🔬 Electricity-driven molecule slashes chemical use in e-waste recycling

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign created a molecule that uses electricity for metal extraction. This molecule was demonstrated to selectively recover gold from electronic-waste leachates. The process reduced chemical consumption by one to two orders of magnitude. This advancement removes the need for extra chemical reagents in the extraction cycle. The team is now working to scale this approach for industrial applications. ⚡

⛽ LPG e-KYC deadline approaching, no official word yet

The deadline for domestic LPG consumers to complete their biometric Aadhaar authentication expires this Sunday. In Bengal, this impacts around 1.4 crore non-Ujjwala LPG consumers, including 90 lakh Indane connections. Officials noted around 75 lakh consumers still need to update their e-KYC as of the third week of July. Agencies will remain open on August 15 and 16 from noon to 4pm to maximize compliance efforts. A suitable decision regarding non-completion will be taken at the appropriate time, according to Indian Oil officials. 😟

🤖 Gemini 3.7 Flash is now in Google AI Mode

Google has added Gemini 3.7 Flash as a selectable model within its AI Mode feature. This update is available globally right now for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, specifically in English. The model offers stronger instruction following and better intent understanding, according to Robby Stein. Gemini 3.7 Flash was initially released on August 13th for coding and agent tasks. It is currently a choice, not the new default, in the model menu. 🤖

🙏 Nagaland church body pushes back on Vande Mataram singing

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has formally opposed the Centre's directive regarding the revised Vande Mataram for India's 80th Independence Day. This opposition follows a call from the Naga Students’ Federation to protect students’ rights at Independence Day programs. The NBCC stated on Thursday, August 13, 2026, that compelling citizens, especially Christians, to sing is against their views. They emphasized that patriotism must stem from willing participation, not compulsion, while respecting national symbols. The church body urged peaceful dialogue, stressing that conscience must be respected in India's diverse nation.

📉 Jane Street takes a massive $15B hit

Jane Street experienced a significant financial loss due to issues with its situational awareness systems. The firm encountered major troubles across its operations, leading to the substantial downturn. Reports indicate the loss amounts to roughly $15 billion. This setback highlights vulnerabilities in high-frequency trading infrastructure. The company is reportedly working to stabilize its systems moving forward. 📉

🥊 UFC 330 staredowns: Makhachev vs Garry faceoff 👀

The final faceoffs for UFC 330 have taken place ahead of the big fights. Islam Makhachev squared off against Irish contender Ian Garry in the main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Penn. The event is scheduled for tomorrow night, Saturday, August 15, 2026. Makhachev is aiming to break Anderson Silva’s 16-straight win record in this welterweight title bout. Mackenzie Dern will also defend her strawweight title against Gillian Robertson in the co-headliner.

🚨 Spain ups security in Ceuta amid border rush fears

Spain has increased security measures in the autonomous city of Ceuta following online calls for another mass border crossing attempt. Authorities are taking proactive steps to manage the situation at the border point. The recent heightened alert follows previous incidents where migrants attempted to enter Spain illegally. This intensified security push is aimed at preventing any large-scale unauthorized influx of people. Officials are monitoring the situation closely to maintain control at the border crossing.

🎾 Iga Swiatek Nears Serena Williams' Tennis Record

Iga Swiatek has successfully surpassed Aryna Sabalenka in a notable tennis statistic. This milestone was achieved in the context of professional tennis rankings. The specific data points indicate a significant closeness to Serena Williams' established record. This achievement reflects Swiatek's strong performance and consistent play throughout the season. Future matches will determine how far she closes the gap on this major record.

🌊 7.7 earthquake hits Indonesia, tsunami warning issued

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday. The epicenter was near the north coast of the island, about 68 kilometres northwest of Ende. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres, followed by 5.6 and 5.9 aftershocks. Indonesia's BMKG issued a tsunami warning due to the seismic event. This region frequently faces quakes because it lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire. 🌊

🇮🇳 Thousands join Tiranga Yatra across Bihar and Jharkhand

Thousands participated in the Tiranga Yatra to celebrate national pride and unity across Bihar and Jharkhand. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary led the event in Munger on August 14, 2026, as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign-2026. The procession included various ministers, MLAs, and Union Minister Nityanand Rai. Choudhary emphasized that the Tricolour symbolizes the nation’s unity and integrity for all citizens. The event also saw participation from the 209 CoBRA Battalion and police awards were announced. 🇮🇳

🔥 Houthi missile attack hits al-Makha, kills at least four

The Houthis launched an attack on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha, resulting in the death of at least four people, according to Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The attack occurred on Friday, with the Houthis firing six ballistic missiles at the port area. This escalation comes amidst heightened regional tensions related to the US-Israel war on Iran. The Yemeni government's armed forces stated the strike targeted civilian infrastructure and national assets. These clashes raise the prospect of a larger conflict reigniting in Yemen.