🎭 Rahul mocks Modi's 'hug diplomacy' at convention

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mocked PM Narendra Modi's foreign policy during the Rachnatmak Congress Organising National Convention in New Delhi. He used a mock hug with Sandeep Dikshit, playfully involving Italian PM Giorgia Meloni in the joke. This incident drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which labeled the gesture as 'gutter-level' behaviour. Gandhi also questioned India's role in the West Asia war and border issues with China. He suggested India missed a major opportunity to broker peace leveraging its global friendships. 🇮🇳

💖 Dutch friends find out they're sisters from India

Two childhood friends, Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen, discovered they are biological sisters after nearly 40 years. Both were left as infants at an orphanage in India before being adopted in the Netherlands. Minal found out via a MyHeritage DNA test in April, showing a 100% sibling match with Meena. Though they grew up apart, they first met in 1996 and later reunited in the Netherlands. The sisters expressed deep emotions upon realizing they were related all along. 🫂

📚 Vidya scholarship starts at Moyan school in Palakkad

The Vidya scholarship scheme was officially launched at Government Moyan Model Girls Higher Secondary School in Palakkad on Thursday. Balakrishnan Mahadevan, a post-doctoral fellow from IIM Bangalore, instituted this program to aid students from economically weaker backgrounds. The scheme also includes subscriptions to The Hindu Teen Digest for the beneficiaries. Satyanarayanan T., the Principal in-charge, presided over the event, highlighting educational support. This program, which began years ago, has already helped dozens of students continue their studies. 📚

🐅 School trip dives into climate change in tiger reserves

The Department of Environment and Climate Change organized a two-day experiential learning tour for government school students. The tour took place at Anamalai and Parambikulam tiger reserves, with the District Collector flagging it off on Wednesday. The program aims to boost awareness on climate change, biodiversity, and environmental conservation among students. Students will see firsthand the Western Ghats' flora and fauna and learn about carbon sequestration. This exposure is designed to make students future environmental ambassadors. 🐅

🇮🇳 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign picks up in Vizianagaram

The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign is gaining traction across Vizianagaram after a rally led by Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy. Officials encouraged residents to display the tricolour in their homes and colonies. Jana Sena Party leaders Avanapu Vikram and A. Bhavana participated by hoisting the flag at their residence near Mayuri junction. Mr. Vikram noted the significance of the 150th year of the Vande Matram song before the 80th Independence Day. He also asked activists to upload selfies to the portal for Union government certificates.

🚨 Influencer vs Coach: Threats Go Viral 😡

Social media influencer Dr. Medusa sought police action after alleged death threats from FC Brawlers coach Shashank Tripathi. The incident occurred after screenshots of Tripathi's inflammatory posts circulated online, with the threats directed at Ms. Kakoti. These remarks, seen on August 11, 2026, suggested finding a 15-year-old patriot to 'show Ms. Kakoti her place'. Hyderabad City Police requested details, and Ms. Kakoti proceeded to file a written complaint in Lucknow. Organizations like Mahindra University have since distanced themselves from Coach Tripathi.

⚖️ Legal row escalates: BCI stops NALSAR grad enrollments

The Bar Council of India ordered state bar councils to halt the enrolment of NALSAR’s 2026 law graduates as advocates. This action comes after students questioned the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant at a university event in Bengaluru. The order was issued on Thursday, escalating a dispute that started over the CJI's convocation invite. The controversy stems from students' concerns regarding the CJI's recent courtroom observations and handling of protests. Abhijeet Dipke, founder of Cockroach Janta Party, weighed in on this high-stakes legal matter. 🧐

😔 Student Dies After Poisoning Attempt in Hubbali

A 20-year-old female D.Ed. student named Megha Hanumanth Gubbannavar passed away at KMCRI Hospital in Hubballi on Thursday. The student was a resident of Kotabagi village in Dharwad taluk. Police reported she consumed poison on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. after being upset with her parents over excessive mobile phone use. She was initially taken to the District Civil Hospital in Dharwad before being moved to Hubballi for treatment. 😔

🤖 Nvidia's massive $500B AI chip funding plan

Nvidia announced a huge $500 billion commitment plan involving financial giants to build AI data centers. This initiative is backed by Nvidia to create a secondary market for older GPUs. The company guarantees that if collateralized chips lose value, Nvidia will cover up to 25% of the loss. This move aims to sustain demand for Nvidia hardware even as older models age. Success could secure new funding sources as current AI growth potentially cools down. 🤖

✨ Mississippi teen grads from law school super young

Jimmy Chilimigras, a native of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, recently graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He achieved this remarkable feat while graduating in the top 2% of his class in May. Chilimigras first finished high school at age 12 and became a CPA by age 15. He combined his legal studies with roles like serving on the Loyola Law Review during his time. Next, he is heading to Chicago to pursue an LLM in taxation at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. 🎓

🥵 Asia reels from record heatwave; crops suffer and lions perish 🥵

Record extreme heat is currently gripping vast parts of Asia, severely impacting various regions. Farmers in South Korea’s Gangwon province, specifically near Yanghu, found their potatoes 'like boiled potatoes' due to the intense temperatures. Yangsan recorded a record 42.5°C on August 2, while 18,000 people in Japan sought hospital care for heatstroke during the week of July 20 to 26. Three lions died at a Tokyo zoo, and Hong Kong's heat warning system faced criticism for its high threshold. The Labour Department in Hong Kong is now reviewing the warning system following this heat crisis.