MATERIAL WORLD
Americans are already paying more for candy. Could El Niño make chocolate even costlier this Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter?
Meteorologists warn that El Niño is expected to drastically impact cocoa production in Ivory Coast, the leading cocoa producer globally. Anticipated shifts in rainfall and temperature could lead to a potential reduction in cocoa yields by up to 25%. This disruption threatens the supply chains for chocolate, likely raising prices for consumers in the U.S., particularly during festive seasons, given the crucial role cocoa plays in the Ivorian economy.
Pakistan farmers in long fight to make German firms pay for flood damage
Farmers from Pakistan's Sindh province are pursuing legal action against German firms RWE and Heidelberg Materials. They claim these companies' emissions contributed to severe flooding that devastated their livelihoods in 2022. This case marks a significant attempt to hold major polluters accountable for climate change impacts.
Nvidia, Jensen Huang face shareholder lawsuit alleging investors were misled about spy affair
The complaint comes after President Donald Trump said the FBI is investigating the affair, which Huang has acknowledged to and apologised for. Trump said Monday that Huang told him he had no idea the person could be involved in espionage.
Disney taps Adobe to build custom AI for its theme parks, studios and ESPN
Disney has partnered up with Adobe on a multi-year deal in order to develop custom AI models trained on its characters, visual styles and fictional worlds. The technology will be explored across Disney’s theme parks, cruise line, film studios and ESPN, with applications ranging from concept art to sports content production.
TheLiverDoc takes another dig at Deepinder Goyal over promised ‘detailed note’ on Temple’s Brain Flow feature
The post comes amid an ongoing public spat between Goyal and sections of the medical community over the scientific evidence supporting Temple's claims, particularly its ability to measure changes in blood flow to the brain.
Alligator hunts, a superyacht chase and a possible Kodak Black cameo: What Rockstar's new GTA 6 screenshots reveal
The latest GTA 6 screenshots offer a glimpse into the game and what it could offer. It features two main protagonists. It also shows some supporting characters, action scenes, locations, wildlife, and nightlife. The gallery contains still images but they come without detailed captions that can explain what is happening in a particular scene. It also does not reveal the identity of some characters.
Empire State Building views, Kashi Vishvanath-isnpired pillars, Krishna idol dedicated to sister Radha: Inside celebrity chef Vikas Khanna’s minimalist New York penthouse
Celebrity chef and MasterChef judge Vikas Khanna has unveiled his serene NYC penthouse, adorned in an elegant all-white palette that fosters a calming atmosphere. From this lofty retreat, residents can gaze upon the iconic Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. Khanna’s meticulously organised kitchen showcases simple culinary tools, reflecting his expertise as a chef.
AI Can Measure How ESG Really Impacts the Bottom Line
Advances in large language models are making rigorous sustainability analysis dramatically faster and cheaper, allowing investors and other stakeholders to connect companies’ disclosed environmental and social risks directly to financialperformance in a matter of hours rather than weeks. Applying a simple methodology to ExxonMobil, the authors used AI to map sustainability-related issues to specific financial statement line items and estimate their impact on earnings and value, demonstrating both the promise and the limitations of AI-assisted analysis. As these capabilities become widely accessible, the competitive advantage long held by ESG ratings agencies, standard setters, and sustainable fund managers may erode, shifting attention from proprietary scores toward transparent assumptions and financial consequences. Human judgment remains essential to validate AI-generated outputs, but the broader trend is clear: sustainability analysis is becoming more democratized, financially grounded, and adaptable, with significant implications for how investors, regulators, and other institutions assess corporate performance and value creation.
Gauhati High Court quashes preventive detention of Assam rights activist Pranab Doley under NSA
Doley was arrested in Guwahati on July 12 in connection with protests against a proposed luxury hotel at Inglay Pathar near Kaziranga National Park in Golaghat district. He was lodged in Golaghat district jail and secured bail from a district court on July 29. However, the state government invoked the NSA against him the following day, resulting in his continued detention.
