24, Jul 2026
Assam on High Alert as Rivers Swell, Disaster Authority Issues Advisory
Guwahati, July 24: The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has issued a warning as rising water levels in several rivers increase the risk of further flooding across affected areas of the state.
Authorities are closely monitoring river conditions and have advised residents in vulnerable regions to remain alert and follow safety guidelines. District administrations have been instructed to strengthen preparedness measures and ensure timely response in case of emergencies.
Continuous rainfall has contributed to rising water levels, affecting several communities and increasing concerns over possible disruption to daily life, transportation, and essential services. Rescue and relief teams remain prepared to provide assistance in flood-prone areas.
The administration has urged people living near riverbanks and low-lying areas to stay cautious and cooperate with local authorities. Emergency response teams are being kept on standby to support evacuation and relief operations if required.
Officials continue to assess the situation and are coordinating with relevant agencies to minimize the impact of flooding and ensure the safety of residents.
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- By Neel Achary
24, Jul 2026
Sooryavanshi’s Quickfire Half-Century Sets Up India’s T20I Win
July 24: India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a historic performance in the opening T20 International against Zimbabwe, becoming the youngest player in men’s international cricket history to score a half-century.
The 15-year-old batter announced his arrival on the global stage with a breathtaking 18-ball fifty, an innings packed with four boundaries and four sixes. His fearless stroke play and aggressive approach set the tone for India’s successful chase at the Harare Sports Club.
Sooryavanshi’s milestone innings added another remarkable chapter to his rapid rise in international cricket. The young opener continued to showcase the talent and confidence that have made him one of India’s most exciting emerging players.
Earlier in the match, India’s bowling unit produced a disciplined display to restrict Zimbabwe to 125 for 7. The pace attack, led by Mayank Yadav, dismantled the hosts’ top order with early breakthroughs, leaving Zimbabwe struggling to build momentum.
India completed the chase comfortably to register a seven-wicket victory and take an early lead in the three-match T20I series. The win reflected a strong all-round performance from the young Indian side.
Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking knock received widespread appreciation, with fans and cricket experts praising his composure, power-hitting ability, and maturity beyond his years.
India will aim to continue its winning momentum in the remaining matches, while Zimbabwe will look to make a strong comeback in the series.
24, Jul 2026
The Roost Relaunches as Podium, a Cross-Platform Podcast Company, and Signs Trisha Paytas’ Just Trish as First Major Partnership Under New Brand
SANTA MONICA, CA – July 24 – Night, the talent management and media company behind some of the internet’s most influential creators, today announced the evolution of its podcast division, The Roost Podcast Network, into Podium – a new video-first, cross platform podcast company built for the next generation of creator-led entertainment. Alongside the launch, Podium announced a new partnership with creator, actress, and podcast host Trisha Paytas, who is bringing her hit podcast Just Trish to the network.
The launch marks the next chapter for the company following Night’s acquisition of The Roost in 2024, expanding its focus beyond traditional podcasting to support creators building audiences across YouTube, audio platforms, social media, and live experiences. Podium is built around the way audiences consume content today, through personality-driven shows that live across multiple platforms and foster deeply engaged fan communities.
Home to some of the most influential creator-led shows, including This Past Weekend with Theo Von, Sam & Colby Reacts, The Yard, Weekly Teacap with Kristi Cook, and Just Trish, among others, Podium’s broader roster reaches more than 50 million monthly video and audio impressions and 66 million+ followers across platforms.
“When Night acquired The Roost in 2024, we saw a company that understood something the rest of the industry was just waking up to: that podcasting is video-first, personality-driven, and powered by fandom,” said Reed Duchscher, CEO and Founder of Night. “Two years later, this company has evolved from its origins. Podium is who this team and these creators are today, and there’s no better way to open this chapter than welcoming Trisha, one of the most magnetic influencers on the internet.”
Trisha Paytas Brings Just Trish to Podium
Podium will support the growth of Trisha Paytas’ podcast, Just Trish, leading distribution, audience development, and brand partnerships, building on the company’s work with creator-led podcasts including This Past Weekend with Theo Von and Jeff Wittek’s JeffFM.
Trisha Paytas is a television personality, content creator, and actress with more than 20 million followers across social platforms, known for her lifestyle vlogs, ASMR content, and cosplay videos. Beyond her digital presence, she has also appeared in more than 50 film and television projects including Broadway’s Beetlejuice: The Musical, and HBO’s Euphoria.
Just Trish, launched in 2019, has drawn more than 160 million views for its unfiltered takes on pop culture and entertainment headlines.
“Just Trish started as me talking about pop culture with my fans, and it turned into the thing I love most,” said Trisha Paytas. “My fans show up for everything, and Podium understands how meaningful that is.”
