💥 CRPF vehicle collides with truck in J&K

At least seven people were injured in a head-on collision involving a truck and a CRPF mini-truck. The accident happened on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Levdura in Qazigund on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Specifically, five CRPF personnel, including four officers, sustained injuries during the crash. The truck's driver and conductor also suffered injuries from the incident. All the injured individuals were taken to a hospital and their conditions are reported as stable.

📱 Govt sent mass blocking orders to social media platforms

The government issued nearly 1.95 lakh blocking orders across social media platforms between March and July this year. These orders were primarily directed at Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, with Instagram receiving the most. This intense activity averaged one order every 68 seconds during that five-month period. The surge followed student protests in Delhi and showed a massive increase from last year's low figures. Moving forward, the government may expand its content takedown powers to more ministries. 😟

🔬 AI made 16 brand new viruses at Stanford

Researchers at Stanford University created 16 functional viruses not found in nature using artificial intelligence this month. The work involved Brian Hie and Samuel King, who are studying solutions for antibiotic resistance that was a threat in places like Israel. The AI model, EVO 2, generated thousands of genomes, leading to 16 viable bacteriophages designed to target bacteria. These new phages could lead to better antibiotics because a mixture is harder for bacteria to resist. However, some scientists caution that the open-source AI needs stricter global oversight to prevent misuse. 🦠

📉 Batwara 1947 sees big drop on first Monday

Batwara 1947 is struggling at the box office following its release. The film, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, saw a major earnings drop on its first Monday. On Day 4, it collected a net of ₹2.00 crore across 6,771 shows in India. The total India net collections now stand at ₹28.50 crore, with worldwide gross hitting ₹40.20 crore. Next, the film continues its run, despite the recent dip in earnings.

🚨 Bihar govt tells SC about AK-47 firing during protests

The Bihar government informed the Supreme Court that a police constable fired an AK-47 during recent student protests in Siwan. Constable Abhishek Kumar allegedly fired four rounds into the air on July 25 near JP Chowk after getting trapped by the crowd. The state claimed no protestors were injured by the AK-47, though three suffered minor injuries from other police action. Kumar has since been suspended and faces departmental proceedings for his conduct. The government also reported 69 FIRs and 500 arrests across the state between July 22 and July 25.

🧬 Helicase: The DNA's molecular zipper 🧬

Helicase acts as a molecular motor enzyme that unwinds double-stranded nucleic acids during critical processes. This enzyme operates in cells, specifically initiating DNA replication by breaking hydrogen bonds between complementary strands. The process involves helicase traversing the DNA while hydrolyzing ATP, forming a replication fork. Beyond replication, helicase is vital for transcription, genome stability, and DNA repair mechanisms. Further research into helicases is crucial for advancing biotechnology and understanding genomic health.

🤝 Minister invites Dipke to join NDA faction

Union minister Ramdas Athawale offered CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke a spot in his RPI (A) party. This offer was made on Monday, urging Dipke to join the BJP-led NDA faction to fulfill Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's dream. Athawale suggested Dipke should consider joining given his Ambedkarite background and activity. The minister also stated the government believes wrongdoers must be punished, referencing recent protests. Dipke has not responded yet, despite previously stating people have lost faith in electoral politics.

😥 Govinda shares heartbreaking memory of losing young daughter

Actor Govinda shared a deeply emotional memory regarding the passing of his infant daughter. The tragedy occurred when their baby girl died at just three months old due to underdeveloped lungs. This happened between the births of his children Tina in 1989 and Yashvardhan in 1997. Govinda recalled immersing her body in the Narmada River during Navratri, a moment that deeply impacted him. This painful loss also influenced how Sunita Ahuja raised their son, Yashvardhan, years later. 😥

😠 NGT slams Kerala PCB over river pollution report

The National Green Tribunal rejected the Kerala State Pollution Control Board's latest report regarding the Kadambrayar River pollution. The NGT found the report incomplete and non-compliant with its directive on environmental compensation assessment. The board submitted its findings on June 19, 2026, detailing inspections from May 25, 2026, to June 3, 2026. The Southern Bench expressed displeasure, noting the report lacked necessary details and verification. The NGT has now asked the PCB to file a better report by September 11, 2026. 😠

🏞️ Delhi creator tries mountain life, returns after 2 months

Gen Z content creator Ajay Sharma moved from Delhi to Sial village in Manali to test mountain life in May. He stayed for about 71 days, from May 23, 2026, until August 2, documenting his experience. His monthly expenses were around Rs 21,000, covering rent and food. However, unexpected network outages and isolation eventually led him to return to Delhi. Ajay is now planning his next adventure exploring life by the beach. 🏞️

🛑 Bengaluru ORR body rejects WFH, halts road revamp

The Outer Ring Road (ORR) firms' body has officially rejected the Work From Home (WFH) proposal. This decision was made by the body in Bengaluru, Karnataka. They are calling for a halt on the Rs 450-crore road revamp project until the metro line becomes operational. This move comes amidst ongoing debates about urban infrastructure and commuting challenges. The body is now pushing for a review of the current road development plan.