😥 Kharge feels hurt over Congress silence on ritual

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated he felt hurt by the lack of public condemnation from many party leaders regarding a 'purification' ritual in Haldwani. This incident left him feeling humiliated, despite the Congress alleging links to the BJP and a casteist mindset. The CWC meeting also covered CJP concerns, US pressure, and student protests, taking place on Wednesday. Kharge was particularly disappointed that high-profile leaders remained silent on the issue. The party is now grappling with messaging and its stance on emerging political groups. 😥

🦟 Kerala ramps up mosquito control for World Mosquito Day 🦟

Kerala is intensifying mosquito and larvae eradication efforts to curb vector-borne diseases across the state. Special screenings will target high-incidence areas and localities with migrant workers. Idukki and Malappuram are under strict surveillance due to locally acquired malaria cases. The Health Minister will inaugurate the awareness program on Thursday, August 20, at 11 a.m. Public cooperation is urged for these preventive measures.

🎮 Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 drop details are here

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4, featuring the Override update, is set to launch on August 20, 2026. This massive update introduces gaming legends like Sonic and Pac-Man across all regions. The downtime starts at 2 AM ET / 6 AM UTC, with maintenance expected to last about five hours. Players can expect a reshuffled map, new weapons, and the Override Battle Pass. This season is anticipated to be the final full-length run before Chapter 7 closes out.

📰 Military paper publisher quits over Pentagon drama

The longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes has resigned due to clashes with the Pentagon regarding editorial freedom. Max D Lederer Jr announced his retirement on Tuesday, stating his vision fundamentally differed from the DoD's direction. This follows the Trump administration seeking more control over the paper's editorial line. The Pentagon has criticized coverage, citing issues like poor morale aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Lederer's exit raises big questions about a government-funded paper's independence. 📰

🏦 RBI Governor says FCNR(B) closure is 'calibration'

The RBI Governor clarified that the early closure of the FCNR(B) swap window is a 'calibration' rather than a 'U-turn' in policy. This decision was made because foreign currency inflows were stronger than anticipated by the central bank. The deadline was advanced to August 31, 2026, from September 30, with $52.3 billion already mobilized as of August 13. This reflects India's robust macroeconomic fundamentals and strengthens the balance of payments. The RBI expects its three schemes to attract at least $80 billion moving forward.

🗑️ SC mandates strict waste rules; power/water threats for big polluters

The Supreme Court ordered nationwide strict enforcement of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, targeting bulk waste generators. This directive specifically applies to institutions like malls and hospitals across the country. The court mandated district collectors to identify all bulk waste generators within six weeks, effective from April 1st. Non-compliance can lead to punitive action, including the disconnection of power or water supply. All waste must be segregated at source into four categories to ensure better management. 🗑️

🚁 Kenya helicopter crash claims 7 lives, including US nationals

A safari helicopter crashed in Kenya's central region on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of seven people. The victims included five American citizens and Ecuador's intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, near Mount Ololokwe. The accident occurred at 9:13 am while the Eurocopter EC130 B4 was en route from Loisaba Conservancy towards the Ewaso Nyiro area. The crash involved guests touring with &Beyond and is currently under investigation by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Search and recovery efforts continue despite challenging terrain and an ongoing fire at the site. 🚁

💊 Almost 40k eye drops recalled in US for contamination risk

The US FDA announced the voluntary recall of 39,060 bottles of Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief eye drops. This action involves Prestige Brand Holdings across the United States nationwide. The recall was issued due to a 'lack of assurance of sterility' in the products. The FDA classified this as a Class II recall, meaning temporary health issues are possible. Consumers are advised not to use these eye drops and should check with their local store. 😥

⛽ Oil Prices Hold Steady Above $90 Amid Hormuz Tension

Brent crude oil prices stayed above the $90 per barrel mark in early trading on Thursday. This was driven by investor uncertainty regarding the US-Iran war and shipping status through the Strait of Hormuz. On Wednesday, both Brent and WTI closed at their highest levels since July 24th. Concerns were further heightened by the UAE suspending all financial transactions with Iran. Markets are now watching for any change in the blockade situation in the Strait of Hormuz. ⛽

🤝 Amit Shah meets Tamil Nadu CM Vijay before big meeting

Amit Shah met with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay before a major gathering of Southern Chief Ministers. The meeting took place in anticipation of today's crucial summit involving regional leaders. Specific numbers and dates for the broader conference were not detailed in this brief report. This meeting sets the stage for discussions on important political and governance issues in the South. The outcome of this preliminary meeting could influence the agenda for the larger CMs' conference. 🤝

🏒 India beats Pakistan 5-3 in FIH World Cup

India defeated Pakistan 5-3 in their FIH World Cup pool match in Amstelveen on Wednesday. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored two goals each for India in this major pool clash. The match saw India advance to the second round, despite not gaining points from their opening game against England. This contest was the first World Cup meeting between the two rivals in sixteen years. The result confirmed India's strong showing in the tournament so far. 🏆