🚫 Maharashtra bans 114 radical terrorist literature items

The Maharashtra government has officially banned 114 items of literature linked to terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al Qaeda. This action was detailed in a gazette notification issued by the Home Department on August 6, 2026. The banned materials include various magazines and books associated with groups such as Voice of Khurasan and The Revolutionary Resurgence. Authorities cited these items as glorifying violent extremism and posing a threat to India's public order and internal security. The State Anti-Terrorism Squad has recently conducted raids and arrests related to the circulation of such extremist propaganda.

💥 'DC' review: Slick action, shallow heart? 🎬

The new film 'DC' features Arun Matheswaran's latest intense action narrative focusing on two main characters. These are Devadas, played by Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Chandra, played by Wamiqa Gabbi, set against a backdrop of societal injustice. The plot involves Devadas, a gangster, and Chandra, a sex worker, who both engage in violent survival tactics. While the action choreography is superb, the film suffers from a weak emotional core throughout its runtime. Anirudh Ravichander's music does much of the heavy emotional lifting for the story.

🧬 Brown rat genome finally complete, big science win

Researchers have successfully assembled the most complete brown rat genome to date, which is a major breakthrough for disease study. Led by Peter Doris at UTHealth Houston, the team published their findings in Cell Genomics. This involved creating the first telomere-to-telomere assembly across all 22 chromosome pairs. The discovery revealed over 60 new genes and clarified regions obscured by duplicated genes. This comprehensive pangenome allows scientists to investigate conditions like heart and kidney disease.

🎓 MacKenzie Scott donates $50M to Native Forward

MacKenzie Scott gave a massive $50 million unrestricted donation to Native Forward Scholars Fund. This gift is for Native American students at the organization located in Albuquerque. The funds will allocate $10 million over five years for scholarships and establish a $40 million permanent endowment. This support comes as more students face financial hurdles to pursue higher education. Native Forward plans to use this to bolster current aid while securing future educational access. 🎓

🛣️ Trilateral Highway gets a major boost in talks

The India-Myanmar-Thailand transnational highway project received a significant boost during bilateral talks between the Myanmar President and Thailand's Prime Minister. This 1,360-kilometre strategic road connects Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand. Key milestones include the Tamu-Kalewa Highway handover in 2009 and the Kalewa-Yargi section handover in October 2025. The commitment reaffirms strengthening transport links as part of India's Act East policy. Future plans involve developing maritime connectivity and establishing a joint working group.

🏏 Pak cricketer banned for 2 years over visa issues

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a two-year ban to all-rounder Hamza Nazar following an investigation. The disciplinary action was taken against him in Pakistan after misleading information was provided during a visa application process. The board imposed this ban and a PKR one million fine on him in the latest ruling. This conduct was deemed inconsistent with the expected standards of honesty for those associated with Pakistan cricket. The issue ended his chances of being selected for the recent two-Test tour of the West Indies. 🏏

📉 Man Utd transfer window hits a rough patch

Manchester United is currently dealing with a challenging period in the transfer window after two player departures. The club has seen these exits occur amidst ongoing transfer negotiations and squad restructuring efforts. Specific player names and exact dates of departures were not detailed in the provided source. This situation is part of a larger strategy to overhaul the squad and improve performance on the pitch. Fans are now waiting to see how the club manages the rest of the transfer window effectively.

🏥 Bengaluru health dept ramps up food safety checks 🧐

The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department formed 30 special teams to inspect various food outlets in Bengaluru. These teams include officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration and started inspections from Friday, August 7, 2026. Initial inspections on Friday, August 26, covered 35 food samples from three-star and five-star hotels. Violations found included unhygienic handling, fungal growth, and improper storage practices. Legal action will be taken against Food Business Operators for these violations.

🩺 Bengaluru food spots facing health checks now

The Health and Family Welfare Department formed 30 special teams to inspect various food outlets across Bengaluru. These teams, led by Food Safety Commissioner Srinivas K., are inspecting hotels, restaurants, and smaller food units. The inspection drive officially started on Friday, August 7, 2026, focusing first on five-star hotels. Officials will check hygiene, ingredient expiry, and compliance with FSSAI guidelines. Legal action will be taken for any violations found during this rigorous process.

🕊️ High Court grants parole for gangster sons

The Allahabad high court granted parole to Atiq Ahmed's jailed sons, Ali and Umar, on Friday. This permission was sought to attend the burial of their brother, Abaan Ahmed, who died in an accident. Abaan Ahmed, aged 21, and his friend Sonu, 25, perished when their SUV hit a divider in Jhansi district on Thursday. The high court issued the order after Parveen Qureshi, Atiq Ahmed's sister, filed a petition for the last rites. The burial is scheduled for Saturday morning at the Kasari-Masari graveyard. 🕊️

🦕 Why tiny dinosaurs never showed up, new study says

A new study investigated the absence of small non-avian dinosaurs in the fossil record, suggesting ecological factors played a role. Researchers tested an energetic fitness model across living and extinct animals, finding discrepancies in dinosaurs. The theory proposes that competition from small mammals locked dinosaurs out of smaller body niches during the Mesozoic era. This competition ended when early birds evolved flight, allowing for size reduction. The model failed for dinosaurs, pointing to active exclusion rather than just poor fossil preservation. 🦕