🔭 Scientists find hidden swirling patterns on the Sun

An international team discovered Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, appearing as tiny whirlpools on the Sun's surface. The research was conducted by scientists from the National Solar Observatory, NSF NCAR, and Max Planck Institut für Sonnensystemforschung. These findings were published in the journal Nature, using the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope near Haleakalā. This instability might explain why the Sun's outer atmosphere gets hot and fuels solar flares. The team's work offers the first experimental confirmation of this long-theorized solar phenomenon. 🔬

🌌 Artificial light is hiding our stars

Artificial skyglow is causing a dramatic change in what people see in the night sky. A 2023 study examined 51,351 naked-eye observations collected between 2011 and 2022. Sky brightness at participating locations is increasing by an average of 9.6 per cent each year. This means a child seeing 250 stars now could see fewer than 100 by age 18. The rate of change depends on light usage and direction, but the trend is clear. 🌌

🧐 AP Christian leaders want Centre to pause FCRA Bill

The Andhra Pradesh Christian Leaders Forum (APCLF) has called on the Central government to withhold the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. They made this demand during a press conference held in Vijayawada on Tuesday. The bill is currently scheduled for introduction in Parliament on August 12 (Wednesday). APCLF leaders fear the amendments could become a 'confiscatory regime' impacting civil society autonomy. They are urging a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) review of the entire FCRA Act, 2010. 🧐

💻 Online course on Tech, Disability & Technoableism

NALSAR University's Centre for Disability Studies is launching an online certificate course focusing on Technology, Disability and Technoableism. This program is running from August 17 to September 11, 2026, exploring accessibility, law, AI, and disability justice. The course is open to everyone and includes an optional certification exam on October 17, 2026. The initiative seeks to broaden disability scholarship beyond academic circles. Participants also have the chance to get a paid internship with CDS.

🎬 Rhea opens up about her jail time experience

Rhea Chakraborty shared candid details about her 27 days in prison after her NCB arrest in September 2020. She revealed that inmates inside the women's undertrial prison are often better because there is no social hierarchy among them. For timepass, inmates reportedly sing, dance, and make thecha, while she joked about the strange prison food. Rhea is also writing a book titled 'Chudail ka badla' and is set for The Traitors season 2. She is also scheduled to be in Netflix's 'Family Business'.

🩺 AP junior doctors pull non-emergency services starting August 12

Junior doctors are withdrawing non-emergency services from government medical colleges across Andhra Pradesh starting Wednesday. The APJUDA announced this after talks with State health officials failed to reach an agreement. The strike, which resumed on August 11, will see services stopped from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The main demand is a periodic stipend enhancement for postgraduate students and interns, overdue by over seven months. The association is pushing for a 30% hike, while the government proposed a 3% to 5% annual increase. 🩺

🏏 'King of Galle' threat looms for India in SL Tests 👑

Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof warned the Indian team about spinner Prabath Jayasuriya ahead of the two-match Test series. Maharoof stated that the 34-year-old spinner will be the hosts' biggest weapon against the Indian batting lineup in Galle. Jayasuriya has taken 81 wickets in 11 Tests at the Galle International Stadium since his July 2022 debut. He is Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker in the WTC with 100 wickets in 20 matches. The series starts on August 15, and it will be interesting to see the final Sri Lankan squad.

📱 Xiaomi launches K100 Pro with 185Hz gaming display

Xiaomi has officially launched the REDMI K100 Pro series, featuring two initial models: Pro Max and Pro. TCL Huaxing is the exclusive screen supplier for these performance flagship phones across the lineup. The 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option is priced at 3,999 yuan, with the top-tier model reaching 5,999 yuan. This series boasts a 185Hz esports display with circular polarization eye-protection technology. Global versions are expected as POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra, though they might have smaller batteries. 🎮

🏈 Chiefs bring back Super Bowl alum Ogbah for depth

Veteran defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah is reportedly signing a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. This reunion move places him back with the Chiefs in Kansas City ahead of the 2026 preseason opener. The deal was reported on Tuesday, adding an experienced option to the defensive end rotation. This move helps the Chiefs address depth concerns behind George Karlaftis, given recent departures. Ogbah must prove his worth in the preseason before the regular season starts on September 14th. 🏈

🏛️ Rajya Sabha passes Tribunals Reforms Bill 🏛️

The Rajya Sabha passed the Tribunals Reform Bill, 2026, which introduces a National Tribunals Commission to manage quasi-judicial forums. This new body will oversee 16 tribunals, including those for income tax and environment, while keeping NCLT out of its purview. The bill replaces the 2021 Act after the Supreme Court found parts of it unconstitutional. This aims to fix staffing issues and speed up dispute resolution processes across India. Lawyers hope this professionalization leads to faster outcomes for pending cases.

📊 New Hub helps cities map out urban travel data

The SHIFT Transport Coalition has launched the Transport Analytics Hub (TAH) to boost evidence-based urban mobility decisions. This open-access platform lets users analyze mobility patterns using geospatial tools and indicators. During a session in New Delhi on Tuesday, WRI India showcased how the data can inform city planning. The platform aims to uncover trends and pinpoint areas needing improvement across cities. This launch also released a paper proposing 21 geospatial indicators for road network assessment. 🗺️