🛂 VFS might handle passports and driving licenses in India

VFS Global is planning to introduce citizen services in India, potentially allowing applications for passports and driver's licenses. The company operates over 200 centres across India, having recently opened one in Lucknow. VFS processes nearly 30 million visa applications annually, with its operations subject to rigorous government oversight. They are also deploying AI to detect fraud in documents and appointment systems. This expansion shows VFS is growing its presence beyond just visa services in the country. ✈️

🤢 Worm in salad at PAUL bakery causes drama

A viral Instagram video showed a live worm in a Caesar salad at PAUL bakery's Horizon Centre outlet in Gurugram. The customer, Sulabh Mathur, shared the footage on August 24, 2026, after dining with a group around 11 AM. The incident prompted PAUL to issue a public apology, stating it did not reflect their standards. However, Mathur felt the response was a templated reply rather than a genuine acknowledgment of the issue. Authorities are reportedly investigating the hygiene standards at the bakery. 🤢

🗣️ India asked for no Q&A at Modi-Trump G7 meeting

India requested that no press questions be allowed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France. US Ambassador Sergio Gor stated the Ministry of External Affairs made this request just before the June 17 meeting in Evian-les-Bains. Initially, Trump agreed, but the meeting turned into a 45-minute press interaction when he invited questions. This happened after Modi raised concerns over Indian seafarer safety in the Strait of Hormuz. Gor also highlighted a "fake news" issue during his address at the forum. 🚢

🎬 Odyssey beats Spider-Man at South Korea box office

Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" topped the South Korea box office over the weekend of Aug. 21–23. The film achieved this in South Korea with 1,321,204 admissions across 2,182 screens. It grossed $10.6 million this weekend, pushing its total to $56.8 million since Aug. 5. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" held second place, earning $2.9 million in its fourth frame. The overall market gross for the weekend was $16.1 million, a dip from the previous week.

💉 Meiji Seika Pharma partners with SII for JE vaccine in India

Japanese pharma giant Meiji Seika Pharma is partnering with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to produce and sell the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine in India. This collaboration stems from a meeting between Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Meiji Seika Pharma's President in Tokyo, Japan. Meiji plans to transfer its JE vaccine technology to SII, with regulatory approval anticipated as early as next year. This move aims to strengthen pharmaceutical ties between India and Japan. SII is expected to launch the affordable JE vaccine for children after receiving necessary approvals. 💉

🚨 Indian man shot dead in Brooklyn road rage

An Indian national, Gurdeep Singh, was killed during a shooting incident on Friday night. The incident took place on Crescent Street in the Brooklyn area of New York. Surveillance footage captured two people fighting, followed by gunfire, resulting in one person falling down. Police suspect the shooting may have been related to a road rage incident. The investigation is currently ongoing, and no arrests have been made yet.

🌱 Fairphone 6+ gets speed boost, stays ethical

The Fairphone 6+ is here, offering a faster and more memory-rich version while keeping its repairable and ethical standards. This model is now available in the US, marking an expansion beyond Europe for the Dutch cooperative. It costs £569 (€649/$649.99) with Google Android, which is higher than its predecessor's launch price. The phone features an upgraded Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip and 12GB RAM, improving performance slightly. For those prioritizing sustainability and repairability, this is the ethical smartphone option. 🔋

✈️ Revanth Reddy back in Hyderabad over US trip issue

Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy returned to Hyderabad on Monday, August 24, 2026, after cutting short his planned tour of the US. He could not proceed to the United States because the Centre denied permission for the second leg of his trip. Revanth Reddy is expected to address this controversy, questioning the Centre's decision regarding the US tour. Additionally, Congress leaders are pushing for action against Endowments Minister Konda Surekha over her daughter's remarks. The TPCC has issued a show cause notice to Ms. Surekha regarding the escalating political controversy. 🧐

📰 SC to hear journalist's plea against FIR

The Supreme Court agreed to hear a plea by journalist Abhishek Upadhyay on Monday, August 24, 2026. He is challenging an FIR filed against him by Ghaziabad Police in a road rage incident. His counsel argued the FIR involved serious charges, including the Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Upadhyay claims the FIR is based on false allegations to harass his independent reporting. The CJI requested case details and suggested listing the matter for August 25. 📰

📈 IPO Hype: Samir Arora on Realistic Returns

Samir Arora of Helios gave a reality check regarding the chase for hot IPOs. He shared his insights from his experience at Helios, addressing investors about high expectations. He noted that investors often aim for significant returns, but real-world gains are often smaller. Specifically, he mentioned that investors might only see a 1% return on their money. Going forward, he advises investors to adopt a more grounded and practical approach to market investments. 📈

⚽ Flick chats Raphinha, Balde, Gavi after big win

Barcelona secured a convincing 5-0 victory away at Elche, earning three points in their first La Liga outing. Hansi Flick spoke about Raphinha's leadership and the squad's performance during the match. Discussions about a new No. 9 centre-forward are still ongoing and will continue next week. Flick also praised Xavi Espart's performance in Balde's absence and updated on Gavi's right knee knock. The club will await medical tests to determine the full extent of Gavi's injury.