🏆 KAU honours agri achievers and top FPOs

Kerala Agricultural University's Agri Business Incubator hosted a merit day to celebrate academic high-achievers, award-winning entrepreneurs, and FPOs. Vice-Chancellor T. Sajitha Rani attended the event, praising the ABI's role in moving farmers to value addition and markets. The university prioritizes capacity building and market linkages for FPOs through programs like FPO Linkage Programme. Juz Crush, a processing enterprise, was highlighted for successfully exporting value-added products after receiving support. Additionally, PALA Santhom Factory FPO was recognized as the state's best FPO for its collective action and growth.

🛣️ Karnataka assembly moves to seize private roads

Bills to empower municipalities to take over private streets and drains were tabled in the Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda introduced the Karnataka Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026. These bills allow takeover if the infrastructure is in poor condition and risks public safety and health. Crucially, the legislation stops previous landowners from claiming compensation or a Development Rights Certificate for these areas. The takeover can happen independently by the municipal authority or upon request from property owners.

🚨 Hate crimes rise in US against Sikhs and Hindus

The FBI has reported an increase in anti-Sikh and anti-Hindu hate crimes across the United States. These incidents affect various communities throughout the US jurisdiction. Data indicates a notable uptick in these specific hate crimes during the reporting period. This rise occurs even as the overall trend for hate crimes shows a general decline nationally. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as more cases come to light.

😠 Calicut varsity SFI leader clash ignites controversy

A request by an SFI leader for readmission to his postgraduate course at the University of Calicut has caused a major controversy. M. Abhinand, the campus unit secretary, is involved, and the incident occurred at the University of Calicut. The rejection order was dated August 18, 2026, while the SFI leadership claimed it was a revengeful act by V-C P. Raveendran. University officials state the rejection followed a violation of conditions set on his temporary attendance permission. The situation is expected to escalate as the political fallout continues. 😠

📉 SEBI takes action on Sensex expiry day manipulation

SEBI has issued a swift order against market manipulation observed during the Sensex expiry day. The regulatory body targeted specific entities involved in the suspicious trading activities. The impounding order amounts to Rs 3.68 crore, which has been placed on these involved parties. This action comes as part of SEBI's ongoing efforts to maintain fair practices in the Indian stock market. The regulator is expected to monitor the situation closely for further compliance. 📉

😠 Actor Hong Min Gi counters ex's assault claims

Rising actor Hong Min Gi faced assault accusations from an influencer named A on August 19, KST. His agency, Fable Company, issued a formal statement claiming many allegations contradicted confirmed facts. The agency revealed that A allegedly kept contact with an ex-boyfriend and met other men during their April 2026 relationship. Despite apologies, A persistently contacted Hong, showing up at his home late at night. Fable Company stated they are ready to pursue civil and criminal action against A for stalking and defamation. 😠

🔥 Wolverine Director on Fan Backlash

The director of Marvel’s Wolverine responded to the recent online criticism after the game's gameplay preview dropped. Mike Daly addressed the backlash from players regarding features like the red scent trail and Sentinel boss fight at Insomniac Games. The preview showcased Rage Tiers, Combat, and PS5 Performance earlier this month. Daly stated that this fan investment is a good problem to have for the development team. The team's main focus remains crafting the best possible experience for the beloved character.

💣 Second suspect in Nord Stream blast arrested in Croatia

A second Ukrainian national, identified as Vladimir Z, has been arrested in Croatia and faces extradition to Germany. German prosecutors allege he was part of a group led by Serhii K, who was already charged in July. This arrest comes a year after the first suspect was charged for the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline blasts. The explosions damaged both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in September 2022. German prosecutors claim the attack aimed to permanently stop gas deliveries to finance Russia's war effort.

Next Apple TV rumored to drop Siri AI and big upgrades

Rumors suggest the next-gen Apple TV 4K will debut with at least five new features, including the A17 Pro chip or newer. This device is expected to feature Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7, and increased RAM. Specifically, it might boast at least 8GB of RAM, significantly boosting performance for new intelligence features. Apple is rumored to unveil this device in September or October this year alongside other smart home products. The current model uses the A15 Bionic chip, making these rumored upgrades quite a leap. 🤩

🏨 KSTDC rolls out new SOPs for Mayura hotels

KSTDC has released new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to standardize operations across its Mayura hotels. This initiative targets both budget and premium hotels located in various tourist spots across Karnataka. Currently, KSTDC runs about 14 budget and 10 premium hotels in locations like Mysuru and Ooty. These SOPs will streamline procedures and aid in training staff in areas like kitchen, front office, and security. Training will begin soon at The Food Craft Institute (FCI) in Mysuru for employee batches.

🤖 Google is dropping new Googlebooks on Sept 15

Google is hosting a media-only event on September 15, 2026, via Chrome Unboxed to showcase its new Googlebook line. This preview will take place in New York, featuring the first models from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. These premium laptops merge ChromeOS and Android, integrating Gemini Intelligence directly into the OS. The devices will allow seamless connection to Android phones and feature AI-powered creation tools. It remains to be seen if these books can challenge Windows dominance in the laptop market. 💻