🚨 ISI-linked national busted in West Bengal

A Pakistani national named Rana Rauf, linked to the ISI, was arrested in West Bengal after an infiltration attempt. He had reportedly married and divorced a Nepalese woman in Kathmandu before contacting ISI operative Ijaz. Rana Rauf's mission involved monitoring Indian Army movements on the eastern front and targeting Indian Railways. He entered India six times, obtaining forged documents including an Aadhaar card and voter ID. The SIR exercise helped identify him, leading to his attempt to flee to Bangladesh.

🥋 Gillian Robertson's net worth: UFC contender breakdown

Gillian Robertson is a submission specialist with a growing financial empire in the UFC. The Canadian fighter has built her wealth through fight purses, sponsorships, and commercial deals. Reports estimate her net worth to be around $1 million in 2026, up from earlier figures. Her upcoming strawweight title shot against Mackenzie Dern at UFC 330 on August 15 could boost this further. Robertson's finishing record and brand deals are key to her earning potential. 🥋

🎬 Schoolgirls fixed village road with 40-second video

Three 15-year-old schoolgirls from Kondivade village in Maharashtra's Karjat created a short, satirical ground report about a potholed village road. The video gained millions of views after being shared from a classmate's status, not by the girls themselves. The road, which was a daily hazard during monsoon for the Class 10 students, was eventually resurfaced by the administration. This incident highlights the power of simple documentation over traditional protests for civic change. The girls are now local heroes for using a camera to bring attention to a local issue. 🎬

🧐 'Lungiwala' remark row rocks Rajya Sabha

A controversy flared in the Rajya Sabha over an alleged 'lungiwala' remark by BJP MP Sushmita Dev against CPI(M) MP John Brittas. The incident stemmed from August 10, when Brittas claimed Dev called him that while he was moving a statutory resolution. Dev denied the remarks, stating she wanted to clarify that no state attire was insulted. She confirmed filing a Breach of Privilege motion against Brittas, which is pending with the Chairman. Leader of the House JP Nadda has offered to mediate the dispute between the two MPs. 🧐

🕵️ Pak spy targets IAF officer with honey trap

A serving IAF Wing Commander participated in a cyber-sabotage scheme to compromise IAF networks from within. This officer was targeted and honey-trapped by a Pakistani Intelligence Operative between January and April 2026 in Delhi. The chargesheet reveals the officer installed malware on personnel devices, transmitting sensitive unit protocols. He confessed to leaking documents due to blackmail following intimate interactions with the operative. The officer was detained on May 30, 2026, and the chargesheet was filed on July 30, 2026. 📱

♟️ Top GMs hit Esports World Cup Playoffs

Defending Champion Magnus Carlsen managed to qualify for the Playoffs despite saying he was not in top shape. He advanced alongside Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov at the $1.5 million Esports World Cup in Paris, France. The group stage involved 16 players competing in double-elimination knockouts between August 11-15. This tournament features a $1.5 million prize pool, with $250,000 for the first place winner. The next stage will see the qualified players compete in a single-elimination knockout for the title. ♟️

🚀 SpaceXAI drops Grok 4.6, climbing AI ranks

SpaceXAI has officially released Grok 4.6, its newest frontier AI model focusing on coding and knowledge work. This model was launched by SpaceXAI from its base operations, making it competitive globally. It scored 61 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, surpassing Kimi K3 and matching GPT-5.6 Sol Max. Grok 4.6 offers significant gains over Grok 4.5 while keeping its API pricing relatively mid-range. The company is rolling this out in Grok Build and its acquisition of Cursor starting now.

🇮🇳 President's reception showcases India's diverse culture

Rashtrapati Bhavan will host the Independence Day Reception At Home on August 15 to celebrate India's cultural diversity and environmental stewardship. Under President Droupadi Murmu, the 2026 event will focus on the living traditions of Chhattisgarh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Around 35 artists will present folk dances like Lavani and Gedi, alongside traditional music. The theme will also be reflected in décor using regional textiles and a menu featuring specialties like Indori Poha. This reception aims to show how India's heritage and environmental practices support each other. 🌿

⛏️ Copper hits record highs amid market squeeze

Copper prices set a fresh Comex record on Wednesday as US inflation readings eased interest rate fears. This surge occurred while London faced the widest premium of the year due to physical shortages. September delivery touched $6.7140 a pound, exceeding the previous August 5th record of $6.7045. Furthermore, Chile lowered its production forecast for the second straight quarter. These market shifts are contrasted by major mining projects advancing globally. ⛏️

🐟 Parasite replaces fish tongue, wild science

A tongue-eating louse, Cymothoa exigua, attaches to a fish's mouth after cutting off its tongue's blood supply. This parasite enters through the gills of fish, like the spotted rose snappers studied in November 1979 near Guaymas. The louse then functions as a replacement, feeding on blood and mucus while the fish continues to eat. Reproductive biology is also strange, with protandrous hermaphrodites maturing as males first. This parasite can even be found in fish sold in ordinary markets, like in southeast London in 2005. 🐟

✨ iPhone 18 gets design glow-up with more RAM

The Apple iPhone 18 is reportedly getting a surprise design upgrade, including a smaller punch-hole, alongside the iPhone 18e. This base model is expected to launch in the spring of 2027, different from the iPhone 18 Pro models unveiling in September. The iPhone 18 is anticipated to feature a 12 GB RAM, while the iPhone 18e is expected to pack 9 GB of RAM. This upgrade is partly due to integrating a smaller Dynamic Island design into the iPhone 18. These changes are expected to significantly boost the performance of Apple's upcoming AI features. 📱