🌍 West Asia spat could derail BRICS goals

The ongoing West Asia conflict is potentially complicating the final declaration at the BRICS summit starting September 12. India is hosting the event at Bharat Mandapam, where members have differing views on the geopolitical issue. Russian deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov noted some members were sharply critical of Tehran’s actions. Chinese commentary, conversely, has stressed opportunities for India’s presidency in boosting trade ties. New Delhi must balance economic cooperation with finding language acceptable to partners with conflicting security interests. 🌍

🏏 Shakeel calls Pakistan's batting 'depressing'

Saud Shakeel lamented Pakistan's poor batting performance after they were bundled out for 133 at Edgbaston. He noted that the team was making the same mistakes while playing against England at the ground. This happened in the first innings of the Test match, with the low scores being a first for the top five in England. Shakeel believes the poor form is not a confidence issue but rather a struggle against difficult conditions. The team needs to find a way to fight through these tough patches in the remainder of the series. 😟

🎬 Toxic film drops 20% on day 15

Geetu Mohandas' 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' saw a 20.0% drop in box office collections on Day 15. The film stars Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, and Tara Sutaria in theaters worldwide. On Day 15, it earned Rs 60 lakhs in India, bringing its worldwide gross to Rs 339.32 cr. This action drama has received mixed reviews from both audiences and critics. The movie continues to show a slide in its second-week performance. 📉

🧐 Can husbands face charges for marital rape?

The Supreme Court questioned if a husband can be prosecuted for marital rape when existing penal law deems it not an offence. The bench, including Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, acknowledged the issue needs Parliament's attention. This follows petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the exemption under IPC Section 375(2) and BNS Section 63(2). The Court stated that Parliament must recast the law if the current one has problems. The matter is being left for legislative review after hearings by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. 🧐

🐟 Fish intake links to pregnancy blood pressure risks

A Japanese study tracked diets across over 86,000 pregnancies to check fish consumption's impact on hypertension risk. Researchers found higher maternal fish intake before pregnancy lowered early-onset HDP risk, while intake during pregnancy lowered late-onset HDP risk for first-time mothers. This research utilized data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) cohort. The findings suggest that when women eat fish, it might protect against certain hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Future research will likely build upon these nuanced timing associations. 🐟

📸 Big players pool imaging patents in new Tulip program

Major camera brands like Canon, Sony, Huawei, and Oppo have joined the new Tulip program. This initiative focuses on pooling various imaging patents among the tech giants. The agreement was announced recently to streamline patent usage across the industry. This move is aimed at simplifying the complex landscape of imaging intellectual property. The companies plan to use this collaborative approach to accelerate innovation in camera technology. 📸

👍 Kerala Minister praises TN CM's fight against graft

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala praised Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for his anti-corruption drive. This statement was made during the 'Thanima' cultural festival organized by VIT on Wednesday. Corruption was noted as eroding public faith in democracy, a key concern raised by the minister. Chennithala also highlighted Kerala's 'Operation Toofan' which arrested 11,885 people. He urged youth to use technology for the public good. 🤝

🙏 Free phone deposit at two major temples now

The HR&CE Department has allowed free mobile phone deposits at Arunachaleswarar and Sri Lakshminarasimhar Temples. These centers are located in Tiruvannamalai and Sholinghur towns, respectively. The provision started on Wednesday, after public pushback against a ₹5 charge. Devotees can deposit phones at Arunachaleswarar Temple between 8 a.m and 8.30 p.m daily. Mobile phones remain banned inside, though seniors and PWDs can enter switched off. 📱

🚧 Outer Ring Road inspection near Katpadi underway 🚧

An expert team from the State Highways Department assessed the quality of the ₹102.83-crore Outer Ring Road work in Periyathur village on Wednesday. This multi-crore project aims to decongest areas around Katpadi railway station by diverting heavy vehicles. The road will be completed by 2027, as stated by S. Poovarasan, Assistant Engineer. Funded under CRIDP 2025-26, the new two-lane stretch will connect 20 surrounding farming villages. It will significantly reduce the detour distance for goods-laden vehicles by at least 15 km.

🏞️ Demand for panel to fix Pallikaranai marsh issues

The Pallikaranai Collective has called for an independent interdepartmental committee to address problems in the Pallikaranai marshland. This demand came from their 'Citizen’s Charter for Pallikaranai Watershed' report, released on Wednesday by CWAC and Oorvani Foundation. The report highlights that the Tamil Nadu Water Policy from 1994 is outdated and no Flood Plain Zoning Act has been enacted. Furthermore, the Thiruppugazh Committee’s May 2023 report remains unpublished, and the marshland itself is not notified under Wetland Rules. The Collective also demands regular desilting, sewage prevention, and removal of illegal structures from the Ramsar site. 🏞️

🏏 Nepal vs Oman in ACC Men's Premier Cup Semi-Final

The first semi-final of the ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026 is happening today. Oman and Nepal are set to clash in the tournament. Oman won the toss and decided to field for the match. This fixture is part of the ongoing ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026 competition. The teams have submitted their playing XIs for the big game. 🏏