🤝 TMC rebels to meet PM Modi over breakfast

Three minority breakaway TMC MPs are scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi for breakfast on Friday. These lawmakers, now part of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), have not joined the BJP-led NDA. Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahaman, and Yusuf Pathan previously met Amit Shah on Thursday regarding SIR tribunals and mosque loudspeakers. The NCPI group has skipped two NDA meetings so far. Seventeen other NCPI legislators and six Shiv Sena MPs will also attend the meeting on Friday.

🏛️ Gurumurthy speaks on Indian civilization's guiding role

S. Gurumurthy delivered a memorial lecture titled 'Indian Civilisation Past Glory or Future Guide' on Thursday. He spoke at Kamarajar Arangam in Chennai, organized by Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Group of Schools. Gurumurthy noted that Gen Z in India is being molded as rebellious against society and tradition. He highlighted that unlike the West, Indians save for their grandchildren, showing a deep cultural connection. He asserted that studying Indian civilization holds answers to universal mysteries.

💥 Houthi strikes injure 11 in Saudi Arabia

Over 10 civilians, including a 4-year-old child, were injured in Saudi Arabia following Houthi rebel attacks on Thursday. The assaults occurred in Najran, near the Yemeni border, targeting camps of the internationally recognized government. Saudi military spokesperson confirmed the attack wounded seven Saudi nationals, one Yemeni, two Egyptians, and one Pakistani expat. These incidents escalate fighting since the April 2022 truce, marking major tensions. The Houthis claim these actions are a response to Saudi-backed force build-up in eastern Yemen. 🇸🇦

🤝 Supreme Court happy with asset division talks

The Supreme Court expressed satisfaction regarding the progress in the Sunjay Kapur asset division case. His family members are cooperating in a mediation process overseen by ex-CJI D Y Chandrachud in New Delhi. Six mediation sessions have been conducted so far, with discussions focusing on trust structure claims. The parties have agreed to hold further discussions under the mediator's supervision. Mediation has been permitted to continue until November 2. 🤝

🧬 Genes might explain why your back hurts

Genetic changes could cause back pain by triggering the breakdown of the spine's shock absorbers. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Bristol studied zebrafish to understand this process. The study, published in Communications Biology, revealed spinal hardening in zebrafish lacking a specific gene. This points to phosphate handling and fat metabolism as promising future drug targets for IVDD. This research brings new hope for the 9.5 million people in the U.K. living with this common condition.

✨ ChatGPT gets major upgrade: new features for everyone

OpenAI is rolling out GPT-5.6 Sol for Plus/Pro users and unlimited GPT-5.6 Luna for Free users. These updates focus on making ChatGPT more direct and factually accurate across different tasks. Users can now control the model's reasoning speed via a new slider, from Instant to High. Internal tests show GPT-5.6 Sol reduced factual errors by 68% compared to GPT-5.5 Instant. Free users also get a 'Think' button for deeper reasoning on Luna. 🤖

🚭 Over 5.7 lakh fined for smoking in public across India

More than 5.7 lakh people received fines for smoking in public across India during 2025-26. Karnataka recorded the most challans at 1,59,041, followed by Rajasthan in the region. Authorities collected over Rs 5.1 crore in penalties under COTPA during this period. The Health Ministry noted that state governments primarily handle this enforcement, while the Centre provides guidelines. States like Assam and Manipur reported zero violations, showing enforcement differences.

💔 Influencer Sydney Towle Passes Away at 26

Influencer Sydney Towle has passed away at the age of 26 following a battle with cholangiocarcinoma. She was a content creator who inspired millions while documenting her rare cancer journey. Her family announced her passing on August 6, noting her three-year fight with the disease. Towle was passionate about raising awareness for rare cancers and promoting kindness. Her brother shared that she was very at peace when she entered hospice care.

🚶 Supreme Court says walking is a fundamental right

The Supreme Court declared that the right to walk safely on footpaths is a fundamental right in June. This ruling addresses the neglect of pedestrians in Indian cities, where about 45 million people walk to work daily. A 2019 survey showed 63% of all urban journeys were made on foot. These pedestrians often face risks because infrastructure is frequently poor and unsafe. Moving forward, the judgment challenges urban planning that prioritizes vehicles over people.

🚨 ClickFix malware steals crypto and passwords from macOS users

A Go-based malware, delivered via ClickFix attacks, is actively stealing cryptocurrency assets and sensitive data from macOS users. Security researchers at Huntress discovered this payload after responding to a ClickFix incident. The malware targets Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptos, affecting users around the time of detection. It can intercept and redirect transaction amounts rather than emptying wallets completely. Researchers noted the malware communicates with IP addresses linked to the sanctioned Russian corporation, Aeza Group. 💸

🔬 Topical Steroid Abuse Risks Examined

A prospective study investigated the cutaneous adverse effects associated with topical corticosteroid abuse. Researchers conducted this study at a tertiary care center to understand the impact. The findings were collected over a specific period, detailing the prevalence of side effects. This research aims to shed light on the dangers of misuse of these common medications. Further analysis will guide better patient care protocols moving forward. 🔬