🔥 DMK slams Vijay over Trisha's front-row seat

DMK launched a strong attack on Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay regarding actress Trisha Krishnan's presence at the Independence Day event. The criticism, published in DMK mouthpiece Murasoli, focused on her front-row seating and the salute exchange at Fort St George. This incident occurred on August 15th, when Vijay hoisted the national flag in Chennai. The editorial implied that the actress's proximity was unacceptable to his voters, questioning his dignity. The political heat follows weeks after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin faced police questioning. 🧐

🏦 RBI closes FCNR deposit window early, banks in chaos

The Reserve Bank of India abruptly advanced the closure of its FCNR (B) deposit window, surprising banks and investors. This decision impacted market participants in Mumbai, who were planning funding based on the original timeline. The facility, originally set for September 30th, was closed on August 31st after banks mobilized $52.3 billion. Experts suggest this move was likely due to meeting mobilization targets and managing excess liquidity in the banking system. Consequently, depositors are rushing to secure the higher rates, causing market ripples.

⚽ Dortmund eyeing Barça defender Hector Fort

Borussia Dortmund is exploring various financial models to sign Barcelona defender Hector Fort. The German club has already initiated talks with Barcelona regarding the transfer of the 20-year-old right-back. Dortmund has a budget of around €10 million, but they prefer a loan or financially manageable deal. Fort is keen on a move, which encourages Dortmund as they assess the potential signing. The final deal will depend on finding a workable structure between both clubs. ⚽

⚖️ SC asks govt on seizing assets of paper leak accused

The Supreme Court of India has asked the Central and state governments for their responses regarding a Public Interest Litigation. This PIL seeks directions to confiscate both movable and immovable properties of those accused in paper leak cases and their relatives. The plea was issued by Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe following a filing by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay on Tuesday. The petition also requested a comprehensive property assessment and action under various anti-corruption and money laundering acts. The next hearing for this important matter has been scheduled for September 25.

👋 BJP's social media chief steps down

Amit Malviya’s 11-year tenure as BJP’s social media czar ended on Monday, August 17, 2026. He is being replaced by Deepak Mhaske, formerly of the party in Chattisgarh. Malviya was in the role since 2015, overseeing the BJP's digital presence for nearly 12 years. The change is attributed to a need for a fresh approach to engage Gen-Z and internal party shifts. Mhaske’s appointment signals a move towards more segmentary and rural-focused online engagement.

📱 BJP's new social media chief takes charge

Deepak Mhaskey has been appointed as the new head of the BJP's social media operations. He replaced Amit Malviya in this role and acknowledged the significant responsibility. Mhaskey thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Nitin Nabin for the trust placed in him on Tuesday. He stated he would seek guidance from his predecessor, Amit Malviya, for strategy. The team will focus on staying updated with rapid technological changes and emerging digital trends moving forward.

🌊 Assam floods: Death toll hits 105, 32k still affected

The death toll from the Assam floods has risen to 105, while over 32,000 people continue to be impacted across four districts. Nagaon remains the worst-affected area, with nearly 20,000 people facing the deluge. As of August 18, 2026, 31,900 people were impacted in Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Sivasagar. The CM released Rs 47.93 crore in interim assistance to 31,951 affected families in these districts. Further assistance and damage assessments are ongoing, with a final damage list expected by September 15.

🤝 US Envoy pushes India to fix trade issues 🤝

US Ambassador Sergio Gor called on India and the US to resolve trade frictions and build predictable rules for growth. Speaking in Mumbai on Tuesday, he stressed the need for stronger trust on export controls and IP protection. Bilateral trade has surged from USD 20 billion to USD 240 billion in over two decades. Gor noted that global companies want to move to India if IP rights are secure. Both nations aim to boost their trade to USD 500 billion by 2030.

🏛️ TN Assembly row: CM Vijay apologizes after minister's slip-up

Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay apologized in the Assembly after Forest Minister R V Ranjith Kumar referenced M Karunanidhi without the honorific “Kalaignar”. This incident happened in Chennai during the Monsoon Session on Monday. The controversy broke out during a debate on Health and Revenue grants, with alleged cash-for-votes practices being discussed on August 17. Opposition DMK members objected strongly to the breach of traditional protocol when referring to the late leader. Vijay intervened to control the tension and issued the apology on the minister's behalf. 🤦‍♂️

🏫 Dipke tells officials to enrol kids in govt schools

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned why education department workers send their children to private schools instead of public ones. He addressed ministers, officials, principals, and teachers regarding this issue on Tuesday. This statement followed his inspection of a Zilla Parishad school in Santuk Pimpri, Hingoli district on August 15. Dipke noted issues like broken windows and lack of basic amenities at the campus. He also called the suspension of the Limbala school principal a major win for the villagers.

🚨 Karnataka CM warns TN over Chamarajanagar killings

Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar warned Tamil Nadu politicians against interfering in the state's administration regarding the deaths of three suspected poachers. The incident occurred in Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, on the early hours of August 15. Three men, Anthony Samy, John Rose Peter, and Kumar, were shot dead by Karnataka forest personnel during an anti-poaching operation. Shivakumar rejected demands for a CBI inquiry, citing federal structure principles. Karnataka has ordered a magisterial inquiry and provided interim relief to the families.