⚽ Liverpool linked with Real Madrid's Raul Asencio

Liverpool has been contacted regarding a potential signing of Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio this summer. The contact involves the 23-year-old centre-back, who played for Real Madrid in 2024 under Carlo Ancelotti, and Jose Mourinho has greenlit his sale. Asencio has made 80 appearances for the club over two seasons, but he is not in Mourinho's plans for the upcoming season. Liverpool is reportedly keen on the Spaniard for defensive reinforcements, especially with Joe Gomez injured. No formal talks have occurred yet, but the deal could move fast if Asencio agrees to leave Bernabeu. ⚽

🏸 BWF Worlds draw: Shetty vs Shi Yuqi, Sindhu faces An Se Young

Ayush Shetty is set to face top-ranked Shi Yuqi in the first round of the BWF World Championships in New Delhi. The draw took place on Wednesday, August 17th, setting up a tough matchup for the young shuttler. PV Sindhu is placed in the same half as An Se Young, potentially facing her in the semi-finals. Lakshya Sen is paired against Collins Valentine Filimon from Austria to kick off his tournament. The World Championships return to India after a 17-year gap, promising exciting badminton action. 🏸

🔬 3 common meds classified as human carcinogens by WHO

The WHO's IARC agency classified Hydrochlorothiazide, Voriconazole, and Tacrolimus as Group 1 carcinogens. This classification was released following an extensive review of scientific data by an international working group. Hydrochlorothiazide's upgrade is linked to increased risks of non-melanoma skin cancers, while others affect skin cells and immune surveillance. Health experts strongly advise patients not to stop prescribed treatments without consulting their doctors. Uncontrolled hypertension risks remain a more immediate danger compared to the statistical cancer risk. 🩺

🤖 Google AI big shakeup: Hassabis and Dean move on

Demis Hassabis, the leader of Google's AI division, has stepped down from his role. Simultaneously, Jeff Dean is leaving Google to launch a new startup venture. This major transition is happening as Google continues to scale its AI research initiatives globally. Hassabis's departure marks a significant shift in Google's top AI leadership structure. The company will likely announce new leadership appointments soon to guide its AI future.

🛠️ Game Freak promises quick fixes for RPG Beast of Reincarnation

Game Freak has promised several fixes for its big budget RPG, Beast of Reincarnation, following a mixed initial reception. The game launched yesterday for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, developed by the creators of Pokémon. Currently, it holds a Mixed user rating on Steam after over 1,600 reviews and received a 6/10 from IGN. These promised updates will include camera adjustments, text size increases, and story pacing improvements. Game Freak stated they are taking feedback to heart, with the patch expected within the next seven days. 🛠️

🔬 Cicada wing turns into super-sensor

Scientists developed a highly sensitive optical sensor by coating a cicada wing with a thin layer of silver. This innovation was achieved by researchers in Taiwan, who leveraged nature's nanoscale design. The study published in AIP Advances details how the silver coating amplified faint molecular signals by tens of millions of times. This method bypasses expensive manufacturing, showing how biology can replace complex lab processes. Future work aims to use this tech for real-time pollution and pathogen detection. 🔬

🩺 CARE Hospitals Offering Free Vascular Health Checks

CARE Hospitals is launching a new initiative to provide complimentary vascular health screenings to the public. This program is being offered across their various hospital locations to promote preventive healthcare. The screening services will be available starting from November 15, 2023, for a limited period. This move aims to raise awareness about the growing risks associated with vascular diseases in the community. People are encouraged to utilize this free service to check their cardiovascular health.

💧 Kerala rain eases, but alert remains in Thrissur

Monsoon rain has started easing across the Thrissur district, though parts of Post Office Road and Chettiyangadi remain waterlogged. Authorities are cautious as controlled water is being released from Poringalkuthu dam, prompting warnings along the Chalakudy river. As of Wednesday, five relief camps were active, sheltering 59 people, with one camp now closed. Three families were recently evacuated near Puthur Zoological Park due to increased landslip threats. Residents are advised to stay vigilant near the river banks as of August 05, 2026.

🏡 Marilyn Monroe's iconic LA house status update

Marilyn Monroe passed away in 1962 from a drug overdose at her quiet California residence. This Spanish-style, 2,624-square-foot home was her first property, costing about USD 77,500 at the time. In 2023, buyers Roy Bank and Brinah Milstein planned demolition, but the L.A. City Council protected it as a 'Historic Cultural Monument.' After a lawsuit was dismissed in May 2026, the owners reportedly filed an amended complaint. The house remains a significant landmark representing the actress's legacy. 🏡

🧐 How to spot fake health advice online

AI-generated 'doctors' and influencers are spreading dubious health tips across social media platforms. These false wellness trends, like a 'pink jelly' weight-loss treatment, can fool people into believing them. Research shows that parasocial relationships and personal anecdotes heavily influence what people accept as medical truth. To check a claim, one must examine it separately from the person and look for independent supporting evidence. Ultimately, verifying health advice requires evidence beyond any single story.

🧬 Neandertal gene boosts modern human muscle mass

A study revealed that a Neandertal version of the growth hormone receptor increases muscle mass in modern humans. This genetic variant, inherited around 47,000 years ago through interbreeding, is common in South and East Asia. Laboratory tests showed cells with this receptor grew 40% more than those with the common human version. Adults carrying this variant have an average of 270 grams more muscle mass, appearing after childhood. This finding links ancient DNA to current physical traits, though training remains crucial. 🧬