1. US Court Limits Presidential Tariff Powers Under IEEPA
Context: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in a significant 7–4 ruling on August 29, 2025, declared that many of Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were illegal. The court found that the President’s exercise of emergency authority to impose broad, retaliatory and trafficking-related tariffs exceeded the power delegated by Congress. Although the decision upheld a prior judgment by the Court of International Trade, it has been stayed until mid-October, allowing time for the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court—including via a planned legal brief citing the fentanyl crisis and alternate legal authorities. This ruling underscore mounting judicial constraints on executive overreach in trade policy.
Details:
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), enacted in 1977, authorizes the President to declare a national emergency and take economic actions in response to unusual and extraordinary threats. Historically, it has been used to impose sanctions or freeze assets, notably during the Iran hostage crisis and after the 9/11 attacks. However, IEEPA does not explicitly authorize the imposition of tariffs, which are generally considered taxation, a power constitutionally vested in Congress.
In 2025, the Trump administration invoked IEEPA to justify a series of expansive tariffs, including the so-called “Liberation Day tariffs” and additional measures aimed at combating fentanyl trafficking and pressuring trading partners such as Mexico and Canada. These tariffs included high punitive and retaliatory rates, applied broadly across countries.
These tariffs were legally challenged by small businesses and several Democratic-led states. On May 28, 2025, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) held that both the Reciprocal Tariffs and the Trafficking Tariffs exceeded the President’s authority under IEEPA. The court permanently enjoined their enforcement, noting that they lacked a direct connection to an emergency and infringed on congressional power over taxation and trade.
The Trump administration promptly appealed. On July 31, 2025, the Federal Circuit heard oral arguments, during which judges questioned whether persistent trade deficits or drug crises could legitimately be deemed a national emergency, particularly in the absence of congressional authorization and procedure.
On August 29, 2025, in a 7–4 per curiam decision (V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump), the Federal Circuit affirmed the CIT’s ruling, emphasizing that IEEPA’s broad delegation to “regulate” does not include imposing tariffs. The court remanded the case to the CIT to reassess the scope of remedies and granted a stay until October 14, anticipating a Supreme Court review.
Following the ruling, the administration pushed forward. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will uphold the tariffs, citing the fentanyl crisis as a national emergency. He also indicated a backup legal option under the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, Section 338, should the Supreme Court reject the IEEPA-based justification.
President Trump, meanwhile, denounced the appellate court as “highly partisan,” warned that lifting the tariffs would trigger a $15 trillion investment exodus and plunge the U.S. into a “Third World Nation.” He maintained that the tariffs had bolstered economic growth, employment, and inflation control. The tariff revenues, reportedly, had doubled to $159 billion by July 2025 compared to the previous year.
Conclusion:The Federal Circuit’s August 29, 2025 ruling is a milestone in U.S. constitutional and trade jurisprudence. It rebukes the unilateral use of emergency powers under IEEPA to impose broad tariffs without explicit statutory backing. By reaffirming that taxation and trade regulation are congressional domains, the courts have reinstated a critical check on executive overreach. Though the tariffs remain in effect pending Supreme Court appeal, the decision may reshape how future administrations approach economic emergency powers.
2. Blue Dragons Invade Spanish Beaches
Context: In mid-2025, several Spanish beaches along the Mediterranean coast faced temporary closures due to an unusual marine visitor, the blue dragon (Glaucus atlanticus). These small but visually striking sea slugs, known for their vivid blue colour and dangerous sting, suddenly appeared in large numbers, alarming locals and tourists. Their arrival was closely linked to rising sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean, which has been warming faster than most global oceans. While these creatures are fascinating from a biological standpoint, their sudden invasion reflects deeper concerns about climate change, shifting marine ecosystems, and public safety challenges in coastal regions.
Details
The blue dragon is a unique type of nudibranch, a soft-bodied sea slug usually associated with seabeds. However, unlike its relatives, the blue dragon floats upside down on the water surface by storing an air bubble in its stomach. Its coloration offers a remarkable example of countershading camouflage: the bright blue dorsal side merges with the ocean surface when seen from above, while the silvery-white underside blends with sunlight when seen from below. This adaptation helps it evade predators in open waters.
