The Economic Times

The Bonneville Dams fish ladders, designed as part of a New Deal initiative, remain operational after decades of service. The construction saw a notable increase in budget allocation. Annually, millions of fish traverse these ladders, predominantly hatchery-reared. However, wild salmon populations continue to dwindle, impacted by upstream dams and climate change, underscoring persistent environmental challenges despite the fish ladders' effectiveness.

Maryland invested $12 million in a fish lift to help migrating shad overcome the Conowingo Dam. This technological solution proved ineffective, moving only a fraction of the targeted fish annually. Experts now favor dam removal over fish passage structures like lifts and ladders. The state is investing $340 million in environmental upgrades and trucking fish past the dam. This situation reflects costly infrastructure projects that under-delivered on their initial goals.

AirAsia has launched its first codeshare partnership with Pegasus Airlines. This collaboration opens connections between Southeast Asia and Europe via Istanbul. Initially, five European destinations are covered by this new route network. AirAsia will increase its Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul flights to daily services. The airline's planned Bahrain hub remains on track for March 2027.

In the Gulf of Mexico, decommissioned fighter jets have found a new lease on life as artificial reefs, fostering vibrant marine ecosystems. After being stripped of hazardous materials, these aircraft are sunk to promote habitat for diverse fish populations. This innovative conservation strategy not only bolsters marine biodiversity but also brings economic advantages, showcasing a remarkable synergy between nature and technology.

Chemists at the University of Kentucky have pioneered a remarkable technique to recycle bourbon stillage, converting this distillation waste into carbon-rich hydrochar for the creation of advanced supercapacitors. These innovative energy storage devices not only outperform traditional models in energy retention but also exhibit outstanding reliability, maintaining a high level of storage even after prolonged use.

Scientists have unveiled an innovative ceramic designed for passive radiative cooling applications. This advanced material efficiently lowers daytime temperatures while controlling excessive cooling at night. Its unique microporous framework facilitates optimal heat transfer with the environment, tackling a major obstacle in radiative cooling technology. This breakthrough holds great promise for cutting down energy usage in buildings.

NASA's O/OREOS mission embarked on an exciting journey to observe how bacteria withstand the rigors of space radiation. The compact satellite, about the size of a loaf of bread, zipped around Earths magnetic poles, subjecting dried bacterial spores to intense radiation over several months. While initial germination and growth were sluggish and ultimately showed abnormalities, the mission confirmed that nanosatellites are viable platforms for conducting autonomous biological research in space.

Innovative researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking paint designed for energy-free cooling in buildings. By incorporating larger glass bubbles and optimizing their milling process, this paint achieves remarkable solar reflectance, leading to lower surface temperatures. This advancement not only makes cutting-edge cooling technology more affordable but also ensures easier access for wider applications. Upcoming tests will evaluate its durability over time and potential for large-scale productio

NASA's satellite images illustrate a dramatic transformation of the Aral Sea from 2000 to 2014, driven by the diversion of rivers for agricultural purposes. The resulting shrinkage has left behind salt flats and disrupted local communities and climates. Nevertheless, the construction of dams by Kazakhstan has sparked a modest recovery in the North Aral Sea, revealing both the impacts of human intervention and the potential for environmental revival.

Kuki MLAs Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Haokholet Kipgen attended the Manipur Assembly session in Imphal on Wednesday for the first time since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. Their attendance came despite a Kuki Inpi Manipur directive against travelling to Imphal. Manipur currently has nine Kuki, Zomi and Hmar MLAs.

Nepal seeks climate compensation from worlds biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. Deadly floods killed over a thousand people and left many missing. The nation demands justice for climate-related losses and damages. Nepal is pressing wealthier nations for climate funding ahead of a UN summit. This push highlights the global debate over disaster costs.

In 1998, saltwater toadfish participated in the Columbia's Neurolab mission, offering insights into the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Their inner ear adaptations revealed how their vestibular system modified its sensitivity in the absence of gravity. Upon returning to Earth, the adjustments mirrored the disorientation experienced by astronauts, further enhancing our understanding of balance and safety in space exploration.

African proverb of the day: This African proverb highlights how stories often favour the tellers viewpoint. The hunters tale can overshadow the lions experience when the lion has no historian to tell its side of the story. It shows how history can be shaped by those who record and share it. Listening to diverse voices is crucial for gaining a fuller understanding of events, while considering missing perspectives can offer a more balanced view of reality.

