📢 Jharkhand BJP calls for state shutdown over student crackdown

The Jharkhand BJP has announced a statewide bandh for August 11, 2026, protesting the lathi-charge on students by the Hemant government. BJP State President Aditya Sahu made this call during a joint press conference with Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on August 10, 2026. For 17 days, students demanded a CBI inquiry into recruitment exams, but the government allegedly used repressive measures against them. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren thanked police for handling the march peacefully and promised dialogue on their demands. The BJP asserts that the government's actions were dictatorial and intolerable.

🛰️ Mars parachute had secret code message

The stripes on Perseverance's 70-foot parachute were functional for camera readings during Mars landing. Allen Chen confirmed the distinct patterns helped track the canopy's rotation and inflation in the thin Martian air. Ian Clark, an engineer, encoded the pattern using binary code, making the design more than just decorative. The inner rings spelled JPL’s motto, and the outer ring hid coordinates pointing to JPL in California. The internet solved the code within hours, showing a blend of engineering and clever easter eggs. 🚀

⚖️ CM admits police negligence in custody death

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari visited the family of Trinamool worker Birju Keot, who died in police custody at Halisahar. He acknowledged clear police negligence in the death that occurred on August 8, 2026. The state government announced ₹10 lakh compensation and a job for Keot's wife on Monday, August 10, 2026. A magistrate-level investigation has been ordered, and the arresting officer has been suspended. The family, however, insists that justice is more important than the offered compensation. ⚖️

📢 Meitei Alliance wants census halt until IDPs return

A global umbrella body of Manipur's Meitei community has requested a delay in the census process. This appeal was directed at the Centre and the state government in Manipur. The request stems from ethnic violence that displaced over 50,000 people and killed over 250 since May 2023. They argue that current conditions could create a misleading demographic profile and legitimize ethnic segregation. The alliance insists on the safe return of all IDPs before any census enumeration can begin. 😟

🤝 Karnataka CM meets key leaders on cabinet reshuffle

Karnataka Chief Minister Shivakumar held discussions with Kharge and Venugopal regarding the state's cabinet formation. These talks focused specifically on the induction of a woman minister into the government structure. The meetings took place recently to finalize key political appointments and team composition. This move is part of ongoing political maneuvering within the state administration. Further details on the final cabinet list are expected soon.

🦟 Harvard invents net coating to stop malaria parasites

A Harvard-led team developed a chemical coating for bed nets that specifically targets malaria parasites inside mosquitoes. This research, involving scientists from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and OHSU, was published in Nature. The study screened 81 compounds, identifying two ELQs that killed 100% of parasites when applied to nets. This method bypasses insecticide resistance, a major issue since the WHO reported 263 million cases in 2023. Next, the team plans field testing to see if these lab results become a practical malaria control tool. 🦟

📢 Jharkhand aspirants push for CBI probe amid protests

Jharkhand students are intensifying protests demanding a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities within JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams. The demonstration took place in Ranchi, where police responded with tear gas and lathi charge against the aspirants. Students are questioning why their call for a CBI probe remains unaccepted by the authorities. Meanwhile, the Opposition is criticizing the Jharkhand government for its handling of the agitation and questioning potential links to a blacklisted agency. The situation remains tense as the demands for a thorough investigation continue to mount.

⌚ Casio's Ring Watch Gets a Smart Upgrade

Casio has evolved its miniature Ring Watch into a health-tracking wearable, the CRW-H001M-8. This device combines the playful design of the company's digital watch with advanced fitness monitoring capabilities. Launched originally in 2024 to mark a 50th anniversary, the new ring features heart rate and blood oxygen sensors. It tracks steps, sleep, and various workouts while maintaining its classic, metal ring aesthetic. Initially, Casio will release this limited edition model only in China. ⌚

⌚ Apple eyeing screen-free future for Apple Watch

Apple is reportedly exploring screen-free wearable devices to boost growth in the Apple Watch segment. This exploration is happening in Mumbai as consumers favor lighter health trackers like smart rings. The company is evaluating concepts similar to Whoop bands and alternative display tech, amidst growing competition. Furthermore, Apple aims to make its wearables more AI-centric for deeper personalized health insights. For now, Apple is preparing incremental upgrades like the Series 12 and a new Ultra model. ⌚

📈 Nifty trade setup for August 11: Consolidation expected

The Nifty closed at 24,583 on Monday after a volatile, range-bound session on Dalal Street. Analysts noted that immediate support is set at the 24,450–24,400 zone, while broader support lies between 24,300–24,250. The market structure remains positive as long as the index stays above these key support levels. A breakout above 24,700 could boost bullish momentum, but a drop below 24,400 could trigger profit booking. Further directional moves will likely be determined by major support and resistance levels in the coming days. 📈

🚨 Gunra ransomware bypasses MFA via Fortinet VPN flaws

A joint advisory exposed the Gunra ransomware group exploiting Fortinet VPN vulnerabilities to steal enterprise data. This group, which matured into a ransomware-as-a-service model, was observed by the FBI and others. Attacks leverage flaws like CVE-2024-55591 and CVE-2025-24472, with one case neutralizing MFA by tampering with auth files. Gunra exfiltrates massive datasets to Mega before deploying ChaCha20 encryption. Organizations must patch VPNs and maintain immutable backups to counter these threats.