🏛️ NYC skips council hearing on second home tax rollout

The NYC Mayor's office declined to attend the City Council hearing regarding the pied-à-terre tax rollout on August 25. Finance Commissioner Richard Lee stated that ongoing litigation prevented his in-person appearance at the meeting. This levy, passed in May, applies a progressive surcharge on non-primary residences worth $5 million or more. Confusion arose in late July after the DOF sent letters to 17,000 addresses and published valuations for nearly 960,000 properties. Lee committed to testifying in person after the August 31 lawsuit is resolved. 🏛️

⚡ Mahindra's EV sales hit 4 lakh milestone

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited has achieved a cumulative sales figure of four lakh electric vehicles. This was accomplished by the company in India, solidifying its lead as the largest electric commercial vehicle manufacturer for four consecutive years. The vehicles have collectively travelled over nine billion kilometres, helping avoid 1.85 lakh metric tonnes of CO2 emissions. Anand Mahindra views this as the initial step in India's larger EV transition narrative. The company is now aiming to put another six lakh EVs on the road to reach a target of 10 lakh by 2031. 🚀

🎮 PlayStation Blackout Starts Tomorrow, Are You In? 🎮

The 'PlayStation Blackout' social initiative is set to begin tomorrow, aiming to protest Sony’s shift to an all-digital future. This action calls on PlayStation fans everywhere to power down their consoles from August 23 to August 30. This seven-day economic and gameplay blackout is intended to show Sony seriousness about the issue. However, the campaign faces widespread criticism regarding the arbitrary timing and limited impact. Ultimately, the movement is predicted to occur in near silence, with little chance of changing Sony's plans.

🩺 Doctors pull off major save with ECMO tech

A 23-year-old woman experienced severe heart failure, specifically Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, during her second delivery. She was admitted to Yashoda hospital in Hi-tec city, Hyderabad, after her blood pressure dropped critically low. Doctors immediately initiated ECMO, a life support system, on August 22, 2026. Under Dr Damodar Reddy's team, the patient received intense cardiac and respiratory support for seven days. She fully recovered, highlighting the importance of regular heart checkups over age 30. 🩺

🥛 Karnataka bans fake paneer sales for a year 🚫

The Karnataka government has banned the sale of 'analogue paneer' marketed as regular paneer across the state for a year. This move was officially notified by the Food Safety Division on August 17th. The prohibition covers manufacturing, storage, and all sales channels for this non-dairy product. Officials stated this action is being taken strictly in the interest of public health. Food business operators must now strictly comply with these new regulations.

😠 BJP claims Congress bribed influencers for Pune event

The BJP termed Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' student event in Pune as 'Paise Ki Goonj' on August 22, 2026. BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban alleged that Congress spent nearly ₹10 crore, paying influencers up to ₹35,000 to draw crowds. Opposition leader Sachin Sawant countered that the saffron party feared Gandhi's rising Gen-Z support. The BJP demanded an investigation into the source of these alleged funds and their distribution. Sawant maintained that Gen Z will ultimately reject the BJP's ideology despite any obstacles. 😠

🚀 BJP forms team to connect with Gen Z youth

The BJP has launched a dedicated outreach program targeting Gen Z youth in India. Key members of this team include Nitin Nabin, Smriti Irani, and Vinod Tawde, among other leaders. The party expects this initiative to focus on understanding the aspirations and concerns of young people. This move comes as the opposition increases its engagement with younger voters in various cities. Further details regarding the program's schedule and format are anticipated in the near future.

🎯 BJP launches Gen Z outreach team for young voters

The BJP has formed a dedicated team to lead its upcoming Gen Z outreach programme across the country. This team includes leaders like Nitin Nabin, Smriti Irani, and Vinod Tawde, among others. The initiative is expected to focus on the aspirations and concerns of Gen Z voters soon. This move comes as opposition parties are also engaging with younger demographics. Further details regarding the schedule and format of the BJP's engagement are anticipated shortly.

🗓️ IBPS Clerk Recruitment 2026 Deadline Extended to Aug 28

The application deadline for IBPS Clerk Recruitment 2026 has been extended by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. This drive offers 11,403 Customer Service Associate (CSA) posts across India for eligible candidates. The final date to apply and pay the fee is now August 28, 2026, with prelims on Oct 10 and 11. Candidates must be 20 to 28 years old as of August 1, 2026, and hold a Bachelor's degree. The main examination is scheduled to take place on December 27, 2026.

🐆 Paralysed leopard walks again after road accident

A leopard has made a major comeback after being severely injured in a road accident near Shamlaji. The animal was found in the Aravalli district on January 19, 2026, suffering a lumbosacral spinal fracture and jaw injuries. After specialized care, the leopard regained its posture and gait around two months and fifteen days later. However, due to potential survival challenges, the leopard will not be released into the wild. This case highlights the importance of rapid intervention in wildlife medicine. 🐾

🤝 Shah meets hill leaders on Darjeeling solution

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with senior hill leaders at a hotel in Sukna on Saturday, August 22, 2026. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was also present alongside leaders from GJM and GNLF. The meeting aims to find a permanent political solution for the long-standing issues in Darjeeling hills. This addresses the BJP's pre-poll promise for the Gorkha community, who seek a separate Gorkhaland State. Previous attempts via DGHC and GTA have not secured lasting peace or stability in the region. 🤝