😠 Congress slams Chandra's tiny settlement plan

Congress has strongly criticized the repayment plan put forward by Essel Group founder Subhash Chandra. This plan concerns creditors of Essel Group, which owns Zee Media, in India. The NCLT settlement allocates ₹6.25 crore against total admitted claims of ₹22,006.57 crore as of the relevant date. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called this settlement a 'mundan,' mocking the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. Social media users reacted strongly to the implied loss of nearly 99.97% of the original claims. 😠

🤯 Toxic film subverts genre expectations

Geetu Mohandas' film Toxic presents a hyperstylised narrative about a man whose toxicity is questioned. The story is set in pre-independent India, focusing on Raya, a gangster hardened by a difficult childhood. The film features several key characters including his sister Ganga and his ruthless son Ticket. While the genre often portrays toxic men, Toxic flips the script by making the protagonist a victim of his own toxicity. This twist offers a unique departure from the established tropes in Indian cinema. 🎬

🩺 AYUSH education grows, but private colleges lead the charge

India's AYUSH medical education infrastructure has expanded significantly as the Centre pushes for greater healthcare integration. This growth saw the number of AYUSH colleges rise from 789 in 2021 to 971 in 2024, an increase of about 23%. However, non-government institutions dominate this expansion, with nearly 86% of Ayurveda colleges being private. For instance, in Ayurveda, 39,952 out of 40,136 permitted seats were filled in 2024-25. The Ministry is also increasing central spending under the AYURGYAN scheme, which rose to ₹48.5 crore in 2024-25. 📈

🏏 India's WTC hopes get tricky after Colombo draw

Sri Lanka managed a draw in the second Test at Colombo SSC, concluding the series with a 1-0 win for India. The standings are tight as WTC qualification battles intensify for several teams. As of this update, Australia leads with 80.00% PCT, while India sits in fifth place with 51.52% PCT. To qualify, India needs to win all their remaining tests and achieve around 70.37% PCT. The next few matches will be crucial for determining the final contenders.

🐋 Pilot whales gulping huge amounts of plastic in Hawaii

Researchers studied stranded pilot whales near Hawaii over 13 years, revealing severe plastic ingestion in marine life. Three adult males swallowed up to 12 pounds of debris, containing between 6,283 and 35,543 pieces of plastic. This pollution enters deep-sea predators, primarily from abandoned fishing gear in the Pacific. Although initially healthy, this waste causes long-term nutritional and chemical risks to the whales. The findings stress the urgent need for stronger global action against plastic pollution. 🐋

🧐 Congress questions conflicting China-Pakistan narrative

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned conflicting military statements regarding China's role in Operation Sindoor. He highlighted Lt Gen Rahul Singh's July 4, 2025, comments on deep Pakistan-China ties versus Gen. Anil Chauhan's August 25, 2026, contrasting views. Ramesh suggested a deliberate plan to shape the public narrative around India-China relations. The allegations also touched upon a perceived capitulation to China, referencing the June 2020 'clean chit'. The situation raises questions about the government's broader policy stance moving forward. 🧐

🏏 SA domestic cricket gets more first-class action in 2026-27

South African domestic teams are set to increase the number of first-class matches they play during the 2026-27 season. This expansion affects teams across the country, signaling a significant scheduling change for local cricket enthusiasts. The season is scheduled to run from November 2026 through to March 2027, with increased fixtures planned. This move is aimed at boosting domestic cricket participation and improving the overall quality of the local game. Cricket fans should keep an eye out for detailed schedules being released soon. 🏏

NASA drops 10 unreal Milky Way photos

NASA has released a stunning collection of 10 Milky Way images showcasing cosmic beauty. These breathtaking pictures feature dazzling star fields and luminous nebulae from the galaxy. The release date for this collection was August 27, 2026. ESA's Gaia mission contributed significantly to mapping the galaxy's structure for these visuals. These incredible shots highlight the sheer complexity and beauty of our home galaxy. 🌌

🚀 NASA's Roman Telescope Reaches Key Point Before Launch

NASA's Roman Space Telescope has successfully arrived at the complex 39A. This milestone was achieved prior to its scheduled launch date of August 30th. The mission aims to study the distant universe and search for exoplanets. This positioning is crucial for the telescope's initial operational checks. The team is now preparing for the final launch sequence. 🚀

😥 Nepal floods hit hard: deaths and missing count rises

Nepal is facing a severe flood disaster caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. Authorities in Nepal have confirmed a death toll of 270, with 826 people currently unaccounted for. The disaster has severely damaged infrastructure, affecting 35 motorable bridges and 40 kilometres of roads. Over 120 individuals have been rescued by Nepal Army helicopters from the Rasuwa area so far. Rescue teams are continuing their operations as the situation remains critical. 😥

🧐 Economists want more from Fed Chair Warsh at Jackson Hole

Economists surveyed by CNBC are urging Fed Chairman Warsh to share more insights on his economic views. This sentiment was gathered from 31 respondents participating in the special Jackson Hole edition of the CNBC Fed Survey. While 80% want more insight, the group is split 48% to 48% on his rate outlook comments. Warsh's upcoming address is crucial due to rising long-term interest rates and inflation uncertainty. Traders will closely watch his characterization of Treasury actions and general rate philosophy. 🧐