🏛️ FCRA Bill: Govt Hints At JPC, Opp Says Scrap It

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2011 (FCRA) 2026, was not discussed in the BAC deliberations for the monsoon session. The government approached the Congress-led opposition about referring the bill to a joint committee of Parliament for review. Speaker Om Birla met with KC Venugopal, but the opposition demanded a complete withdrawal of the legislation. The bill, introduced on March 25, faces sharp protests from opposition parties and minority groups. The government is looking into concerns while facing protests that rule out immediate discussion.

🎧 Spotify's ad-skipping test isn't scaring advertisers

Spotify rolled out a test feature letting paid subscribers easily skip ads in podcasts last week. This feature applies to segments like intros and baked-in sponsorships for some paid users. Currently, the test does not impact ad delivery, and advertisers are holding a wait-and-see approach. Some creators on Acast have voiced unhappiness with the new measure, but industry experts are calm. Spotify is monitoring the results to decide if this feature will become a permanent part of the platform experience. 🎧

🤖 ChatGPT can now book your restaurant table

OpenAI and Yelp are strengthening their partnership to integrate reservations and waitlists directly into ChatGPT. Users can now book a table or join a waitlist without switching out of the chat interface. This new capability extends to US and Canadian restaurants via Yelp. Furthermore, OpenAI has also teamed up with Resy and OpenTable for similar booking functions. This development aims to make securing a dining spot much more convenient for all ChatGPT users. 📱

🦟 Japanese Encephalitis is a Major Threat in Nepal

Nine deaths from Japanese encephalitis (JE) have been reported in less than a month, leading officials to issue public warnings. These cases were spread across Koshi Province, Madhesh Province, and Lumbini Province. In 2025 alone, 41 people died and 141 others were infected across 45 districts. JE is the leading cause of death among vector-borne diseases, with about 12.5 million people in Nepal at high risk. Vaccination is strongly recommended for all unvaccinated individuals to prevent severe illness. 🦟

🏏 Stubbs' special win keeps Rockets in doubt

Southern Brave defeated Trent Rockets by six wickets at Trent Bridge. The victory was secured by Tristan Stubbs and Marcus Stoinis for the Brave in a match played on August 10, 2026. Stubbs hit a quick half-century to power the win for the visitors. This result denies the Rockets an automatic spot in the Hundred Final. Sunrisers Leeds now have a chance to overtake the Rockets on net run-rate. 🏏

🩺 Type 2 Diabetes & Worse Menopause Symptoms?

A recent study established a link between Type 2 diabetes and a heavier burden of symptoms during menopause in postmenopausal women. The research was conducted by specialists in Contemporary OB/GYN. The findings analyzed data spanning several years to draw these correlations. This highlights a significant comorbidity that needs closer medical attention. Doctors are now advising more rigorous screening for both conditions. 🩺

💻 Linux Mint devs update kernel tracking process

Linux Mint developers have implemented a significant change in how Linux kernels are tracked. This update primarily affects the development and maintenance process within the Linux Mint community. The changes were rolled out recently, focusing on improving tracking efficiency for various kernel versions. This move aims to streamline the process for developers contributing to the operating system. Future updates will likely see better stability and faster patch deployment. 💻

🐊 Alligator attack leaves woman with severe arm injury

A Florida woman suffered a devastating arm injury after a nearly 10-foot alligator attacked her while paddleboarding in the Silver River. The incident occurred when the reptile grabbed her arm and dragged her underwater in north-central Florida. The alligator measured approximately 9 feet 8 inches, and the river was temporarily closed following the attack on a date around Sunday. A quick-thinking boater named John Gamache helped control the severe bleeding with a rope. The woman was subsequently discharged from the hospital and is now recovering at home. 🐊

⚖️ US Judge Drops Adani Criminal Case

A US judge has dismissed the criminal case filed against Gautam Adani. The case involved allegations stemming from investigations in the United States. These proceedings were related to matters dating back to 2023. The dismissal comes after a review of the legal grounds presented by both sides. Further legal action on this specific charge is now unlikely to proceed. ⚖️

🚨 Over 175k visas revoked in Trump's second term

The US State Department revealed that over 175,000 visas have been revoked during this administration. This action targeted foreign nationals in the US, where the majority of revocations stemmed from criminal activities like DUI and assault. These revocations were issued as the crackdown continues under the current administration. The department stated that a US visa is a privilege, not a right for anyone. Moving forward, the State Department remains committed to protecting American communities. 🧐

🔭 Webb captures epic infrared view of Eskimo Nebula

New infrared observations have revealed dust clumps and expanding shells around the Eskimo Nebula. This bipolar planetary nebula is located 4,200 light-years away in the constellation of Gemini. The image was captured using the NIRCam and MIRI instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope. The nebula's current shape is the result of thousands of years of change from its dying star. Astronomers estimate the entire nebula will disperse in about 10,000 years.