👶 Baby targeted for Rs 1.5 lakh sale in Gujarat

Five people were arrested after police intercepted a one-month-old baby girl allegedly being trafficked to Mumbai for a sale. The incident took place in Sabarkantha, Gujarat, where authorities stopped a car carrying the infant. The alleged deal was set at Rs 1.5 lakh, involving a total of seven people in the racket. This case highlights ongoing infant trafficking concerns in the district. Police are currently searching for two absconding suspects while the investigation proceeds. 👶

💰 Bihar pays creators for scheme videos

Bihar has launched a new initiative allowing influencers to earn up to Rs 1 lakh per video about government schemes. This policy was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary in Patna. Creators earn Rs 10,000 for every 1 lakh views within 30 days, with a cap at Rs 1 lakh. The goal is to use social media to simplify and widely promote government programs to the public. A detailed notification about this scheme is expected to be released soon. 🚀

🏛️ SC keeps old labour rules for pending cases

The Supreme Court decided to keep existing labour protections intact for pending disputes under the repealed Industrial Disputes Act. This was decided by a 5:4 majority in a nine-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant. The ruling retained the nearly five-decade-old 'Triple Test' for defining an 'industry' in old cases. However, the definition of 'industry' under the new Industrial Relations Code, 2020, remains unsettled for future cases. This means certain organizations' status under the new code is still up for debate. 🏛️

🤝 Vijay meets Amit Shah on NEET, Cauvery issues

Vijay held a crucial meeting with Amit Shah to discuss several key issues affecting the state. The discussions focused on the NEET exam, delimitation, and the ongoing Cauvery water dispute. Specific numbers and dates regarding these issues were addressed during the high-level talks. This meeting aimed to find resolutions for these pressing matters impacting the region. The next steps will depend on the outcomes discussed in this significant consultation. 🤝

🦠 Shigellosis resurges in Kerala; kid hospitalized

Shigellosis, a contagious bacterial infection from contaminated sources, has surfaced again in Kerala. A three-year-old from Kottukal, Thiruvananthapuram district, was hospitalized at SAT Hospital. The case was confirmed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after consuming cold drinks near Nagercoil on August 12. Health officials are urging caution regarding food and beverages, especially during the festival season. As of August 18, there are 441 confirmed cases and eight deaths reported across the state. 🦠

🏛️ Governments hit 100 days in four states

Governments in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry reached their 100-day mark recently. The BJP successfully won elections and formed a government in West Bengal for the very first time. In contrast, the NDA managed to retain its power in both Assam and Puducherry during the recent Assembly polls. The political shifts across these four states mark significant changes in regional governance. This milestone prompts a collection of articles tracking each administration's first hundred days in office.

🛵 Simple Wave electric scooter details revealed

Simple has unveiled details for its new electric scooter, which will be named Wave. This family-oriented model will be positioned below the Simple One range and aims for affordability in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The launch date is set for September 2nd, and it will feature a boxier design with a larger seat. It will use a telescopic fork and dual-shock absorber setup for practicality. The Wave intends to compete with scooters like the Bajaj Chetak C25 and TVS Orbiter.

🏛️ TN CM wants guarantee on Parliament seats 🏛️

Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay urged the Union government to assure no state will lose parliamentary representation due to population stabilisation efforts. He made this demand at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram on August 20, 2026. The concern arises as the 1971 Census seat freeze nears its end and the Delimitation Bill, 2026 is being considered. Vijay stressed that achievements in national goals should not penalize states regarding their voice in Parliament. He further called for maintaining the 543 Lok Sabha seats and addressing issues like NEET and water disputes.

⚽ Puyol rates Rodri as big boost for Barcelona

Carles Puyol shared his opinion on Barcelona's signing of Rodri, calling him a major asset for Hansi Flick's squad. The midfielder has joined the club on a four-year contract from Manchester City. Puyol noted that Rodri brings great balance and fits Barcelona's style of play perfectly. He mentioned witnessing Rodri's performance live at the World Cup. Rodri aims to win more trophies at Camp Nou after being named the best player at the 2026 World Cup.

⛈️ Garhwal on High Alert Due to Monsoon Flooding

Uttarakhand's Garhwal region has been placed on alert due to rapidly swelling rivers. This alert was issued for the area following intense and heavy monsoon rainfall. Officials reported significant water level rises across multiple river systems as of the latest updates. The heavy rains are part of the ongoing monsoon season across the Himalayan region. Authorities are continuously monitoring the situation for potential flood risks. ⛈️

📈 BSE dips as NSE gears up for share listing

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) saw a decline of 2.5% from its peak on the day. This movement was influenced by a report indicating the National Stock Exchange (NSE) plans to allow trading of its shares on its own platform. This development signals a potential shift in how these shares will be traded going forward. The news comes as market analysts watch for further regulatory changes in the stock market. Investors will now closely monitor the implementation timeline of this new platform feature. 📈