🔋 Oxygen vacancies boost old battery material

Lithium titanate (LTO) is usually a weak lithium ion conductor, needing charging to work well. Researchers Bernhard Gadermaier and Martin Wilkening at TU Graz modified pure LTO by creating oxygen vacancies in its crystal lattice. They achieved this by heating the material to 300 degrees Celsius in an oxygen-poor environment, resulting in better ion conductivity. This defect structure activates a pre-existing pathway, significantly improving the material's performance. This fundamental research opens doors for new iontronic and neuromorphic devices. 🔋

🚀 Bitcoin jumps past $70k after Trump pushes crypto bill

Bitcoin soared above $71,000 late Wednesday following an event hosted by President Donald Trump. The meeting took place at the White House with top crypto industry executives in attendance. Bitcoin reached $71,834, an 11.5% rise from Tuesday, marking the first time it broke $70,000 since early June. Trump urged Congress to pass the stalled CLARITY Act, positioning crypto as a wealth generator for Americans. The legislation aims to classify most crypto tokens as digital commodities regulated by the CFTC. 💰

🏏 England pacers split match ball after big haul

England pacers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue shared the match ball after both achieved five-wicket hauls in the first Test against Pakistan. This happened at Headingley on Wednesday during Joe Root's second stint as captain. Pakistan was bowled out for 171 on the first day, and England ended the day at 112 for 2. The decision to split the ball came because both bowlers took five wickets in the same innings. Robinson mentioned the idea was spontaneous, making it a unique memory for both players. 🏏

🤔 Rahul Gandhi slams RSS on imposing 'the truth'

Rahul Gandhi accused the RSS of trying to enforce a singular truth across India, stating everyone must define their own reality. Speaking in New Delhi, the Congress leader contrasted this with Mahatma Gandhi's concept of 'Swaraj'. He claimed the RSS thinks they know the truth for all 1.5 billion people, which he strongly rejects. Gandhi's idea, reflected in 'My Experiments with Truth', emphasizes individual journeys rather than prescribed doctrines. Gandhi's Swaraj means self-rule, a personal responsibility distinct from Western notions of mere freedom. 🧐

🦠 M23 tightens travel rules amid huge Ebola spike

The AFC/M23 rebel alliance is tightening movement restrictions in eastern DRC due to new Ebola cases. This action follows two travelers from Lubero testing positive in M23-controlled territory on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. The outbreak has now surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases, with 2,378 deaths reported. These measures highlight the extreme difficulty of controlling the epidemic amidst ongoing armed conflict. Health experts stress that sufficient resources are needed to bring this massive outbreak under control.

🏔️ Road closures are part of Indian travel planning

Sudden road blockages are common on scenic routes across Ladakh and Kashmir. Travelers need to secure an Environment and Development Fee online, replacing the old Inner Line Permit. High-altitude routes require valid government photo IDs to be shown at army posts. In the Northeast, permits like the Inner Line Permit vary by state, demanding careful route mapping. Travelers must also account for weather risks, as landslides frequently close highways like the Joshimath–Badrinath route. ⛰️

🔋 Moto G Max with big battery lands in India

The Moto G Max, the latest in Motorola's G-series, is now officially on sale in India. It features a 6.72-inch 120Hz display and runs on the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset. The price is set at Rs. 27,999, but effective pricing drops to Rs. 26,999 with offers. This device boasts a massive 7,000mAh battery and is available in Blue, Dark Grey, and Pink. Buyers can also get Jio benefits, with the phone available on Flipkart.

😟 Rajpal Yadav claims massive outstanding debt

Rajpal Yadav revealed that he still owes approximately Rs 25-30 Crore amidst an ongoing Rs 9-Crore debt case. This financial situation involves the actor and the creditors involved in the legal proceedings. The debt case was brought forward to address outstanding financial obligations. The revelations come as the legal battle continues to unfold in the public eye. Further updates on the case are expected as the proceedings advance. 😟

😠 CPI(M) blames TN Chief Secretary over student protest circular

CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam condemned the TN Higher Education Department's circular advising students against joining Left party protests. He specifically held Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar responsible for the directive. This controversial circular was issued around August 20, 2026, aiming to suppress student participation in democratic party rallies. Shanmugam argued the decision denied students their right to protest and allowed police entry onto campuses. The CPI(M) passed a resolution demanding the Chief Minister prevent such actions going forward. 😠

💔 Mother and infant found dead in Karnataka

A woman and her infant son were discovered deceased in Alur, Hassan district of Karnataka on August 19. The victims have been identified as Anushree, 27, and her son, Aryan. Police currently suspect that Anushree ended her life after killing her child. The couple had recently moved from Bengaluru to Alur about two months ago. Alur police have since registered a case and started a thorough investigation.

🚨 Fake CBI raid attempt in Delhi foiled

A staged raid mimicking the style of a CBI operation was attempted in Delhi. The suspects involved were reportedly trying to carry out the fake raid. The incident occurred recently, with the specifics of the date and number of people not detailed. The plan was disrupted when the wife of a businessman demanded an official warrant. Authorities are now looking into the matter to understand the full scope of the deception.