💰 Cash usage is spiking despite UPI slowdown

While the government considers an MDR charge on UPI, data shows public cash usage is rapidly increasing. The growth rate of cash hit 17% in 2020-21 and is projected to reach 12% in 2025-26. UPI transaction growth has been decelerating, hitting 18.7% in 2026-27, though it remains higher than cash growth. Experts suggest this dual rise could indicate higher economic activity or underestimated inflation. The Finance Minister assures that MDR will initially target only high-value merchants. 💰

🗓️ Activists ask for buffer time for electoral roll fixes

Civil society groups are pushing for a 15-day buffer period for electors categorized as ASDD and 'uncollectable'. Organisations Adalah and Aseem submitted a letter to the ECI and Telangana Chief Electoral Officer regarding these issues. The Draft Electoral Roll, scheduled for publication on August 17, needs to be rescheduled by two weeks. They also demanded strict adherence to procedures before deleting any existing electors. Moving forward, they seek clarity on remedies and an online application option for name inclusion. 🗳️

🏸 Delhi weather is the real game changer at badminton World Champs

External factors like weather, draft, and humidity are set to heavily influence the BWF World Championships starting Monday in New Delhi. Players are dealing with humidity between 70% and 90%, alongside expected temperatures slightly over 30 degrees Celsius. Some players noted subtle wind movement and different conditions compared to previous events at the venue. This means players might need to adjust their shots and timing significantly to compensate for air density changes. Organizers are managing conditions, but the environment itself will be a major deciding factor this week. 🏸

🌳 AP Deputy CM launches wood banks for crafts

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan inaugurated the Central Craft Wood Bank in Dowleswaram this past Saturday. This initiative provides access to nearly 40 wood species for around 5,000 families across six local crafts in the state. Currently, at least 30 cubic meters of wood is available, with plans to store enough for the next five years. Specific wood types are being procured for crafts like toys, cutlery, and veena making. The wood stored in these banks is documented using QR codes for transparency.

😠 Baba Ramdev slams govt job interview corruption

Baba Ramdev has strongly alleged that 90% of government job interviews are plagued by corruption. He made these serious remarks while being in Delhi. The alleged corruption rates were stated during recent public address events. This statement comes amid growing frustration among young job seekers across India. Ramdev has warned that this issue could trigger more protests from the Gen-Z demographic soon. 😠

💧 ₹681 Cr boost for Godavari Delta system

Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu announced proposed modernization works worth ₹681 crore for the Godavari Delta System headworks. This project covers districts like Kakinada, East Godavari, and West Godavari. The plan is under Andhra Pradesh State Irrigation Calendar-2026, aiming for completion by June 2028. A LIDAR survey is currently happening to finalize the Detailed Project Report for the upgrade. Furthermore, tourism and coconut processing clusters are also being developed in the region. 🌾

🏏 Warner calls out Smith's wild review timing 🏏

David Warner questioned Steve Smith's unusual Decision Review System call during the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. The strange incident happened on the first ball of the 14th over of Australia’s second innings. The DRS review was signaled before umpire Kumar Dharmasena had even finished raising his finger on Saturday. Warner expressed his disapproval, saying, “You can’t do that,” while the replay confirmed Smith's bat hit the ground, overturning the initial decision. Australia finished the day at 161/4, still trailing Bangladesh's 228-run first-innings lead.

🤖 Honor Robot Phone drops with gimbal and ARRI tech

Honor officially launched its Robot Phone in China, featuring a built-in 3-axis gimbal and an ARRI partnership. The base model starts at RMB 9,999, roughly $1,480 USD, and the official launch date is set for August 18, 2026. This ambitious hardware experiment will be produced in limited quantities and sold exclusively within China for now. The gimbal offers superior physical stabilization and subject tracking compared to competitors like the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Future updates may see these ARRI color profiles implemented in Honor's Magic9 series. 🤖

🛑 Alberta Premier: Study visas are temporary; return home if no PR

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated that study visas in Canada are temporary documents for international students. She made this clear in a post on X, addressing students who are struggling to get Post-Graduation Work Permits. Smith emphasized that students should return home if their visa expires and they lack permanent residency. This comes amid student protests, some from Portage College, regarding misleading immigration expectations. Canada is tightening its immigration rules, making clear that admission does not guarantee permanent residency. 🇨🇦

💳 CM launches smart ration card distribution in Sangareddy

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched the distribution of smart ration cards in Sangareddy on Saturday. He, along with cabinet colleagues, distributed cards to beneficiaries while criticizing the previous BRS government. The government is distributing ration cards covering 1.06 crore families to benefit 3.42 crore people, alongside procuring 150 lakh metric tonnes of paddy this year. Reddy also claimed his administration filled over 70,000 government posts in the last 32 months. The process of issuing these essential ration cards will continue as an ongoing exercise moving forward.

🚩 Minister urges unity against social injustice in Thrissur

Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh stressed the need for national unity against social injustice during the Independence Day rally. He made this statement while inspecting the parade at Thekkinkadu Maidan in Thrissur on Saturday. The event included 24 platoons from various services, and the Minister also highlighted social and economic freedom. Janeesh urged citizens to act as guardians of India's democratic values against discrimination. Furthermore, he called for a stronger campaign to combat drug abuse among the youth. 🚩