🏛️ SA wants new rules for ex-leaders' trips

South Africa's foreign minister is pushing for new rules regarding foreign travel by former heads of state. This follows Jacob Zuma's controversial visit to India last month, where he met a businessman linked to a major corruption scandal. The recommendation to parliament demands full trip details for risk assessment and support level determination. Zuma was expelled from the ANC and now leads the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). This move addresses past incidents, like his disputed trip to Morocco last year.

🚶 MCC clears footpath vendors on Sayyaji Rao Road

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) resumed its footpath clearance drive on Wednesday, targeting Sayyaji Rao Road. MCC personnel from Abhaya conducted the drive on both sides of the road, starting from K.R. Circle. Most vendors complied by removing their goods like garments and fruits, despite some claiming minimal obstruction. The clearance aims to ensure free pedestrian movement, following Supreme Court guidelines. Some vendors noted that shopkeepers were also using the footpath for displaying merchandise.

😔 Meta apologizes over content boosting issue

Meta has issued an apology admitting that it paid money to boost specific types of content. This issue primarily involved how certain content was algorithmically promoted across the platform. The admission was made following ongoing scrutiny of Meta's content promotion practices. This practice has raised serious concerns about the fairness of content visibility for users. Meta is expected to implement changes to address these algorithmic biases soon.

🏛️ Old Tirur court needs major upgrade

The Tirur Bar Association is demanding a modern court complex to replace the current century-old building. This request comes from the association located in Tirur, Kerala. Over 500 lawyers practice there, and the existing complex dates back to 1910. The current facility lacks space for offices, modern digital systems, and adequate amenities for all visitors. The association urges central and state governments to provide support for this new centenary project.

🌧️ Orange alert hits 7 Kerala districts amid floods

An orange alert has been issued by IMD across seven districts in Kerala due to heavy rainfall and ongoing flooding. These affected areas include Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur, and Kasaragod. Schools are remaining shut on August 6 in various flood-affected zones and relief camp locations. District administrations have declared holidays citing safety concerns amidst the continued waterlogging situation. Authorities are advising residents to stay cautious as the weather alerts remain active in parts of the state.

💰 Trump admin refunds $100B in cancelled tariffs

The Trump administration announced it is refunding roughly $100 billion from tariffs collected before the Supreme Court struck them down. This action was reported on Tuesday in a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade. These refunds represent about 60% of the $166 billion collected from sweeping tariffs imposed in 2025. The tariffs were scrapped in late February after the high court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize them. The administration is now managing the financial implications of this high-profile legal reversal. 💸

🌊 Kerala CM promises urgent action for Muthalappozhi harbour

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has promised an urgent decision regarding the safety concerns at Muthalappozhi harbour. He made this assurance while briefing the media on cabinet decisions in Kerala. The harbour has seen over 80 fishers die since 2008, according to the Latin Archdiocese delegation. Search operations for two missing fishermen, who vanished after a boat capsized on July 31, are ongoing. The government plans both short-term fixes and long-term measures to address the design flaws. 🌊

🌿 TN-SHORE project boosts mangrove restoration in Kanniyakumari

The Tamil Nadu government is launching a mangrove afforestation and restoration drive under the TN-SHORE project. This initiative was announced by Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson in the budget on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The project will cover 2,500 hectares across several districts, including Kanniyakumari. This effort aims to expand and strengthen the existing mangrove ecosystems in areas like Manakudy. Experts believe this will boost local fishing communities and improve coastal resilience. 🌿

⚽ Barcelona loans young defender to Ajax

FC Barcelona and AFC Ajax have agreed on a loan deal for 19-year-old La Masia defender Jofre Torrents. The transfer involves the talented left-back moving to the Eredivisie club, with final administrative details pending announcement. Torrents made his first-team debut last season and has impressed coaches during recent training. A move to Ajax offers him crucial senior experience amidst intense competition at Barça. Barcelona intends to maintain control, expecting him to return developed for the senior squad.

🤝 Cyberabad plans dedicated grievance system for SC/STs

The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation is looking into creating a special system to handle grievances from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. This proposal came up during a meeting held in Hyderabad on Wednesday involving CMC Commissioner G. Srijana and Telangana State Commission for SCs and STs Chairman Bakki Venkataiah. Discussions also covered welfare for sanitation workers, scholarships, and the development of SC/ST colonies. The civic body reviewed reservation provisions in tenders and the need for better inter-departmental coordination. The corporation is pushing these welfare measures as part of its ongoing development initiatives. 🤝

AI helps police find two missing boys in Nandyal

Police successfully reunited two minor boys with their parents after they went missing from Abbipuram village. The search, led by CI B. Srinivasula Reddy, began after a call was received on August 4 at 9:53 p.m. The boys were located using CCTV footage from the Nandyal APSRTC bus stand, recorded at 7:39 PM. The children had run away after a teacher reprimanded them and threatened to call their parents. The police counselled everyone before safely reuniting the boys with their families.