🚀 NASA delays spacewalks due to suit CO2 glitch

NASA has rescheduled U.S. Spacewalk 97 to August 18, 2026, after detecting an anomalous carbon dioxide reading from astronaut Anil Menon's suit. This incident occurred following the last spacewalk on August 6, while replacing a Space-to-Ground antenna on the ISS. The 98th spacewalk is now set for August 25, and NASA plans to detail its objectives next week. Ground control is taking extra precautions to ensure astronaut safety given the inherent risks of space work. These EVAs are crucial for maintaining the ISS until its planned operational end in 2030.

🫂 Diary Word Brings Missing Man Home After Decade

A single word written in a diary successfully identified a missing elderly man in Uttarakhand's Almora district. Shyam Singh, originally from Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, had been missing for 10 years due to mental health issues. Local police noticed him wandering in Tadikhet and Majkhali areas, but identification was hard. Singh finally wrote 'Rajepur' in a diary given by the police. This led to his identification and reunion with his family on the same day.

✈️ France joins probe into Air India flight incident

An investigation into the Air India AI2379 flight incident is gaining international focus. France's BEA, the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, has officially joined the probe. The incident involved the flight traveling from Phuket to Delhi. This international cooperation aims to thoroughly understand the circumstances surrounding the event. Further updates on the investigation timeline are expected in the coming weeks.

🏡 Austin homeowner pays $3k over tree trimming scare 🌳

An Austin homeowner was told by Travelers Insurance her policy wouldn't renew due to aerial photos showing trees near her roof. This happened after she had insured her home against severe weather for over a decade. Travelers gave her two months to prune the trees, costing her $3,000, before renewing the policy. Insurers across Texas are increasingly using satellite and aircraft images to assess properties for coverage decisions. Consumer groups worry this tech is reducing the necessary human element in insurance claims.

🌿 Cranberry farm turns back into wetlands in MA

A 600-acre Tidmarsh Farms in Plymouth, Massachusetts, began restoring its land to freshwater wetland in 2010. The property, which was used for cranberries since the 1890s, saw the restoration of 225 acres of wetland and over three miles of stream. This massive overhaul removed barriers, allowing migratory fish like alewife to move freely after more than a century. The project now functions as Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, which aids state-wide restoration efforts. This success has helped launch a state program assisting farmers with conservation.

🏛️ India demands accountability after embassy defacement in Slovenia

India has called for accountability following the defacement of its diplomatic premises. The incident took place in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. No specific numbers or dates were provided in the report regarding the incident. This action underscores the importance of respecting diplomatic immunity and international protocol. India expects appropriate measures to be taken to address this serious violation of diplomatic space. 🇮🇳

🌾 Bihar's grainbank helps farmers earn big bucks

A Bihar grainbank initiative allows farmers to store their harvest instead of selling it immediately. Kishor Kumar Jha and Praveen Kumar founded Ergos in 2012 to solve storage and bargaining power issues for farmers. Farmers can deposit grain, which becomes a digital asset, and access loans up to 70% of its value. This system enables farmers to wait for better market prices instead of accepting low initial offers. Currently, Ergos serves over 1.6 lakh farmers across 200+ warehouses.

🔭 Tiny probes might soon travel to other stars

Atmosphere confirmation around exoplanet LHS 1140b has sparked big interest in astronomy. This rocky world orbits a red dwarf star about 48 light-years away from Earth. Researchers are exploring interstellar travel using miniaturized spacecraft and light sails. Breakthrough Starshot is pursuing this, suggesting probes could reach stars within a lifetime. Solar sails are currently being tested, offering high-energy missions without needing propellant. 🚀

👟 TikTok saved dad's 34-year shoe store in London

Rachid Lazraq's 34-year-old shoe shop in Shoreditch, East London, was near closing due to rising rents and changing customer bases. His daughter, Zineb Lazraq, 25, revived the business after discovering its shoes appealed to younger shoppers via TikTok. A French TikToker's video led to Zineb creating her own content, causing massive viral attention. This sudden surge in demand led to customers waiting hours outside the store. Now, the family is focusing on building an online brand alongside the physical store. 👟

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

Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time during this year's Independence Day celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the event at the historic monument in Delhi. This occasion also marks 150 years of Vande Mataram's existence. The celebrations will focus on Yuva Shakti, emphasizing youth's role in Viksit Bharat by 2047. Furthermore, a recent bill gave Vande Mataram legal protection against insult.

🛰️ GOCE satellite faced 2-day survival window in low orbit

ESA's GOCE satellite operated at 224 kilometers above Earth, where atmospheric drag was a constant force. This mission took place with GOCE, launched in 2009, operating at 254 kilometers before dropping to 224 kilometers in 2013. Due to propellant exhaustion, atmospheric drag would have pulled the spacecraft back within two to three weeks. This shows VLEO's challenge: staying aloft requires active thrust against the atmosphere. GOCE eventually re-entered in November 2013 after over four years in orbit. 🛰️