This year, a well-known Kolkata Janmashtami celebration is undergoing a noteworthy organizational change. The event, which has historically embraced multicultural involvement, will now be exclusively managed by Hindu members. This decision comes in light of comments made by a local BJP representative regarding religious festivities. The Muslim community has been a vital part of this celebration for many years, marking its significance in the 58th iteration.

The Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution seeking a legal ban on social media for children under sixteen. This move addresses growing concerns over cyberbullying and online exploitation of minors. Lawmakers unanimously adopted the resolution, urging federal legislation for stricter access controls. The assembly cited international examples from Australia and France in its recommendation. This action reflects global efforts to enhance online safety for young internet users.

During the Neurolab mission, the space shuttle Columbia hosted 2,000 animals, crickets being one of them, to examine spaceflight's impacts on brain and nervous system development. By focusing on the crickets' fundamental gravity-sensing mechanisms, scientists identified key alterations in cellular processes. These discoveries on neuropeptide and interneuron dynamics are vital to comprehending how space travel affects human balance and the challenges faced by astronauts.

At the recent SCO summit, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised the group's evolution and a collaborative philosophy. He called for enhanced mutual trust in security while prioritising expanded economic partnerships.

An extraordinary house in Indonesia has creatively utilized nearly 3,700 pounds of discarded diapers. This unique construction method incorporates recycled materials, significantly reducing the need for sand. The process involves several stages: washing, drying, and shredding the diapers before combining them with concrete. Although this innovative approach shows great potential for affordable and sustainable housing, challenges related to infrastructure and regulations may hinder its widespread

Drones are now carrying the dead home from inaccessible flood-ravaged areas in Nepal. These unmanned aerial vehicles are also delivering vital food and medicine to cut-off communities. AI-enabled drones are assessing villagers' needs through simple questions and responses. The technology proved crucial after roads and bridges were washed away by recent floods. This evolving drone capability offers a significant shift in Nepal's disaster response efforts.

In Melbourne, engineers are pioneering a groundbreaking technique to integrate discarded cigarette butts into building bricks. This eco-friendly innovation looks to recycle billions of cigarette filters each year, creating bricks that are not only structurally sound but also require less energy to produce. By firing the bricks at high temperatures, harmful toxins in the filters are effectively neutralized, presenting a promising solution to the ongoing litter crisis.

Scientists at South Dakota State University have transformed banana peels into a plastic-like film that is biodegradable and breaks down in soil within roughly a month. This innovative material boasts the strength necessary for multiple packaging uses, and researchers are committed to enhancing its flexibility and increasing production capacity. This breakthrough provides a hopeful solution in the fight against plastic pollution.

In Deerfield, Massachusetts, Bar-Way Farm is leading the charge in renewable energy by harnessing food waste and cow manure to create electricity. Their anaerobic digester processes around 100 tons of food waste every day, generating enough energy to power about 900 homes annually. The farm then utilizes the remaining digestate both as fertilizer and bedding for their cows, showcasing an effective circular economic model that promotes sustainable farming practices.

A 1967 NASA mission sent parasitic wasps into orbit around Earth. These wasps showed surprising resistance to radiation damage while in space. Ground experiments failed to replicate this protective effect observed in orbit. This old experiment raises questions about spaceflight's impact on living cells. The findings remain relevant for future long-duration space missions.

Britain has endured its hottest summer on record, marked by successive heat waves, drought, destructive wildfires and water restrictions. The Met Office said the 16.5C mean temperature surpassed last years record. Scientists say human-caused climate change made such extreme heat 130 times more likely, underscoring a deepening climate crisis.

When it comes to relationships, questions often ignite emotional dialogues rather than merely requesting information. Partners may look for signs of reassurance, connection, or simply the comfort of being heard by their loved ones. Research highlights that our attachment styles can significantly shape the influence of reassurance-seeking on relationship trust. Sometimes, a need for reassurance can point to underlying anxieties or insecurities.

