😔 South Korean actress apologizes for family's pro-Japan links

South Korean actress Ha Young apologized for dismissing claims regarding her great-grandfather’s ties to pro-Japanese groups. Her agency confirmed records showing Ahn Sang-ho was a councillor of the Daejong Chinmokhoe in 1916. This controversy started after she mentioned her family's doctor lineage on the KBS show Problem Child in House on Friday. The group, named Taisho Friendship Association, was formed in Seoul in 1916 and included signatories of the 1910 annexation treaty. Ha Young issued the apology after further verification of the historical records.

💧 Cyberattack hits water systems in 7 US states

A coordinated cyberattack targeted water systems across at least seven US states, disrupting everyday operations. The FBI issued a warning after malicious actors broke into water and wastewater systems in these areas. Reports surfaced in late July, with Minnesota specifically reporting at least 30 affected municipal water systems. Although Trump previously linked hackers to Iran, officials are still investigating the origin of these hacks. Disruptions have led to manual interventions and precautionary boil-water advisories in some locations. 💧

📱 Xiaomi 18 Pro colors and back material leak

Rumors from Digital Chat Station reveal color options for the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max. These flagship phones are reportedly being tested in black, white, pink, blue, and red. The devices are expected next month, following Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit where the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipsets will debut. Notably, the back material will likely be fiberglass instead of glass for all these models. The design will mirror previous versions, with rear screens remaining, although their size might change.

🩺 TN Assembly passes resolution against NEET exam

The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution opposing the NEET examination on Tuesday. The DMK, AIADMK, and Congress supported the move, while the BJP's MLA staged a walkout. The resolution calls for amending central laws to stop the uniform NEET system for undergraduate medical admissions in the state. The government claims NEET harms rural and economically disadvantaged students, proposing admissions be based on Class 12 marks. 🩺

🏛️ Tamil Nadu asks Centre to scrap FCRA amendment bill

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously urged the Union Government to withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. This happened on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Chennai. The concerns centered on clauses affecting asset transfer for charitable groups, especially minorities. The assembly called for consultations while protecting rights and federalism. The resolution demands the Bill be withdrawn for comprehensive review.

🏚️ House collapse claims life in Meerut rain

An 80-year-old woman was killed and another injured when a house collapsed during heavy rain in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred in the Amir Garden area on Tuesday, where local residents rushed to help the trapped people. Jaitoon, aged 80 and Majeed's wife, died under the rubble, while a 25-year-old woman was injured. Police confirmed that the injured woman is now hospitalized, and the deceased's body is awaiting a postmortem examination. The IMD reported 10 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday morning.

💪 IT guy to Ironman in three years

Akshay Sharma transformed from an IT professional with a sedentary life into an Ironman through intense discipline. This shift began after a trip to Chikkamagaluru in December 2022, sparking a major life change for him. Starting in January 2023, he dedicated himself to rigorous training, including treks and strength sessions. He successfully completed Ironman Malaysia on November 1, 2025, finishing in 15 hours and 40 minutes. Now, his next huge goal is to conquer Mount Everest. 🏔️

🤔 Rahul Gandhi spotted on holiday, Giriraj Singh questions his crew

A photo surfaced showing Rahul Gandhi relaxing on a boat with a woman and a child, sparking a political spat. Union Minister Giriraj Singh shared the image on X, questioning the identities of the people accompanying the Congress leader. The Congress quickly responded, stating the individuals were family members of a friend and the trip was a family vacation. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate strongly attacked Singh for making inappropriate insinuations about the picture. This exchange follows prior BJP criticism regarding Gandhi's numerous overseas trips and associated expenses.

⚖️ SC questions SIR Tribunal timelines and data

The Supreme Court expressed skepticism about mandating a timeline for Appellate Tribunals hearing applications from West Bengal SIR exclusions. Chief Justice Surya Kant's bench ordered the Election Commission of India to provide on-record details of the tribunals' disposal rates. The court noted that if performance lacks volume and speed, restructuring the disposal architecture would be necessary. Earlier, a petition highlighted that SIR roll deletion causes severe civil consequences beyond just voting rights. The case was scheduled for a further hearing on August 25, 2026. ⚖️

⚖️ Syria's ex-President Assad sentenced to death

Syria's former president Bashar Al-Assad received a death sentence in absentia from a Syrian court. This ruling also included his brother Maher Al-Assad and cousin Atef Najib, who was tried for war crimes. The charges stem from the 14-year conflict that resulted in about half a million deaths. Najib was specifically convicted for intentional killing of children under 15 and torture leading to death. This marks the first such ruling by the transitional authorities this year.

📱 Pixel 11 series drops: what's the tea?

Google is set to launch its Pixel 11 series, including the Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold, in a few days. The lineup will be available in markets like India, with the Pixel Watch 5 also launching. These phones are expected to use the custom Tensor G6 chip and run on Android 17 with 7 years of updates. Pricing for the Pixel 11 in India starts at ₹89,999, with the Pro Fold at ₹1,89,999. The official launch stream is scheduled for August 13th at 3:30 AM IST.