🏛️ Opposition protests rage in Parliament over key ministers' absence

The Rajya Sabha sessions saw intense verbal clashes and continuous protests from the Opposition. LoP Mallikarjun Kharge voiced demands for PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to attend the House. This heated debate occurred following the initial set of questions on Thursday. Kharge argued members were raising crucial national issues and asserted his right to speak freely. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju countered by citing specific rules regarding speaking opportunities. 😤

🧪 Seaweed Hack: Cleaner for Ocean Microplastics

Scientists have engineered a novel cleaning solution inspired by the structure of tangled seaweed. This innovative material was developed by researchers at Nanowerk. The system aims to effectively capture microplastics from the ocean environment. This bio-inspired approach offers a sustainable alternative to current cleanup methods. Further testing will determine the large-scale applicability of this technology.

🍦 Edinburgh's new obsession: gelato over haggis

Edinburgh is seeing a massive rise in popularity for gelato, becoming a key food spot despite its chilly weather. This trend is being fueled by the local dairy richness and a growing demand for artisanal quality from locals and tourists. The city saw 5 million overnight visitors in 2024, boosting businesses like Amorino, which is adding more locations. Gelato's rise aligns with a 'Slow Food' philosophy, prioritizing natural ingredients over mass production. Future plans include more gelato shops expanding in the city as the demand continues to climb. 🍦

🏏 Cricket fan reaction to Arshdeep Singh's XI

Former cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh called fast bowler Arshdeep Singh smart despite fan backlash over his All-Time India XI selection. Arshdeep chose current head coach Gautam Gambhir as an opener over legends like Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. This decision, along with Rohit Sharma at No. 6 and excluding Jasprit Bumrah from the top five bowlers, drew heavy criticism. Ramesh suggested Gambhir's coaching role might have influenced Arshdeep's pick over Ganguly or Sehwag. Gambhir, meanwhile, sent a strong message to the team before the Sri Lanka Test series starting August 15. 🏏

⛽ Alternative fuels closing in on petrol in India ⛽

Alternative fuels are rapidly catching up to petrol in India's passenger vehicle market, according to FADA's July 2026 data. Alternative-fuel vehicles accounted for 40.59% of PV retails, just 1.09 percentage points behind petrol's 41.68% share in July. This significant shift follows a period where the gap was 13.21 percentage points a year prior. CNG led the alternative basket at 24.67%, with hybrids and EVs following closely. Dealers are optimistic about growth continuing over the next three months, August to October.

⚠️ Massive road sinkhole causes panic in Ludhiana

A large road cave-in created a gaping sinkhole in Kitchlu Nagar, exposing sewerage and pipelines. This incident occurred right in front of a house in Ludhiana. The collapse is nearly 20 feet deep and 30 feet long, following a similar event in June. Officials attribute the trigger to an old sewerage line damaged by repeated digging. Repair work is starting immediately to stabilize the site and rebuild the road. 😥

📚 Mumbai University admissions deadline extended for 2027

Mumbai University has revised the admission schedule for the 2027 academic year for both UG and PG programmes. Candidates can apply via the official portal muugadmission.samarth.edu.in. The deadline for UG courses has been extended to August 12, 2026, while PG programmes can be applied for until August 10, 2026. Students must complete online registration, submit documents, and pay the fee before these dates. After university registration, individual college applications and merit list preparation will follow.

⚖️ Survivor's mother speaks after Tarun Tejpal conviction

The survivor's mother shared that it took significant strength to endure the ordeal after Tarun Tejpal was found guilty. The Bombay High Court's Goa bench convicted Tejpal, who is 62, for raping a colleague in 2013. This verdict overturned a Goa sessions court's acquittal from five years prior. The victim had alleged two assaults in a hotel elevator during ThinkFest on November 7 and 8, 2013. Tejpal plans to appeal the judgment against the Bombay High Court's ruling.

🏏 Rahane advises Sooryavanshi's family on discipline

Ajinkya Rahane commented on young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, urging his family to maintain discipline for the 15-year-old. Sooryavanshi is recognized as a major emerging talent in international cricket, making him quite visible early on. Despite having two fifties in six innings across two series, his biggest challenge is ahead. Rahane stressed that family guidance is crucial to shield him from distractions during his development. His future trajectory will be heavily shaped by upcoming events like the Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics. 🏏

⚠️ New auction rules bring delivery risk to option traders

Derivative traders might face unexpected stock delivery under the newly introduced closing auction session. This risk affects traders in India, specifically during monthly stock option expiries. The first major test for this new mechanism is on August 25th for NSE and August 27th for BSE. Sudden price swings during the auction can push options from out-of-the-money to in-the-money, triggering liabilities. Traders can avoid this by rolling over positions or squaring off after 3:30 pm. 📈

😠 Rajya Sabha clash: Kharge vs Rijiju over demands

A heated confrontation occurred in the Rajya Sabha between LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP's Kiren Rijiju on Thursday. The clash intensified over opposition demands for statements from PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The dispute stemmed from constant disruptions during Zero Hour, specifically regarding Ram Mandir donations and Delhi protests. Rijiju argued Kharge was repeating points, while Kharge asserted his right to present arguments as he saw fit. Proceedings were suspended until 2:15 pm as the standoff continued. 😠