World

Barn owls help vineyards control rodents naturally. Representational image. Barn owls can help vineyards reduce rodent damage in a natural way, by making rodents more cautious, and reducing their activity in vineyards, according to a new study from researchers in California.The study was focused on vineyards in Napa Valley, California, where rodents damage grapevines during…

Nepal-born British mountaineer Nirmal Purja. (AP photo) King Charles III and Prince William have paid heartfelt tributes to celebrated Nepal-born British mountaineer Nirmal Purja after he was killed in a devastating avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, praising his military service, extraordinary climbing achievements and lasting legacy in the world of mountaineering.Purja, widely known as “Nims…

At least five people have died and 41 others remain missing after a ferry carrying around 250 passengers and crew caught fire off Madura Island in Indonesia on Sunday morning, authorities said.The ferry, KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, was en route from Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya to Makassar on Sulawesi Island when the captain reported…

Caulerpa taxifolia, commonly known as “killer algae,” originates from the tropical waters of the Caribbean Some of the biggest ecological disasters start in the least likely places. Here it may have started with a home aquarium. An online report by the Centre for Invasive Species Research states that an ornamental seaweed, Caulerpa taxifolia, escaped into…

Study says Northern Hemisphere lakes may lose 40 days of winter ice by 2100 (National Geographic photo) Winter ice on lakes plays an important role in keeping lakes healthy by controlling water temperature, supporting aquatic life and helping maintain the natural balance of freshwater ecosystems. However, scientists say this seasonal ice cover is disappearing faster…

Representative Image (Canva) According to a study published in the journal Gondwana Research, supported by findings from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), neutron and synchrotron scans of a 100-million-year-old ichthyosaur fossil from Queensland have uncovered the marine reptile’s final meal, and clues to its violent end. Researchers found the remains of fish,…

Old Trails Fire burns near Dwight Merkel Sports Complex (AP photo) More than 4,000 firefighters, backed by the National Guard and crews from over a dozen states, battled multiple wildfires across Washington state, US on Saturday as strong winds and extreme heat fuelled blazes that forced widespread evacuations and power outages.Governor Bob Ferguson declared a…

Workers inspect debris of the Kinparo inn, founded in 1910, for conservation of a possible rebuilding in Yatsushiro, southern Japan An elderly woman apparently died of heat stroke while sheltering in her car, after the massive earthquake that killed over 30, as authorities warned of growing heat-related risks for evacuees amid sweltering temperatures.The woman, believed…

Twitch streamer ExtraEmily is taking her content from livestreams to television with her own series, ExtraEmily: Creator Essentials. The new show is part of a partnership between creator company pocket.watch and major streaming platforms. The series has 15 episodes, with each episode running for about 22 minutes. It is made for a teen audience and…

File photo: Middle East security situation US embassies across several Middle Eastern countries on Saturday urged American citizens to consider leaving the region or be prepared to depart at short notice, warning of the possibility of an “unforeseen escalation” in the conflict involving Iran.The security alert was issued by US embassies in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel,…