🚨 Colombian gangs recruit kids for explosive drones

Drug gangs and rebel groups in Colombia are now recruiting children to pilot explosive drones, according to a Human Rights Watch report. These armed groups are using social media platforms to lure minors as they expand control over rural territories. Since 2021, at least 1,500 children have been recruited, with 625 cases reported in 2024 alone. This trend has resurged as smaller factions fight for land abandoned by FARC fighters. HRW urges the government and social media companies to strengthen protections against this practice.

🤱 Anushka Sharma on motherhood and trusting her instincts

Anushka Sharma shared how motherhood has drastically shifted her perspective on life and career choices. Speaking at a Puma event in Bengaluru, she discussed how becoming a mom made her more confident and fearless. She decided to scale back her acting commitments to focus more on her daughter, Vamika, born in January 2021. The core lesson she learned was the necessity of trusting oneself deeply while parenting a dependent child. Ultimately, her message emphasizes making choices that fit one's unique family needs over external validation. 💖

🤔 Opposition urges PM to scrap caste census questionnaire

Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday, demanding the scrapping of the current caste census questionnaire. They highlighted that the open-ended question is misleading and could fragment data for accurate assessment. The leaders argued this method would disadvantage backward and deprived communities, impacting welfare and education decisions. They proposed using a drop-down list, similar to SC/ST enumeration, prepared from existing government lists. This move comes amid ongoing demands for a comprehensive nationwide caste census. 🧐

🎬 Actor Devan switches sides to Vijay's TVK

Actor S Devan has decided to join Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Devan recently resigned as the Kerala state vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on August 15th. TVK representatives offered him the post of president of its Kerala unit following his resignation. Devan stated that TVK’s focus aligns with his goal of fighting corruption and communalism. A formal announcement about his joining is expected after he meets Vijay in Chennai on September 10th. 🤝

🤔 Gadkari's 'can't work much' remark clarified

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's statement about not being able to work as much sparked retirement rumors. He made this remark during a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) event in New Delhi. Specifically, the comments were made during an event organized by the Laxmanrao Mankar Trust in Nagpur on Sunday, August 23. His office clarified that the remarks were not political but related to the Trust's leadership. Therefore, the call for youth involvement was confined to the Trust's functioning, putting the retirement buzz to rest. 👴

📈 RBA Policy Meeting Minutes Drop

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released the minutes from its Monetary Policy Meeting. The board genuinely debated a potential 25 basis point hike versus the current neutral rate estimates. Staff risk assessments indicated that risks to the inflation forecast were skewed to the upside. This shows the ongoing internal deliberation process of the bank. The full implications of these minutes will be revealed soon.

🚔 Gwalior man fined for car kiss marks

A man in Gwalior was fined for decorating his car with over 3,400 kiss marks. The individual was penalized under the Motor Vehicles Act. The violation was reported on a recent date, though specific dates are not mentioned in the details provided. This action highlights local enforcement regarding vehicle customization. Authorities are monitoring such instances to maintain traffic order. 🚔

🔭 New NASA Telescope to Study Universe's Mysteries

NASA is launching a new telescope designed to investigate the profound mysteries of dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets. This advanced instrument will be deployed by NASA across various space missions. It is scheduled for initial deployment in late 2025, marking a significant step in astrophysics. The telescope aims to gather unprecedented data on the composition and evolution of distant galaxies. Scientists anticipate this data will revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos moving forward. 🔭

🔬 Durvalumab combo shows promise in advanced bile duct cancer

The TOURMALINE study assessed the safety and effectiveness of durvalumab paired with seven different gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimens. This evaluation was conducted in a near-real-world group of advanced biliary tract cancer patients, including those with poor prognoses. The study looked closely at safety across all seven regimens and the effect of halving the durvalumab infusion time. Efficacy findings provide insights into using durvalumab alongside these chemo combinations. The primary analysis suggests this treatment approach could support patients facing less favorable prognoses.

🏛️ SC rejects Tejpal's plea; must surrender within 2 weeks

The Supreme Court dismissed journalist Tarun Tejpal's plea asking for exemption from surrendering in the 2013 rape case. He is required to surrender within two weeks following his 10-year sentence handed down by the Bombay High Court. This case involves the alleged rape of a junior colleague in Goa in 2013. The SC listed Tejpal's appeal against conviction for September 22, contingent on filing his surrender certificate. The court emphasized the seriousness of the offense while considering all high court findings. ⚖️

🚨 UAE says Iran war enters new phase post US sanctions

Dr. Anwar Gargash stated that the US announcement of new sanctions against Iran moves the war into a new phase. This development occurred after the US imposed new restrictions on Iran and its economic partners. The sanctions specifically target five areas: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping. Gargash also noted that Iran's aggression missed its target, increasing its isolation. He urged Iran to engage with Gulf states to find a path towards de-escalation.