Russia and Ukraine have reportedly exchanged 103 soldiers who were captured by the opposing side. This exchange took place between the two nations in the ongoing conflict zone. The agreement involved an equal number of prisoners from both sides. This move is part of ongoing negotiations regarding prisoner swaps in the war. Further details on the long-term implications of this swap are expected soon. 🤝
science Researchers have proposed a new method to achieve superconductivity in a bilayer moiré heterostructure. This work was done by Tsung-Sheng Huang and colleagues from the University of Maryland and ETH Z¨urich. The study details how superconductivity emerges as a stable state using a bilayer moiré platform with layer degree of freedom acting as a pseudospin. This approach utilizes optically induced spatial operations and local dissipation instead of amplifying attractive forces between electrons. The findings suggest driven-dissipative moiré heterostructures are a promising new platform for creating superconductivity.
tech The Modern Warfare 4 early access closed beta is kicking off following the virtual Call Of Duty: NEXT event on Friday, August 21. This first weekend event is for streamers, content creators, and journalists, starting at 11 am PT / 2 pm ET. The closed beta runs until Tuesday, August 25, while the open beta starts on Friday, August 28, and lasts until Tuesday, September 1. Access to the early weekend requires pre-ordering the game or catching giveaways. The beta features multiplayer maps like Rooftops and the 'Entrenched' campaign mission. 🎮
tech Apple Watch Series 12 is reportedly set to feature a return of the ceramic design option. This news comes from leaker Kosutami, who shared the update on X on August 19, 2026. The latest Watch model is expected to be unveiled at Apple's big September event next month. The last time a ceramic Apple Watch was available was the Series 5 ‘Edition’ model. It is anticipated that the ceramic model will carry a higher price point. ⌚
tech Amazon is making its Alexa+ AI chatbot free for users with eligible Fire TV devices. This expansion adds free access to current-generation Fire TV Sticks and the Fire TV Cube. The upgrade happens automatically without needing any download or subscription from February's launch. While Prime members get extra features on Echo devices, everyone can use the core AI on compatible Fire TVs. Alexa+ aims to compete with ChatGPT by focusing heavily on the Amazon ecosystem.
entertainment GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg inaugurated the 'News in Frames' photo exhibition on Wednesday. The event was organized by the Visakhapatnam District Photo Journalists’ Association (VPJA) at the Visakha Museum. This exhibition marks World Photography Day, aligning with the 187th anniversary of photography's invention. Mr. Garg assured the photojournalist community of ongoing GVMC support and felicitated award winners. The exhibition runs until August 20, and a student photography competition saw 453 submissions. 📸
health The Infectious Diseases Society of America issued an updated playbook for hard-to-treat bacterial infections. This change is due to a sharp rise in resistance genes disabling last-resort antibiotics, especially in hospitals. Between 2016 and 2023, the blaNDM gene share in CRE rose from 5.4 percent to 39.8 percent. The new guidance incorporates specific drugs for NDM-producing infections, like aztreonam-avibactam. However, these new treatments only work if labs correctly identify the specific resistance enzyme. 🦠
Officials preparing electoral rolls in Telangana were directed to create a detailed action plan for 'Anomalies' and 'No Mapping' cases. District Election Officers and Electoral Registration Officers must include hearings and document verification in this plan. Based on the draft published on Monday, August 17, 2026, 92,87,577 voters in these two categories will receive notices. The period for filing claims and objections runs from August 17, 2026, to September 16, 2026. Furthermore, Booth Level Officers must explain the contents of the issued notices to the concerned electors.
tech Retailers like Amazon U.K. and John Lewis are slashing prices on the iPhone 17 series ahead of the iPhone 18 release next month. Specifically, the iPhone 17 Pro Max dropped from £1,199 to £1,099, saving £100. This follows earlier stock clearing by third-party sellers across Spain, Germany, and Australia since the start of summer. Apple is simultaneously increasing trade-in values, like the iPhone 16 Pro Max now being worth $720. Buyers should decide if they want an immediate deal or wait for future discounts on the iPhone 18.
US Treasury yields saw a decline following a recent liquidity support offer from the Treasury Department. This action was taken by the US Treasury in the current financial climate. Specifically, the market observed changes on dates related to recent treasury announcements. The move aims to stabilize financial markets amidst ongoing economic concerns. Investors will now watch how this policy impacts broader market trends moving forward.
health Gurgaon recorded seven H1N1 cases in August, marking the highest monthly count for 2026. Twenty-one cases have been registered in the city from January through August this year. Health officials link these patterns to monsoon humidity, although the current numbers aren't enough to confirm a trend. Doctors advised caution, stating September's numbers will determine if this is a temporary rise. People with flu-like symptoms should wear masks and stay home to prevent further spread.
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