Category Archives: News

Over 12.7 Lakh Devotees Visit Kedarnath Dham; Pilgrims Appreciate Improved Facilities

Rudraprayag, June 19: Kedarnath Dham continues to witness a strong spiritual influx this pilgrimage season, with over 12.7 lakh devotees offering prayers at the sacred shrine so far. The steady flow of pilgrims reflects the deep religious significance of the shrine and the growing devotion among visitors from across the country.

Officials managing the pilgrimage arrangements reported that devotees have expressed satisfaction with the improved facilities, crowd management systems, and enhanced infrastructure support provided along the pilgrimage route.

Arrangements including streamlined darshan queues, improved accommodation facilities, medical support units, and better connectivity services have contributed to a smoother and more organized pilgrimage experience this year.

Authorities highlighted that continuous efforts are being made to ensure safety, cleanliness, and efficient movement of pilgrims, particularly during peak visiting hours.

Many devotees appreciated the improved arrangements, noting better coordination, reduced waiting time, and enhanced support services compared to previous years.

The administration reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe, accessible, and spiritually fulfilling experience for all pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Dham.

Union Minister Reviews Power and Urban Development Schemes with Jharkhand Government

Ranchi, June 19: A Union Minister on Thursday held a comprehensive review meeting with the Jharkhand Government to assess the progress of key initiatives in the power sector and urban development schemes across the state.

The review focused on strengthening electricity infrastructure, improving urban service delivery, and accelerating the implementation of centrally supported development programmes aimed at enhancing public utilities and civic amenities.

During the meeting, discussions were held on improving power distribution efficiency, reducing transmission losses, and ensuring reliable electricity supply across both urban and rural regions of Jharkhand.

Urban development initiatives, including housing, sanitation, water supply, and smart city-related projects, were also reviewed with an emphasis on timely execution and improved coordination between central and state agencies.

The Union Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening last-mile service delivery to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach all sections of society, particularly in underserved and remote areas.

State officials briefed the Minister on ongoing projects, implementation challenges, and measures being taken to improve efficiency and project monitoring mechanisms.

Both the Centre and the State reiterated their commitment to enhancing infrastructure development, improving urban living standards, and ensuring sustainable growth through collaborative governance.

President Murmu Hails Madhya Pradesh Sickle Cell Mission as Model for Public Health Outreach

Bhopal, June 19: President Droupadi Murmu has praised the Sickle Cell Mission in Madhya Pradesh, calling it a significant step forward in strengthening early diagnosis, awareness, and treatment of sickle cell disease.

Speaking on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day, the President highlighted that the mission represents a strong model of targeted public health intervention aimed at improving healthcare access in vulnerable and tribal-dominated regions.

She noted that expanded screening programmes, improved diagnostic facilities, and focused awareness campaigns under the initiative are helping in early identification of cases and better management of the disease.

President Murmu emphasized that timely detection and continued treatment support are key to reducing the long-term impact of sickle cell disease. She also underlined the importance of sustained awareness efforts at the community level to ensure wider participation in screening programmes.

The President appreciated the collective efforts of healthcare workers and institutions involved in implementing the mission and reaffirmed the need for continued cooperation between government agencies and communities to strengthen public health outcomes.

India Embraces Wellness Movement with Yoga, Fitness Drives and Marathon Events Ahead of International Yoga Day

New Delhi, June 19: As International Yoga Day approaches, India is witnessing a nationwide wave of wellness activities, with citizens actively participating in yoga sessions, water-based yoga practices, marathon runs, and fitness awareness programmes across cities and towns.

From early morning yoga camps in parks and community spaces to large-scale fitness events, people from all age groups are coming together to promote healthy living and holistic well-being.

Organisers said that the growing participation reflects increasing awareness about physical fitness, mental well-being, and the importance of incorporating wellness practices into daily life. Special sessions focusing on traditional yoga techniques, breathing exercises, and modern fitness routines are being conducted to encourage wider public engagement.

