🚩 CPI(M) slams UDF over executive power shift

The CPI(M) accused the Congress-led UDF government of giving executive power to the RSS-controlled Lok Bhavan on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. This criticism came from the CPI(M) State secretary, M.V. Govindan, in Kerala. The party noted that the UDF failed to object to Governor Rajendra Arlekar summoning the State Police Chief. This surrender, according to CPI(M), shows a dangerous political shift towards Hindutva in the Congress. The party warned about the national leadership's drift and its subtle adoption of the Sangh Parivar's agenda. 😟

🏛️ CM tells Minister to fix Mandya Uni lecturer pay issue

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reportedly asked Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi to solve the salary payment problem for guest lecturers at Mandya University. MLC Madhu G. Made Gowda and Mandya MLA Ravikumar Ganiga met Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday, August 18, to highlight the university's financial crisis. Over 150 guest lecturers are currently at Mandya University, needing an estimated ₹6 crore annually for salaries. The new government order pressures the university to pay from student fees, jeopardizing the university's existence and student futures. The CM instructed the Minister to urgently look into and resolve this critical matter.

🚨 Terror Network Busted Before Independence Day

A terror network linked to Shahzad Bhatti has been successfully dismantled across India. The operation targeted individuals across 14 different states in the country. Authorities have made over 200 arrests during the extensive crackdown. This massive operation was conducted before the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Further actions are expected to continue to neutralize remaining threats. 🇮🇳

🏛️ Kerala HC summons ACS over DGP complaint delay

The Kerala High Court has directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Minhaj Alam to appear personally. This follows a complaint filed by Dipin Edavana, an Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector from Malappuram, against DGP S. Sreejith. Justice A. Badharudeen issued the order after the State requested more time to hear Edavana's complaint within three weeks. Previously, the court set aside an order claiming Edavana's complaint was false without a proper hearing. Now, the petitioner argued that the allowed three weeks had expired, leading to this summons. 🏛️

💰 West Bengal boosts women's cash transfer to ₹48,000 crore

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced an increase in the Annapurna Yojana allocation from ₹36,000 crore to ₹48,000 crore. This boost is intended to cover all eligible women beneficiaries across the state. Currently, 1.45 crore women are approved, with payments starting on August 17th at ₹3,000 monthly. Around 1.80 crore applications have been received, and verification for the remaining 14 lakh applications is ongoing. A new portal will launch on August 20th to allow more women to apply for the scheme.

🏛️ Vijay Govt's New Office Project Faces Tender Scrutiny

A new office construction project, facing the Vijay government's 100 days in power, has stirred up political controversy. The project is slated for a new beach-facing office in Chennai. Allegations of irregularities in the tender process have come under intense scrutiny by critics. Further concerns have been raised regarding the alleged demolition of the old structure before the tender finalized. This situation will continue to be watched as the government responds to the growing allegations.

🔥 Goa nightclub fire owners lose bail

The Bombay High Court cancelled the bail granted to the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub. This happened in Goa, concerning a devastating fire that took 25 lives last December. The owners, Saurav Luthra, Gaurav Luthra, and Ajay Gupta, were involved in the M/s Being GS Hospitality Arpora LLP. The court gave them two weeks to surrender before the trial court to seek fresh bail. The prosecution argued these were serious offences involving culpable homicide and criminal negligence. 😔

🧐 How to report on scientific arguments

Scientists are still divided on the exact origin of the COVID-19 virus, which began sweeping the globe in late 2019. Theories range from transmission from animals in Wuhan, China, to a potential lab accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. In 2022, journalist Jane Qiu reported on the controversy, noting the debate impacts research regulation. True scientific disagreements stem from passionate research disputes, unlike pseudoscience. Writers must fairly present views and explain the broader significance of these complex issues. 🧐

🧠 Brain Vessel Issues Linked to Kidney Trouble

A cross-sectional study found that higher cerebral small vessel disease burden linked to poorer kidney function and albuminuria in older adults. This assessment involved 239 participants who underwent brain MRI and kidney testing. Each one-point increase in the disease score correlated with changes in serum creatinine and cystatin C levels. Hypertension was suggested to account for 32.0%–36.7% of this association. Further prospective research is needed to confirm these observed relationships.

🧠 Ancient brains ran on sugar and starch

A new study shows that carbohydrates provided over half of hominins' total energy requirements across four million years of evolution. This research, published in Science, reveals that sugars from fruit were key for early ancestors like Lucy. While meat consumption increased later, plant-based carbs fueled the expanding human brain and body. This evolutionary need for carbs explains our modern cravings for sweet foods. These findings offer insights into both ancient fueling and modern dietary health risks.

🔭 Helium discovery during solar eclipse in 1868

On August 18, 1868, Pierre Jules César Janssen discovered helium while observing a total solar eclipse in India. Janssen used a spectroscope to analyze the sun's light, noticing an unknown bright yellow line during the event. Norman Lockyer independently confirmed this spectral line, naming the element helium after the sun god Helios. Thirteen years later, Luigi Palmieri found the first Earth evidence of helium in Mount Vesuvius lava. This finding highlighted spectroscopy's power and is crucial for modern space technology. 🚀