🧐 Ex-SC Judge to probe NEET protest police excesses

The Supreme Court formed a five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee headed by former judge R Subhash Reddy to investigate alleged police excesses during NEET protests. This committee is operating in India and was announced on July 18 but made public on August 20. It must examine 12 issues, including the use of pellet guns, lathicharge, and violence against women protesters. The panel will also assess the police chain of command and consider interim compensation for injured individuals. Finally, the committee will review if blanket prohibitory orders should be restricted to imminent threats. 🧐

🧐 US calls China's detention of scholar 'wrongful'

The US State Department has designated Myanmar-born scholar U Min Zin as wrongfully detained in China, making his release a top priority. He was detained in June while attending an academic conference in Yunnan province. This incident follows his travel to China, where he faces espionage allegations from the Chinese government. Min Zin, a US citizen, was a former student activist in Myanmar before moving to the US. The US will continue to advocate for his freedom as diplomatic relations remain tense. 🧐

💔 Lucknow bank employee kills wife, sister, then commits suicide

A bank employee killed his estranged wife outside an ICICI Bank branch in Gomti Nagar while divorce proceedings were happening. CCTV footage captured the assault and shooting outside the bank premises in Lucknow. The accused confessed on WhatsApp, alleging infidelity, before returning home. He then killed his sister and died by suicide at his residence. Police are currently investigating the sequence of events and all potential motives behind the tragedy. 💔

📉 Europe smartphone sales hit 3-year low

European smartphone shipments dropped to their lowest volume since 2023 during Q2 (April – June). Counterpoint Research estimates that 35 million units were shipped across the region. This marks a 10% decrease compared to the same period last year, influenced by inflation and component price hikes. Apple and Samsung dominated the market, each holding a 34% share of total shipments. Analysts predict further shipment declines as inventory runs low and the budget segment struggles. 📉

💔 Sunita Ahuja claims Govinda wanted to marry Komal Rani Swarnkar

Sunita Ahuja revealed that Govinda and actor Komal Rani Swarnkar were allegedly planning to get married. This claim surfaced during a phone call with Rakhi Sawant in Mumbai. Sunita stated she took back her divorce because of these marriage plans. Rakhi Sawant then advised her to secure her financial interests, specifically focusing on Rs 200 crore. Govinda is also set to return to films with Komal Rani Swarnkar in a project called Roopa.

🤔 Director questions audience boycott of Batwara 1947

Director Rajkumar Santoshi is surprised by low box office numbers for his film Batwara 1947, despite positive audience reception. The movie, starring Sunny Deol in a Muslim role, is set in Lahore against the 1947 Partition backdrop. As of its release on August 14, 2026, Santoshi urges viewers to watch it to form their own opinion. He questioned why some might avoid it just because of Sunny Deol's Muslim character, comparing it to a hypothetical Spider-Man. Santoshi stresses that viewers must experience the film before judging it.

🩺 Heart disease links to higher cancer risk in men

A decades-long study found that men with heart disease face a higher risk of developing and dying from cancer. This research, conducted by University of Aberdeen and Keele University, analyzed data from 22,000 Britons over 25 years. The lifetime cancer risk was 17.3% for men with CVD versus 12.8% for women. The main drivers identified for these male cases were smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption. Future research must improve pathways to prevent cancer development in cardiac patients. 🩺

✈️ Centre blocks Revanth's US trip, UK plans on

The Central government denied Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy permission to travel to the United States for academic meetings. This denial came after the state government sought permission for both the UK and US visits. The visit was meant to bring top global education institutions to Hyderabad as part of the New Education Policy. Despite the US block, Revanth Reddy will proceed with his UK tour, returning from London on August 23. Congress strongly condemned the BJP for politicizing this educational and investment trip. 🧐

👑 Meghan Markle's alleged US political push

New reports suggest Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tried to gain political clout in the US after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. The New York Post claims Markle wanted to be considered for Kamala Harris' vacated Senate seat, meeting with Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2020. Newsom later appointed Alex Padilla to take over the seat in January 2021. Despite these efforts, White House officials reportedly rejected their requests for meetings with Joe Biden and accommodation at Blair House. Ultimately, their attempts to become prominent political figures in the States did not achieve the desired success.

💧 13-year-old builds low-cost water capture system

Thirteen-year-old Aniket Sarkar developed a low-cost system to capture moisture from dry air for farming. This project was created with farmers in the dry regions of the American Midwest and West in mind. The prototype was developed using ordinary materials and was presented at the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. This invention addresses water scarcity by drawing moisture directly from the air, bypassing traditional sources. Aniket plans to continue evolving this early-stage concept into advanced environmental technology.

😠 Punjab Bandh today over Sikh prisoner release

A bandh has been called across Punjab today due to demands for the release of Sikh prisoners. This protest is taking place across the state of Punjab, affecting multiple regions. The bandh was announced with an expected impact on schools and highways. The demonstration is part of ongoing political pressure for judicial action on the prisoners. Authorities are bracing for potential traffic disruptions throughout the day. 😠