📱 Sony drops new Xperia 10 VIII mid-range phone

Sony has officially introduced its newest mid-range handset, the Xperia 10 VIII, for the European market. This phone is available in Frosted Grey and Misty Lilac colorways. It will be available for EUR 599 or GBP 549, with launch offers expected from mid-to-late September. The Xperia 10 VIII succeeds the Sony Xperia 10 VII, which launched in September 2025. The new model features a display that is about 50 percent brighter than its previous version.

⚖️ SC asks TMC MPs to respond on disqualification delay

The Supreme Court requested responses from 20 rebel TMC MPs regarding delays in disqualification proceedings. This action followed a plea by Abhishek Banerjee challenging the Lok Sabha speaker's inaction on his petitions. These MPs merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India on June 14, rebelling against Mamata Banerjee's TMC leadership. Banerjee argued for disqualification based on the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. The court is now focused on concluding the proceedings within a time frame. ⚖️

⛪ Churches in MMR ask for consent forms due to new law

Churches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) are now collecting self-declaration forms from worshippers. This move comes as the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, took effect on July 30. Pastor Sam Mathai noted 11 church attacks in MMR over the last six months. The forms are meant to prove attendance is voluntary, not forced under the new law. The community expects police to enforce the law equally for safety. ⛪

🎮 Gamescom ONL 2026: Watch details and lineup

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 is happening on Tuesday, August 25, in Cologne, Germany. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the event will feature big announcements from major publishers. Eight games, including The Witcher 3 and Final Fantasy VII Revelation, are already confirmed for the showcase. The main show starts at 8:00 PM CEST, with a 30-minute pre-show available on YouTube and Twitch. Viewers should tune in early for trailers and surprise reveals. 🎮

🧤 5 keepers Chelsea should sign after Sanchez blunders

Doubts are mounting over Robert Sanchez's position at Chelsea following recent costly errors during the Fulham match. The club, based in West London, is looking at transfer options as the window approaches. Potential targets include Gregor Kobel and Emi Martinez, with Diogo Costa also being highly rated. Bart Verbruggen and Marco Carnesecchi offer other viable alternatives for the defense. Chelsea needs a solid replacement to fix their defensive issues moving forward. 🧤

🚲 Love across continents: 60 rupee bike journey

In 1975, Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia fell for a Swedish woman named Lotta in Delhi. When she returned home, PK bought a Rs 60 bicycle in January 1977 to reach her across continents. The epic trek took him 133 days and covered nearly 6,000 miles across various countries. His journey was heavily supported by numerous strangers who provided food, shelter, and aid. This incredible love story is now documented in a feature film titled 'The Cycle of Love.'

🚕 Drivers challenge Marathi language rule in Bombay High Court

Four cab drivers have filed a petition challenging the Maharashtra government's mandate requiring Marathi knowledge for cab and auto drivers. This case, Mohd. Kasim Ahmad vs. State of Maharashtra, was brought before the Bombay High Court. The rule, notified on August 12, threatens the livelihoods of approximately 9.65 lakh drivers across Maharashtra. Drivers argue this violates their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution. The petition urgently seeks a stay on the notification to prevent hardship to these workers. 🚕

⚖️ SC denies bail plea for Tarun Tejpal; surrender in three weeks

The Supreme Court rejected journalist Tarun Tejpal's request to avoid surrendering after his conviction. Tejpal, former Tehelka editor, was convicted in a 2013 sexual assault case by the Bombay High Court in Goa. The court ordered him to surrender within three weeks to contest his appeal on September 22, 2026. This judgment overturns his earlier acquittal after he was sentenced to 10 years in rigorous imprisonment. Tejpal's appeal is now listed for hearing subject to him submitting the required surrender certificate. 😔

😟 Father searches drain for son lost chasing kite

A 15-year-old boy named Mithun fell into an open drain while chasing a kite in Jasola, southeast Delhi. His father, Awadhesh Kumar, searched the drain after he went missing on Saturday, August 22, around 11 am. A multi-agency search continued for four days before divers located his body on Wednesday at 1:15 pm. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi suspended a junior engineer over alleged duty lapses regarding the unguarded drain. The body has been sent for post-mortem, and disciplinary action is ongoing.

🔬 AI designed viruses to beat E. coli germs 🦠

A generative AI model named Evo 2 was used to design new bacteriophage genomes to fight E. coli infections. Stanford researchers, Brian Hie and Samuel King, conducted this proof-of-concept study focusing on phage $\Phi$X174. They synthesized and tested nearly 300 AI-generated phages, finding 16 that were highly effective against the bacteria. This shows a path toward new antibiotics resistant to current bacterial immunity. The team will now use this method to target other dangerous bacteria like MRSA.

🤝 US drops Syria from terror list after 46 years

The United States officially removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list on Monday, ending a designation active since 1979. This move was made following a 45-day congressional review, aiming to deepen ties with President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s new government in Syria. The US also revoked the designation for the Nusrah Front, now known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Officials stated these actions recognize Syria's commitment to distancing itself from international terrorism acts. This development is seen as a major opportunity for Syria to reconnect with the global financial system for reconstruction.