🏛️ Telangana set to host next Southern Zonal Council meeting

The next Southern Zonal Council meeting is scheduled to take place in Telangana following a request by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. The council's standing committee, which covers five southern states and Puducherry, will convene soon to finalize the agenda and reports. Key topics included Karnataka's concerns over Palamuru Rangareddy and Nakkalagandi lift irrigation schemes. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stressed that riparian states should optimize water use to avoid delays and wastage. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh also raised issues regarding the apportionment of Schedule IX and X institutions. 🤝

🎬 Ohanna reveals how she was forced out of Dill Mill Gayye

Actress Ohanna Shivanand, formerly Shilpa Anand, has finally revealed the truth about her exit from the hit show Dill Mil Gaye. She claimed that she was indirectly made to leave by the show's producer, Siddharth P Malhotra, after a heated incident. This incident happened during the shoot of the Zara Touch Me song when she was asked to move rooms late at night. When she pushed back, the executive producer told her to leave the show. Ultimately, she decided to exit because her self-respect was compromised in that environment.

🗑️ Bengaluru's waste cleanup: Is it a quick fix?

The Greater Bengaluru Authority launched a 'Freedom from Waste' campaign to tackle 1,616 blackspots across the city. Multiple agencies are collaborating to manage approximately 22,732 tonnes of waste starting August 1, 2026. Property owners were given until August 15 to clear their plots, or civic agencies would charge them. Experts say these blackspots are a symptom of poor collection efficiency, not the main problem. The success hinges on fixing the system, not just clearing the visible waste.

🏛️ Kerala challenges court rule on NH construction zones

The Keralam government plans to take the Supreme Court to challenge a recent apex court order. This order prohibits residential construction within 40 meters and commercial structures within 75 meters of the national highway midpoint. The directive was issued after road accidents in north India, mandating state governments issue notifications within 60 days. Kerala argues its special circumstances, including high population density, make the rule impractical for its development. The state fears the order could negatively impact thousands of households and new highway projects.

⚠️ Hackers trick users with fake CAPTCHA to deploy malware

Hackers are using fake CAPTCHA pages to deploy a malware loader capable of shutting down security software before a payload executes. This campaign leverages compromised WordPress sites and a familiar browser verification prompt to trick victims. Analysts at eSentire identified several ErrTraffic-generated campaigns in late July 2026. The attack abuses a signed but vulnerable driver to terminate 145 security processes, blinding the device. Users are warned never to paste commands into Windows tools to complete a CAPTCHA. ⚠️

🔬 Cancer genes aren't destiny, whole genome plays a part

Inheriting a cancer-causing gene does not guarantee disease development. A mouse study showed that additional genetic factors significantly influence cancer outcomes. This research analyzed 581 liver tumors across four mouse groups exposed to a carcinogen in 2023. It demonstrated that epistasis, where one gene alters another's effect, dictates cancer timing and type. This means genetic testing provides a starting point, not the final risk prediction. 🧬

🚜 Kalaburagi farmers protest for drought declaration

Farmers marched in Kalaburagi on Thursday as part of a bandh demanding drought declaration for the district. The protest, organized by Samyukta Horata Karnataka with farmer and Dalit groups, saw severe disruption to public transport services. Protesters demanded ₹50,000 per acre compensation and loan waivers, citing crop failures across major crops. Despite the agitation starting at 6 a.m., the response was lukewarm in some commercial areas. Leaders warned of further protests if the state government ignores their demands. 🚜

✨ Karisma Kapoor reveals her Dadi's glow-up hack

Karisma Kapoor recently shared her beauty inspiration comes from her grandmothers, whom she admired for their skin. She mentioned her Dadi used to eat and apply ghee to her face for glowing skin. Karisma also noted her Nani's elegant style with chiffon saris and light lipstick. These simple aesthetics shaped her own sense of beauty over time. She also reflected on the makeup trends from her early film career. 💖

🏎️ Verstappen stays at Red Bull despite F1 engine drama

Max Verstappen voiced frustrations over the current hybrid engine limitations after the Japanese Grand Prix. The Dutchman, driving for Red Bull, felt the energy recovery system was artificial and hindered his driving enjoyment. Rule changes are coming over the next two years to boost internal combustion engine power. Verstappen admitted he wasn't sure about staying but now accepts the situation while loving racing. His decision to remain at Red Bull also factored in the team's support for his outside activities. 🏁

🌾 AP fertilizer stock covers needs till October 2026

Andhra Pradesh has secured enough fertilizer stock to meet projected demands until October 2026. Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu stated this while addressing members in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. The state currently holds 9.26 lakh tonnes of fertilizer, including 3.69 lakh tonnes of urea and 89,000 tonnes of DAP. This supply is being managed via the APAIMS 2.0 app system, which reduces diversion and queues. Additionally, ₹14,664 crore has been disbursed to farmers under the Annadatha Sukhibhava-PM Kisan scheme since May 2024.

🎓 K-Drama Actor Graduates After 15 Long Years

Popular K-Drama actor Jang Dong Yoon finally graduated from Hanyang University on August 20, KST. He enrolled in the Department of Economics and Finance back in 2011 in Seoul. The 2025 academic year's degree conferral ceremony took place at the university's Seoul campus. His long delay was due to his busy career, despite a major break in 2015. He is reportedly in talks for a new TVING drama role. 🎓