🌳 Assam's giant tree helps forests handle heavy rains

Recent floods impacted Sivasagar, Jorhat, and Charaideo across Assam, displacing many families and damaging infrastructure. The Hollong tree, Assam's state tree, is crucial as it helps forests absorb and manage intense monsoon rainfall. Its population has seen a massive decline of 50 to 70%, causing the IUCN to list it as Endangered. This tree anchors soil and regulates climate, functions engineered structures cannot match. Conservation efforts are vital because reports indicate nearly 95% of saplings were recently destroyed in Nalani Reserved Forest. 🌳

🏍️ Dhoni hits the track on a KTM 🏍️

Mahendra Singh Dhoni recently showcased his love for motorcycles at the Madras International Circuit. He rode a KTM 390 Duke during a promotional event organized by TVS Eurogrip in Irungattukottai, near Chennai. Dhoni enjoyed several high-speed laps around the permanent racing circuit. This activity reminds everyone of his enduring passion away from cricket. Videos and pictures from the event are quickly flooding social media.

🔋 OnePlus N6x battery hype hides a major catch

The OnePlus N6x boasts a massive 7,000 mAh battery, making it look like a huge steal compared to the OnePlus N6 and Oppo K13. However, its slow 15W charging speed is a major trade-off that limits usability. The display features a 6.8-inch 120Hz LCD, which is smooth but lacks the sharpness of competitors. Performance is adequate for daily use with the Dimensity 6360 Apex, but the camera setup feels basic. Ultimately, it targets users prioritizing battery life over fast charging and display clarity. 🔋

🧠 IIT Gandhinagar opens ML Engineering Master's applications

IIT Gandhinagar has started accepting applications for its Executive Master's Degree in Machine Learning Engineering. This two-year programme is aimed at working professionals across sectors like engineering and healthcare. Candidates need at least 55% in BTech or equivalent, and Maths at Class 12 is mandatory. The course focuses on AI for industrial processes and data-driven decisions. The total fee is Rs 9,30,000, with application fees starting at Rs 1,000.

🚫 Food regulator bans artificial flavour rum/whisky

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India banned five manufacturers from selling certain rum and whisky variants. These manufacturers included Mohan Rocky Springwater and United Spirits in Maharashtra, and others in Madhya Pradesh. The ban was enforced because these companies used added artificial flavours instead of relying on base material maturation. While they can sell existing stock with proper labeling, future production must not include such imitation flavours. The regulator stated that masking natural taste is substandard and misleading to consumers. 🚫

🎮 Beast of Reincarnation launches with PC glitches

The game Beast of Reincarnation has officially been released, but its launch has been marred by technical issues. Players across various PCs have reported significant stuttering and outright crashes since the debut. These bugs are affecting the initial player experience across the platform. Developers are now reportedly working on hotfixes to address these critical performance problems. Hopefully, these patches will stabilize the game soon so everyone can enjoy the content. 🎮

✈️ Indian techies are moving back from the US

Top tech executives are choosing to return to India from the US for various reasons. Gowri Shankar Ravindran, Adobe's Director of Engineering, moved to Bengaluru after a decade in California. Data shows 7,300 tech professionals have returned in 2026 amid H-1B visa uncertainties. Many cite family proximity or job market uncertainty as key drivers for this trend. Experts suggest expanding opportunities in India are also fueling this reverse migration. 🏡

🦠 Drug-resistant fungus spreading across 23 US states

More than 3,000 cases of Candida auris have been reported across 23 states, indicating a concerning spread of this fungal infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that some strains are resistant to standard antifungal medications. As of July 18, Texas leads with 706 cases, followed by Michigan with 503 and Illinois with 366. While the general public risk is low, acute care facilities must take extra precautions to slow its transmission. Medical professionals are advised to implement strict isolation and disinfection protocols to manage this growing issue. 🦠

🤔 AI won't fix everything, character is the real key

There is a persistent belief that AI will solve humanity's problems by boosting everyone's intelligence. However, evidence shows that even wealthy and Nordic countries still struggle with issues like loneliness and depression. AI is commoditizing intelligence, making it widely accessible at near-zero cost. Yet, existing post-abundance conditions haven't led to widespread happiness because something deeper is missing. That missing element is character, which determines whether amplified power serves good or harm.

📉 Nestle India flags cost and supply risks

Nestle India is anticipating a moderation in consumption in the near term. This outlook stems from prevailing cost pressures and potential supply chain risks across the market. Specifically, the company noted these factors during its latest business updates. The market context suggests ongoing volatility in consumer spending habits globally. Nestle plans to closely monitor these economic indicators for future strategy adjustments.

🧑‍💼 Min age for MDs to drop from 21 to 18

A parliamentary committee recommended lowering the minimum age for managing and whole-time directors from 21 to 18 years. This proposal came from a parliamentary committee examining corporate laws, noting that most major economies lack this age barrier. The change aims to align Indian law with the reality that 18-year-olds can already run businesses. Policymakers also want to encourage more younger voices in boardrooms, reflecting industry demand for tech skills. This nudge supports a slow trend of younger representation in NSE-listed companies. 📈