🏛️ Gandhi & Kharge skip Red Fort for second year

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort this Saturday. This absence occurred in Delhi, where the two leaders are the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Leaders of Opposition. The skip comes after two consecutive years, following protocol and seating arrangement concerns. The BJP slammed the decision as 'childish' and inappropriate for opposition leaders. Congress and BJP remain locked in disputes over seating at official state events. 🇮🇳

☕ Oncologist shares 6 science-backed perks of black coffee

Oncologist Dr Vartika Vishwani shared that black coffee may offer six research-backed benefits for health. She detailed these findings on July 27 via Instagram, noting research on 171,000 adults showed 1.5 to 3.5 cups lowered death risk by about 30%. Consumption of three to four cups daily may also reduce chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, coffee consumption has been linked to better liver health and potentially lower risks of certain cancers. She stressed that coffee should complement, not replace, a healthy lifestyle. ☕

🔥 JoyToy unboxes Warhammer Firedrakes Terminators

JoyToy has released terminator figures from the elite Firedrakes unit of the Salamanders legion from Warhammer: The Horus Heresy. The company showed an unboxing video featuring these 1/18 scale collectibles for fans. The figures, which are 14.2 cm tall, include accessories like storm shields and power hammers. These veterans have survived into the 42nd millennium, showcasing extreme focus and discipline. Each figure is currently available for $61.60 with a 12% discount.

🎤 Grammys rethink Asian Pop after BTS boycott

The Recording Academy is reviewing its new Asian pop category following BTS's decision not to submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. CEO Harvey Mason Jr. revealed discussions with Asian music industry figures over the last two weeks, including K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and Indian music. HYBE is also part of these talks, aiming to handle the category's first year right. The Academy's Board and Awards & Nominations Committee will collaborate with Asian music leaders to discuss the category further. This move follows BTS announcing their boycott on July 29, as many artists feel the category isn't representing their music properly.

🍎 SC pushes Centre on food label design

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to finalize the visual format for front-of-package food labelling within two weeks. This decision comes after the court questioned the government's stance on matching international standards, specifically noting rising obesity rates in India. The bench emphasized that clear warning labels are vital for public health, especially protecting children from junk food consumption. The court pulled up the FSSAI for the delay, linking the issue to the right to health under Article 21. The matter will be revisited for further consideration on September 10. 🍎

🔋 Honor is packing a massive 12000mAh battery for gaming

Honor is preparing trial production of a 12000mAh battery specifically targeting mobile gaming experiences. This large cell capacity is expected to debut in the WIN 2 series later this year. The WIN 2 series is anticipated by the end of 2026 and will feature a flagship 2nm chipset. This upgrade significantly boosts gaming performance over the first-gen WIN models with their 10000mAh battery. Final specs will be confirmed upon the official announcement of the WIN 2 series. 🔋

⚖️ CJI Surya Kant: Lawyers' role since freedom struggle

CJI Surya Kant addressed the Supreme Court Bar Association's Independence Day function on August 15, 2026. He highlighted the integral constitutional and social role of the legal profession during India's freedom struggle. The CJI noted that leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B.R. Ambedkar were lawyers, making the profession part of the movement. Today, the responsibility has shifted to ensuring constitutional promises are upheld, especially for marginalized groups. He urged young lawyers to protect and carry forward the institutions of justice built by previous generations. ⚖️

😠 Protest leader alleges police beat him near I-Day event

Jharkhand protest leader Devendra Nath Mahto alleged that police beat him at a Ranchi hospital when he tried to join a Tiranga Yatra. This incident occurred on Saturday at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi, during Independence Day celebrations. Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since August 2, suffered a chest injury in the confrontation. He stated that after 80 years, they only have nominal freedom, questioning the stop. Mahto is demanding transparency regarding JPSC and JSSC exam irregularities going forward. 😥

😠 Protester claims police beat him over I-Day event

Jharkhand protest leader Devendra Nath Mahto alleged that police assaulted him at a Ranchi hospital. He was reportedly prevented from joining the Tiranga Yatra at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Independence Day. Mahto has been on a 14-day hunger strike concerning JPSC and JSSC recruitment exam irregularities. He claimed he sustained a chest injury during the confrontation while trying to participate peacefully. Moving forward, protesters are demanding a fair investigation and accountability for the exam issues. ✊

🇮🇳 Congress mocks PM's tricolor pocket square

Congress leaders mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tricolour pocket square during his Independence Day speech. The criticism, sparked by Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, claimed the sequence resembled the flag of Ireland. This exchange happened on Saturday, August 15, 2026, during the Red Fort address. Social media users countered that it was just a pocket square, not a flag, and argued against politicization. PM Modi also announced free online coaching and AI skill training for one crore youth. 🇮🇳

🇮🇳 Minister backs youth protests on I-Day in Shivamogga

Karnataka's Minister for School Education and Literacy, Madhu Bangarappa, acknowledged recent youth protests regarding the NEET paper leak during the Independence Day celebrations in Shivamogga. He stated that youth must question both the government and society regarding employment, education, and justice. The government plans to fill 72,000 vacancies, including 15,000 teachers, and build 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools. Furthermore, the minister assured resolution for cultivators facing issues near the Sharavati project. The event saw cultural performances and a marchpast involving 29 platoons.