The Odisha Government signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP) and the NSE Foundation to implement Project BLESS. Project BLESS is a three-year initiative to prevent distress migration by promoting livelihood opportunities, skill development, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. The project will be implemented through the Mission Shakti Department in collaboration with the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM). It will cover 69 blocks across eight districts and is expected to benefit 8.81 lakh rural families and 86,468 Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Ladakh has approved India’s first-ever guided high-altitude wildlife safari. The safari will cover Hemis National Park, Changthang, and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary. It will focus on snow leopard sightings and bird-watching trails during the winter season. The safari will be operated by trained local youth to promote sustainable ecotourism. The initiative aims to conserve and showcase Ladakh’s rich high-altitude biodiversity, including around 340 bird species.

The 2nd National Port Security Conference 2026 was held in New Delhi. The conference was addressed by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. The conference focused on strengthening India’s maritime security architecture through advanced technologies, cybersecurity, and institutional coordination.

R. Praggnanandhaa won the Grand Chess Tour St. Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026 title in the United States. He secured the title after drawing with Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan in the penultimate round. Praggnanandhaa finished with 23 points out of 35, while Sindarov finished runner-up. Earlier in June 2026, Praggnanandhaa also won the Norway Chess 2026 title in Oslo.

Nagaland launched the Chief Minister’s Yarn Bank Scheme on National Handloom Day to strengthen the handloom sector and support weavers’ livelihoods. The Yarn Bank has been established at the District Industries Centre, State Industrial Area, Toluvi, Dimapur. The scheme provides cotton, eri silk, muga silk, bamboo fibre, and other natural fibres at mill-gate prices with a 15% government subsidy. The initiative is expected to benefit 5,000–10,000 weavers annually by ensuring affordable and transparent access to quality yarn.