💸 Indian indie filmmakers demand payment from festivals

Indie filmmakers are now demanding screening fees instead of relying solely on festival hospitality. This issue is particularly prevalent in India, where many large festivals offer accommodation but not payment. Despite international norms, Indian festivals often neglect to provide fees for non-competition screenings. Directors argue that these fees are necessary to recover significant production costs and personal expenses. Consequently, some filmmakers are choosing to bypass festivals that do not offer fair remuneration. 🎬

🧅 Onion and sugar prices shoot up in India

Onion prices have sharply increased across major Indian cities, hitting ₹60 to ₹70 per kilogram in retail markets. This hike comes after sugar, milk, and cooking oil prices also rose, prompting the Congress party to attack the central government. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare announced the release of buffer onion stock via Kanda Express at a subsidized ₹35 per kilo. Officials cited supply chain issues and unseasonal rain damage as reasons for the sudden price escalation. The government is intervening while buyers worry about essential staple costs.

💧 Police use water cannons during paper leak protests

Indian police deployed water cannons during a fresh wave of protests concerning recent test paper leaks across the country. The demonstration took place in several major cities across India. Authorities faced demonstrations on multiple dates, with reports detailing the deployment across different locations. These protests are fueled by student anger over alleged irregularities in examination papers. The government is expected to announce further steps regarding the leak investigations soon. 💧

👶 Newborn Sold for Rs 4.5 Lakh in Bihar

A newborn baby was allegedly sold for Rs 4.5 lakh, which exposed the illegal transaction in Bihar. The parents and an ASHA worker in East Champaran district were arrested by the police in Motihari. This incident came to light due to a dispute over Rs 3 lakh that was allegedly withheld from the parents. The parents reportedly planned the sale due to poverty, with the ASHA worker brokering the deal. Police are now investigating the motive and checking for any other involved parties. 👶

🔋 Garmin Fenix 9 Pro drops with insane battery life

The new Garmin Fenix 9 Pro has launched featuring integrated solar cells and a new titanium case. This model boasts up to 291 days of battery life in power-saving mode for the 51mm version. It features a brighter display, a MiP option, and double the storage at 64 GB compared to the Fenix 8 Pro. New software like Garmin Epic allows combining multi-day activities with performance data. The watch maintains all core features, including Elevate 5 sensor and GPS navigation.

🏛️ DU sets strict rules for 2026 DUSU elections

Delhi University held an online meeting with various officials to finalize guidelines for the 2026 DUSU elections. The meeting included college principals, deans, and Delhi Police officials from both North and South campuses. Key regulations stipulate campaigning teams must be limited to five members inside premises. Additionally, vehicle parking near university and college roads is strictly banned during the election period. These steps aim to maintain discipline and ensure elections run smoothly without academic disruption.

📱 Galaxy S26 gets sixth One UI 9 beta update

Samsung has dropped the sixth One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S26 series this time around. This update is currently live in Germany, India, Poland, the UK, and South Korea. It includes the August 5, 2026, security patch and is 851MB in size. The release targets fixing display errors and photo-saving issues in Expert RAW 24MP. Users in the US beta program should expect this update to roll out very soon. 📱

⛽ Can Venezuela replace Russia and Iran's oil for India?

Global crude oil markets are volatile as the US targets Iran with economic sanctions and Russia faces new tariffs. Amid this, India needs alternative oil sources as Russian crude now accounts for over 50% of its imports. Venezuela has recently risen to the fourth largest crude supplier for India, contributing around 8% of imports. However, Venezuelan supply is constrained, and the US remains its top buyer, limiting its ability to fully replace Russian volumes. Sustained recovery in Venezuelan exports will take considerable time to address India's energy needs. ⛽

🧐 Indian Sugar Mills Import Half of Duty-Free Quota

Indian sugar mills and refiners have reportedly only imported about half of their allocated duty-free quota. This trend has been observed across the industry, according to reports. The quota allocation details relate to the current fiscal period under review. The decision suggests a cautious approach to sugar procurement by these major players. Authorities will monitor this trend to gauge market stability moving forward. 🧐

🎤 Big discussion on Karnataka's future coming up

India Today is hosting the India Today Roundtable - Karnataka on August 26 to discuss the state's priorities and challenges. Key attendees include CM D K Shivakumar, R Ashoka, and Tejasvi Surya across various sectors. The event will cover topics like investment, infrastructure, and healthcare, featuring several influential figures. City-specific discussions in Bengaluru will also take place, led by Krishna Byre Gowda. This gathering aims to drive substantive conversations shaping Karnataka's next phase of development. 🚀

📱 iPhone 17 price drops on Flipkart right now

The iPhone 17 is currently listed on Flipkart with significant discounts, reaching its lowest price point. This deal applies to the base model with 256GB storage, which started at Rs 80,900 on the platform. The current offer includes a flat Rs 2,000 discount plus an extra Rs 5,945 bank discount using specific cards. Users can further reduce the cost by exchanging their old devices for added savings. This flagship phone features the A19 chipset, a 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED screen, and a dual 48MP camera setup.