health The Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government announced a big change in maternity leave policy. This applies to women employees working in the state government of Tamil Nadu. The leave for a third child will now be 365 days, matching the benefit for the first two. Minister D Sarathkumar stated this aims to boost social welfare and women's empowerment in the state. A detailed government order will be released shortly to implement this announcement.
business The Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government has announced a major update regarding maternity leave for female government employees. This change extends maternity leave to 365 days for a third child, matching the benefit for the first two children. Minister D Sarathkumar made this announcement during the state assembly's demand for grants. The decision emphasizes the state's focus on social welfare and women's empowerment initiatives. A detailed government order is expected to be issued soon to implement this enhancement. 👩🍼
business The Income Tax Department started a nationwide probe into nearly 400 entities suspected of making large, unexplained foreign remittances. This investigation is happening in New Delhi, targeting 394 entities and 36 professionals who certified these transactions. The probe began on August 18th, as preliminary checks showed remittances didn't match reported turnovers. This action is part of the government's push to tighten rules for foreign contributions, referencing the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026. Further investigations are still ongoing to determine the full extent of the irregularities. 🧐
india Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan strongly denied the CPI(M)'s claim that the UDF government ceded power to the RSS-controlled Governor. Satheesan noted that Lok Bhavan has previously summoned department heads without government approval during the LDF dispensation. He also stated the government will soon investigate a firm that allegedly defrauded the exchequer of ₹22 crore regarding Messi's 2025 visit. Furthermore, the CM refuted accusations that Jamaat-e-Islami or IUML controlled the UDF administration. He also dismissed claims that a specific arrest slowed down the anti-narcotics operation.
health College students presented innovative solutions at the Nagathon Snakebite Innovation Challenge. Prarthana and Chaitanya from team NAGAM won first prize at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on August 16, 2026. Their idea is a digital platform to help patients locate antivenom via a cloud-based dashboard. This aims to reduce delays and unnecessary transfers when seeking life-saving resources. Other teams proposed AI first-aid and community awareness campaigns for better response.
india Biomining operations are steadily progressing to remove decades-old legacy waste at Njeliyanparamba. The Kozhikode Corporation Mayor, O. Sadasivan, confirmed this during a high-level meeting on August 18. The project aims to clear 2.33 lakh cubic metres from the 12.6-acre site by July 2027. Once cleared, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited will establish a CBG plant on seven acres, which will treat city organic waste. This coordinated effort will also lead to the development of a park on the remaining 4.5 acres.
Coimbatore and Tiruppur exporters see Vizhinjam International Seaport as a key logistic fix for Western shipments. The Tiruppur Exporters’ Association highlighted opportunities due to the port's location and deep-water capabilities. They noted that logistics costs, transit time, and container availability are major concerns for their MSME-dominated industry. The TEA is pushing for a Tiruppur-Vizhinjam EXIM cargo corridor and direct links to the EU, UK, US, and West Asia. They also requested the Kerala government to hold a trade meet in Coimbatore for better cargo movement. 🚢
science A wetland restoration initiative was recently launched at Wellington in the Nilgiris region. This project involves Arulagam, Upstream Ecology Foundation, MRC-Wellington, and State Street Foundation volunteers. The goal is to remove invasive species like Milk Thistle and Alligator Weed from the habitat. This effort aims to boost local ecological balance and protect indigenous biodiversity. The restoration was inaugurated by Brigadier Krishnendu Das, Tanushree Das, and Major K. Deepak.
entertainment Abhimanyu transitioned from a wild elephant taskmaster to the lead elephant carrying the golden howdah. He served in the squad and was involved in Dasara festivities for over 25 years in Mysuru. He was named the lead elephant in 2020 after Arjuna retired at age 60, but will now be relieved after turning 60 in April. For five years, he performed this prestigious duty with great skill during the Jamboo Savari. He was also known for controlling rogue elephants in forest operations. 🐘
Five cobras were rescued from the Old City in Hyderabad on Monday by the Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the People for Animals. Three snakes were found in Shalibanda, and two were rescued from Moghalpura. During treatment, two cobras were fit for release, while two needed about 10 days of care, and one was critically ill. The snakes will be released into their natural habitat after proper veterinary assessment. 🐍
A third fatality has been reported from China's ongoing CAR-T trials, marking a significant concern in the medical community. The deaths occurred within the scope of these trials being conducted in China. Specific figures and dates for these incidents were not disclosed in the report. These opaque trials are under scrutiny due to the lack of transparency surrounding adverse events. Further updates are awaited from the regulatory bodies overseeing the research. 🔬
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