🔭 Epic solar eclipse views from space 🛰️

The Aug. 12 total solar eclipse was captured by several spacecraft orbiting Earth, offering unique perspectives on the celestial event. NASA astronaut Jessica Meir saw a partial eclipse peaking at 18% from the ISS on Aug. 12. The ESA's Proba-3 mission recorded a rare double eclipse while MGT-I1 captured the Moon's shadow over Earth. GOES-19 also monitored the shadow traveling over Greenland, Iceland, and Spain on Aug. 12, 2026. These orbital views provide a massive scale perspective on the astronomical phenomenon.

🥚 Egg freezing angst in a Brooklyn apartment

A conceptual film by Matilda Hay explores the complex emotions surrounding egg-freezing for women. The piece features an interview with Samantha, 36, who expresses feelings of being forced into the decision. The film visually depicts this turmoil by smashing an entire pack of eggs on the floor. Samantha shares her deep-seated fear of not being able to have children despite knowing she should consider it. This personal struggle highlights the difficult choices women face regarding their life paths.

🩺 New drug combo boosts diabetes control in trials

Adding pioglitazone to metformin and an SGLT2 inhibitor can significantly improve glycemic control in people with poorly managed type 2 diabetes. This phase 3 randomized clinical trial involved 249 T2DM patients receiving metformin and dapagliflozin. After 24 weeks, the pioglitazone group saw their HbA1c drop from 7.80% to 7.27%, versus 7.79% to 7.69% with placebo. This suggests pioglitazone is a good extra option for those not reaching targets. Researchers noted modest weight gain, so this must be considered when choosing treatment. 🩺

🏡 Rhea Chakraborty's new luxe home reveal ✨

Rhea Chakraborty showcased her new luxurious residence in a recent YouTube video with Farah Khan. This stunning home is located in Mumbai and she recently moved in with her family there. The property features a bright living room, large French windows, and a sophisticated dining area. A highlight is the massive walk-in closet designed like a boutique with dark wardrobes. The interiors are further enhanced by thoughtful art and decorative plants.

🏥 Delhi teen with 275kg undergoes major surgery

A 16-year-old boy weighing around 275 kg in Delhi had a successful laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. He was transported in a 'Matador' van due to his extreme weight and suffered from severe breathing issues. After a two-week stay in PICU, a team of 20 specialists approved the procedure in June 2024. The surgery aimed to improve his long-term health beyond just weight loss. Two months later, he dropped to 223 kg and is now on a structured follow-up plan. 🏥

🚧 Big Road Project in Indore Hits Snags

A major 40 crore road construction project in Indore has encountered significant breakdowns. The issue is currently affecting the progress of the infrastructure work in the city. The project was scheduled to meet certain milestones by a specific date, though the article does not provide exact figures. This delay is impacting the city's ongoing urban development plans. Authorities are now reviewing the situation to determine the next steps for the project. 🚧

⚖️ Delhi HC denies default bail to Red Fort blast accused

The Delhi high court refused to grant default bail to Jasir Bilal Wani in the 2025 Red Fort car bomb case. The bench, consisting of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan, dismissed his appeal against a March 30 trial court order. The NIA arrested Wani, a Kashmiri accused, in November 2025, alleging he provided technical support for terror attacks. This case stems from a Hyundai i20 car exploding near the Red Fort on November 10, 2025, killing 15 people. The chargesheet, filed in May 2026, named Wani as the module's “in-house engineer.”

📱 Samsung foldables drop prices in Vietnam

Samsung's latest foldable phones are selling significantly below their official prices in Vietnam due to promotions. Consumers in Hung Yen Province found discounts up to VND10 million (US$400) on models like the Galaxy Z Fold8. The Z Flip8, officially VND32 million, is available for around VND23–24 million. Retailers and e-commerce platforms are heavily influencing these low real-world prices. This strong demand follows a global debut at Unpacked 2026 on July 22.

🤖 iQOO Z11 built for college students, not just a clone

iQOO has launched the Z11 in India, specifically designed with Indian college students in mind by CEO Nipun Marya. The device features a unique curved AMOLED display and a redesigned camera module compared to its China variant. It will be the first Indian smartphone with the Dimensity 7500 Turbo chipset, debuting around the launch date. The phone focuses on AI-powered productivity features while maintaining strong fundamentals like battery life. iQOO also announced that its Buds will launch on August 20 exclusively on Amazon. 📱

🏛️ New laws signed by President on finance matters

The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026, and an amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, received President Droupadi Murmu's assent on August 17, 2026. The Taxation Act aims to attract foreign capital and boost domestic electronics manufacturing by offering process certainty. This bill replaces a June 5 ordinance regarding FPI tax exemptions on G-Sec investments. The payment systems amendment allows the government to modify the zero-MDR framework for UPI and RuPay transactions. Future MDR charges will be decided by the UPI and Services Steering Committee.

🏛️ Tax and Payment System Laws Get Presidential Seal

The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026, and a payment systems amendment received President Droupadi Murmu's assent on August 17, 2026. This legislation aims to attract foreign capital and boost domestic electronics manufacturing in India. The tax act also removes the June 5 ordinance granting I-T exemption to FPIs on G-Sec investments. Furthermore, the payment systems change allows the government to modify the zero-MDR framework for UPI and RuPay transactions. These changes signal a push for greater policy certainty and foreign investment flows. 🚀