Updates on 9 September 2026
All of September 2026 →Buellia maharajensis: A New Lichen Species Discovered in Mathikettan Shola National Park, Kerala
Researchers have discovered a new saxicolous lichen species named Buellia maharajensis in Mathikettan Shola National Park, Idukki district, Kerala, at an elevation of about 1,351 metres. The species was named in honour of Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, on its 150th anniversary to recognise its long scientific contribution. This discovery is part of a wider survey documenting about 250 lichen species in the park, including 60 new to Kerala and 15 new to India, highlighting the park's significance as a biodiversity hotspot. The findings were published in the international journal Taiwania, reflecting collaborative research involving institutions such as Maharaja’s College, Kerala Forest Research Institute, and CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute.
US Bans Canadian Dairy, Alcohol, and Motorcycle Imports Amid Trade Dispute
On September 8, 2026, the United States announced it would ban imports of selected Canadian alcoholic beverages, motorcycles, and dairy-related products including whey and molasses, effective from 12:01 a.m. on September 29, 2026. This measure escalated an ongoing trade dispute between the neighboring countries, following Canada's retaliatory tariffs on American products.
US Department of Labor Suspends Cognizant's PERM Filings Amid H-1B Visa Investigation
The US Department of Labor temporarily suspended Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) filings for Cognizant and Cloudera on September 8, 2026, as part of a nationwide investigation into wage-related abuses and fraudulent applications in the H-1B and PERM visa programs. PERM certification is a prerequisite for employment-based permanent residency, verifying the unavailability of qualified US workers for a specific job before filing a green card petition. Cognizant, an IT services company headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey and founded in Chennai, India, had 3,510 H-1B petition approvals in fiscal year 2026. No formal charges had been filed against the companies at the time.