🔥 Goa club fire: Luthra brothers' bail cancelled

The Bombay High Court cancelled the bail of Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra, and Ajay Gupta related to the Birch nightclub fire. The incident occurred in Arpora, Goa, last December, claiming 25 lives including 20 staff and five tourists. The court ordered the three accused to surrender within two weeks, allowing for fresh bail applications. Police allege the club lacked safety clearances and had locked exit routes. The case is also under investigation for document forgery and potential money laundering. 😥

🏏 Gill's last-second DRS call thrills fans in Sri Lanka Test

Shubman Gill executed a brilliant DRS call during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the 8th over of Sri Lanka's second innings when a delivery hit Pasindu Sooriyabandara's pads. With only one second remaining, Gill reviewed the decision, and replays confirmed the ball would have hit the leg stump. Celebrations erupted after the third umpire ruled him out, impressing social media. Sooriyabandara, the substitute, has now become the fifth player in Test history to win a cap this way. 🏏

📢 Jharkhand protest continues after hunger strike ends

Devendra Mahto announced the second phase of the protest demanding corruption-free recruitment through JPSC and JSSC. This announcement came from JLKM leader in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Mahto ended his 16-day hunger strike after the Jharkhand government cancelled job exams. The agitation will continue until the government guarantees no paper leaks or irregularities in future recruitment exams. Mahto's group is also demanding a monitoring committee and a complete audit.

⚖️ India starts trial against 26/11 accused abroad

India has initiated trial-in-absentia proceedings against six Pakistani nationals linked to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. These accused include Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, residing in Pakistan. This landmark case invokes Section 356 of the BNSS, 2023, for the first time in such a major international terror case. The proceedings aim to hold foreign-sheltered fugitives accountable, bypassing old legal bottlenecks. The court can now proceed with evidence recording and a verdict despite the accused's absence. ⚖️

🛠️ VTU launching new tech hubs in Belagavi

Visvesvaraya Technological University is setting up a 'Reverse Engineering and AICTE IDEA Lab' on its Jnana Sangama campus. The centers will be inaugurated by T.G. Sitaram on August 19 at 10 a.m., alongside VTU officials. This Centre of Excellence was established by 'iValue', AICTE, and VTU to offer practical training. The lab will feature 3D printing machines and advanced design facilities for all engineering students. These resources aim to help students turn their concepts into real-world projects. 🛠️

💰 PM CARES Fund balance hits over 8,452 crore

The PM CARES Fund's total receipts reached Rs 8,452.95 crore in the financial year 2024-25. This fund was established in 2020 to handle emergency situations like the Covid pandemic. On March 31, the final balance was reported to be Rs 8,452 crore. While total receipts rose, domestic and foreign donations both saw a decrease during this period. Moving forward, interest from fixed deposits remains the fund's biggest income source.

🚔 David Warner fined for drink driving incident

Former Australian opener David Warner was fined AU$1,500 for drink-driving after an incident in Sydney. The offence occurred on Easter Sunday when Warner, who had consumed three glasses of wine, attempted to swap seats with a passenger near a breath-testing site. He recorded an alcohol reading over twice the legal limit during the test. Judge Clare Farnan noted the offence was aggravated by his children being in the vehicle, and he must install an alcohol interlock device for 12 months. Warner can resume driving after obtaining the required interlock licence. 🚗

🚦 Marathi learning deadline ends for auto drivers

The 100-day deadline for auto and taxi drivers to learn Marathi has expired, prompting the Maharashtra government to decide on the next steps. The issue involves drivers across Maharashtra, where Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik is set to address it this Wednesday. The government previously warned that licences could be suspended for those unable to show basic Marathi knowledge. However, Congress leaders oppose immediate penalties, suggesting extensions and better support like night schools. The meeting will determine if enforcement starts or if more time and support are provided to the drivers. 🚗

🧵 Handloom workers push for Bhavani Jamakkalam protection

The Bhavani District Handloom Jamakkalam, Bedsheet Weavers and Dyeing Workers’ Union asked the Tamil Nadu government for protection against powerlooms. This was decided during a union council meeting at the Communist Party of India office in Bhavani on Monday, August 17, 2026. The union demanded a basic wage revision, noting it hasn't changed in 32 years, and also sought a ban on illegal powerlooms. Furthermore, they asked for a Jamakkalam Technical College in Bhavani and a special subsidy for cooperative societies. The group aims to secure the future of the traditional handloom and Jamakkalam weaving industries. 🧵

🏏 Pant hits 100 sixes in Test cricket history

Rishabh Pant achieved a major milestone in Test cricket by hitting 100 sixes. This historic feat was accomplished by Pant while playing for India in a Test match. The milestone was reached during the ongoing series, with specific dates and scores not detailed in the snippet. This achievement marks him as the first Indian cricketer to reach this incredible benchmark in the format. Fans will continue to watch the first Test match live to see more of his performance. 🏏

🩺 Samsung's new watches are serious health buddies

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Galaxy Watch 9, upgrading them into intelligent health companions. These new wearables are for the Ultra 2 and Galaxy Watch 9, debuting with deeper heart health insights and a 'Vitals' early-warning system. They feature new tools like Heart Health scores and Daily Cardio Load tracking, alongside existing metrics like Energy Score. The Ultra 2 is rugged, while the Galaxy Watch 9 is sleek, offering different vibes for users. These devices aim to guide users toward smarter lifestyle choices using AI analysis. 🏃‍♂️