🎖️ 9 Kirti Chakras in Independence Day Gallantry Awards

President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 gallantry awards for armed forces and CAPF personnel for the 80th Independence Day. This list includes nine Kirti Chakras, seven of which were posthumous, alongside other significant honors. The awards cover various units, including the Parachute Regiment and 19 Rashtriya Rifles. Several citations recognize service in operations like Rakshak and Hifazat across different regions. The President also sanctioned 89 Mention-in-Despatches across the three services. 🎖️

💼 EPFO Mysuru rolls out big enrolment campaign

The EPFO Mysuru Regional Office has launched the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign (EEC) 2026 to boost social security coverage. Regional PF Commissioner-1, Shadakshara Gopala Reddy, appealed to employers to join this special initiative until October 31, 2026. This campaign allows enrolling eligible employees outside EPF coverage between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2026. Employers get compliance relief, waiving the employee's share of contribution, and only need to pay the employer's share plus interest and a ₹100 damage fee. All eligible establishments are urged to use the EPFO Employer Portal to regularize employees before the deadline. 💰

🏰 Golconda roads shut for Independence Day fun 🇮🇳

Traffic restrictions and parking plans are set for Golconda Fort due to Independence Day celebrations at Rani Mahal Lawns. The road from Ramdevguda to Golconda Fort will be closed to general traffic from 6 a.m. until noon on Saturday. Invites with various passes have specific parking instructions, ranging from the main road to the Area Hospital. General public with E (Black) passes will use designated spots near Tawakkal diversion point and Deccan Park. Traffic Police urge all attendees to display passes and use alternative routes.

📱 Apple's foldable iPhone Ultra faces US-first launch

Apple is preparing to unveil the first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 series. This initial offering is reportedly restricted to the US market due to supply and price hurdles. While the iPhone 18 series is expected next month, the Ultra launch will roll out in phases globally. Key challenges include hinge durability, manufacturing constraints from partners like Foxconn, and component cost increases. Global availability in regions like Australia, Europe, and Asia will face considerable delays. 📱

✨ Dolby Vision 2 support on old 4K players is uncertain

Dolby Vision 2 HDR tech could potentially work with existing 4K Blu-ray players via a firmware update. However, it is up to individual manufacturers to implement this feature, and some have already declined. Sony stated they do not plan any software updates for their current Blu-ray player lineup. This is complicated by the fact that the Dolby Vision 2 data must be encoded on new releases. Nevertheless, viewers using compatible TVs might still see some visual improvements.

⚖️ Former Minister Seediri Appala Raju Gets Bail

Senior YSR Congress Party leader and ex-Minister Seediri Appala Raju was released from Srikakulam District Jail on Friday. He was arrested on July 22, 2026, for misleading the Police Department in a road accident case involving his son. The case stems from a shepherd's death near Kasibugga on July 10. Raju was accused of trying to frame another person to shield his son, Seediri Arav. Fellow YSRCP leaders welcomed his release, stating the court intervened against a false case.

🧐 Identity crisis among women marrying Haryana men

SIR has highlighted a growing identity crisis affecting women who marry men from Haryana. These women are coming from various other states across India. The issue has been observed over the past few years, with specific instances noted in recent community discussions. This situation often stems from cultural clashes between different regional backgrounds. Further analysis is expected to understand the deep-rooted social implications of this trend. 🧐

🚨 Loan fraud suspect caught after 2025 escape

A bank loan fraud accused, who previously escaped police custody in 2025, has been arrested in Hyderabad. The accused, Kavala Venkata Narasimham, was sent to Rajamahendravaram Central Prison on judicial remand by a local court on Friday. He is linked to a ₹6.7 crore loan fraud case registered at Kovvuru Town police station. Between 2018-20, he used fake documents to secure various loans from three SBI branches in Kovvur mandal. This follows his escape from CID-Andhra Pradesh police in September 2025 while returning from New Delhi. 🚨

🌾 From slavery to 2000 acres in Nebraska

Robert Ball Anderson, a former slave and Union soldier, initially lost his 160-acre homestead claim in Butler County, Nebraska, due to severe drought and grasshoppers. He later moved to Box Butte County and worked hard to rebuild his savings and land holdings. By 1884, he saved $1,600 before settling in the Nebraska Panhandle. Despite financial setbacks, he steadily acquired land through various claims and purchases. Anderson eventually owned over 2,000 acres of farmland in Box Butte County before passing away in 1930. 🌾

💰 RBI shuts forex deposit window for NRIs early

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has prematurely closed the window for foreign exchange deposits for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). This action followed a massive inflow totaling $52.3 billion into the country. The deposits reached this significant figure during the fiscal year 2023-24. This surge reflects strong investment interest from the NRI community in India's financial markets. The RBI will now reassess the deposit window guidelines for future transactions. 💰

🏛️ Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026 gets Presidential sign-off

The Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026, has received the President's assent, bringing significant changes to the judicial system. This Act establishes a National Tribunals Commission (NTC) to supervise 16 tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal. The Commission will consist of a chairperson, two judicial members, and two technical members, with appointments made by the Central government. The NTC will manage tribunal administration, conduct selections, and maintain a National Tribunals Data Grid. This new legislation repeals the 2021 Act but protects existing appointments until their terms conclude.