A study found that consuming one or more diet sodas daily may increase the risk of ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's dementia by nearly three times. The research tracked over 2,800 adults for ten years, highlighting a strong association between diet soda consumption and serious neurological conditions. Experts recommend moderation and suggest prioritizing water and natural beverages for daily hydration.

Several municipal corporations in India have ordered the closure of slaughterhouses and meat shops on August 15. Asaduddin Owaisi criticized this move, calling it "callous and unconstitutional" as it violates people's right to liberty, livelihood, culture, nutrition, and religion. Similar directives have been issued by municipalities in Maharashtra, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation.

Tamil Nadu's government started the 'Thayumanavar Scheme' on August 12, 2025, to deliver rations to senior citizens (over 70) and differently abled people at their homes. This ₹30.16 crore project uses special vehicles to deliver rice and sugar monthly through fair price shops. The scheme aims to help 21.7 lakh vulnerable people who have trouble getting to ration shops. It reflects Tamil Nadu's commitment to social welfare, ensuring no one is left behind.

Mumbai-based Manastu Space Technologies has secured $3 million in an extended Series A funding round to expand its sustainable propulsion and in-orbit refuelling technologies. The funds will be used to accelerate the commercial rollout of its green propulsion system and debris-avoidance solutions. The company aims to expand its global presence in the US, Europe, and Asia, capitalizing on India's growing private space economy.

The article cites several examples of how Trump has used tariffs to pressure countries into doing his bidding. For instance, he imposed high tariffs on South East Asian countries, including Laos and Myanmar, which rely heavily on exports. He also threatened to impose a 100% tariff on computer chips manufactured abroad, which would have significant implications for the global tech industry.

Shankar Sharma highlights a critical flaw in the Indian stock market: fragmented liquidity. He contrasts the market's current state with the Badla system era, abolished in 2001, which provided unified cash and futures liquidity. Sharma argues Badla's removal increased volatility and made markets manipulable. He suggests Jane Street exploited this illiquidity, buying index components to influence futures.

Arts Minister Burke opposes weakening copyright laws amid debate over AI training on copyrighted material. The Productivity Commission suggested an exception for text and data mining, sparking concern from authors like Peter Garrett, who fears cultural sovereignty erosion. Tech leaders argue outdated laws hinder AI development. Concerns rise over AI's impact on author revenue and recognition, with some advocating for AI authorship.

Namrata Batra made history by winning silver in women’s 52 kg sanda at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. She is the first Indian to win a Wushu medal at the World Games, defeating the Philippines in the semifinal before losing to China in the final. This achievement is celebrated nationwide and highlights India's growing presence in martial arts. Rishabh Yadav also won bronze in archery. This success may lead to more support for Wushu in India.

Agentic AI is revolutionizing business processes with intelligent, autonomous systems. Despite strong interest, most initiatives are still in the early stages. To realize its full potential, a shift from use cases to business processes and changes to AI architecture for interoperability are needed. Sigmoid is helping drive this change by providing comprehensive agentic AI services.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Election Commission of favoring the BJP by manipulating voter rolls in Bihar. He alleged BJP leader Nirmala Devi and her relatives possess multiple voter IDs in the same constituency. Yadav claimed names from other states were added to Bihar's voter list. He criticized the EC for not addressing the issue and suggested these actions contributed to the opposition's losses in past elections.