🛡️ WhatsApp's Scam Alert rolls out to Android beta users

WhatsApp has rolled out its new Scam Alert feature to beta users on Android devices. This update was discovered by WABetaInfo on WhatsApp beta version 2.26.34.1. The feature warns users about incoming messages that appear to be scams from unknown senders. Users can then mark the sender as trusted, block, or report the message, with optional data sharing. Meta clarified this optional feature uses an on-device machine learning model to enhance security.

🌊 Pilgrims narrowly escape Nepal floods 🌊

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims recounted their close call with devastating floods in Nepal. Bajranga Laxman and Sneha Pandey mentioned leaving the affected areas on August 16th to avoid worse conditions. The disaster has resulted in a death toll of 675, with 2,418 people still missing or out of contact as of the latest report. This tragedy is impacting the Rasuwa Bhote Koshi region, where Chitwan recorded the highest fatalities with 246 bodies recovered. India is actively providing assistance, including deploying technical teams and sending over 57 tonnes of relief material.

🏏 Anaya Bangar on athletic changes post-transition

Transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar is cleared to play Community Cricket in Australia and aims for the WBBL. She shared that her transition requires renewed vigor to play after losing her former athletic edge. The 25-year-old noted that hormone treatment can lead to muscle loss and diminished capabilities. She mentioned that scientific evidence supports the inclusion guidelines set by Cricket Australia. Bangar is now focused on training and performing in the high-quality Australian cricket setup. 🏏

🏎️ Tom Cruise is back for Days of Thunder sequel 🏁

Tom Cruise is officially returning to the big screen with the sequel to 'Days of Thunder'. He is teaming up with Anne Hathaway for this new project. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 2, 2028, and will be directed by Jonathan Levine. This sequel will be shot specifically for IMAX screens, picking up from the original 1990 movie. Cruise will also appear in the new film 'Digger' releasing in October.

🔬 Fifth grader designs novel, high-energy molecule

A fifth-grader in Kansas City built a unique ball-and-stick molecule during science class. The student, Clara Lazen, at Border Star Montessori School presented her structure to her teacher, Kenneth Boehr. This occurred around January 2012, and the model was sent to a professor, Robert Zoellner, for analysis. Zoellner confirmed the structure, dubbed tetranitratoxycarbon, matched known ratios but was a never-before-described arrangement. This hypothetical molecule suggested high energy potential, leading to a peer-reviewed publication. ⚛️

🏛️ MP BJP plans Gen Z push for 2028 polls

The BJP's Madhya Pradesh working committee meeting in Orchha will shape its "Mission 2028" roadmap. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and senior leaders are attending this two-day event starting Sunday. The focus includes strengthening grassroots organization and targeting Gen-Z voters against recent protests. This strategy aims to address youth concerns after recent electoral setbacks in the state. The party plans to develop a broad framework for engaging younger generations moving forward. 🗳️

🦾 New 'skin' warns users about bad pressure in prosthetics

Scientists in China developed a bioinspired sensor layer that acts like artificial skin inside prosthetic sockets. This prototype was tested on robotic hands and three participants with lower-limb amputations. The system identifies harmful pressure patterns by combining rapid and pain-inspired signal pathways. It successfully detected discomfort events with 86.4% and 90.9% accuracy in preliminary tests. Future work needs to miniaturize the device and conduct larger studies to ensure real-world practicality. 🦾

🇮🇳 Modi's vision meets India's growth reality

Narendra Modi's ambition to transform India into a developed nation faces challenges from the country's current growth disparity. This vision is being pursued by the Indian government across various sectors of the economy. The government aims to achieve specific targets by the year 2047, aligning with long-term development plans. However, existing infrastructural and economic gaps are creating significant hurdles to this aspiration. Future policies will need to address these structural issues to keep the development dream on track. 🇮🇳

📚 Caste history in memoir, homes without windows

Chandu Maheria’s memoir, Homes Without Windows, reveals personal stories rooted in India’s caste history. The book details the struggles of Maheria and his siblings from the chamar community in Gujarat. Incidents from 1964 or 1965 illustrate deep-seated social inequality and deprivation. Maheria discusses the daily dilemmas of poverty, including sanitation issues in their chawl. His narrative explores migration, riots from 1981 and 1985, and the impact of caste discrimination.

⚖️ Scholar Priyanshu Kashyap serves another year in jail

Adivasi scholar Priyanshu Kashyap has completed another year serving time in jail. He is incarcerated due to the Lucknow Conspiracy Case, which is currently being contested. The case involved various allegations, but activists strongly suggest it is completely bogus. These activists are calling for his immediate release from custody. The legal battle over his detention is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. ⚖️

🏛️ CJI says courts beat digital arrest scams before Parliament

The Chief Justice of India stated that the Indian judiciary took swift action against the digital arrest scam. This action occurred while he was speaking in London regarding economic crime issues. The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and states to assess the scam and consider a separate offence with relevant penalties. This shows the judiciary proactively handles new fraud schemes instead of waiting for legislative changes. The courts consistently uphold due process, proportionality, and the presumption of innocence in their rulings.