One of the most fascinating traits of the blue dragon is its feeding and defence strategy. It preys on venomous jellyfish, including the Portuguese man o’ war, absorbing and storing their nematocysts (stinging cells) in its appendages. Instead of neutralising the venom, it concentrates it, making its sting even more painful than that of its prey. For humans, contact can cause severe burning pain, redness, swelling, nausea, and vomiting, though the sting is not typically fatal. This makes the creature both scientifically intriguing and dangerous for unknowing swimmers.
The sudden appearance in Spanish waters is linked to climate change. Traditionally, blue dragons inhabit the tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. Their presence in the Mediterranean was extremely rare until recent years. Scientists attribute this shift to the Mediterranean’s rapid warming trend, which has not only increased suitable conditions for tropical species but also boosted jellyfish populations, the blue dragon’s primary prey. This combination creates favourable conditions for their range expansion, turning once-temperate waters into suitable habitats.
The impact on tourism and local communities was immediate. Authorities in Guardamar del Segura, La Línea de la Concepción, and Lanzarote closed beaches to protect swimmers. Police and coastal guards issued strong warnings, urging people not to touch these creatures, despite their harmless appearance. For regions that rely heavily on summer beach tourism, such closures highlighted the economic vulnerability of coastal tourism to unexpected ecological shifts. The event also raised broader concerns about public health management during marine anomalies.
In response, local administrations launched public awareness campaigns, emphasizing that the creatures’ bright colours are a natural warning sign, an example of aposematism in biology. Safety advisories encouraged beachgoers to admire these creatures from a distance, avoid physical contact, and report sightings to local authorities. Beyond immediate safety, scientists have stressed the ecological significance of the event. The expansion of tropical species into Mediterranean waters underscores how climate change is altering marine biodiversity, food chains, and ecosystems. Monitoring such invasive or migratory species becomes vital for long-term marine conservation planning.
Conclusion:
The sudden invasion of blue dragons on Spanish beaches is more than a quirky natural event; it is a signal of ecological transformation driven by climate change. The warming of the Mediterranean has facilitated the migration of tropical species, altering the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. While the incident posed direct challenges for public safety and tourism, it also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of climate change, biodiversity, and human livelihoods. By treating such cases as warning signs rather than isolated anomalies, policymakers and conservationists can strengthen strategies for climate adaptation, ecological monitoring, and sustainable coastal management.
3. Coral Microatolls Reveal Early Indian Ocean Sea-Level Rise
Context: The Indian Ocean, home to vulnerable island nations and densely populated coasts, has emerged as a hotspot of climate change impacts. Rising sea levels threaten coral reefs, fisheries, and millions living in coastal zones. Traditionally, long-term records of sea-level rise were sparse, limiting accurate understanding of its historical onset and pace. Recent research, however, has tapped into an unusual archive — coral microatolls — to reconstruct nearly a century of sea-level change in the central Indian Ocean. The findings reveal that sea-level rise began decades earlier than previously thought, with critical implications for both climate science and adaptation strategies in the region.
Details
Sea-level rise is among the most visible consequences of global warming. In the Indian Ocean, which is warming faster than the global average, rising waters have worsened coral bleaching, erosion, and reef mortality. Higher sea levels reduce the sunlight reaching corals, compromising their photosynthesis and health. Combined with shifting tides and sediment movement, this weakens reef ecosystems that are natural coastal protectors. Countries like the Maldives, Seychelles, and island territories of India face mounting risks as both ecosystems and livelihoods depend on stable coastal environments.
Systematic sea-level monitoring in the Indian Ocean began relatively late, during the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere (TOGA) programme (1985–1994). These efforts later expanded into the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS), and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences has since tracked sea-level rise at about 3.3 mm per year, higher than the global mean. Yet, until now, there were major data gaps in the central Indian Ocean, especially before the 1980s, leaving uncertainty about when and how the rise began.
