🐘 Andhra Zoos to get Mandai Wildlife Reserve makeover

The Andhra Pradesh Legislature Committee on Wildlife & Environment Protection presented its first report on Thursday, August 20, 2026. This report focused on improving Sri Venkateswara and Indira Gandhi Zoological Parks in Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. The committee suggested developing both zoos on the lines of Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve, alongside other upgrades. Specific plans include mobilizing ₹3 crore from MPLADS for the Vizag park and securing ₹3 crore per annum from TTD for SVZP. These recommendations aim to boost tourism and conservation efforts across both major parks. 🐘

🗳️ Congress backs TN govt on seat freeze

Former Congress leader P Chidambaram stated that the party wants the current allocation of 543 Lok Sabha seats to remain unchanged for the next 25 years. This position aligns with resolutions passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the Congress Working Committee. Chief Minister Joseph Vijay raised concerns about the Delimitation Bill, 2026, fearing southern states might lose representation. This concern is rising as the freeze based on the 1971 Census nears its end. Southern states want to avoid penalties despite controlling population growth. 🗳️

🎤 Awarapan 2 producer defends decision on Mustafa Zahid

Producer Vishesh Bhatt stated that Pakistani singer Mustafa Zahid was not brought back for Awarapan 2 despite singing in the original film. The decision was based on creative choices and the prevailing 'climate' surrounding the sequel. Bhatt suggested that sometimes talent can be 'gaslit' by fans regarding their contribution. Mustafa Zahid later acknowledged that the film opening with his original song gave him dignity. The sequel, starring Emraan Hashmi, has been a huge box-office success so far. 🎬

🎮 COD MW4 Beta Drop: Know the Patch Notes First

The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 beta patch notes for week 1 have been released with key details for players. To join the online mode, players must enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 on their PC. The beta features four maps, six modes, and 14 weapons are available during Weekend 1. Progress is tracked through XP, with the level cap being Level 20 in Weekend 1 and Level 30 in Weekend 2. Players should check the requirements before diving into the action.

🔋 Vivo V80 Lite 5G launches in Malaysia soon

Vivo has officially confirmed the launch of the Vivo V80 Lite 5G in Malaysia on September 3rd. This new Malaysian edition features a massive 10,000mAh battery, which is a first for Vivo outside of China. Initial details show it will be available in pink and green shades and supports 44W fast charging. The device is expected to run on Android 16 with 6GB of RAM, using the Dimensity 7300e chipset. Other regional versions might have different specs, like the 8GB RAM variant.

📉 Options Trading Dip: 90% Still Losing Out, SEBI Says

Retail Futures and Options (F&O) trading saw a massive surge of 76% during Fiscal Year 2026. This growth occurred within the Indian market, according to revelations from SEBI. Despite the increase, the data shows that approximately 9 out of 10 options traders are still incurring losses. This trend highlights significant risk exposure among the general retail investor base. SEBI is now looking into measures to protect these participants from further losses. 📉

🎮 Modern Warfare 4 open beta dates and loot

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is launching an open beta ahead of its October 23, 2026 release. Preload for the beta starts on August 21 at 11 AM PT, with early access beginning August 21, 2026, for pre-purchasers. The open beta itself kicks off on August 28, 2026, across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. Players can earn cosmetic rewards like the 'Dread Tiger' Operator Skin by reaching Level 20 during the two weekends. Additional items are also available through various challenges during this testing phase.

😠 India's young voters are a political force now

Frustrated by jobs and exams, India's young voters are emerging as a major political force across the country. This trend is visible from West Bengal to Ranchi, where protests demand systemic fairness. In Bengal, a teacher recruitment scandal led to the scrapping of 2016 panels by the Calcutta High Court in April 2024. Meanwhile, in Ranchi, protests against JPSC/JSSC irregularities were fueled by a 16-day hunger strike. Political leaders are now scrambling to address these growing demands before the 2029 elections. 😠

🔥 Kangana Ranaut clashes with Sharmila Tagore on 'Vande Mataram'

Kangana Ranaut reacted to Sharmila Tagore's comments regarding 'Vande Mataram' on Thursday via her Instagram Stories. Ranaut respected Tagore's right to reservations but disagreed with the narrow religious interpretation of the national song. She argued that the poem by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay reflects the spirit of India's freedom struggle and inner strength. Ranaut urged everyone to move beyond a 'Hindu-Muslim mindset' when discussing its artistic symbolism. This debate surfaced after BJP accused Congress leaders of disrespecting the song during August 15 celebrations.

🎨 160 artists paint India's longest Mithila canvas

Nearly 160 artists and students collaborated to create India’s longest Mithila painting in Saurath village, Madhubani district. The artwork measures an immense 108 metres long and 1 metre wide, featuring 51 scenes from the Ramayana. This epic undertaking merges ancient folk art tradition with a massive modern scale. The painting was unveiled around India's Independence Day in August 2026. Now, challenges remain regarding the display and long-term preservation of this huge piece. 🎨

🤴 Former salesman becomes prince in Belgium

A 26-year-old former car salesman, Clement Vandenkerckhove, has been legally recognized as the son of Prince Laurent of Belgium. This recognition occurred after a discreet civil ceremony several months ago, confirming paternity which was publicly acknowledged in September 2025. A DNA test showed a 99.5 per cent match between the two individuals. The new status makes him eligible to inherit Prince Laurent's private estate, but not the Belgian throne. He is not expected to undertake official royal duties or receive a state allowance. 👑