🌾 Karnataka farmers want jaggery units to make ethanol

Sugar prices are surging, leading Karnataka farmers to demand permission for jaggery units to produce ethanol. State Sugarcane Growers’ Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar voiced this demand from Mandya district. Farmers claim ethanol blending policy is affecting domestic sugar supply, with procurement prices at around ₹65 a litre. This change would boost farmer income and reduce dependency on sugar mills. If approved, the number of jaggery units could jump from 15,000 to 50,000.

💥 SmackDown drama: Punk vs Zayn heat 🔥

CM Punk confronted Sami Zayn with stiff shots during the main event on SmackDown. This unexpected clash occurred amidst a heated match involving Kevin Owens, Gunther, and Finn Bálor. The show featured an ultra-competitive WWE Title mix with Punk as champion. Despite some midcard struggles, the main event provided significant action for the fans. The overall review noted both high points and areas needing major booking improvements.

⚽ Alvarez rejects Arsenal despite talking to Arteta

Arsenal's hopes of signing Julian Alvarez from Barcelona target are looking dim according to reports. The Argentine forward has spoken to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta but firmly stated he does not want to join the north London club. Despite Atletico Madrid and Arsenal possibly being ready to talk, the main hurdle is the player's own clear refusal. Alvarez is reportedly struggling with his current situation and is aiming to move to Barcelona. With his preferred club blocked by Atletico, his next career move remains complicated. 😬

⚠️ FSSAI's red label plan for junk food 🍎

FSSAI has proposed a prominent red hexagonal warning label on packaged food fronts. This system targets products high in at least two of added saturated fat, added sugar, and salt. The proposal was submitted to the Supreme Court in a compliance affidavit. It will be rolled out in phases, starting with high-nutrient items and specified beverages. Exemptions exist for single-ingredient foods like ghee and honey.

⚽ Barca's 2026-27 Champions League schedule is here

Barcelona's schedule for the 2026-27 Champions League league phase has been officially confirmed after the draw held in Monaco. Hansi Flick's team faces big names like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City this season. The first match is against Feyenoord on September 9th at Camp Nou. This fixture list includes games against Galatasaray and Aston Villa throughout the autumn. The PSG match is set just before the first Clasico, promising a massive week. ⚽

🧐 What's the deal with PM CARES money?

The PM CARES fund closed 2024-25 with a balance of ₹8,452 crore, spending only ₹87.85 lakh, which is 0.01% of the total. The fund transferred 93% of its money into fixed deposits, according to released receipts for 2023-24 and 2024-25. Concerns exist over foreign donations and the lack of a stated policy for reserve funds. Furthermore, PM CARES is not audited by the CAG, and citizens cannot get information via RTI. This fund is also accused of depriving smaller civil society organizations of CSR funding. 🧐

🦟 India checks malaria elimination progress for 2030

The Union Health Ministry is currently reviewing the progress made towards the ambitious goal of achieving malaria elimination by the year 2030. This review focuses on the efforts being undertaken across various states in India. Key milestones and data points are being analyzed concerning current infection rates and control measures implemented so far. The elimination target is a major public health objective aimed at eradicating the disease from the country completely. Future strategies will be refined based on this comprehensive assessment to ensure the 2030 deadline is met. 🦟

🏃‍♂️ Man Utd late on Maatsen for left-back spot

Manchester United have made an enquiry for Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen to strengthen their left-back position. The Red Devils are looking at Maatsen as they race against the next Tuesday's transfer deadline. He is a fast full-back, and Villa recently replaced Lucas Digne with Matteo Ruggeri. United need a stop-gap solution as they are still keen on Lewis Hall for the future. It is uncertain if the move will be permanent or a short-term loan deal. 🏃‍♂️

🤔 Internet reacts to Samay Raina's controversial jokes

Samay Raina faced heavy backlash from the internet over jokes made in his Latent 2 show. These jokes were perceived to target Bihari and Kashmiri Pandits specifically. The criticism surfaced widely across social media platforms regarding the content of his comedy. The comments questioned how such sensitive topics are being normalized in mainstream entertainment. Raina's performance is now under intense public scrutiny and debate. 🤔

🏏 Suryakumar on T20 captaincy snub after World Cup win

Suryakumar Yadav revealed his shock after being removed as India's T20I captain despite winning the T20 World Cup. He believed he would lead the team for at least two more years, having enjoyed golden runs with the squad. The BCCI replaced him with Shreyas Iyer ahead of the England tour following a dip in his batting form in 2025. He spent 40-50 days at home feeling completely shocked before accepting the call maturely. Suryakumar stated he is ready to play whenever the team feels it is the right time. 🏏

❤️ Long-term melatonin use linked to major heart risks

Preliminary research suggests long-term melatonin use is tied to higher heart failure risk for chronic insomnia sufferers. This was found by researchers at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 in the US. Participants with over one year of melatonin use showed a 90% higher heart failure chance over five years. The study questions the safety of this commonly viewed 'natural' sleep aid. Further confirmation is needed, potentially changing how doctors advise on sleep aids.