☢️ US considering nukes on Iran, says Greene

Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that the Trump administration is discussing nuclear weapons against Iran. This statement was made during a hearing with the House Committee on Homeland Security in Washington, DC. The conflict began on February 28th, resulting in thousands of Iranian civilian deaths and disrupted energy supplies. Greene criticized the government for considering escalation despite Trump claiming victories in the war. She warned that further action could lead to a global nuclear holocaust. ☢️

📜 President signs bill to rename Kerala to Keralam

President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, making the change official. This legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 11, 2026, and the Rajya Sabha the following day. The bill officially changes the State of Kerala to the State of Keralam, as proposed by the Kerala government. The Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution urging this name change to the Centre back in June 2024. The amendment will modify the name in the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3. 📜

🧠 Wordle hints for August 18, 2026 are here

The New York Times has released the Wordle hints for the specific date of August 18, 2026. These clues are available to players trying to guess the daily word. The hints are part of the ongoing daily game series. Players are encouraged to use these tips for a better guessing experience. This continues the tradition of the daily word puzzle.

🧠 Sometimes vice helps build virtue

Philosophers suggest that developing good character sometimes involves engaging with vices. Aristotle described moral virtue as a mean between two extremes, like courage between cowardice and rashness. He advised deliberately moving away from a fault by overshooting it, similar to fixing warped wood. This method, like using hypothermia for heatstroke, can build habits but isn't the full picture. A recent seminar showed students practicing overcorrection for open-mindedness.

👑 Duleep Singh exhibit misses some princesses

Readers commented on an exhibition about Duleep Singh princesses, noting that it excluded the youngest daughters, Princesses Pauline and Irene. This happened at the exhibition, which was noted for covering the family's history. The princesses were the last-born, and the coverage felt incomplete to some readers. Critics also pointed out the issue of Duleep Singh archive being in private collections. The feedback highlighted the need for more inclusive historical representation. 🧐

⛽ Expert suggests bringing back E10 petrol blend

India's Chief Economic Adviser has suggested the government reconsider bringing back lower ethanol blended fuel options. This proposal concerns the existing vehicle and two-wheeler fleet across the world's most populous country. Currently, E20 fuel is the sole option, introduced last year, and this opinion piece was published on Monday. The move would calm public concern and protect the current fleet while the retrofit program progresses. This suggestion comes as the Ministry of Petroleum previously ruled out multiple gasoline grades.

🏏 National Champions Cup 2026 Final preview 🏆

The final of the National Champions Cup 2026 is set for August 18th between Pakistan Greens and Pakistan Gold at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan Greens finished first in the league stage, while Pakistan Gold secured the second spot. Fakhar Zaman is the top scorer for Greens, and Haider Ali leads Gold with 144 runs. Predictions favor Pakistan Greens to win this high-stakes match. The teams have showcased strong form throughout the tournament leading up to this clash.

🚜 Mahindra's new pickup aims at Hilux with lower price

Mahindra unveiled the Scorpio Lifestyler pickup, a ladder-frame model targeting global midsize trucks. This model will launch worldwide in 2027, with Indian pricing starting under 19.79 lakh ($20,700). The pickup features a beefed-up chassis, expected to run on 2.0L gasoline or 2.2L diesel engines. Its main advantage is the aggressive pricing, significantly beating rivals like the Toyota Hilux. The Lifestyler will be sold across multiple international markets besides India. 🚚

⚠️ Gas leak tragedy at Mahad chemical factory

Two people, including an employee, passed away after a gas leak occurred at the Indo Amines manufacturing facility. This incident took place in Mahad, a city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The fatalities occurred on Saturday, and a third person died during medical treatment at a neighboring unit. The exact cause and circumstances of the gas leakage remain currently unknown to authorities. Indo Amines has temporarily suspended operations while a full assessment of the situation is underway.

🗳️ Ram Madhav named BJP VP ahead of big elections

The BJP announced new office-bearers ahead of crucial assembly elections across several states. Ram Madhav was appointed as one of the 13 national vice presidents, alongside Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Tirath Singh Rawat. These appointments, approved by National President Nitin Nabin, include 16 national secretaries across the party. The party is balancing young leaders with veterans while ensuring representation from various regions and communities. The BJP chief expressed confidence that this team will boost the organization for a 'Viksit Bharat.'

🔊 Bose vs JBL vs Sony soundbar dilemma

The author found it tough to choose between Bose, JBL, and Sony soundbars after hearing them out. The comparison involved using the author's owned JBL soundbar alongside experiences with Bose and Sony in other homes. Specific product details like the JBL Cinema SB271 and JBL Bar 800 Pro were mentioned in the context. The author felt JBL brings fun and bass, while Bose impressed with clarity and dialogue balance. This subjective comparison highlights how different brands appeal to various home viewing needs. 🎧