🐘 POP & chemical Ganesha idols banned in Mysuru

The Mysuru district administration has officially banned Ganesha idols made from Plaster of Paris or painted with chemical colours. This directive was issued by the administration, in collaboration with MCC and KSPCB, on Tuesday, September 1st. The ban covers manufacture, sale, transportation, and immersion of these idols containing heavy metals. Violators face criminal charges under Section 279 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with strict checks at border posts. People are urged to use clay idols with natural colours for the upcoming Gowri-Ganesha festival. 🐘

💳 India pushing for new BRICS payment system 💸

India is pushing for a new payment system within BRICS to cut reliance on the US dollar for trade. This initiative centers in New Delhi, where India chairs BRICS in 2026. Discussions are set for September 12-13, 2026, focusing on digital payments and CBDCs. The proposal aims to connect existing national payment systems directly in local currencies, not create a new BRICS currency. This move seeks to boost intra-BRICS trade resilience against global economic shocks.

📉 Global bond markets see selloff amid inflation fears

Global bond yields surged on Tuesday due to renewed tension between the U.S. and Iran, boosting inflation expectations. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield climbed to 4.798%, marking its highest since January 2025. This selloff was fueled by increased anxiety over rising interest rates across major economies. Elevated bond yields could strain both households and government finances worldwide. Market watchers are closely monitoring developments to see how this trend continues.

🛡️ Firefox finally drops built-in ad blocker for iOS

Firefox has introduced a native ad blocker directly into its iOS application. This feature is now available for all users across the iOS platform. The update rolled out recently, offering a seamless way to manage online content. It aims to give users greater control over the advertisements and trackers they encounter online. Users can now enjoy a cleaner browsing experience without needing third-party extensions.

🤖 Robots tackling water hyacinth in Kumarakom 🤖

A massive infestation of water hyacinths is overwhelming the Vembanad lake area near Kumarakom. The State Wetland Authority Kerala launched a pilot project in Kumarakom with stakeholders starting September 10th. This initiative will deploy a robotic surface vehicle to harvest the weed and process it into valuable products. The project, implemented by FERI, aims to mitigate damage to tourism and navigation for better lake health. If successful, the program will expand across other parts of Vembanad in partnership with local bodies.

🌍 Earth's core might hide 45 oceans of water

A new study suggests Earth's core stores hydrogen equivalent to up to 45 oceans of water. Researchers at ETH Zurich conducted experiments simulating Earth's formation conditions. They estimated this hydrogen makes up 0.07% to 0.36% of the core's mass, calculated around February 2026. This supports the theory that much water was present during early planetary formation. Future steps involve testing how these lab findings scale to the massive, real-world system. 💧

📣 ESA notification sparks political fire in Pathanamthitta

A revised draft notification concerning Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) has become a major political point in Pathanamthitta. This issue involves seven villages across Konni and Ranni taluks, which have been classified as red zones. The notification, dated September 01, 2026, brings these areas under ESA framework with restrictions on farming and construction. Farmer groups and the LDF are pushing for the exclusion of these inhabited villages from the ESA regime. The Kerala Congress (M) is also demanding the State government intervene and convene a special Assembly session. 🌾

📉 Gold dips as US yields jump, rate hike fears rise

Gold prices experienced a 2% drop following significant shifts in global financial markets. This decline was observed as US Treasury yields surged upwards across the board. Specifically, the yields increased substantially in the recent trading sessions. This movement is fueled by growing market expectations regarding a potential Federal Reserve rate hike. Investors are now closely watching central bank announcements for further direction. 📉

🌾 Karnataka to revise drought-hit taluks list

The Karnataka government plans to revise the list of drought-hit taluks following additional surveys, as stated by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in Gadag on Tuesday. He assured farmers that all revisions must adhere to the Union government’s calamity relief guidelines. Currently, 101 taluks have been declared drought-affected based on Central norms, which Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed. A comprehensive drought report will be submitted to the Centre within two weeks for further assessment. Central teams will conduct evaluations, leading to compensation release and subsequent support measures for farmers. 🌾

🎮 GTA VI might tank workplace productivity

The release of Grand Theft Auto VI could potentially impact global workforces significantly. Analysts are concerned about the massive diversion of time and attention this game might cause across various industries. Estimates suggest that lost productivity could reach billions of dollars worldwide. This massive gaming hype represents a major shift in leisure time allocation. Companies may need new strategies to manage this potential drain on employee focus.

🦌 Hunting gang caught for deer meat selling in Kerala

Forest department officials arrested four members of a hunting gang for killing and selling deer meat. The accused were identified as Sunil Kumar C.G., Anil Kumar C.G., Abhilal Madhu, and Prashanth, operating in Pathanamthitta. The gang allegedly shot a sambar deer near Athumpumkulam last Sunday, with the meat being sold afterwards. Forest officials seized a vehicle and weapons during their apprehension at Payyanamon on Monday. The accused will now be produced before a court for further legal action. 🦌