☄️ Nuclear weapons to defend Earth from space rocks?

Scientists tested if a nuclear weapon could protect Earth from a dangerous asteroid using computer simulations. A team from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory studied a 160-metre-wide asteroid with a 1-megaton weapon. Researchers found explosions several metres away could vaporize material via X-rays, changing the asteroid's path. In one simulation, 98.2 per cent of the material was badly damaged when the blast was 10 metres away. These findings offer insight into nuclear disruption as a last-resort option for planetary defence. ☄️

❤️ Man dedicated his life to Tarpa tradition

Padma Shri Bhiklya Dhinda has made extraordinary contributions to preserving the Tarpa tradition. He tirelessly kept this beautiful Adivasi art form alive across generations. His dedication shows that culture survives through committed individuals, not just in museums. Preserving heritage is crucial for giving the next generation something meaningful to carry forward. His life is a true example of cultural guardianship.

💰 Kerala Lottery: 1 Crore Jackpot Hit! 🤑

The Kerala State Lottery Department announced the Sthree Sakthi SS-533 results for Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The first prize winner has ticket number SR 968860 and will win Rs 1 crore. Second prize winner SS 216008 takes Rs 30 lakh, while third prize winner SX 448302 gets Rs 5 lakh. This draw took place in Thiruvananthapuram, with winners from various locations. The complete list of winning numbers continues to be updated live.

✊ Adivasis oppose Ken-Betwa river link project

Tribal families are actively resisting the Ken-Betwa river-linking project, staging protests near the Barana river. This resistance is occurring in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, which is part of the Bundelkhand region. Construction work on the Daudhan dam, a key part of the project, is ongoing across the Ken river. The local communities are voicing their strong opposition, stating they do not want to be displaced by the development. The ongoing protests aim to halt the progress of this major infrastructure initiative.

😡 DU PhD Scholar Booked for Slapping Professor

A PhD scholar was suspended and banned from Delhi University premises after allegedly assaulting a professor. The incident occurred at Umang Bhawan around 10:30 am on August 17, 2026, according to the university. CCTV footage captured the scholar, Shubham Singh, waiting before attacking the professor upon entry. The Democratic Teachers' Front condemned the physical assault, calling it not an isolated case. They are demanding strict action and better safety measures on campus. 😡

😔 Dalit leader subjected to 'purification' ritual in Haldwani

A Hindutva outfit performed a 'purification' ritual on the stage in Haldwani, where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge spoke before Independence Day. This incident occurred on August 10, two days after Kharge's rally at the Ramlila Ground. Kharge, a Dalit and leader of the Opposition, expressed shock over the event, which suggests a deep-rooted issue. The article frames this as a structural pattern of untouchability, referencing historical incidents dating back to 1978. This highlights the ongoing social barriers despite constitutional protections. 😔

🔬 Hair matters: social experiment on attraction revealed

Traya Health conducted a social experiment to see how hair affects attraction among potential partners. The test used identical dating profiles, varying only the hair appearance using AI-generated images. The fuller-haired male profile got 28 likes, while the hair-loss version received zero likes. For females, the full-hair version garnered about 2,300 likes versus just 50 for the loss version. These findings show hair impacts immediate perceptions of attractiveness, linking to health and vitality.

👋 Shehzad Poonawalla quits BJP for private sector

Shehzad Poonawalla resigned from all party posts and primary membership of the BJP on Monday. The 38-year-old submitted his resignation to party president Nitin Nabin from his post as BJP national spokesperson. He mentioned that he had been planning this exit since 2024 due to pressing financial and personal circumstances. Poonawalla stated he is leaving the organization, not the people or the ideology of Prime Minister Modi. He affirmed his intention to continue supporting the vision of the BJP even while moving into the private sector.

🚢 Vessel Hit in Strait of Hormuz; Crew Injured

A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while sailing in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident involved a commercial ship, and casualties among the crew have been reported. According to UKMTO, the event occurred on Tuesday. The exact nature and origin of the projectile remain undetermined at this time. Authorities are currently investigating the incident to ascertain the full details. 🚢

📈 RBI steps in as rupee nears record highs

The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly selling US dollars to support the rupee against rising USD/INR rates. This intervention is happening amid continuous foreign equity outflows and higher oil prices. The RBI's pattern suggests they will step in when USD/INR nears its record high, not defending a fixed line. The pair previously hit an all-time peak of 96.844 back in May. This action is expected to continue through 2026 as market pressures persist.

🚀 Nifty 50 could hit 50,000 before 2035?

Raamdeo Agrawal predicts the Nifty50 could nearly double to 50,000 sometime before 2035. This projection was made by Agrawal at the 22nd Motilal Oswal Annual Global Investor Conference in Mumbai. The timeline depends on P/E multiples, suggesting 6 to 9 years based on different valuations. This bullish view is backed by surging retail participation, as demat accounts grew from 40 million to 234 million. Domestic flows are strong enough to sustain the market despite sharp pullbacks from FIIs.