🩺 Senators drop Fauci's old texts on vaccine safety

Two Republican senators released initial texts from Dr. Anthony Fauci's phone regarding Covid vaccine safety during pregnancy. Senators Ron Johnson and Rand Paul made these messages public on Monday after the HHS provided Fauci’s iPhone to a Senate subcommittee. The released texts, from January 25, 2021, show Fauci discussing potential risks, while noting no data suggested preference for early versus late vaccination. The CDC later recommended the vaccine for pregnant people after finding no increased miscarriage risks. Republicans stated they would release more information from the phone soon. 📱

🎬 Ramayana footage drops at Big Cine Expo 2026

Exclusive footage from the Ramayana epic will be screened at the Big Cine Expo 2026 in Chennai. The event, held on August 18 and 19, will feature the glimpse on the first day. This massive presentation will showcase visuals from the film starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, but no recording is allowed. Furthermore, Rakesh Roshan will receive the Special Achievement Award on August 18th at the IMAX Big Cine Awards 🏆. Parminder Chadda will present the footage since the main cast and director will be absent.

🧠 Daily fruit juice might boost mental health, study finds

A small four-week trial suggests that adding a daily glass of 100% fruit juice or smoothie can improve mental well-being. This research was conducted by Newcastle University in the UK involving 42 adults who initially ate two or fewer portions of fruit and vegetables daily. The participants who included juice also reported significantly lower depression scores compared to the control group. This finding adds to evidence that simple dietary shifts can benefit mental health, especially with cost-of-living barriers. Researchers suggest this is promising and warrants further exploration into nutrition's role. 🍎

🏛️ Amit Shah moves key bills in Parliament

Union Home Minister Amit Shah plans to introduce the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill and NCDC Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. This follows four key bills introduced on Monday, August 10, amidst uproar in New Delhi. Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion seeking Shah's reply on police action during the Jantar Mantar protest on July 20, 2026. NDA MPs will march against the Opposition for avoiding debate on student protests. Opposition MPs are also set to protest at Makar Dwar regarding Shah's statements and the Ram Temple donation row. 🏛️

🚨 Ranchi shuts down after student protest crackdown

Roads were blocked and tyres burned in Ranchi following the BJP's statewide bandh. The BJP organized this shutdown in protest against the police action against job aspirants during their march to the Jharkhand Assembly. This action occurred on Tuesday, August 12, 2026, a day after police used force against students. The BJP accused the JMM-led government of using force instead of addressing the students' grievances regarding exam irregularities. The student core group is set to meet at noon on Tuesday to decide the next steps.

🚢 Hormuz Strait shipping traffic takes a dip

Gulf shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased recently. This decline affects vessels moving between Gulf nations and international routes. Data indicates a drop to just six vessels observed in the region. The reduction is linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation for any further changes. 🚢

🎖️ Supreme Court grants ₹10 lakh to awardee's widow

The Supreme Court directed the Union of India to pay an extra ₹10 lakh to the widow of a GREF employee. This individual, Mohan Singh, was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his sacrifice near the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The Court extended the benefit from his death in 2000, overriding the previous three-year arrears limit. Singh saved workers while managing a dangerous boulder roll on a strategic 57-km road. The Union must release this ₹10,00,000 to Kuldeep Kaur within four weeks from August 5, 2026. 🎖️

🍷 Brad Pitt slips back into drinking after 7 years sober

Brad Pitt recently admitted in an interview with Esquire that he has started drinking again. The American actor and producer shared this news while speaking with Esquire, mentioning his past sobriety journey. He had been sober for seven years, beginning his path after Angelina Jolie filed for divorce in 2016. Pitt stated he got overconfident a couple times and now drinks in a more restrained manner. He maintains that he can only have a few glasses to stay professional.

✈️ Yeida dropping two new residential plot schemes near Noida airport

YEIDA is launching two new residential plot schemes during Navratri in October. These schemes will be located in Sector 5-A, near the Noida International Airport. One scheme targets low-income groups with 40 sqm plots, while the other offers sizes from 162 to 300 sqm. Applicants must not have previously received a plot from Noida Authority, Greater Noida Authority, or Yeida. Further details on the number of plots will be announced shortly by Yeida's additional CEO, Shailendra Bhatia. 🏡

💊 New Drug Bill to Overhaul DCGI and Regulate Devices

A new Drugs Bill has been introduced proposing major changes to drug regulation in India. This legislation aims to rename the DCGI and bring medical devices under the purview of the law for the first time. The bill details specific provisions set to be implemented from a future date. It seeks to modernize the regulatory framework to better manage pharmaceutical and medical product safety. Stakeholders are now analyzing the implications of these proposed sweeping changes.

🦟 Malaria Cases Surge in AP Tribal Areas

Malaria cases are increasing significantly among tribal communities in Polavaram district, highlighted by the recent death of a four-year-old child. Health officials confirmed that both Plasmodium vivax and the more dangerous Plasmodium falciparum are circulating in the region. The district saw 1,320 cases in 2024, climbing to 1,832 in 2025, with 1,486 cases reported in 2026 so far. To combat this, the department targeted 211 villages for intensive mosquito-control spraying twice annually. Authorities are actively monitoring fever cases and ensuring timely treatment across the district's population of 3,67,767.