😷 85% Indian cities miss WHO air quality standard

Nearly 85 per cent of Indian cities breached the WHO's safe PM 2.5 threshold during July 2026, even with the monsoon present. The research, by CREA, assessed 256 cities, finding only 41 met the WHO daily guideline of 15 µg/m³. Among the 91 NCAP cities, only 16 were within the WHO's PM 2.5 limit. Aurangabad in Bihar was reported as the most polluted, hitting 168 µg/m³ monthly average. Moving forward, this data highlights ongoing air quality challenges across the nation. 💨

✈️ Britain's first Sikh fighter pilot since WWII

A Sikh fighter pilot has achieved a major milestone in Britain's military history. This pilot is the first Sikh to join the fighter squadron since the era of World War II. The pilot's success comes as he continues his rigorous training within the Royal Air Force. His achievement is viewed as a significant step for minority representation in the armed forces. He expressed a desire for his success to motivate other individuals in the future. ✈️

⚖️ CJI says Nalsar invite was never accepted

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that he never consented to the invitation from Nalsar University of Law. This issue arose after some students opposed his presence at the convocation ceremony. Nalsar had invited the CJI for the event, likely in August or September, involving about 1,400 students. Over 400 students objected due to his remarks during a hearing related to the July 20 march. The controversy escalated when the Bar Council of India threatened to blackball the opposing graduates. ⚖️

💸 UPI's free ride might end; fees coming for merchants

UPI, India's massive digital payment network, is set to introduce transaction fees for merchants. This change, which ends a decade of free usage, is being discussed by the government. Proposals suggest a 0.3-0.5% merchant discount rate for large transactions at big businesses. Consumer and person-to-person payments will remain free, according to officials. The debate centers on balancing revenue for banks against maintaining broad-based adoption.

📱 Foldable iPhone gear drops before launch leaks

Accessories for the unreleased foldable iPhone and iPhone 18 lineup are already hitting e-commerce sites. This is happening as accessory makers use leaks from the Tata Electronics ransomware attack, which exposed 630GB of data. Apple plans to debut only two Pro models and the foldable iPhone next month, delaying standard versions until the first half of 2027. This shift moves the industry from annual launches to a high-frequency relay model. Manufacturers are taking big risks due to the complexity of foldable hinges. 🤯

😠 Kerala HC slams state over unpaid flex board fines

The Kerala High Court reprimanded the State for failing to collect fines for illegal flex boards and banners. Justice Devan Ramachandran made these observations while reviewing a plea against visual pollution in Kerala. The court noted a discrepancy between removed installations and fines collected, specifically mentioning Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam Corporations. Authorities are now being held responsible for imposing and recovering the ₹5000 fine per installation. Previously, the Bench had directed all Local Self-Government Institutions to remove unauthorized hoardings.

😔 Deadliest Ebola Outbreak Hits DRC

An Ebola outbreak has tragically claimed 2,325 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The health crisis is currently unfolding in the DRC, according to reports from China.org.cn. The outbreak has reached a significant milestone, marking the deadliest instance in the nation's recorded history. This severe situation highlights ongoing challenges in public health response across the region. Authorities are now working to contain the spread and manage the ongoing emergency. 😔

💻 Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 series hits Google Play support

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 series tablets are now listed in the Google Play Console's supported devices. This lineup includes the Galaxy Tab S12+ and the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. The listing shows five models for the S12+ and three models for the S12 Ultra. Samsung previously confirmed the series reveal for H2 2026. More specifics are expected as the official launch approaches. 📱

🌠 Star trail hints at dark matter in distant galaxy

A 2-kiloparsec stellar stream, named Oyashio, was found near the ultra-diffuse galaxy UGC 9050-Dw1. Astronomers located this feature in UGC 9050-Dw1, which is 115 million light-years from Earth. The stream is about 72 parsecs wide and stretches roughly 2 kiloparsecs from a globular cluster candidate. Modeling the stream's curve allows researchers to estimate the galaxy's total mass, implying significant dark matter. Future telescopes will help confirm the stream's origin and map dark matter further out. 🌌

🐧 Linux Kernel 7.2 is out, check out the updates

The Linux Kernel version 7.2 has been officially released to the community. This new version introduces several significant features and performance improvements across various systems. Key updates include enhanced scheduler optimizations and better support for new hardware architectures. This release aims to boost system stability and overall efficiency for developers and users alike. Developers will now begin integrating these updates into their operating systems and applications.

🚨 Panel to talk to CM over Jeevan Kundu murder demands

A mahapanchayat in Hisar authorized a five-member committee to meet with Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini regarding the Jeevan Kundu murder. This body left for Chandigarh after a Sunday, August 16, 2026, meeting to discuss the protesters' demands. The murder occurred on August 4, after Kundu was allegedly attacked, and his family demands the arrest of all accused. Key demands include immediate arrest of the prime accused and government job for his wife. Protesters warned that highways would be blocked if the talks did not satisfy their concerns.