Odisha wins PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award for Month of Solar
Odisha secured the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Awards for its strong performance in the Month of Solar campaign. The state ranked first among medium consumer-base states in key areas such as consumer applications, rooftop solar installations, and DISCOM inspections. It also performed well in vendor registration under the campaign. The PM Surya Ghar programme aims to encourage household rooftop solar adoption through financial assistance. Odisha’s performance highlights its growing focus on renewable energy and sustainable development. Officials say the award will further strengthen the state’s clean energy efforts and accelerate progress toward national solar targets.
Odisha awarded PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award
Top performer among medium states in rooftop solar metrics
Strong showing in consumer applications and DISCOM inspections
Award supports rooftop solar adoption via financial assistance
Boost for Odisha’s renewable energy efforts
Mother Dairy unveils naturally degradable milk pouch in Delhi-NCR
Mother Dairy introduced India's first naturally degradable milk pouch as a sustainable packaging option. The rollout will begin with its cow milk variant in Delhi-NCR on World Environment Day. The pouch was developed after several years of research to reduce plastic waste and is designed to degrade naturally in soil within a few years without leaving microplastics. The company notes the new packaging will not affect milk quality, taste, shelf life, or price. The launch aligns with broader environmental goals and could prompt a shift toward eco-friendly packaging in the dairy sector.
India's first naturally degradable milk pouch
Rollout begins in Delhi-NCR on World Environment Day
Degrades in soil within years without microplastics
No impact on milk quality, taste, shelf life, or price
Pushes dairy sector toward sustainable packaging
World Environment Day 2026 theme: Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future
World Environment Day 2026 will be hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku on 5 June under the theme Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future. The campaign emphasizes climate action and the role of nature in building climate resilience. It calls on countries, communities, and individuals to adopt nature-based solutions for environmental protection. The theme links climate change, ecosystem degradation, and sustainable development, highlighting that protecting nature is essential for a safer future. International organizations and national partners coordinate events to raise awareness and promote action at local, national, and global levels.
WED 2026 hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku
Theme: Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future
Focus on climate action and nature-based solutions
Emphasizes link between climate, ecosystems and development
India leads in U.S. unicorn founders; immigrant entrepreneurs drive US startups
India leads in the United States as a country of origin for immigrant founders of U.S. unicorn startups. A National Foundation for American Policy report shows Indian immigrant founders have founded or co-founded 96 U.S. unicorn companies. Immigrants overall founded or co-founded 455 of 775 privately held U.S. billion-dollar startups, meaning immigrant founders are linked to 59% of such companies. Founders come from 76 countries, underscoring the global talent contributing to America’s innovation economy. The findings highlight India's growing role in the U.S. startup ecosystem and the impact of cross-border entrepreneurship on high-value companies.
India leads as origin for U.S. unicorn founders
NFAP report cites 96 Indian immigrant-founded unicorns
Immigrants total: 455 of 775 U.S. unicorns
49%? Actually 59% of unicorns linked to immigrant founders
Founders from 76 countries; strong cross-border entrepreneurship
KSTAR achieves 102 seconds high-confinement plasma; 100 million °C for 48 seconds
South Korea's artificial sun, KSTAR, marked a notable advance in nuclear fusion research. In a recent run, researchers sustained plasma in high-confinement mode for 102 seconds, a milestone toward stable fusion energy. In the same campaign, plasma reached 100 million degrees Celsius and remained at that temperature for 48 seconds. Operated by the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, the device uses upgraded tungsten divertor technology to manage extreme heat and improve plasma stability. Scientists say maintaining high-confinement plasmas longer is essential to progressing toward practical fusion power, offering a potential carbon-free energy source. Ongoing upgrades and experiments aim to extend confinement times and temperatures further.
