🗣️ Manipur groups want talks before census

Civil society organizations in Manipur demanded the postponement of Census activities and initiation of talks. They met with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and MHA officials in Delhi regarding NRC implementation. These demands surfaced amidst opposition from Meitei and Naga groups concerning illegal immigration and citizenship. The delegation stressed that any verification must use 1951 as a base year for 'original Indian citizens.' The first phase of Census 2027, scheduled for September 1 to 30, is currently halted amid these protests.

🚨 Rifle coach arrested after family jumps in Godavari

A rifle shooting coach, Sheikh Sadhik Khan, has been arrested in connection with the tragic death of a rural engineer and his family. The incident occurred in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, on the night of August 16th and 17th. Thillapudi Nookaraju, his wife Meena, daughter Sowjanya, and 10-year-old grandson jumped into the Godavari River. Khan allegedly harassed the daughter after her husband's death, leading the family to take this extreme step. He is now facing charges of extortion, murder, and forcing religious conversion. 😥

🥋 Makhachev bets on Evloev over Volkanovski for UFC 333

Islam Makhachev has predicted that Movsar Evloev can defeat Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 333. This massive featherweight title fight is set for October 24 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Evloev is an undefeated contender with a 20-0 record, while Volkanovski is the current champion. Makhachev suggests Evloev's youth could challenge Volkanovski's peak performance after several years. Volkanovski himself admitted a bad loss could make him reconsider his future in the sport. 🥋

⚽ Al-Hilal and Arsenal agree on Martinelli transfer

Al-Hilal has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Arsenal to sign Gabriel Martinelli, the 25-year-old Brazilian international forward. The Saudi Pro League club is interested in the player who currently plays for the Premier League champions. Arsenal is keen to offload Martinelli before the transfer window closes as they focus on player sales this summer. However, the final hurdle remains as Martinelli has not yet been fully convinced to make the move to Al-Hilal. Talks are ongoing as Arsenal pushes to secure the forward's agreement for the Saudi Pro League.

🎬 How cinema shaped Chennai's vibe

Cinema is deeply woven into the cultural memory of Chennai. This is explored in Episode 4 of Chennai Canvas for Madras Week. The episode revisits landmark theatres like Pilot Theatre in Royapettah. It examines the shift from celluloid reels to digital projection. This exploration shows why the city and cinema have been inseparable for generations.

✨ People are loving this kind of Instagram content

A new trend of highly engaging Instagram pages is gaining massive traction online. These successful pages are being lauded by many users across various social media platforms. The trend has seen exponential growth starting around early March 2024, with thousands of accounts adopting similar formats. This surge reflects a growing audience appetite for high-quality, niche, and visually appealing content. Experts predict this style of curated digital storytelling will continue to dominate social media feeds moving forward.

🎬 Yash's new film hits 50 Cr in advance bookings

Yash's latest movie has made a massive impact with its advance booking numbers. The film is starring Yash and has seen significant early interest. As of the latest reports, the movie has crossed the ₹50 crore mark in advance bookings. This strong start indicates high anticipation from the audience for the release. The movie is expected to continue its strong run leading up to its official release date.

💰 CA's billionaire wealth tax is coming

California is set to vote in November on a one-off 5% tax targeting all state billionaires. Sergey Brin has already donated US$100 million against the proposal, which aims to raise US$100 billion. This tax is meant to fund healthcare, food assistance, and public education in the state. Supporters argue it helps since many billionaires pay lower rates than average workers. Critics, however, fear this could drive billionaires and their tax revenue out of California. 💸

🤖 Ohio sophomore wins AI award with senior tech nonprofit

Hannah Joseph, an Ohio sophomore, earned the 2026 AI Next Generation Award after pitching her nonprofit, Seniors Go Digital. She showcased her project at Cincy AI Week in Cincinnati, competing against hundreds of professionals. Since June 2025, her nonprofit has taught hundreds of seniors digital skills with over 20 student volunteers. Joseph emphasized that initiative knows no age limit, despite being the youngest at the event. This achievement makes her the first teenager recognized with a Cincinnati AI Leadership Award. 🤖

🏞️ Florida voters fund trail conversion

Voters in Bonita Springs approved a $35 million bond to convert 5.8 miles of unused railway into a trail. This funding allows the city to buy the central section for the 11.4-mile Bonita Estero Rail Trail. The referendum passed during the August 18 primary election, covering about 180 acres in Southwest Florida. This completes a key piece for the larger 400-mile Florida Gulf Coast Trail network. Next, due diligence is underway, with the purchase expected to finalize in October. 🏞️

🧠 Harvard grew lab brains for 7 years to track diseases

Scientists successfully kept lab-grown human brain organoids alive for an unprecedented seven years. This research was conducted by Paola Arlotta’s team at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. The organoids tracked developmental time with accuracy, matching human brain stages from gestation through early childhood. This offers a window to watch long-term pathologies like Alzheimer’s develop without waiting decades. Future applications involve testing CNS gene therapies in these advanced models.