⚖️ Maoist leader acquitted in 2008 murder case

A prominent Maoist leader, Azad alias D. Keshava Rao, was acquitted in a local court on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The case related to the 2008 murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in Odisha’s Gajapati district. The trial involved the murder that triggered communal violence in Kandhamal district on August 23, 2008. Despite previous life sentences in 2013, the court found insufficient evidence to convict Rao of conspiracy. Consequently, he was released from Special Jail, Bhubaneswar, after spending 15 years in prison. ⚖️

🗳️ CM predicts Congress win with 117 seats in Telangana

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy asserted that the Congress government will return to power with 117 out of the 119 assembly seats in the state. This announcement was made by him and other leaders at a public meeting in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The CM highlighted differences between Congress's people-centric governance and the previous BRS's "family-centric rule." He contrasted the BRS favoring its family members with the Congress's focus on social justice and welfare schemes. He urged society, especially weaker sections, to cooperate for continued development.

✨ Gaggan Anand's Raga lands in Delhi

Gaggan Anand has launched his highly anticipated new restaurant, Raga, in Delhi's Janpath area. The restaurant features innovative dishes like a sweet sphere version of golgappa pani, with Rydo Anton leading the kitchen. After previous unsuccessful attempts in India, this opening fulfills Gaggan's long-held dream of serving his home country. The space boasts an elegant Japanese aesthetic and Gaggan was meticulous about every design detail. Zorawar Kalra helped partner on the project, eventually agreeing to a more accessible pricing structure.

⚖️ Man gets 120-year sentence for abusing stepdaughters

A 50-year-old man was sentenced to 120 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹90,000 by the POCSO Court. This happened in Manjeri, where he abused his 11- and 12-year-old stepdaughters. The abuse occurred starting September 2023 and March 2025, according to the court records. The charges were filed after the children disclosed the abuse while visiting Kozhikode beach in 2025. The court also ordered compensation for both children from the Victim Compensation Fund. ⚖️

🗳️ Trump's mail vote vs. his anti-mail stance 🗳️

Donald Trump voted by mail in the Florida Republican primary despite calling mail ballots inherently corrupt. He requested and returned the ballot in late July for the Tuesday, 2026 primary in Palm Beach County. Congressman Byron Donalds is leading the gubernatorial race with Trump's support. Trump cited India's 2024 elections as an example for stricter US voting rules. The White House stated his circumstances justified the mail-in use under existing exceptions.

🗳️ Key primaries hit today in US politics

Voters are heading to the polls today for state primaries in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming, alongside a special election in California. These contests will nominate candidates for several high-profile races ahead of the November midterm elections. Florida's Governor race has numerous Republicans and Democrats vying for the nomination, while Alaska has a unique all-party Senate primary. Wyoming is seeing open races for Governor, Senate, and House for the first time in 32 years. The outcomes could signal shifts in the political power balance heading into the general election. 🗳️

🏑 Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 standings are live

The points table for the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 has been updated to show the group-wise standings. This update covers the ongoing matches across all participating teams in the tournament. Specific scores and rankings for each group are reflected as of the latest match day. The competition is crucial for determining the top seeds heading into the knockout stages. Teams will continue to battle for top spots in the coming fixtures. 🏑

⚽ AIFF challenges Bhutia on Brazil fund claims

Bhaichung Bhutia alleged the AIFF is using its emergency fund for a Brazil friendly in October. A top AIFF official countered, demanding proof for Bhutia’s media statements regarding the finances. Bhutia claimed the match costs Rs 50 crore to Rs 70 crore, despite reported financial issues. The official defended the match against Brazil, citing its unique opportunity against a five-time world champion. The next federation election is scheduled for December, intensifying the political debate. 🇧🇷

🦟 Dengue fears rise at Tenkasi Tamil camp

A mass cleaning operation and medical camp are underway at the Sri Lankan Tamils rehabilitation camp in Boganallur, Tenkasi district. Over 50 inmates have been affected by a mysterious fever since mid-July at this 35-year-old camp housing over 150 families. Tragically, a 13-year-old student, R. Rehana Mary, died a month ago, with another inmate, D. Nirmala, currently receiving treatment. While residents suspect dengue, a department official noted a lack of concrete evidence for the outbreak. Residents demand regular medical camps alongside proper garbage removal from the camp. 🦟

🌊 Odisha floods: CM Majhi announces Rs 1,000 crore aid

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared a Rs 1,000 crore relief package for areas hit by recent floods. This announcement came after the latest spell affected nearly 9.4 lakh people across Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Kendrapara. Odisha has received about 1,100 mm of rain since June, which is 34 per cent above normal and the highest in 25 years. The package covers crop losses, irrigation repairs, and support for livelihoods, with detailed assessments pending. The government is continuing free kitchens and has deployed numerous rescue teams to manage the ongoing situation. 🌊

🏸 Daughter of Legend Wins Arjuna Award in Badminton

Pullela Gayatri, the daughter of badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, has earned the Arjuna Award for her strong performances in women’s doubles. She is making waves alongside her partner, Treesa Jolly, in the sport. Her early career highlights include being the national number one at 15 and participating in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. After shifting focus to doubles in 2021, she and Jolly won multiple titles, including the BWF World Tour title at the Odisha Open in 2022. The pair continued their success by clinching the Syed Modi International title in both 2024 and 2025. 🏸