🎬 Rishab Shetty rocks traditional look at IIFM

Rishab Shetty picked up two new honours at the 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IIFM) 2026. The Kannada actor and filmmaker received Best Director for Kantara: Chapter 1 and the Leadership in Cinema award. His wife, Pragathi Shetty, designed a black kurta featuring Gandaberunda motif and a silk dhoti. This traditional look was chosen to authentically represent his roots in Karnataka. The Gandaberunda symbolizes the state's strength and heritage, showing his connection to Karnataka. 🌟

🔬 Caltech makes fiber-optic speed on silicon chips

Caltech researchers found a way to move light across silicon wafers with incredibly low signal loss. This breakthrough was achieved by Hao-Jing Chen and Kellan Colburn at Caltech. The technique was reported in a Nature paper, noting a 20-fold advantage at visible wavelengths over silicon nitride. This development enables highly efficient photonic integrated circuits for various applications. It paves the way for advanced tech like AI data centers and quantum computing. 🚀

🏈 Travis Kelce's anthem moves spark debate

Travis Kelce faced backlash over his animated movements during the national anthem on October 27, 2025. The controversy happened while the Chiefs hosted the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium. Critics pointed to his past protest, specifically his 2017 kneeling during the anthem, amid various opinions. However, Kelce did not frame his 2025 actions as a political statement. He later had a strong performance, helping the Chiefs win 28-7.

🌟 BJP's new team shakeup: Who got rewarded?

The BJP announced its revamped national office-bearers team nearly seven months after Nitin Nabin took over as national president. Smriti Irani and Biplab Deb were rewarded for their organizational commitment and electoral performance in various states. Piyush Goyal returned as the national treasurer, sparking discussion about potential future cabinet changes. Ram Madhav also made a significant comeback to the party's influential circles. This team will steer the BJP towards crucial state and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

⚽ Northeastern Derby: Lajong vs NorthEast United Showdown

The Durand Cup 2026 quarterfinal features a high-stakes Northeastern Derby between Shillong Lajong FC and NorthEast United FC. The match is set to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium in Shillong. Both teams topped their respective groups, with the clash scheduled for 7:00 pm IST on Monday, 17th August (2026). A win guarantees a spot in the semifinals, potentially against Mohun Bagan SG or Jamshedpur FC. The game will be livestreamed on Sony LIV and broadcasted live on Sony Ten 2. 🏆

🏫 4 in 10 Indian kids choosing private schools

Four in ten Indian schoolchildren were enrolled in private unaided schools in 2025-26, up from 35.4% in 2018-19. This shift saw private school enrollment increase by about 3 million, while government school numbers dropped by approximately 2.7 million across 12 states and two UTs. Factors like perceived learning quality, English-medium availability, and parental dissatisfaction are driving this trend. Private school expenditure averages Rs 28,693 per student versus Rs 2,863 in government schools. The pattern suggests a continued, though complex, migration of students from public to private education sectors. 📚

🌡️ H1N1 vs flu: Doctors use more than just symptoms

Symptoms for H1N1 and seasonal flu often overlap, making self-diagnosis unreliable for many. Doctors in Faridabad and other locations assess illness progression, patient history, and risk factors for diagnosis. Key indicators include fever lasting over 72 hours or any breathing difficulties. Molecular testing might be used, but clinical judgment often outweighs the need for immediate testing. The main focus remains on spotting deterioration early rather than naming the specific strain.

🚀 Uber and Zipline aim for massive drone delivery goals

Uber and Zipline have partnered with an ambitious goal of achieving one million drone deliveries daily. This collaboration involves both companies working together across various operations. The target milestone is set to be hit by the end of the fiscal year 2025. This move signals a major push towards scaling up autonomous delivery services globally. Further details on the deployment strategy are expected to be shared in the coming quarter. 🚀

💰 Jio Prime keeps plan, adds cashback offer

Jio Prime has rolled out a new offer guaranteeing a 1-year tariff stability. This deal is available for customers across various regions under the Jio network. The plan remains at Rs 299, and users are eligible for a Rs 600 cashback. This move aims to keep subscribers happy with consistent pricing assurance. Jio plans to continue monitoring service quality alongside this new promotion.

🤝 Trump envoy meets Netanyahu over Gaza peace push 🕊️

Trump's envoy, Jared Kushner, met with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem following talks with Hamas leaders. This meeting comes after Hamas endorsed the latest stage of Trump's Gaza plan, despite Netanyahu's rejection. The plan, which Kushner pushed, required Hamas to disarm and renounce governing the territory. Netanyahu has resisted the plan, demanding genuine disarmament from the group. Further discussions are expected between Kushner, Netanyahu, and Nickolay Mladenov.

🚀 Banker to BJP IT Chief: Amit Malviya's journey

Amit Malviya transitioned from a banking career to a prominent role in BJP politics. He previously held senior positions at ICICI Bank, Calyon, HSBC, and Bank of America. His digital involvement with BJP began in 2009 through Friends of BJP, before taking charge of the national IT Cell in 2015. During the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, he was a co-in-charge, contributing to the party's 77 seat win. The BJP recently removed him as IT & Social Media Cell chief amidst an organizational reshuffle. 📱