📱 Indian Ministers Told to Engage with Gen Z Online

Ministers are now being checked on their social media presence and are being urged to connect with the Gen Z audience. This directive comes from a push to modernize political outreach across the country. Specific guidelines were issued emphasizing the need for authentic digital engagement starting in the next fiscal quarter. The government believes this direct interaction will help bridge the gap between policy and younger voters. Officials are expected to adjust their online strategies accordingly in the coming months.

💥 Trump unveils biggest economic attack on Iran

US President Donald Trump announced the launch of the "most crushing economic operation ever taken" against Iran on Wednesday. This move targets Iran following its failure to agree on a deal to end the months-long war in West Asia. The administration also threatened "Economic Consequences" against any country supporting Iran. Trump stated that Iran's military capabilities are now being crippled by this massive economic warfare. Furthermore, NATO confirmed it is prepared to defend its members against any potential threats from Iran in Europe. 🌍

🎬 Suriya's film drops while Vijay's hit holds strong

'Vishwanath and Sons' saw a 19.7% drop on its sixth day, earning Rs 5.10 crore net in India. The film, starring Suriya and Mamitha Baiju, is running across 5,093 shows in India. Cumulatively, 'Vishwanath and Sons' has grossed Rs 135.49 crore worldwide so far. Meanwhile, 'Jana Nayagan' maintained its strong run, reaching a worldwide gross of Rs 323.21 crore. The Vijay starrer is scheduled to premiere on OTT on August 21, 2026.

🚄 Asia's hydrogen push aims to green transport

Asia's nations are heavily betting on hydrogen technology to decarbonize transportation across the region. India launched its first hydrogen-powered train at Pandu Pindara in Jind city on July 17, 2026. India also deployed 12 pilot projects involving 70 hydrogen-powered vehicles and 16 refueling stations. This shift aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance and position India as a green hydrogen hub. The hydrogen economy is expected to become commercially viable in defined lanes by the 2030s and 2040s. 🚄

🎬 Awarapan 2 nears ₹110 Cr net on day 6

Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani's Awarapan 2 saw a drop in box office collection on Wednesday, day six. The film, directed by Nitin Kakkar, started on August 14 and is performing well across India. Its net collection reached ₹107.50 crore, with a gross of ₹128.29 crore in India. This success benefits from the original film's cult following and strong weekend performance. The movie is currently inching closer to the ₹110 crore net mark.

🎬 Awarapan 2 nears ₹110 Cr net collection in India

Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani's Awarapan 2 is seeing a slight drop on day six of its theatrical run. The film, directed by Nitin Kakkar, stars alongside Shabana Azmi and has performed well since its August 14 release. Collections hit ₹107.50 crore net in India as of Wednesday, with the worldwide gross reaching ₹153.59 crore. Despite the dip to ₹6.75 crore on day six, the movie maintains a strong presence. The film is steadily moving closer to the ₹110 crore net collection milestone.

🕷️ Redback spider's mating trick has multiple genes

The Australian redback spider performs a somersault during mating, a behavior that scientists are now studying. Researchers compared redbacks with New Zealand's katipō spiders, who do not perform this flip. Observations from 104 hybrid matings showed the behaviors were passed down independently, not together. This suggests the somersault might be linked to one gene, while abdominal constriction involves multiple genes. This research helps in understanding interbreeding to protect native katipō populations. 🕷️

🎬 YouTube counters Netflix with big creator deals

YouTube is reportedly in talks to offer millions to select top creators for exclusive platform deals. This strategic move is aimed directly at Netflix, which has been increasing its licensing of creator content. Conversations started in recent weeks, with one offer mentioned as being in the millions for exclusivity. YouTube also suggested non-exclusive creators might miss out on marketing support and brand deals. This signals YouTube is actively defending its space against competitors like Netflix. 🎬

🔥 Clash erupts at Jadavpur University between student groups

Tension surged at Jadavpur University in Kolkata following a major clash between ABVP and left-leaning student organisations. The conflict reportedly stemmed from a general meeting organized by the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students' Union (FETSU). Several individuals from both sides sustained injuries, prompting local police to rush to the scene to manage the situation. The ABVP accused SFI and DSO-DSF of a planned attack, while DSO members claimed ABVP brought outsiders and vandalized property. ABVP has since announced a protest scheduled for 11 am on Thursday. 💥

🔬 Low dose caustic soda boosts biogas in Brazil

Brazilian researchers discovered that using low concentrations of caustic soda is better for biogas preparation from organic waste. This study was conducted by Agência FAPESP using banana peels and unusable parts collected from wholesale markets. The finding increases methane production and cuts down on reagent costs significantly. This method reduces the risk of inhibiting the microorganisms needed for the process. Future research will likely focus on scaling up this efficient anaerobic digestion technique.

🇮🇳 BJP slams Congress over Vande Mataram issue

BJP national president Nitin Nabin criticized Congress for maintaining its 1937 resolution limiting the national song's verses. He stated that Congress's stance mirrors the stubbornness shown by the Muslim League against the full Vande Mataram. This political move was described by BJP as institutionalizing an insult to the national song. The party compared this to Congress's past concessions to the Muslim League, such as agreeing to separate electorates. BJP warned that Congress prioritizes its resolution over Parliamentary law and the Constitution. 🇮🇳