🏖️ Collector checks venues for BRICS Sports Ministers' Meet

The District Collector, M. Abhishikth Kishore, inspected venues for the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting-2026 on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. He reviewed arrangements at Rushikonda Beach, where high tea is planned, ensuring international standards. At Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex, directives included setting up welcome arches and banning visitors on August 22. The Collector also checked Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary and asked about including local museums in the itinerary. These checks are part of preparations for the high-level delegation's visit.

🎬 Amitabh Bachchan shares early Bollywood rejections

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan humorously recalled harsh rejections from his early career in Bollywood. This happened during the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 in Mumbai. He mentioned being scolded for being too tall and lacking acting skills. The actor also recounted being asked to leave a film set for being late. He has starred in classics like Sholay and is currently hosting KBC S18. 🎬

☀️ Vitamin D Tip You Need to Know Now

Many people take Vitamin D supplements to boost their health. This essential vitamin is crucial for overall well-being across various demographics. Studies highlight that optimal levels should be maintained, especially during winter months. Insufficient Vitamin D can lead to several health issues if ignored. Experts advise consulting a doctor for personalized dosage recommendations.

🎮 Elden Ring on Switch 2: Performance looks up, but handheld is iffy

Elden Ring Tarnished Edition is set to drop on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28th. Famitsu tested the game on the console, showing improvements in stuttering during open-world areas. In docked mode, it seems locked around 30 fps, though it might exceed this sometimes. Handheld mode, however, still sees frame-rate drops below 30 fps during intense boss fights. The game will cost $79.99, with the Tarnished Pack available separately.

🚢 State leases land to Cochin Shipyard for big project

The State government has approved leasing 18.16 acres at Ramanthuruth to Cochin Shipyard Limited. This deal was announced by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. CSL plans to invest ₹5,000 crore, which is expected to create about 2,000 direct jobs. The government will earn an annual lease amount of ₹1.45 crore from this island land. This project is set to boost the State’s shipbuilding industry and attract more investment. 🚢

📉 Gold Prices Drop Amid Rising US Yields

Gold prices are currently falling due to a surge in US Treasury yields. This movement is putting pressure on the global bullion market. Specifically, yields have been rising significantly across various US debt instruments. Historically, higher yields make fixed-income investments more attractive compared to non-yielding gold. Market participants are now closely watching how this trend affects future gold valuations.

🎡 Ferris Wheel Cabin Crashes at Lucknow Fair

A Ferris Wheel cabin unexpectedly broke off and fell during the Indiranagar Sawan Mahotsav at Lucknow's Ghazipur police station area on Tuesday night. Five individuals were injured in the crash, with two of them currently in critical condition. The injured were immediately transported to Sushma Hospital for necessary medical attention. Videos surfaced showing the panic among people at the fair following the incident. Locals have alleged that the amusement ride was not stopped right away after the accident occurred.

🗳️ Parliamentary Board Focuses on Poll Panel Tasks

The Parliamentary Board has finalized its team and established a specific set of tasks for it. This board is operating within the context of electoral processes in India. Key dates and numbers related to the election schedule are currently under review by the members. The board's focus is ensuring smooth execution of the upcoming election duties. Moving forward, the team will execute the outlined duties according to the schedule. 🗳️

🧐 BJP board reshuffle brewing under Nitin Nabin

Nitin Nabin's team is settling down, leading to high anticipation for a reshuffle in the BJP's Parliamentary Board. This board recommends key appointments like PM and CM and holds policy-making authority for the party. The board can have a maximum of 11 members, though it currently has 12 members as of the latest update. Questions are being raised about including sitting Chief Ministers, despite the board's role in selecting them. Nitin Nabin is expected to soon constitute the Parliamentary Board, the Central Election Committee, and the National Executive. 🧐

🐌 Flatworm disaster wipes out Pacific island snails

A predatory flatworm was introduced in Samoa during the 1990s to control giant African snails, leading to an ecological crisis. This generalist predator, Platydemus manokwari, was brought to Samoa and surrounding islands for crop protection. The flatworm spread quickly, targeting native tree snails, and caused major population declines by the 2010s. US Fish & Wildlife Service later listed affected native snail species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Now, strict biosecurity measures are in place to protect the few remaining snail populations. 🐌

⚽ Barcelona eyeing young striker Hamza Abdelkarim

Barcelona is looking at young striker Hamza Abdelkarim as a potential option while seeking a new forward. The Egyptian impressed the coaching staff during his initial training session by showing natural goalscoring instincts. During a special finishing session, the technical team noted his varied shooting ability and powerful headers. Coaches are currently working to refine his movement, encouraging him to stay inside the box, referencing players like Haaland and Eto'o. This is a hopeful sign for Barcelona if their chase for a big-name striker doesn't pan out this window. ⚽