🤔 Dhanush entering Vijay's political turf in TN?

Tamil Nadu witnessed a big political shift with Thalapathy Vijay becoming the Chief Minister of the state. Actor Dhanush is now reportedly preparing for his own political entry into the scene. He recently held a public event distributing resources and gave a speech aligning with the BJP. Dhanush's organization is now starting activities in Coimbatore, an area previously dominated by Vijay's TVK party. This has led to speculation about Dhanush targeting Vijay's strongholds.

💻 Xeon 678X: Windows 11 vs Ubuntu 26.04 test

A performance comparison was conducted between Windows 11 Pro and Ubuntu 26.04 LTS on the new HP Z4 G6i workstation. This machine is powered by the Intel Xeon 678X processor and features 4 x 32GB DDR5-6400 memory. The testing included both the out-of-the-box Windows setup and a clean install of Ubuntu with its Linux 7.0 kernel. The comparison aimed to check OS performance on the Granite Rapids WS hardware. More Intel Xeon 678X benchmarks on Linux will be shared in future articles.

🛡️ Ransomware gangs exploiting SonicWall SMA1000 flaws

CISA has confirmed that ransomware gangs are actively exploiting two recently patched SonicWall SMA1000 vulnerabilities, including a severe SSRF flaw. This issue affects the enterprise-grade secure remote access gateway used by many large corporations and government agencies. The vulnerabilities, CVE-2026-15409 and CVE-2026-15410, were patched in mid-July, but attacks began as early as June 22 by a threat actor. CISA added these flaws to its KEV Catalog on July 14, mandating patches for FCEB agencies. Companies are urged to upgrade immediately to mitigate the significant risks posed by these active exploits. 🛡️

⛽ Ethanol-diesel blend fails safety tests, rollout paused

Ethanol-blended diesel failed required safety specifications because the added ethanol sharply lowered the fuel's flash point. This finding was reported by the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, on Monday. Scientific evaluations by OMCs showed the blend did not meet the diesel flash-point specification. India is currently focusing its ethanol blending program on petrol with a 20 per cent target. Any future increase in blending will depend on detailed technical studies. ⛽

😟 Man electrocuted in boar trap in Kerala

A 33-year-old man named Ravi Prasad was found dead in a paddy field at Thathanappully, Kulukkallur. He was allegedly electrocuted by a live-wire trap meant for wild boars. This incident happened on Monday, August 10, 2026, after he was walking home on Sunday night. The landowner, Manoj, discovered the body and reported it to the police. A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder will be registered against Manoj. 😟

✨ Bihar CM unveils 4-point education plan

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary proposed a four-point education blueprint amidst student protests in Jharkhand. He announced this on Monday, August 10, 2026, while also launching the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign in Patna. This plan includes specialized committees for school quality and transparent, AI-powered examinations. The government also promised online classes until 11 p.m. from August 15 and better welfare coordination. The goal is to build a strong education system reducing the need for students to move away. 📚

😠 Politician's controversial remark sparks outrage

A prominent politician made a highly controversial statement that caused immediate backlash. The individual was identified as a key figure in the regional political scene in the state capital. The specific comment, which translates to 'it doesn't matter a damn,' was made during a recent public rally on October 25th. This statement has reignited debates about political decorum and public accountability in the region. Authorities are reportedly looking into the matter to determine the appropriate course of action. 😠

⛽ Petrol prices: government clarifies no direct control

The government stated that petrol and diesel prices are market-driven, not directly controlled by them. Minister Suresh Gopi explained that India's price increase between June 2021 and June 2026 was lower compared to developed and neighboring nations. In Delhi, petrol rose 8.1% and diesel increased 11.5% during that period. PSU oil companies absorbed much of the hike, leading to losses for IOC, BPCL, and HPCL in Q1 2026-27. The government cut excise duty by ₹10 per litre in March 2026 to protect consumers. ⛽

🤰 Modern Thalli Bidda Express Kicking Off Soon

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav is set to launch 102 modern Thalli Bidda Express vehicles on August 11 in Narasaraopet. These upgraded vehicles are designed to offer safer and more convenient travel for pregnant women and mothers. The state government is procuring 500 vehicles in total, with 300 in the initial phase and 200 later. The vehicles feature air-conditioning, six airbags, GPS tracking, and health-awareness messaging. This service aims to improve maternal and newborn care, with a proposed budget of ₹37.40 crore for 2026–27. 🤰

💻 Kodagu artisans learn AI and e-commerce via PM Vishwakarma

About 150 tailor beneficiaries from the PM Vishwakarma scheme attended a training program in Kushalnagar, Kodagu district. The event was organized by the MSME-DFO, Mangaluru, in collaboration with the local tailors' association. Participants got practical guidance on using AI tools, digital marketing, and e-commerce onboarding. Officials stressed adopting digital tech to boost visibility and business competitiveness. Moving forward, artisans can use Udyam Registration to access various government benefits.

⛰️ Landslide cuts Gavi off from Pathanamthitta

A massive landslide struck the Sabarimala forests, severing the road link to the remote settlement of Gavi. This happened near the valve house along the Moozhiyar-Gavi route, about 7 km from 40 Acres Colony. The incident occurred around midnight on July 31, creating a prolonged travel crisis for residents. Workers are hesitant to clear the debris due to fears of another slide amid heavy rain. The KFDC is currently providing aid through medical camps and deploying ambulances for emergency evacuations. 😥