India-based experts addressing corrosion control, decarbonization, and evolving regulatory challenges in global shipping

Maharashtra, India – (April 17, 2026) — As global shipping faces increasing pressure from decarbonization mandates, aging fleets, and supply chain disruptions, maritime experts from India are playing a growing role in shaping how the industry responds to these challenges.

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the world’s leading authority on corrosion control and protective coatings, will host an upcoming webcast focused on strengthening safety, sustainability, and operational resilience across the global commercial maritime industry—featuring a strong lineup of India-based experts.

The event, “Corrosion, Safety, and Sustainability in Commercial Maritime,” will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EDT (6:30 p.m. IST). In this two-hour session, global industry experts, including leaders from India’s maritime, engineering, and training sectors, will examine how shipowners, operators, port authorities, and supply-chain partners can address evolving challenges and advance modern, sustainable practices. The session brings together perspectives from engineering, operations, and maritime training to provide practical, real-world approaches to today’s most pressing industry challenges.

With approximately 90% of international trade moving by sea, ship reliability and performance are critical to global commerce. As India continues to expand its maritime capabilities and global footprint, experts from across the country are contributing to key discussions on asset integrity, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability in commercial shipping.

Speakers include:

•         Dylan Goddard, Coating Performance Specialist, Seaspan
•         Venkatraman Sheshashayee, Executive Chairman, Shipworkz Marine Services LLC
•         Capt. RKP Sinha, Co-Founder & Director, Marine Solutionz Group
•         Rishabh Jangra, Senior Engineer, American Bureau of Shipping
•         Dr. (Captain) Suresh Bhardwaj, Director & Principal, MASSA Maritime Academy, Chennai

 Attendees will gain insights into:

•         Decarbonization strategies and port-led green transitions
•         Maritime security frameworks and risk mitigation
•         Seafarer wellbeing and workforce considerations
•         Practical implementation of evolving International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations
•        Ongoing modernization efforts across commercial maritime operations

“Commercial maritime operations are facing a convergence of pressures, from stricter environmental regulations to increasing demands on global supply chains,” said Jennifer Merck, Vice President of Maritime and Defense at AMPP. “Corrosion control is not a maintenance issue. It’s a reliability and risk issue that directly impacts safety, operational continuity, and long-term sustainability.”

As regulatory requirements evolve and global trade demands intensify, industry stakeholders must align technical practices with broader operational goals. Corrosion prevention plays a critical role in extending asset life, reducing unplanned downtime, and supporting compliance with environmental standards.

Register to gain practical insights from global maritime experts and stay ahead of evolving regulatory and operational demands.

To learn more and register, visit: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5274653/8E575277B915AA579A28F6F7E002F41B?partnerref=AMPPWeb

TAU Systems joins RADNEXT 2030 network to expand global access to radiation effects testing

Carlsbad, California. 17th April 2026: TAU Systems, the pioneer in compact laser-powered accelerator technology, today announced it has joined RADNEXT 2030, a European initiative coordinated by CERN that provides access to world-class radiation testing infrastructures for electronics. As a network member, TAU Systems will open its TAU Labs facility in California to European researchers and industry testers, supported by a dedicated allocation of European funding to subsidize test time for qualifying users.

RADNEXT 2030 is being developed in response to the Horizon Europe programme and unites a network of accelerator-based and complementary testing facilities across Europe and beyond. The initiative enables researchers, industry users, and early-stage innovators to test and better understand the effects of radiation on electronics for applications in space, automotive, communications, energy, and quantum technologies.

TAU Systems’ inclusion in the network, as its only US-based test facility, reflects the growing recognition of laser-powered accelerators as a credible and commercially accessible complement to traditional large-scale facilities. TAU Labs in Carlsbad, California, the world’s first commercial laser-powered accelerator center, is capable of generating high-energy particle beams to replicate real-world radiation environments with high precision, repeatability, and flexibility. The facility offers beamtime-as-a-service for Single Event Effects (SEE) testing for space, defense, semiconductor, and industrial electronics.

