🦈 London's Thames: From Dead Zone to Shark Haven 🦈

The River Thames was declared 'biologically dead' in 1957 due to severe pollution and lack of oxygen. Today, the Thames Estuary supports diverse wildlife, including at least five shark species and significant seal populations. A January 2026 check by ZSL confirms the remarkable recovery, noting improved oxygen levels and reduced pollutants. Improvements like better sewage treatment and the 15.5-mile Thames Tideway Tunnel helped this transformation. However, nitrate pollution is still rising, and summer water temperatures are increasing yearly.

🍌 UK gardens seeing banana fruit after heatwaves

A banana plant in Seaton, Cornwall, has unexpectedly produced 24 pieces of fruit following a prolonged heatwave. The plant owner, Cathy Neville, noted this is unusual, with experts pointing to a changing climate as the cause. Horticultural experts confirm that banana fruiting in the UK is rare, as it did not happen 20 years ago. This trend is visible nationwide, with others reporting similar successes after heatwaves. This serves as a visible reminder of the warming climate impacting British gardens. 🍌

🚢 Trump wants old steam catapults for new carriers

President Donald Trump has demanded that future US aircraft carriers ditch EMALS for older catapult technology. This directive comes as part of a national security memo aimed at fixing shipbuilding issues in the Navy. The USS Doris Miller, a Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, is the first ship impacted, with a 2034 delivery date. Trump argues that steam catapults are simpler and cheaper to fix compared to the complex EMALS system. The decision could cost billions and will require more sailors to operate the steam systems. 🚢

😠 Indira Gandhi's fiery US interactions revealed

Rahul Gandhi shared an anecdote from Indira Gandhi's 1982 US visit during a critique of PM Modi's foreign policy. This incident highlighted the turbulent India-US relationship during Indira's tenure in power. Earlier tensions included a 1966 food crisis negotiation and friction during the Vietnam War era. The Nixon-Kissinger years saw severe strain, culminating in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Despite later attempts like the 1982 Reagan dinner, the legacy of past conflicts remained deep. 🇮🇳

🇮🇳 Pingali Venkayya: The Man Behind India's Flag

Pingali Venkayya was the freedom fighter who heavily influenced the design of the Indian Tricolour. He was born on August 2, 1879, in Andhra Pradesh, and studied at Cambridge University. In 1906, he proposed a national flag concept and studied flags from 30 nations. His initial design, featuring red, white, and green with a Charkha, was seen by Gandhi in 1921. The flag evolved, finally adopting the Ashoka Chakra on July 22, 1947, with Venkayya passing away in 1963.

✨ Instagram finally updates its logo after a decade

Meta has officially rolled out a refreshed wordmark for Instagram, which features a new font and updated styling. This change was announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri across Instagram and Threads platforms. The previous design had remained exactly the same for the last 10 years, necessitating this update. Mosseri described the new look as being both cleaner and more modern for the brand. The design team worked through hundreds of iterations to make this new wordmark reflect the creativity of the community.

🚨 Apple warns users about sophisticated spyware threats

Apple has issued serious spyware warnings to users across 110 countries regarding potential targeting of their devices. This warning alerts users that their iPhones, iPads, or Macs might be facing mercenary surveillance software. So far, Apple has notified users in over 150 countries about these sophisticated attacks. Users are advised to follow the provided security guidance, especially by enabling Lockdown Mode. Basic habits like keeping software updated are also crucial for data protection. 🛡️

🔪 Woman allegedly kills ex-husband with griddle in Lucknow

A 30-year-old woman allegedly killed her ex-husband with a tawa following a heated argument. The incident took place on Thursday at Tapasya Singh's house in Kaushalya Garden, Jankipuram, Lucknow. After the argument, Singh allegedly struck Soni on the head, causing serious injuries. Soni was first treated in a Jankipuram trauma centre and later died at KGMU. Police have detained Singh and are investigating while a case awaits the family's complaint.

💻 GeForce NOW Linux app drops from beta

The native GeForce NOW application for Linux has officially exited its beta phase. This update is available for users across the Linux operating system. While specific release dates or user counts were not detailed, the launch marks a significant step for gaming on Linux. This development aims to provide a smoother and more optimized cloud gaming experience for Linux users. Future updates are expected to bring further performance enhancements and features.

🚨 Apple sends spyware threat alerts to users globally

Apple has rolled out an alarming threat notification to users across 110 countries. These alerts are aimed at users on iPhones, iPads, and Macs who might be targeted by mercenary spyware. The notification explicitly warns of a mercenary spyware attack and suggests protective actions. Apple notes these attacks often target specific individuals like journalists or politicians. Users are advised to switch to Lockdown Mode to protect their data.

🇮🇳 Vande Mataram to be sung at Red Fort for the first time

The National Song 'Vande Mataram' will be sung at the Red Fort for the first time during the 80th Independence Day celebrations. This major event will take place in New Delhi, with PM Narendra Modi leading the ceremony. The celebration marks 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' and focuses on Gen Z's aspirations for Viksit Bharat@2047. The bill granting it legal protection became law after the President's assent on Tuesday. NCC cadets and 'My Bharat' volunteers will sing it before the National Anthem. 🇮🇳