“Trisha has built a deeply connected and loyal audience who have followed her journey from podcasting to Broadway. For nearly two decades on the internet, Trisha continues to entertain and surprise her audience with her creativity and talent,” said Catherine Browne, VP of Revenue & Partnerships, Podium. “Podium was built for creator-first podcasts that cross multiple platforms, and we’re thrilled to partner with Trisha as we launch this new chapter and continue to expand our slate of female-led and pop culture podcasts.”
Podcasting has evolved beyond a single audio feed. Today’s biggest shows are watched as much as they’re listened to, with audiences following hosts across YouTube, audio platforms, social media, and live tours. “Podcast network” described a business built on audio downloads and ad reads; Podium is built for where the medium is moving, with a roster that helped drive the shift. The new identity and website are live today at: www.PodiumNetwork.Co
24, Jul 2026
Global Wellness Summit Announces Speakers and Topics—Including the Latest in Longevity Medicine, Women’s Health, Wellness Travel and Neuroaesthetics
BANGKOK, Thailand – July 24, 2026 – Thailand will take center stage in the global wellness conversation this November as the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) brings its landmark 20th anniversary event to Angsana Laguna Phuket. CEOs of wellness companies, doctors and academics, investors, tech innovators and policymakers will gather to celebrate two decades of staggering growth for the wellness industry while being immersed in three days of keynotes and panels on its very different future.
Twenty years ago, wellness was at its defining moment, just taking off in the cultural imagination and as a consumer market. This year’s Summit will explore how a new inflection point for wellness is here, marked by an unprecedented integration with medicine, where breakthroughs in longevity science, women’s health and precision medicine are converging with a revived interest in ancient wisdom and the emotional, spiritual and creative dimensions of wellbeing. This year’s theme, “The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness,” captures this defining moment with an extensive agenda spanning scientific breakthroughs to deep dives into neuroarts and neurowellness. All against the backdrop of Thailand, a soulful, inspiring destination that embraces balance and harmony as the true gateway to health and longevity.
“Our industry is at another pivotal moment, where advances in science, medicine and longevity are converging with a return to—but also a reinvention of—the timeless need for connection, creativity and purpose,” said Susie Ellis, GWS chair & CEO. “There’s no more perfect place to explore this future than Thailand, where ancient wellness traditions are being united with an impressive push to become the world’s newest medical-wellness and preventative health destination.”
“The theme, The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness, truly reflects Thailand’s identity, heritage and way of life. For centuries, Thailand has embraced a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, one that connects body, mind, spirit, community and nature,” said Patana Promphat, Thailand’s Minister of Public Health. “We’re proud to host the 2026 Global Wellness Summit in Phuket. This Summit reflects our commitment to advancing Thailand as a leading global wellness destination and a trusted partner in shaping the future of wellbeing.”
Hot Topics, New Speakers:
Future of Wellness + Medicine: From Women’s Health to Evolving Longevity Models
Experts will explore how precision and longevity medicines are becoming radically personalized, finally focusing on women, and how healthspan paradigms will matter more than longevity quests.
Andrea Maier, MD, PhD, globally renowned geroscientist, professor of medicine at the National University of Singapore, and founder of Asia’s first precision geromedicine clinics (Chi Longevity), will discuss what’s ahead in longevity science.
Dan Buettner, founder of the Blue Zones movement and #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose decades of research demonstrate that some of the world’s healthiest, longest-lived populations owe more to culture, community and lifestyle than clinical interventions, will keynote on the personal bet he’s making on the future of longevity.
George Gaitanos, MSc, PhD, chief operating and scientific officer of Chenot Group, with over 30 years of experience spanning elite sports performance, lifestyle medicine and preventive health, will deliver a provocative keynote arguing for a far broader understanding of lifelong health.
Christopher Asandra, MD, founder and medical director of AsandraMD in Beverly Hills, California, is a leader in precision and age-management medicine, hormone optimization and personalized preventive healthcare. He’ll explore the bright, fast-evolving future for women’s health, hormone therapy and personalized longevity medicine, and how this is a massive, unmet opportunity in Asia.
New Global Wellness Market Research
The Global Wellness Institute will unveil the 2026 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, the industry’s go-to, authoritative research on the wellness economy, providing all new data and insights on the global and Asian wellness markets.
Asia: The Future of Wellness Travel
Asia has recently recorded by far the largest growth in wellness tourism: the market grew 31% in 2024 to reach $215 billion, surpassing Europe for the number of wellness trips. Four of the top five recent annual growth leaders are in Asia: India (57%), Thailand (36%), South Korea (36%) and China (35%). Hospitality leaders will explore the powerful wellness tourism opportunities across Asia and how the region is trailblazing unique wellness destinations.
