🏦 Vi close to SBI loan with a condition

Vodafone Idea is nearing a major funding deal for its capital expenditure needs. The country's largest lender, State Bank of India, has reportedly agreed to sanction its portion of the loan. This approval came after the Aditya Birla group-backed provider gave guarantees via its promoter companies. Previously, the lack of these guarantees had caused a standstill in the loan process. Moving forward, the disbursement is dependent on Vi raising additional funds from private banks.

🍦 Ben & Jerry's co-founder asks Kareena for support on Gaza issue

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen urged actress Kareena Kapoor Khan to back the brand regarding its social activism disputes. He highlighted Kapoor's past stances against violence against Palestinian children, especially given her tie-up with Unilever and Magnum. The appeal comes as Ben & Jerry's fights over its independence from its former parent company. This dispute stems from Ben & Jerry's 2021 decision to cease sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A US judge recently shifted the primary defendant in the related lawsuit to The Magnum Ice Cream Company. 🍦

🎮 MW4 beta misses the mark on action

The beta test for Modern Warfare 4 revealed issues like poor maps and quick kills for players. This 23rd installment, from Infinity Ward, aims to be less over-the-top than past titles. Key problems included bad spawn points and attachments not feeling impactful during the weekend tests. Infinity Ward is reportedly adjusting TTK and spawn mechanics based on this feedback. The final game in October will be current-gen, but more changes are needed to impress.

😟 Alvarez told to avoid Atletico fans

Barcelona target Julian Alvarez faced a difficult time during Atletico Madrid's game against Villarreal on Sunday. Fans whistled his name before the match, and insults were thrown when he entered as a substitute. After the 2-2 draw, Alvarez was seen walking alone toward the tunnel instead of joining the team celebration. Diego Simeone confirmed that the club had instructed him to keep away from the stands and fans. This situation is heating up as the transfer window closes, with Atletico insisting Alvarez is not for sale. 😟

🚗 VW CEO calls company's state 'more than critical'

Volkswagen's CEO, Oliver Blume, warned that the company is facing a 'more than critical' situation due to global issues and Chinese competition. This challenge is hitting Volkswagen and the broader German auto industry. The company is currently dealing with an overproduction of 500,000 vehicles annually in Europe. Blume will meet with staff at Wolfsburg and other sites to discuss savings plans, which include 50,000 job cuts. Next, Volkswagen is exploring industrial solutions for potentially affected plants like Emden, Hannover, Zwickau, and Neckarsulm. 😥

📱 Samsung S27 Ultra might drop in two sizes, leaks say

CAD models suggest Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra could debut in two different sizes, based on leaks from Sonny Dickson. These reports indicate a major camera redesign featuring a horizontal plateau, similar to the iPhone 17 Pro. The device is expected to drop its outdated 3x telephoto sensor and upgrade to a 200-megapixel sensor. This shift could allow for larger batteries and better Qi2 magnetic charging support. The Galaxy S27 series is anticipated to launch in early 2027, with more details expected soon. 📱

✊ NC MP challenges party over Article 370 fight

NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi dared his party to issue a show-cause notice following calls for his resignation. He made this challenge from Srinagar, stating he will continue fighting for the restoration of Article 370. Mehdi accused his party of abandoning the fight they were mandated to pursue during the 2024 assembly polls. He countered that the party shifted focus from constitutional rights to mere business rules for governance. He is responding to statements from CM Omar Abdullah’s adviser, Nasir Aslam Wani.

⌚ Garmin Fenix 9 leaks show off new rugged smartwatches

A Czech retailer briefly listed 18 variants of the Garmin Fenix 9 series before pulling the pages down. The lineup includes 43 mm, 47 mm, and 51 mm sizes, with some standard models now featuring inReach satellite connectivity. A 43 mm Fenix 9 AMOLED was spotted priced around €1,015, revealing a premium pricing strategy. This leak comes just before Garmin’s official "Play Harder" livestream event on August 25. The event is expected to confirm specs and potentially reveal more of the rugged outdoor lineup. ⌚

😠 CJP warns of fresh protests after government lapses

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is meeting on Monday to decide its next move regarding government commitments. The party stated this on Sunday, warning that another round of peaceful nationwide agitation is on the table. The friction escalated following an August 18 Supreme Court hearing where the government failed to provide a list of FIRs. While initial protests saw the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, broader systemic demands remain unfulfilled. CJP asserts its good faith will not be mistaken for weakness and plans further action. 😠

🚢 Iran targets rule-breakers in Hormuz Strait

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced that vessels violating its protocols in the strategic waterway will face serious restrictions. This action targets ships passing to and from the Persian Gulf, warning cargo owners to check the Non-Compliant Vessels list immediately. The authority stated that ships assisting listed vessels via STS transfers will also be added to the list. This comes amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about one-fifth of global oil. Iran insists traffic won't normalize until the US ends the blockade, as per its warning. 🚢

🤔 Mayor's Onam Kits spark political heat

A controversy has erupted over the 'Mayor Care' Onam kit distribution within the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The Opposition LDF alleged impropriety, claiming Mayor V.V. Rajesh accepted gifts from commercial establishments. On August 23, 2026, the LDF demanded an investigation into these alleged abuses of power and benefits. They questioned the receipt of lakhs worth of items versus the distribution to less than 250 students. The LDF insists the state government must intervene to probe these claims.