⛽ E20 petrol is safe for older cars, says Gadkari

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that E20 petrol is safe for pre-2017 vehicles and causes no abnormal wear and tear. He addressed concerns raised by DMK MP Constandine Ravindran regarding older models like BS-III cars. Laboratory studies showed no major engine issues, though a 2 to 6 percent drop in fuel efficiency was noted. Gadkari further mentioned E20 offers better acceleration and cuts carbon emissions by about 30 percent compared to E10. This blending supports India's goal to reduce crude oil imports and transport emissions. ⛽

🛡️ MP asks for Expat Protection Law amidst attacks

Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal called for a dedicated Expat Protection Law to aid Indians facing threats overseas. This BJP leader raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha about rising racial violence and hate crimes against citizens abroad. Official figures show the number of Indians killed abroad rose from 29 in 2021 to 86 in 2023. He cited incidents like assaults in the US and deaths in the UK and Canada as evidence of the issue. Mittal urged the Centre to provide immediate legal and consular support to protect the diaspora. 🇮🇳

🙏 Meta exec apologizes for blocking PM Modi's post

A Meta executive, Joel Kaplan, apologized to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the restriction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's post. Kaplan and other executives met with Meity officials for 45 minutes to address the issue. The incident involved a vertical video posted by PM Modi on July 23 during protests. Meta blamed a technical glitch for the brief removal, but MeitY found the explanation insufficient. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey demanded an apology from Zuckerberg within three days.

🇮🇳 IAF band set to perform at Vidhana Soudha

The No. 1 Air Force Band will be performing at the Vidhana Soudha on August 9th. This event is organized to commemorate the 80th Independence Day celebrations. The performance is scheduled to commence at 6 p.m. and is a tribute to the spirit of freedom. It will feature martial music, patriotic classics, and iconic national tunes. The public is invited to attend this celebration of India's Defence Forces. 🇮🇳

🏛️ Govt vows permanent fixes for citizen issues

Minister Seethakka emphasized that the government must offer permanent solutions, not just listen to complaints. She was at the face-to-face programme at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Wednesday to hear public grievances. Various issues were raised, including land encroachment complaints and requests for Indiramma houses. Officials were instructed to monitor every petition and create clear action plans for timely resolution. The minister assured people that they should not need repeated visits to government offices.

🤖 AI bug rush strains big tech bounty programs

AI is finding software bugs way faster than humans, putting pressure on bug bounty programs. Microsoft paid a record over $20m to 562 researchers during its latest bounty year. Apple, meanwhile, capped submissions and added a 30-day cool-off due to AI-powered finds overwhelming reviews. Google also adjusted its rewards, paying more for complex exploits AI can't handle. These changes reflect how AI is making bug discovery cheap, forcing tech giants to rethink their models. 🤖

🔥 Dubai job claim sparks backlash over hiring bias

A social media post alleging a recruiter refused a Muslim candidate for a Dubai job has caused major online outrage. The incident reportedly occurred when a recruiter named “Harshiya” asked about the candidate's religion for a customer care role in Dubai. According to shared screenshots, the recruiter allegedly stated, “Not hiring Muslims due to Company terms” after the candidate disclosed his faith. This sparked criticism as the UAE is a Muslim-majority nation with diverse employment practices. Users are now demanding the company clarify if the recruiter acted officially and if the messages reflect their actual hiring policy. 😬

🌾 Lad welcomes BJP drought study, asks for quick report

Minister Santosh Lad welcomed the BJP leaders' visit to drought-hit areas of the state. He stated this during his first visit to Hubballi on Wednesday, August 5. Lad mentioned that Karnataka receives less fund support compared to BJP-ruled states. He requested the BJP leaders to finish the drought study and submit their report to the Union government promptly. This action aims to secure necessary funds and better cooperation for the state.

💧 Bubbly Basin is here in Pokémon Pokopia

The Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 1, featuring Bubbly Basin, is available today for players. This new submerged town allows Ditto to use Dive and team up with Water-type Pokémon like Popplio. The paid DLC also includes themed furniture and fresh outfits for Ditto. The full Expansion Pass has three parts and is on sale on the Nintendo eShop. Buying it by August 31, 2027, grants a serial code for 30 rare Pokémetal ingots.

✈️ Air India appoints new CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam

Air India has named Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. This appointment comes following the resignation of Campbell Wilson from the Tata Group-owned airline. Gebremariam previously served as Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group from 2011 to 2022. During his tenure, Ethiopian Airlines grew its fleet significantly and boosted revenue to $4.5 billion. He stepped down from that role in March 2022 due to health concerns.

🚀 Mars Mission Details from Columbia University

Researchers at Columbia University are detailing various aspects of planned manned missions to Mars. This research focuses on the logistical and scientific challenges involved in sending humans to the Red Planet. Specific timelines and crew requirements are being analyzed, including planned mission windows around 2035. The study addresses life support systems and radiation shielding necessary for long-duration space travel. Future planning involves further simulations to ensure crew safety on Mars.