🚀 BJP counters Congress over space sector 'privatisation'

The BJP rejected the Congress' charge of an 'aggressive privatisation agenda' in the space sector on Monday, August 24, 2026. Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari addressed the claim made by Jairam Ramesh regarding the Modi Government's space policy. Data showed foreign satellite launches jumped from 35 before 2014 to 399 by January 2026. Furthermore, space startups grew from one in 2014 to 440 by August 2026, indicating ecosystem expansion. This shift allows private companies to develop rockets, like Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, building on ISRO's foundation.

🗣️ Farooq Abdullah wants Ruhullah to step down

Farooq Abdullah has publicly asked Ruhullah to resign from his current position. This demand was made concerning Ruhullah's dissenting views within the political sphere. The request came in the context of recent internal party disagreements. Abdullah suggested that Ruhullah should seek a fresh mandate from the electorate. This move signals a potential shift in the political landscape of Greater Kashmir.

😠 Jaiswal faces heat for headbutt drama 😠

Yashasvi Jaiswal is facing major backlash after allegedly headbutting Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando during the second Test. The incident occurred on the opening day in Colombo after Jaiswal was bowled by Fernando. On Monday, both players were fined 25% of their match fees and received one demerit point from the ICC. Critics like Cheteshwar Pujara called the body contact unacceptable, despite Jaiswal's social media defense. Experts emphasized that cricket is not a contact sport and players must maintain restraint.

🩺 Kerala High Court asks state to rename mental health centres

The Kerala High Court has directed state authorities to look into renaming 'Mental Health Centres' across the state. This decision came from a Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji. The court noted that the current name attracts significant stigma for patients. An amicus curiae suggested changing the name to 'Institutes of Behavioural Management'. The court emphasized that the centres should support community welfare, not just treat specific illnesses.

🌊 Missing Teen Boy Found After Strong Waves Incident

The body of a 16-year-old boy, V. Sasidharan, was recovered after being swept away by strong waves. This incident occurred at Chinnamudaliar Chavadi in Villupuram district on Sunday. The search operation, involving fishermen and coastal police, concluded on Monday with the recovery. Sasidharan had gone missing after visiting the beach with two friends, N. Pratheesh and R. Kaushik. The body is now at PIMS for a post-mortem, and a case has been registered. 🌊

🧑‍💼 CM ignores drama, pushes for development focus

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy addressed MLAs while rumors about Endowments Minister Konda Surekha were circulating. Reddy stated he would not comment on internal party disciplinary matters and deferred to the committee's decision. MLAs pressed for action against Surekha for allegedly damaging the government's reputation. The CM redirected focus to government work, mentioning the Assembly session starts on September 7. He urged legislators to prioritize constituency issues and speed up irrigation project land acquisition. 🧑‍💼

🔬 Mars Research Uncovers 5 Major Shifts in Dog Food

Mars research has identified five significant science-driven shifts in the nutritional requirements for dogs. This study was conducted by Mars scientists and researchers across various facilities. The findings highlight changes based on various data points collected over a recent period. These shifts are crucial for modern pet care and improving canine health globally. Further research will build upon these insights to revolutionize dog food formulations. 🔬

🌧️ School buses trapped in flooded Gurugram roads

Heavy rain caused severe waterlogging across Gurugram on Monday, trapping several school buses with students inside. This incident occurred in areas like Subhash Chowk amidst red alert warnings issued by the IMD. The congestion peaked on August 24, 2026, impacting key spots such as Rajiv Chowk and Sector 5. Consequently, the administration advised offices to go WFH and schools to go online from August 25, 2026. Gurugram continues to face these monsoon floods due to its basin topography and poor drainage system.

🏛️ P Chidambaram calls 'One Nation, One Election' unconstitutional

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram strongly opposed the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal at the Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting. He raised his objections in New Delhi, arguing the bills are flawed and undermine the basic structure of the Constitution. The debate took place over four rounds of hearings, with Chidambaram citing constitutional inappropriateness for curtailing state assembly terms. Meanwhile, 10 Padma awardees backed the reform, stating it aids national development and keeps projects running. The committee chairman will examine these views while continuing the discussion on electoral reform. 🗳️

🐚 Marine snails' evolution shaped by sea battles

A large-scale study analyzed nearly 700 marine snail species to uncover their evolutionary story. Researchers from the Swedish Museum of Natural History studied Neogastropoda, an order with about 16,000 known species. The findings confirm a single origin and reveal a diversification burst in the early Cenozoic. This burst might be due to increased predation pressure from crustaceans and cephalopods. The new classification framework is crucial for future biodiversity research. 🐚

🚮 Bengaluru to clean vacant plots starting Aug 27

Civic officials in Bengaluru will start cleaning unmaintained vacant plots after the August 22 deadline. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda ordered authorities to serve notices to owners who haven't complied. The cleaning drive kicks off on August 27, intensifying from August 31, with costs ranging from ₹25,900 to ₹1,74,700. Non-compliant owners will see these costs added to their property tax bills. Citizens can also report uncleaned sites via the GBA’s “Clean It” app. 🚮