🌴 KSRTC drops 31 tour packages for Onam season

The KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell has rolled out 31 diverse tour packages for the upcoming Onam season. These trips will operate from August 19 to September 7, covering spiritual and natural sites. Highlights include the Pancha Pandava Temple tour for ₹910 and a Hyderabad trip from Kottarakkara priced at ₹17,950. The packages cater to various interests, ranging from Munnar trips to Gavi eco-tours. Travelers can book these varied experiences across the specified dates for different budgets. 🏞️

🚨 H-1B grace period ending could impact job security

The Trump administration is proposing to eliminate the 60-day grace period for H-1B workers in the US. This change affects highly skilled foreign workers, many of whom are from India. The proposed rule, RIN 1615-AD22, went to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review on Thursday. Currently, H-1B workers can stay for up to 60 days after job loss to find a new sponsor. This move could force workers to accept lower pay if they cannot secure new employment quickly.

😔 Hunter Biden shares serious update on Joe Biden's cancer

Hunter Biden revealed that his father's prostate cancer has metastasized into his bones and is causing significant pain. This update came from Hunter Biden during a recent BBC interview concerning Joe Biden's health. The 83-year-old former president was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May of last year. Despite the illness, Hunter Biden noted that his father remains active and still believes in the country. Biden will continue to undergo testing every three months along with medication.

🔬 Nobel Prize for muscle oxygen discovery

Danish physiologist August Krogh won the Nobel Prize in 1920 for discovering the capillary motor regulating mechanism. This work was done at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, focusing on oxygen supply to muscles. His research, published in 1919, helped explain how muscles get enough oxygen during high demand periods. This understanding is key for conditions like cardiovascular disease and wound healing. Modern science refines his ideas, but the importance of capillary network organization remains crucial. 💡

🌊 Poonjar flood recovery sparks political heat 🔥

Flood recovery efforts in Poonjar, Kerala, are complicated by a political spat regarding the local legislator's absence. M.J. Sebastian, the MLA for Poonjar, is being questioned by the LDF for traveling to the U.S. during the disaster aftermath. The controversy intensified when senior CPI(M) leader V.N. Vasavan joined the criticism about his trip. The UDF countered, claiming Sebastian led relief for the first five days and that work continued smoothly. State government Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer stated the focus must remain strictly on rebuilding.

⌚ Casio's iconic watch gets a sustainable fabric strap upgrade

Casio has released the F-91WF, a new version of its world's best-selling watch featuring a fabric strap. This update is available globally since August 2026, replacing the classic resin band with one made from recycled PET fibers. The watch maintains its core module and 21-gram weight, while offering scratch and stain resistance. This change addresses longevity issues of the old strap and promotes sustainability. Casio India is expected to list this variant before the year ends. ⌚

🔬 Fluffy net catches tiny ocean plastic 🌊

Researchers have engineered a unique fluffy net to actively pull microplastics from water bodies. This innovative trap was designed by Haeleen Hong and colleagues at NC State using seaweed and shellfish shells. The mesh effectively captured 98.5% of bare latex beads across sizes from 300 nanometers up to 100 micrometers. This mimics natural seagrass balls which trap plastic fragments on beaches. The next step involves combining this mesh with self-dispersing cleaners for easier large-scale cleanup.

⚽ Rashford back at Man Utd; big risk for club

Marcus Rashford is officially reintegrating with the Manchester United squad for pre-season training. This move takes place in the Republic of Ireland, joining Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez. The club will face Leeds on Wednesday and AC Milan in Poland three days later. Ruben Amorim, who previously managed the club, handled Rashford well initially but was sacked in January. The new boss must be careful not to undo the positive culture Amorim helped build. ⚽

🚨 UP MLA alleges conman married 25 women with fake ID

A BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh accused a conman of duping his daughter into marriage using fake identities. The MLA, Gyan Tiwari, lodged a complaint regarding the accused, Prakhar Trivedi, in Sevata, UP. The incident involves Prakhar, who allegedly married 25 women across different states by 2024. Tiwari claimed the marriage caused deep trauma and demanded strict punishment for the accused. Police registered an FIR against Anuj Trivedi, Prakhar's father, initiating legal action. 💔

🚨 Mumbai police bust ₹7.42 crore cybercrime mule racket

Mumbai police arrested one person connected to a major cybercrime racket operating across the country. The accused was apprehended by Khar police on Saturday, August 9, 2026. Investigations revealed ₹7.42 crore was routed through 22 bank accounts across 42 complaints. The accused allegedly opened these accounts to facilitate money transfers for fraudsters. Police are now looking into other individuals involved in supplying these mule accounts. 💸

🏏 Afghanistan one win from World Cup entry 🏆

Afghanistan is just one victory away from securing their spot in the 2027 ODI World Cup. This achievement comes after they convincingly beat Ireland in the second ODI match. The series saw Ireland lose the second game, putting them 0-1 down in the five-match series as of September 2026. Afghanistan's win boosted Rahmat Shah's confidence as captain, following a successful tactical change. They will now aim to secure the final win to guarantee their qualification for the tournament.