💧 ₹768 crore compensation paid for Veligonda project

₹768 crore compensation has been disbursed to 6,206 families displaced by the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project. This payout occurred in three installments over the past two months, with the State Minister for Social Welfare announcing this in Ongole. The total compensation due to 7,318 families amounts to ₹888.55 crore, and the remaining households will receive their share soon. Furthermore, 10 tmcft of water is scheduled for supply to the project on August 31. This project aims to boost water security and agricultural prosperity for thousands in drought-affected regions.

💧 El Niño hits; farmers advised on water-saving in Sri Sathya Sai

District administration has urged farmers to use protective irrigation and alternative crops due to intensified El Niño conditions. District Collector Shyam Prasad stated that only 45% of the normal cultivated area was covered, with rainfall deficiency hitting 57% on August 23, 2026. Sixteen thousand quintals of seeds are available with an 80% subsidy to help farmers switch crops. Officials are also expanding the PMDS model from 94,000 acres to two lakh acres to manage the situation. Farmers are advised to dig farm ponds and borewell owners should use drip irrigation to conserve water. 💧

🎮 Early access to CoD: MW4 Beta is here

PCMag provides details on how gamers can secure early access to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta. The opportunity is available for PC players looking to test the game ahead of the official launch. Specific registration windows and requirements were detailed in the publication. This beta phase allows players to provide crucial feedback before the full release. Future updates will likely incorporate community suggestions.

🩸 Blood donation drive in Srikakulam sees big turnout

Youths and women participated in a blood donation camp held at the SSR Charitable Trust office in Vizianagaram. Industrialist Sura Srinivasa Rao and Dr. P.J. Naidu organized the event in Srikakulam on Sunday. A total of 80 youth and women donated blood during the camp. The trust prioritized awareness due to a significant blood shortage in local hospitals. Certificates and medals were distributed to the donors by both leaders. 🩸

🚨 Hygiene issues found at Hyderabad dark stores

Food safety teams conducted surprise inspections at 20 dark stores in Hyderabad on Saturday, August 22. These stores were operated by BigBasket, Blinkit, and Zepto within the Core Urban Region area. The inspections revealed multiple violations concerning hygiene and storage management, along with expired food items found at a few locations. Notices were issued to the non-compliant stores, and food samples were sent for detailed examination. Further action will be taken by officials based on these findings and the sample results.

💻 Windows 11 pushes Bing as default in Chrome & Firefox

Microsoft released a dedicated Windows 11 app called Microsoft Recommended Search Settings to promote Bing. This utility is installed via a 22.2 MB file, MicrosoftSettings.exe, and targets users on Windows 11. The app prompts users to set Bing as default across Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Although it requires user clicks, the preselected 'Yes' toggle and rewards incentive aim to drive adoption. Users should be cautious and only install this if they want Bing and MSN features. 🧐

🕊️ Poets worldwide stand for peace, says Nagabhushan

Savitha Nagabhushana stated that poets across the globe are fundamentally the same, advocating for peace, love, and humanity. This sentiment was expressed during a Ghazal writers’ meeting held in Shivamogga on Sunday. The event saw participation from poets from places like Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, and Chitradurga. Nagabhushana emphasized that poetry, rooted in love, helps the world find peace. The gathering also highlighted the need to question communal hatred amid current troubled times. 🕊️

📱 Galaxy S27 Ultra leaks drop with new pics

New images and further surprises regarding the Galaxy S27 Ultra have recently surfaced for tech enthusiasts. These leaks involve the anticipated flagship smartphone from Samsung. Specific details about the release date and exact features are not yet confirmed. The buzz is building around its expected technological upgrades over previous models. Industry watchers are now awaiting official announcements from Samsung. 📱

🍬 More sugar coming to India soon

India might receive increased sugar supply before October 15th as imports start rolling in. This influx is expected to benefit the domestic market across the nation. Specific import figures and dates are currently under review by relevant authorities. This development aims to stabilize the sugar prices which have been fluctuating recently. Officials are monitoring the situation to ensure adequate supply meets public demand. 📈

🦟 Telangana Health Dept warns about dengue amidst heavy rain

The Telangana Health department has issued a general advisory due to a week-long rainfall forecast across the state. The advisory was released on Sunday, warning citizens about a possible surge in seasonal illnesses. IMD Hyderabad predicted light to moderate rain over the next seven days, with heavy alerts for several districts in the next three days. Residents are urged to use repellents and maintain drains to fight mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. The government has also stocked essential medicines and made arrangements at public health facilities for emergencies. 🦟

🚨 Four cops suspended after Dalit woman's murder

Four police personnel have been suspended following the horrific rape and murder of a Dalit woman. The action was taken by Superintendent of Police Arunangshu Giri in Raichur district. This decision was made because the officers were found guilty of dereliction of duty. They must now undergo a departmental enquiry while adhering to service rules. Meanwhile, the police have arrested all four accused and sent them to judicial custody.