⚽ Rodri to Barca, Madrid snubbed

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has chosen FC Barcelona as his preferred destination over Real Madrid. The 30-year-old, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, informed Real Madrid of his decision. City is hoping for €80 million but could accept €60-70 million from Barcelona. This move is accelerated by Frenkie de Jong's knee injury, which necessitates a midfield signing. The next challenge is whether Barcelona can afford the fee while meeting Financial Fair Play limits. ⚽

⚓ Kochi tackles dangerous fishing gear waste

Kochi Corporation is launching a buyback scheme for old fishing nets to stop safety threats to ro-ro services. This initiative is being implemented by the Corporation in Kochi to curb the danger from abandoned gear. A recent incident on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, saw a ferry stall after ropes entangled a propeller near Fort Kochi. Mayor V.K. Minimol stated this practice could be fatal if not controlled, citing scrap traders as a concern. Furthermore, Ms. Minimol ordered KSINC to suspend ro-ro services during strong undercurrents. ⚓

⚖️ Pavani Mahalakshmi challenges for SCBA President role

Senior Advocate Pavani Mahalakshmi has officially entered the race for the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). She is currently the only woman candidate contesting this significant election. Her nomination was submitted on Wednesday, signaling a major bid for leadership. This candidacy received strong backing from Senior Advocate Anitha Shenoy and Senior Advocate Kiran Suri. These distinguished members supported her bid for the top post in the SCBA.

🤝 AIADMK rebels meet Water Resources Minister

Rebel senior legislators from AIADMK met with Water Resources Minister N. Anand at the Secretariat on Thursday. Key attendees included S.P. Velumani, C.Ve. Shanmugam, and K.P. Anbalagan. Velumani specifically advocated for including Thondamuthur areas in the Athikaduv-Avinashi water supply project. He strongly denied joining the TVK and supported the current regime's scheme revival efforts. Shanmugam also raised constituency issues with the Minister.

🏛️ Minister Siddaramaiah slams 'Hindu Rashtra' idea

Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah strongly reiterated his opposition to establishing a 'Hindu Rashtra'. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Thursday, he warned that such a state would entrench the exploitation of backward classes and Dalits. He stated that proponents of Hindutva would impose a social order based on the Manusmriti, which he called exploitative. Yathindra cited Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, warning that India becoming a Hindu Rashtra would be very dangerous for the country. He also confirmed his temporary charge as Minister-in-Charge of the Mysuru district. 🏛️

💐 CM honors Prof. Jayashankar on birthday

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy paid floral tributes to Prof. K. Jayashankar on his birth anniversary. This homage took place at his residence in Jubilee Hills, acknowledging his role in the Telangana movement. The State government reaffirmed its commitment to the aspirations envisioned by Prof. Jayashankar. Party working president K.T. Rama Rao noted that KCR considered Jayashankar his godfather. Leaders like Bandi Sanjay Kumar also paid respects, underscoring his dedication to the state. 💐

📱 Govt ramps up Meta scrutiny, pushes for stricter AI rules

The Indian government has intensified its scrutiny of Meta's operations following controversies like the PM Modi video removal. Senior officials from MeitY held high-level talks with Meta’s global leadership regarding platform accountability and Indian law compliance. Discussions covered deepfakes, CSAM, and the broader responsibilities of social media companies. MeitY proposed amendments to IT Rules, requiring removal of unlawful AI content within three hours. These draft rules also mandate clear labeling for AI-generated content for public consultation.

⚖️ HC orders probe into IAS officer over professor's suspension

The Karnataka High Court ordered a departmental enquiry against IAS officer Mohammad Mohsin and SIMS director Virupakshappa V. regarding the revocation of suspension for associate professor Ashwin Hebbar K. The court also directed that Dr. Hebbar's suspension continues until the inquiry concludes. This stems from a sexual harassment complaint made in June 2025 against him at the institute. The bench found both officials insensitive to the student's suffering and noted this was the second such allegation. The court also suggested the National Medical Commission should act if he is found guilty.

😷 Indoor air habits risking your lungs, says doctor 💨

Poor indoor air quality can significantly irritate airways and lead to breathing issues. Dr Kunal Sharma highlighted five common daily habits that might be silently harming lung health inside homes and offices. These habits include burning mosquito coils, excessive incense use, and poor kitchen ventilation. Furthermore, indoor smoking and neglecting dampness/mould are flagged as major pollutants. Reducing these indoor air contaminants is crucial for maintaining better respiratory health moving forward.

📱 Nothing plans to double smartphone drops next year

Nothing intends to release six new smartphones in 2027, which is double the three devices launched in 2026. Akis Evangelidis confirmed this plan while speaking with TimesNowNews regarding the company's expansion. The company is aiming to grow its sales volumes by 50 percent within the next year. This move suggests a continued focus on smartphones despite reports about AI device prioritization. Furthermore, Nothing plans to introduce a wider range of devices across its portfolio next year. 📱

📱 Vivo S2 drops with unique design and huge battery

Vivo is entering the mid-range market with the Vivo S2, sporting an unusual rounded design. This new phone is being launched by Vivo in India, featuring a 7,050 mAh battery and a 3,000-nit AMOLED display. The base model is priced at ₹39,999 INR with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, while the top model is ₹44,999 INR. It deviates from current trends by rounding both the display and back, and it is IP69-certified. The device runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7360-Turbo and will see further global availability updates later. 📱