✊ Bihar students clash over exam issues

Students marched towards Raj Bhavan in Patna, Bihar, clashing with police to demand the cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination. The protest also targeted the Teacher Recruitment Examination - Fourth Phase (TRE-4) process, demanding its immediate advertisement. These events occurred on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, amid widespread unrest. Protesters are demanding single-stage TRE 4.0 and action on BPSC and BSSC issues. The government announced 'Vidyarthi Sahyog Shivir' starting today to address student grievances. 😠

⚡ JSW MG Hector Tomahawk electric SUV debuts tomorrow

The Hector Tomahawk, a new electric SUV based on the Wuling Starlight 560, is set to debut in India tomorrow. This vehicle will enter the competitive seven-seater electric SUV space, featuring a sleek design and a minimalist cabin. It is expected to boast a 69.2 kWh battery, delivering 204 PS of power and a claimed range of 530 km. The Tomahawk is anticipated to include Level-2 ADAS and a large 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. It is projected to be priced around Rs 26 lakh (ex-showroom), facing rivals like the Tata Harrier EV. ⚡

✈️ All pilots might face annual drug tests soon

The aviation ministry is considering making annual dope tests mandatory for every pilot instead of the current 10% requirement. This move is being examined by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in New Delhi. The government needs to balance aviation safety with the operational impact of testing 100% of pilots. This discussion follows the recent incident where Air India flight AI2379 experienced a 300-foot altitude drop on August 4th. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently investigating the incident while DGCA holds stakeholder consultations. ✈️

⚖️ IBC appeals: Strict timelines rule over leniency

The Supreme Court ruled that no condonation of re-filing delay beyond 28 days is permitted for IBC appeals under Section 62. This decision emphasizes that the IBC's statutory timelines must prevail over general procedural rules in this context. For instance, an appeal must be defect-free within the limitation period to be validly instituted. Furthermore, the court stated that a CoC-approved Resolution Plan is binding, and SRAs cannot renegotiate agreed-upon LoI conditions. The CoC's decision to liquidate is also considered a valid exercise of commercial wisdom and is not open to judicial review. ⚖️

🎉 UPI hits 10 years, Modi praises digital leap 🇮🇳

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on Tuesday. This milestone highlights UPI's role in powering India's digital payments and financial inclusion. Its annual transaction volume soared from 1.78 crore in 2016-17 to over 24,162 crore in 2025-26. This represents an almost 13,000-fold increase in transactions since its August 25, 2016 launch. Citizens are now invited to share their personal experiences with this digital payment system.

🚀 China's hypersonic weapons pose threat to US air support

China has developed hypersonic glide vehicles capable of launching air-to-air missiles from vast distances. This new capability could endanger high-value US aircraft like tankers and surveillance planes, according to Bloomberg. A DF-17 missile can travel about 1,500 miles, nearing Guam, while the DF-27 can reach Hawaii with an estimated 5,000 miles range. These HGVs are hard to track because they can change direction while in the atmosphere. China has significantly increased its missile production as part of its broader military modernization efforts. 🛰️

🏏 Dhoni-CSK Relationship Strained Over Stake Talks

Reports suggest that the relationship between MS Dhoni and CSK is facing difficulties. The core issue stems from the breakdown of discussions regarding the club's stake. These talks were reportedly ongoing around the time of recent financial discussions. This situation creates uncertainty about future collaborations and roles within the franchise. Further developments in these stakeholder negotiations are eagerly awaited by fans. 🏏

🔬 Earth microbes might chill on the Moon's South Pole

NASA scientists found that certain Earth microbes could potentially survive in shadowed areas near the Moon's South Pole. This research was published on August 19, 2026, by a team from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The study examined microbes like Aspergillus niger across various lunar locations, including Nobile Rim. This raises concerns about human contamination when searching for life on Mars. Scientists view this situation as a potential experiment to test microbial limits. 🌕

🔬 Mars dream turns into deep-tech material game

Gadhadar Reddy initially dreamed of missions to Mars, which required lightweight and strong materials. When told it was 'not possible' in India in 2011, he founded NoPo Nanotechnologies. The Bengaluru-based startup now scales up single-walled carbon nanotubes for batteries and electronics. They recently inaugurated a pilot line aiming to be a major Asian production hub. The company is also studying its nanotubes for sodium-ion batteries. 🚀

🤖 AI model Skala is now live in CP2K platform

The Skala AI model, developed by Microsoft Research AI for Science, is now integrated into the open-source CP2K simulation platform. This collaboration began in early 2026 between Microsoft's division and the CP2K team at CASUS. Initial testing showed promising results in mid-August, confirming a noticeable leap in simulation accuracy. Skala functions as a new AI-based exchange-correlation functional, tackling DFT's computational limits. The model will soon support simulations of periodic solids and liquids, expanding research possibilities. 🧪

🌿 Parasites are like gene hackers 🧬

A new study reveals how parasitic plants can steal and then totally remodel useful genes from other species. Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University traced the CYP81Q gene, originally from a different flowering plant, into the parasitic dodder. This happened through horizontal gene transfer, allowing the dodder to gain the ability to produce sesamin, an antioxidant compound. Over time, "jumping DNA" altered the gene structure, yet its original function remained perfectly intact. This suggests gene evolution can continue inside parasites after initial transfer.