A team led by an Indian-origin engineer has built a camera prototype that can capture a detailed micron-resolution image from a distance and does that without using a long lens.

The prototype built and tested by engineers at US-based Rice and Northwestern universities uses a laser and techniques borrowed from holography, microscopy and "Matrix"-style bullet time.

It reads a spot illuminated by a laser and captures the "speckle" pattern with a camera sensor. 

Raw data from dozens of camera positions is fed to a computer programme that interprets it and constructs a high-resolution image.

The system known as SAVI — "Synthetic Apertures for long-range, subdiffraction-limited Visible Imaging" — only works with coherent illumination sources such as lasers.

"Today, the technology can be applied only to coherent (laser) light," said Ashok Veeraraghavan, a Rice University Assistant Professor of electrical and computer engineering, in a statement.

"That means you cannot apply these techniques to take pictures outdoors and improve resolution for sunlit images — as yet. Our hope is that one day, maybe a decade from now, we will have that ability," he added.

The technology is the subject of an open-access paper in Science Advances.

Labs led by Veeraraghavan tested the device that compares interference patterns between multiple speckled images.

Veeraraghavan explained the speckles serve as reference beams and essentially replace one of the two beams used to create holograms. 

When a laser illuminates a rough surface, the viewer sees grain-like speckles in the dot. That's because some of the returning light scattered from points on the surface has farther to go and throws the collective wave out of phase. 

SAVI's "synthetic aperture" sidesteps the problem by replacing a long lens with a computer programme that resolves the speckle data into an image. 

"You can capture interference patterns from a fair distance. How far depends on how strong the laser is and how far away you can illuminate," Veeraraghavan added.

Unveiling its manifesto for the Delhi municipal polls, the BJP on Sunday promised social security for the unorganised sector, ownership rights for autorickshaw drivers, and more modern schools, among other things.

In its manifesto, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) announced it would give relief to the street vendors and small traders and others from the unorganised sector by providing them with a 'social security card', enabling them to avail of insurance, education, and health facilities through it. 

The scheme, it said, will include autorickshaw drivers, daily-wage labourers, factory workers, domestic helps, and other weaker sections of society. 

Focussing on the autorickshaw-drivers of Delhi, the manifesto promised to devise a scheme to get ownership rights to them. 

It also promised to simplify rules for availing of bank loans and for registration process to make 'battery-driven' electric rickshaws more accessible to drivers. 

The party also promised to increase the number of 'Model schools' in the city and vowed to bring government schools up to the level of public and private schools. Every school will have water-purifiers and CCTV cameras, it said.

On the health front, the party envisioned a "permanent health card" for inhabitants to avail of medical facilities at the hospitals. 

Complete eradication of whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, and measles from the capital city through vaccination and immunisation programme was also assured to the city. 

Hundreds of freedom fighters from across the country started arriving here on Sunday to be honoured by President Pranab Mukherjee on April 17 to mark the ongoing year-long centenary celebrations of the Champaran Satyagraha, officials said.

"Hundreds of freedom fighters from different states have started arriving in Patna to be honoured by President Pranab Mukherjee on April 17 at the felicitation ceremony as part of centenary celebrations of Mahatama Gandhi's Champaran satyagraha," Vinodanand Jha, an official of the state education department, said.

Jha said that while some freedom fighters have arrived here on April 15, others will arrive on Sunday. "Most of the freedom fighters would reach here by Sunday night."

According to Jha, freedom fighters from 19 states — including Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi — would be honoured by the President.

In all, 2,972 freedom fighters from across the country, including Bihar, would be honoured. "As per the plan, 264 freedom fighters from 19 states and 554 selected of 2,708 freedom fighters of Bihar will be honoured by the President," Jha said.

The year-long celebrations to mark the 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi's first major resistance against British rule, popularly known as the Champaran Satyagraha, began last week in Bihar.

Mahatma Gandhi launched his Satyagraha — a non-violent agitation — against the forced cultivation of indigo by the British rulers in Champaran district in Bihar on April 10, 1917.
 

Multiple sound cuts forced rock band Radiohead to walk off Coachella's main stage twice.

The sound glitches began only three songs into the band's set, but grew much worse during 15 Step cutting out the final two minutes of the track, reported Variety.

The band, composed of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway, then left the stage, only to return and have the same problem recur when they started performing Let Down.

