🚧 Landslip blocks road near Panakkad; reopening delayed

A landslip occurred at Edayippalam near Panakkad on Monday, blocking the Vengara-Malappuram road. Officials from various departments inspected the site on Thursday, confirming the road was cleared and motorable. However, the district administration deferred the reopening decision until Friday due to an orange rain alert for the area. A total of 373 truckloads of earth were removed from the affected section over Tuesday and Wednesday. Authorities are also cracking down on illegal quarries following this incident. ⚠️

🛰️ Garmin's next watch packs LTE and satellite tech

An FCC filing for the Garmin model A05170 suggests a new flagship multisport watch is coming soon. This premium device reportedly features LTE voice and 3GPP-standard satellite data connectivity. The documentation also noted testing across silicone, nylon, and titanium band materials. This integration aims to combine satellite communicators and smartwatches into one unit. Further details on pricing and release are pending, but subscription models are expected. 🛰️

🏛️ Lok Sabha passes tax tweaks; Rajya Sabha clears extra spending

The Lok Sabha approved the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to update India's direct tax and payment systems. This bill amends three laws: Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, Income-tax Act, 2025, and Finance Act, 2026. Additionally, the Rajya Sabha cleared the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026, authorizing extra government spending for FY26. The tax changes simplify compliance and aid manufacturing sectors like electronics. This paves the way for future MDR fees on large UPI transactions. 💰

🐅 Two tigers found dead in NSTR; poaching confirmed

A high-level committee found that one tiger found on July 31 in NSTR was killed by poachers. The committee, led by P. Mallikharjuna Rao, stated that seven people illegally hunted the tiger using a country-made firearm. The animal, an adult male aged four to six years, died from a bullet injury about three weeks before discovery. Officials recovered seven of the tiger's 18 claws, and seven accused have been arrested and remanded. Investigations are ongoing, with strict action warned against wildlife violators. 🐅

🌳 IFS induction in J&K restarts after 13-year wait

The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has determined 28 vacancies for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) in J&K. This decision was made for the AGMUT cadre's J&K segment, addressing a 13-year halt in induction. These 28 slots cover various years, including 14 from the 2013 Select List and one each from 2020, 2021, and 2023. The UT Government has been asked to propose a Selection Committee Meeting to the UPSC. This move allows local officers to join IFS, previously blocked by the lack of a 'State Forest Service.' 🌳

🔫 Ghost Recon Wildlands gets 25th anniversary update

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands has launched the Last Rites Update to mark the series' 25th anniversary. This update is available now for players in Bolivia, featuring a 4K 60FPS patch and new content. The update includes a new mission facing La Llorona, the leader of the Los Penitentes cult. Players can also adjust various game settings and see the return of the Predator mission. Furthermore, the series will be on sale, with Wildlands and Breakpoint available free from August 6 to 10, 2026.

🎮 Ghost Recon gets free update and next game tease

Ubisoft celebrated Ghost Recon's 25th anniversary with a special livestream revealing major updates. Ghost Recon: Wildlands, released in 2017, is getting a free story update called Last Rites today. This update also brings 4K resolution and 60 fps gameplay to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Furthermore, the next Ghost Recon title is confirmed to be in development with an Insider Program launching. Additionally, older titles are available for free until August 10.

⚖️ HC convicts Tarun Tejpal, rejects 'perfect victim' myth

The High Court overturned previous findings by rejecting the notion that a survivor must be a 'perfect victim' to be believed. The court criticized the trial judge for using the survivor’s demeanor and lack of injuries to discredit her testimony. Seven witnesses, including family and colleagues, corroborated her account of the assault on November 7 and 8, 2013. Furthermore, the HC ruled that Tejpal's apology emails were genuine admissions of guilt, not coerced statements. The court highlighted how workplace harassment severely harms women's careers and mental health. ⚖️

📺 Dolby Vision 2 lands on Hisense TVs

Dolby Vision 2 has officially debuted across Hisense TVs following a global firmware rollout. This major update brings enhanced picture quality features to Hisense's television lineup worldwide. The rollout commenced recently, making the new standard available to users globally. This move positions Hisense strongly in the premium TV market segment. Users can now experience superior visual performance on their current devices. 📺

😠 Mehbooba Mufti's daughter charged after police clash

Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, has been charged by Jammu and Kashmir police for allegedly attacking and biting a police officer. This incident occurred in Srinagar during a PDP protest on Tuesday. An FIR was filed against her, and she has been summoned to join investigations at Kothibagh police station tomorrow. Earlier, Iltija claimed she was assaulted by an IPS officer during the protest against Article 370's abrogation. The protests marked the 7th anniversary of the revocation, with opposition parties staging demonstrations. 😠

🇮🇳 Laggard states need support, says Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that every Indian State needs to be strong for national growth. She addressed this at the India Policy Forum 2026, organized by the National Council of Applied Economic Research in New Delhi. Sitharaman highlighted that 'laggard' states require 'every handholding' to improve their standing. However, she also stressed the necessity of a strong Centre for defence, exports, and manufacturing policies. Ultimately, the aspirations of India cannot be met without empowering every State with resources and capacity building. 🇮🇳