Government clears Rs 7,503 crore investments under ECMS in sixth tranche
The latest group of 12 applicants includes manufacturers of up- stream materials such as anode and cathode materials. Together, these companies plan to produce goods worth 182,243 crore at faci- lities across 10 states and employ more than 9,500 workers.
An artificial reef can do more than attract fish: How a 125-acre underwater project could reshape North Carolina's coastal ecosystems
An artificial reef will be constructed in North Carolina's Albemarle Sound, scheduled for development soon. This project aims to create shelter, feeding opportunities, and spawning habitats for local marine life. By utilizing materials from the Alligator River Bridge, the reef will cover an area of 125 acres. Although the initiative will increase habitat availability, its effectiveness in boosting fish populations is uncertain.
In 2024, the US military sank the 360-foot Monarch Countess weighing 2,743 tons; the retired vessel now rises 100 feet from the seafloor in 180 feet of water
The Monarch Countess, a roll-on/roll-off vessel, now rests serenely on the Gulf of Mexico's seabed. This ship, having been adapted for military tests and enticing tourists, has become a focal point for ecological studies. Research indicates that artificial reefs like the Countess support marine biodiversity. Continued observation will reveal its long-term influence on local fish populations, potentially transforming the area into a prime fishing and diving destination.
India focused on becoming AI application capital of the world: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India is on a mission to become the global hub for artificial intelligence applications while also enhancing its semiconductor industry. With the launch of the Semicon 2.0 Web Application Portal, only well-prepared semiconductor enterprises will have their applications considered. The government is actively working on a strategy to produce indigenous graphics processing unit chips, alongside other crucial electronic components such as battery cells and copper foils.
A woman donated her late husband's Hollywood photography archive and $1 million; the gift will preserve his work for future generations
In a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Benn Mitchell, Esther Mitchell has donated a vast collection of his photography to the Center for Creative Photography. The collection features an array of photographs, prints, publications, and various photographic tools, illustrating significant moments from Hollywood, New York City, and daily life across America.
India focused on becoming AI application capital of the world: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India is striving to become the artificial intelligence application capital while also focusing on semiconductor manufacturing. The government plans to launch the Semicon 2.0 Web Application Portal to attract serious players in the industry. Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of complete applications for participation.
A billionaire couple donated $50 million to UC Davis for agricultural research; in 2026, a 34,000-square-foot center opened in California
At the forefront of agri-tech innovation, the Resnick Center at the University of California, Davis, drives agricultural advancement with a strong focus on sustainability and research. Fueled by generous donations, it strives to elevate farming practices and enhance crop resilience. Current projects aim at transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources, thereby reducing ecological footprints.
Smelling pages of a new book
Smelling a new book provides a sensory experience tied to memory and emotion. Chemical compounds in the book create a distinctive fresh smell. This scent enhances anticipation of the reading experience that has yet to unfold. E-readers, despite their technology, cannot replicate this sensory pleasure associated with printed books.
NHAI will dig up rivers to build highways: 1,078 lakh cubic metres of silt identified to tackle Bihar floods & speed up roadwork
The Centre and Bihar government have launched the 'Nadi Sanjivani' initiative to tackle recurring floods through river desilting while supporting highway construction. Under the agreement, NHAI will use 1,078 lakh cubic metres of excavated silt and sand in ongoing and upcoming national highway projects. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the initiative could serve as a model for other states.
In 2021, Pennsylvania mixed plastic equal to about 150,000 shopping bags into 1.5 miles of road at Ridley Creek; later checks found it performing like normal asphalt
In Pennsylvania, innovative engineers have embarked on a groundbreaking project, integrating recycled plastic from single-use shopping bags into an asphalt blend for road construction. The initial phase focused on assessing how this eco-friendly mixture performed compared to traditional materials. Early findings suggested promising durability under standard traffic conditions. Continued observation will reveal the sustainability of this approach for future road projects.
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