😮 Meta exec jumps to OpenAI amidst India scrutiny

Meta's India and Southeast Asia VP, Sandhya Devanathan, is leaving the social media giant for OpenAI. She will be based in Singapore, reporting to Kiran Mani to handle consumer growth and regulatory engagement across Southeast Asia and Australia. Devanathan departs after over a decade at Meta, which faces increasing scrutiny over online safety and content moderation in India. This move follows Prabhjeet Singh joining OpenAI as its India head recently. Meta's India managing director, Arun Srinivas, will now report to Benjamin Joe. 😮

🔬 Quantum physics sees unexpected laser effect

Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and ETH Zurich directly observed the optical Magnus effect for the first time. This took place while targeting a single trapped calcium ion. The experiment showed a maximum interaction shift occurring sideways, with precision measurements down to a few hundred nanometres. This finding is important because accounting for this effect is crucial for precise qubit control in quantum computing. The forces generated could ultimately allow for coupling qubits to enable more complex computations. 🔬

🤔 Amit Malviya jabs at Sonia Gandhi memoir fact-checking

BJP leader Amit Malviya mocked Penguin Random House India's decision to fact-check Sonia Gandhi's memoir. He questioned whether the checking was for memories or the mix of fact and fiction. The publisher clarified on Friday that fact-checking is a routine part of the publishing process. The memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love in India', is set to be released on November 10 via Alfred A Knopf. This book details her life, from Italy to declining the PM post in 2004.

📱 Easier VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling on Pixel Phones

A new version of the Pixel IMS app by developer TakaiSaisei simplifies enabling VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling on Pixel devices. This updated app removes the need for the Shizuku system tool and maintains settings across device reboots. The features became visible and enabled on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, with Wi-Fi calling confirmed working. Setup involves sideloading the app and enabling wireless debugging via developer options. Crucially, the 'Apply on boot' option ensures connectivity settings persist after restarts.

🧪 Maharashtra CET Pharmacy Merit List 2026 is out

The provisional merit list for Maharashtra CET Pharmacy 2026 has been released for aspirants. The list was published by the relevant authorities in Maharashtra. This list contains the names and ranks of candidates who qualified, based on their performance. The list is crucial for students planning their higher education in pharmacy. Candidates are advised to check the direct link for their specific details.

📱 Sony's perfect Android phone is too expensive

A perfect Android phone, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII, was launched in May 2026 with top specs. It features a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 12GB RAM, and retains a headphone jack and microSD slot. However, the device is priced at £1,400 in the UK, which is roughly $1,900 USD. Sony targets professionals, positioning the phone as premium despite its practical features. The high cost prevents it from being accessible to the everyday buyer. 😔

🏠 Nepali family survives monster flood in viral green house

A family managed to survive a massive flash flood while standing on their balcony in a green-painted house. This incident took place in Nepal, where raging waters destroyed surrounding buildings. The disaster struck on Wednesday, resulting in nearly 600 deaths and 1,500 missing on both Nepali and Tibetan sides. The floods were caused by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the border. India has offered NDRF personnel to help Nepal's ongoing rescue efforts. 🛶

⛈️ Nepal braces for heavy rain and storms

Nepal's weather agency has issued a flood alert for the Himalayan region due to adverse weather conditions. Moderate to heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning are forecasted across the area. Specifically, heavy rain is anticipated in parts of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki districts. Furthermore, snowfall is possible in the higher Himalayan areas, while hilly and Terai regions may see storms. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as of August 28, 2026, to manage potential risks. ⛈️

🔋 Mahindra adds BaaS to XEV 9S and XEV 9e

Mahindra has integrated Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) into its XEV 9S and XEV 9e models. This update is being rolled out for the Mahindra electric vehicles in India. The starting price for these models with BaaS is set at Rs. 11.45 Lakh. This service allows customers to access battery power without owning the battery outright, changing EV ownership. Mahindra plans to further expand its electric vehicle offerings with this new feature. 🔋

🎬 Is Khalifa backlash real or a campaign?

Prithviraj Sukumaran's Malayalam thriller, Khalifa, faced aggressive negative reviews online since its August 20 release. The core question is whether audience rejection is organic or part of a coordinated smear campaign. Three of his recent films have seen online negativity, leading to speculation about a deliberate impression being created. Some critics say the film's outdated script is the issue, while supporters claim organized hate. Ultimately, an industry insider suggests the film's quality and box office competition played a bigger role. 🎬

📉 Sensex crash: was it just a one-off event?

The Sensex experienced a massive 2,000-point drop during monthly expiry, but Friday's close was much calmer. This drop happened on Thursday during the first monthly derivatives expiry after the introduction of CAS in India. The volatile move sparked social media anger, yet Friday's quiet session hints the issue might be expiry positioning. SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey confirmed no changes to CAS, saying participation will improve over time. 📈