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How a 133-year-old tree signed for Yellowstone Forest Reserve stalled a helicopter mission
Plans to helicopter a historic inscribed tree from Wyoming's wilderness are paused. Public opposition arose after land managers failed to consult advocacy groups. The Shoshone National Forest is now exploring a 3D scan and replica option. This alternative aims to preserve the tree's history without removal. The original plan involved significant helicopter use within the protected area.
Bill Gates never studied at University of Washington, but it paid him $500 as a teen; 5 decades later, Microsoft co-founder is giving it $540 million
Bill Gates never attended the University of Washington, but the school played a surprising role in his early computer journey, paying him $500 as a teenager and giving him valuable access to computers. More than five decades later, the Microsoft co-founder is returning the favor, with the Gates Foundation committing a record $540 million to UW for global health research.
ETSA 2026: Jury to pick winners today; SoftBank trims Lenskart stake
The day has arrived! The elite jury of The Economic Times Startup Awards 2026 will convene in Bengaluru today to select the brightest stars in India’s startup galaxy. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
How Taiwan's US$1.4 billion radar detected and tracked China's ballistic missile
Taiwan's radar detected China's missile launch shortly after liftoff. This allowed the island to monitor the initial flight and share intelligence. The AN/FPS-115 Pave Paws radar tracked the missile's trajectory within its range. Taiwan then shared this data with the United States for further monitoring. This event highlights Taiwan's surveillance capabilities amid rising cross-strait tensions.
Infosys non-committal on pay hikes, keeps employees guessing
Infosys management remained non-committal on salary revision timelines during a recent town hall, citing macroeconomic conditions and client spending. Employees expressed disappointment as the company has not yet decided on wage hikes, with a four-month delay in communication already observed. This comes as Infosys forecasts cautious revenue growth for 2026-27.
Taiwan detects three sorties by Chinese military aircraft, five vessels around its territory
Taiwan's Defence Ministry has raised an alarm as Chinese military assets, including aircraft and naval vessels, are reported near its territorial waters. Disturbingly, one aircraft even brazenly crossed into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone. This comes amidst fears tied to China's expanding nuclear capabilities, featuring cutting-edge missile technologies.

Trump for peace: New poll says he achieved what Obama and Biden never could in Middle East
A new poll shows Americans see Donald Trump as the “Peace President” after his Middle East peace deal. Many believe he did more for peace than Obama or Biden. His plan ended fighting in Gaza and freed hostages. Voters say this may be one of Trump’s biggest successes in world politics.

China's expanding nuclear arsenal raises fears of 'Nuclear Blackmail' over Taiwan conflict
Concerns are mounting over China's expanding nuclear weapons stockpile, with analysts indicating that Beijing may resort to nuclear posturing to dissuade Western involvement in the escalating Taiwan situation. This geopolitical chess game could prompt the United States to reevaluate its military commitments in response to a potential invasion of Taiwan.

Infosys kicks off employee performance review
Multiple employees received an email from HR asking them to complete the process by October 17. “This is a routine exercise, but we hope the company will give us a raise this time, unlike last year,” an employee said.

Infosys hiring women on a career break, offers rewards to employees for successful referrals
Infosys is running Restart With Infosys — a hiring program for women professionals to resume their careers after a break. Candidates need two years of experience and a six-month break. The program offers mentorship and skill development. Referrals get rewards up to Rs 50,000. Infosys is aiming for 45% female workforce by 2030.

High Noon recalls vodka seltzers that were mistakenly labeled as Celsius energy drinks in multiple states
High noon celsius energy drink recall: High Noon issued a nationwide recall of its Beach Variety 12-packs due to a labeling error. Vodka seltzers were mistakenly packaged in Celsius energy drink cans, potentially leading to unintentional alcohol consumption. The affected products were shipped to retailers in eight states, and consumers are urged to check lot codes and dispose of mislabeled cans.

Infosys’ Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune centres top April on-site attendance numbers
Infosys is pushing for increased office attendance, with Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune leading in on-site presence in April. The company's return-to-office policy requires employees at job level 5 and below to work from the office at least 10 days a month, triggering interventions for non-compliance.

Infosys releases Q4 bonus, employees call payout tepid
Most eligible employees received just 50% of their targeted bonus, with some receiving 70% and only a few exceptional performers getting more, sources told ET. A senior Infosys employee remarked that this is the lowest bonus he has seen in his decade-long tenure, having previously received 100% or more during prosperous periods. In contrast, the December quarter bonuses averaged around 80% for eligible employees.

Who is winning in the Canada election, the Liberals or the Conservatives? Reports say it's neck and neck and too close to call
With Canada's election nearing, a recent poll indicates a tight race between Liberal leader Mark Carney, who holds a slight lead at 39%, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre at 37%. Voters prioritize installing a stable government and having a Prime Minister who will stand up to Donald Trump. Carney is viewed as intelligent, while Poilievre faces concerns about arrogance.

Infosys offers lower bonus in Q3 ahead of pay hikes
Infosys announced performance bonus averaging 80% of the target for Q3, with a 5-10% drop from the previous quarter. The company is expected to roll out annual pay hikes by March, despite strong financial results.

Infosys to roll out 6-8% hikes, overseas employees to get lower
The hikes will be given to its India employees, while those overseas will receive slightly lower single-digit increases, as seen previously, the Bengaluru giant’s Chief Financial Officer, Jayesh Sanghrajka, said at a press conference. On Thursday, the software service exporter posted a better-than-expected results with a 11.4% increase in consolidated net profit and a 7.6% rise in revenue growth from a year earlier.

INS Arighaat: The submarine lends more power to the MAD scenario
India's nuclear strike capabilities receive a boost as it commissions its second SSBN, INS Arighaat, into the Navy. With nuclear-powered submarines forming a critical component of the nuclear triad, this addition strengthens India's sea-based deterrence, enhancing its ability to execute a credible second-strike capability.

Infosys lays off mid, senior level executives
The company is letting go of 10% of the workforce, or around 2,200 people.

Majority of senior Infosys executives still await hike
There’s wariness among some of those who have not received increments, considering the Indian IT industry is witnessing layoffs.
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