🏛️ Kerala reforms college admission and fee panels

The Kerala government has officially reconstituted the admission supervisory and fee regulatory committees for professional colleges. Former High Court judge K.P. Balachandran now chairs both committees, a decision announced in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. These panels are responsible for handling engineering college admission complaints and setting annual course fees. The previous arrangements were deemed incomplete and were cancelled due to administrative issues. The new committees will include various secretaries and education experts to ensure proper functioning moving forward. 🏛️

🐘 Abhimanyu out of Dasara squad: Injury or age?

Elephant Abhimanyu was absent from the Mysuru Dasara 2026 jumbo squad, sparking debate among enthusiasts. Questions arose regarding if minor tusk damage affected the famed tusker's exclusion from the squad. Forest Department officials countered that his age, having turned 60 in April this year, was the main reason due to forest rules. Abhimanyu sustained minor tusk damage last month at the Mattigodu elephant camp after striking a tree. Demands are rising for a ceremonial farewell, potentially allowing him to join as a Nishane Aane. 🐘

⚠️ UAE Halts Trade, Iran Faces Economic Hit

The United Arab Emirates has stopped trade with Iran, creating a significant economic risk for Tehran. This development affects both Iran and the UAE, impacting their established trade routes. As of the recent reports, the extent of the halted trade is substantial and ongoing. This move comes amid complex geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region. Future trade relations between the two nations remain uncertain and under scrutiny.

🧐 Jain and others sent to custody in DJB corruption probe

Former minister Satyendar Jain and four others were sent to judicial custody in a major corruption case involving the Delhi Jal Board. The accused include former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai, and the case was registered on May 11, 2024. Investigations point to tender irregularities favoring Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd by limiting competition. Jain claimed his arrest was political, linking it to the upcoming Punjab Assembly polls. The Anti-Corruption Branch is continuing its probe into the sewage treatment plant tendering process. 🧐

💰 India's ₹1T RDI fund picks next fund managers soon

India's ₹1 trillion RDI fund will select its next tranche of second-level fund managers in the next couple of weeks. This process is underway in New Delhi, overseen by the RDI Cell. As of July 23, TDB funded 22 startups with ₹2,192 crore, and Birac funded eight with ₹390.35 crore. Announced in January 2025, the scheme is sector-agnostic but requires a minimum TRL of 4. Stakeholders suggest reconsidering the TRL entry bar for deep-tech ventures.

🏫 Dubai school costs: ₹14 lakh tuition + extra fees

A Dubai-based content creator shared the detailed expenses for her daughter's schooling in the UAE. The annual tuition fee at GEMS International School alone is around ₹14.34 lakh, plus other mandatory costs. This includes a ₹3.12 lakh annual bus fee and a ₹26,000 uniform expense. Food costs are separate, as they are not covered within the tuition structure. Social media users are debating the high cost of private education in Dubai and the UAE. 💸

🧐 Congress maps out strategy on key national issues

The Congress held a major strategy meeting on Wednesday to plan its political moves across several fronts. Mallikarjun Kharge chaired the session at Indira Bhawan, where 88 leaders attended to discuss various topics. The party decided to expand its 'Chhatron ki Goonj' campaign to 800 cities against paper leaks. They also planned to push the "chanda chori" issue down to village and panchayat levels. Furthermore, the group addressed the Vande Mataram centenary and border security concerns. 🧐

🐒 11 exotic animals seized near Vikram's case moving to Vandalur zoo

Eleven exotic animals, including two Lar gibbons, were seized from a farmhouse in Perundurai, Erode district. These animals, which include seven African serval cats and two tufted capuchin monkeys, belong to S.K. Keshavanathan. The Forest Department is seeking court permission to shift these animals to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, Chennai, on Thursday. The case was registered on August 14 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The final decision regarding the animals' transfer rests with the court. 🐒

🏈 NFL stars change jerseys for 2026 season

Several established NFL stars have moved to new teams ahead of the 2026 season, leading to major roster shifts across the league. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa moved from the Miami Dolphins to the Atlanta Falcons, while Justin Fields joined the Kansas City Chiefs. These changes include Kirk Cousins moving to the Las Vegas Raiders and Aaron Rodgers returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wide receivers like Jaylen Waddle traded to the Denver Broncos and A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. These moves reshape defensive and offensive capabilities for the upcoming NFL year. 🏈

💰 Sachin Bansal's Navi lands big $100M investment

Indian fintech Navi secured its first outside capital with a $100 million investment from Prosus. The Bengaluru-based startup, founded by Sachin Bansal, is now valued at approximately $1.3 billion. This funding comes as Navi reportedly prepares for an initial public offering of ₹30 billion. Bansal started Navi in 2018 after leaving Flipkart, aiming to eventually build it into a bank. The company's UPI app is currently the fourth-largest in the country.

😔 Gold Mine Landslide Tragedy in Central Africa

A massive landslide at a gold mine has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 100 lives. This devastating incident occurred in the Central African Republic. The casualties are reported as over 100 people as of recent updates. The collapse happened due to unstable terrain at the mining site. Authorities are currently conducting rescue and recovery operations at the location. 😔