NASA’s Super Pressure Balloon launched

Washington: NASA has successfully launched its football-stadium-sized, super pressure balloon from New Zealand, that will help detect cosmic rays from beyond our galaxy as they penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere. The mission will run for 100 or more days floating at 33.5 km. It may be visible, particularly at sunrise and sunset, in Argentina and South Africa. PTI

Clooneys to spend over $1 mn on delivery

Los Angeles: George Clooney and wife Amal Clooney are reportedly spending more than $1 million to have a royal-like experience when Amal gives birth to twins. Earlier it was also reported that the 55-year-old actor had made a reservation for the entire Kensington wing at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. IANS

Polythene-eating caterpillars to fight pollution            

London: A commercially-bred caterpillar can quickly break down polythene bags and may help get rid of the plastic waste accumulating in landfill sites and oceans, scientists say. A hundred wax worms, the larvae of the common insect called greater wax moth, were exposed to a plastic bag and holes started to appear after just 40 minutes. PTI

China bans Muslim baby names in Xinjiang            

Beijing:  China has banned Islamic names for babies in Muslim-majority Xinjiang region, home to the Uighur ethnic minority, the Human Rights Watch  said on Tuesday. As per the move, children with banned names like Saddam or Midina will not be able to get a residence permit. Conflicts between the Uighur and the Han, the majority ethnic group, are common. iANS