They eventually returned, but even the frontman Yorke seemed uncertain of the rest of the night.

“Can you actually hear me. I'd like to tell a joke to lighten the mood. But we're Radiohead so f it,” he said.

A 10-men Bayer Leverkusen held leaders Bayern Munich to a goalless draw that saw the Bavarians' lead at the top of the Bundesliga football championship reduced to eight points.

Bayern, who on Saturday saw second-placed Leipzig crush Freiburg 4-0, controlled the proceedings on the pitch but they lacked in accuracy to overcome Bayer Leverkusen's well-positioned defense, reports Xinhua news agency.

Carlo Ancelotti's men should have grabbed the lead after the restart as Leverkusen's Tin Jedvaj saw his second yellow card to receive his marching order after 59 minutes.

Despite one man down, Leverkusen stood firm and denied Bayern three points as neither Thomas Mueller nor Philipp Lahm were able to tap home one of the plenty opportunities.

With the draw, Bayern stay atop the standings with 69 points, and an eight-point advantage to Leipzig, while Leverkusen jump on the 11th place of the Bundesliga standings.

Leipzig ensured that they will definitely play in the UEFA Champions League next season as they crushed Freiburg 4-0 to wrap up the 19th victory of the season.

With five games to spare, second placed Leipzig sit 18 points ahead of fifth placed Berlin and have a guaranteed top-four finish, which ensures at least the UEFA Champions League's play-off round.

Elsewhere, Hoffenheim defended their third place after beating resilient Monchengladbach 5-3 thanks to the brace from Adam Szalai.

Fourth placed Borussia Dortmund edged Frankfurt 3-1 to return to winning ways.

Mainz ended their five-game losing streak with a 1-0 victory over fifth placed Hertha Berlin, who suffered the eighth consecutive defeat on the road.

Augsburg downed Cologne 2-1 with two first half goals and Wolfsburg overcame relegation threatened Ingolstadt 3-0.

Cash and ATM management companies will soon be allowed to attract 100 per cent foreign direct investment as they are not required to comply with the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act (PSARA).

A clarification to this effect is likely to be issued by the home ministry shortly.

The clarification will be against the backdrop of the confusion among firms in cash and ATM management relating to compliance with the Act, under which they can receive FDI only up to 49 per cent.

The issue was discussed at a meeting convened by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) last month.

“In that meeting, it was decided that the home ministry would be asked to issue a clarification that these companies will not have to comply with PSARA and would be eligible to attract 100 per cent FDI,” an official said.

There are about a dozen cash management players in the country, including Writer Safeguard, SIS Securitas, CMS, Secure Value, Logicash, Brinks Arya, Securitrans and Scientific Security Management Services.

According to experts, companies managing cash for banks have so far been caught in a policy tangle, with the home ministry insisting that 100 per cent FDI could not be allowed for them if they provide private security guards or armoured vehicles.

Companies that make devices such as currency authenticators and sorting and currency counting machines will also benefit from this clarification, they added. Several players, including TVS Electronics and ITI, are in such businesses.
Cash Management companies handle over Rs.40,000 crore of cash per day.

The government in 2015 permitted 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route for white label ATM operations with an aim to promote financial inclusion.

FDI into the country grew 22 per cent to $35.85 billion during April-December of 2016-17.

Foreign investment is considered crucial for India, which needs around $1 trillion for overhauling its infrastructure such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth.

A strong inflow of foreign investments also helps improve balance of payments and strengthen the rupee against other global currencies, especially the dollar.

Two goals and an assist by Lionel Messi were what the doctor ordered to keep Barcelona alive for the La Liga football title in a 3-2 win over Real Sociedad, while Atletico Madrid strengthened their grip on the third spot with a routine 3-0 win at home against Osasuna.

The first half on Saturday between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou stadium was crazy with all five goals coming in the first 45 minutes play and with the visitors playing good football and managing to stay in contention for at least a draw until the final whistle, reports Efe.

It was Messi who got the home team on the board first in the 17th minute with a mighty and spot-on blast from distance into the lower right corner of the net. 

He followed it up 19 minutes later with a second strike when Luis Suarez fired a shot on goal that came right to Messi, who deftly kept the ball before him and pushed it past the Geronimo Rulli.

Inigo Martinez knocked the ball across the mouth of the net and off of Samuel Umtiti's arm and into the net for an own goal just three minutes before halftime.

