🎮 Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is free for a limited time

Ubisoft is giving away the tactical shooter Ghost Recon: Future Soldier for free to PC players. This offer is available through Ubisoft Connect until August 13. The game, originally released in 2012, is permanently added to the library upon claiming it. This promotion marks Ubisoft's 25th anniversary celebration of the Ghost Recon franchise. Players can also access other franchise discounts and new game announcements during this event. 🎮

🤖 Google Maps gets AI to order food and track rides

Google Maps has integrated an agent-based AI capable of ordering food and tracking transport in real time. This new feature is being rolled out to users globally to enhance navigation capabilities. The AI system processes complex requests, allowing users to automate parts of their daily journey. It functions by interacting with various services to manage food delivery and transit updates seamlessly. Expect this AI integration to make travel planning much more automated for users.

🚑 Two Pedestrians Killed by Tipper Lorry in Ballari

Two pedestrians, Kumar (34) and Manjunath (38), were fatally hit by a speeding tipper lorry on Thursday evening. This tragic incident took place near Venkatagiri village in Sandur taluk of Ballari district. The accident occurred on August 6th near agricultural land, resulting in two fatalities on the spot. Police registered a case under BNS and the Motor Vehicles Act due to the alleged rash driving. Authorities have taken the lorry driver into custody and are investigating the matter further. 😔

🏥 Protester hospitalized as Jharkhand recruitment strike hits day 14 🏥

A student leader on a hunger strike was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital after his health declined. Rahul Kranti, one of six protesters, has been refusing food since Tuesday night in Ranchi. The protest entered its 14th day on Friday, demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination. Protesters are also calling for an independent probe and wider reforms in state recruitment bodies. Further actions are anticipated as the agitation continues against the current administration.

🌧️ Flooded Delhi: Schoolkids Cross Streets on Makeshift Raft ☔

Heavy rain lashed the capital, causing severe waterlogging across several neighbourhoods in Delhi. In Valmiki Basti, Fatehpur Beri, residents used a blue plastic sheet as a makeshift raft to ferry schoolchildren. The flooding, which has affected the area for nearly six decades, was exacerbated by an incomplete stormwater drain and alleged encroachments downstream. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi received complaints about waterlogging and tree falls across the city on Friday. Authorities are forecasting light to moderate rainfall across Delhi until August 10.

🗳️ Karnataka election roll deadline extended again

The enumeration phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has been extended until August 17 by the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka. This second extension means the draft electoral rolls, originally set for August 17, will now be published on August 24. The window for filing claims and objections will run from August 24 until September 23. This change follows pleas from civil society groups and the KPCC regarding the ASDDO list. Finally, the permanent electoral rolls are slated for release on October 27. 🗳️

💳 UPI charges coming? Here's the lowdown 💸

The Lok Sabha cleared a Bill allowing banks to charge for UPI transactions, removing previous legal restrictions. This change applies to businesses in India, potentially introducing an MDR of 0.25% to 0.4% on transactions over Rs 2,000. Person-to-person payments and routine small purchases are expected to be unaffected by this levy. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the MDR will apply to merchants, enabling infrastructure investment. Small shopkeepers will not be charged, and consumers can continue using UPI for free.

✨ Telangana is leveling up governance with new tech

Telangana is using emerging technologies like AI and Blockchain to upgrade its public services. Minister D. Sridhar Babu announced several initiatives at the AI Transformative Conclave in Hyderabad. These plans include rolling out Blockchain certificates and extending high-speed connectivity to rural areas. The state is also working on a Digital Assembly and a Digital Council to modernize governance completely. These efforts align with the national push for digital legislative transformation across states. 🚀

🏫 Ikea exec leaves job to build school for kids 📚

Kushal Raj Chakravorty left his global role at Ikea to start a school for underprivileged children. He made this decision in Gurugram after seeing neglected children lacking basic needs. By April 2013, he launched a fast-track learning program using his savings and a loan of Rs 40 lakh. This initiative aims to help children catch up and gain skills beyond just basic survival. The five-year program targets Class 12 completion along with vocational and digital literacy.

🔬 Neutrinos reveal secrets of Earth's deep mantle

A global array of neutrino detectors is giving scientists a new look at the radioactive elements powering Earth's heat engine. The JUNO experiment in Guangzhou, China, is set to report its first geoneutrino detections this year. Earlier detections came from Kamland in 2005 and Borexino in 2009. These measurements could suggest the mantle is not uniformly mixed, challenging old assumptions. Future neutrino data may uncover unknown deep Earth structures. ⚛️

🌾 Accurate crop loss survey ordered in drought-hit Mysuru

The Minister in charge of Mysuru district ordered an accurate survey of crop losses due to deficient rainfall. This directive was given by Yathindra Siddaramaiah while visiting drought-hit villages, including Kempanahalli in Hunsur taluk. In Hunsur taluk alone, over 21,000 hectares of tobacco were damaged, with 2,000 hectares seeing poor growth as of Friday. The government will discuss compensation for maize and other affected crops before making a final decision. Additionally, the Minister instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply to all affected villages. 💧