✅ CET: Admission is mandatory after 2nd round selection

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has made admission compulsory for students who secured seats in the second round of CET counselling and chose Choice-1. This rule applies to candidates in Bengaluru for courses like engineering, effective until August 28, 2026. Those who picked Choice-1 confirm they are satisfied and will join the college immediately. If they want an upgrade, they can participate in the third round, though cancelling the second-round seat incurs a ₹5,000 penalty. This measure aims to stop seat blocking scams previously seen in earlier counselling rounds. 🚫

🪐 NASA's Pandora mission starts exoplanet study

NASA's new Pandora mission has officially begun its scientific observations of exoplanets. The mission is being conducted by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center from low Earth orbit. It plans to observe at least 20 exoplanets 10 times each during its year-long primary mission. Pandora aims to separate planet signals from interference caused by their host stars. This data will ultimately help scientists better interpret distant worlds for signs of life. 🪐

🤔 Trump disputes Khamenei's death rumors

Donald Trump stated that he does not believe Mojtaba Khamenei is deceased, addressing recent reports about the Iranian Supreme Leader. Trump made these remarks regarding Khamenei's status in Iran. No specific dates or numerical data were provided in the statement. The context involves ongoing speculation about the leader's well-being in Iran. Further updates on this matter are anticipated as the situation develops.

📊 US stocks steady as inflation eases Fed pressure

US stock market indices were largely flat on Wednesday following the July inflation data release. The S&P 500 saw a 0.10% rise to 7,685.24, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped slightly. The core PCE index increased by 0.2% monthly, with the annual rate hitting 3.3%. This easing inflation gives the Federal Reserve more room to keep interest rates stable. Investors are now watching Nvidia's Q2 fiscal 2027 earnings for market direction. 📈

🤝 University partners to boost IP and mental health support

Sharnbasva University signed two MoUs with KSCST and Samadhana Counselling Centre in Kalaburagi. The agreements focus on strengthening Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and launching a counselling certificate course. Under the KSCST deal, an IP Cell will be set up, offering technical support and workshops. The Samadhana partnership introduces a 50-hour Certificate Course in Counselling for students and communities. This course will run in a hybrid mode, aiming to train lay counsellors across schools and colleges.

📈 Zerodha nets big profit in FY26

Zerodha has reported a substantial profit of Rs 4,283 Cr for the fiscal year 2026. This financial performance was recorded by the brokerage firm across its operations. The company's revenue remained flat during this period, showing no significant change from previous years. This indicates stable operations despite the large profit margin achieved. Looking ahead, the company is expected to maintain its market presence with this financial data.

🚨 Police claim Khalid, Imam bail pleas are illegal

Delhi Police has officially opposed the new bail petitions filed by activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The prosecution asserts that Imam and Khalid are the 'masterminds' of the riots and their pleas are illegal attempts to mislead the High Court. These are the third round of bail petitions after earlier rejections up to the Supreme Court. The police emphasized that the January 2026 Supreme Court order held that their continued detention was justified. They argue that the required time limits specified in the judgment have not yet been met. 👮

🏏 Dean Elgar to hang up his cricket bat

Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the end of the 2026 County Championship season. Elgar, aged 39, previously scored 5347 runs in 86 Tests for the Proteas. He has played over 500 professional appearances across his 21-year career. Elgar cited family commitments as the main reason for stepping away from the sport. He hopes to take a sabbatical to be fully present with his partner and kids. 🏏

🎁 Last chance: Free $100 card with Google Pixel 11

Amazon is running a limited-time promotion for the new Google Pixel 11 lineup. Customers purchasing the base model Pixel 11 will receive a free $100 Amazon gift card. This offer runs until August 27th at 11:59 pm PST, while the Pixel 11 Pro gets a $200 card. The Pixel 11 features a Tensor G6 chipset and upgraded camera tech over the previous model. This straightforward deal is a simple way to get the phone and free spending money.

🔬 Nanoscience + Liquid Crystals: Next-Level Materials

A review assessed the state-of-the-art in functional liquid crystals combined with nanomaterials, detailing advanced capabilities. This research, presented in Advanced Nanocomposites, highlights how this fusion allows for programmable and reconfigurable materials. The review covered alignment control, nanoparticle-doped LCs, and LCEs capable of movement. Challenges noted include ensuring stability, achieving large-scale manufacturing, and integrating multiple functions. Future work aims at creating actuators that sense, move, and change color simultaneously. 🔬

⚖️ Meta settles big lawsuit over Facebook/Instagram practices

Meta has settled a landmark lawsuit that challenged the operational methods of Facebook and Instagram. The company reached this agreement after facing various allegations in the legal dispute. Specific details regarding the settlement amount and dates were not disclosed in the immediate report. The lawsuit brought scrutiny to how Meta handles user data and platform functioning. Moving forward, this settlement impacts how the tech giant will continue to manage its major social media platforms.