🛡️ Acronis uncovers Patchcord cyber espionage in South Asia

Acronis has exposed a sophisticated cyber espionage campaign dubbed 'Patchcord'. This threat is specifically targeting telecom companies and critical infrastructure across South Asia. The campaign has been actively observed, with specific details on its operations being revealed. This ongoing threat highlights vulnerabilities within essential regional infrastructure. Security experts are now advising organizations on necessary defensive measures moving forward.

⚖️ Karnataka updates: Bandh, food safety, and new AI platform

Kannada activists protested the Cauvery water release directive via a Karnataka Bandh in Mysuru on August 13, 2026. The bandh saw a lukewarm response across Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Belagavi, with normal life continuing. Officials also found hygiene violations, including cockroaches, in a Bengaluru legislator hostel canteen on August 12. Separately, the Government of Karnataka launched Tathyakosh.in, a public good data discovery platform, on August 12. This new platform aims to make vast institutional data accessible for researchers and startups.

📊 Intel's massive stock sale has a hidden upside

Intel announced a significant stock sale worth $20 billion recently. This major transaction involves Intel executives and institutional investors. The sale is scheduled to take place over several quarters, starting in the next fiscal period. This move comes amidst ongoing market fluctuations and strategic shifts within the semiconductor industry. Analysts suggest this could potentially unlock future investment opportunities for the company. 📊

🎬 Vijay's Jana Nayagan hits fourth-week mark

Jana Nayagan is continuing its theatrical run across India into its fourth week. The film stars Thalapathy Vijay and is currently showing in 1,488 cinemas. On Day 22, the film recorded a net collection of Rs 33 lakh across both language versions. This movie is a political action thriller and marks Vijay's last film before entering politics. Tamil version collections were the highest on Day 22. 🎬

📢 Opposition Rallies Outside Parliament

Opposition parties held protests outside the parliament building today. The demonstration involved various political figures gathering at the main legislative complex. Protesters were reportedly chanting slogans during the event on this date. This action comes amid ongoing political disagreements in the nation. The government is expected to issue a statement regarding the protests soon. 📢

🔭 Earth disappears behind Mars' moon from rover

NASA's Perseverance rover captured a rare sight of Earth vanishing behind Phobos in the Martian sky. This observation took place on July 2, during the 1,907th Martian day, from the Jezero Crater rim. At that moment, Earth was a single-pixel light point, 195 million miles away, blocked by the 17-mile-wide moon. Scientists call this event an occultation, which is when a closer object completely blocks a farther one. This unique cosmic snapshot was planned and assembled by Mastcam-Z investigators. 🔭

💔 Haryana man stabbed to death in Germany

A 25-year-old man named Vishu Sharma was reportedly stabbed to death in Frankfurt, Germany, on Tuesday. He was from Kurukshetra, Haryana, and had previously served in the French Army. The family spent Rs 20 lakh and sold land to support his move abroad in November 2022. Vishu had planned to return home for Diwali, and his family is now arranging his repatriation. The motive behind the attack remains unclear as investigations continue. 💔

🏛️ UBT tells SC: Don't reward political defections

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) argued before the Supreme Court that constitutional interpretations should not encourage anti-defection law violations. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal contended that the Constitution should not reward defections, weakening democratic safeguards. This was during the fifth day of hearings on the party symbol dispute, before a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. Sibal stated that disqualification tests are different from party split tests, urging the court to lay down the law for Indian democracy. The hearing, challenging the EC's recognition of the Eknath Shinde faction, has been adjourned until August 18.

🧑‍🏫 Academics petition over Priyanka's remark on IIT-Madras chief

Over 14,000 academicians have filed a petition with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's comment. The petition was signed by members of the academic and scientific community against Vadra's reference to IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti as a "gau mutra" expert. This public campaign, launched on August 1, seeks the withdrawal of the derogatory expression and an apology. The remark occurred during a Lok Sabha discussion on examination reforms concerning the National Testing Agency. Petitioners urge the Speaker to uphold civility and ask Vadra to express regret for the personal nature of the comment. 🔬

🧠 Scientists find crocodiles' brains are ancient

New research revealed that the brains of crocodiles and relatives have changed very little over time. Researchers from the Swedish Museum of Natural History studied 43 extant and extinct species using advanced CT scanning technology. This study examined living species like the American alligator and extinct relatives to see inner skull structures. The findings suggest these reptiles possess an extremely effective, unchanging brain design. This stability may explain their survival through more than 100 million years of environmental change.

⛪ Christian Council wants FCRA bill fully withdrawn

The All India Christian Council welcomed the referral of the controversial FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee in Hyderabad. Archbishop Joseph D’Souza stated that despite the referral, the core demand for total withdrawal of the legislation remains firm. The council is concerned about 'vesting' provisions allowing seizure of properties like schools if registration is delayed. Over 20,000 FCRA registrations have been cancelled since 2014, affecting bodies like World Vision India. The council urged the JPC to hold public consultations to stop hurting the voluntary sector.