“Joining the RADNEXT 2030 network is a significant milestone for TAU Systems and for the future of radiation testing,” said Jerome Paye, CEO of TAU Systems. “There is a serious global bottleneck in access to radiation testing infrastructure, and Europe in particular is working hard to address that gap. Being part of this network means European researchers and companies can now access our unique laser-powered accelerator capabilities, backed by European funding, and without the long wait times that have traditionally held the industry back. We are proud to contribute to this important initiative and to work alongside some of the world’s leading testing facilities.”

Rubén García Alía, RADNEXT Project Coordinator, CERN, said:  “Given the overall scarcity of heavy-ion SEE testing beam time, as well as the physical anti-correlation between the energy of a heavy ion and its capability of generating failures in electronics, alternative testing approaches such as the one proposed by TAU Systems need to be explored and carefully validated. Space electronics testing requires very high levels of accuracy and reproducibility, and therefore a thorough benchmarking of the proposed technique – as planned within the framework of the RADNEXT 2030 activities on this topic – will be of great relevance and impact for the radiation effects community. We are therefore delighted to welcome TAU Systems as a key partner in the RADNEXT 2030 international facility network.”

TAU’s technology is particularly well-suited to Single Event Effects testing, providing electron beams that effectively simulate the cosmic radiation environment encountered by space-bound and safety-critical electronics.

The RADNEXT 2030 project is targeted to run from June 2026 through May 2030.

Odisha Signs MoU for Marine Spatial Plan to Boost Coastal Development

Chef Vikas Khanna Named in TIME 100 Most Influential People List

Pakistan Army Chief Visits Iran as Peace Efforts Intensify in Middle East

Tehran, April 16(BNP): In a crucial diplomatic move aimed at stabilising the Middle East, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, leading a high-level political and security delegation.

The visit comes at a critical juncture as Pakistan steps up its role as a key mediator between the United States and Iran, with efforts underway to sustain a fragile ceasefire and revive stalled negotiations.

Field Marshal Munir, accompanied by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and senior officials, was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The delegation is expected to engage in high-level discussions focused on de-escalation and diplomatic coordination.

According to sources, the primary objectives of the visit include conveying a fresh framework from Washington aimed at breaking the deadlock following the recent Islamabad talks held on April 11–12. Another key focus is to ensure the continuation of the two-week ceasefire brokered on April 8, which is set to expire on April 22.

The visit also aims to lay the groundwork for a second round of high-level negotiations, which are likely to be hosted in Islamabad in the coming days.

The renewed diplomatic push follows weeks of heightened tensions in the region since late February. While earlier direct talks between US and Iranian officials extended over several hours, key issues—particularly Iran’s nuclear programme and the strategic Strait of Hormuz—remain unresolved.

Pakistan’s mediation efforts are being closely watched as regional and global stakeholders seek to prevent further escalation and work towards a sustainable peace framework.

Iranian Oil Tanker with 2 Million Barrels Arrives Near Gujarat Without Buyer

New Delhi/Gujarat, April 16(BNP): In a curious development amid ongoing US restrictions on Iran’s oil exports, an Iranian tanker carrying an estimated 2 million barrels of crude oil arrived near the Gujarat coast on Tuesday without a declared buyer or destination.

According to ship-tracking data and industry sources, the vessel appeared unannounced, raising questions over its intended offloading and potential buyers.

The development comes even as India has recently resumed limited procurement of Iranian crude following a US sanctions waiver issued last month, which permitted the sale of oil that had already been loaded on tankers prior to the specified cut-off date.

However, sources indicated that Indian refiners are unlikely to lift the cargo from this particular tanker, as it is believed to have been loaded after the waiver deadline, making it ineligible under the relaxed sanctions framework.

The situation underscores the complexities of global oil trade amid geopolitical tensions and regulatory restrictions, with uncertainty continuing over the tanker’s final destination.

New Study Ranks Hawaiian Monk Seal As Marine Mammal Most at Risk of Extinction from Plastic Pollution

3 in 4 Marine Mammals Most at Risk from Plastic Pollution Already Recognized as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered

WASHINGTON (Apr 16) – A new study released in Conservation Biology today and co-authored by scientists at Ocean Conservancy, Arizona State University and Shaw Institute is the first to rank marine mammals based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution (any plastic piece larger than 5mm, roughly the width of a pencil eraser). 

