🤖 Ringg gets big backer for voice AI push

India's Ringg has secured backing from Peak XV to accelerate its voice AI initiatives. The company is based in India and is focused on moving voice AI capabilities beyond traditional phone calls. This investment comes as Ringg works to enhance its AI interactions and services. The backing is crucial for Ringg to scale its advanced voice technology across more platforms. Future plans involve expanding the scope and sophistication of its AI-driven features. 🚀

🌟 Salman Khan's humble beginnings before Bollywood

Salman Khan started his journey by dancing as a background performer at the Taj hotel in the 1980s. He later made his Bollywood debut in 1989 with 'Biwi Ho Toh Aisi' and gained massive recognition with 'Maine Pyar Kiya.' His initial paycheck was just Rs 75, which steadily increased over his career. Today, the actor boasts a massive net worth of around Rs 2900 crore. He continues to be one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema. 🎬

💸 Why city jobs are costly for some Indian women

Some Indian women find starting jobs unaffordable due to hidden costs and discrimination. For example, Ayesha in Delhi struggled with her Rs 40,000 salary while paying Rs 18,000 for safe PG accommodation. Workforce participation among women rose to 40% by December 2025, yet marginalized women face an 'intersectional tax'. This includes safety premiums, housing bias, and the lack of menstrual leave policies. These cumulative costs significantly reduce savings for first-generation Dalit or Muslim women.

🤖 Voice AI startup Ringg secures major funding round

Voice AI startup Ringg has secured $10 million in funding from Peak XV Partners as an extension of its Series A. The company operates out of India, where over 76% of consumers prefer talking to businesses over phone calls. This latest injection brings the total funding to $15.5 million, following an earlier $5.5 million raise this year. Ringg is shifting focus from simple calling to complex workflows like appointment booking and KYC checks. The startup plans to position itself as an outcomes-driven platform, expanding beyond voice calls to chat and WhatsApp. 🤖

⚽ Mumbaikars fight to save football hub

The FIFA-standard Neville D'Souza ground, a key spot for district-level football, faces a threat of conversion. This 8,450-square-metre facility in Bandra West, inaugurated in 2018, is proposed by the BMC to become a convention centre. Tushar Sinha voiced concern over losing this professional-level turf for local youth. The Bombay High Court has currently restrained both the BMC and the State government from proceeding with the change. Activists argue that this ground is vital for developing Mumbai's football talent. ⚽

😷 Air pollution's big health threat revealed

A global study identified PM2.5 as the primary air pollutant responsible for cancer cases. This research analyzed data from 952 locations worldwide to determine pollution's impact. Between the years 2000 and 2020, PM2.5 was linked to 8.82 million of the total 109 million cancer cases. The findings, published in Nature Health, highlight the serious long-term exposure risks from this fine particulate matter. Moving forward, this data emphasizes the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations globally. 😷

💰 Crorepati investors hit ₹10 lakh crore equity mark

India's High Net Worth Investors (HNIs) have amassed record stock holdings, reaching almost ₹10 lakh crore. This surge occurred in three months, rising from ₹8.10 lakh crore at the end of March to ₹9.92 lakh crore by June-end. This increase was driven by stock price appreciation, not just new buying volume. HDFC Bank is the largest single HNI holding at ₹28,972 crore, followed by Reliance Industries. Moving forward, the overall HNI footprint in the market continues to expand significantly. 📈

💥 Kangana Ranaut claps back at Rahul Gandhi

Kangana Ranaut responded sharply to Rahul Gandhi's 'smash patriarchy' comment on her Instagram Stories. This came after Gandhi commented on her remarks about Kriti Sanon's outfit. The exchange started with Gandhi's August 22 remarks at his Pune event. Gandhi claimed the fight was against a mindset allowing men freedom while women are controlled. Ranaut's replies now bring up Women’s Reservation Bill and triple talaq.

🩺 1-hour workout won't cancel 10 hours of sitting

Heart surgeon Dr Jeremy London stated that a daily workout cannot cancel out 10 hours of being sedentary. He shared this on August 25, highlighting the risks of excessive sitting for human health. According to September 2016 research, the average American spends nearly half their waking hours sitting. People who sit the most face higher risks of early death, heart disease, and double the chance of type 2 diabetes. The expert suggests incorporating movement throughout the day as medicine. 🚶

🚀 Poco F9 Ultra gets Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip

The Poco F9 series is set to launch globally, featuring two models: the Poco F9 Pro and Poco F9 Ultra. These phones will utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset family, mirroring the Redmi K100 series in China. The Poco F9 Ultra gets the standard chip, while the Pro uses the binned Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 V series. The global launch date has been set for September 1, with distinct colorways for each model. Both devices are rumored to support up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.

🕌 School holidays on August 26 for Eid-e-Milad

Schools are closed in various parts of India on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, for Eid-e-Milad. This holiday status varies across the country because schedules depend on state calendars and local orders. For instance, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Manipur list it as a gazetted holiday on August 26. Kerala has an additional festival observance as Thiruvonam also falls on this day. Parents must check their school's official notice as there is no blanket closure nationwide.