Authorities noted that schools, fitness groups, and local organisations have played a key role in spreading awareness and mobilising participants for these events. The activities are being seen as part of a broader effort to build a healthier and more active society.

With International Yoga Day approaching, the enthusiasm across the country highlights India’s continuing leadership in promoting yoga as a global symbol of unity, discipline, and well-being.

Algorand Foundation Announces Post-Quantum Security Roadmap, Targets Broad Quantum Resilience by 2027

The roadmap covers every layer of the Algorand protocol, from user wallets and developer tooling to consensus mechanisms, with milestones beginning in Q3 2026 and deployment progressing through the end of 2027

DOVER, DELAWARE,  JUNE 19: The Algorand Foundation today announced a comprehensive post-quantum security roadmap, committing to advance broad quantum resilience by the end of 2027, well before NIST deprecates legacy RSA key sizes, and three years ahead of the NSA’s target for national security systems. Every layer of the protocol is included in the roadmap, from user wallets and developer tooling to consensus mechanisms.

Beginning Q3 2026, Algorand will introduce native post-quantum accounts for existing users or developers. Post-quantum account creation will be available directly within the Pera wallet, and all SDKs will be updated accordingly. Later this year, the Foundation will introduce post-quantum multi-signatures and begin migrating its own treasury to post-quantum accounts. Stakers will additionally be able to stake from post-quantum accounts. The roadmap comes four years after Algorand began post-quantum preparations with the deployment of State Proofs signed with the Falcon signature scheme in 2022.

“Post-quantum security cannot be retrofitted after Q-Day,” said Bruno Martins, Chief Technology Officer, Algorand Foundation. “Every institution tokenizing or staking, every developer building, and every user transacting on Algorand needs to know their assets will remain secure should the quantum threat materialize. This roadmap gives them that assurance, starting with concrete deployments in 2026.”

The roadmap addresses the deeper cryptographic layers of the protocol, including post-quantum consensus, a post-quantum Verifiable Random Function (VRF), an active research area in cryptography that Algorand is helping to advance from peer-reviewed research toward production deployment. Algorand is also committing to cryptographic agility and a hybrid approach to post-quantum preparations. Cryptographic agility will enable Algorand to be easily integrated by systems that support multiple signature schemes. A hybrid approach enables accounts to be secured by any combination of keys, providing a robust defense against both classical and post-quantum security risks.

“Migrating a live protocol takes years, and the probability of a quantum attack on legacy cryptography grows meaningfully as the end of this decade approaches,” said Chris Peikert, Chief Scientific Officer, Algorand Foundation. “Algorand’s roadmap deploys advanced, peer-reviewed post-quantum cryptography across every layer of a live production protocol, including the consensus mechanism, at an unprecedented scale.”

The quantum roadmap is being released as Algorand celebrates its seventh anniversary and seven years without downtime. Algorand is building toward broad quantum resilience before the end of next year. Further announcements on individual milestones will be made as development progresses.

India Emerging as Global Growth Engine as Investment Confidence and International Engagement Surge: PM Modi

New Delhi, June 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is increasingly being viewed globally as a rising growth engine, with international engagement, investor confidence, and strategic partnerships witnessing steady expansion across sectors.

He noted that the world is looking at India with renewed optimism and trust, supported by the country’s strong economic fundamentals, consistent policy direction, and expanding opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, digital innovation, and services.

The Prime Minister highlighted that rising foreign investment inflows and deeper global collaborations reflect India’s strengthening position in global supply chains and its growing role in emerging technologies and innovation ecosystems.

He added that India’s development journey is now closely integrated with global economic progress, with increasing participation from international partners in areas such as trade, clean energy, technology, and sustainable development.

According to the Prime Minister, this growing global interest demonstrates that India is not only a major market but also a key driver of future economic growth and innovation worldwide.

Marine Fossils Reveal Baripada’s Ancient Undersea Past

Baripada, June 19(UDN): The discovery of fossilised shark teeth, molluscan shells and other marine remains in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has strengthened scientific evidence that present-day Baripada was once covered by a shallow sea millions of years ago.