The study, A global ranking of the relative vulnerability of marine mammals to macroplastic pollution, found that Hawaiian monk seals, African manatees, Australian sea lions, vaquita porpoises, and Mediterranean monk seals are the five marine mammals most at risk of population declines from plastics ingestion or entanglement. When the results are assessed at the level of order instead of individual species, sirenians, which include manatees and dugongs, are the most vulnerable to plastic pollution.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies 125 species as marine mammals, of which 8 were excluded from the study because they live primarily in freshwater habitats (like hippopotamuses) or live most of their life on land (like polar bears). Of the 117 marine mammals evaluated, more than 1 in 3 are red-listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered according to the IUCN; and of the 22 marine mammals in the highest-risk group, 17 are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. 

“All marine mammals are affected by plastic pollution, but we wanted to understand: which ones should we be most worried about? Which populations are most at risk?” said Dr. Erin Murphy, Ocean Conservancy’s manager of ocean plastic research and co-author of the study. “Knowing the answer to these questions can guide our efforts and add urgency where it’s needed most.”

To get their results, the researchers scored species according to 11 different traits reflecting the animals’ likelihood of exposure, relative sensitivity to plastics, and population resilience (the ability to bounce back from stressors); then ranked their vulnerability as high, medium-high, medium, medium-low and low. 

The following specific species across mammal types and geographies landed on the highest risk list:

Hawaiian monk seal 
African manatee 
Australian sea lion
Vaquita (porpoise) 
Mediterranean monk seal
West Indian (Florida) manatee 
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin
Sei whale 
North Atlantic right whale
Hector’s dolphin
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin
Dugong 
Gray whale 
North Pacific right whale
Irrawaddy dolphin
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Atlantic humpback dolphin
Risso’s dolphin 
Common bottlenose dolphin
Baird’s beaked whale 
Arnoux’s beaked whale
Indo-Pacific finless porpoise

“It is not surprising that Hawaiian monk seals emerged at the top of this list because they are curious fish-eaters that have been found tangled in fishing gear,” said Murphy. “They also have a small population located near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, exposing them to a lot of plastic. Local organizations have been conducting targeted debris removal programs to help protect the Hawaiian monk seal, and studies have shown that this has helped the population rebound. This gives us a lot of hope for how to protect the species at the top of the list.”

Murphy, alongside Ocean Conservancy colleagues Dr. Britta Baechler and Nicholas Mallos, co-authored a complementary study published in November 2025 that quantified the extent to which a range of plastic types result in the death of seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals that consume them. Drawing on data from more than 10,000 necropsies, or animal autopsies, the study found that even relatively small amounts of plastics can be deadly when ingested: ingesting less than a sixth of a soccer ball’s worth of plastics kills one in two harbor porpoises, the smallest of marine mammal species. Out of approximately 7,000 marine mammals in the study that had plastics in their guts at their time of death, 72% had consumed fishing debris, 10% soft plastics, 5% rubber, 3% hard plastics, 2% foam, and 0.7% synthetic cloth.

“You can’t fix a problem you don’t understand and that’s why Ocean Conservancy is committed to not only solving the ocean plastics crisis through prevention and cleanup but also advancing research,” said Dr. Britta Baechler, Ocean Conservancy’s director of ocean plastics research. “And it’s been energizing to see the impact our research has made, from inspiring volunteers to influencing policymakers to take action.”

An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastics enter the ocean each year, the equivalent of one garbage truck’s worth every minute. In addition to conducting original plastics research, Ocean Conservancy advocates for solutions to plastic pollution that prevent it from reaching beaches and waterways in the first place. Ocean Conservancy has advocated for policies at the local, state, federal and international levels such as California’s SB54, Florida’s balloon release ban, the Farewell to Foam Act, the UN Plastics Treaty and more. Ocean Conservancy is also home to the International Coastal Cleanup® – the largest single day beach and waterway cleanup in the world, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of volunteers annually to remove millions of pounds of trash – and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative™, the largest international alliance dedicated to solving the issue of lost or abandoned fishing gear, also known as ghost gear, which is pound for pound the deadliest form of plastic pollution to marine life.