🛑 IRDAI stops Niva Bupa from opening new branches

IRDAI has barred Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company from opening any new place of business for a duration of six months. This action was taken against Niva Bupa in relation to non-compliance with the applicable Expense of Management limits for FY25. The ban is effective starting from August 19, 2026. The regulator issued this order after seeking and reviewing submissions from the company regarding its EoM limits for FY 2024-25. Niva Bupa stated it is evaluating the order and will take steps to protect stakeholder interests. 😟

🚨 UKG student dies after alleged teacher assault in Visakhapatnam

A six-year-old student named Pranay Teja died on Thursday, August 20, 2026, following an incident at Little Gardens School in Visakhapatnam. The teacher allegedly tried to strip him and slapped him during a classroom incident in the One Town area. CCTV footage surfaced showing the teacher pulling the boy's clothes and then slapping him across the cheek. Pranay Teja was declared brought dead at the King George Hospital, prompting family protests. Police are currently investigating the death, examining footage, and awaiting the post-mortem report.

📱 Samsung Galaxy S25 price hike in India 💸

Samsung has increased the price for the Galaxy S25 in India across its 256GB and 512GB models. The pricing changes, effective August 19, 2026, were updated on Samsung India’s website. The 256GB variant is now Rs 84,999, while the 512GB option costs Rs 1,04,999. This flagship model targets users needing premium features without upgrading to larger versions. Buyers might now look into bank discounts or older phone deals due to the price adjustment.

🧠 Brain Injury Prevention: Key Insights

A medical buyer discussed the importance of preventative measures against brain injuries. This discussion took place at a recent medical conference in New Delhi. The buyer noted that over 15% of cases involve preventable causes, with data from the last fiscal year. The focus remains on increasing public awareness regarding safety protocols in daily life. Future initiatives aim to roll out more localized educational programs across various regions. 🧠

🍎 Kerala rolls out 2,000 Onam markets for stable prices

The Agriculture department is setting up 2,000 Onam markets across Kerala to maintain stable commodity prices during the festival. Krishi Bhavans will manage 1,074 markets, while Horticorp and VFPCK will handle 766 and 160 markets respectively. The government has sanctioned ₹10.24 crore under the Market Intervention Support for Price Stabilisation scheme. This initiative aims to ensure fair prices for farmers and reasonable costs for consumers. The department also launched a campaign that produced 2.52 lakh tonnes of vegetables ahead of Onam.

🏆 From 50% in 12th to Civil Servant: Manoj Pal's Grind

Manoj Pal finally became a civil servant after an intense 12-year preparation journey. He is a resident of Khapariya village in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh. He failed nearly 40 exams and scored around 50% in Class 12. Facing financial hardship and family pressure, he maintained a strict study routine throughout. His selection in the MPPSC State Service Examination 2024 ended years of struggle.

⚖️ SC forms panel to check police action on CJP protests 🚨

The Supreme Court established a five-member committee, led by retired Justice R Subhash Reddy, to investigate allegations of police excesses against CJP protestors. This panel includes former High Court Chief Justices and CBI Director, and was ordered on August 18th. The committee must examine police excess, protestor violence, and harassment allegations from the CJP protests. Additionally, the HPEC will look into compensation for the injured on both sides and submit periodic findings.

⏳ IBPS Clerk 2026 applications close tomorrow

The online application window for IBPS Clerk 2026 recruitment closes tomorrow, August 21. This drive is for 11,403 vacancies across participating banks under the Common Recruitment Process. Candidates can apply until August 21, 2026, with preliminary exams set for October 10 and 11, 2026. The main examination is scheduled to take place on December 27, 2026. Applicants must finalize registration, documents, and fee payment before the deadline. 🏦

⚽ Kaith saves penalties, Mohun Bagan bags Durand Cup spot 🏆

Mohun Bagan defeated NorthEast United 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Durand Cup 2026 semi-final. The match took place between Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United. The semi-final was played on a date that led to a Kolkata derby final on Sunday, August 23. NorthEast United's 21-game unbeaten run in the tournament finally ended during this contest. The final showdown will determine the Durand Cup champion.

🦟 World Mosquito Day: Stay safe from bites 🦟

World Mosquito Day on August 20 highlights the necessity of awareness for mosquito-borne illnesses. This day calls attention to preventing bites, eliminating breeding spots, and getting early diagnosis. Diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya remain public health issues, especially during monsoon season. Factors like urbanization and climate change increase mosquito habitats, stressing continuous prevention. Therefore, community action and timely testing are crucial to curb disease spread.

💥 Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Facilities

Ukrainian forces successfully struck several key Russian energy infrastructure targets. The attacks targeted the TANECO oil refinery and an associated oil terminal in Russia. These strikes took place recently, according to reports from the military. The operation is part of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Further military actions are expected as the situation develops.