😥 Father allegedly pushes two kids into canal in Karnataka

Two children, a nine-year-old girl and her two-and-a-half-year-old brother, were found dead in an irrigation canal in Yadgir district, Karnataka. The father, Shantappa, allegedly pushed them into the water after leaving home around 2:15-2:30 pm. The bodies were recovered on the same day, with the boy found around 3:30 pm and the girl between 5:30 pm and 6 pm. Shantappa later told police the children were closer to their mother, Renuka, and didn't get along with him. Police have taken the father into custody and are adding murder charges to the case. 💔

📈 HDFC Bank shares jump after RBI greenlights LIC stake hike

HDFC Bank shares rose up to 1.09% on Thursday, reaching an intraday high of Rs 728 per share on BSE. This movement occurred after the RBI approved LIC's proposal to increase its stake in HDFC Bank to up to 9.99%. As of August 14, LIC held a 4.11% stake, allowing a potential increase of nearly 5.9 percentage points. The approval boosts sentiment but sustained performance relies on loan growth and earnings momentum. LIC's purchases remain subject to various applicable regulations and conditions.

⚔️ Black Myth Zhong Kui gameplay trailer is here

Game Science has dropped a 15-minute gameplay trailer for Black Myth Zhong Kui, showcasing intense combat and visual scenes. The trailer was released on YouTube exactly one year after the game's reveal at Gamescom 2025. This second Black Myth entry is a single-player action RPG based on Chinese mythology, featuring the demon-hunting Zhong Kui. The footage, from a work-in-progress PC build, shows the protagonist battling demons and unlocking elemental blade powers. While no official release date is set, the game is planned for PC and major consoles.

🔬 New hub found controlling MYC-driven cancers

New studies reveal a hidden regulatory hub controlling MYC-driven cancers. Researchers found this hub at the PVT1 locus on human chromosome 8q24. The findings were published in Genes & Development on August 19, 2026. This mechanism shows how MYC can be controlled without directly targeting it, opening new treatment paths. The team plans to study Firefox and Honeybadger in more cancer types next. 🔬

🔬 Why retractions don't fix science record

Retracting a faulty research paper alone doesn't correct the overall scientific record, as subsequent work can still cite it. Experts analyzed data from 1981 to 2023, finding reasons like plagiarism and misconduct for retractions. A 2026 study revealed that 30% of citations occurred after a paper was retracted, showing a cascading effect. Awareness among early-career researchers is a key issue, and institutional attention to retractions is low. A stronger system needs to learn from every retraction, not just remove the paper. 🔬

🎬 Sunny Deol slams Shabana Azmi's past 'Gadar' critique

Sunny Deol and Shabana Azmi reunited in 'Batwara 1947', sparking memories of past debates. In 2001, Shabana Azmi called Sunny's 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha' provocative, claiming it framed Muslims as the 'Other'. Sunny strongly reacted to this criticism, questioning her education and reading level. He defended the film's success, stating its public acceptance countered negative noise. Now, they portray different dynamics in the Partition-set film.

🧐 Ex-Meta engineer slams Instagram's safety focus

A former Meta engineering director alleged that Instagram used a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach towards users under 13. This testimony took place during a landmark trial in federal court in Oakland, California. The lawsuit, initiated by a coalition of US states, seeks around $200 billion in damages. Bejar stated that safety was treated as secondary to user engagement and company profits. The trial is ongoing, focusing on addictive design and data privacy issues. 🧐

🇮🇳 India removes security barriers at Pakistan High Commission

Indian authorities dismantled traffic bollards and barricades outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. This action followed Pakistan’s objection to US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s remarks on Kashmir. The removal occurred on Wednesday, August 20, 2026, after Islamabad had mirrored the move on August 17, 2026. Gor stated Kashmir is an "important" part of India during his visit to J&K. These tit-for-tat measures reflect ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations. 🇮🇳

⛈️ Uttarakhand on high alert due to heavy rains 🌧️

Continuous heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand's Garhwal division has caused major rivers to swell, prompting administrative alerts. Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop confirmed multiple disaster-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season. Daily rainfall has exceeded 200 mm in some spots, with rivers like Tamsa, Tons, and Rispana showing high levels in Dehradun. Authorities are evacuating vulnerable residents and advising caution, especially near riverbanks. The Char Dham Yatra continues safely, with 8,000 to 9,000 pilgrims visiting daily until the second phase after September 15.

⚖️ 100 murder cases moved after judge hands 22 death sentences

Around 100 murder cases pending in Muzaffarnagar have been transferred to another court. This action followed Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar awarding 22 death sentences in 10 cases over the last four months. The transfer was made to District and Sessions Judge Virendra Kumar Singh after apprehension from lawyers and litigants. These cases involved serious offences, including lawyer and farmer murders. The death sentences are not immediately enforceable and require High Court confirmation. ⚖️

🤖 Paltrow hosting OpenAI CEO Altman in Hamptons

Gwyneth Paltrow is hosting a private, off-the-record dinner for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The event is set for Saturday, August 29th, at her home in Amagansett, NY. This dinner caps a year where Paltrow has shifted focus towards AI-adjacent operations. She has been backing AI since 2021, investing in startups like Forethought AI and Potion AI. Paltrow stated at a recent summit that her AI tools now function as a chief of staff for Goop. 🤖