🏦 PSB Confluence targets youth & deposits for banking boost

Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will focus on deposit mobilization and youth banking during PSB Confluence 2026 in New Delhi. Nearly 125 senior leaders from PSBs and public financial institutions are attending the two-day event on August 17-18. PSBs achieved a net profit of ₹1.98 trillion in 2025-26, with deposits reaching ₹156.3 trillion. The goal is to convert balance sheet strength into sustainable growth and better engage digital natives. This event follows a policy shift towards growth and global competitiveness for the sector. 🏦

🐬 Dolphins use shells to hunt, caught on video

Pacific bottlenose dolphins were filmed using an unusual hunting method near Hervey Bay on the eastern coast of Australia. Biologist Alexis Levengood observed the technique, where dolphins herd fish into large snail shells for capture. Footage from 2025 showed a mother dolphin with a calf mimicking the shell-hunting action. This could be evidence of maternal social transmission of complex skills. Further research is needed to understand how this behavior spreads across distant populations. 🐬

🎉 BJP gears up for big team overhaul

The ruling BJP is set to revamp its entire organization soon, according to national president Nitin Nabin. This major organizational overhaul is expected to happen as early as Monday or later this week in India. The transition aims to induct next-generation leaders, giving significant space to youth and women. This generational shift might be a reaction to the recent Gen Z protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The changes could also precede a cabinet reshuffle following August 15. 🧐

💣 Iran offers $30k bounty for US soldier action 💰

Iran's military announced a bounty of $30,000 for killing or capturing US soldiers, which doubles if done by a woman. This offer comes amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the US in West Asia. The reward details were announced by Army Chief Amir Hatami following numerous requests for financial support. There has been no known deployment of US ground forces in Iran, except for an April rescue mission. Future actions remain undefined as regional conflicts continue to escalate.

🚨 Man Dies After Alleged Assault Over Protest

A man passed away in Bankura district after being severely beaten by a group of individuals. The victim, Sheikh Mohammed Mafiq, was assaulted after his son participated in a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The incident occurred around August 13, with Mafiq dying on August 15 while receiving hospital care. The family alleged the attackers were BJP workers, a claim Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari denied. Eight individuals have been arrested, and an investigation is ongoing. 😔

🧐 BRS slams ₹100 crore ration card photo issue

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) strongly objected to spending ₹100 crore on new ration cards featuring the Chief Minister's and Civil Supplies Minister's pictures. This spending occurred across 33 districts, covering cloud servers, printing, and transportation. The party demanded a comprehensive audit by the CAG into the issuance of these new cards. BRS highlighted this as a double standard compared to past instances where Congress criticized similar practices. The party questioned if another ₹100 crore would be spent for re-printing before local body elections. 🧐

🏏 Padikkal's hunger fuels big Test hundred at Galle

Devdutt Padikkal extended his score to 167 during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. He achieved his first Test century, becoming the first Indian to score a hundred in any format. This innings saw him display proactiveness against Sri Lankan spinners. Padikkal stated his drive was simply the hunger to score more runs consistently. India finished day two at 460 for 9, with the pitch expected to quicken up later. 🏏

📱 Best budget 5G phone under ₹30k: OnePlus vs Moto vs Realme

The mid-range 5G smartphone market in India is seeing a fierce battle among several contenders. The comparison features the OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite, Moto G Max, and Realme 16x 5G. These phones are priced from ₹20,999 to ₹30,999 across various configurations. The OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite is named the overall winner for value and performance, while Moto G Max leads in camera quality. Users should choose based on whether they prioritize value, camera features, or battery life. 📱

😔 Actor Ananya Raj Passes Away at Age 27

Actor Ananya Raj, known for films like '7 Hours to Go,' has passed away at the age of 27. Her family confirmed the peaceful passing in her sleep during the early hours of July 15. The announcement was made a month later after Raj struggled with physical and mental discomfort for over a year. She was recognized by her family as a strong-spirited person who lived with grace. The family is now requesting privacy during this difficult time.

👟 Agra's footwear scene gets a major upgrade

The ODOP initiative is actively training Agra's footwear artisans, focusing on youth and women at the Common Facility Centre. This effort is aimed at linking inherited crafts with vital resources like credit, machinery, and wider markets for sustainable income. The footwear industry in Agra exports about Rs 4,000 crore annually and supports four to five lakh people. The training moves beyond basic job skills, helping trainees explore self-employment opportunities. The centre, launched in June 2022, has trained around 1,600 artisans so far.

💔 VP calls drug abuse 'very painful' after student death

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan expressed deep sorrow over a college student's death in Tamil Nadu. He shared this sentiment during the 22nd convocation of SRMIST in Kattankulathur on Sunday. The VP urged all students to avoid drugs and substances that cause abuse. New graduates were also made to take an official anti-drug pledge during the ceremony. He stressed that minds should control themselves instead of external forces.