Overview

Smriti Mandhana is the only Indian named in TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026. She joins global icons like Messi, Ronaldo and LeBron James. Her record-breaking achievements include 17 international hundreds and being India's highest T20I run-scorer. She also led RCB to two WPL titles and was vice-captain of India's World Cup-winning team.

Overview

The Venus flytrap is a small carnivorous plant native to the wetlands of North and South Carolina. It catches insects using a trap made of two hinged leaves. When an insect touches trigger hairs twice, the trap closes in one-tenth of a second. New research reveals the physical mechanism behind this rapid movement.

Overview

World Crocodile Day is observed every year on 17 June to spread awareness about crocodiles and the need to protect them. The 2026 theme is "Legacy in Every Scale," highlighting the evolutionary history of these ancient reptiles. India's Crocodile Conservation Project, launched in 1975, has been a global success story.

Overview

The Regional Horticultural Research Station at Lam Farm, Guntur, released two new chilli varieties – LCA-625 and LCA-643 – on 16 June 2026. LCA-625 is for dry chilli production with medium pungency and good colour. LCA-643 is for both green and dry chilli with virus resistance. Seeds were priced at ₹1,200 per kg.

Overview

Tamil Nadu announced a revised cooperative crop loan waiver scheme for farmers who borrowed from cooperative banks between 1 May 2025 and 28 February 2026. The scheme covers full waiver for crop loans up to ₹75,000 and a partial waiver of ₹35,000 for loans above that limit. About 14.43 lakh farmers will benefit.