⚖️ Ex-BJP leader gets bail in Palathayi POCSO case

The Kerala High Court granted bail to KK Padmarajan, a former BJP leader convicted in the Palathayi sexual assault case. He was in custody in this matter, which took place in Palathayi, Kerala. The trial court had sentenced him to life imprisonment and 20 years rigorous imprisonment following incidents around January 2020. The court found prima facie infirmity in the conviction order, citing inconsistencies in the survivor's evidence. Padmarajan is now out on bail pending his appeal, subject to strict conditions. ⚖️

💨 Chlorine gas leak hits Nagpur water plant

A chlorine gas leak occurred at a water treatment plant in Godhani village, Nagpur, shortly after midnight on Monday, August 24, 2026. The leak originated from a 900-kg capacity chlorine gas cylinder at the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran facility. Multiple residents experienced severe coughing and breathing difficulties, leading to several hospitalizations. Authorities evacuated people within a 200-metre radius and sealed the affected zone for safety. The leak was plugged around 5:30 a.m. with assistance from NDRF and fire personnel.

🛰️ Congress slams govt over ISRO privatization push

Congress accused the Modi government of pursuing an aggressive privatization agenda in the space sector. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh raised concerns about ISRO's role in India's space programme while promoting private startups. Reports surfaced regarding ISRO's future, citing its six decades of built-up capabilities. Ramesh claimed ISRO's rocket development role would be limited and assets transferred to private companies. He questioned the move, noting 100-120 key ISRO professionals have recently quit. 🛰️

💎 Lalithaa Jewellery IPO debuts strong with 32% premium

Lalithaa Jewellery shares had a solid market debut on Monday, listing at a 32% premium over the offer price. The company listed at Rs 265.30 on BSE and Rs 265 on NSE. The IPO, which ran from August 17 to August 19, saw a 62.97 times subscription. Analysts suggest existing investors can hold with a stop loss at ₹245, while fresh investors should wait. The company has 61 stores across five South Indian states. 💎

🏏 Sri Lanka scores big in 2nd Test

Sri Lanka posted a big total of 503/9 in the second Test match. The match took place between Sri Lanka and India on Sunday, August 23, during the India tour of Sri Lanka 2026. Sonal Dinusha scored 38 runs off 63 balls, and Keshara Nuwantha scored 13 runs off 38 balls. The team also managed to reach 200 runs thanks to Dinusha's boundary. Experts suggest that a lead of 270+ could be enough for India's bowlers. 🏏

⛽ L&T bags massive Middle East gas project deal

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) secured an ultra-mega contract valued over ₹15,000 crore for building gas compression facilities in the Middle East. The project is being executed by L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Onshore (LTEH Onshore) on an EPC basis. This award was issued in FY26 and involves developing facilities for new onshore sour gas processing installations. The scope includes gas inlet and compression systems, alongside two 230 kV substations. This deal showcases L&T's growing capability in complex hydrocarbon solutions. ⛽

🌳 One tree's epic food journey across India

The Mahua tree provides multiple usable products from its flowers, fruits, seeds, and wood. Communities in central, eastern, and western India utilize these parts for various needs. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, dried flowers are used for Ippa roti, while in Odisha's Kandhamal, tribal women make laddoos and jam. The flowers can be processed into jams, jellies, and even fermented beverages. Furthermore, the seeds yield oil used for cooking and making soaps across different parts of India. 🌳

🦟 Dengue peak after rain; watch out for this phase 🦟

Dengue initially looks like any viral fever, causing many to delay testing in the first few days. However, the serious phase often occurs between day 3 and day 7 after the fever breaks. This disease spreads via the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water near homes. Warning signs like severe abdominal pain or bleeding gums require immediate medical attention. Continuous monitoring throughout the entire illness is key to preventing severe complications.

📈 Rupee hits 95.64 vs US dollar amid global tensions

The Indian Rupee strengthened to 95.64 against the US dollar in early trading this week. This movement occurred as geopolitical concerns and crude prices influenced the domestic currency's performance. The Rupee had closed at 95.71 on Friday, showing a minor gain of 3 paise. Markets are watching potential fresh sanctions from Washington targeting Iran's oil trade and banking. Consequently, oil and currency markets are expected to remain cautious until more details are released this evening. 📈

✈️ No more stamp on boarding passes from Sept 1

Physical stamping of boarding passes for immigration clearance is officially ending starting September 1st. This change is being implemented by the Bureau of Immigration for international passengers departing from India. The new process allows travellers to show either an electronic or physical boarding pass without stamping. This removes an extra physical step that caused inconvenience or readability issues previously. The move aims to simplify and speed up the entire immigration clearance process. ✈️

🏏 Mackay pitch gets top rating despite quick Test finish

The Mackay pitch, which witnessed a 30-wicket carnage in just 125 overs, is set to receive a 'very good' grading. This happened during the Second Test between Australia and Bangladesh at Great Barrier Reef Arena on August 23, 2026. The pitch grading, which is the highest of four possible levels, comes after the ICC formalizes the assessment. While the match finished early, Josh Hazlewood suggested the surface wasn't solely responsible for the rapid pace. This rating mirrors a previous two-day Test in Perth Stadium. 🏏