A study mapped Afghanistan’s five river basins, each crucial for irrigation and regional dynamics. Notably, the Harirod-Murghab, originating in central mountains, sustains fertile lands in the northwest. The Helmand Basin, covering 51%, hosts Afghanistan’s longest river, vital in the southwest. The Kabul Basin, formed by the Kabul River, dominates the southeast’s drainage, while the Northern Basin differs in its internal flow. Understanding these basins aids water management and regional stability.

Nine trekkers from Karnataka tragically lost their lives near Sahastra Tal in Uttarakhand, part of a 22-member group, due to bad weather while returning from the trek. The state government is coordinating rescue efforts, and families of the deceased are notified. Sahastra Tal Trek, a high-altitude trail at 15,000 feet in Uttarkashi district, is flanked by Bhagirathi and Bhilangana Valleys, with the Kush Kalyan Plateau north. Locals perform annual rituals around the lake for auspiciousness.

The world’s largest optical astronomy digital camera will be placed on the edge of Chile’s Atacama Desert, renowned for its dryness and clear skies. Mounted on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Simonyi Survey Telescope, it weighs three tonnes and boasts a 3.2-gigapixel resolution. This initiative aims to study dark energy, dark matter, potential Earth impacts, and close celestial bodies. The observatory anticipates generating 20 terabytes of daily data, forming a 15-petabyte catalog over its ten-year survey.

Singapore hosted the first Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Clean Economy Investor Forum on June 5-6, 2024, alongside the IPEF Ministerial meeting. Led by Indian Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, the forum aimed to mobilize investments in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate technology. The IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund, with contributions from Australia, Japan, Korea, the US, and Infrastructure Development Group, was launched, committing USD 33 million.