102 seconds of high-confinement plasma sustained
100 million degrees Celsius held for 48 seconds
KAERI operates the KSTAR device
Upgraded tungsten divertor manages extreme heat
Progress toward stable, carbon-free fusion energy
Future work targets longer confinement times and higher temperatures
JWST detects methane in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope detected methane in the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, marking the first direct detection of methane on an interstellar visitor. Observations were made using Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument during the comet's post-perihelion motion. Scientists found methane might be buried beneath the surface and released after solar heating penetrated deeper icy layers. The comet also shows unusually high carbon dioxide levels compared with most solar-system comets. These results suggest 3I/ATLAS formed in a very different chemical environment outside our solar system, offering clues about chemistry in other planetary systems and the diversity of material that can travel through interstellar space.
Methane detected on interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
First direct methane detection on an interstellar object
Observed with JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument
Methane may be buried and released by solar heating
Unusually high CO2 levels point to different formation environment
FIFA World Cup 2026 to be hosted by three nations with 48 teams
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup to be hosted by three countries and the first edition to feature 48 teams, expanding from the previous 32. The tournament is scheduled to be played from June 11 to July 19, with 104 matches across 16 host cities. It will be the 23rd edition of the men’s World Cup. A common error claims it is the 25th edition; this is incorrect. Organizers expect significant economic impact for host cities and increased global engagement with football.
World Cup 2026 hosted by USA, Canada, Mexico
First 48-team edition in men’s World Cup
June 11 to July 19, 104 matches, 16 host cities
23rd edition of the tournament
Common misstatement about the 25th edition is incorrect
Chumur Model Border Village chosen under Vibrant Villages Programme
Chumur village in eastern Ladakh has been selected as Ladakh’s first Model Border Village under the Vibrant Villages Programme. The foundation stone was laid by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. Chumur sits at about 16,700 feet along the India–China border. The project aims to improve housing, livelihood opportunities, tourism, renewable energy, and civic infrastructure in the remote border region. It will support local communities involved in Pashmina rearing and production. The initiative forms part of a broader plan to strengthen frontier villages and improve living conditions in border areas, with a central service core including a school, PHC, and more.
Chumur designated as Ladakh’s Model Border Village
Foundation stone laid by LG Vinai Kumar Saxena
Located at ~16,700 feet near the India–China border
Aims to upgrade housing, livelihoods, and infrastructure
Includes support for Pashmina rearing and a central service core
Maria Montserrat Alvarado named head of Vatican communications
Maria Montserrat Alvarado has been appointed head of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications by Pope Leo XIV. She becomes the first laywoman to lead a Vatican dicastery in the Roman Curia. Alvarado, a Mexico-born media executive, has served as president and chief operating officer of EWTN News. She will take charge of the Vatican's communications department in November. The appointment is viewed as a move to increase women's representation in senior leadership within the Vatican. The Dicastery oversees Vatican media operations, including its news portal, radio, newspaper, and press office. Her appointment follows a Vatican effort to diversify leadership and broaden global communications, aligning with calls for greater gender parity in church governance.
Maria Montserrat Alvarado appointed head of Vatican Communications
First laywoman to lead a Vatican dicastery
Former president and COO of EWTN News
Takes charge in November
Significant step for gender representation in Vatican leadership
Navachar Mantra launched to support grassroots innovators
Navachar Mantra, a national initiative for grassroots innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs, was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at IIT Delhi. Jayant Chaudhary, the minister, announced the program, which aims to identify and support innovators from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, rural areas, aspirational districts, and underserved regions. The programme is implemented by NIESBUD, with FITT at IIT Delhi acting as the technical knowledge partner. It will provide mentorship, visibility, and growth opportunities, including guidance on market access, funding, and scaling. The initiative seeks to strengthen India's innovation ecosystem and promote self-reliant entrepreneurship by connecting grassroots ideas with national and global networks.
Navachar Mantra launched at IIT Delhi
Targets grassroots innovators from Tier-2/3 and rural areas
Implemented by NIESBUD; FITT IIT Delhi as knowledge partner
Provides mentorship, visibility, and growth opportunities
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