Here, coral microatolls offer a natural solution. These are unique coral colonies, particularly of the Porites species, that stop vertical growth once they reach the lowest tide level. Instead, they expand laterally, recording changes in sea level across decades or even centuries. Researchers studied a large microatoll from Mahutigalaa reef in the Maldives to reconstruct sea-level changes between 1930 and 2019. By surveying the coral’s surface and slicing a slab for X-ray imaging, they examined annual growth bands similar to tree rings. Uranium-thorium dating further anchored these records in absolute time.
The study’s findings were striking. Sea level in the region rose about 0.3 metres over 90 years, with a clear acceleration:
- 1–1.84 mm/year (1930–1959)
- 2.76–4.12 mm/year (1960–1992)
- 3.91–4.87 mm/year (1990–2019)
This shows that sea-level rise in the central Indian Ocean began in the late 1950s, much earlier than previously assumed. The Maldives, Lakshadweep, and Chagos archipelago have experienced 30–40 cm of sea-level rise in just the last 50 years, putting their fragile ecosystems and communities at risk.
Beyond sea level, the microatoll captured environmental signals. Growth interruptions aligned with major El Niño and negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events, which are known to cause coral bleaching and stress. The coral also recorded the 18.6-year lunar nodal cycle, which influences tides, confirming its reliability as a natural archive. Importantly, the tectonic stability of the Maldives ensured that the sea-level trends reflected climate-driven changes, not geological shifts.Conclusion: The study of coral microatolls in the Maldives provides a breakthrough in understanding the timing and pace of sea-level rise in the Indian Ocean. By revealing that the rise began as early as the 1950s, and has accelerated since, it underscores the urgency of climate action. For nations like India and the Maldives, the stakes are high: coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, loss of reefs, and threats to fisheries and tourism all directly affect livelihoods and economies.
4. Japan’s Shinkansen
Context: The Shinkansen, Japan’s iconic high-speed rail network, continues to be a global benchmark for speed, safety, and technological innovation as of 2025. Its recent spotlight came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled aboard the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Sendai during his official visit, underlining the train’s symbolic role as a marker of modern infrastructure and engineering excellence. Beyond being a mode of transport, the Shinkansen represents how design innovation, efficiency, and public investment can transform national connectivity and economic geography.
Details
The historical development of the Shinkansen reflects Japan’s post-war commitment to modernisation. Launched in 1964, the first line connected Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, coinciding with the Tokyo Olympics. This marked the beginning of a new era, as long travel times between major cities were drastically reduced. For instance, the Tokyo to Osaka journey, which once took 16.5 hours in 1889, was cut to just three hours by 1965. Over six decades, the network expanded across Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, integrating regions and making long-distance rail travel not just practical but preferable to air travel.
In terms of speed and efficiency, the Shinkansen remains unmatched. The fastest service, the Nozomi trains, cover 515 km between Tokyo and Osaka in 2 hours 21 minutes, averaging nearly 220 km/h. This makes the train directly competitive with domestic flights, while being more environmentally friendly. Such efficiency is made possible by dedicated high-speed tracks, advanced signalling systems, and operational discipline that ensure no intersection with slower trains. As a result, Shinkansen has redefined the standards of public transportation efficiency worldwide.
Equally remarkable is its safety record and reliability. In more than 60 years of operation, the Shinkansen has recorded zero passenger fatalities due to accidents, a feat unmatched by any other high-speed rail network. Its punctuality is legendary, with average delays measured in seconds rather than minutes. Rigorous maintenance protocols and strict adherence to safety systems ensure that millions of passengers trust the network daily, reinforcing its global reputation as one of the safest transport systems in existence.
