🗣️ Swara Bhasker defends her Padmaavat Jauhar comments

Swara Bhasker defended her controversial remarks regarding the Jauhar scene in Padmaavat. Speaking at an event at the India International Centre in Delhi on August 31, she criticized the scene's message to rape survivors. She later took to X, stating it was wild that many people are triggered by her stance. Bhasker had previously written an open letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali after the film's 2018 release. She emphasized that rape survivors deserve the right to life, not self-immolation.

⛈️ Rush hour rain floods NCR, traffic grinds to a halt ⛈️

Heavy, sudden downpours have severely impacted parts of Delhi and the NCR, causing rapid waterlogging on major roads. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an advisory for continued moderate to heavy rain across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad on September 1, 2026. This intense spell is attributed to a localized convective weather system interacting with active monsoon troughs in northern India. Due to overwhelmed drainage, key routes like the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway are facing massive traffic tailbacks. Authorities have deployed personnel and mobile pumping units while advising citizens to avoid flooded areas.

🚨 Fake currency ring busted in Ramanagara

The Ijoor police uncovered a counterfeit currency racket on Sunday in Bengaluru south district. Seven individuals were arrested from a house in Shantilal Layout, possessing materials for fake ₹200 and ₹500 notes. The operation had been running for approximately 10 days, involving locals and outsiders. Sampath from Ramanagara taluk is suspected to be the mastermind, while the owner Santosh was involved for a commission. Police seized 10 bundles of white paper worth around ₹5 lakh, and more people are suspected to be involved.

⚖️ Official gets 4 years for taking pension bribe

A Revenue Department official was sentenced to four years in jail for accepting a bribe to approve a disability pension. The convicted individual, Pushpalatha, was a deputy tahsildar in Bhadravathi taluk. The court handed down the four-year sentence along with a ₹40,000 fine on September 1st. The demand was for ₹10,000 for a speech-impaired person's pension application. Police caught the official accepting ₹5,000 on September 21, 2017.

🧐 Mullaperiyar dam safety report due in two weeks

A comprehensive safety panel inspecting the Mullaperiyar dam canal shutter in Thekkady will submit its detailed report within two weeks. This panel, chaired by former NHPC CMD Balraj Joshi, visited the dam on Tuesday for an impartial evaluation. The study, running from September 1 to 3, involves experts assessing design, seismic resilience, and structural integrity. Keralam plans to formally present its demands during an upcoming meeting in Thekkady. This evaluation follows a Supreme Court order from 2022 regarding the dam’s safety. 🧐

🐅 Tiger sightings cause chaos at Polavaram project

Tiger movements have sparked widespread panic at the Polavaram project site in Andhra Pradesh. Forest Department officials noted the tiger was prowling in Eluru, East Godavari, and other local districts. Over the last two days, sightings were recorded near Devaragondi village and the P. Regulator area. The animal, which killed a cow and calf, is reportedly moving near tribal habitations in Papikonda National Park. Forest teams are now camping with rescue units to monitor and potentially trap the big cat.

🧬 RNA approach fixes CFTR in sick models

An experimental RNA-based method successfully restored the function of the CFTR protein in preclinical models of cystic fibrosis. This research was conducted by scientists at the University of Toronto using lab-grown human airway cells and miniature tissue models. The approach restored CFTR production and function in lab-grown cells for over 40 days in models with nonsense mutations. This offers a potential new treatment path for patients not responding to current CFTR-targeted therapies. Further studies are required, but the findings suggest broader applications beyond CF. 🧪

📚 DGP mentors thousands for free UPSC prep

A Telangana DGP, Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat, is mentoring thousands of civil services aspirants across India for free. His team guided 331 of 958 UPSC Civil Services 2025 selections, and over half of 84 selected Indian Forest Service candidates credited his support. For three straight years (2023-2025), the All India Rank 1 in IFS came from his network. He started this network to help others overcome the isolation felt during intense exam preparation. Bhagwat now focuses on the critical personality test phase through personalized guidance.

😠 Congress MLA alleges deep corruption in Karnataka

A Congress MLA exposed high-level corruption within the state government during a press conference in Mangaluru. Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai wrote to CM D. K. Shivakumar on August 25, detailing bribery demands at the KRIDL office. The letter alleged two engineers demanded an extra 7% from contractors for 'KRIDL charge.' Dr. Shetty claimed this reflects a pattern where the government fails to seriously investigate scams. He demanded judicial inquiries for all corruption cases moving forward. 😠

⚖️ MLA tries to recall resignation in TN politics

Ambasamudram former MLA Esakki Subaya informed the Madras High Court that he submitted a representation to the Speaker on August 28, 2026. This action sought to withdraw his resignation letter dated May 26, 2026, in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The court's first Division Bench refused to take the affidavit on record as oral arguments had begun. Subaya argued that litigation caused his constituency to lack representation, impacting local governance and public welfare schemes. His request to resume duties or withdraw resignation remains pending before the Hon'ble Speaker. ⚖️

📚 Loved 'Tony' Biopic? 5 Bourdain Reads for You

Fans who enjoyed the 'Tony' biopic can check out five essential Anthony Bourdain books detailing his life. These reads cover his journey from a line cook to a global traveler and novelist. The books include 'Kitchen Confidential,' which details his NYC culinary start, and 'A Cook’s Tour' documenting his world adventures. Other picks are 'Medium Raw,' his crime novel 'Bone In The Throat,' and 'World Travel' co-authored with Laurie Woolever. These selections offer a deep dive into the icon's evolution before his passing.