⚽ Barca might check other strikers next week

Barcelona has been persistently trying to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid since the start of the summer. The club is currently making one last concrete effort to secure the Argentine striker this week. If no progress is made this week, Barça's sporting department will begin scouting alternative options for the number 9 position starting next week. This urgency is amplified because Ferran Torres is expected to join PSG very soon. Therefore, the club must prepare a Plan B if Alvarez remains unattainable.

🐘 Belagavi Ganesh Utsav set to be a national model

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan called for the Belagavi Ganesh Utsav to serve as an example for the entire country. At a meeting at Kumar Gandharva Bhavan, he stressed that the festival should symbolize harmony and peace for all. Preparations are underway, with mandates for CCTV in pandals and adherence to sound limits as per Supreme Court orders. Officials have coordinated efforts, and L&T was directed to fix potholes before Ganesh Chaturthi. Police Commissioner Borase urged Mandals to cooperate as the city's population swells to about 14 lakh during the festival. 🐘

⚖️ NALSAR 2026 grads barred from becoming advocates

The Bar Council of India has issued a directive stopping NALSAR 2026 students from enrolling as advocates. This action follows a controversy concerning the invitation extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for the convocation. The BCI order states that no student graduating in 2026 can be enrolled by any State Bar Council until further orders. The issue arose after some NALSAR students reportedly disagreed with CJI Surya Kant attending the event. This situation now impacts the professional futures of those graduating from the top law school this year. ⚖️

🇳🇵 Gorkha soldiers protest for Indian Army entry

Former Gorkha soldiers protested in Pokhara, Nepal, demanding the restart of Nepalese recruitment into the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme. The protest was organized by the Indian Ex-Servicemen Gorkha Brigade Nepal Pokhara, happening on Wednesday, August 12th. Recruitment has been disrupted since 2020, and Nepal paused it in 2022 due to Agnipath's new service model. Protesters argue the army job is far superior to low-paid Gulf work. They warn of more demonstrations if their demands are not met. 😥

☕ Coffee habits link to healthier metabolism, says Finnish study

A new Finnish study found that habitual coffee consumption relates to healthier body composition and better metabolic markers. The research analyzed 2,264 participants aged 46 from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Higher coffee intake correlated with lower fat and greater muscle mass across the participants. Distinct hormonal associations were noted, differing specifically between men and women in the cohort. Future studies will look into whether coffee causes these changes, following publication on 16 July 2026. ☕

🎮 GTA6 preorders heavily favor the expensive ultimate edition

Sensor Tower reported that 89% of GTA6 preorders are for the $100 ultimate edition instead of the $80 standard one. This trend is seen across platforms, with 90% of Xbox buyers and 88.5% of PlayStation buyers choosing the premium version. This significantly surpasses the typical industry premium share of 10–20% for games. Analysts expect the ultimate edition sales share to drop as casual players buy the game, but it will likely stay high. The current 4.3 million preorders are seen as unprecedented, with estimates suggesting millions more sales at launch. 🚀

🛹 Skateboarder Danny León nails epic eclipse stunt

Spanish skateboarder Danny León executed a daring jump during the August 12 total solar eclipse. He performed this trick in Spain, creating a striking silhouette against the eclipsed Sun. The stunt, timed perfectly, resulted in a viral moment that garnered over 90 million views. Danny León, who competed in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, called it the 'move of his life.' The incredible footage captured a rare visual event for spectators across Spain. 🛹

💰 Databricks bags $5B funding at $190B valuation

Databricks recently closed a major $5 billion funding round, setting its valuation at $190 billion. The company, based in an unspecified location, reported crossing a $7 billion revenue run rate in its second quarter. This massive funding comes amid intense global focus on AI agents and enterprise AI capabilities. CEO Ali Ghodsi noted that skyrocketing AI costs are actually boosting demand for their AI Gateway platform. Databricks intends to go public later but is currently prioritizing investment in its AI products.

🏭 Big Bids for Rare Earth Magnet Scheme

L&T, Coal India, and eighteen other companies have placed bids for the government's rare earth magnet scheme. The bidding process is for a significant contract worth Rs 7,280 crore. This major tender was announced recently by the central government to boost domestic manufacturing. The scheme aims to strengthen India's supply chain in critical magnet technology. The final selection process will determine which companies receive this substantial government funding. 🏭

🔬 Science needed for real knee pain freedom

Indian scientist Suresh Susurla called for a shift to objective, science-based rehabilitation for knee pain management. This call came from Startoon Labs during its Independence Day campaign in Hyderabad, Telangana. Millions suffer from avoidable pain, which is often diagnosed using subjective reporting rather than quantitative data. Startoon Labs developed Pheezee, an AI platform for objective muscle performance evaluation. The initiative encourages early assessment to achieve freedom through informed care.

🛠️ Galaxy Z Fold 8: Repairability Score Drops 📉

iFixit gave the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 a low repairability score of 4/10 due to its fragile inner screen and complex hinge. The device features standard screws and an 8.8% battery boost with new silicon-carbon tech. However, accessing batteries requires risking the outer screen, and the inner display/hinge assemblies are difficult to service. The IP4X rating also fails against fine debris, making DIY fixes almost impossible. Consumers planning long-term use should manage their repair expectations for this foldable.