🌾 TN launches Soil Fertility Mission with ₹600 crore plan

The Tamil Nadu Soil Fertility Mission will be rolled out across the state with an estimated outlay of ₹600 crore over five years. Agriculture Minister Vinoth R announced this during the Agriculture Budget presented in the Assembly on Thursday. For the initial year, an allocation of ₹122 crore has been earmarked for this vital scheme. The mission aims to boost beneficial microorganisms and reduce chemical fertilizer use due to declining soil health. Furthermore, one lakh farmers will receive Soil Health Cards, while ₹10 crore is set for vermicompost units. 🌿

🗺️ Vijay Mallangi takes on key roles in CJP

Vijay Mallangi, the Telangana representative of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has been named the party's south India in-charge and national media lead. He will oversee the organizational expansion across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. This appointment is part of the CJP's first national leadership team announcement. His duties involve forming committees, running membership drives, and executing national programs. The CJP national working committee also greenlit a six-month plan for nationwide growth. 🗺️

🌧️ 5 Kerala districts closed due to heavy rain ⛈️

Schools and colleges in five districts, including Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Wayanad, Kottayam, and Thrissur, have been closed on August 7. This decision was made across these areas due to continuous heavy rainfall, waterlogging, and the operation of relief camps. The alerts issued by the IMD included a red alert for August 6 and an orange alert for August 7. This move prioritizes student safety, but previously scheduled examinations will continue as planned in most locations. Authorities are advising residents to stay cautious as the heavy rain persists across parts of Kerala.

🏆 Cultural Org to Honor Key Figures on Aug 13

Kalanjali Cultural Organisation is hosting an event to recognize notable individuals across several fields. The event will take place in Rajampet on August 13, featuring awards for religion, folk theatre, and journalism. Chengari Ramanjaneyulu will receive the title 'Sri Rama Bhakta' for his work at Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama temple. Additionally, folk theatre artist Tummu Venkateswarlu from Hyderabad will be honored with the title 'Natyacharya'. This ceremony aims to celebrate contributions to cultural heritage.

🌱 Cabinet greenlights ₹23.7k crore GOBARdhan biogas scheme

The Union Cabinet approved the ₹23,731-crore GOBARdhan scheme to boost India's compressed biogas sector. This move aims to unlock private investment across the nation, helping reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Over 10 years, from FY27 to FY36, the scheme targets a ten-fold increase in domestic CBG production. It offers assured demand and stable pricing to convert biomass into clean fuel, potentially saving ₹40,000 crore in foreign exchange. The government also approved a ₹8,970.20 crore four-lane highway project in Assam.

⚖️ Tejpal's email admits power abuse in rape case

Tarun Tejpal was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping a junior colleague in 2013. The incident occurred in an elevator at a Goa hotel during the 'ThinkFest' event, involving the Tehelka Magazine founder. The conviction came after the Goa government appealed the initial acquittal in the Bombay High Court on Thursday. Prosecution highlighted an email where Tejpal admitted to violating trust and saying, "That makes it simpler." Tejpal later claimed the public pursuit was a political vendetta despite his conviction. 😥

🏆 AP SME Awards 2026 launch announced

The India SME Forum (ISF) has launched the 'Top 50 SMEs of Andhra Pradesh' initiative on Thursday. This event aims to honor SMEs excelling in innovation, exports, employment, sustainability, and economic growth in Andhra Pradesh. Nominations must be submitted via https://www.top50sme.in before August 23 for the awards. The presentation is expected during the first week of September, following a model from the India SME 100 Awards. This program acts as a growth platform connecting selected enterprises with major investors and corporations.

🚀 Job losses hit lowest since moon landing

Layoffs in the US have dropped to their lowest point since the country sent astronauts to the moon. This positive trend was observed across various sectors throughout the nation. Data shows the reduction occurred recently, indicating a shift in the labor market. Experts suggest this reflects a stabilizing and improving economic environment. The outlook suggests continued, albeit cautious, job market recovery ahead. 🚀

🇮🇳 Modi and Netanyahu reinforce India-Israel ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors on Thursday. The two leaders discussed the ongoing progress of the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership while in touch on West Asia developments. This conversation took place amidst continued conflict in West Asia spanning over five months without a permanent fix. Netanyahu stated Israel did not agree to the US-backed plan for Gaza, despite assurances for an Israeli pullout. Both leaders agreed to maintain communication moving forward. 🤝

🛡️ AI showed a big security gap in enterprise browsers

AI has exposed a major security blind spot that enterprises have long ignored. This issue relates to how users move sensitive data through browser-based applications across various locations. While AI heightened visibility, employees have been doing this for years through copying, uploading, and sharing data. Traditional security focused on network perimeters, which struggles with modern, distributed browser activity. The solution requires governing browser actions inline without disrupting the user experience.

🚗 2026 Scorpio N facelift: new vs old comparison

The Mahindra Scorpio N has been launched with a facelift starting at Rs 13.69 lakh, bringing minor aesthetic and feature updates to the SUV. This updated model is available from Rs 13.69 lakh to Rs 24.49 lakh, with a premium increase of Rs 40,000 to Rs 49,000 over the older version. Key changes include a floating infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, and a 540-degree camera system. Both models retain the powerful 2-litre mStallion turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engines. These upgrades make the facelift feel like a more complete and premium package. 🤩