📈 Global bond markets hit high notes due to inflation fears

Long-term borrowing costs across the US, Japan, and Germany spiked to decades-high levels on Tuesday. This surge was fueled by renewed inflation concerns and worries over fiscal pressures in major global economies. US thirty-year bond yields reached their highest since 2007, partly because oil prices rose past $90 a barrel. Meanwhile, Japan faced inflation anxiety alongside speculation of a potential September interest rate hike. Market sentiment reflects broader concerns over high public debt levels across many nations.

📱 Apple updates App Store rules for EU markets

Apple is revamping its App Store rules across the European Union to settle disputes with the Commission regarding business terms. Every developer will adopt a unified set of terms, effective October 1st, with new fee structures detailed. App Store apps will incur a 26% commission for Apple's system, while third-party sales face a 5% Core Technology Commission fee. Developers can now use alternative payment systems alongside in-app purchases, but must stick to their chosen option for 12 months. Apple is also introducing new child safety features specifically for the EU market.

⚖️ Goa plea calls Tarun Tejpal punishment 'inadequate'

A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court arguing that the punishment given to Tarun Tejpal was insufficient. The petition was submitted by a Goa-based entity, challenging the existing legal sentence. The case specifically relates to the sexual harassment allegations that surfaced earlier. The petitioners contend that a life term imprisonment is necessary to serve justice in this high-profile matter. The Supreme Court will now examine the arguments presented by both sides regarding the severity of the sentence.

🧐 Opposition slams Ram Temple SIT report as eyewash

Opposition parties labeled the SIT report on Ram Temple embezzlement a farce and an eyewash on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. This criticism came after sources indicated the SIT gave a clean chit to former general secretary Champat Rai in Uttar Pradesh. The report was prepared by the SIT, formed by the State government on June 13 following misappropriation allegations. Opponents claim this is a BJP strategy to favor the VHP and protect powerful figures. They are demanding a Supreme Court-monitored probe to uncover the real truth. 🧐

🏛️ SC orders CBI probe into Indiabulls financial mess

The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to investigate financial irregularities against the promoters of Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited. This order was passed by a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana in a PIL. The allegations include round-tripping of funds and siphoning of money, with the court prioritizing a holistic probe. The Court also instructed the EOW to complete its remaining investigation and file a status report within two weeks. This decision emphasizes the need for a thorough investigation by a premier agency. 🧐

🚨 Hackers weaponize WordPress sites for malware

A new malware operation named StopAndProtect is turning thousands of hacked WordPress sites into criminal C2 infrastructure. The attack targets over 6,000 unique victim IP addresses globally, with high infections seen in the US, Russia, and India. Attackers manage nearly 2,000 compromised domains to distribute payloads and steal data. The initial hack uses fake CAPTCHA lures injected into vulnerable WordPress pages. Website admins must urgently update their CMS and plugins to prevent these advanced threats. 💻

🎮 Samsung teams up with Call of Duty for next-gen gaming

Samsung has officially partnered with Activision to be the tech partner for Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. This deal involves Samsung providing TV, monitor, soundbar, and speaker support for the upcoming FPS game. Consumers gain access to Beta Early Access codes and can test the game on premium Samsung Odyssey monitors at Gamescom. The partnership will integrate HDR10+ Gaming for more accurate colors and contrast in the game. Furthermore, Samsung TVs can stream Call Of Duty: NEXT live via the Samsung Gaming Hub on August 21.

🔬 Heart disease starts before inflammation, study finds

A Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University study identified molecular changes that kick off atherosclerosis years before inflammation occurs. Researchers analyzed coronary artery tissue from young adults who died from trauma, revealing over half had preclinical atherosclerosis. The findings, published in European Heart Journal, pinpointed pathways and the MLXIPL protein as potential new targets. This suggests cellular metabolism changes start before the classic inflammatory signals are present in the artery wall. Understanding these earliest changes is key to developing next-generation heart disease prevention therapies.

⚖️ HC won't stop Bengal Speaker's LoP appointment

The Calcutta High Court refused to interfere with the West Bengal Speaker's decision to appoint Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition (LoP). Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta's bench mandated that Justice Krishna Rao's single bench resolve the case within two months. Petitioners challenged this appointment, which followed Mamata Banerjee's nomination of Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay on May 9, 2026. The court noted the Speaker should have consulted both parties but granted no interim relief. This LoP appointment has caused a significant split within the Trinamool Congress legislature party. ⚖️

🚨 Bomb scare at Hyderabad airport over baggage claim

Panic hit Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport after a 75-year-old IndiGo passenger claimed to have a bomb in his baggage. The incident occurred at around 5.20 pm on Tuesday while he was scheduled to fly to Visakhapatnam on IndiGo flight 6E208. Security teams checked everything, but no explosive or suspicious material was found during the rigorous searches. The passenger was then handed over to the airport police for legal action regarding his claim. This scare adds to a recent pattern of security alerts at Indian airports. 🚨

🤢 Detergent instead of salt makes 40 students sick

At least 40 students became ill on Tuesday after detergent powder was mistakenly served instead of salt in their mid-day meal. This incident occurred at Parasi Middle School in Nalanda district, Bihar, under the Noorsarai police station area. The affected students complained of stomach pain and vomiting, leading to their transfer to Bihar Sharif Model Hospital. Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar arrived and vowed strict action against those responsible for the lapse. Authorities are now investigating how the detergent powder ended up being used in the food supply.