Another defining aspect is design innovation inspired by biomimicry. Early models of the Shinkansen faced challenges of loud sonic booms when trains entered tunnels at high speed, due to compressed air pressure waves. Japanese engineer Eiji Nakatsu, who was also a birdwatcher, studied the kingfisher bird, known for diving into water with minimal splash thanks to its streamlined beak. Applying this principle, the train’s nose design was restructured, reducing air resistance, eliminating sonic booms, improving energy efficiency, and enabling higher speeds. This story of nature-inspired engineering has become a textbook example of biomimicry in modern technology.
The impact of the Shinkansen extends beyond transport. By linking regions quickly and comfortably, it has reshaped Japan’s economic geography. Business travel, tourism, and urban development flourished along Shinkansen routes, narrowing regional disparities and boosting local economies. Its success has also influenced global transport planning, inspiring high-speed rail projects in China, Europe, and India (e.g., the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project, developed in collaboration with Japan). Thus, the Shinkansen embodies not only Japan’s technological prowess but also the transformative role of infrastructure in national development.
Conclusion: The Shinkansen is more than a train, it is a symbol of innovation, efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure. Its six-decade journey showcases how bold investments in high-speed rail can revolutionize connectivity, boost economies, and inspire design breakthroughs. Its impeccable safety record, environmental advantages, and reliance on biomimicry-based engineering offer lessons for countries aspiring to modernise their transport networks. As India builds its own high-speed rail corridor with Japanese collaboration, the Shinkansen stands as both a partner and a model for how transport can drive national progress while balancing speed, safety, and sustainability.
5. Dioscorea Balakrishnanii
Context: In 2025, researchers announced the discovery of a new edible tuber species in the Western Ghats of Kerala, named Dioscorea balakrishnanii. Found in the evergreen shola forests of Wayanad, this yam has been used for generations by the Kattunayikar tribes, who call it “chola kizhangu.” With its low glycemic index, excellent flavour, and nutritional qualities, this wild yam is being recognised not only as a contribution to botany but also as a potential tool for food security and sustainable agriculture. The discovery also highlights the importance of tribal knowledge systems and the urgent need to conserve the biodiversity of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Details:
The scientific description of Dioscorea balakrishnanii came after nearly a decade of careful observation and study. Botanists identified its distinct male and female flowers, confirming that it was a previously undocumented species, despite its long-standing use among local communities. This meticulous documentation reflects the gap between formal scientific recognition and the practical ecological wisdom embedded within tribal societies.
The species holds special ecological and cultural significance because it grows exclusively in shola forests, high-altitude evergreen ecosystems unique to the Western Ghats. Wayanad alone harbours over 23 varieties of wild yams across 14 species, making it a hotspot of tuber diversity. These yams form an essential part of indigenous diets, sustaining local communities during food scarcity and seasonal changes. Among the Kattunayikar tribes, wild yams like chola kizhangu are integral to their nutritional needs,
culture, and identity.
The naming of the species after Dr. V. Balakrishnan, an environmentalist and Deputy Superintendent of Police, reflects the fusion of scientific research and community-based conservation efforts. Dr. Balakrishnan’s work in documenting edible plants and his role in biodiversity legislation, such as the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, have advanced recognition of the role of local communities in preserving plant genetic resources. This is the second species named in his honour, underscoring his contributions to biodiversity conservation in Wayanad.
From a food security perspective, Dioscorea balakrishnanii has considerable promise. Its low glycemic index makes it suitable for diabetic-friendly diets, while its flavour and edibility make it appealing for domestication and wider cultivation. Introducing such species into sustainable agricultural practices could diversify food crops, reduce dependence on conventional tubers, and enhance climate resilience in farming systems.
The discovery also raises broader questions about biodiversity conservation. The Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, continues to yield previously unknown species, reflecting how underexplored the region remains. Protecting such ecosystems is vital not only for ecological balance but also for future food resilience, as wild relatives of cultivated crops often possess traits like pest resistance, drought tolerance, and nutritional value. Without conservation, these genetic resources may be lost forever.
Equally important is the role of tribal knowledge. The identification of chola kizhangu as edible and safe came from centuries of indigenous experimentation and oral traditions. The Kattunayikar tribes’ ecological wisdom provided the foundation for scientific recognition. This underlines the need to safeguard tribal languages, traditions, and rights, since they are intertwined with the preservation of biodiversity. Without their participation, valuable plant resources could remain undiscovered or underutilised.
