🪐 MRO launch: NASA's deep dive into Mars 🚀

NASA launched the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on August 12, 2005, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This mission features the HiRISE camera, which takes sharp photos of the Martian surface for rover scouting. Since reaching Mars orbit on March 10, 2006, MRO has captured over 100,000 images of the Red Planet. The probe is vital for communication and studying water and ice, like the recent deep radar scan. Today, MRO streams about 80,000 megabits of data daily, remaining a key asset.

🔭 Green comet streaks over Namibia sky

Comet 220P/McNaught was captured in a bright green photograph soaring over Namibia. Astrophotographers Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger took the shot on August 8, 2026. The comet, discovered by Robert H. McNaught, orbits the sun every 5.5 years. It brightened significantly this August, reaching about 600 times its normal brightness. This sighting highlights how rare and spectacular comet views can be. 🌠

😠 CM orders action on Netaji's social media insults

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered action against social media posts making derogatory comments about Subhash Chandra Bose. He directed police to arrest individuals who made unsavoury comments against Netaji on Wednesday. The order came after BJP MP Nagendranath Roy called Netaji a "war criminal" recently. Adhikari also mandated all MLAs to open public service centres named after Netaji in their constituencies. The state will support these 'Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Seva Kendra' centres with Rs 30,000 per month.

🏷️ Google drops $29 Pixel Tag to challenge AirTag

Google announced the Pixel Tag, its direct competitor to Apple's AirTag, at its Made by Google ’26 event. This new tracker utilizes Google’s Find Hub network, tapping into worldwide Android devices for locating items. The Pixel Tag is priced at $29 for a one-pack and will be available on November 11, 2026. It features a slimmer, elongated oval design with IP67 water resistance, similar to the AirTag. Users can track the device via Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband, and it runs on a user-replaceable CR2032 battery.

🛰️ India-Pakistan rivalry shifts to space battle 🛰️

A four-day war between India and Pakistan in May 2025 saw orbital contests as a major factor. The conflict unfolded between the two nuclear-armed nations in South Asia. During the fighting, both sides utilized satellite imagery and navigation, with India using Maxar and Pakistan relying on Chinese systems. This shift highlights how space tech is becoming a strategic equalizer in the region. India is now fast-tracking a $3.2 billion satellite program to counter this dynamic.

🩺 Pixel Watch 5 focuses on AI and health features

The Google Pixel Watch 5 features major software updates prioritizing AI and proactive health monitoring. These improvements include offline Gemini use and new Breathing Emergency Detection for severe SpO2 drops. The watch also introduces Blood Pressure and Insulin Resistance Trends, though these roll out in September. The $399 device offers better integration of features like wrist-flick gestures via WearOS 7. These updates aim to enhance user health insights beyond simple fitness tracking.

📱 iPhone 18 base model delayed until 2027

Apple is reportedly postponing the standard iPhone 18 launch until early 2027. Pegatron confirmed this shift during its second-quarter 2026 earnings call in Taiwan. The high-end iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra are set for September 2026. This changes the usual pattern where base models launch concurrently with Pro models. Lower-end options like iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 are also scheduled for March 2027.

😔 Messi hints at retirement after father's passing

Lionel Messi is considering ending his football career following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. The Argentine superstar, who plays for Inter Miami, shared his doubts on Wednesday after his father passed away this past weekend. He had previously returned to MLS after Argentina's loss to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Messi reflected on how his father supported him, especially during the World Cup in Qatar 2022. Despite his grief, he vowed to honor his father by raising his own children well.

🛡️ Karnataka HC tells banks to stop fraud 🛡️

The Karnataka High Court has urged banks to make their digital systems foolproof against fraud and misuse. This order came after a Division Bench upheld consumer commission rulings concerning SBI. Specifically, the court ordered SBI to re-credit ₹1.99 lakh to Pradosh Kumar Benerjee of Bengaluru. This followed unauthorized debits after the customer shared his OTP for a small payment. The court found the bank liable because the customer reported the issue within the prescribed RBI time frame.

🏛️ Parliament deadlock continues amid major reports

Parliament faced another standoff on the 18th day of the Monsoon Session as the government pushed its agenda forward. This occurred in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, where the inquiry report on Justice Yashwant Varma was tabled. The report, detailing allegations against the judge regarding cash, was submitted by the three-member panel in May. Opposition parties demanded a discussion on the July 20 police action, while the FCRA Amendment Bill is under scrutiny. The proceedings were adjourned multiple times due to political uproar and heated debates. 🧐

🏛️ FCRA bill goes to JPC; Varma found guilty in cash case

The Lok Sabha referred the 2026 Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill to a joint parliamentary committee for review. Former High Court judge Yashwant Varma was found guilty by a Lok Sabha inquiry committee for unaccounted bundles of Rs 500 in March 2025 in Delhi. This bill faces criticism for giving sweeping powers to the executive and affecting religious minorities. Separately, Rahul Gandhi alleged PM Modi compromised India's interests regarding Gautam Adani's case. The Tamil Nadu Assembly also passed a resolution opposing the delimitation exercise.