'We need to impeach Trump now...': Sen. Ed Markey delivers victory speech

As a teenage pop phenomenon in the late 1990s, Britney Spears captivated audiences worldwide. Her infectious tunes and striking image became the soundtrack of a generation, while her tumultuous personal life was under constant media watch. Following a fourteen-year conservatorship that dictated her choices, November 2021 symbolized her newfound autonomy, culminating in a revealing memoir that explores her experiences with fame and the quest for personal freedom.

Giorgia Meloni: In a country once a byword for political instability, Italy's first woman leader will have been in charge of the same administration for 1,413 days, one more than the late Silvio Berlusconi managed during one of his four stints in office.

A Massachusetts jury is deliberating for a fifth day on Lindsay Clancy's criminal responsibility for strangling her three children, with conflicting testimony on her postpartum mental health. If the jury deadlocks, a mistrial will be declared, potentially leading to a retrial or a plea deal. The case highlights the complexities of maternal mental health and has drawn significant public attention, drawing parallels to the recent Karen Read trial.

Young people in Latin America are participating in real-world aura battles. These events involve creative dancing and performances for audience recognition. The trend, originating online, has moved offline and gained popularity. Competitions are occurring in various cities across South America and Spain. Some officials have raised concerns, while others embrace the phenomenon.

Chinese President Xi Jinpings Egypt visit is deepening Beijings ties with a key US ally while advancing Chinas bid for greater Middle East influence. The three-day trip highlights expanding economic, diplomatic and strategic cooperation, including Belt and Road projects and Suez Canal access, as regional tensions reshape longstanding geopolitical alignments.

Rescue teams continued searching debris-strewn areas along the Nepal-China border for thousands missing after catastrophic Himalayan floods killed more than 1,000 people. Nepal reported 1,003 deaths and 3,916 missing, while China recorded 16 deaths and 546 missing.

Five Tamil Nadu pilgrims stranded in Nepal after devastating flash floods returned safely to Chennai on Tuesday, with state minister D Sarathkumar receiving them at the airport. The MEA said 163 Indian nationals had been rescued. Nepals death toll reached 1,050, while nearly 3,916 people remained unaccounted for amid continuing rescue operations.

Nepal's prime minister faces his first major test after a glacial collapse disaster. This catastrophe killed over one thousand people and left thousands more missing. Reconstruction costs are estimated to be in the billions of dollars for the nation. The disaster threatens the prime minister's reform agenda and economic development plans. This event also highlights Nepal's environmental fragility and climate change challenges.

On Wednesday, gold prices hit their lowest point in two weeks, driven down by rising Treasury yields and a stronger dollar that made the metal pricier for international customers. As investors look ahead to key U.S. jobs data for hints about interest rate trends, Federal Reserve officials have hinted at possible rate increases should inflation remain a concern. Meanwhile, movements in other precious metals were mixed during early trading.

Donald Trump stated he is not forcing Iran into negotiations. He expressed satisfaction with the current United States position and control. The United States now holds almost total control of the Hormuz Strait. Iran's economy is reportedly collapsing, and Trump awaits public uprising. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy shipments.

Brent crude futures rose 87 cents, or 0.92%, to $95.52 a barrel by 0008 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 80 cents, or 0.89%, to $91.02. Both contracts soared more than $4 on Tuesday, marking Brent's largest gain since July 24 and WTI's largest since July 23.

In 2006, NASA and French Space Agency CNES launched a satellite in a joint mission to probe the properties of Earth's thin clouds and aerosols. CALIPSO studied clouds and airborne particles from orbit. Its data helped scientists understand climate, weather and air quality, while its observations improved atmospheric models and satellite weather measurements.

Quote of the day by Sam Cooke: Sam Cooke believed observation was the secret to understanding people. He suggested observing and figuring out how people think helps communication. This understanding allows for clearer and more relatable messages to be conveyed. Cooke, a renowned singer, began in gospel before pop success.

In 1990, NASA sent a X-ray telescope into space on Space Shuttle Columbia for the first time to perform observations of galactic and extragalactic objects. The Broad Band X-ray Telescope, or BBXRT, flew during the STS-35 mission as part of the ASTRO-1 payload. It studied X-ray sources across a broad energy range and tested focusing X-ray optics in space.

WSU researchers treated sewage sludge under high temperature and pressure while introducing oxygen. Under those conditions, the relatively small amount of oxygen acts as a catalyst, helping break apart long polymer chains and making the organic material easier for microbes to process.