🧑‍⚖️ Kissing a child's penis is sexual assault, says Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court ruled that kissing a child's penis constitutes penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act. This decision was made while dismissing an appeal from a convict in Kerala. The charges involved an incident on the same day where the accused allegedly subjected a 14 ½ year old boy to aggravated sexual assault twice. The court clarified that the law does not require deeper penetration for this specific offense. Therefore, the court upheld the 20-year sentence imposed by the Special Court. 🧑‍⚖️

🌉 Helene's wreck: New Virginia bridge opens today

Hurricane Helene famously lifted a concrete Virginia bridge off its foundation and pushed it toward the shoreline. This happened to the Route 1212 bridge in Damascus, Southwest Virginia, following the powerful storm in September 2024. The storm impacted over 500 sites, costing an estimated $195.5 million for repairs across the Bristol District. The replacement bridge opens to traffic today, September 1, completing the major recovery effort there. Crews will still be on site, so drivers are advised to proceed with caution.

👍 Nadda says FIRs against NEET protesters are being dropped

Union Minister JP Nadda confirmed that the Centre is honoring its promise to withdraw cases against students involved in the protests. This assurance was given to protect the students' futures and prevent any harsh action against them. Nadda also welcomed the decision to cancel the protest scheduled for September 5. The government consulted with BJP-ruled state governments to implement this assurance. The development shows that the youth's progress remains a top priority for the government. 🧑‍🎓

🏛️ Eknath Shinde skips cabinet meeting, tension rises

Eknath Shinde skipped Tuesday's state Cabinet meeting amid growing friction between his Shiv Sena and the BJP in Maharashtra. He was reportedly at his Thane residence while the meeting was taking place, and no official reason was given for his absence. This drama comes amidst disagreements over Mumbai's cooperative network and state corporation positions. The latest hotspot is the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank election, where Shinde's Sena is challenging BJP-backed leaders. Political tensions remain high as Shinde heads to Delhi for a Supreme Court hearing on the Shiv Sena name and symbol. 🏛️

🌋 Africa's massive plume is pulling the continent apart

Scientists are explaining weird ground movement beneath the East African Rift System using computer models. The findings point to the African Superplume, a huge upwelling of hot mantle material deep inside Earth, as the cause. This deep mantle flow is linked to unexpected motion running parallel to the rift. This new research adds detail to the debate on what drives the rift, suggesting multiple forces are at play. The models also confirmed that rock orientation matches the plume's northward flow. 🌍

📉 MFs are trimming holdings in 12 stocks for two quarters

Mutual Funds (MFs) have consistently reduced their stakes across 84 BSE 500 stocks over the last two quarters. This trend was observed in both the June 2026 and March 2026 quarters across various companies. Specifically, 28 stocks have dropped over 10% in CY2026, while 14 have seen prices fall between 25% and 50% in eight months. MFs are typically considered informed investors basing decisions on company fundamentals. This sustained reduction in holdings is now a key trend that market watchers are monitoring.

🚀 Live spacewalk incoming with two astronauts

Two astronauts, Sophie Adenot and Jessica Meir, are set to perform a spacewalk today, September 1, 2026. This Extravehicular Activity will take place outside the International Space Station for a planned duration of 6.5 hours. This marks the sixth all-female EVA in human history and a key milestone for Expedition 75. They will replace a retroreflector and install jumper cables for data-relay systems. Viewers can tune in starting at 11:00 UTC to watch the mission unfold. 🛰️

🚁 Mars exploration shifts to drones, not landers

NASA is pivoting its near-term Mars exploration focus to aerial drones instead of new rovers or landers. This pioneering shift will be demonstrated by the SkyFall mission, a fleet of three helicopters set for late 2028. The SR-1 Freedom mission, costing $2.1 billion, will carry these drones to the red planet. JPL and AeroVironment are developing these helicopters, building on the success of the Ingenuity vehicle. These drones will autonomously land, opening up new, potentially cheaper ways to explore Mars. 🚁

🔬 Ancient Fossils Spill Earth Warming Secrets

Scientists have studied molecular fossils to uncover details about Earth's recovery process. Researchers focused on samples from various ancient geological sites. These fossils provide data spanning millions of years, dating back to major climate shifts. This research helps scientists understand how ecosystems bounced back after severe global warming events. The findings will contribute to models predicting future climate resilience. 🌍

🧠 Boost Brainpower Post-Menopause with Cardio

Aerobic exercise has been shown to positively impact key thinking skills after menopause. Studies conducted by researchers at a major university are examining the effects of regular activity on cognitive function. The research involved monitoring participants over a period of five years, collecting data on various cognitive metrics. This is crucial because menopause can sometimes affect cognitive abilities in women. Experts recommend incorporating consistent aerobic workouts into one's routine for better long-term brain health. 🧠

⚽ Casado's Barca future hanging in the balance

Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado's transfer status remains uncertain as the deadline day nears its end. The 22-year-old has not been named in any matchday squads this season and lost his jersey to Anthony Gordon. Sources suggest Casado favors a move to Bayer Leverkusen, provided they can offload Robert Andrich. Other interested clubs mentioned include Real Betis, Saudi clubs, and Besiktas. The European transfer window closes today, but options remain open in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.