🗳️ Calicut University Student Union Polls on Aug 14

Elections for the University of Calicut students’ union are set to take place on Friday, August 14, 2026. The voting timing has been shifted from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the vote counting will commence at 2 p.m. Over 500 councillors from five affiliated districts will vote for key functionaries. The Students’ Federation of India has fielded candidates, with the Kerala Students’ Union and Muslim Students’ Federation forming an alliance.

🎣 Kerala fishers fight corporate push for black sand wealth

Kerala's fishing community is uniting to oppose the Centre's move to open black sand and offshore mineral resources to large corporations. T.N. Prathapan, chairperson of the Kerala State Fishermen Coordination Committee, stated the Bill challenges local livelihoods in Kerala. The proposal involves amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, despite earlier resistance in Kollam. This move risks limiting the state's ability to collect cess and levies from private entities. Fishermen vow to resist this policy, especially after the Chief Minister's assurance on private mining. 🎣

🐠 Fish reveal how brain power evolved fast or slow

Researchers studied two closely related fish species to understand cognitive evolution. The study focused on how different brain processing speeds emerged in these aquatic creatures. Data collected covered observations over several years, specifically regarding neural pathways. This research helps scientists decode the mechanisms behind complex thought in animals. Future studies aim to map these evolutionary changes across various species. 🐠

⚖️ Bar Council challenges BCI's NALSAR enrollment ban

A Bar Council of India member strongly opposed BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra's order barring NALSAR graduates from enrollment. Advocate N. Manoj Kumar, from the Bar Council of India and Kerala, expressed deep anguish regarding the August 13 direction. This order targeted all 2026 NALSAR law graduates pending an inquiry into a student campaign against the CJI's convocation participation. Manoj Kumar argued that threatening enrollment denial for expressing views is unwarranted and arbitrary. He urged the BCI Chairman to immediately withdraw the blanket prohibition against the entire 2026 batch. ⚖️

🎾 WTA Toronto Final: Swiatek vs Rybakina Showdown

The WTA Toronto Final is set to feature a massive clash between Iga Swiatek and Jessica Rybakina. The matchup is taking place in Toronto, Canada, promising high-stakes tennis action. Key statistics for the final are still pending release for the specific match dates. Both players are highly ranked contenders with strong records heading into this major tournament. Fans are eagerly anticipating an intense and thrilling final showdown this week.

⚽ 2027 Spanish Super Cup moves to Istanbul 🇹🇷

The 2027 Spanish Super Cup is shifting its location to Istanbul for the upcoming tournament. The competition will feature four teams: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Real Sociedad in Istanbul. This change happened because Saudi Arabia became unavailable due to an AFC Asian Cup scheduling conflict in 2027. The event is expected to return to Saudi Arabia in 2028, though Riyadh Season will sponsor the Istanbul edition. All games will be held at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium.

🤔 Barça managers clash over Alvarez backup

Barcelona is still hoping to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, despite his refusal to be sold this summer. Villarreal striker Georges Mikautadze has surfaced as a potential alternative option for the club. Sporting director Deco likes Mikautadze's profile, but manager Hansi Flick is not fully enthusiastic about the move. The potential transfer is complicated by Villarreal demanding €60 million to €65 million for the 25-year-old. Alignment between Deco, Flick, and a sensible fee is needed for the signing to happen.

🌳 Hampi rolling out 'Clean and Green' drive

The Tourism Department has directed officials to start a 'Clean and Green Hampi' campaign. This initiative involves the Hampi Development Authority and the Vijayanagara Deputy Commissioner. The plan, set for implementation, will cover cleanliness, plastic control, and infrastructure maintenance. Stakeholders, including tourists and locals, must actively participate in keeping the heritage site clean. Furthermore, a tender process is starting to manage overall cleanliness at various Hampi sites.

🚨 YSRCP leader claims CM is politicizing police force

YSRCP Krishna district unit president Perni Venkatramaiah (Nani) accused CM N. Chandrababu Naidu of undermining the police administration. This happened in Machilipatnam where Nani alleged the CM directly interacted with nearly 1,100 field-level police officers via video conference. The claims were made on Thursday, August 13, 2026, ahead of municipal and panchayat elections. Nani stated this was to gain political control, pointing out neglect over serious crime cases. He also criticized the government's handling of women's safety and farmers' issues.

🚌 PTFRC checks KKRTC facilities in Kalaburagi

The Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee inspected KKRTC facilities in Kalaburagi on Thursday. The committee, led by Atul Kumar Tiwari, visited the headquarters, depots 1, 2, and 4, along with the Central Bus Station. They gathered detailed info on operations and the Shakti scheme, reviewing bus maintenance and cleanliness at various depots. Committee members also talked with passengers and drivers to check public transport service issues.

😥 7 lakh gold jewellery vanishes at Bengaluru Airport

A 58-year-old businessman reported that gold jewellery worth about ₹7 lakh disappeared from his checked luggage. Nauman Siddiq, a Bengaluru resident, was traveling from Bengaluru to Mumbai with his family on July 13, 2026. He stated that 70 gms of gold, valued at roughly ₹7 lakh, were in the baggage which was sealed at Kempegowda International Airport. After arriving in Mumbai, Siddiq found the valuables missing and contacted airport and airline authorities. He officially filed a complaint with the Bengaluru International Airport police on August 12 for an investigation.