🌳 Kurnool aims to plant 45 lakh saplings this year

District Collector A. Siri launched a major plantation drive in Kurnool district on Friday. The administration has set a goal to plant 45 lakh saplings this year to boost the district’s green cover. This initiative was announced on August 14, 2026, at the Tehsildar office in Emmiganur. The drive aims to promote patriotism, social responsibility, and environmental awareness among citizens. Various departments will collaborate to meet the target and ensure the saplings thrive. 🌳

🏙️ Minister Krishna Gowda on Bengaluru's Civic Push

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda discussed civic actions in Bengaluru during a session with The Hindu reporters. He addressed issues ranging from garbage problems to delayed civic polls and infrastructure planning. The discussion took place in Bengaluru on August 13, 2026, during an hour-long interaction. The minister is leading ongoing drives to clear footpaths, garbage, and abandoned vehicles across the city. Future plans focus on improving roads and overall city infrastructure.

🌟 Village Head Funds Girls' Hockey Dreams

Rajasthan sarpanch Neeru Yadav transformed life in Lambi Ahir by investing in local girls' sports. She used her own salary to buy kits, hire a coach, and arrange transport for hockey training. As of now, some of these girls have successfully earned medals at the district level. Furthermore, she established a 'Bartan Bank' in 2022 to combat plastic waste from village events. The Rajasthan government has since adopted this successful model across the state. 🏅

💰 iPhone 17 price drops big time on Flipkart

The iPhone 17 is currently seeing a massive discount on Flipkart, dropping its price to the lowest available. This deal is for the base model with 256GB storage, which was initially launched at Rs 82,900. Flipkart is offering a flat Rs 5,900 discount, plus an extra Rs 5,750 using specific bank cards. Users can also save more by trading in their old device at various values. This flagship phone boasts the A19 chipset and a vibrant 6.3-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. 🤩

📈 Infra.Market's big move to public markets

Infra.Market is planning a fast-tracked public listing through a ₹10,400 crore share swap with Shalimar Paints. This deal involves the company's subsidiary, Hella Infra Market, in the transaction. The share swap was announced on August 14, 2026, aiming for quicker market entry than a traditional IPO. Experts note this structure could strengthen Shalimar Paints while providing liquidity to Infra.Market's shareholders. However, minority shareholders face dilution and valuation risks under this arrangement. 📉

💰 Govt plans big moves to control Onam prices

The State government is planning strong market interventions to keep essential commodity prices stable this Onam season. Agriculture Minister T. Siddique announced this while at the Supplyco district Onam fair in Kalpetta on Friday, August 14. The plan involves opening 2,000 vegetable markets with a ₹20 crore allocation, plus clearing ₹150 crore in paddy procurement arrears for farmers. These measures aim to prevent black marketing and hoarding while ensuring quality products reach consumers. Special squads are actively conducting inspections across several towns to monitor price hikes ahead of the festival. 🛒

🚨 SC quashes cases against comedians, Manipur violence reported

Two Naga persons were killed in firing by suspected militants in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. The incident took place at Langka Naga village, where an armed group attacked residents. The Liangmai Naga Council-Manipur alleged Kuki National Front (P) militants were responsible for the attack. Separately, the Supreme Court quashed FIRs against Samay Raina and others regarding disability remarks. The court commended their awareness efforts and praised the youngsters' positive direction. 🇮🇳

💰 Ajay Devgn's Juhu Bungalow Leases for Big Bucks

Actor Ajay Devgn and his mother Veena Devgn have leased their 7,803 sq ft Juhu Bungalow for a five-year term. The property, located in Juhu's Kapol Co-operative Housing Society, will bring in an estimated ₹10.61 crore over the lease period. The rent starts at ₹16 lakh monthly with a 5% annual increase built into the agreement. This rental deal highlights the high earning potential in Mumbai's premium residential market. The property is situated in a sought-after area known for sustained high property values. 💰

💖 Friends turned sisters after DNA test 🤯

Two Indian-born women, Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen, discovered they were biological sisters through a DNA test. They were adopted by separate Dutch families and grew up about 130 km apart in the Netherlands. The match came in April, after they first met as friends in 1996. This discovery explained the strong connection they felt as teenagers, which they now call family. The sisters finally reunited in the Netherlands on August 11, sharing an emotional moment.

🚨 Constable allegedly kills couple over ₹3 lakh debt

A 2024-batch police constable allegedly beat a couple to death with a stick due to a ₹3 lakh debt. The incident took place in Suryapet, where the bodies of Buba, 40, and Nagulu, 48, were found on August 12. Investigations, aided by CCTV footage and a confession, led to the constable's arrest on Friday. The constable, Mohd Shareef, reportedly lent the couple the money with interest and grew angry over delayed repayments. He was remanded to judicial custody as police continue their probe. 🚨

🚒 AP CM launches ₹40 crore advanced fire vehicles

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, launched advanced firefighting vehicles on Friday. This event took place at Seed Access Road in Amaravati, showcasing the modernized Fire Services Department. The rollout included 58 vehicles costing around ₹40 crore, funded by the 15th Finance Commission. These new vehicles aim to strengthen protection against disasters, with specialized units for rural and urban areas. The government plans further procurement in a third phase, alongside building 17 new fire stations.