⚖️ High Court says no need to cross-examine Renukaswamy's mother

The Karnataka High Court upheld the trial court's order against cross-examining Renukaswamy’s mother in the Darshan case. The court ruled that her answers did not show manifest antipathy towards the prosecution case under Section 154 of the Evidence Act. Justice M. Nagaprasanna made this decision while rejecting the prosecution's petition on August 18, 2026. The High Court noted that the witness had not shifted loyalty and did not abandon the prosecution's core case. Therefore, the prosecution cannot use Section 154 as a procedural second chance. ⚖️

📸 Realme 17 Pro+ leaks: 200MP camera & 1.5K display incoming

New leaks suggest the Realme 17 Pro+ will feature a 6.78-inch 1.5K flat OLED display and a 200MP triple camera setup. This upcoming smartphone is rumored to use an ultra-high refresh rate display and a 200MP primary camera system. The device is expected to be overseas-exclusive and has not been officially announced by Realme. While details like the chipset and battery remain unknown, these specs could make it a major highlight. More information is anticipated through future leaks or an official release. 📱

🍚 Rice distribution for Onam in Kerala

Four kilograms of rice are being distributed to schoolchildren as part of the mid-day meal scheme for Onam celebrations. This event will be inaugurated by Minister for General Education N. Samsudheen at the Government Model Higher Secondary School for Girls, Pattom. The distribution targets all students from pre-primary to class VIII in government and aided schools benefiting from the scheme. Minister for Health K. Muraleedharan will preside over the function, with Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob as the chief guest. The state-level inauguration is scheduled to take place at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

🚢 Vizhinjam port boosts India's global trade goals

The full-fledged Export-Import (EXIM) operations at Vizhinjam have commenced, opening a major gateway for Indian enterprise to global markets. Ashwani Gupta, CEO of APSEZ, stated this supports India's goals for self-reliance and maritime leadership. Cumulative investment in Vizhinjam will hit ₹30,000 crore with Phase II, showing major infrastructure commitment. This shift aims to cut reliance on foreign transshipment hubs, improving supply chain efficiency significantly. The next phase targets completion by December 2028, increasing annual capacity to 5.7 million TEUs.

📹 Kadapa police rolls out new surveillance system

Kadapa police officially launched an integrated surveillance system at Vempalli police station on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. This setup includes 44 CCTVs and Advanced Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed across strategic locations. The command and control room will enable 24x7 monitoring of the network and suspicious activities in Vempalli. Superintendent of Police Nachiket Vishwanath Shelke inaugurated the system and spoke to female students about its safety role. The system aims to boost public safety, especially for women, given Vempalli's key transit position. 📹

🦔 Hedgehogs: From pest control to wildlife threat

European hedgehogs were initially released in 1885 in Dunedin and Christchurch to control garden pests in New Zealand. Now, the Department of Conservation (DOC) labels them a major threat to the unique native ecosystems. Data shows hedgehogs were responsible for 19% of lethal events at 172 monitored nests between 1994 and 1999. Their predatory nature affects ground-nesting birds like black-fronted terns, potentially emptying entire colonies. Long-term control programs are now in place to manage this introduced predator alongside rats and stoats. 😟

🇨🇦 US-Canada talks to dodge 50% tariffs

Last-minute talks are underway between the US and Canada to prevent President Trump from imposing steep tariffs. The negotiations involve both nations before a 12:01 am Wednesday deadline. Failure to agree could result in 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian products. Both sides have economic stakes, with Canada sending 72% of its exports to the US last year. Both governments are pushing for an off-ramp to avoid the economic fallout. 🇨🇦

🗳️ TPCC chief slams ECI over voter deletion in Telangana

TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud accused the BJP-led Union Government of undermining constitutional bodies. He alleged the Election Commission of India was partisan during the voter verification exercise in Telangana. Specifically, Goud stated that over 73 lakh votes had been deleted, with 32.37 lakh marked as 'unmapped' and 60.50 lakh in 'anomalies'. He demanded the ECI explain the deletion of 22% of votes and the status of these scrutinized voters. Goud also called for more time for the Special Intensive Revision process in the state. 🗳️

🗳️ Trump points to India for US election fixes

Donald Trump suggested that India holds the answer to America’s complex election system by citing comments from India’s Chief Election Commissioner. The suggestion came after Trump referenced India's massive 646 million voter turnout in the last general election. This comes as the SAVE Act, requiring photo ID, stalls in the US Senate despite passing the House. Democrats argue the law is voter suppression, while Republicans advocate for strict citizenship verification. Ultimately, this highlights a debate over who should run American elections.

💰 Gaja Capital bags big funding before IPO

Gaja Capital successfully raised Rs 165 crore through an anchor book. This funding round took place ahead of its much larger IPO. The company is gearing up for a total IPO valuation of Rs 550 crore. This strategic fundraising helps strengthen their financial position before the market debut. The IPO process is expected to move forward according to the timeline set by the board.

💥 Israeli strikes hit Syrian airbase, Turkey reacts

Israeli airstrikes targeted a military airbase located in Syria. The operation reportedly involved Israeli forces striking the base within Syrian territory. The specific dates or casualty numbers from the attack were not detailed in the report. Turkey subsequently issued strong condemnation regarding the airstrikes conducted by Israel. Further international reactions to this military action are expected in the coming days.