Author name: wk

Carnivorous plants are plants that trap and digest creatures such as flies, spiders, frogs and lizards to assimilate the nutrients they require to survive. These plants grow in areas where the soil lacks certain nutrients. So, they acquire nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen from the creatures.

Turn simple cardboard into bright and cheerful fruit coasters! MATERIALS Cardboard Pencil Paints Paintbrushes Scissors Black marker METHOD Paint a piece of cardboard white and with the help of an adult, cut out 3 circles from it. Use a pencil to draw a different fruit on each circle as shown. Paint the circles as per the colour of the fruit. Let them dry. Give your coasters a black outline and add seeds as shown. Your fruit coasters are ready! You can also attach them to a key chain.

Have you reached out to help someone or get something done without being told? If you did, you took initiative without waiting for instruction, a quality that reflects leadership. Things like keeping your toys away after play, wiping dusty furniture and washing dishes might seem unimportant; however, taking charge of these tasks independently forms the roots of discipline and responsibility in adulthood. It teaches you to be aware of what’s required and act without waiting for others to begin. For example, if you see washed clothes lying unfolded, you can fold them. You can also help with tasks such as watering plants and setting the table before a meal. By taking charge of such tasks, you learn to develop a sense of responsibility slowly and consistently over time.

Scientists have satellite-tagged a Ganges softshell turtle, a type of freshwater turtle, found in waterbodies such as lakes and rivers. Scientists have satellite-tagged a Ganges softshell turtle, a type of freshwater turtle, found in waterbodies such as lakes and rivers. The turtle has been freed at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam, allowing scientists to monitor the creature’s behaviour. With this move, scientists aim to learn more about the turtle species, which has been designated as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. KNPTR is known for its rich biodiversity, including species such as Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceroses and softshell turtles. This initiative highlights India’s advancement in the preservation of endangered species and their habitats.

As someone who has a library full of cookbooks and has cooked from almost all of them, I can say with confidence that this one truly stood out in terms of depth of flavour. Sourcing some of the ingredients wasn’t always easy, given where I live, but there was something deeply comforting about the meals that came together, as authentic as you would probably find in a home in Rajasthan. The authors clearly haven’t held back when it comes to sharing the perfect recipe! India was home to no-waste cooking long before the internet turned it into a trend. In Rajasthan, where fresh vegetables can be hard to come by in certain months, making the most of what you have is essential. The Turai ke Chhilke ki Sabji, Aam ke Chhilke ki Sabji and Doodhi ke Chhilke ki Sangri are perfect examples of how real Indian kitchens with skilled cooks function. I’ve marked quite a few favourites in this book, but the ones I’ve returned to more than once include Shekhawati Kaanji Wada, Besan ka Churma, Amle ki Kadhi, Khoba Roti–which I made using only gluten-free flour–and Amrood (guava) ki Dilawari (salsa). I followed the chef’s suggestion and even smoked the guava. These are recipes that will find their way into your kitchen quite naturally; in fact, some pair beautifully with grilled dishes as well. The tips and notes at the end of several recipes, along with the well-planned menu for a Rajasthani spread, add to the charm of the book. And don’t skip the special garam masala recipes—they truly elevate the dishes and can’t be replaced with packaged powders. If you enjoy the culinary arts, this is a book worth adding to your collection.

The BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group’s second technical meeting took place in Puri, Odisha, from June 3 to 5. The meeting brought together delegates from the organisation’s member countries as well as partners, providing a forum to discuss effective disaster management strategies, disaster relief, disaster risk reduction (DRR) financing and technological developments that contribute to better disaster readiness. BRICS is a group comprising 11 countries that focus on cooperation in trade, politics, environment, economics and other fields. It offers a space for deliberation among its member countries.

An Indian American teenager from California, USA, named Shrey Parikh emerged as the winner of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, reflecting the stellar performances of Indian-origin participants in the contest. With 32 correct spellings in 90 seconds, he defeated Ishaan Gupta, the runner-up, in the spell-off. Shrey, who had participated in the championship twice before, was awarded prize money of $52,500 along with other rewards. With his victory, Shrey became the 31st Indian-origin winner of the competition in the past 37 editions. Shrey studies at Day Creek Intermediate School in California, USA. Apart from spelling, he has many other interests, including music.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge, UK, have employed artificial intelligence (AI) to create a vaccine that has the potential to shield people against numerous viruses, marking a revolutionary step in vaccinology. Scientists used AI to fully design the vaccine’s active ingredient, which prepares the body’s immune system to react to future threats. This is the first time the trial of such a vaccine was conducted in humans. According to scientists, the vaccine has the potential to shield humans from diseases, including coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, this was phase 1 of the trial and only evaluated whether the vaccine was safe. The effectiveness of the vaccine will be assessed in the next phase.