Researchers have identified a rich assemblage of marine fossils at a site locally known as Asurahada, scientifically referred to as the Baripada Fossil Bed, situated in the foothill region near Baripada. The fossils are estimated to be between 12.6 million and 8.3 million years old, dating back to the Miocene epoch.

The findings were documented by Dr Debabrata Nandi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Remote Sensing and GIS at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University.

According to Dr Nandi, the fossil-bearing sediments indicate that the region once formed part of a coastal marine basin that supported diverse aquatic life.

“The fossils provide compelling evidence that this area was submerged under a shallow marine environment during the Miocene period, a time marked by major climatic changes, continental shifts and global cooling,” he said.

Among the most significant discoveries are fossilised shark teeth from extinct marine species and a wide variety of well-preserved molluscan shells. Scientists say these remains are helping reconstruct ancient ocean ecosystems and understand long-term changes in climate, sea levels and marine biodiversity.

The discovery has also opened new questions about the geological history of the region, particularly how the coastline gradually retreated to its present position.

“The sea appears to have receded nearly 60 kilometres from present-day Baripada. Understanding whether this happened due to climate change, tectonic activity or other geological processes requires further investigation,” Dr Nandi said.

Researchers believe the Baripada Fossil Bed could become an important geological archive for studying India’s palaeogeographic evolution and evidence of marine transgression in eastern India. The site may also help establish links with similar fossil-bearing formations found elsewhere in the country.

Dr Nandi noted that remote sensing, GIS-based mapping and advanced geospatial analysis played a crucial role in locating and documenting the fossil horizon. By combining field investigations with spatial technology, researchers were able to map fossil distribution and geological features with greater precision.

The discovery has generated significant interest among geologists, palaeontologists and academic institutions, who view it as an important contribution to understanding Odisha’s ancient marine history and the changing geography of eastern India.

India’s Office REITs Penetration Set to Reach 30 pc by 2030: Report

New Delhi, June 19: India’s office real estate investment trust (REIT) market is expected to witness strong expansion, with penetration projected to rise to nearly 30 per cent by 2030, according to a recent industry report.

The growth outlook is being supported by rising demand for Grade-A office spaces, increasing institutional participation, and a continued shift towards transparent and regulated investment structures in commercial real estate.

The report highlights that India’s office real estate sector is benefiting from sustained expansion in key growth segments such as IT services, global capability centres (GCCs), financial services, and emerging startups. This steady demand for modern workspaces is expected to remain a key driver for REIT growth over the coming years.

It further notes that REITs are helping formalise the commercial real estate market by improving transparency, enhancing liquidity, and enabling wider investor participation. The structure also allows investors access to stable rental income and professionally managed real estate assets.

Industry experts believe that the projected increase in REIT penetration reflects growing investor confidence and the strengthening of India’s commercial property ecosystem. Improved regulatory clarity and institutional-grade asset availability are also contributing to this positive outlook.

With continued urbanisation and corporate expansion, India’s office REIT segment is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the country’s real estate investment landscape.

The report concludes that India’s office REIT market remains well-positioned for sustained long-term growth, aligning with global standards of real estate investment.

Rajasthan Weather Alert: Storms and Rain Expected

Jaipur, June 19: A fresh western disturbance is set to influence weather conditions across Rajasthan over the next few days, bringing increased cloud cover, thunderstorms, and chances of light to moderate rainfall in several parts of the state.

Meteorological assessments indicate a shift from prevailing hot and dry conditions to a more unstable weather pattern. The system is expected to affect both eastern and western regions, leading to fluctuating temperatures and localized weather activity.

Some areas may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds, while isolated pockets could also witness dust storms due to dry surface conditions in western districts. The intensity and distribution of rainfall are likely to vary across regions.

The incoming weather system is expected to provide partial relief from heat conditions in several districts, with daytime temperatures likely to remain comparatively moderate due to increased cloud cover.

Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious during thunderstorm activity, avoid open areas during lightning, and secure loose objects in view of strong winds. Farmers have also been urged to take precautions to protect crops and stored produce.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is closely monitoring the system and will issue updated forecasts as conditions evolve.

Overall, Rajasthan is expected to remain under active weather influence over the coming days, with intermittent spells of rain, wind, and cloud development.

UAH Researchers Discover Ultrasound-Based Approach That May Help Reduce Harmful Inflammation and Support Joint Healing

By:-Russ Nelson

With an aging population experiencing joint pain and inflammation at an all-time high, researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, have published new findings that suggest continuous low-intensity ultrasound may help shift the body’s immune response from prolonged inflammation toward tissue repair, a discovery that could eventually contribute to novel treatments for joint injuries and post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

The study, published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, was conducted by a multidisciplinary team of UAH researchers under the leadership of Dr. Anuradha Subramanian, professor of chemical and materials engineering. The work brought together biological experimentation conducted by Dr. Shahid Khan as part of his doctoral work with computational and statistical methods developed by Dr. Satyaki Roy, professor of mathematical sciences, along with additional contributions from graduate student Owen Trippany. The research was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health through an R01 grant awarded to Dr. Anuradha Subramanian.

The research examines how a non-invasive form of ultrasound affects macrophages, specialized immune cells that play a central role in both inflammation and healing.

“Following injury, the body recruits inflammatory ‘defender’ macrophages (M1) to clear damaged tissue and healer macrophages (M2) to support repair and recovery,” Subramanian explains. “Persistent dominance of defender macrophages can create a prolonged inflammatory environment that contributes to post-traumatic osteoarthritis.”

The UAH team investigated whether continuous low-intensity ultrasound could encourage macrophages to move away from this prolonged inflammatory state and toward one associated with tissue repair.

“In an ‘M1’ state, microphages promote inflammation to fight damage or infection, but prolonged M1 activity can also harm healthy tissue,” Subramanian notes. “In contrast, ‘M2-like’ macrophages support tissue repair and recovery. Shifting macrophages toward an M2-like state is important, because it may help reduce chronic inflammation while encouraging healing in damaged joints. Our findings suggest that continuous low-intensity ultrasound may help restore this balance by promoting a more reparative macrophage response.”

“Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is driven in part by persistent inflammation that limits tissue repair and accelerates joint degeneration,” Roy adds. “Our team is interested in continuous low-intensity ultrasound because it offers a non-pharmacological, non-invasive approach that may help regulate immune cell behavior and promote a more reparative healing environment in injured joints.”

To better replicate what happens after a joint injury, the researchers used fibronectin fragments – molecules produced during tissue breakdown – rather than relying solely on traditional laboratory methods used to trigger inflammation. This innovation allowed the team to create a model that more closely resembles the biological environment inside an injured joint.

To support the study, Roy combined “transcriptomics,” the large-scale analysis of gene activity, with an advanced computational technique termed as “differential clustering.” This technique provides a way to find groups of genes that behave similarly when something changes, rather than just grouping genes that look similar in general. Instead of examining individual genes in isolation, the approach allowed researchers to identify coordinated changes across groups of genes, providing a broader view of how immune cells respond to ultrasound treatment.

“This allowed us to study not only which genes changed, but also how groups of genes changed their coordinated behavior in response to ultrasound stimulation,” Roy says.

The results showed that continuous low-intensity ultrasound reduced markers associated with inflammation while increasing markers linked to a more reparative, M2-like macrophage state.

While the work remains at the laboratory research stage, the findings highlight the potential of non-drug, non-invasive technologies to influence immune behavior and support healing after injury. The researchers believe the approach could ultimately complement future therapies aimed at slowing the progression of osteoarthritis and improving recovery following joint trauma.

“The next steps will involve validating these findings in animal models of early post-traumatic osteoarthritis and studying how ultrasound-based modulation affects long-term tissue repair in joint injury settings,” Subramanian says.