⛽ Govt advisor suggests bringing back lower ethanol fuel blend

A top government advisor suggests India should reinstate a fuel variant with a lower ethanol blend. This proposal comes from Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran in an opinion piece on Monday. E20, the only fuel since April 1, is causing public concern over vehicle performance nationwide. The advisor recommends offering both E10 and E20 options to ease public worry. This aims to protect older vehicles while retrofitting seals takes several years. ⛽

⛽ Economic Advisor Suggests Lower Ethanol Blend in Fuel

India's chief economic adviser has proposed bringing back fuel with a lower blend of ethanol. This suggestion was made by the adviser in relation to the nation's energy policy discussions. The proposal touches upon the current blend percentages and aims to optimize fuel usage. The idea comes as the government looks at balancing energy security with environmental goals. Further discussions are expected to determine the final direction for India's fuel strategy. ⛽

🤖 US pushes allies to choose sides in AI race

The United States is preparing a letter to dozens of nations demanding they align with its coalition or China. This move is directed at 35 signatories of the US "AI Opportunity Statement" from June. Roughly two dozen countries have joined Pax Silica, including Japan and Australia, while Kazakhstan's dual membership is raising US concerns. The draft letter stresses that full commitment is required, arguing one cannot be part of everything. This action aims to restrict China's access to vital resources in the global AI competition.

🤢 Why India ignores threats at the dining table

Indians tend to prioritize major threats like terrorism over everyday dangers like food adulteration. This quiet assault on routine consumption is insidious because it becomes normalized over time. For instance, a 2016 CSE study found potassium bromate in 32 of 38 Delhi bread samples. The World Bank estimates India's annual economic burden from food-borne diseases at around US $15 billion. Therefore, food safety requires visible enforcement beyond existing laws to build trust. 🤢

🚀 NASA's Roman Space Telescope Launch Confirmed

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is officially scheduled for its launch date. This groundbreaking mission will be carried out by NASA from its control centers. The launch is set for August 30th, aboard a specific rocket vehicle. The telescope aims to study the universe with unprecedented detail and scope. Further details about the mission's trajectory and objectives will be released closer to the date. 🚀

🤝 Rahul Gandhi urges Soren to meet protesting students

Rahul Gandhi wrote to his ally Hemant Soren regarding student protests over alleged recruitment irregularities. Gandhi stated that the students' demonstrations have been peaceful and their demands are legitimate. He suggested that Soren personally meet with the protesting students' representatives. This meeting, he added, would strengthen the government's commitment to resolving their concerns. This communication was sent on August 17, 2026.

🎧 iQOO Buds and Z11 5G dropping in India

iQOO is set to launch its new TWS earphones, called iQOO Buds, in India. This launch will happen alongside the iQOO Z11 5G smartphone on August 20, 2026. The iQOO Z11 5G is expected to feature a 6.8-inch curved AMOLED display and a 7050mAh battery. The earphones will have an in-ear design and an LED indicator on their charging case. Both products will be available for purchase via Amazon India. 🎧

⌚ Samsung Galaxy Watch9: A wrist upgrade review

The Samsung Galaxy Watch9 was tested to see how it impacts phone usage, and it appears to curb excessive doomscrolling. This smartwatch features a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED screen and a new 3nm Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite processor. It runs on Wear OS 7 with One UI 9 and includes tracking for walking, heart rate, and sleep during a flight from Pune to Delhi. Advanced features like ECG are locked to Samsung phones, and the battery lasts about a single day with heavy use. The watch boasts 5 ATM/IP68 rating and a sapphire crystal display for durability. ⌚

🍿 Big OTT drops this week: 10 new movies & shows

Several new movies and shows are dropping across platforms from August 17 to August 23. Lanterns, starring Kyle Chandler, premieres on JioHotstar, while Outer Banks Season 5 hits Netflix on August 20. The lineup includes a Swedish crime thriller, Blood Sacrifice, and a romance on Netflix, Pyaar Prema Kalyanam. Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter also debuts on Amazon Prime Video on August 20. Viewers can check out these diverse releases across Netflix, JioHotstar, and others. 🎬

⌚ Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2: Thinner, Brighter, Tougher

The new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 features a slimmer design, brighter display, and extended battery life for intense outdoor use. It is built for trail runners and divers, offering improvements even for daily casual wear. The watch is 12% thinner than its predecessor and boasts a 5,000-nit peak brightness. It offers exceptional battery life, averaging around three days with the always-on display enabled. The Ultra2 is rugged, rated IP69K, and includes advanced health monitoring features. 🦾

📢 Rahul Gandhi asks Hemant Soren to meet student protesters

Rahul Gandhi wrote to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren requesting him to meet students protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities. The protests are ongoing in Ranchi, demanding a probe into the 14th JPSC Civil Services Exam and JSSC-CGL tests. These protests have been happening since July 29, with demands including CBI investigation. Gandhi stressed the need for government action to support the youth during this crisis. The students had previously threatened to withdraw coalition support if demands weren't met.