🗳️ BJP appoints new in-charges for UP, Punjab, and Gujarat

BJP president Nitin Nabin appointed new in-charges for key states ahead of upcoming elections. Vinod Tawde was named in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, while Satish Poonia took charge of Punjab. Tarun Chugh was appointed as the in-charge for Gujarat. These strategic appointments are being made with the next assembly polls in mind for next year and later in 2027. The party recently overhauled its national team, increasing senior positions significantly.

🛡️ iPhone users: Update to iOS 26.6.1 or 18.7.10 now

Apple has released iOS 26.6.1 and iOS 18.7.10, which contain dozens of critical security fixes for all iPhones. These updates specifically patch serious issues in WebKit and the iPhone Kernel, protecting users from spyware threats. iOS 26.6.1 fixes three Kernel flaws and nearly 20 WebKit issues, while iOS 18.7.10 has over 30 WebKit and a dozen Kernel fixes. Cybersecurity experts stress these patches are vital because WebKit flaws can trigger via malicious web content. Users must update immediately through Settings to secure their devices against potential attacks. 🛡️

📈 Garmin climbs as overall smartwatch sales dip

Global wearable shipments dropped by 2% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to Omdia data. Garmin increased its smartwatch market share to 15%, up from 11% in the previous year. Apple's share slightly decreased from 48% to 46%, while Samsung fell from 17% to 15%. This shift shows consumers favoring premium sports watches over basic models. Garmin's strong showing is attributed to its presence in the premium segment for detailed training data. 📈

⚖️ Bihar police AK-47 firing incident heads to SC

The Bihar government has clarified its stance in the Supreme Court regarding the AK-47 use during student protests. The state claimed a constable trapped in Siwan fired four rounds in the air, with no one injured by those specific shots. On July 22 to 25, 69 FIRs were registered, and 500 protesters were arrested across several places. The government admitted to using tear gas and water cannons, injuring 157 police and 7 staff. A departmental probe is ongoing, and the constable involved has been suspended. ⚖️

⌚ Casio F-B100W shows off step tracker and metal buttons

Fresh hands-on footage of the Casio F-B100W has surfaced from a Japanese watch channel. The watch, which launched on August 7, is featured in the video from a Japanese watch channel. It launched for ¥8,800, or around $55, and sold out quickly on its own store. The watch features a visible step tracker bar and distinct polished metal buttons, unlike its predecessors. It is now available for purchase in the UK in three colorways. ⌚

💰 Gold Holds Steady Below $4,400 Amid USD Strength

Gold prices are remaining weak, staying below the $4,400 mark. This trend is influenced by the strengthening US Dollar across global markets. Specifically, the USD is firming due to oil price movements and risks associated with the Federal Reserve. Investors are closely watching these economic indicators for potential shifts in the metal's value. Future movements in gold will depend heavily on Fed policy changes and oil market stability. 📈

🏛️ TN Speaker removes Law Minister's remarks on Karunanidhi

The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker, J.C.D. Prabhakar, expunged remarks made by Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. These comments were directed against late CM and DMK leader K. Karunanidhi during a special calling-attention motion. Nirmalkumar had made the remarks while addressing the killing of three Tamils in Karnataka. The Speaker stressed that only issues directly related to the motion could be discussed. Moving forward, he clarified rules regarding who can speak on such motions.

🤖 B.Tech student built AI platform to report bribes

A B.Tech student named Aryan Nishad launched Bribes.fyi, a crowdsourced platform for reporting alleged bribe demands anonymously. This platform is based in Delhi and allows users to submit details on bribery encounters across various Indian departments. As of August 17, the site displayed hundreds of reports across over 250 cities, with police departments leading the submissions. The system aims to turn individual experiences into searchable data, revealing potential patterns of corruption. The platform is still evolving, acknowledging that its self-reported data is not an official corruption measure. 🧐

🧑‍⚖️ Supreme Court might quash FIRs against student protesters

The Supreme Court indicated an intention to quash FIRs registered against student protesters from last month concerning issues like exam paper leaks. This decision was made by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana. The Court plans to form a committee headed by a former SC Judge to examine police force issues. However, cases against individuals with past grievous offences will not be quashed, as clarified. This move reflects the Court's concern for the future of thousands of students. 🧑‍⚖️

📈 India eyeing sugar import duty cut amidst price surge

India might reduce its 100% import duty on sugar as market prices have reached record highs. This potential move affects the domestic sugar market and consumers across the nation. The latest figures show sugar prices climbing significantly over recent months. The government is reportedly looking at measures to stabilize the prices for the general public. Further details on the duty reduction are expected in the coming weeks. 📈

🏛️ Mankal Vaidya elected Deputy Speaker unopposed

Mankal Vaidya was unanimously elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on August 18, 2026. The Bhatkal MLA, representing the Uttara Kannada district, saw his nomination proposed by CM D.K. Shivakumar. The election was unanimous, even with the principal opposition BJP boycotting it. This appointment follows Vaidya being denied a Cabinet berth during the second phase of expansion. Leader of Opposition R. Ashok requested more opportunities for him to preside over Assembly sessions. 🤝