Conclusion
The discovery of Dioscorea balakrishnanii in the Western Ghats is a reminder of the hidden wealth of biodiversity and the critical role of indigenous knowledge in scientific discovery. Beyond its botanical novelty, the species holds potential to support food security, sustainable agriculture, and nutritional diversity. It also highlights the urgent need to protect fragile ecosystems like the shola forests and the cultural heritage of tribal communities that safeguard them. In an era of climate change and biodiversity loss, such findings reinforce the importance of integrating modern science with traditional wisdom to build resilient food systems and conserve nature’s vast genetic library.
6. China and India Drive Global Coal Power Growth Amid Energy Transition
Context: The first half of 2025 highlighted a striking divide in global energy trends. China and India together accounted for nearly 88% of new coal power capacity worldwide, signalling their continued dependence on coal even as they rapidly expand renewable energy. China added 21 gigawatts (GW) of coal power, its largest increase in nearly a decade, while India commissioned 5.1 GW of new plants and holds 92 GW of proposals pending. In sharp contrast, regions like Europe and Latin America are phasing out coal entirely. This divergence underscores the complex and uneven global energy transition.
Details
China led global coal expansion by adding 21 GW of new coal power in the first half of 2025, the largest increase since 2016. This surge is linked to the 2021–22 energy crisis, which exposed vulnerabilities in power supply and pushed policymakers to prioritise coal as a safeguard against shortages. Interestingly, despite the addition of coal plants, China’s carbon emissions fell by about 1% in early 2025, thanks to rapid growth in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. Many of the new coal plants are standby units, meant to operate mainly during peak demand, showing Beijing’s balancing act between energy reliability and decarbonisation efforts.
India’s energy landscape reflects a two-track approach. On one hand, the country crossed 220 GW of renewable capacity by March 2025, in line with its ambitious goal of 500 GW by 2030. On the other, coal remains indispensable, generating around 70% of India’s electricity. In early 2025, India commissioned 5.1 GW of new coal power, up from 4.2 GW in 2024, while retirements were minimal at 0.8 GW.
Moreover, India plans to add about 90 GW of coal capacity in the next seven years, representing a 60% increase from earlier targets. Weak enforcement of pollution control norms has prolonged the operation of older, less efficient plants. This dual track of aggressive renewable growth alongside continued coal dependence illustrates the country’s pragmatic strategy for meeting rising power demand.
The global scenario shows a stark regional divide. Europe is accelerating coal phase-outs: Ireland closed its last coal plant in June 2025, and many EU countries aim for a complete coal exit by 2029–2033. Latin America, too, has almost entirely abandoned new coal projects. By contrast, Asia, led by China and India, continues to expand coal capacity, making it harder to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. These differences reflect distinct developmental priorities — while advanced economies can invest in full decarbonisation, developing nations prioritise affordable energy and industrial growth.
The strategies of China and India underline the non-linear nature of the energy transition. Both nations see coal not as a rejection of climate goals, but as a reliable safeguard for energy security. For China, coal ensures stable backup capacity, while for India, it provides essential baseload electricity to support economic growth. At the same time, both are world leaders in renewable energy expansion. This dual approach illustrates the complex choices faced by developing economies, where climate commitments must be balanced with immediate developmental needs. Their decisions will profoundly influence global carbon emissions and determine whether international climate goals remain within reach.
Conclusion: The dominance of China and India in new coal power expansion reflects the contradictory realities of the global energy transition. While advanced economies move towards complete coal phase-outs, Asia’s two largest economies continue to rely on coal for security and growth, even as they lead in renewable investments. The path to net zero emissions is therefore unlikely to be uniform, but rather shaped by national circumstances, priorities, and vulnerabilities. Ultimately, the world’s success in addressing climate change will depend heavily on how China and India reconcile their energy security needs with global climate ambitions.