William E. Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, will keynote. Having built one of the world’s largest hospitality and restaurant groups from Thailand, he brings a rare vantage point on why Asia is now setting the pace in wellness travel, and on the opportunity for the region to define, rather than follow, what comes next.
Cathy Feliciano-Chon, managing partner of FINN Partners APAC, will hold a conversation with Ronald Akili, co-founder of Bali’s Potato Head, and Huy Hoang, founder of Japan’s Shishi-Iwa House, on how Asia’s independent hospitality brands are creating a different future for wellness travel—with creativity, culture, community and sustainability at the core.
Ingo Schweder, founder and CEO of GOCO Hospitality, one of Asia’s wellness hospitality visionaries, having developed award-winning wellness resorts across the globe, will lead a panel of experts discussing the future of wellness travel and the wealth of opportunities emerging across Asia.
The Art and Soul of Wellness
The agenda will dive deep into wellness’s emotional and creative dimensions, with a special focus on the role of the arts in human wellbeing.
Susan Magsamen, neuroaesthetics pioneer, founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, will present the latest research on how music, art and architecture can transform brain health and overall wellbeing.
Tal Danai, founder and CEO of ArtLink, one of the world’s leading hospitality art consultancies, will preview an ambitious film initiative celebrating traditional craftsmanship and artisan cultures around the world, arguing for the crucial role that creativity and cultural preservation will play in the future of wellness.
A first-of-its-kind Intentional Spaces Design Challenge will be launched, developed by the GWS and Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics (and in strategic partnership with Aldar Properties), exploring how neuroaesthetics and neuroarchitecture can shape healthier buildings, communities and public spaces.
New Frontiers in Wellness Business
Exploring how hospitality brands are reimagining wellness through retail and lifestyle experiences to drive guest engagement and revenue, a panel will feature Lisa Von Tang, Singapore-based designer, artist and founder of the eponymous fashion label; Lexie Rodriguez, vice president of lifestyle at Capella Hotel Group; and Colin Low, CEO of Patience Lifestyle, a division of the leading real estate and private equity investment fund management firm, Patience Capital Group.
Strategists will analyze the extraordinary evolution of beauty, consumer wellness trends, and wellness marketing over the past 20 years, while forecasting what the next 20 may hold. Keynotes include Kelly Kovack, founder and CEO of BeautyMatter; global brand strategist Nick Vaus, founder of Free The Birds; Beth McGroarty, vice president of research at the Global Wellness Institute; and Dave McCaughan, Asia-based marketing expert.
The conference will celebrate Thailand’s wellness traditions, from its incredible culture of textiles and silk to its profound spiritual practices. The award-winning Buddhist Chanting Team from Dhammajarinee Witthaya School, empowering underserved young women through education, will take the stage. This is made possible by Summit co-chair, Jessica Jesse, founder, CEO and creative director of Zen Collective and BuDhaGirl.
24, Jul 2026
Assam Floods Leave Six Dead, Disrupt Lives Across 11 Districts
Guwahati, July 24: The flood situation in Assam has intensified, with the death toll rising to six and more than 7.2 lakh people affected across 11 districts following continuous rainfall and rising water levels in major rivers.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have intensified rescue and relief operations in the affected areas. Emergency teams, local administration, and disaster response personnel are working to provide assistance, including shelter, food supplies, medical support, and other essential services to affected communities.
Several villages have been impacted by floodwaters, disrupting daily life and affecting infrastructure, agriculture, and transportation networks. Relief camps have been set up in vulnerable areas to support displaced residents and ensure timely assistance.
The state administration has directed officials to maintain close coordination with disaster management agencies and prioritize evacuation, relief distribution, and public safety measures.
Authorities continue to assess the situation as weather conditions and river levels remain under watch. Efforts are underway to minimize the impact of the floods and provide immediate support to affected families.
24, Jul 2026
CEPA Boosts UAE to India’s Third-Largest Trade Partner
New Delhi, July 24: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as India’s third-largest trading partner under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), highlighting the growing strength of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.
The milestone reflects the positive impact of the CEPA in enhancing market access, facilitating cross-border trade, and creating new opportunities for businesses across key sectors, including manufacturing, gems and jewellery, food processing, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and services.
Speaking on the occasion, officials emphasized that the agreement has significantly accelerated trade flows, strengthened investment partnerships, and deepened commercial engagement between India and the UAE. The continued expansion of economic ties is expected to support innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth in both countries.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging the CEPA framework to further boost exports, attract investments, and enhance collaboration in emerging sectors such as technology, logistics, renewable energy, and digital commerce.
As India and the UAE continue to strengthen their strategic partnership, the CEPA remains a key driver of inclusive economic growth, improved competitiveness, and long-term prosperity for businesses and consumers in both countries.