Two minutes later, after Sergio Busquets set things up, Messi popped one through to Paco Alcacer, who beat Rulli for another home tally.

Just moments before the break, Xabi Prieto landed another tally for the 3-2 result on a great augmentation of a William Jose pass for Real Sociedad, thus getting all the scoring in before the break.

Although Barcelona had triumphed over Sevilla and Valencia recently, they had come up luckless against Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga. Now, with Real Madrid still three points out in front of the Catalan squad in the title race, and one game up, Luis Enrique's men are battling against the clock when it comes to cementing their third consecutive Spanish First Division title.

Real Madrid defeated Sporting Gijon 3-2 earlier on Saturday, transforming what seemed like a certain draw into a win on Isco's extra-time tally.

Next weekend, Barcelona will go up against Real Madrid in El Clasico in Madrid, with a Catalan win putting them tied with the capital squad on points. On the other hand, a win by the leaders would be all she wrote for Barcelona's title hopes this year.

In Madrid, Atletico rode on two goals from Yannick Carrasco and Felipe Luis against Osasuna who failed to muster a shot on target.

The anecdote of the game were two late penalty saves from Osasuna keeper Salvatore Sirigu, who denied Carrasco's hat-trick and then stopped a second penalty from Thomas Partey to prevent Atletico winning by a bigger margin.

The day kicked off with second half goals from Joselu and Pedro Mosquera giving Deportivo la Coruna a win to lift them well clear of the relegation zone and just about assure their place in the La Liga next season.
 

Pakistani is yet to receive copies of the Pakistani chargesheet against alleged spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and the copy of the judgment sentencing him to death, informed sources said on Sunday.

"We are yet to receive the chargesheet and the copy of the judgment on Jadhav's sentence," said a source in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in Islamabad with a request for consular access to Jadhav and also sought a copy of the chargesheet against him. 

The request for meeting Jadhav was turned down. "We demanded a meeting (with Jadhav), but they denied," Bambawale told reporters after meeting Janjua.

India said it has sought consular access to Jadhav 13 times earlier, but the permission was refused each time. 

Jadhav, sentenced to death by Pakistan's military court on April 10, faced seven charges, including sponsoring IED attacks on important installations and attacks on Shias in Pakistan — according to the list read out by the country's foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Friday.

As a fallout of the case, India on Saturday called off bilateral maritime security talks with Pakistan scheduled for April 17. 

Actress Kriti Sanon said her co-star Sushant Singh Rajput kept her on her toes during the shooting of their upcoming film Raabta.

“He (Sushant) is fabulous. He is an amazing actor so he keeps you on your toes. He gets into the skin of the character and does a lot of homework in detail. If you have a good co-actor your performance also enhances,” Kriti told reporters.

The actress was talking on the sidelines of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) voting weekend press meet here on Sunday.

Ever since Sushant and Kriti began shooting for their upcoming romantic drama, reports of their growing closeness started doing the rounds.

When asked about the same, Kriti said, “It's better to ignore them.”

The 26-year-old actress will be seen doing some action sequences in “Raabta” and she enjoyed every bit of it.

“There is a section in the film that requires action. I always wanted to do it. So I am excited about it. It makes you feel little stronger when you doing and learning it. It is very difficult to do it. I have had lot of cuts and bruises but it was a great experience,” she said.

Directed by Dinesh Vijan and produced by Homi Adajania and T-Series, the film is set to release on June 9.

Kriti was last seen in 2015 Dilwale and had no release last year, but the actress said absence from big screen did not bother her.

“I was working constantly. If I am not working and sitting at home then I get very restless. But I was constantly working. I have finished Raabta and Bareily Ki Barfi. I will have back-to-back releases. Release of a film is unfortunately not in my hands,” she said.

Raising the 'triple talaq' issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said justice should be done to Muslim women.

The Prime Minister said if there are social evils, the society should be woken up and efforts made to provide justice to the victims.

In his address to the BJP national executive here, he said there should not be any “conflict” in the Muslim community over this issue.

“He (Modi) talked about social justice. He said our Muslim sisters should also get justice. Injustice should not be done with them. Nobody should be exploited.

“We do not want that there is conflict within the Muslim community over this issue. What we have to do is that if there are any scial evils, we have to wake up the society and make efforts to provide justice to them (Muslim women). That was the Prime Minister's spirit,” Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said while briefing reporters.

