🏥 New Employee Health Scheme Launched by State Govt

The State government has officially rolled out a comprehensive Employees Health Scheme for employees, pensioners, and their dependents. The Employees Healthcare Trust initiated these guidelines effective August 17th. Beneficiaries are eligible for ₹3 lakh per illness episode with no limit, while claims up to ₹10 lakh go to a sub-committee. The scheme will be funded by beneficiary contributions, a matching state contribution, and extra budget support. The EHCT is mandated to form committees for effective scheme implementation moving forward.

🏆 East Bengal bags Durand Cup after derby win

East Bengal clinched the Durand Cup 2026 by defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 in the final. The match took place in Kolkata, where East Bengal secured the trophy after a 22-year wait. The final score was 4-1, with Edmund Lalrindika scoring a memorable hat-trick during the game. Coach Antonio Lopez Habas' direct style proved more effective than Mohun Bagan's possession game. East Bengal's victory marks a significant moment for the club in the historic derby.

🎬 Vijay's Kaavalan Warning vs. Remake Comeback

Vijay reportedly received warnings about the film Kaavalan, which was considered a flop upon release. This movie was in the context of his career trajectory at that time. The subsequent remake proved to be a major turning point for the actor. This successful follow-up helped salvage his professional standing significantly. Fans are now looking forward to his next big project.

💧 ₹768 crore compensation paid for Veligonda project

₹768 crore compensation has been disbursed to 6,206 families displaced by the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project. This payout occurred in three installments over the past two months, with the State Minister for Social Welfare announcing this in Ongole. The total compensation due to 7,318 families amounts to ₹888.55 crore, and the remaining households will receive their share soon. Furthermore, 10 tmcft of water is scheduled for supply to the project on August 31. This project aims to boost water security and agricultural prosperity for thousands in drought-affected regions.

💧 El Niño hits; farmers advised on water-saving in Sri Sathya Sai

District administration has urged farmers to use protective irrigation and alternative crops due to intensified El Niño conditions. District Collector Shyam Prasad stated that only 45% of the normal cultivated area was covered, with rainfall deficiency hitting 57% on August 23, 2026. Sixteen thousand quintals of seeds are available with an 80% subsidy to help farmers switch crops. Officials are also expanding the PMDS model from 94,000 acres to two lakh acres to manage the situation. Farmers are advised to dig farm ponds and borewell owners should use drip irrigation to conserve water. 💧

🎮 Early access to CoD: MW4 Beta is here

PCMag provides details on how gamers can secure early access to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta. The opportunity is available for PC players looking to test the game ahead of the official launch. Specific registration windows and requirements were detailed in the publication. This beta phase allows players to provide crucial feedback before the full release. Future updates will likely incorporate community suggestions.

🩸 Blood donation drive in Srikakulam sees big turnout

Youths and women participated in a blood donation camp held at the SSR Charitable Trust office in Vizianagaram. Industrialist Sura Srinivasa Rao and Dr. P.J. Naidu organized the event in Srikakulam on Sunday. A total of 80 youth and women donated blood during the camp. The trust prioritized awareness due to a significant blood shortage in local hospitals. Certificates and medals were distributed to the donors by both leaders. 🩸

🚨 Hygiene issues found at Hyderabad dark stores

Food safety teams conducted surprise inspections at 20 dark stores in Hyderabad on Saturday, August 22. These stores were operated by BigBasket, Blinkit, and Zepto within the Core Urban Region area. The inspections revealed multiple violations concerning hygiene and storage management, along with expired food items found at a few locations. Notices were issued to the non-compliant stores, and food samples were sent for detailed examination. Further action will be taken by officials based on these findings and the sample results.

💻 Windows 11 pushes Bing as default in Chrome & Firefox

Microsoft released a dedicated Windows 11 app called Microsoft Recommended Search Settings to promote Bing. This utility is installed via a 22.2 MB file, MicrosoftSettings.exe, and targets users on Windows 11. The app prompts users to set Bing as default across Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Although it requires user clicks, the preselected 'Yes' toggle and rewards incentive aim to drive adoption. Users should be cautious and only install this if they want Bing and MSN features. 🧐

🕊️ Poets worldwide stand for peace, says Nagabhushan

Savitha Nagabhushana stated that poets across the globe are fundamentally the same, advocating for peace, love, and humanity. This sentiment was expressed during a Ghazal writers’ meeting held in Shivamogga on Sunday. The event saw participation from poets from places like Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, and Chitradurga. Nagabhushana emphasized that poetry, rooted in love, helps the world find peace. The gathering also highlighted the need to question communal hatred amid current troubled times. 🕊️

📱 Galaxy S27 Ultra leaks drop with new pics

New images and further surprises regarding the Galaxy S27 Ultra have recently surfaced for tech enthusiasts. These leaks involve the anticipated flagship smartphone from Samsung. Specific details about the release date and exact features are not yet confirmed. The buzz is building around its expected technological upgrades over previous models. Industry watchers are now awaiting official announcements from Samsung. 📱