🏆 Ashoka and Oxford launch £10k creative nonfiction prize

Ashoka University and Oxford's Balliol College have launched The Ved Mehta International Prize in Creative Nonfiction. This prestigious international book award honors writer Ved Mehta and comes with a £10,000 cash prize. The award will be given annually for the best English-language creative nonfiction book published in the preceding year, starting in 2026. A shortlist will be announced in September, followed by the award in November. The judges include professors Merve Emre, Seamus Perry, and Vijay Seshadri.

⚽ India set for Cape Verde clash in October

India is reportedly on track to play against Cape Verde in the upcoming October fixtures. This match is expected to follow a friendly game against Brazil. The confirmed schedule details suggest this will take place in October. The planning is part of India's preparation for future international tournaments. Further official announcements regarding the exact date and venue are anticipated soon. 🇮🇳

🩰 Barre workouts: 5 ways to level up your health

Barre workouts, blending ballet, yoga, and Pilates, are gaining traction for their unique fitness approach. These sessions prioritize core strength and proper body alignment for better posture. They can also increase flexibility, boost metabolism, and improve balance with consistent practice. Moreover, the mindful techniques integrated into barre sessions help enhance mental clarity and reduce stress. Incorporating barre into a routine promises significant overall well-being benefits.

🐜 Actor Shweta Tiwari finds cockroach in drink order

Television actor Shweta Tiwari raised hygiene concerns after finding a cockroach in a cold drink delivered to her home in Mumbai. She tagged Maharashtra FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe in a social media video showing the issue. This incident occurred while Mundhe has been actively campaigning against food safety violations across the state. Tiwari directly appealed to Mundhe to address the issue of pests entering homes. The FDA under his leadership is currently inspecting various food businesses for compliance. 🐜

🤕 Tanzid skips batting due to neck issue

Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim missed the batting session in Mackay on Thursday because of neck stiffness. He did participate in warming up and the fielding session at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. Tanzid recently scored a century and was key in Bangladesh's nine-wicket victory over Australia. Team management rested him to avoid risks with two days before the second Test. They anticipate his return soon, while Soumya Sarkar got extra net time as a backup.

🗣️ Annamalai's 'Gujarat company' jab echoes in Kerala

Former BJP leader K. Annamalai criticized the Central government for becoming a 'Gujarati company' on Thursday, August 20, 2026. This statement resonated with Kerala's ruling front and opposition parties regarding north-south disparities. CPI(M) member Thomas Isaac stated that the Modi dispensation concentrates infrastructure spending in BJP-ruled States, worsening economic inequality. Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran agreed that BJP has fueled regional disparities, noting better human development in Southern States. The BJP countered that Gujarat and UP are magnets for investment due to their business-friendly policies. 📈

📱 iPhone 18 rumors: release dates, colors, and price hike 📱

The upcoming iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in fall 2026, while the base iPhone 18 might wait until early 2027. Pro models could feature light blue, silver, dark gray, and dark cherry color options for this year's lineup. Rumors suggest significant upgrades like bigger batteries and variable aperture cameras, alongside iOS 27. Pricing is anticipated to increase, with estimates putting the iPhone 18 Pro around $1,399. Apple typically announces its new iPhones in early September, likely Wednesday, Sept. 9.

🩺 Andhra junior doctors slash stipend demand to 20%

Junior doctors protested outside Government Siddhartha Medical College in Vijayawada demanding a stipend revision. The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association (APJUDA) scaled down their initial 30% demand to 20% against the government's 3% offer. This protest started because emergency services were withdrawn since August 17. The doctors feel the proposed hikes are insufficient to cover inflation and haven't addressed other demands. They plan to continue the strike until their concerns are heard by senior state ministers. 🩺

🚨 Security sweep in Kathua after suspicious activity

Security forces initiated a search and combing operation in Kathua's bordering areas on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The operation was conducted in the Billawar forests near the Udhampur-Kathua border. Locals reported unidentified persons knocking on a house late on Wednesday, August 19, night. Following this, food items from the house went missing, raising security concerns. These routine patrols help maintain high vigilance in sensitive border zones.

⛽ Iran's oil exports reportedly hit zero, central bank chief says

Iran's central bank chief reported that the nation is currently exporting zero oil due to severe restrictions. This statement came from Abdolnaser Hemmati in Tehran, where he noted the drop in revenue. He mentioned that oil sales revenue has fallen to zero, and access to foreign exchange is increasingly constrained. The situation worsens as US economic pressure mounts while peace talks remain deadlocked. The government is preparing for lost revenue amid growing concerns over public discontent.

⚖️ Karnataka HC: 'Homemaker' is truly gender-neutral

The Karnataka High Court ruled that 'homemaker' is a gender-neutral term, based on a 2013 motor accident compensation dispute. The judgment clarified that any individual sacrificing for a family is a homemaker, regardless of high qualifications. The court enhanced the compensation by ₹1,96,800 for the claimant due to her permanent disability. This decision aligns with the Supreme Court's recognition of domestic labour's value. The ruling reinforces that a homemaker can be male or female, covering various roles. 👨‍👩‍👧