🌉 Amaravati gets direct link to Vijayawada & Mangalagiri

Amaravati is set to gain direct connectivity with Vijayawada and Mangalagiri starting Thursday, August 13, 2026. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana announced this following the opening of two steel bridges and the second phase of the Seed Access Road. These bridges include one measuring 110 metres across the Buckingham Canal and another spanning 280 metres. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate these structures and hand over MLA/MLC quarters during his visit. The MLA and MLC housing project covers 10.46 acres and includes nine towers with comprehensive amenities.

🕊️ China claims India border is stable

China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the India-China border is generally stable as of Wednesday, August 12, 2026. This response came after India’s MEA spokesperson mentioned the importance of peace in border areas. The two sides recently held the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs. While reports suggested PLA troops crossed the Line of Actual Control at Pukar La and Ollo last week, China asserts stability. Both armies are prepared to monitor and manage any incidents along the undemarcated boundary.

🚀 Windows 11 apps launch faster with new update

Windows 11's Low Latency Profile now speeds up app launches, especially on older PCs. This improvement came as part of August's Patch Tuesday update from Microsoft. Testing showed all apps open quicker after this update, boosting CPU clock speed during loading. Previously, the profile only helped Windows Shell elements, but now app launches are affected. Users can check activation using the free HWiNFO tool. 💻

🏏 Welsh Fire clinch The Hundred 2026 title

Welsh Fire managed a comfortable 15-run victory against London Spirit to close out their campaign. The match took place at Sophia Gardens, with Wareham hitting a decisive fifty. The scores were Welsh Fire 138-7 and London Spirit 123 in the final innings. Although both teams were already eliminated, pride was the main focus of this final fixture. Welsh Fire finished the competition in fifth place, while Spirit placed sixth. 🏏

🇮🇳 Flag Hoisting at 85 Amrit Sarovars in Mysuru

Mysuru Zilla Panchayat is organizing events at 85 Amrit Sarovars for the 80th Independence Day celebrations. Dignitaries will hoist the national flag, and awareness programs on water conservation will be held across the sites. These lakes were developed under the VB-G RAM-G (MGNREGA) scheme, with specific counts across various locations. The events aim to boost water conservation and promote local employment benefits under the scheme. Saplings will be planted, making the celebrations meaningful for the community. 🇮🇳

⚽ Álvarez tells Simeone he wants to leave for Barça

Julián Álvarez met with Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone on Wednesday to express his strong desire to move to Barcelona this summer. The meeting took place briefly before the morning training session at the club. Simeone confirmed that the club has already decided not to sell him, sticking to his stance from the weekend. Despite earlier frustration, Álvarez maintained a professional demeanor during their face-to-face interaction. He continues to push for his dream move to Catalonia. ⚽

🏛️ High Court tells govt to boost welfare for freedom fighters

The Kerala High Court directed both Union and State governments to look into special welfare measures for living freedom fighters. The Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Soumen Sen, heard a public interest litigation filed by Sabu Stephen in Thiruvananthapuram. Currently, only 60 freedom fighters reside in Kerala, with 27 receiving a central pension and 33 receiving the state pension. The court also mandated the State to build a portal listing eligible freedom fighters for welfare schemes. However, the court dismissed claims regarding national flag hoisting and medical assistance due to lack of evidence.

🏛️ Karnataka Cabinet finally gets its portfolio list

The Congress Government under DK Shivakumar has finally allocated portfolios to its 19 new ministers before the Monsoon session. Senior ministers K.H. Muniyappa and Ramalinga Reddy secured new portfolios after earlier disagreements. The allocation came out on Wednesday evening, August 12, 2026, ahead of the session starting on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The government is facing issues like deficit rainfall while the distribution was finalized after ten days of lobbying. The ministers will have their first full Cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon. 🏛️

🔬 Immune cell protein might drive brain aging

Immune cells in the brain that become senescent release a protein causing dysfunction in other brain cells, according to Weill Cornell Medicine researchers. This was observed in a mouse model of accelerated aging, where the protein DLK1 is secreted by senescent immune cells. The study noted that DLK1 disrupts neurons and oligodendrocytes, key cells for nerve fiber protection. This finding suggests DLK1-driven dysfunction could be a major mechanism behind reduced brain function with age. The team hopes to test neutralizing this protein to potentially slow down brain aging. 🧠

🏍️ Mumbai biker dies after heavy vehicle hits bike in Chhattisgarh

Mumbai biker Riddhi Thakkar, 24, passed away after her motorcycle was struck by an unidentified heavy vehicle. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning around 6 am at Markatola Ghat, under Purur police station limits in Chhattisgarh's Balod district. She was traveling with a 20-member biking group towards the Bastar region on National Highway 30. Thakkar was critically injured and later succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment. Police are currently trying to trace the vehicle and identify the driver involved in the accident. 💔

🔬 Plant-based drug developed for diabetic ulcers

Scientists at CSIR-IICT have created a phytopharmaceutical from Gymnema sylvestre to treat diabetic foot ulcers. The research team, led by Anthony Addlagatta, was based at CSIR-IICT. This advancement was part of the ‘CSIR Phytopharmaceutical Mission Phase III’ and has secured patents in India and globally. A complete IND-ready data package has been generated after extensive testing and validation. The tech is now being transferred to Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd. for clinical development.