🚢 China's carriers face submarine threat

China is aggressively building aircraft carriers, like the Fujian, to project power globally. However, a CSIS assessment warns that these carriers are highly vulnerable to hostile submarines. The report details a five-pronged strategy involving missiles, drones, and submarine ambushes by US and partners. China currently has significant gaps in anti-submarine warfare capabilities against advanced fleets. Beijing is pushing these new ships further into the Pacific, prompting increased vigilance from nations like Japan.

🕵️‍♂️ Delhi drug ring used social media and bike taxis to move charas

Delhi Police busted an international charas network that moved drugs from Nepal into Delhi via various channels. The operation led to the arrest of four Nepalese nationals and the recovery of 106.250 kg of charas worth ₹109 crore. The syndicate used social media like Telegram for orders and bike taxis for local distribution in areas like Wazirabad. Authorities found that the network operated for four to five years before being disrupted. Police are now tracing the financial trail to uncover more involved individuals in this scheme. 🕵️‍♂️

⚖️ Bombay HC grants bail relief to TISS student

The Bombay High Court granted interim protection from arrest to a former TISS student accused of raising slogans supporting Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. This student, Kamakhya Das, was facing charges after allegedly raising inflammatory slogans at an unauthorized campus event in Maharashtra. The case originated from an FIR registered at Trombay Police Station following a complaint by the TISS Registrar on October 12, 2025. The court observed that since the electronic devices were seized, custodial interrogation was not immediately required. Das must cooperate with the investigation and will not be arrested until the next hearing on August 31.

📢 Freedom of Speech Clash with Govt Censorship

A major protest erupted against government censorship across various cities. Thousands of activists gathered in Delhi to voice their strong disapproval of the recent regulations. The demonstrations took place on October 26th and involved participants from different age groups. The protestors argued that these actions restrict fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution. Authorities have stated they are reviewing the complaints and will issue a formal response shortly. 📢

🤳 Farah Khan on daughters' insecurities: 'They feel ugly'

Farah Khan shared a candid moment with Akanksha Choudhary on her latest YouTube vlog. The filmmaker revealed that her daughters, Anya Kunder and Diva Kunder, struggle with feeling insecure about their appearance. This comment followed Akanksha admitting she once found herself the ugliest person in the world. The twins recently graduated from Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai. They are set to begin their university studies this year, which is quite costly. 😥

🦈 London's Thames: From Dead Zone to Shark Haven 🦈

The River Thames was declared 'biologically dead' in 1957 due to severe pollution and lack of oxygen. Today, the Thames Estuary supports diverse wildlife, including at least five shark species and significant seal populations. A January 2026 check by ZSL confirms the remarkable recovery, noting improved oxygen levels and reduced pollutants. Improvements like better sewage treatment and the 15.5-mile Thames Tideway Tunnel helped this transformation. However, nitrate pollution is still rising, and summer water temperatures are increasing yearly.

🍌 UK gardens seeing banana fruit after heatwaves

A banana plant in Seaton, Cornwall, has unexpectedly produced 24 pieces of fruit following a prolonged heatwave. The plant owner, Cathy Neville, noted this is unusual, with experts pointing to a changing climate as the cause. Horticultural experts confirm that banana fruiting in the UK is rare, as it did not happen 20 years ago. This trend is visible nationwide, with others reporting similar successes after heatwaves. This serves as a visible reminder of the warming climate impacting British gardens. 🍌

🚢 Trump wants old steam catapults for new carriers

President Donald Trump has demanded that future US aircraft carriers ditch EMALS for older catapult technology. This directive comes as part of a national security memo aimed at fixing shipbuilding issues in the Navy. The USS Doris Miller, a Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, is the first ship impacted, with a 2034 delivery date. Trump argues that steam catapults are simpler and cheaper to fix compared to the complex EMALS system. The decision could cost billions and will require more sailors to operate the steam systems. 🚢

😠 Indira Gandhi's fiery US interactions revealed

Rahul Gandhi shared an anecdote from Indira Gandhi's 1982 US visit during a critique of PM Modi's foreign policy. This incident highlighted the turbulent India-US relationship during Indira's tenure in power. Earlier tensions included a 1966 food crisis negotiation and friction during the Vietnam War era. The Nixon-Kissinger years saw severe strain, culminating in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Despite later attempts like the 1982 Reagan dinner, the legacy of past conflicts remained deep. 🇮🇳

🇮🇳 Pingali Venkayya: The Man Behind India's Flag

Pingali Venkayya was the freedom fighter who heavily influenced the design of the Indian Tricolour. He was born on August 2, 1879, in Andhra Pradesh, and studied at Cambridge University. In 1906, he proposed a national flag concept and studied flags from 30 nations. His initial design, featuring red, white, and green with a Charkha, was seen by Gandhi in 1921. The flag evolved, finally adopting the Ashoka Chakra on July 22, 1947, with Venkayya passing away in 1963.

✨ Instagram finally updates its logo after a decade

Meta has officially rolled out a refreshed wordmark for Instagram, which features a new font and updated styling. This change was announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri across Instagram and Threads platforms. The previous design had remained exactly the same for the last 10 years, necessitating this update. Mosseri described the new look as being both cleaner and more modern for the brand. The design team worked through hundreds of iterations to make this new wordmark reflect the creativity of the community.