Latest

Mumbai’s Gateway of India (For representational purposes) NEW DELHI: One hundred and three out of 130 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) showed an improvement in the levels of PM10, one of the key pollutants, in 2024-25 compared to 2017-18, with Mumbai registering the highest decline of 44% among the six big

Synopsis Megan Kerrigan has rejoined Facebook? A new Facebook page claiming to belong to Megan Kerrigan has gone viral after sharing an emotional statement about the Andy Byron–Kristin Cabot controversy. While the authenticity of the account remains uncertain, many believe Megan has rejoined the platform. The profile’s posts, tone and warnings have fueled widespread online

A case that haunted New York for decades and helped launch the missing children’s movement is now facing a dramatic legal reversal. A federal appeals court has overturned the conviction of Pedro Hernandez, the man found guilty in 2017 for the 1979 abduction and murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz. The court ruled that the trial

Mornings can be hectic, and deciding what to eat for breakfast doesn’t always seem like a priority. However, nutritionists believe that one tiny superfood can change the way you start your day and your overall health. Fret not, as it is not your fancy avocado toast or protein bars; it’s much simpler. A dietitian has

Tuesday 22 July 2025 9:00 pm  |   Updated:  Tuesday 22 July 2025 6:20 pm Zharnel Hughes says he is owed money by Grand Slam Track Britain’s fastest man Zharnel Hughes wants Grand Slam Track to return next year with dates in Europe despite the financial difficulties that forced Michael Johnson to cut short its first

Tuesday 22 July 2025 5:44 pm Tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s estate ordered to pay legal costs Former tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch’s estate was ordered to pay Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HP) just under £700m in conclusion to the fraud linked to the $11.1bn sale of Autonomy. Lynch founded software firm Autonomy in 1996 and, along with

Tuesday 22 July 2025 5:32 pm  |   Updated:  Tuesday 22 July 2025 5:33 pm Calandagan was a six-length winner at Royal Ascot last year. ASCOT is the main port of call this Saturday for a high-class card featuring the premier middle-distance race of mid-summer, the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (4.10pm).

Dr Gino DiLabio and doctoral student Hossein Khalilian discuss their research paper about how quantum Coulombic interactions can manage and prevent unwanted cell damage from free radicals. The image created for this research made the cover of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. A new study, published by a team of UBC Okanagan chemistry researchers, is creating a major rethink of how enzymes work. And how a quantum phenomenon helps an important enzyme control essential yet dangerous molecules. Enzymes, also known as biocatalysts, are the tiny machines behind every process in living things, explains study co-author Hossein Khalilian, a doctoral student in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science ‘s Department of Chemistry. Enzymes make molecules that are crucial to life, while also breaking down molecules that are bad or unnecessary for us. Radical enzymes represent an important class of biocatalysts that generate extremely unstable molecules-called free radicals-to enable a wide range of biochemical reactions. Free radicals are often negatively viewed, explains Khalilian. Uncontrolled ones contribute to serious conditions like cancer, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, these molecules are essential for many biological functions and the body produces them as part of normal cellular functions. The research, featured on the front cover of the Journal of the American Chemical Society , reveals that nature has developed a clever way to control these free radicals-using little-known quantum Coulombic interactions to manage them and prevent unwanted damage. The researchers focused on an enzyme called viperin, which plays a role in the body’s immune response by producing and controlling highly reactive radicals that Khalilian describes as chemical loose cannons. “While radicals can be useful, they can also cause serious damage if they’re not carefully controlled,” he says. “We’ve known for some time that viperin uses radicals to perform its function. But we didn’t expect to find quantum mechanical effects play such an important role in keeping that radical in check.” Khalilian, who studies enzymes using computer modelling, explains that viperin is an antiviral enzyme activated as part of the immune response to many viruses. While running computer simulations to investigate viperin’s behaviour, he discovered that it uses a range of strategies, including previously unknown quantum Coulombic interactions, to get the radicals under control. The Coulombic interaction is an electrostatic force between positive and negative charges, like the force that creates static electricity. The simulations reveal that the quantum version of these interactions is a key strategy employed by nature in radical enzymes to control the free radicals they use. “This was something unexpected,” says Khalilian. “The radical was being gently held in place by Coulombic interactions to perform only the desired reaction. Like a magnetic tug, these forces are enough to stabilize the radical just long enough for the enzyme to do its job.” Normally, he says, radicals like to move around or react with other things quickly, but in this case, something was keeping it still. “These interactions are hard to see, and easy to overlook,” says Khalilian. “But it turns out it’s crucial. Without it, the radical would be too unstable to manage. It’s exciting because this is the first time quantum interactions have been shown to be this important in an enzyme. It gives us a new lens to look at biochemical reactions.” This study provides evidence that the quantum Coulombic effect is likely a universal yet underappreciated feature of radical enzymes. The discovery could lead to new ways to design drugs, enzymes and catalysts. The work doesn’t stop there, as principal investigator Dr. Gino DiLabio says ongoing studies are exploring whether this effect applies to other radical enzymes. If confirmed, it could reshape the traditional understanding of catalysis and boost advancements in biotechnology. “Many modern medicines rely on reactions involving radicals,” Dr. DiLabio adds. “If we understand how nature controls them, we can also do it-perhaps more safely or effectively.” /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here. Read More

