🏫 Dipke's drive brings first computer to village school

Abhijeet Dipke’s 'School Thik Karo' campaign resulted in a government school in Santuk Pimpri village receiving its first computer. Dipke visited the Zilla Parishad-run school in Hingoli district on August 15, highlighting issues like broken windows and poor amenities. Following his visit, local authorities started repairs, including replacing windows and fixing CCTV cameras. The campaign also saw Dipke address other issues like student chores and unsafe drinking water sources. He continues these visits to push for better infrastructure in Hingoli's government schools. 💻

🏏 England's new chapter starts vs Pakistan 🏏

England is kicking off its post-Stokes era by hosting Pakistan at Headingley for their Test series. Joe Root is resuming as full-time captain for England, while Pakistan sees Babar Azam return as captain. The first Test is scheduled from August 19-23, with both teams aiming to overcome recent struggles. England needs a series win after underwhelming results since November-December 2024. Both teams are trying to build momentum as they stand at seventh and eighth in the WTC standings.

🍎 School health vs. outside junk food in Bengaluru

Schools in Bengaluru are trying to promote healthy eating habits through internal policies and educational boards. Ryan International School and others have implemented 'sugar boards' to curb sugar and oil consumption among students. These initiatives run alongside government orders banning junk food near school campuses. However, principals note that external food choices outside school hours remain a major challenge for students. Parents are advised to reinforce healthy choices at home to support school efforts.

🚁 Coast Guard saves 9 fishermen from sinking boat

An Indian Coast Guard team from Daman successfully rescued nine fishermen from a boat sinking in the Arabian Sea. The rescue operation was conducted by the ICG Air Station (ICGAS) after receiving a distress call. This incident occurred on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. During the operation, three fishermen sustained minor injuries and were taken to a Government Hospital. The ICG's swift action prevented a potential maritime disaster.

🚩 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. 😔