🗳️ 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. 💧

🔬 Stop wasting money on serums, check these blood markers 🩸

A nutritionist suggests that internal factors, not just topical products, might be causing accelerated aging in women. She highlighted three key blood markers: Ferritin, Vitamin B-12, and Magnesium, that need attention. For Ferritin, she advises levels of 50-70 ng/mL for good hair and skin, while B-12 should be 500 to 700 pg/mL. Magnesium levels should be checked via RBC tests since blood tests only show 1% of the actual amount. Treating these root causes is better than focusing only on surface-level skincare.

🚢 Indian seafarers still missing after Black Sea attack

Two Indian seafarers went missing after their cargo vessel was attacked in the Black Sea near Ukraine. The government informed the Supreme Court that the search could not find Deepak Kumar Gupta and Rama Chandra. The missing persons were last accounted for as of August 5, 2026, despite extensive operations by Ukrainian and Romanian authorities. The court noted the MEA's report and asked the Centre to help with the families' insurance claims. The top court also directed the Centre to facilitate coordination with Indian embassies for further updates.

🚨 Kalaburagi cracking down on child exploitation

The Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi ordered strict action to curb child marriage, child labour, and POCSO offences on Friday, August 7. This directive was given to district administration, police, and the Department of Women and Child Development in Kalaburagi. During the review period, 71 child marriage cases and 16 POCSO cases were reported in the district. Authorities rescued 22 child labourers and 13 begging children through special drives, and 198 children were safely returned to guardians. The DCP also mandated hospitals to register all medico-legal cases involving minors and warned against rights violations.

🌊 Intense search for missing fisher near Neendakara

An intensive multi-agency search is happening off the coast of Neendakara for 26-year-old fisher Gautam Krishna. The incident happened last Friday when a fishing vessel carrying 14 people overturned after powerful waves hit it. His grandfather, Rajeevan (74), died instantly, and his father, Radhakrishnan (46), was recovered on Saturday. Frustration led his mother, Reshma, to protest on Thursday, prompting Minister Shibu Baby John's visit. The search zones are expanding, and the government plans to upgrade disaster management protocols. ⚓️

⚽ Liverpool's €115m bid for Bradley Barcola

Liverpool is reportedly preparing to submit a €115m bid for PSG winger Bradley Barcola. The offer is directed at Paris Saint-Germain, marking a concrete step in the Reds' signing strategy. PSG management is reportedly demanding over €150m, excluding bonuses, for the transfer. This initial bid signals Liverpool's serious intent to acquire the French player. Barcola himself has reportedly made a move to Anfield a priority.