🏛️ Kerala names new economic advisors for Planning Board

The Kerala government has gave in-principle sanction for appointing three economic advisors to K.M. Chandrasekhar. These appointments are with the State Planning Board, which he joined as Vice-Chairman in July. The advisors are D. Narayana, Kiran Kumar Kakarlapudi, and M. Parameswaran, effective from the current tenure. This follows the board's White Paper submission, which proposed rebuilding it as a government 'think tank'. The Opposition LDF has criticized this move, comparing it to the BJP's move with NITI Aayog.

🌊 Why Mumbai floods fast after just one hour of rain 🌧️

Parts of Mumbai experienced intense rainfall on June 24, 2026, with South Mumbai recording 248 mm, making it a wettest June day in over a decade. This rapid flooding happens because rain intensity exceeds the drainage system's capacity in many areas. The expansion of concrete surfaces prevents water from seeping into the ground, increasing surface runoff significantly. Furthermore, the reduction of natural water-holding areas like wetlands adds pressure to the infrastructure. Climate change acts as an amplifier, making intense rainfall events more likely in the city.

🏛️ Rajya Sabha passes bill to boost co-op funding

The Rajya Sabha recently passed the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. This bill aims to broaden the mandate of the NCDC, a statutory body under the Ministry of Cooperation. The amendments allow NCDC to give loans and grants directly to cooperative societies or development entities. This change seeks to strengthen the entire cooperative ecosystem, making it more modern and independent. The bill also proposes removing geographical restrictions for industrial goods assistance. 🤝

🤰 Obesity jump in Indian women raises health alert

Nearly one in three Indian women aged 15-49 years are now overweight or obese, up from one in four five years ago. This trend was revealed by the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) conducted in 2023-24 across India. The percentage of overweight or obese women rose to 30.7%, compared to 24% in NFHS-5 (2019-21). Doctors are now stressing pre-conception interventions to improve reproductive outcomes by addressing risks beforehand. This approach, similar to Ayurveda's garbhadana samskara, is being offered as a structured program in Udupi, Karnataka. 🤰

🧐 Iran-US ceasefire extension talks stall

The US and Iran have reportedly agreed to extend the 60-day ceasefire under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement is set to expire on August 17, according to Pakistani government sources. However, recent separate attacks by the US and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Tuesday, August 11, suggest tensions remain high. Tehran has stated that the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed unless Washington meets its demands. The situation indicates that talks for a lasting peace remain complicated. 🧐

⚔️ Elden Ring lands on Switch 2 with big expansion

The Elden Ring Tarnished Edition is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28, 2026. Nintendo of America is promoting this version which features the original game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. This bundle also includes four new armor sets, two starting backgrounds, and Torrent customization options. The game supports online multiplayer for up to six players across various modes. This massive RPG is expected to be a key title for the Switch 2 lineup.

✈️ Iran knew Trump's location during NATO summit

US intelligence indicated Iran knew President Donald Trump's precise location in Ankara during the NATO summit. Officials noted a potential surface-to-air missile threat targeting Trump's aircraft during the event. This serious intelligence prompted a major security deception operation. Trump secretly switched planes, while the original Air Force One acted as a decoy aircraft. The maneuver later sparked debate over the risk shifted to other passengers.

🔬 Immunotherapy changes the lung cancer game

Lung cancer treatment has seen a massive shift thanks to new scientific breakthroughs. Patients in India and globally are benefiting from immunotherapy and precision medicines, which target specific cancer mutations. For those diagnosed, survival rates are dramatically improving, allowing people to lead active lives. However, cost and access to these advanced treatments remain significant hurdles for many individuals. Future research aims to incorporate AI and next-gen therapies to further enhance patient outcomes. 🔬

🚨 Police checking viral video of Atiq Ahmed's son crash

A video claiming to show the fatal car crash of Aban Ahmad is currently being verified by Uttar Pradesh Police. The incident involved Aban Ahmad, the youngest son of Atiq Ahmad, and his friend in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The crash happened around 10:30 am on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to three others. The driver reportedly suffered a momentary blackout, causing the car to hit a road divider. Authorities are urging the public to wait for official confirmation before sharing the video. 🚗

🔥 Siddharth Bodke in Hansal Mehta's 'Scam 2010'

Siddharth Bodke's first look from 'Scam 2010' was unveiled on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The series, backed by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment, will be produced by Hansal Mehta. It adapts Tamal Bandyopadhyay's book and chronicles the life of Subrata Roy, the founder of the Sahara Group. The show explores ambition, influence, and the downfall of a massive business empire. This story features Roy, who was arrested in 2014 and passed away in November 2023 at age 75.

🧐 Delhi court shocked over NEET leak chargesheet leak

A Delhi court expressed shock regarding the leakage of the CBI chargesheet and witness names in the NEET UG paper leak case. This incident occurred at Rouse Avenue Court, where Special Judge Ajay Gupta commented that 'something needs to be done in this regard.' The CBI filed a nearly 20,000-page chargesheet naming 13 accused individuals. This case alleges that 3 subject experts leaked exam questions from the NTA office in Delhi. The court will examine the reports and begin hearing arguments on framing of charges from August 13. 🧐