🩺 Fitbit founders launch tracker for aging parents

Fitbit co-founders have launched a new screen-free wearable called Luffu Link to monitor family members, including aging parents. The device is from Luffu and aims to help families coordinate care remotely. It is priced at US$300, with preorders starting Tuesday, and offers health sensing and location sharing. The accompanying app uses AI to organize data and provide caregivers with real-time insights. Luffu plans to expand into home assistance devices later on. 👵

🗳️ Telangana CM asks for voter roll extension

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has asked the Election Commission to extend the period for filing voter roll objections by four weeks. This request was made to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the SIR process in Telangana. The current window runs from August 17 to September 16, with the final publication set for September 19. Reddy argued this timeframe is too short for a large-scale exercise, especially for ASDD category voters. He also suggested setting up help desks and widening the list of acceptable documents. 🗳️

😥 Assam professor and husband missing in Nepal floods

Several individuals from Assam have gone missing following the devastating floods in Nepal. The missing persons include Deepali Sarkar, a former professor from Guwahati, and her husband, Manash Ghosh. Around 30 people traveled to Kathmandu with a group organized by a travel agency. Contact with Sarkar and Ghosh was lost after around 10:30 pm, despite being contacted earlier that evening. Families are now anxiously waiting for updates from the authorities and rescue teams in Nepal.

🏛️ New faces join Kerala State Planning Board

Four new members have been appointed to the Kerala State Planning Board by the State government. The appointees include G. Vijaya Raghavan and P.P. Balan, joining environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan and Varun Santhosh. This decision, made via an August 29 order, aims to strengthen the board’s advisory and planning capacity. The UDF government is planning to turn the board into a 'think tank' for the government. This move is being closely watched despite opposition criticism regarding the shift from the Planning Commission. 🧐

😔 Suryakumar shocked after World Cup win drop

Suryakumar Yadav expressed confusion after being dropped from the Indian team. This happened while he was set to lead India for the 2028 Olympics and next T20 World Cup. He led India to victory in 42 of 50 completed T20Is and won the World Cup in March 2026. He questioned the change when the team was performing well after winning the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. Suryakumar remains ready to play for India if selectors deem it right in the future. 😔

🙏 WB CM may send team to Nepal for rescue

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari stated the State Government could send a rescue team to Nepal if the Ministry of External Affairs grants permission. The delegation would include one Minister, one MLA, an IG-rank police officer, and a senior IAS officer. Out of 39 missing from West Bengal, two individuals have been located and are being arranged for return as of August 28, 2026. Most of the 37 untraced people were undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra with a specific travel agency. Adhikari also spoke with families over a video call on Friday night to offer support.

😥 Nepal floods leave devastation, bodies buried in slush

Khalsa Aid volunteers are witnessing extreme devastation in Nepal's flood-ravaged valleys following a Himalayan glacier collapse. These volunteers are currently in Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Dhading, observing the severe impact on local communities. As of Saturday, August 29, at least 676 people have died, with nearly 2,400 still missing in Nepal and Tibet. Many families are showing extreme distress, refusing even offered food while desperately seeking news of their loved ones. Khalsa Aid is now focused on relief, with more international teams expected to arrive on Sunday, August 30. 😥

🔬 Rs 5.5 Cr grant for rare skin disorder research

The Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research secured a ₹5.5-crore grant from ICMR. This funding is designated for the ADAPT-EB project in Chickballapur district. The four-year grant, awarded on August 29, 2026, targets affordable diagnostics for epidermolysis bullosa. The research aims to develop low-cost genomic assays and integrate precision medicine approaches. This effort seeks to improve diagnosis and treatment access for patients across India.

🏏 BPL franchises ready to wait a year for big changes

Bangladesh Premier League franchises stated they are ready to pause the tournament for a year if meaningful reforms are implemented. This was discussed with Rangpur Riders, Dhaka Capitals, and Rajshahi Warriors at the BCB headquarters. They requested a five-year calendar to attract top international players, citing issues with sustainability and payments. Franchise owners stressed that the new model must fix long-standing concerns about finance and integrity. BCB president Tamim Iqbal is set to meet the CWAB on August 30 to discuss the future roadmap. 🏏

🚔 Massive drug bust: 12.8kg MDMA seized in Coimbatore

Kerala Police seized 12.8 kilograms of MDMA, valued over Rs 10 crore, from a car in Coimbatore. Three accused, Jabir Ali, Shaim Akbar, and Mohammed Salih, were arrested as part of this interstate trafficking ring. This major bust followed an earlier incident where six people were caught with 100 grams of MDMA several weeks ago. The drugs were packed for distribution across Kerala, ranging from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod. Investigators are now focused on tracing the source of this large consignment. 🚔

🏢 BFSI firms are driving office leasing boom in India

Foreign banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) firms significantly increased their Global Capability Centre (GCC) office leasing in India. This surge happened across eight major cities, including Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, between January and June 2026. BFSI companies leased 7.32 million sq ft, a 70% jump from the previous year's 4.31 million sq ft. This growth contrasts with a 28% decline in office space taken by foreign IT-ITeS firms. This shift shows India's commercial real estate market is diversifying beyond just tech occupiers. 📈