✈️ No ethanol-ATF blend plan, says Civil Aviation Minister

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu strongly refuted claims about blending ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). He clarified that ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are completely different fuel types, not interchangeable. These statements came after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raised safety concerns over 'adulterated aviation fuel' on social media. Naidu stressed that SAF is internationally certified and passenger safety remains the government's top priority. The minister warned against spreading misinformation that causes needless anxiety among air travelers. ✈️

🏏 Ex-cricketer slams Nabi's replacement selection

Fast bowler Auqib Nabi was named to India's Test squad for the Sri Lanka series after Jasprit Bumrah's injury. Former opener Wasim Jaffer questioned his late inclusion, stating Nabi deserved a spot in the original squad. Nabi had an excellent run, bagging 104 wickets in two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 in 2025-26. He also picked up six wickets during the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka. Jaffer hopes Nabi capitalizes on this chance to prove his worth in the Test XI. 🏏

🔭 Star death reveals distant, hidden black hole

Astronomers identified a dormant supermassive black hole far from its host galaxy's center. This discovery was made by University of Maryland researchers using the Zwicky Transient Facility on July 27, 2026. The black hole, located 9.3 kiloparsecs away, was exposed when it tore apart a passing star. This finding challenges the assumption that these massive objects always reside in galactic cores. Future searches with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory might find hundreds more of these wandering black holes. 🤯

🏏 India's catching slump: Dilip's exit raises serious questions

T Dilip's departure follows a period marked by a significant fielding slump in Indian cricket. Across three major events, India recorded 103 catches but dropped 48 opportunities, resulting in a 68.2% efficiency. In the 2025 Test series in England, the team dropped 23 catches, which was a 43.8% increase over their previous worst. This weakness persisted in the 2026 T20 World Cup, where their efficiency ranked 15th among participating teams. Moving forward, the focus needs to be on addressing this consistent decline in catching performance. 😟

🤝 Rijiju and Rahul meet to clear Parliament hurdles

Union minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed having a good discussion with Lok Sabha leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday. The meeting took place in New Delhi to address parliamentary logjams over Delimitation and FCRA issues. Discussions also covered the possible reintroduction of the Delimitation and Women's Reservation Bills. Rijiju stressed that despite political opposition, they are not enemies and should cooperate for national interest. The Monsoon Session is set to conclude on August 13.

🏛️ Rijiju and Rahul discuss Parliament deadlock

Union minister Kiren Rijiju stated he had a good discussion with Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday. The meeting took place in New Delhi where they discussed various issues including Parliament functioning. The conversation also covered the possible reintroduction of the Delimitation and Women's Reservation Bills. Rahul Gandhi reportedly emphasized the need for a statement from Amit Shah regarding Delhi Police action. The Monsoon Session is set to conclude on August 13, while the government denied plans for a special session later. 🤝

🏝️ Rabbit removal brings life back to Australian island

Phillip Island, part of Norfolk Island National Park, saw a major environmental recovery after a rabbit eradication program concluded in 1986. This volcanic island was heavily damaged by 150 years of grazing from livestock and rabbits following European settlement. The intensive campaign used methods like myxoma virus and 1080 baiting to eliminate breeding rabbits by March 1986. Removing the grazing pressure allowed native seeds to sprout, leading to the rediscovery of the Norfolk Island abutilon. Now, the island serves as a crucial safe refuge for thousands of endangered seabirds.

🎮 GTA VI gets extended look this August

Rockstar has announced an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI coming soon. The preview will stream on both Netflix and YouTube on August 27th. For Netflix subscribers, it premieres earlier at 3PM ET, while the standard YouTube time is 9PM ET. This follows years of anticipation since GTA V's massive success and previous trailers. The game is finally scheduled to launch on PS5 and Xbox on November 19th.

🥬 Pigs' genes boost lettuce flavor for meat substitutes

Scientists have successfully incorporated pig genes into lettuce to enhance its taste, aiming for a more realistic meat experience. This research was conducted by agricultural scientists in New Zealand. The modification process involves introducing specific porcine genes into the lettuce DNA as of late 2023. This development is part of a larger effort to create sustainable and appealing plant-based food options for consumers. Future tests will determine the commercial viability and safety of these genetically modified lettuce products. 🥬

⚠️ 4,400+ Rockwell PLCs found exposed online

Forescout discovered over 4,400 internet-facing Rockwell PLCs globally in an August 3 scan. Specifically, 22 were found in cities hit by recent cyberattacks on US water utilities. The scan included 2,844 in the US, with 19 using the same mobile carrier network. Attackers could cause control loss by changing IPs and passwords without exploiting a specific vulnerability. Defenders must move controllers off the public internet to prevent future issues. 🚨

💧 Assam Govt to monitor flood relief funds collection

The Assam government is starting the final assessment of flood-related losses across the state this Friday. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced this while speaking in Guwahati regarding the new phase of relief operations. The administration has restored road connectivity to all flood-hit areas after the worst flooding spell. Sarma urged people not to collect flood relief funds separately and instead use personal resources or hand them to the government. Affected individuals can now approach the district administration directly for assistance. 💧