🚆 Railways: Mangaluru shift doesn't affect Kerala

Indian Railways announced that shifting Mangaluru to South Western Railway brings unified planning and better train operations. This move transfers the Mangaluru region from Palakkad Division of the Southern Railway, effective from August 24, 2026. Investment in Kerala's rail network has seen a massive tenfold increase, rising to ₹3,795 crore by 2026-27. Furthermore, projects worth over ₹20,000 crore are in the pipeline for Kerala, including 800 km of line augmentation. The change is administrative, ensuring Palakkad Division retains all its Kerala territory.

📉 SoftBank offloads big stake in Lenskart

SoftBank has decided to sell shares worth Rs 2,888 crore in the eyewear giant Lenskart. The sale involves major institutional investors like Societe Generale, Goldman Sachs, and Motilal Oswal. This transaction is happening in the current market environment for the company. SoftBank's move reflects a strategy shift or capital realignment for the investment firm. Future steps will depend on the finalization of this significant divestment process. 📉

🔭 Fastest Star Yet Spotted Near Black Hole

Astronomers have observed the fastest star orbiting a black hole. This celestial event took place near the massive black hole in the cosmos. The star is moving at an incredible 8% of the speed of light. This discovery provides crucial insights into extreme gravitational environments. Further observations are planned to better understand this stellar behavior. 🔭

🧐 ED probes foreign funds linked to pastor in Rajasthan

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating alleged foreign funding connected to religious conversion activities in Rajasthan. This probe centers on Jaipur-based Protestant missionary pastor Ravi Mohan Pahadiya and US donor Thomas Eugene Lynch. Around Rs 2.20 crore in foreign funds received by Pahadiya was allegedly used for proselytization activities. These activities reportedly involved SC-Valmiki communities in Jaipur and ST-Bhil communities in southern Rajasthan. The ED searched two premises in Jaipur as part of this investigation under FEMA.

🚦 Kerala Police roll out lane traffic rules

Kerala Police has issued new guidelines for maintaining lane traffic to prevent accidents and jams. This action was taken because two-wheeler riders on National Highways are often driving too close to the median. The rules specify that slow and heavy vehicles must use the left-most lane, while the right lane is only for overtaking. Riders must use indicators and check mirrors before changing lanes, and lane changes are restricted by road markings. Strict checks will be conducted, and the public can report violations via the Shubhayatra WhatsApp number. 🚦

😠 Himanta slams Rahul Gandhi over Manusmriti row

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi regarding his comments on Manusmriti. Sarma made these remarks on Monday, following Gandhi’s comments in Pune on Saturday. The criticism was over Gandhi allegedly using women’s rights as a smokescreen to target Hinduism. Sarma challenged Gandhi to unequivocally support a Uniform Civil Code if women's equality is truly a priority. This political row has drawn criticism from other BJP leaders like Yogi Adityanath. 😠

📱 Mivi is bringing smartphones to the Indian market

Mivi is planning to launch new smartphones in India, adding to the market's buzz. This move follows Fire Boltt also introducing its first smartphone under the brand name Boltt. While Mivi has teased the arrival via a poster, no specific date or timeline has been shared yet. Notably, Mivi was primarily known for audio products like earbuds and soundbars before this announcement. The brand confirmed the new phone will be available soon through Flipkart.

🌧️ Climate Scientists Crack Monsoon Mystery 🌧️

Climate scientists have successfully solved a complex puzzle regarding the Indian monsoon patterns. This breakthrough was achieved by a team of researchers working across various institutions. The study analyzes data spanning several decades, noting significant shifts in rainfall distribution. These findings highlight emerging risks, particularly for the country's crucial fisheries sector. Authorities are now expected to use this data to plan adaptive strategies for the coming seasons.

🧐 3D printing fixes ancient pots with smart sensors

Researchers at Koc University in Turkiye created custom 3D-printed replacements for missing parts of ancient pottery. This method uses photogrammetry and digital modelling to reconstruct damaged ceramic objects. The replacements are embedded with sensors to track temperature, strain, and environmental damage. Testing was done on Günsenin IV amphorae from Turkiye and objects from the Amalfi coast in Italy. Further work will assess the approach's practical uses and cost-effectiveness for maritime artifacts. 🧐

🌌 Why some star flares fade out near black holes

Some stars repeatedly pass near supermassive black holes, losing material and creating recurring light flares. These events occur around the black hole, and astronomers noted that each subsequent flare got dimmer. The new study suggests that the star's unusually rapid spin before the first encounter is the key factor. This rapid spin alters how the stripped material behaves during later passes around the black hole. Therefore, the fading flares hint at the star's initial rotational history. 🌠

🚂 60 extra trains planned for 2027 Pushkarams

Railway authorities are planning to operate around 60 extra train services for the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams. This decision was announced by Rahul Meena during a review meeting in Rajamahendravaram on Monday. The planning involved Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Mohit Sonakia and Collector Ch. Kirthi. An action plan will be developed with Railways, APSRTC, and police for visitor management. Furthermore, police and transport departments must prepare route maps for all stations and walking paths.