✈️ Iran wants 3 captured pilots released from Qatar

Iranian authorities are demanding the release of three pilots captured in Qatar during the ongoing Middle East conflict. These pilots, Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian, and Omran Behraveshian, were held by Qatari forces for six months after their Su-24 jets crashed. General Mohammad Bagherzadeh addressed this plea to the International Committee of the Red Cross. He noted that the pilots have been denied contact with their families since their capture. Diplomatic efforts continue amidst sporadic fighting between Iran and the US near the Strait of Hormuz.

🦟 Vattiyurkavu becomes dengue and chikungunya hotspot 🦟

Vattiyurkavu constituency has emerged as a major hotspot for dengue and chikungunya cases, prompting health officials to launch a two-week campaign. This situation was highlighted in a meeting of ward councillors and health officials in Vattiyurkavu. In August alone, the district reported over 700 dengue cases and around 25 Chikungunya cases. Authorities noted resident apathy regarding source reduction, pointing out breeding sites in household waste and stagnant water. Intensive fogging and house-to-house visits are planned, with stricter action possible if residents don't cooperate.

🧵 Weaving Art: A Weaver's Signature Story

K Jothimani, a 33-year-old artisan, meticulously weaves delicate 'buttas' onto cotton saris at his loom in Thiruengoimalai near Tiruchi. He is part of the Maragathaleswarar Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Society in the Tiruchi district. Currently, his order books are full with motif-laden saris as of August 15, 2026. The craft faces challenges due to lack of patience among youth, but diversification is helping the industry. Artisans can earn between ₹500 and ₹650 per sari, with higher resale potential in cities. 🧵

😠 Blinkit agent attacked over delivery delay

A Blinkit delivery agent was assaulted and dragged inside a flat in Meerut. The incident occurred when the delivery was delayed by just over five minutes. Authorities are now investigating the attack that took place on [Date not provided]. This incident highlights growing tensions between delivery personnel and customers in the city. Further updates on the case are expected from local police soon.

🏏 Rohit's ODI Future Secured After BCCI Meet

Rohit Sharma's place in the ODI setup is safe following a recent BCCI meeting. The discussion involved the team's selection strategy across various formats. Specific numbers or dates regarding the meeting were not disclosed in the report. Ajit Agarkar's future role within the board remains uncertain after these talks. The BCCI will now proceed with finalizing the squad for upcoming tournaments.

🧐 GPU Switch Fails During Esports Hotel Heist

Thieves attempted to swap high-end RTX 5080 GPUs with older RTX 3060s at an esports hotel. The operation took place recently, though specific dates are not provided in the report. The swap was meant to replace valuable hardware with lesser cards undetected. However, a sudden power outage exposed the illicit activity to surveillance. Authorities are now investigating the incident to track down the perpetrators. 🧐

⚖️ BCI Chief apologizes after NALSAR controversy

The BCI Chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, issued an apology to NALSAR law students on August 15, 2026. This followed a controversy where BCI initially barred 2026 NALSAR graduates from enrolling as advocates. The directive, which was issued on August 13, was later rescinded, with an inquiry process also being dropped. The issue stemmed from about 450 NALSAR students opposing the CJI's attendance at the convocation. Mishra later stated that students are discerning citizens who do not need anyone to decide for them.

🇮🇳 SRK on Indian Spirit for Independence Day

Shah Rukh Khan shared heartfelt Independence Day wishes on X, emphasizing the special feeling of being Indian. He posted this message while dressed in a white kurta against the tricolour backdrop. As India approaches 80 years of independence on August 15, 2026, he urged people to make the country proud. On the film front, he is preparing for the action thriller 'King.' This movie, directed by Siddharth Anand, is slated for December 24, 2026.

🦓 Zebras are back at Thiruvananthapuram zoo this Onam

A pair of zebras is set to arrive at the Thiruvananthapuram zoo this Onam after nearly a decade. The male and female zebras are being transferred from the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (Vantara) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. These breeding-age animals, aged five and three, are expected to reach the zoo via a specially designed ambulance in a couple of days. In exchange, the city zoo will provide a king cobra and a lion-tailed macaque to Vantara. The new arrivals aim to fill a major gap in the zoo's collection and delight visitors. 🦓

✨ Google Keep: More than just simple notes now

Technology analyst Parth argues that Google Keep is the best Android note app due to its new AI features. Originally favored for its simplicity, Keep is now elevated by its Gemini integration capabilities. Users can now have Gemini create Keep notes directly from brainstormed answers or lists. Voice commands allow users to pull specific information from notes without manually opening the app. Multistep commands further enhance productivity by executing actions like sending note details via Messages. 🤯

✈️ Sansera is branching out from just auto parts

Sansera Engineering is expanding its focus beyond auto components into aerospace, defense, and semiconductor sectors. The company, based in India, recently reported a Rs 5,750 crore ADS order backlog as of Q2. Non-auto revenue grew by 129.9% year-on-year in Q1 FY27, reaching Rs 199.8 crore. Management aims for FY31 revenue between Rs 8,000-9,000 crore, supported by new capacity and high-margin deals. The company is setting up specialized facilities to capitalize on these diverse growth avenues. 🚀