Actor Kunal Kemmu on Sunday unveiled the look of his animated character 'Indra' in Ruchi Narain's Hanuman Da Damdaar.

Kunal tweeted on Sunday: "Joining the Sena Hanuman Da Damdaar this summer!"

In the poster, his character sports the costume of the Hindu God with blue sky and clouds in the background.

Under RAT film productions, the film written and directed by Narain will release on May 19.

Apart from Kunal, the film's voice-over has been given by actors like Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon, Makarand Deshpande, Vinay Pathak and Chunky Panday.

Veteran hitter Brendon McCullum smashed 64 runs off 44 balls to push Gujarat Lions to 176/4 against Mumbai Indians in their allotted 20 overs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

After losing the toss in the 16th match of the IPL 2017, Gujarat started hesitantly and lost their opener Dwayne Smith for the duck.

Captain Suresh Raina managed to contribute 28 runs with the help of two boundaries.

Raina and McCullum established an 80-run partnership for the second-wicket.

Following the dismissal of top-order, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik gave Gujarat stability at middle-order.

Karthik scored 48 runs (not out) at an impressive strike rate of 184.61. He hit two sixes and two boundaries to excite the Wankhede spectators. 

English batsman Jason Roy, who came to play down the order this time, contributed with 14 runs (not out).

For Mumbai, pacer Mitchell McClenaghan was the biggest charm in their bowling attack as he dismissed Smith and Ishan Kishan (11) to claim two wickets. 

Experienced bowlers Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh took the scalp of McCullum and Raina respectively to join the party.
 

Singer Janet Jackson has shared the first photograph of her newborn son Eissa Al Mana.

The 50-year-old Rhythm Nation hitmaker took to social media to post a cute snap of of her planting a kiss on the forehead of her baby boy as he yawns adorably, reported AceShowbiz.

“My baby and me after nap time,” Jackson captioned the picture.

Jackson welcomed the baby boy with husband Wissam on January 3. The two split just three months after the birth of their son.

Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner displayed her love for Joe Jonas during a romantic date in New York City.

The couple was spotted walking down the street in NYC with Turner flaunting a message inked on her hand that read, “Joe gives me da good good”, reported AceShowbiz.

Jonas sported a white long-sleeved shirt, while Sophie opted for a short-sleeved white shirt during the outing.

Both of them completed their look with sunglasses and black jeans.

The two first sparked dating rumours in early 2016 after they were spotted snuggling at Kings of Leon's pre-MTV Europe Music Award concert in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Priscilla Presley says she is still not comfortable with being in the limelight.

The 71-year-old star, who was married to Elvis Presley for six years until 1973 and has daughter Lisa Marie with the iconic singer, says she is always on (her) guard for prying photographers, reported Contactmusic.

“I'm still not comfortable being in the limelight. Memphis was pretty good about protecting him and letting us live our lives. But in California though, we'd be lying out by the pool in our backyard and hear the rustling of trees and, sure enough, the paparazzi would be hiding behind them.

“You'd always be on guard, always looking around. I don't think you ever get that comfortable being in the limelight. Sure, there are a lot of people who love it, but it still doesn't seem normal to me,” Priscilla says.

Singer Kerry Katona says she is planning to become a life coach.

The Atomic Kitten singer says overcoming her own troubled past makes her a great person to help others deal with their “traumas”, reported Femalefirst.

Katona battled bipolar disorder and had a turbulent childhood that saw her spending long periods in care, and being declared bankrupt.

“I started reading a lot of books by life coach Tony Robbins. All about your goals and aims and what you want to change in your life. So, I got in touch with Emma (Cross, life coach). Now I would maybe like to help her turn other people's lives around.

“It's good to talk to somebody who I can ask questions and get feedback from. She's helped me and maybe I want to go down that route myself at some point,” she says.

Comedian Alec Baldwin reprised his role as Donald Trump, while Beck Bennett appeared beside him in the oval office as Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday Night Live.

Popular host Jimmy Fallon appeared as Jared Kushner, senior advisor to the President, competing against a hooded, sketal Steve Bannon, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Baldwin's Trump ruminate on his first 100 days in office and his accomplishments.

“Have you seen my tweets on North Korea? This could all be over by Monday,” Baldwin says after Pence reminds him he has more than 1,300 days to go in his presidency.