🦆 Hugging Face drops $399 roller-skating robot duck

Hugging Face, via Pollen Robotics, launched preorders for Microduck, a $399 bipedal robot capable of roller skating and picking up small items. This duck-inspired device, which stands 25 centimeters tall, features 15 motors and an articulated beak for manipulation. Preorders started this Thursday, with the first units expected before Christmas 2026. CEO Clement Delangue projects the robot could sell 50,000 units, generating around $20 million in revenue. The launch happens amid unconfirmed reports of a potential $13 billion acquisition of Hugging Face by Nvidia. 🤖

💧 Himachal plans to reclaim surplus land from Bhakra Beas board

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced plans to enact a law to reclaim surplus land held by the Bhakra Beas Management Board. This decision was made during an Assembly discussion regarding social and environmental issues linked to hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh. The government has decided to reclaim projects like Sunni, Luhri, and Dhaulasidh, and will take legal action for Baira Siul. Sukhu emphasized that water is a state asset and the government will protect it against corporate interests. The state will also handle the desilting of all BBMB projects to generate revenue. 💧

😠 Student protest in Indore over college facilities

ABVP workers forcefully entered the Indore collectorate to protest inadequate facilities in Madhya Pradesh government colleges. The student group, affiliated with the RSS, staged the demonstration on Thursday in the BJP-ruled state. They submitted a memorandum listing 18 demands, including better toilets and water, addressed to Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar. This protest follows a rising political focus on youth issues after a recent agitation in Delhi. The police reported that no untoward incidents occurred during the demonstration. 😠

✅ Collector assures oustees justice for Veligonda Project

District Collector M. Vijaya Sunitha assured displaced residents of justice ahead of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project launch. The officials visited Gottipadia and Akkachervu Thanda villages in Markapuram district to inspect the submergence threat. She confirmed that all residents of rehabilitation villages would receive compensation before the scheduled water release on August 31, 2026. Basic amenities in the rehabilitation colonies are complete, and land title deeds (pattas) are currently being distributed. Security arrangements for the CM's visit were also reviewed by SP V. Harshavardhan Raju.

🚦 Auto drivers get a year to learn Marathi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a one-year grace period for auto-rickshaw and cab drivers. This decision comes amidst ongoing protests regarding the state government's language mandate. No punitive action will be taken against the drivers during this specified one-year period. The aim is to give them sufficient time to acquire working knowledge of the Marathi language. This move seeks to ease tensions related to the language row in the state. 🚦

😥 Karnataka Engineer Missing After Nepal-China Border Floods

A 45-year-old software engineer from Karnataka, Rakesh Nayak, is missing after flash floods struck near the Nepal-Tibet border. He was traveling to Mansarovar on a package tour organized by the Isha Foundation. His father reported Nayak reached an immigration office near the Nepal-China border around 9:10 pm on August 26. At least 13 people from Karnataka are stranded, and 290 Indians remain missing overall. The Indian Embassy is in constant contact with Nepal and China authorities to coordinate the rescue efforts. 😥

✅ AP Vidyut AEE Exam Hits High Attendance Mark

The Andhra Pradesh Vidyut Recruitment Exam–2026 for AEE posts successfully concluded on Thursday. The exam, overseen by AP-Transco Joint MD G. Surya Sai Praveenchand in Vijayawada, filled 629 positions across state power utilities. Out of 1,05,566 total applicants, 84,905 candidates appeared across 94 centres between August 23 and Thursday. This common test was the first, using strict security like biometric verification and mobile jammers. Preliminary keys are due in three days, with final results tentatively set for the last week of September 2026.

🛑 Congress rejects NC invite for J&K cabinet

Congress declined the National Conference's invitation to join the Omar Abdullah government in J&K. J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra stated this decision was based on a principled stand regarding statehood restoration. This rejection came after Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary indicated NC was hopeful for Congress's participation. The party maintains it will not accept a cabinet berth until J&K's constitutional rights are restored. Congress will continue to support the NC govt if it faces threats from the BJP.

🏔️ Uttarakhand's 13 glacial lakes under strict watch

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered intensified safety monitoring for 13 sensitive glacial lakes in Uttarakhand. This directive was issued on Thursday after these specific lakes were identified as posing potential risks in hilly regions. The lakes have been identified as sensitive, and surveys have already been completed for four of them. The government plans to install advanced early warning systems and conduct comprehensive scientific studies across the state. Officials are also tasked with strengthening evacuation routes and raising public awareness about hazards.

🤝 Modi to meet Putin at SCO summit

A meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek. The meeting is happening during PM Modi's four-day visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. This follows a successful IRIGC in Moscow and recent talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Putin. Both leaders are expected to review the entire gamut of the India-Russia bilateral relationship during this summit. PM Modi's visit to Uzbekistan is from August 29-30, followed by Bishkek from August 31 to September 1. 🤝

⚽ Enzo Fernandez missing for Chelsea vs Luton in EFL Cup

Enzo Fernandez is not participating in today's EFL Cup match between Chelsea and Luton Town. The midfielder is absent from the squad for this fixture in the cup competition. The match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 24th. His absence is due to his current fitness status as reported by the club. Chelsea's coaching staff will decide his availability for future matches.