🔥 Drones hit Wildberries hub and oil refinery in Bashkortostan

Ukrainian drones attacked a Wildberries logistics hub and a major oil refinery in Bashkortostan on Thursday. Regional officials reported that 16 drones were shot down near Salavat and five others in the Chishminsky district. Two people sustained injuries in the attacks, and a fire erupted at the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery. Wildberries confirmed a fire at another industrial zone facility, where staff had already evacuated. A Ka-32 firefighting helicopter was deployed to help manage the blaze at the logistics hub.

🏞️ Alaska creek bounces back after mining damage

Resurrection Creek in Southcentral Alaska suffered heavy degradation from decades of gold mining activities. The U.S. Forest Service started the first restoration on a 1.5-mile reach in 2006. Following this effort, salmon runs in the creek increased by a factor of six. The project later stalled due to funding issues but restarted in 2021 with new partners. This ongoing work aims to restore 2.2 miles and improve 74 acres of habitat. 🏞️

🏡 Mud house with car doors in Uttarakhand

Architect Shagun Singh built a unique 'Gaadi Ghar' in Pangot village near Nainital. This dwelling features an entryway made from the doors of an abandoned Mahindra Bolero SUV. The construction, which took over 45 days, utilizes thick mud walls and a living grass roof. This design showcases how load-bearing cob walls can be sturdy on uneven terrain. The house serves as a living example of her philosophy from Geeli Mitti. 🏡

🚨 Ex-MLA arrested over RG Kar victim's cremation

Former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh has been arrested in Odisha regarding the RG Kar case. He is alleged to be involved in the 'hurried cremation' of the victim. The incident occurred at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in 2024. Police confirmed the arrest on Thursday as part of the ongoing investigation. Further updates are expected as this remains a developing story.

🏞️ Florida turns old farmland into coastal gem

Florida spent around $17 million transforming degraded farmland near Tampa Bay into the 700-acre Robinson Preserve. This coastal refuge is located in Manatee County, Florida, and now draws about 240,000 visitors annually. The transformation effort began in 2003, with initial phases completed by 2008. The project successfully restored wetland habitat, supporting fish populations and generating significant local economic activity. This preserve now serves as a model for ecosystem restoration benefiting both nature and community health. 🏞️

🔭 NASA spots dark matter using galaxy star streams

A stellar stream from a globular cluster has been identified in the ultra-diffuse galaxy UGC 9050-Dw1, located 115 million light-years away. An international team, including Tjitske Starkenburg, detected this faint ribbon using archival Hubble Space Telescope data. Researchers estimated the galaxy's total mass and confirmed a substantial presence of unseen dark matter. This finding validates using stellar streams as a new method to map dark matter distribution in distant galaxies. Future telescopes like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will further test this technique. 🔭

🏏 Bangladesh crushes Australia in first Test in Darwin

Bangladesh dominated the first Test against Australia in Darwin, exposing their batting weaknesses early on. Hasan Mahmud starred for Bangladesh, picking up 6 wickets for 55 runs in the innings. Australia was ultimately bundled out for 198 runs after 53 overs on the first day. Despite early struggles from Weatherald, Labuschagne, and Green, Steve Smith scored 71 runs. The Test is the first played at Marrara Stadium since 2004.

⚖️ Parliament vs. Resigned Judge: A Legal Mess

A three-member committee found former high court judge Justice Yashwant Varma guilty of cash allegations. The inquiry stemmed from unexplained cash found at his Delhi residence in March 2025. The report was tabled in Parliament in July 2025, but Justice Varma resigned in April of this year. This raises a constitutional puzzle about Parliament acting against a resigned judge. He is now eligible for private practice, conflicting with holding judicial office. ⚖️

😠 Kerala challenges Centre on mining bill

Kerala's Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced strong opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha. The State government's primary objection concerns the Centre encroaching on land powers under Entry 18 of the State List. This protest follows the bill's passage on August 12, 2026, which seeks to expand central jurisdiction. Furthermore, Vizhinjam International Seaport will start direct EXIM cargo movement on August 18, marking a major economic step. The state will also consider legal remedies if the bill becomes law. 🚢

🌊 Hiroshima oyster crop decimated by warm seas

Oyster farmers in Hiroshima Prefecture are facing massive losses as up to 90% of their farmed oysters have died. This crisis is impacting areas like Higashihiroshima and Kure, where the prefecture supplies almost 60% of Japan's farmed oysters. Mortality rates are far exceeding the usual 30% to 50% seasonal loss figures. Scientists link this decline to unusually high water temperatures, reduced oxygen, and climate change effects. Officials are now looking into aid while considering long-term adaptation strategies for the industry. 😥

📈 HDFC's m-cap vs ICICI shows tight race

HDFC Bank's market capitalization is reported to be only 9% higher than ICICI Bank's. This tight difference represents the narrowest gap between the two banks in the last decade. The comparison highlights a close competition in the Indian banking sector. This closeness suggests a dynamic and competitive environment for major financial institutions. Investors will closely watch future performance to see how the gap evolves.