🧐 US body calls for RSS sanctions before Bhagwat visit

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has demanded sanctions against the RSS due to alleged attacks on religious minorities. This body is led by Asif Mahmood, a Pakistan-born American citizen, and operates in the US. USCIRF has repeatedly accused India of persecuting minorities, notably mentioning Christians and Muslims. The commission stated that RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat should not receive high-level diplomatic courtesies in the US. These moves come despite the US Ambassador asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. 🧐

🐧 Dead penguins spark H5N1 fears in Tasmania

A flock of 28 dead penguins and three greater crested terns were discovered on King Island, off Tasmania's coast. Officials are testing the birds for the H5N1 avian influenza strain after the discovery on Wednesday. As of Thursday, there were 11 confirmed H5N1 cases in Tasmania, which is their first case of the highly pathogenic strain. This follows the initial detection on the Australian mainland in June. Authorities advise Tasmanians to keep pets indoors to minimize infection risks moving forward.

⚽ Barcelona meets agent to push player exits

FC Barcelona is stepping up transfer efforts with Jorge Mendes visiting today to finalize deals. Mendes' initial priority is cementing Joao Cancelo's return to the club, which is expected to be announced soon. Furthermore, the agent will discuss Marc Casado's departure with Deco and Joan Laporta. Barcelona wants to gauge offers for the La Masia midfielder to create squad and financial space. These internal moves aim to clear room before the club targets a needed centre-forward. 🏃‍♂️

🕊️ Peace icon Niketu Iralu passes away at 91

The renowned peace activist Niketu Iralu passed away on August 18 in Delhi after a life dedicated to healing Naga society. He hailed from Khonoma, Nagaland, a village also linked to the father of Naga insurgency, Angami Zapu Phizo. Iralu, born in 1935, worked for peace for six decades, notably with the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio praised his wisdom, calling his passing a profound loss for the Naga people. His body reached Dimapur and he will be laid to rest in Kohima district.

💳 UPI charges debate moves to executive control

Parliament passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, removing the automatic shield protecting UPI and RuPay debit from charges. This change, affecting Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, now lets the government decide on fees. The yearly infrastructure cost for UPI and RuPay debit is estimated to be as high as ₹20,000 crore, which is growing. While the Finance Minister assures low-value payments will stay free, the actual framework is not in the Bill. The next step involves a steering committee under NPCI to issue the final notification. 💸

🍅 Tomato Power for Liver Health? New Study Says So 🍅

A new POMOSANO study investigated if daily tomato consumption could impact liver fat in individuals with MASLD. Researchers recruited 79 adults with MASLD and monitored them over six weeks in a randomized trial. The group eating 200 grams of raw tomatoes daily saw a median liver-fat score drop of 35 units, compared to 18 units in the control group. This change occurred without significant differences in body weight, suggesting tomatoes might have a direct effect. Further, cooking tomatoes can boost lycopene absorption, which is a key compound in these benefits.

🔋 India's battery recycling market set to hit $1.32B

India's battery recycling market is set to balloon to USD 1.32 billion by 2034, fueled by EV adoption and waste regulations. This market is currently valued at USD 603.9 Million in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8.65% from 2026 to 2034. Rapid EV sales and strict Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR 2022) are major drivers for this industry. Lead-acid batteries currently dominate at 46.8% share, while Lithium-ion batteries are the fastest growing segment. Companies like Gravita India Ltd and Exide Industries Ltd are key players in this evolving sector. 🔋

📱 Sony Xperia 10 VIII details leak before launch

A new mid-range Sony Xperia smartphone, the Xperia 10 VIII, has surfaced in an early benchmark leak. This device is from Sony and is expected to be released globally. The Geekbench listing revealed the XQ-GH54 model uses the same chipset as the Xperia 10 VII and comes with 8 GB of RAM. Sony has officially confirmed the launch date for this new Xperia 10 on August 25 at 02:00 UTC. Pricing and final design details are still unannounced for the upcoming release. 📱

🐦 Farmer's farm sees bird comeback after 30 years

A farmer in King Island, Tasmania, started restoring land he once cleared after his children urged him to protect nature. For almost three decades, Fred Perry and Shona Perry have been replanting native species on Millwood Station. This effort has resulted in 24 bird species living on the farm year-round. The changes have also led to improved water quality in local creeks. Perry now uses the bird colonies as a vital indicator for the farm's ecology. 🌿

💡 Harvard dropouts' chip startup is poaching from Nvidia

Etched, a chip startup founded by three 24-year-old Harvard dropouts, is now attracting talent from major tech firms. The company has secured Jane Street as its first client and booked over $1 billion in orders, starting to ship its AI chips. Previously, investors warned against backing young founders in the semiconductor space, citing high industry challenges. Etched has since raised almost $2 billion, with a recent $700 million round valuing it at $21 billion. The startup, which has about 400 employees, is actively hiring experienced engineers, including many from Nvidia. 🚀

🦟 Dengue vaccine for India coming via Germany production

Takeda’s dengue vaccine, TAK-003, has received approval in India, marking a big step for dengue prevention in Asia Pacific. The initial supply will be manufactured at Takeda’s facility in Singen, Germany, with a partnership also involving IDT Biologika GmbH. The vaccine is expected to become available in India during the first half of 2027, pending local registrations. Takeda aims for a global capacity of 100 million doses annually by 2030. This development is crucial as dengue transmission remains a complex public health challenge. 🦟