🎬 Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju's new rom-com out

Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju starred in the new romantic comedy, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, directed by Girish A. D. The film, produced by Fahadh Faasil, was released on August 21, 2026, following Nivin Pauly's previous two less successful movies. The plot revolves around Ashley, played by Mamitha Baiju, meeting Justin Davis, played by Nivin Pauly, in a new town. While the first half showcased great chemistry and organic comedy, the second half was noted as dragged-out and predictable. Ultimately, the film offers genuine laughs but struggles with emotional depth despite a happy ending. 🎬

📶 BSNL drops 20GB data for just Rs 39

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched a prepaid data voucher offering 20GB of data for Rs 39. This specific plan has a validity period of only 1 day, making it suitable for heavy single-day data users. After exhausting the Fair Usage Policy (FUP) data, the connection speed will drop to 40 Kbps. This Rs 39 voucher must be recharged on top of an existing prepaid plan with service validity. Users can also opt for a Rs 19 plan with 2GB or an Rs 58 plan with 8GB and 7 days validity.

♻️ Milk packets and streaming wars heating up

India generates 100 to 120 million milk pouches daily, most ending up in landfills because of difficult-to-recycle multilayer plastic. Mother Dairy launched India's first naturally degradable milk pouch after four years of redesigning the packet. Meanwhile, IISc Bengaluru developed a method to turn discarded pouches into high-strength engineering plastic for 3D printing. Globally, Kimberly-Clark is developing plant-based paper fiber to potentially eliminate tree cutting for paper towels. YouTube is now heavily fighting Netflix to keep creators exclusive to its platform, fearing lost ad revenue. 🤯

🦠 Shigellosis resistance is rising in Kerala 🦠

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is becoming a major concern as resistance to primary Shigellosis antibiotics increases in Keralam. KARS-NET data shows Ciprofloxacin resistance is at 96%, making it unreliable for treatment. Worryingly, resistance to Ceftriaxone has also climbed to 36% according to the surveillance network. This trend means treatment options are shrinking for severe cases requiring hospitalization. Clinicians warn this signals a major public health issue needing immediate attention.

🦠 Shigellosis resistance is a big deal in Kerala

The resistance profile of primary antibiotics for Shigellosis is increasing, posing a new AMR challenge in Keralam. KARS-NET data shows that Ciprofloxacin resistance is 96% and Ceftriaxone resistance has hit 36% since 2023. This trend is worrying because it limits effective treatment options for severe cases. A major outbreak in June saw 225 cases and six deaths across three districts. Clinicians warn that this rising resistance necessitates the use of last-resort antibiotics like Meropenem 🦠.

😢 Latent dreams after India's Got Latent cancellation

Vishal Sharma was a contestant on India's Got Latent Season One, but his episode never aired due to the Ranveer Allahbadia controversy. Sharma, from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, previously earned up to Rs 60,000 monthly via TikTok before the app ban six years ago. Season One was abruptly cancelled, dashing hopes for Sharma and 13 other participants. Despite Season Two on Netflix, these first-season hopefuls like Sharma remain struggling in Mumbai. 😔

🚀 India's rocket costs highest, new study reveals

A 2026 University of Cambridge study found India's per-kilogram rocket launch costs are four times higher than the US. Researchers analyzed over 6,740 launches between 1960 and 2025 for this peer-reviewed paper. In 2025, India averaged $13,302 per kilogram, compared to the US at $3,225. The study suggests smaller payloads and low launch frequency contribute to this high cost. ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan has since rejected these findings as using 'wrong data'. 🚀

✈️ No more stamp on your boarding pass from September 1

Boarding pass stamping at immigration counters will officially end at all Indian international airports starting September 1. The Bureau of Immigration (BOI) has made this decision for international passengers flying out of India. This change applies from September 1, 2026, and covers all international airport counters nationwide. Flyers can now use e-boarding passes on their smartphones or keep their physical passes unstamped. This move aims to reduce passenger inconvenience and issues with stamping quality.

🛫 India drops physical boarding pass stamping at immigration

India is officially ending the practice of stamping physical boarding passes at immigration counters starting September 1. This change applies across all international airports in India, as decided by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI). Passengers can now use e-boarding passes on their smartphones for immigration clearance, alongside physical copies. This decision was made because the physical stamping caused passenger inconvenience and readability issues. International travelers can choose either digital or printed passes, but the stamping requirement is gone. ✈️

⚠️ Iran warns nations against Trump's 'economic war'

Iran has issued a stern warning to various countries regarding the potential economic warfare initiated by Donald Trump. This warning was directed at international partners and trading nations. The Iranian government highlighted specific concerns over the upcoming policies, referencing potential escalations before the new administration's full term. The nation believes these actions could significantly disrupt global trade patterns and regional stability. Consequently, Iran urges countries to reconsider their involvement in what it deems an antagonistic economic conflict.

🏛️ BJP's new UP faces and Yogi Adityanath's 2027 outlook

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is introducing new faces in Uttar Pradesh to shape its political landscape. These changes are impacting the political trajectory of Yogi Adityanath as the state heads toward 2027. The recent reshuffle involves several key appointments across various organizational levels. This strategic move by the party aims to consolidate power and maintain strong regional support in UP. Analysts suggest these shifts will define the political battleground leading up to the next general elections. 📊