🏏 Sarfaraz Khan joins India squad for Sri Lanka tests

Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan shared his first post after being named to the India Test squad for the Sri Lanka series. He replaced Sai Sudharsan, who is recovering from a toe injury during the India A tour. The two-match Test series against Sri Lanka begins on August 15, 2026, with the first game in Galle. This series is crucial as India is currently fifth in the World Test Championship points table. The team will link up in Colombo before traveling to Galle for the first Test.

📈 Stock picks for August 8: Bagadia suggests 5 buys

The Indian stock market was subdued on Friday, August 7, as crude oil recovery and Strait of Hormuz uncertainty created investor jitters. Sumeet Bagadia, of Choice Broking, recommends five breakout shares to buy on Monday, August 8. These recommended stocks include Physicswallah, Grasim Industries, Fortis Healthcare, BEML, and Honasa Consumer. He believes the broader trend remains positive despite short-term consolidation near the Nifty 50's 24,600 level. Investors should watch the support at 24,300–24,370 for future buying signals. 📈

✊ Jharkhand youth protest over JPSC exam issues 😟

Young protesters are demanding the cancellation of the JPSC exam results due to reported irregularities. This agitation is taking place in Ranchi, Jharkhand, targeting the fourteenth Combined Civil Services Examination. The protests started on July 29th, with the preliminary exam held in April and results released on July 2nd. Aspirants claim issues like undisclosed cut-off marks and suspicious answer sheets point to manipulation. The government formed a committee, but protests continue, with a march planned for August 10th. ✊

🔬 No single 'mosquito magnet' exists, study finds

Research from Florida International University found that no universal 'mosquito magnet' attracts all mosquito species. The study analyzed 119 adults and three species: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Findings, published on the 9th, revealed distinct preferences based on body odors and skin microbial compositions. This suggests mosquitoes use different chemical cues for host targeting, which is key for developing targeted repellents. Future research could use this data to fight vector-borne diseases like dengue and Zika. 🦟

🛡️ Iran names former IRGC chief to top security role

Iran has appointed former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei as the new head of its supreme national security council. This change occurred after Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr resigned from the post, as announced by President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday. The appointment follows ongoing talks regarding the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz and various security adjustments. Rezaei, who previously led the IRGC from 1981 to 1997, is strongly linked to the hardline security establishment. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei also confirmed the appointment, signaling further leadership shifts. 🧐

🛰️ Katalyst fixes spin on Swift servicing craft

Katalyst Space is making progress in stabilizing its Link spacecraft after technical issues caused a multi-axis spin. This happened to the Link spacecraft, which was launched on July 3rd, near Washington. Initially spinning at about 9 degrees per second, the rate was reduced to 1.47 degrees per second using electric thrusters. The company plans to upload a software update soon to restore full attitude control for the mission. This effort aims to boost NASA’s Swift Observatory's orbit before it deorbits later this year. 🛰️

💪 Weight training sweet spot for longer life found

New research indicates that strength training can significantly contribute to a longer lifespan. This study tracked nearly 150,000 health professionals over 30 years in the US. Those doing 90 to 120 minutes of strength training weekly had a 13% lower risk of early death. The benefits were strongest against cardiovascular disease and neurological conditions. Combining this with regular aerobic exercise brings the risk down by around 45%.

⚖️ Delhi court clears Brij Bhushan in harassment case

A Delhi court acquitted former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case. The judgment was delivered after two years of trial, addressing allegations against the former BJP MP. The court found the allegations to be false, fabricated, and part of a deep political conspiracy. It highlighted material contradictions in witness statements and inconsistent documentary evidence across the claims. The court suggested the case appeared rehearsed and planted, creating reasonable doubt. ⚖️

📈 Indian startups eyeing UK after new trade deal

The India-UK FTA is boosting UK appeal for Indian startups due to tariff cuts and easier worker mobility. At least half a dozen startups mentioned planning entry or establishing offices in the UK this year. The trade agreement eliminates tariffs on nearly 99% of Indian exports and offers social security exemptions. This shift moves the focus for founders from 'should we' to 'when and how' they expand. Furthermore, Indian-owned companies in the UK rose to 1,912 in 2026. 🚀

📈 Big Q1 results drop this week for PSU and major players

The final week of the results season is bringing in reports for the June quarter across various companies. Railway PSUs, state-run firms, and names like Vodafone Idea and Zee Entertainment are among those releasing their data. This announcement period runs up to Thursday, August 13th, ahead of the August 15th deadline. These results provide investors with insights into the performance of key sectors. What comes next is monitoring these reports to gauge market trends for the remainder of the year.

🤔 3 NCPI MPs break ranks over BJP ties

Rifts have emerged within the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) regarding its alliance with the BJP. Three Muslim NCPI Lok Sabha MPs, Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman, and Yusuf Pathan, have expressed discomfort with the bloc's close association with the ruling party. This disagreement surfaced despite the NCPI having absorbed 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs recently. The MPs fear that proximity to the BJP could cause them to lose their traditional voter base in their constituencies. They claim they will not align with the BJP while cooperating with the governments for public benefit.