🦠 Backyard feeding could spread bird flu 🦠

Backyard bird feeding poses a risk for spreading the H5N1 bird flu virus in Australia. Research shows about half of Australian households feed wild birds, leading to high congregation at feeders. The virus has already killed over 1,000 crested terns and one mainland mammal. This practice concentrates different species, creating transmission hotspots that threaten native wildlife. People are advised to stop feeding or take precautions like offering less food.

🏗️ AP govt assures court on Google-Adani data center impact

The Andhra Pradesh government informed the High Court that the construction of Google-Adani data centers will not negatively impact the environment. The petition had requested a halt in construction pending thorough environmental impact studies. This concerns the proposed data centers located in Vishakapatnam. The government stated it is taking all necessary steps to ensure eco-friendly development. This addresses the legal challenge brought before the court on Monday. 🏗️

🔭 Starless planet detected drifting in Milky Way

Astronomers used microlensing data to measure the mass of an object without a host star. This object, designated KMT-2024-BLG-0792/OGLE-2024-BLG-0516, is located about 3.05 kiloparsecs away from Earth. The measurement, reported in January 2026, places its mass at roughly 0.22 Jupiter masses, which is less than Saturn. The detection involved observations from the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network and the Gaia spacecraft. Future imaging might reveal a companion, but the object is currently described as gravitationally unbound.

🏏 India dominates Sri Lanka in Colombo Test 🏏

India took control of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, leading by 495 runs at Stumps on Day 2. Dhruv Jurel's second Test century helped India declare at 503/9, while Rishabh Pant hit a massive six. Sri Lanka lost an opener and a nightwatchman during fading light conditions. Rain interruptions affected the match flow, forcing early tea and later resumption. The home side lost two wickets shortly after play resumed in the evening.

🕉️ Ekadashi fast: Do married women have to skip it?

The belief that married women should skip Ekadashi fasting, unlike widows, is questioned by spiritual leaders. Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja cited King Ambarisa as an example of a devoted married ruler observing the fast. Furthermore, Shri Rajendra Das Ji Maharaj stated that no scriptural basis supports this prohibition for married women. He emphasized that devotion is the core, not marital status, in the observance. Ultimately, individual traditions and circumstances guide how Ekadashi is practiced.

📈 India aims for 1,580 Suzukis in Japan trip

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is pushing for massive investment during a delegation trip to Japan. This 220-plus member Indian delegation is in Japan from August 24-27 to boost trade ties and review the 2011 pact. Goyal stated India wants "1,580 Suzukis," noting Suzuki's India business exceeds its Japanese parent's market cap. Japan has targeted a $62 billion investment in India over the next decade, with $1.2 billion already poured in. Future talks will focus on semiconductors, mobility, and reducing the bilateral trade deficit. 🇯🇵

🇷🇺 Putin hopes to meet Modi at SCO summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated his plan to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the upcoming SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This was shared during a meeting between Putin and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar at the Kremlin in Moscow on August 24, 2026. Putin expressed his hope to meet Modi as previously planned during the annual summit later this year. Jaishankar also conveyed Modi's anticipation of meeting Putin at SCO and later welcoming him to India for the BRICS Summit. Furthermore, bilateral trade between India and Russia is targeted to reach US $100 billion by 2030. 🤝

🏏 SL gets salty after umpiring call in India vs Sri Lanka Test

Prabath Jayasuriya showed his displeasure after umpires allowed play to continue despite bad light during Day 2 of the second Test. This incident occurred in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Day 2 of the match. The day ended with Sri Lanka at 8/2, trailing India by 495 runs as the stumps were called. The umpire decision led to Jayasuriya throwing his gloves in the dressing room, showing the team was disgruntled. India continued to dominate, having declared their first innings at 503/9. 🏏

🏒 Draisaitl backs Babcock for Oilers' next season

Leon Draisaitl publicly supported Mike Babcock as the new head coach for the Edmonton Oilers for the 2026-27 NHL season. Babcock replaced the dismissed Kris Knoblauch after the Oilers lost to the Anaheim Ducks in the first round. The Oilers finished 41-30-11 in the 2025-26 regular season, placing second in the Pacific Division. Draisaitl expects Babcock to bring accountability and structure to turn talent into a consistent identity. This signals the core of the team expects Babcock's demanding approach for a new start. 🏒

😒 Revanth Reddy slams Modi over US visit denial

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy criticized the Union government for blocking his planned trip to the United States. He stated this denial occurred despite the Ministry of External Affairs clearing his UK visit. The MEA denied the US travel while Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel was cleared to visit the US and Canada from August 17 to 24. Reddy accused the central government of political bias, claiming they feared his tour might hinder Telangana’s development. He announced his MPs would raise this issue in Parliament. 😒

🖥️ 5 projector setup mistakes to avoid before buying

Choosing the right projector involves more than just checking 4K and brightness specs. Buyers often misinterpret brightness figures because manufacturers use different measurements like ANSI or ISO lumens. Proper room consideration dictates the required brightness, with dark rooms needing less than brightly lit ones. Furthermore, the projection technology, like DLP or LCD, impacts image quality and performance characteristics. Ultimately, these setup details are crucial for achieving a great home cinema experience. 🎬