🔬 Plastic waste turned into engine oil by scientists

Scientists have developed a method to convert polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into polyalphaolefin, a key lubricant ingredient. This research was conducted by Guoliang "Greg" Liu and his team at Virginia Tech. The process was published on August 5th in Nature, aiming to tackle both PVC recycling and sustainable lubricant production. PVC is hard to recycle due to chlorine content, leading to landfill buildup. The team now aims to scale up this process to make the high-performance lubricant widely available. 🔬

🎬 Meghan Markle's Gentlemen rumors get cryptic Netflix reply

Rumors circulated this month that Duchess Meghan Markle might join the Netflix gangster series The Gentlemen. The offer was reportedly withdrawn last weekend following backlash across the U.K. During the Edinburgh TV Festival, Netflix's Manda Levin responded cryptically, stating, "All bets are off." This would mark her first acting role since 2017, after her time on Suits. The series' third installment has not yet been officially greenlit for filming. 🎬

🤔 Mourinho questions Ballon d'Or voting process

Jose Mourinho criticized the current Ballon d'Or voting process, arguing that team achievements shouldn't be the main criteria for the best player. He stated the award should go to players who define an era and will be missed long after they retire. Mourinho suggested honoring team success through coaches' awards instead. He also mentioned that the best players don't need to be from PSG or Spain. The 70th ceremony is set for Monday, October 26th, in London.

🔥 Influencer Manjeet Kaur dies after brutal assault

Manjeet Kaur, a 28-year-old social media influencer, passed away on August 26th at PGIMER Chandigarh. She was allegedly abducted, attacked, and set on fire near a liquor shop in Sector 34, Chandigarh, on July 3rd. The accused were reportedly Shubhi and Pinda, and the incident occurred in Morinda, Rupnagar district. Her friend had updated followers on July 28th, saying she was 50% recovered and would share details soon. Police have registered an FIR and are currently raiding to arrest the two accused. 😔

🧼 Uttarakhand CM defends rally ground purification

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has defended the cleaning of the Kharge rally venue. He stated that the location had become 'polluted' before the event took place. The official comments were made recently regarding the preparations for the rally. This action was taken to ensure a clean environment for the political gathering. The CM is expected to continue addressing public concerns about the venue's condition. 🧼

🙏 Assam survivors found safe after Nepal flash floods

Five out of 16 people from Assam are confirmed safe following the devastating flash floods in Nepal. The affected individuals were from various parts of Assam, including Nalbari and West Karbi Anglong districts. This update comes on Saturday, August 29, 2026, following the disaster on August 26, 2026. Efforts are continuing to locate the 11 individuals who are still missing from the initial count. Authorities are actively working to establish contact and ensure the safe rescue of everyone involved.

🎬 Mehra directs Vikrant Massey in love story before Karna

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is preparing for his ambitious film, Karna, starring Salman Khan. Before that major project, Mehra has locked Vikrant Massey for a quick 30-day love story film. This smaller project will be shot while Excel Entertainment pre-produces the two-part Karna. The epic film Karna, based on The Mahabharata, is scheduled to begin filming in August 2027. This short film is a chance for Mehra to tell a romantic tale before the bigger commitment.

🎬 Actor ignored 'cut' in intimate scene, actress was shaken

Veteran actor Annu Kapoor shared a disturbing incident from a film set regarding intimate scenes. This happened while shooting, and Kapoor alleged an unnamed male actor continued past the director's 'cut' call. The incident was recounted on Siddharth Kannan’s YouTube show on August 29, 2026. The actress was reportedly so shaken she stayed in her room for two days. Kapoor highlighted the lack of intimacy coordinators in his earlier career days. 😔

🔥 Samay Raina's regional jokes spark major controversy

Samay Raina and Sharon Verma’s banter on India's Got Latent drew intense backlash following jokes about Bihar and Kashmir. The exchange took place during a roast battle on the show, which aired recently. Critics like Ram Kadam slammed the comments, arguing they were made purely for publicity. The Jammu and Kashmir Peace Forum also criticized the jokes for trivializing Kashmiri Pandit suffering. Moving forward, the issue highlights the boundary between comedic freedom and historical sensitivity. 😔

🔄 How India's marriage biodata is changing its vibe

India records about 10 million marriages annually, marking a huge trend shift in traditional matchmaking practices. This evolution is visible across various regions, moving beyond simple checklists like caste and salary. Relationship coaches note the focus is shifting from social suitability to real-life compatibility between two individuals. Young Indians now prioritize deep conversations and value alignment over ticking every box on the profile. Ultimately, the goal is moving from 'fitting in' to genuinely 'fitting together' in life.

😠 Iran leaders push back against US, no tolerance for dissent

Iranian leaders are actively defying the United States six months after recent geopolitical shifts. This stance is being maintained by the government in Tehran, signaling a firm line against internal opposition. Specific details regarding recent dissent figures or dates were not provided in the source material. The administration continues to enforce strict control measures across the country. Future developments will depend on the ongoing international tensions and domestic political climate.