🏦 Bank holidays for Onam and Milad-un-Nabi this week

Banks are observing regional holidays on August 25th and August 26th due to Onam and Milad-un-Nabi. In Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, banks are closed on Tuesday, August 25th for First Onam. On Wednesday, August 26th, many states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu will be closed for Milad-un-Nabi, with Kerala also observing Thiruvonam. The RBI calendar shows three regional bank holidays between August 24 and August 30. Online banking remains fully operational despite physical branch closures during these dates. 📱

📡 Singtel eyes India's satellite market with FDI push 📡

Singtel is aiming to enter India's growing satellite communications market through its Indian subsidiary, Singapore Telecom India. The company has officially sought Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approval from the Centre to expand its scope to include satcom services. This move comes as global players like Starlink, Amazon, and Jio are also in line to compete in this space. Singtel plans to leverage a network of 36-38 GEO satellites and partner with players like Starlink. The Indian space economy is projected to hit $44 billion by 2033, making this a high-stakes venture.

🌊 ₹41 Cr drain project targets Chennai flooding

A major stormwater drain network is set to be built from Otteri Nullah Zero Point to the Cooum river along Jawaharlal Nehru Salai. This project is being undertaken by the Greater Chennai Corporation in the western parts of the city. The estimated cost for this drain construction is ₹41 crore, with support coming from a German bank. This new infrastructure aims to prevent flooding issues in areas like Villivakkam, Ambattur, Korattur, Padi, and Anna Nagar West during monsoon season. Other large-scale urban development initiatives were also announced during the Tamil Nadu Budget session.

📢 Youth group protests school gaps in Deoria

Activists from Justice Morcha marched to the DM office in Deoria on Monday, August 24, 2026, demanding better basic school infrastructure. The group protested after a member, Rajat Singh, faced an FIR for filming poor government school conditions. The FIR, lodged on August 22 by the block education officer, was under BNS sections 329(4) and 353(2). Activists questioned the government's claims about school improvements and potential corruption. They are now pushing for accountability regarding infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh.

🚢 Oil tanker hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz

An oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported this early on Tuesday. The projectile damaged the engine room and disabled the vessel, but there were no casualties. The tanker's master confirmed the hit in an online statement. Authorities are now investigating the incident to determine the source. 🚢

🪐 NASA's starshade could let us see rocky exoplanets

NASA is developing a starshade technology to allow astronomers to directly image rocky exoplanets. This innovative project involves advanced space instrumentation planned for deployment. The technology aims to achieve this by blocking the glare of host stars, a process expected to take several years. Direct imaging is crucial for studying the atmospheres and potential habitability of these distant worlds. Future missions utilizing this tech will revolutionize exoplanet research. 🪐

🛡️ Canada targets US with new tariffs after Trump threats

Canada is preparing to announce retaliatory tariffs against the United States on Tuesday. This escalation is happening after negotiations between Ottawa and the Trump administration collapsed. Trump threatened 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods on Monday. PM Mark Carney stated that the US wanted to dismantle major Canadian industries, making the deal a bad one. Canada is now seeking reliable trading partners globally, excluding the United States. 🇨🇦

🚨 Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket licenses suspended over toxic food

Karnataka authorities have suspended the food licenses of major online retailers. This action targets Amazon, Instamart, and BigBasket operating within the state. The suspension was initiated following the sale of poisonous Datura plants through these platforms. The move comes after public health concerns were raised regarding the availability of dangerous items online. Authorities are now investigating the lapses in quality control across these e-commerce giants.

🔭 Meteorite dust reveals sun formation secrets

Scientists have studied meteorite dust that contains historical records of magnetism. Researchers from the University of Arizona analyzed samples collected from various meteorite sites across the globe. The dust exhibits magnetic signatures dating back billions of years, offering crucial insights. This magnetic data suggests a potential role in the initial formation process of our Sun. Future research aims to further decode these ancient magnetic patterns. 🔭

🚀 Green rocket thruster ditches catalyst for electric ignition

Scientists successfully tested a green rocket thruster using ammonium dinitramide fuel without a traditional catalyst. This experimental system, tested at room temperature, used an electric arc to assist combustion. The test involved a 30-second hot-fire run achieving 0.93 megapascals in chamber pressure. The design shows potential by skipping long preheating times but still faces high electrical demands. Future work will focus on improving the ignition system and fuel formulations for efficiency. 🚀

🧐 Trump eyeing new 7.5% tariff on China

President Donald Trump is considering imposing a new tariff on China due to its flooding of the global market with cheap goods. This potential action involves the world's second-largest economy, and sources suggest a 7.5% tariff level is being discussed. This move is being evaluated to ensure it doesn't jeopardize the one-year trade truce or the planned White House meeting with President Xi Jinping. The administration is deliberating these trade measures internally before any final announcements are made. Further details on the policy shift are anticipated as trade talks continue. 🧐