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…

A conceptual illustration of CD-35 2722, featuring an object resembling a moon (Credit: ESO) For decades, astronomers have been finding planets orbiting stars far beyond our solar system. More than 6,000 exoplanets are now known.But there is one glaring omission.Not a single moon outside our Solar System has been confirmed with the same level of…

Bank holiday on August 19 If you are planning a bank visit on Wednesday, August 19, you may want to check your state’s holiday calendar first. Banks in Tripura will remain closed tomorrow to mark the birthday of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur.The holiday, however, is not applicable to banks across India. Bank holidays…

Henrietta Lacks (Image Credit: Wikipedia) In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a 31-year-old African-American woman, was diagnosed with cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. During her treatment, doctors removed tissue from her tumour for research without telling her or obtaining her permission. The cells behaved unlike any human cells scientists had successfully maintained before: they…

Indian currency notes. Photo credit: Reuters MUMBAI: The US banknote, the most ubiquitous currency in the world used in everything from drug deals to legally accepted tender in multiple countries, falls short of the rupee when it comes to circulation numbers. RBI deputy governor Shirish Chandra Murmu said there are three times as many rupee…