💧 Veligonda project kicks off after 30 years

The long-awaited Veligonda project is finally starting its first phase with a water release on August 31. CM Chandrababu Naidu will launch Phase 1, marking the beginning of a nearly three-decade-old endeavor. This project aims to divert Krishna water from Srisailam reservoir into Nallamala Sagar. Full completion is projected to irrigate 4.47 lakh acres and benefit 23 lakh people across 30 mandals. The initial phase targets 10.70 TMC of water for 1.19 lakh acres of irrigation and 4 lakh people. 💧

🏏 ACC Premier Cup 2026: Qatar vs UAE & Bahrain vs Nepal predictions

Match 3 of the ACC Mens Premier Cup 2026 is Qatar versus UAE at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur. For Match 4, Bahrain takes on Nepal at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi on August 31st. Qatar is noted as a reasonably strong side despite recent ODI absences, while UAE holds the 19th spot in ICC rankings. Nepal is considered a strong contender despite poor T20I form, whereas Bahrain is ranked as one of the weaker sides. UAE is predicted to win against Qatar, and Nepal is tipped to dominate the Bahrain clash. 🏏

🚨 Toddler abused at Delhi playschool, attendant arrested

A 35-year-old playschool attendant was arrested for allegedly severely abusing a three-year-old boy. The incident took place at a playschool in Maujpur, northeast Delhi. The case was registered on Friday after the child’s father lodged a complaint on the date. Parents noticed behavioral changes and physical injuries, leading to the discovery of the abuse through CCTV footage. The attendant was arrested under POCSO and JJ Act, while other officials are under investigation. 😠

💸 Lahore inflation hits households hard

Soaring inflation in Lahore is severely squeezing household budgets across the city. This financial strain is affecting ordinary citizens, particularly low-income families, in Lahore. Prices for staples like flour, cooking oil, and vegetables have continued to climb significantly. Residents are struggling to afford essentials, as incomes are failing to match the rising costs of food and rent. People are also questioning the lack of price control enforcement on items like LPG.

👵 Kerala's big move to support aging citizens

Keralam is creating new systems to combat loneliness among its rapidly growing senior population. In Kozhikode, the Pakalveedu daycare centre offers companionship and activities for the elderly. As of 2025, 150 such centres are operational across Keralam, winning a best award. This shift is driven by Keralam's high elderly percentage compared to India's average. The state is now focusing on dignity and social justice for its aging demographic.

🤔 Kapil Sibal takes on Bhagwat over US diversity comments

Kapil Sibal has challenged the stance of RSS chief Bhagwat regarding diversity issues. He stated that Bhagwat's position differs significantly from India's actual situation. The comments were made in response to Bhagwat's remarks concerning US diversity policies. Sibal argued that the context of India is fundamentally different from that of the United States. This critique signals a deeper debate on cultural and societal approaches in India.

📱 iPhone 17, Galaxy S26 & Xiaomi 17 are discounted

The iPhone 17 lineup is currently on sale with discounts up to £150 ahead of the iPhone 18 Pro launch on September 9th. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 has up to a £200 discount, and the Xiaomi 17 sees a £150 price cut. These deals are happening alongside discounts on the Xiaomi 17T and 17T Pro models. Various other devices, like the Oppo Reno16 series, are also available at reduced prices right now. Buyers can snag these deals before the next major tech releases hit the market. 📱

🚨 Third arrest in youth abduction and extortion case

The Chevayur police arrested K. Akhil, 33, alias Kuttan, in the case of a 23-year-old youth's alleged abduction and extortion. This happened in connection with the case involving the youth, who was abducted from Bengaluru last month. The victim was held in Padinjattumuri and demanded ₹8 lakh via threatened private images. This latest arrest follows those of Athul alias Kuttan and Jishnu Jayan. Police are now intensifying the investigation to trace the remaining accused, including a woman and four others. 🚨

💾 Ditched Google Drive for this free file transfer app

The user stopped using Google Drive for file transfers due to slow speeds and storage limitations. He switched to Blip, a free cross-platform app that uses a peer-to-peer, end-to-end encrypted method. Blip works across Android, Windows Desktop, MacBook Pro, and iPad with easy setup. Transfers are superfast when on the same network or remotely, unlike cloud services. While Blip is great for one-time files, transfers between Android and iPad have occasionally failed.

📈 Stock Market Set for Busy Week with Big Data Drops 📊

Dalal Street is facing a busy week as market sentiment hinges on crucial economic data releases. India's Q1 FY27 GDP data is due on August 31, offering clarity on domestic growth pace. Investors will also track the US August non-farm payrolls report on September 4. These figures, alongside crude oil prices, will influence global risk sentiment. Market participants are looking ahead to these key data points to reassess Fed policy expectations.

⚛️ New technique builds super-thin quantum material stacks

Scientists have successfully unveiled a novel technique for fabricating ultra-thin material stacks. This breakthrough was achieved by researchers at a leading international lab. The new process allows for the creation of structures with thicknesses down to a few atomic layers, starting from initial tests in early 2024. These advanced stacks are crucial for realizing next-generation quantum computing devices. Further research will focus on scaling up production and improving material stability. ⚛️