Technology

Panjab University Earns Copyright for Groundbreaking AI Tool That Reconstructs Faces from Jawbones

Panjab University Earns Copyright for Groundbreaking AI Tool That Reconstructs Faces from Jawbones

Chandigarh (National Times): In a significant leap forward for forensic science, researchers at Panjab University have developed an artificial intelligence-based facial reconstruction system capable of recreating human faces with up to 95% accuracy, using nothing more than the dimensions of the jaw and teeth. This pioneering technology, now officially copyrighted by the Copyright Office of the Government of India, could revolutionize disaster victim identification (DVI) and forensic investigations, especially in scenarios where facial features are damaged or destroyed, such as plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters. The AI models were created by a multidisciplinary team led by Professor Kewal Krishan…
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Google Empowers India’s AI Future with Local Gemini Rollout and Developer-Centric Innovations

Google Empowers India’s AI Future with Local Gemini Rollout and Developer-Centric Innovations

National Times Bureau, July 23, 2025: In a major push to strengthen India's artificial intelligence ecosystem, Google on Wednesday announced a series of India-focused AI and developer initiatives at its flagship Google I/O Connect India 2025 event in Bengaluru. These efforts, company officials said, aim to foster innovation, boost productivity, and support India’s vibrant technology community as it continues to build AI solutions at scale.One of the most significant announcements was the localization of Gemini 2.5 Flash's onshore processing capabilities, offering Indian developers improved AI performance with reduced latency. This move is expected to be a game-changer in regulated sectors…
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Railways to Install CCTV Cameras in Coaches to Enhance Passenger Safety

Railways to Install CCTV Cameras in Coaches to Enhance Passenger Safety

New Delhi (National Times): Following the successful installation of CCTV cameras in passenger coaches, the Railways has decided to install CCTV cameras in all coaches. This move will significantly improve passenger safety. Miscreants and organised gangs take advantage of gullible passengers. With cameras, such incidents will significantly reduce. To preserve the privacy of passengers, CCTV cameras will be installed in the common movement area near the doors. The Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and the Union Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu reviewed the progress of CCTV Cameras’ installation in locomotives and coaches. The meeting held on…
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Over 2,000 Senior NASA Employees Set to Depart Amid Trump Administration’s Budget Cuts, Raising Concerns for Future Missions

Over 2,000 Senior NASA Employees Set to Depart Amid Trump Administration’s Budget Cuts, Raising Concerns for Future Missions

Washington DC, July 10— At least 2,145 senior-ranking employees at NASA are preparing to exit the agency, as the Trump administration pushes forward with plans to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing documents it reviewed.The looming departures are tied to the administration’s proposed budget cuts for NASA, which could slash nearly 25% of the agency’s funding and jeopardize critical space exploration missions.The news follows a letter from the Executive Office of the U.S. President sent in early May to Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Dated May 2, 2025, the letter…
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Tiny loops in Solar Corona can unveil Sun’s hidden explosive secrets

Tiny loops in Solar Corona can unveil Sun’s hidden explosive secrets

New Delhi (National Times): A new breakthrough from astronomers reveals a dazzling world of miniature plasma loops in the lower layers of the Sun's atmosphere. These are so small and short-lived, that they have stayed hidden until now. However, they hold clues to one of the Sun’s deepest mysteries --how it stores and unleashes magnetic energy. While the Sun may appear calm to our eyes, beyond the glowing surface of the Sun lies a much less dense yet highly dynamic atmosphere made of plasma and shaped by magnetic fields. Among the most intriguing features of the Sun’s outer layer are…
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Indian Railways to Launch Upgraded Reservation System with Seat Selection and Early Charting

Indian Railways to Launch Upgraded Reservation System with Seat Selection and Early Charting

New Delhi, June 29, 2025 — Indian Railways is poised to revolutionize its passenger reservation system, offering passengers the option to choose their seats much like in airlines, and rolling out several new digital features by the end of this year.A senior Railway Ministry official said the new system will not only enable seat selection but will also introduce a fare calendar to help travelers make cost-effective choices.“It also has integrated facilities for divyangjan, students, patients, etc.,” the official added.In another significant change, reservation charts currently prepared four hours before a train’s departure will now be finalized eight hours in…
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PM Modi Hails Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS Mission as Milestone for India’s Space Aspirations

PM Modi Hails Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS Mission as Milestone for India’s Space Aspirations

New Delhi, June 28, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke via video link with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, calling his journey a historic step toward India’s future in human space exploration.In a conversation brimming with national pride, chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” echoed on the ISS as Modi praised the Lucknow-born astronaut’s achievement. “You are farthest from India, but closest to the hearts of all Indians,” the Prime Minister told Shukla, emphasizing that his space mission would add momentum…
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Axiom-4 Mission: What the Crew Will Do En Route to the ISS

Axiom-4 Mission: What the Crew Will Do En Route to the ISS

Cape Canaveral (National Times): Following a flawless liftoff and separation, the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission is now en route to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, named Grace. The 28.5-hour journey to the orbital outpost marks a pivotal phase in private space exploration, during which the crew undertakes several critical tasks before docking. Precision Navigation En Route As part of the activation and rendezvous phase, the Dragon capsule will execute a sequence of orbital burns designed to gradually align the vehicle with the ISS gradually. These precision manoeuvres are crucial for ensuring a successful autonomous docking with the…
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Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian to Pilot Private Mission to ISS

Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian to Pilot Private Mission to ISS

New Delhi/Kennedy Space Center, June 25, 2025: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has made history by becoming the first Indian to pilot a commercial spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS), lifting off aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the Axiom Mission 4.Launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 PM IST, the mission includes three other astronauts: mission commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski from Poland, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS on June 26 after a 28-hour journey.Shukla, a decorated test pilot from the Indian…
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Starship Prototype Explodes During Test at SpaceX Starbase

Starship Prototype Explodes During Test at SpaceX Starbase

Texas, June 19, 2025 — A SpaceX Starship prototype exploded late Wednesday at the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, during a routine static fire test, according to the company and local authorities. The incident, which occurred around 11 p.m. local time, produced a massive fireball visible from miles away but resulted in no injuries.SpaceX confirmed that the vehicle had “experienced a major anomaly” while on the test stand in preparation for its tenth planned flight. The company emphasized that a safety perimeter had been in place and personnel were evacuated before the test. Local emergency services were alerted, surrounding roads…
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