🦗 Stick Insects Keep Their Sex System After Ages

A study found that even after one million years without sexual reproduction, stick insects retain their unused biological systems. Researchers observed these fascinating creatures in a specific study conducted at Phys.org. The insects have existed in this asexual state for an extremely long duration. This indicates a surprising resilience in their evolutionary biology. Future research aims to understand how these systems remain dormant over such vast timescales.

⚽ Sergi Roberto heading to LA Galaxy

Former Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto has verbally agreed to join the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer. This move comes after his career at Barça and a recent two-year stint with Como. At 34 years old, Roberto aims to play at a high level during the final years of his career. He will reunite with Riqui Puig and share the field with Marco Reus. This transfer marks a new chapter for the veteran player in the MLS.

⌚ Casio F-91W gets fabric upgrade, but it's pricier

Casio is releasing the F-91WF with a recycled fabric strap, replacing the classic resin band. This new lineup is being sold in select Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam. Early pricing shows the F-91WF could cost nearly double the standard model, around $48 to $56.72 versus $20 to $30 for the regular F-91W. Casio has not announced US or European pricing yet, so the final cost remains to be seen. ⌚

😔 AEE suspended after girl dies due to road closure

An Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) has been suspended following a young girl's death due to delayed medical treatment. The incident occurred in the Mathyani area of Kotranka Sub-Division in Rajouri district. The 17-year-old girl, Parveen Akhter, allegedly died because a road remained closed for about ten days. Locals pointed out that the prolonged disruption blocked her from reaching a healthcare facility timely. The Deputy Commissioner has initiated an inquiry to fix responsibilities and take action. 😥

🏏 Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants in LPL Final

The Lanka Premier League 2026 final is set for tomorrow evening. Jaffna Kings will face Galle Gallants in the highly anticipated match. The game kicks off at 7:30 PM local time on August 8, 14:00 GMT. Both teams have released their full squads for the showdown. Fans are ready for a massive cricket battle between these two contenders. 🏏

🛡️ Parliament pushes fast-track funding for next-gen defence gear

A Parliamentary Committee has urged the government to create a separate budget head for advanced defence research. This recommendation targets critical technologies like hypersonic weapons and sixth-generation fighters within India. The panel noted that DRDO is working on these capabilities to match global defence advances. Such indigenous R&D is vital for boosting India's strategic preparedness and self-reliance. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that hypersonic weapon development is actively progressing. 🚀

🤖 OpenAI slows Astra model due to security fears

OpenAI announced it has paused development on its Astra model following an internal review concerning its capabilities. This occurred at OpenAI, after the model reached a critical cybersecurity threshold that could enable real-world cyberattacks. Preliminary evaluations indicated strong performance, prompting the company to implement additional safeguards. OpenAI decided to share this information publicly to maintain transparency with safety communities. The company is now working with government agencies to test and control the model's advanced functions. 🤖

✈️ Air India boosts pilot salaries by up to 15%

Air India has announced a significant salary hike for its pilots, ranging from 8% to 15% depending on rank. This increase was implemented on Friday in New Delhi across the airline group. The revised structure raises compensation, with a senior commander at 55 hours now earning Rs 8.3 lakh. This move comes as Air India restores international flights, which were cut after the West Asia crisis. Going forward, Air India Express will be the main path for pilots to upgrade to Air India's wide-body aircraft. ✈️

😮 FIFA Boss' Alleged Mistress Got Pay & MBA Funding

A report surfaced alleging that UEFA provided a six-figure payout and funded an MBA for a junior employee during Gianni Infantino's tenure. This individual was reportedly in a relationship with Infantino while he was the general secretary of UEFA. The alleged payments and funding occurred during his time at UEFA before he became FIFA president in 2016. UEFA confirmed the departure payment and MBA funding complied with regulations existing at that time. Infantino strongly denies all allegations and plans to seek a fourth term as FIFA president next year. ⚽

📈 NCAER says lift Bihar booze ban for development

A new paper from NCAER suggests lifting the prohibition in Bihar to fund development work. The economists, led by Ratna Sahay, found that the ban hasn't reduced crimes against women in Bihar. Ending prohibition could boost tax revenue by 14-15% while cutting enforcement costs. The report was presented at the India Policy Forum on Friday. The authors also recommend more central transfers to help with flood-control activities. 🧐

🧐 NCAER suggests lifting Bihar's liquor ban

A new NCAER paper proposes ending the prohibition in Bihar to generate necessary resources for development. Led by Ratna Sahay, the economists argued that the ban hasn't reduced crime against women and has instead fueled illegal trade. Ending the ban could boost state tax revenue by 14-15% while cutting enforcement costs. The paper also suggested more central transfers to address issues like floods and governance gaps. This move aims to finance priority areas like education, health, and addressing gender discrimination. 🧐