🐮 Punjab waives power bills for more cow shelters

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann approved the waiver of electricity bills for all gaushalas in the state on Wednesday. This decision extends the free power benefit to 152 additional cow shelters across Punjab. The total number of gaushalas receiving free electricity will now rise from 366 to 518. Mann highlighted that these institutions are crucial in managing stray cattle issues in Punjab. The government committed to further supporting these centers to ensure better management practices. 🐮

🏔️ Sonakshi & Zaheer's serene Bhutan trip 🏞️

Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal shared glimpses of their cultural trip to Bhutan. The couple visited Kichu Lhakhang and stayed at Taj Paro Bhutan in Paro Valley. Their trip included a five-hour trek and visiting traditional cultural sites. They swapped city noise for mountain trails and Himalayan views. This getaway highlights Bhutan's mix of luxury and deep culture.

🌳 Police chief asks public to protect new saplings

Superintendent of Police V. Harshavardhan Raju initiated a tree plantation drive under 'Mission Haritha' at the District Police Office in Ongole on Wednesday. Mr. Raju strongly urged the public to take ownership of the newly planted saplings for their protection. He stressed that growing trees boosts biodiversity and keeps the earth cleaner and greener. Additionally, he advised citizens to reduce unnecessary automobile travel and completely stop using single-use plastic. This initiative was supported by several senior police officials present at the event.

💧 Idukki reservoir water level hits 2,350 ft

Heavy rainfall over the past week caused the Idukki reservoir water level to reach close to 2,350 ft on Wednesday. This rise was reported by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) dam safety wing in Kerala. On Wednesday, the level was 2,349.46 ft, up from around 28% in late July. Officials confirmed the Idukki dam is in a safe storage position, expecting storage to hit about 50% soon. Statewide capacity also rose to 47% on Wednesday across major dams.

😴 Sleep is seriously boosting school grades, new studies show

New research indicates that getting adequate sleep is highly effective for improving academic performance across various age groups. Two separate studies, published in July, examined this link from middle school through university levels. One study found sleep was the strongest lifestyle factor influencing grades among 10 to 13-year-olds. The second study involving over 1,100 US students showed incentives helped them sleep longer, leading to better grades. These findings suggest promoting healthy sleep is a cost-effective way to support student success. 😴

💰 Kerala adds big funds for urban-rural balance

The Kerala state government approved an extra ₹312 crore to fix the urban-rural allocation imbalance. This decision was made by the government on Wednesday, following recommendations from the 16th Union Finance Commission. Specifically, ₹136 crore went to municipalities and ₹188 crore to corporations for ongoing projects. The 7th State Finance Commission pointed out that UFC grants favored urban areas disproportionately. This move addresses the funding gaps flagged by the SFC.

🏛️ Police upgrade plan awaits Finance Ministry approval

The Union government informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, about an umbrella scheme for police modernization. This proposal was sent to the Department of Expenditure under the Union Ministry of Finance on July 8, 2026. The submission was part of a suo motu proceeding started in 2025 following a media report about non-functional CCTV cameras in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The scheme is intended to cover the overall modernization of the police force, including CCTV installation. The court directed the Centre to place proposal details on record via affidavit within two weeks. 🧐

🛡️ Microsoft Advertising adds content filters for Audience Ads

Microsoft Advertising is launching Excluded content terms to enhance brand safety for advertisers. This new feature allows marketers in various locations to block Audience Ads next to specific page titles containing unwanted words. It supports up to 1,000 terms and can be set at the account or campaign level. This offers more granular control than just website or category exclusions for brands. Microsoft is expanding its content suitability tools to meet growing brand safety demands.

⚖️ SC starts final hearing on 'real' Shiv Sena drama

The Supreme Court began final hearings regarding the Uddhav Thackeray faction's challenge to the Election Commission's recognition of the Eknath Shinde group as the 'real' Shiv Sena. The case involves the larger question of whether a legislative party can supersede its original political organization. The pleas, filed in 2024, contest the EC's February 17, 2023 order recognizing the Shinde faction. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued against legislative parties overtaking political bodies, while the court also acknowledged legislators need some 'elbow room'. The hearing will continue on Thursday to examine the EC's decision. ⚖️

🚨 Accused in Palakkad child murder caught in Tamil Nadu

Suresh, alias Rahim, the main accused in a 2019 case, was apprehended by the Town North police. He was taken from Koradacheri in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, on Monday night, August 3, 2026. The victim was a four-year-old girl whose body was found near Palakkad railway station in February 2019. After his initial arrest, Suresh went into hiding for several years following his bail release. He was subsequently brought to Palakkad and presented before a court on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

🎮 More games joining Xbox Game Pass in Sept 2026

Two additional games have been revealed for the Xbox Game Pass library. These new titles are set to join the service in September 2026. Specific details regarding the games or platform were not provided in the announcement. This expansion continues Microsoft's strategy to boost subscription value. Fans should keep checking for more updates on Game Pass additions.