24, Jul 2026
Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals Draw INR 10,000 Crore in Private Capital
New Delhi, July 24: The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal initiative has attracted approximately ₹10,000 crore in private investment, underscoring growing industry confidence in India’s logistics and infrastructure development agenda.
The substantial private sector participation is expected to accelerate the development of modern cargo terminals across the country, enhancing multimodal connectivity, improving freight efficiency, and reducing logistics costs. The investment aligns with the Government of India’s vision of building an integrated, technology-driven logistics network under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The expanded cargo terminal network is anticipated to strengthen rail-based freight movement, improve supply chain reliability, and support key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, e-commerce, and exports. The initiative is also expected to generate employment opportunities while promoting sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.
Officials stated that continued collaboration between the public and private sectors remains central to transforming India’s logistics ecosystem into a globally competitive network. The strong investment response reflects confidence in ongoing policy reforms and the country’s long-term infrastructure growth strategy.
The Government remains committed to facilitating faster project implementation, encouraging private participation, and creating world-class logistics infrastructure that supports economic growth, enhances ease of doing business, and reinforces India’s position as a global manufacturing and trade hub.
24, Jul 2026
US Cuts Tariffs on Indian Goods After Forced Labour Review
New Delhi, July 24: India has secured lower tariffs from the United States following developments related to forced labour compliance measures, marking a positive step for bilateral trade and providing relief to Indian exporters across key sectors.
The tariff adjustment reflects progress in addressing labour-related concerns and reinforces India’s commitment to strengthening ethical sourcing practices, transparency in supply chains, and adherence to internationally recognized labour standards.
The reduction in tariffs is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Indian exports in the US market, improve market access for domestic manufacturers, and support growth in labour-intensive industries. Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that it could boost export volumes, strengthen investor confidence, and deepen trade ties between the two countries.
Government and industry representatives emphasized that India will continue to work closely with international partners to promote responsible trade practices while ensuring sustainable economic growth and employment generation.
The latest development underscores the importance of continued collaboration between India and the United States in fostering resilient supply chains, expanding trade opportunities, and advancing shared economic priorities.
24, Jul 2026
Sensex, Nifty Fall in Early Trade Amid Spike in Global Oil Prices
Mumbai, July 24: Indian equity markets opened on a weak note on Friday, with the benchmark Sensex and Nifty indices declining nearly 1% in early trade after Brent crude oil prices crossed the $100-per-barrel mark, dampening investor sentiment.
The sharp rise in global crude oil prices has heightened concerns over inflation, higher import costs, and increased pressure on corporate earnings. The development triggered broad-based selling across key sectors, including banking, automobiles, financial services, and oil marketing companies.
Market participants are closely tracking geopolitical developments and movements in global energy markets, as sustained high crude prices could have significant implications for India’s inflation outlook, fiscal position, and economic growth.
Analysts expect market volatility to persist in the near term as investors assess the impact of elevated energy prices alongside upcoming domestic and global economic data. Despite the cautious start to the trading session, long-term market fundamentals remain supported by India’s resilient economic outlook and continued investor interest.
24, Jul 2026
Hawaiʻi Pacific University Hosts Symposium that Promotes Dialogue about Evidence-Based Evaluation of Genki Balls
(HONOLULU) – Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) hosted a research symposium and panel discussion on July 17 at its Aloha Tower Marketplace campus where scientists presented the findings of a two-year field and laboratory study, conducted with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UH Mānoa), evaluating whether Genki balls improve water quality in Hawaiʻi’s waterways. These findings were presented alongside research conducted in the Ala Wai Canal, highlighting the system’s complexity and the difficulty of attributing changes in environmental conditions to individual bioremediation efforts.
Genki balls are fermented mud balls made from mud, rice bran and molasses, combined with a commercial product called Effective Microorganisms, or EM, which is marketed as containing lactic acid bacteria, phototrophic bacteria and yeast.
Tossed into waterways, the balls are intended to sink to the bottom, break down organic “sludge” and improve water quality. The best-known local effort, the Genki Ala Wai Project, has deployed hundreds of thousands of the balls into Honolulu’s Ala Wai Canal since 2019, supported by community volunteers and ongoing third-party monitoring. EM is produced by EMRO USA and distributed locally through partners including EM Hawaiʻi LLC.
Titled HPU Talks: Evaluating Genki Balls for Hawaiʻi’s Waterways, the symposium brought together researchers, educators, resource managers and community partners for an afternoon of evidence-based discussion. Opening remarks were delivered by HPU College of Natural and Computational Sciences Dean Brenda Jensen, Ph.D., followed by a keynote address from Grieg Steward, Ph.D., Professor of Oceanography at UH Mānoa.
