🏛️ Ram Temple CEO interviews continue

Four more candidates were interviewed on Day 2 for the Ram Temple Trust's CEO position at the temple complex. The selection process involves a three-member committee headed by Justice Pramod Kohli. So far, 18 candidates have been shortlisted from 5,200 applicants, with interviews ongoing since Tuesday, August 12, 2026. This appointment comes after allegations of donation embezzlement increased financial scrutiny of the Trust. The committee is expected to shortlist three names for the final hiring decision.

🎬 Google TV drops 10k+ free movies & shows

Google TV Freeplay has just updated with over 10,000 free movies and shows available on demand. This huge library is accessible on all Google TV devices across the U.S., starting August 11. The service features acclaimed titles from studios like A24 and Lionsgate, and it will be refreshed all year round. Users can stream everything without needing any subscription or extra sign-up. Furthermore, Freeplay currently has 316 free channels covering various genres. 🍿

🕵️ NIA raids 13 spots after huge meth bust

The NIA conducted searches at 13 locations across Tamil Nadu and Mizoram on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. This action followed the seizure of over 6,016 kg of methamphetamine from a Myanmarese boat near the Barren Islands in November 2024. During the raids, authorities recovered digital devices, ₹71 lakh in cash, $53,500, and 1,50,000 Myanmar Kyat in Chennai. The investigation, which started after the initial seizure, aims to expose a larger transnational narcotics trafficking network. The accused individuals remain in judicial custody as the NIA continues its probe. 🕵️

📉 Petronet LNG revenues drop over 50% due to West Asia tensions

Petronet LNG's standalone revenues fell by over 52% during the June-end quarter because of supply issues caused by West Asia conflict. This major Indian importer experienced a sharp dip in earnings during the reported period. Revenues dropped to ₹5,788 crore compared to the same period last year. Interestingly, the company's net profit managed to increase by about 33.2% to ₹1,132 crore. This reflects the impact of regional geopolitical instability on the gas market.

🐘 Vantara expands elephant welfare outreach globally

On World Elephant Day, Vantara broadened its mission to support elephant caregivers and advance conservation across India and globally. Founded by Anant Ambani, Vantara, which houses over 260 Asian elephants, highlighted its ongoing work on August 12. A new collaboration with Rajasthan's Forest Department will upgrade elephant care at Hathi Gaon, Jaipur. Furthermore, Vantara recently aided over 182 elephants through an outreach program across eight locations in Northeast India. The organization is also funding expert participation at global human-elephant conflict summits in Bangkok in March 2027. 🐘

🗿 Ice Age Denisovans were massive giants 🦕

Two leg bones, Penghu 2 and Penghu 3, dredged west of Taiwan are revealing that Denisovans were huge ancient humans. These fossils were found in the Taiwan Strait and are approximately 45,000 years old. One individual could have reached nearly 1.9 meters and weighed about 91 kilograms, while the other was around 1.8 meters tall. This suggests some Denisovans were among the largest humans during the Pleistocene epoch. The findings, detailed in a bioRxiv preprint, start painting a picture of their physical build and lifestyle.

🕊️ New PKK Peace Law Sparks Hope and Conflict in Turkey

A new peace law related to the PKK has been introduced in Turkey, causing mixed reactions across the nation. This legislation is impacting mothers who have been waiting for resolution and veterans who feel deeply affected by the changes. Specific details regarding the implementation dates and affected groups are yet to be fully disclosed. The law aims to address long-standing conflicts and provide a framework for reconciliation efforts. Authorities plan to announce further guidelines and implementation timelines in the coming weeks. 🇹🇷

🍕 FDA suspends 4 Domino's licenses in Maharashtra

The FDA has suspended the licenses of four Domino's Pizza outlets across Maharashtra. This action was taken against the chain's establishments in the state. The suspension involves four specific outlets and was officially enacted recently. This move was due to repeated violations found in the restaurants' hygiene standards. Authorities will monitor the situation to ensure compliance moving forward. 🍕

🏛️ Monsoon session ends with FCRA bill to JPC

Parliament's Monsoon Session concluded with political tussles as the FCRA Bill was sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The government offered a debate on the July 20 incident, but Rahul Gandhi insisted on a specific answer regarding the firing. This deadlock then shifted focus to the contentious FCRA Bill, which the government referred to the JPC. Congress leader KC Venugopal later called for the Bill's withdrawal, arguing it targeted minorities. The JPC is set to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session this year. 🧐

🩺 Pixel Watch now tracks blood pressure and insulin trends

Google is rolling out new blood pressure and insulin resistance tracking features within Health Guardian for its wearable platform. These updates are coming with the Pixel Watch 5, aiming to monitor longer-term cardiovascular and metabolic health changes. Users will receive monthly trend summaries for blood pressure, insulin resistance, and sleep breathing quality starting after one month of use. These features leverage Google's Health Foundation Models trained on billions of minutes of opt-in sensor data. The Pixel Watch 5 launches in India on August 20, with starting prices at ₹42,900.

😠 Haaland throws shade at new Man City teammate

Erling Haaland made a pointed jab at his new Manchester City teammate, Elliot Anderson, on Instagram. This incident stems from an event during the recent World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Specifically, a VAR review invalidated a goal where Haaland pushed Anderson to the ground. The 26-year-old striker hasn't forgotten this perceived slight from the match. Both players are set to train together after their World Cup breaks. 😠