🕹️ Big game drop this week and next 🎮

MGS: Master Collection Vol. 2, featuring MGS4, Peace Walker, and Ghost Babel, is out alongside Brigandine Abyss. These titles are available across multiple formats, with Brigandine Abyss offering a war sim/strategy RPG experience. Other big drops include STAR WARS Zero Company and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy on Xbox Game Pass. Additionally, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition is hitting the Switch 2 with extra content. The gaming landscape is getting stacked with these major releases.

💔 Uorfi Javed shares year of professional rejections

Uorfi Javed shared candidly that the past year felt like a constant stream of professional rejections for her. She revealed that Prime Video cancelled Season 2 of Follow Kar Lo Yaar just a month before its scheduled launch. Additionally, a Netflix show was dropped after only one episode was shot, and she was also rejected from Khatron Ke Khiladi. Her brand collaborations slowed down significantly, and she was replaced as a mentor on Playground. Ultimately, after meetings, she was rejected from participating in Bigg Boss. 😔

🏥 PTI alleges CTA intentionally blocked for Imran Khan

PTI has criticized the 'continued failure' of authorities regarding Imran Khan’s medical care at a state hospital. This happened at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) concerning the 73-year-old former PM. Cardiologists recommended a CTA on August 1 after fluctuating blood pressure, and a government board examined him on August 10. PTI alleges the procedure was intentionally prevented despite a Supreme Court order and facilities at Shifa International Hospital. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed an inquiry committee on Saturday to look into the facts.

👗 Minister slams misogyny over short dress video

A political row erupted after a video of a woman in a short dress was misidentified as Industries Minister S Keerthana in Tamil Nadu. Keerthana clarified that the woman in the video is not her and strongly criticized misogyny on social media. She asserted that this tactic is used by those lacking substantive points to challenge government policies. Keerthana apologized to the woman, noting the controversy was due to a passing resemblance. She further targeted the DMK and AIADMK for defaming women online. 👗

🧐 LIC stake sale in IDBI Bank faces scrutiny

The All-India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) has asked the IRDAI to step in regarding the LIC's stake sale in IDBI Bank. This request comes from the AIBOA, representing its members, who are concerned about the transaction's potential impact on policyholders. LIC currently holds 529,41,02,939 equity shares, bought around ₹61 per share in 2018. The AIBOA questions if the reported sale price of around ₹82 per share meets the mandated goal of maximizing returns. They are urging the regulator to ensure policyholder interests and IDBI Bank's public-sector future are protected. 🧐

👮 CJI says women protestors can file assault complaints against police

The Supreme Court has formed a high-powered enquiry committee to investigate police excess during the NEET-UG protests. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant confirmed that women protestors can approach the HPEC's nodal officer with sexual assault complaints. This directive came after senior advocate Shobha Gupta raised concerns about a sensitive complaint mechanism. The committee was constituted on August 20 and is headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R. Subhash Reddy. The panel is urged to prioritize allegations of violence and molestation against female protestors. 👮

✈️ Pakistan Army Chief heads to Iran for talks

Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is traveling to Tehran for talks with senior Iranian officials on Monday. This trip is his third in 2024 as Islamabad tries to mediate the US and Israel's war on Iran. The visit comes as the Islamabad MoU window lapsed in mid-August and US sanctions loom. Discussions are expected to cover regional stability and Houthi threats to shipping lanes. Analysts suggest this signals ongoing regional mediation efforts despite diplomatic hurdles. 🤝

🎶 Kerala village swaps Santa for King Mahabali for Onam

A unique tradition in Valayanchirangara, near Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, involves celebrating Onam with carolling. Villagers take turns leading processions featuring King Mahabali from house to house for eight evenings. This unusual custom started in 1985 with the goal of spreading Onam's spirit to every home. Each evening around 6:30 pm, the group sings songs, and families offer them snacks and sweets. The tradition continues to grow, now including women taking the role of Mahabali. 🎊

🔬 AI is ditching animal testing for chemicals

Scientists across Europe are using AI and human cells to predict chemical harm, aiming to reduce animal testing. This shift is happening in the EU, which currently uses about 150,000 animals annually for chemical safety tests. The research, part of the €60 million ASPIS cluster, is accelerating non-animal methods like organ-on-a-chip. These new approaches promise quicker, cheaper, and potentially more human-relevant toxicity predictions. This work supports the EU's goal to minimize animal suffering and enhance human safety. 🔬

🏔️ Tragedy on Broad Peak: Nims Dai's Final Moments

Mountaineer Nirmal “Nims Dai” Purja tragically died during an avalanche on Broad Peak. This disaster occurred on July 30, 2026, in Pakistan’s Karakoram range where he was climbing. Ten climbers were caught in the slide, and Purja’s device recorded a fall of roughly 800 metres. He was attempting to complete his second round of conquering all 14 eight-thousanders. His death was confirmed by his expedition company on August 1. 🏔️

🍿 New OTT Drops This Week: Thrillers to K-Dramas 🎬

A bunch of new movies and shows are hitting OTT platforms between August 24 and August 30. Series like Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black Season 3 and Bandar are arriving on Netflix and ZEE5, respectively. Specific titles include The Last Sunrise on Amazon Prime Video on August 26, and Michael on JioHotstar on August 29. These releases offer everything from intense crime thrillers to heartwarming family dramas for viewers. Fans can check out the full list of 12 new additions across various streaming services.