🚗 2026 Skoda Slavia Facelift teased for August 18 launch

Skoda has started teasing the upcoming 2026 Slavia facelift ahead of its official launch. The new model is expected to debut in the Indian market on August 18th. While specific details are scarce, the teaser suggests significant updates to the design and features. This refresh aims to keep the Slavia competitive in the ever-evolving sedan segment. Auto enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the full reveal of this updated version.

🚨 Attacks on Indians Abroad Surge; US Top Spot

The Ministry of External Affairs reported a sharp increase in attacks against Indian nationals overseas over the past five years. The United States recorded the most attacks, followed by the UAE, UK, and Canada, between 2021 and 2025. Overall, there were 302 reported incidents in this period, rising from just 15 in 2021 to 104 in 2025. This surge coincides with intense immigration debates in the US, especially concerning the H-1B visa programme. Indian missions are staying vigilant and cooperating with host countries for investigations and justice. 🇮🇳

📚 Modern Indian History Voice, Sumit Sarkar, Passes Away

Leading historian Sumit Sarkar, known for his work on modern Indian history, has passed away at the age of 87. He died on Thursday at his residence in Delhi after suffering from age-related ailments. Sarkar was a founding member of Subaltern Studies and published influential books like The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal. His scholarship questioned leader-centred narratives by examining social groups and popular movements during colonialism. His last rites are expected to be held on Saturday, pending the final announcement from his family. 🕊️

🏗️ Delhi's Master Plan 2047 is dropping major changes 🏙️

Delhi's Master Plan 2047 has been approved by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu to revamp the capital's infrastructure. This plan targets accommodating a population projected to reach 32 million by 2047, needing almost 4 million new homes. It focuses heavily on Transit-Oriented Development, allowing for 17 lakh dwelling units near metro corridors. The plan also allows redevelopment of old DDA units and increased FAR in 70 peripheral villages. Execution speed and coordination between agencies will determine the actual growth.

⚖️ SC stays Madras HC ruling on Karur tragedy appointments

The Supreme Court stayed the Madras High Court's order that had struck down a Tamil Nadu government order regarding compassionate appointments. The order was issued by a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K Vinod Chandran on August 14. The High Court had previously ruled on July 27 that the appointments violated Articles 14 and 16. The court questioned why the government shouldn't provide succor to victims' families after a tragedy. Moving forward, the bench is examining the policy of providing employment to the families affected by the stampede. ⚖️

🏏 Harbhajan says performance, not age, matters for Kohli

Harbhajan Singh argued that performance, not age, should decide selection for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He stated that Virat Kohli’s fitness allows him to compete against younger players effectively. Harbhajan drew a comparison to Lionel Messi, claiming five men cannot stop him despite his age. He emphasized that experience from veterans like Kohli and Rohit is invaluable for the team. Ultimately, he declared that performance and fitness are the ultimate criteria for selection. 🏏

🚨 CJP Protestor Files Case Over Rape Threats

A woman participating in the Jantar Mantar protests organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJ) has filed a case in the Supreme Court. Her lawyer mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Friday. The court agreed to list her plea on August 18, Tuesday, alongside other related matters. The counsel informed the court about the continuing threats of rape and abduction she is facing. CJI Kant confirmed the listing of her plea on the specified Tuesday.

🩺 Chinese scientists create smart probiotic for diabetes

Researchers from East China Normal University unveiled a new 'sense-and-respond' probiotic drug called GIFT for diabetes treatment. This engineered oral probiotic can live in the intestine and autonomously secrete glucose-lowering hormones based on real-time blood sugar. The findings were published in the journal Nature on August 12, 2026. This method shifts care from injections to oral regulation, offering a safer option for the 530 million global adults with diabetes. GIFT positions China at the forefront of smart living drugs for metabolic diseases. 🩺

💖 3000 join organ donation awareness walk in Nellore

An organ donation awareness walk was held in Nellore on Thursday, August 13, 2026, to educate the public about the importance of organ donation. Approximately 3,000 people participated, including doctors, students, and residents from Narayana Medical College and Hospital. The walk was kicked off by Municipal Commissioner Y.O. Nandan, District Medical and Health Officer V. Sujatha, and Dean P. Srinivasulu Reddy. Officials stressed that timely organ availability can extend life for critically ill patients. They urged people to consider donation to prevent organs from going to waste and bring hope to families. 💖

⚡ IIT Madras startup bags big deal with TN govt

Plugzmart, an EV charging tech startup from IIT Madras, signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government. This deal commits an investment of ₹100 crore to boost manufacturing and R&D. The signing happened at the Vettri Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2026 on Thursday, August 13, 2026. This expansion aims to create 500 jobs in various engineering fields over the next three years. The capital will significantly scale up production at their Oragadam manufacturing plant.

✨ Instagram finally updates its look after 10 years

Instagram rolled out its first major brand refresh in a decade, introducing a new wordmark and three typefaces. Head Adam Mosseri made the reveal yesterday afternoon, explaining the need for a cleaner and more modern identity. The refresh includes an updated Instagram Sans, Instagram Pen, and Instagram Mono, while keeping the core gradient. This system aims to put community creativity and self-expression at the forefront for users. The wordmark is rolling out globally, with the full system arriving through 2026.