🤝 Iraqi leader links Trump to Iran Guards

The Trump administration used an Iraqi leader to establish a secret channel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during direct talks with Iran. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan region in Iraq, acted as the trusted backchannel contact for both the US and the IRGC. This connection was initiated around May 10 by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Barzani facilitated contact with IRGC commander General Ahmad Vahidi, who confirmed support for Iranian negotiators. Although a proposal for talks in Erbil was made, they never happened due to Iranian safety concerns.

⛽ Chief Economic Adviser suggests E10 for older vehicles

The Chief Economic Adviser, V Anantha Nageswaran, proposed bringing back E10 fuel for older vehicles. This suggestion was made in the context of ongoing discussions surrounding the transition to E20 petrol. Specifically, he mentioned this consideration during a recent economic dialogue. The proposal aims to ease the transition for vehicle owners with older car models. Further discussions are expected to determine the feasibility and implementation timeline of this move.

⚖️ Gujarat BJP Worker Busted After 5 Years On Run

A BJP worker from Gujarat has finally been arrested in connection with a liquor case. The individual was apprehended by authorities in Gujarat after evading them for five years. The case reportedly involves violations related to liquor regulations from earlier periods. This arrest follows a long period where the worker was considered absconding from legal proceedings. Authorities are now proceeding with the formal legal steps against the arrested person. ⚖️

🤝 Canada-US trade deal still miles away, says minister

Canadian Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that Canada and the US are still far apart on a draft trade deal. This update came while LeBlanc was in Washington with his team to discuss the issues. The US President Donald Trump's new 50% tariffs are set to begin on August 19. LeBlanc has been heavily engaging with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently. Discussions are ongoing as the deadline for the new tariffs gets closer.

😟 Alvarez's Barca links cause Atletico stress

Atletico Madrid is worried that the uncertainty over Julian Alvarez’s future could negatively affect his game. The Argentine striker has strong links with Barcelona, and the saga has become a major issue for the club. Despite Alvarez wanting to join Barcelona, Atletico maintains they will not sell him this summer. The club fears the mental weight of this prolonged situation might impact his motivation and sharpness. Simeone confirmed Alvarez is part of plans for the 2026-27 season.

💧 Kaveri water dispute back in Supreme Court

The ongoing Kaveri water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is escalating back to the Supreme Court. Both states have presented their views before the court, which is expected to hear the matter soon. Karnataka was previously directed to release 3,500 Q-secs of water to Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu alleges Karnataka is not following the water-sharing directives, while Karnataka cites its own water availability issues. The Supreme Court will examine compliance with orders from the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

⚖️ SC says TN got more Cauvery water than allocated

The Supreme Court observed that Tamil Nadu seemed to receive more water from the Cauvery River than its assigned share. This observation was made by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta while hearing the TN government's plea. The TN government claimed it received only 14.814 TMC against a required 35 TMC as of August 17, 2026. Karnataka's lawyer argued that the water flow exceeded 12,000 cusecs and the CWMA directions were being followed. The Court adjourned the matter for one week to check the current water sharing status between the two states. 💧

🎾 Student turns pickleball into major charity drive

California student Olivia Shekou started a pickleball fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She founded Netting Miracles, which has since grown to include students across 17 states. Through this platform, she has raised over $90,000 for various causes. Next, she is hosting Paddles for Purpose to support women and children in Uganda. Shekou also mentors student leaders and won the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award. 🎾

💔 Kiran Rao mourns pet cat's passing

Kiran Rao shared an emotional message following the death of her beloved pet cat. The tribute was posted by the actress on social media, referencing her son, Azad Rao. The pet passed away recently, leaving the family deeply affected by the loss. Rao expressed the deep bond they shared, stating their hearts would remember the cat forever. The family is currently processing this difficult and heartbreaking moment. 💔

📈 China's Economy Stays Steady in Early 2026

China's economy showed a stable path during the first seven months of 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Industrial output increased by 5.3% year-on-year, and the services production index saw a rise of 4.7% in China. Foreign trade hit 30.13 trillion yuan, marking a 17.3% jump compared to the previous year. Retail sales grew by 2.6%, with services contributing 5.0% and goods adding 1.1% to the growth. Investment in tech innovation and industrial upgrading continues to boost the transition to a new momentum. 📈

🔥 Defender Dakar drops with massive 626 HP twin-turbo V8

The street legal version of the 2026 D7X-R racer, named Defender Dakar, was unveiled at the 2026 Monterey Car Week. It features a BMW sourced 4.4-liter Twin-Turbo V8 engine, delivering 626 hp and 750 Nm. This output is nearly 59% more powerful than the D7X-R's capped 394 hp. The vehicle copies the D7X-R's body structure, boasting features like 35-inch tyres and specialized driving modes. Registrations are open now, with bookings starting in early 2027. 🚀