Measures to tackle the threat of ransomware and protect businesses and critical services will be taken forward with industry following public consultation. Hospitals, businesses, and critical services are set to be protected under measures designed to crack down on cyber criminals and safeguard the public, following public consultation on ransomware proposals. Ransomware is software used maliciously by cyber criminals to access victims’ computer systems. Systems and data can be encrypted, or data stolen, until a ransom is paid. Ransomware is estimated to cost the UK economy millions of pounds each year, with recent high-profile ransomware attacks highlighting the severe operational, financial, and even life-threatening risks. Public sector bodies and operators of critical national infrastructure, including the NHS, local councils and schools, would be banned from paying ransom demands to criminals under the measure, with nearly three quarters of consultation respondents showing support for the proposal. The ban would target the business model that fuels cyber criminals’ activities and makes the vital services the public rely on a less attractive target for ransomware groups. Under the proposals, businesses not covered by the ban would be required to notify the government of any intent to pay a ransom. The government could then provide those businesses with advice and support, including notifying them if any such payment would risk breaking the law by sending money to sanctioned cyber criminal groups, many of whom are based in Russia.  Mandatory reporting is also being developed, which would equip law enforcement with essential intelligence to hunt down perpetrators and disrupt their activities, allowing for better support for victims. Consultation responses showed strong support for a new mandatory reporting regime to better protect British organisations and industry. The new package of measures will lead the way in tackling ransomware and are designed to strike against cyber criminals’ business model, bolstering our national security and protecting key services and businesses from disruption – delivering on our Plan for Change. They follow an extensive consultation with stakeholders across the UK which showed strong public backing for tougher action to tackle ransomware and protect vital services. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: Ransomware is a predatory crime that puts the public at risk, wrecks livelihoods and threatens the services we depend on. That’s why we’re determined to smash the cyber criminal business model and protect the services we all rely on as we deliver our Plan for Change. By working in partnership with industry to advance these measures, we are sending a clear signal that the UK is united in the fight against ransomware. In addition to the proposed new measures, the government continues to urge organisations across the country to strengthen their ability to maintain operations in the event of a successful ransomware attack. This includes having offline backups, tested plans to operate without IT for an extended period, and a well-rehearsed strategy for restoring systems from backups. Cyber criminals have not only cost the nation billions of pounds but in some cases have brought essential services to a standstill. The devastating consequences are not just financial but can put lives in danger, with an NHS organisation recently identifying a ransomware attack as one of the factors that contributed to a patient’s death. These attacks have brutally exposed the alarming vulnerability at the core of our public and private institutions, from flagship British retailers and essential supermarkets including the Co-op to NHS hospitals. British Library Chief Executive Rebecca Lawrence said: The British Library, which holds one of the world’s most significant collections of human knowledge, was the victim of a devastating ransomware attack in October 2023. The attack destroyed our technology infrastructure and continues to impact our users, however, as a public body, we did not engage with the attackers or pay the ransom. Instead, we are committed to sharing our experiences to help protect other institutions affected by cyber-crime and build collective resilience for the future. NCSC Director of National Resilience Jonathon Ellison said: These new measures help undermine the criminal ecosystem that is causing harm across our economy. Ransomware remains a serious and evolving threat, and organisations must not become complacent. All businesses should strengthen their defences using proven frameworks such as Cyber Essentials and our free Early Warning service, and be prepared to respond to incidents, recover quickly, and maintain continuity if the worst happens. Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq said: We know first-hand the damage and disruption cyber-attacks cause to businesses and communities. That’s why we welcome the government’s focus on Cyber Crime. What matters most is learning, building resilience, and supporting each other to prevent future harm. This is a step in the right direction for building a safer digital future. These robust proposals are part of the government’s Plan for Change to defend businesses, services, and infrastructure against cyber threats to better protect the public. /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here. Read More

Rugby fans are in for a treat as the Classic Wallabies and British & Irish Legends renew their iconic rivalry at North Sydney Oval on Thursday 31 July, as part of the first-ever North Sydney Rugby Festival.  This long-awaited rematch marks the first time the two sides have faced off since 2013, bringing together some of the most celebrated names in international rugby for a night of nostalgia, camaraderie, and fierce competition.  The match is a major highlight of the four-day festival, which runs from 30 July to 2 August, celebrating the spirit of rugby and community.  Mayor Zoë Baker said the legends match is a unique opportunity for fans of all ages to witness rugby history in the making.  “This is more than just a game — it’s a celebration of the legacy and passion that rugby brings to communities across the world,” Mayor Baker said.   “We’re proud to host these iconic players and welcome fans to North Sydney Oval for what promises to be an unforgettable night,” she said.  With its rich history and iconic setting, North Sydney Oval provides the perfect backdrop for this celebration of rugby.  Fans are encouraged to arrive early from 3.30pm to enjoy the Festival Fan Zone in St Leonards Park, featuring:  Food trucks and local brews Live DJs and stage entertainment Family-friendly activities and games  The Festival is proudly presented in partnership with Rugby Australia and the Classic Wallabies.  Win Your Way In! Ticket Giveaway Now Open To celebrate the historic clash between the Classic Wallabies and the British & Irish Legends, North Sydney Council and the Classic Wallabies are giving fans the chance to win two free tickets to the match! Entries close on Thursday 24 July at 11.59pm. Other Rugby Festival Highlights Wallaroos vs Wales – an international women’s rugby clash (1 August)  Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions – live screening at the official Fan Zone (2 August)  Festival Fan Zone at St Leonards Park – open daily with food trucks, local brews, DJs, stage entertainment and kids’ activities Junior rugby coaching clinics (30 July, registration required) Meet-and-greet with legends (30 July) Karaoke charity night supporting Hearts in Rugby Union Australia (30 July, registration required) /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s). Read More