👴 EPFO issues pension orders for higher contributions

The EPFO has issued 1,49,806 pension payment orders for higher contributions following a November 2022 Supreme Court order. This action was taken for retired applicants across India as per the apex court's directive. As of August 10th, the Ministry of Labour received 15,24,365 such claims, with 11,595 still pending. The pension scheme currently has 85,84,604 pensioners as of March 31, 2026. Members can check their claim status via the Umang app, portal, SMS, or missed call. 👴

🌳 Nellimarla boosting greenery with Miyawaki method

Jana Sena Party MLA Lokam Naga Madhavi initiated seed ball planting outside Nellimarla on Tuesday. This initiative is adopting the Japanese Miyawaki technique to rapidly boost green cover in urban and Vizianagaram outskirts. Three 'Nagara Vanams' were sanctioned for the Nellimarla constituency by Panchayat Raj and Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan. This method uses dense native saplings to create miniature forests within a few years. These new parks are expected to significantly improve greenery around Bhogapuram international airport soon. 🌳

👮 Drug bust links accused to CM's social media team

Three men were arrested in Kasaragod, Kerala, with 139.29 grams of MDMA recovered during the operation. The arrested individuals, PA Abdul Salam, KH Mohammed Hussain, and PA Abbas, are residents of Vengola in Ernakulam district. The DYFI alleged that Mohammed Hussain coordinates VD Satheesan's social media page and is an active Congress worker. This case ignited political controversy due to claims of the accused's links with senior leaders like Satheesan. The DYFI is now demanding the investigation be expanded to examine these alleged political connections. 👮

🏆 Yorkshire clinches home quarter-final win

Yorkshire secured a seven-wicket victory against Essex on August 11, 2026, in Chelmsford to qualify for the home quarter-final at York. Captain Dom Bess and Ben Coad took crucial wickets, dismissing the Eagles for 151 inside 41 overs. Will Bennison top-scored with a brilliant 60 off 59 balls during the chase. This win was significant as it put them in the second spot of Group B after this match. They will now await their quarter-final opponents for the upcoming Friday game. 🏏

🚢 Hormuz Strait remains blocked without US compliance

The Hormuz Strait is set to stay closed until the United States fulfills specific conditions set by Iran. This decision was announced by the Iranian security council regarding the vital waterway. The ongoing situation has been under scrutiny for several weeks. This blockade stems from ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two nations. Further developments will depend on whether the US meets the stipulated demands.

😔 Actress Ha Young's father addresses pro-Japanese family links

Actress Ha Young's father, Ahn Byeong Mun, spoke out regarding the controversy surrounding his great-grandfather, Ahn Sang Ho. The issue arose because Ahn Sang Ho was listed as a council member for a pro-Japanese organization. This revelation came after the actress's agency confirmed his historical connection to Japan. Ahn emphasized he feels deeply troubled and is willing to re-examine his grandfather's life honestly. Despite his apology, the candid confession has not calmed the strongly critical netizens.

🏏 Warwickshire dominates Kent in Rugby hat-trick

Warwickshire defeated Kent by a massive 87 runs in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. The victory took place at Rugby School, where Warwickshire secured their third consecutive win. The Bears posted a total of 263, while Kent were bowled out for 176 on the 15th of the match. Vansh Jani scored a brilliant 98, dominating the innings for the team. This win finalized Warwickshire's 50-over campaign with a decisive result. 🏏

🧐 Supreme Court asks ECI for West Bengal election data

The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India to provide details on tribunal appeals against electoral roll deletions. This was concerning the Special Intensive Revision exercise in West Bengal. The Court sought specific data on tribunals, including the number operating and appeals disposed of. The primary goal is to assess the volume of cases before considering infrastructure or timelines. This action follows a plea by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury seeking block-level tribunals. 🧐

⛽ LPG connection wait continues despite relaxed rules ⛽

Five months after the hold on new LPG and double bottle connections, households are still waiting for resumption as many other curbs have eased. Sources in the oil industry estimate that several lakhs of new and second cylinder requests are pending across the country. Furthermore, existing users failing to complete e-KYC face ineligibility for subsidized LPG refills, creating further uncertainty. National oil marketing companies are awaiting formal communication regarding supply rates and GST implications for these non-eKYC customers. Government orders are needed to lift the restrictions on issuing new connections and DBCs to households.

🏛️ TN CM plans Assembly move on Lok Sabha seats

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is expected to introduce a resolution in the Assembly on Wednesday, August 11, 2026. This move seeks to urge the Union government to keep the Lok Sabha strength at 543. The resolution aims to maintain the current inter-State seat distribution and the 2.2:1 Lok Sabha-Rajya Sabha ratio. It also emphasizes implementing 33% reservation for women in the 2029 elections based on these existing seats. This follows a meeting on August 8, 2026, with 19 out of 57 TN MPs in Chennai.

📚 Google's shift from 'Don't Be Evil' to corporate bloat

Claire Stapleton's new memoir details her journey from a supportive employee to a vocal critic of Google. She recounts the 2018 walkout organized by 20,000 employees protesting sexual misconduct and other issues at the company. Stapleton claims she was demoted as retaliation for her involvement in the protest. Her book explores how the corporate culture changed after Larry Page replaced Eric Schmidt as CEO in 2011. The experience shows Big Tech's descent from admired innovators to massive, flawed corporations. 😟