August 2026

In the 1990s, a predatory flatworm was released in Samoa to control giant African snails An aggressive predatory flatworm introduced to Pacific islands during the 1990s to control agricultural pests has pushed native land snail species toward extinction, turning a planned biological control program into an ecological disaster. The New Guinea flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) was…

A large portion of Indian exports of these products already attract antidumping and countervailing duties in the US. India has approached the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the Donald Trump administration’s move of announcing safeguard tariffs of 25% to 55% from August 15 for quartz surface products.India approached the WTO on August 14 seeking consultations…

A European rabbit in Tasmania. Image Credit: JJ Harrison/Wikipedia In 1937, Australian scientists took an unusual step in the fight against one of the country’s most destructive pests known as ‘rabbits.’ They released rabbits carrying ‘myxoma virus’ on Wardang Island, off South Australia, to see whether the disease could spread naturally. The experiment was part…

US and Canada hold last-minute talks to stop Trump’s 50% tariffs The United States and Canada are in a race against the clock to reach a tariff agreement before a 12:01 am Wednesday deadline imposed by US President Donald Trump.Failure to strike a deal could see Trump impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of…

European hedgehog (Image Credit: Canva) What was once seen as a useful garden helper in New Zealand has become an unexpected threat to some of the country’s most vulnerable wildlife. European hedgehogs were deliberately introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century, with acclimatisation societies releasing them in the hope that they would help control…

Technology  shares have swung sharply this summer as investors question whether valuations have risen too far. US stock market today: Wall Street benchmarks moved further away from their record high on Tuesday as technology shares related to the artificial-intelligence boom came under renewed selling pressure.The S&P 500 declined 0.5%, putting it on course for a…

Pythagoras is best known today for the mathematical theorem that bears his name, but the ancient Greek thinker was also associated with a broader philosophical tradition that explored morality, discipline, friendship and the pursuit of a virtuous life. One saying attributed to him offers a timeless reflection on the people we choose to keep close:…

AI is becoming a part of finance but governance has to catch up What if your next financial advisor is an AI?You could ask how much tax you owe, whether a particular investment is too risky, whether you can afford a home loan, or which financial product suits your needs.For companies, the questions get bigger:…

At first glance, the fire salamander appears much as it always has: black skin broken by irregular yellow markings, a pattern long associated with the species’ chemical defences. But under ultraviolet light, that familiar appearance changes. According to the 2026 study published in the Royal Society, titled ‘Glandular biofluorescence in fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra): first…

India’s chip story enters next phase India is likely to have five to six semiconductor projects in commercial production by the end of 2026, marking the next phase in the country’s efforts to build a semiconductor ecosystem, MeitY secretary S Krishnan said on Tuesday.Speaking at a press conference to announce the fifth edition of Semicon…