💔 Smoking links to higher sudden cardiac death risk

Researchers investigated the link between smoking and sudden cardiac death using the Copenhagen City Heart Study data. The study followed 10,038 participants from 1991 to December 2021, recording 890 SCD events over a median follow-up of 28.6 years. Both former smokers (HR 1.34) and current smokers (HR 1.88) showed increased SCD risks compared to never smokers. SCDs accounted for 13% to 16% of all-cause mortality across smoking categories. Risk decreased for former smokers as time since cessation increased, but higher cumulative exposure meant higher risk. 💔

💻 Persistence paid off: Microsoft engineer's journey

Microsoft engineer Aditya Jamwal shared his experience of applying to over 80 roles at Microsoft starting from September 2025. Out of those attempts, only four resulted in a response, leading to two parallel interviews. He successfully cracked the interviews for both the Azure team in Hyderabad and the Xbox team in Noida. Jamwal emphasized that interview skills matter more than just academic marks in recruitment. His journey proves that persistence is key, even when facing many rejections. 🚀

🚀 6.8 CGPA to Microsoft: Marks vs. Skills

Aditya Jamwal landed a Rs 32 lakh role at Microsoft in Hyderabad despite having a 6.8 CGPA. This success story contrasts with a class topper earning only Rs 6 lakh at a startup. Jamwal reportedly focused on developing skills like data structures and system design instead of just grades. This highlights a major shift where employers value practical ability over academic scores. Ultimately, skills and problem-solving ability are proving to be the real game-changers in the job market.

🏛️ Trump tours White House construction upgrades

President Donald Trump gave a tour of ongoing construction projects at the White House on Wednesday. He showcased the rebuilt driveway made of California granite and the revamped helipad. The driveway replacement was detailed, and the helipad's slope was adjusted after initial construction began. Trump emphasized his personal involvement in perfecting the facade and landscaping details. Furthermore, his administration is pushing the 90,000-square-foot ballroom project through the Supreme Court. 🏛️

✨ Fisherman's Lungi Went Global Fashion Icon

Tamil Nadu's coastal fishermen traditionally wore hand-woven, vegetable-dyed checked cloth as everyday lungis centuries ago. Dutch traders arrived at Pulicat in 1610, and Francis Day established Fort St George in 1639, boosting Madras's textile status. The fabric traveled to Nigeria in the 1500s, where it became known as Injiri and then George cloth. British exporters cleverly labeled the large squares as 'Real Madras Handkerchief' to avoid high export taxes. This cloth became 'Bleeding Madras' due to dye bleeding, eventually trending among Ivy League students by the 1960s. 👕

📱 Xiaomi 18 Pro series might get certified soon

The Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max devices have reportedly received certifications for sale in China. These phones feature 100W wired charging and include Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology. Both models are anticipated to launch in China during September this year. The duo is expected to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro SoC and upgraded hardware. The larger Pro Max might become the flagship if the Xiaomi 18 Ultra is cancelled.

🚗 Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler Trail Edition revealed

Mahindra unveiled the Scorpio Lifestyler pickup truck, showcasing it in three personas including the Trail Edition. This rugged truck features Sahara Beige paint and chunky cladding, with 18-inch alloy wheels. The expected launch date for the Scorpio Lifestyler is April 2027, with a starting price of Rs 19.79 lakh. It is expected to run on 2-litre turbo-petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engines, similar to the Scorpio N. The Trail Edition appears sophisticated, setting it against rivals like the Isuzu V-Cross. 🤩

🌟 Hepburn's take on taking control of your life

Katharine Hepburn shared a powerful lesson about personal accountability in her 1991 memoir, ‘Me: Stories of My Life.’ The iconic actress emphasized that while external factors exist, ultimately, changing your situation is up to you. She argued against the victim mentality, stating that it is always your fault if you choose not to change. Hepburn demonstrated this by taking control despite facing challenges in the industry. She lived unapologetically, proving that personal agency drives success. 🎬

⚖️ Supreme Court to rule on 'industry' definition

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgment concerning the wide definition of "industry" established in the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. A. Rajappa case. This decision will be made by a 9-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The bench had reserved its judgment date for March 19. The Constitution Bench is reviewing the broad interpretation of "industry" from the 1978 judgment. This previous ruling covered any systematic activity for goods/services production, even non-profit ones. ⚖️

☕ Bengaluru set for big coffee fest in 2027

The India International Coffee Festival (IICF) is returning to Bengaluru from February 26 to 28, 2027. This third edition, hosted by the Coffee Board of India and SCAI, will gather industry players on a farm-to-cup platform. Currently, India's per-capita coffee consumption is only 0.07 kg annually, far below the global average of 1.3 kg. The event aims to capitalize on the growing domestic market as café culture spreads across the nation. Key attractions include the National Coffee Championships, with qualifiers happening between August and October 2026. ☕

🐒 Monkey whisperers keep Delhi's events chill

Men known as monkey whisperers use langur calls to manage stray monkeys in Delhi. These brothers are called in to keep common monkeys away from the high-security Indira Gandhi Arena for the BWF World Championships. They work from 9 am to 5 pm and earn Rs 800 per day for this task. While sports stars defend the practice, official bodies have denied hiring them for the tournament. This recurring urban conflict shows Delhi's ongoing struggle against its monkey menace. 🐒