🤖 Robotic dogs coming to guard Tirumala hills

The TTD is looking into using AI-powered robotic dogs to monitor wildlife and improve safety on trekking routes in Tirumala. Senior officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary inspected the quadruped robot at the Sri Padmavathi Guest House recently. The unit features 360-degree LiDAR and thermal cameras for all-weather surveillance. It can identify threats like leopards near paths and send live geo-tagged alerts to response teams. This tech will supplement human guards, enhancing overall safety in the forest. 🤖

⛰️ Dad leaves tired 7yo son alone on Mount Fuji

A 7-year-old boy was left alone on Mount Fuji after his father told him to wait while continuing the climb. This incident happened last week on the Fujinomiya Trail where the 48-year-old father was with his two sons. The younger boy was left near the sixth station around 4:30 a.m., despite reporting tiredness. A mountain hut worker found him at 7:40 a.m. and police intervened, leading the father to return for his son. ⛰️

📈 Pakistan targets India with sugar exports

Pakistan is looking to push its surplus sugar stocks into the Indian market. This move is being driven by liquidity pressure faced by domestic mills in Pakistan. The country is reportedly aiming to increase sugar exports to India in the near future. This strategic push addresses the internal supply glut experienced by Pakistani sugar producers. Further details on the volume and timelines are expected to be announced soon. 📈

🚗 DMK MLAs reject government cars, political clash heats up

All 59 DMK MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly have decided to forgo the government-provided cars for legislators. This decision was announced by Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin in the Assembly on Friday. The proposal involved providing vehicles and monthly allowances to all 234 MLAs, announced by CM C Joseph Vijay. The DMK cited concerns over the state exchequer's financial condition for their refusal. Meanwhile, Minister Aadhav Arjuna defended the provision, calling transport a necessity for elected representatives.

💰 ₹9 Crore Cash Seized Near Bengaluru-Tamil Nadu Highway

Income Tax officials seized a massive ₹9 crore in unaccounted cash from an SUV traveling from Bengaluru towards Hosur in Tamil Nadu. The Bengaluru City Police intercepted the vehicle, registration KL 20 T 8629, near BETL Toll on August 18th around 10:30 p.m. During the search, the cash was found, and one occupant, Sachin, 42, from Sindhu Jewellers, was detained. Further searches in Tamil Nadu led to the seizure of an additional ₹1.3 crore in cash. The Income Tax Department is now investigating the source and final destination of all the seized funds. 🧐

🤖 Nothing OS 5.0 based on Android 17 drops Aug 25

Nothing has officially confirmed the launch of Nothing OS 5.0, which is built upon Android 17. The unveiling is scheduled for August 25 at 11:00 BST, according to an announcement on X. Eligible phones include the Nothing Phone (4a) and several Phone (3) models. The update might bring more personalization and colourful visual elements to the interface. Details on the stable rollout and full features will be revealed during the August 25 event. 📱

💸 SBI withdrawal fees change starting October 1st

SBI is changing its cash withdrawal rules effective October 1st for BSBD accounts. Customers in branches will now pay Rs 15 plus GST for withdrawals exceeding four free transactions monthly. Previously, AePS transactions were exempt, but this exclusion has now been removed under the revised policy. Meanwhile, SBI also lowered interest rates on domestic bulk term deposits starting August 15th. The bank reported a 10.23% net profit increase in Q1FY27.

🧑‍🚀 VR might boost astronauts' mental health

Researchers are exploring virtual reality to improve the mental wellness of astronauts during long space missions. The study was conducted by Texas A&M University on sailors aboard a US Navy ship for two weeks. Participants used HTC Vive Pro Eye headsets combined with a compact scent generator featuring real-world smells. The goal was to create immersive experiences mimicking nature to combat isolation. The results showed reduced negative emotions, suggesting broad benefits beyond space travel. 🚀

✨ Android 17 beta drops with killer new features

Google rolled out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 shortly after the Pixel 11 lineup announcement. The update brought significant changes, including customizable Quick Settings layouts and better Dynamic Color theming. Users can now tailor their Quick Settings panel layout and fine-tune color variations using Neutral, Soft, Bright, or Bold presets. Additionally, the App Lock feature adds extra security by hiding notifications and restricting app access via PIN or fingerprint. Pixel 6a users and newer can download this beta now, with a stable release expected in December.

🔥 Heat + workout = kidney danger? Know the risks.

Dehydration during intense workouts in extreme heat can significantly reduce kidney function. This risk was studied in a 2020 US CDC study involving participants exercising near 40°C. Researchers observed higher kidney-injury biomarkers when dehydration and overheating occurred together. Severe fluid loss strains kidneys by reducing necessary blood flow, potentially leading to Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Experts advise moving workouts to cooler times and focusing on fluid replacement over intense targets.

🚀 From low scores to IIT Bombay success story

Jainendrajeet initially scored 54% in Class 10, with only 41 marks in Maths, which was tough for him in Vrindavan. He faced peer criticism after his poor results, especially due to health issues keeping him on bed rest for 40 to 50 days. However, he revamped his study methods, focusing on consistency and reducing distractions. Three years later, he achieved 99.98 percentile in JEE Main 2023 and secured AIR 349 in JEE Advanced. This success earned him a seat in the Computer Science program at IIT Bombay. 🤩