⛽ E20 fuel debate: Engine killer or just hype?

The BJP has refuted widespread internet claims suggesting E20 petrol damages vehicle engines. They stated that no engineering study proves E20 causes engine destruction or significant mileage drops. The government noted ethanol blending saved ₹1.97 lakh crore in forex and supported domestic producers. While a nominal 3% to 5% mileage drop is possible in older vehicles, the government defends the move. Future blends like E25 or E30 are not planned for immediate implementation.

💧 Govt vows to protect farmers' interests on water release

Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi stated that the State government is committed to protecting farmers' interests concerning canal water release. This was said during a preliminary meeting of the 126th Irrigation Consultative Committee in Munirabad, Koppal district. Currently, the Tungabhadra dam holds 82 tmcft of storage following recent good inflows. Despite recent rains, the state is still struggling with severe drought conditions. The government will decide on water release after consulting with elected representatives. 💧

🔬 Students get deep dive into public health research

Around 200 school students daily are experiencing public health research at ICMR-NINE in Bengaluru. The ICMR-SHINE 2026 program ran on August 11 and 12 to inspire classes 9 to 12. Students learned about COVID-19 vaccine development and AI-enabled cancer detection through interactive sessions. They were introduced to research on diseases like cancer and diabetes using data analytics and biostatistics. This initiative aims to spark scientific curiosity for future contributions to India's health goals. 🔬

👍 Railway TTI returns ₹10 lakh bag to passenger

A Travelling Ticket Inspector named A.K. Naga Sudheer showed integrity by finding a passenger's lost bag. This happened on the Visakhapatnam-Bengaluru Cantt. Express train in the Vijayawada division of South Coast Railway. The bag, containing valuables worth nearly ₹10 lakh, was found after the passenger deboarded at Ongole railway station on August 11, 2026. Naga Sudheer handed the bag to the Railway Protection Force, which returned it after verification. SCoR officials praised the TTI for upholding the reputation of Indian Railways.

🔭 Solar Eclipse in August 2026: Is it visible in India?

A solar eclipse, known as Surya Grahan, is scheduled to occur on August 12, 2026. This celestial event is expected to be visible across various parts of India. Specific timings and visibility details are currently under review by astronomical bodies. The phenomenon is being closely monitored by science enthusiasts and astronomers. Further updates regarding the precise visibility across Indian states are anticipated soon. 🔭

✅ Smart ration cards roll out for millions starting August 15

Smart ration cards are being introduced to boost transparency and ease for beneficiaries in the public distribution system. The State government plans to distribute these cards to 3.43 crore beneficiaries starting August 15. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will inaugurate this rollout in Sangareddy. Currently, 3.43 crore people are covered under the food security program, receiving 6kg of rice monthly. Officials have been directed to ensure smooth verification and distribution across all 33 district headquarters.

🧐 Dhruv Rathee's Hindu Deity Video Blocked in India

A video by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee claiming Hindu gods consumed meat was blocked across India following a Union government order. This action was reported by Google to the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, concerning a video uploaded on March 21. The content discussed dietary habits in Hindu scriptures, noting deities like Ram and Krishna consumed meat and alcohol. Lawyer Amita Sachdeva filed the plea, alleging the video was derogatory and communally sensitive. The court has adjourned the case until September while seeking the video's global removal. 🧐

💧 CM tells officials to keep Mandya calm over Cauvery dispute

Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar directed officials to maintain law and order in Mandya district due to the Cauvery water issue. He clarified that the state government handles water release decisions, while district administration manages local peace. He noted that water cannot be held forever and farmers must plan crops based on reservoir levels. Shivakumar also stressed the need for careful electoral roll revisions and public awareness campaigns. Additionally, he instructed officials to prevent drinking water shortages across the district.

🚜 Farmers' Protest Marching from Haryana to Delhi 🌾

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) is starting a 13-day 'Kisan Bachao Padyatra' from Kanori to Delhi. This march will run from August 16 to August 29, aiming to protect farmers' rights and the future of agriculture. Key demands include a legal guarantee for MSP, loan waivers, and excluding agriculture from the India-US trade deal. Additionally, they are demanding immediate water release to Cauvery basin canals and support for the Mekedatu reservoir. The protest follows a recent discussion on the August 13 Karnataka bandh regarding the Cauvery issue.

🌧️ Rainwater spotted at new Noida International Airport

Rainwater was seen collecting inside the premises of the Noida International Airport following heavy showers in the Delhi-NCR region. The incident occurred at the airport, which was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on March 28, 2026, and started passenger operations on June 15. Airport authorities stated the waterlogging was temporary, occurring on a connecting road and cleared within 30 minutes. This footage sparked social media criticism regarding the airport's drainage infrastructure. Congress also used the event to criticize the government's management of the new aviation hub. 🌧️

🔭 ESA simulates eclipse to predict tomorrow's big one 🔭

The European Space Agency created an artificial solar eclipse in space to predict the structure of tomorrow's real one. This was done using two satellites flying 150 metres apart to capture the hidden solar corona. The test was staged about two weeks before the August 12 event, accounting for the Sun's rotation. Scientists can now forecast the corona visible over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal by reversing the image. This research is crucial because the corona dictates space weather that affects satellites and power grids.