💀 Methanol booze kills 6 in Gujarat party

Six people died and at least 25 others were hospitalized after consuming methanol-spiked liquor packaged in "Royal Stag" bottles in Bhavnagar district. The incident occurred on Sunday night during a party where attendees drank the liquor, which was believed to be IMFL. As of Wednesday, officials confirmed the deaths of Upendrasinh Gohil, Kartik Makwana, and Ghanshyamsinh Jadeja. The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has taken over the investigation due to concerns over initial reporting delays. Investigators suspect the liquor came from a chain of bootleggers operating within Bhavnagar itself.

👮 TN Police Set Up Vigilance Cells for Integrity

Tamil Nadu police have formed 'Internal Vigilance Cells' across all Districts and Commissionerates. This move, directed by DGP Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, aims to boost transparency and public trust in the department. These cells will monitor and investigate corruption, misconduct, and abuse of power by police officers. Citizens can report issues via dedicated District/City WhatsApp numbers for easy access. The police assure strict confidentiality and protection against retaliation for all complainants.

🌍 Five African nations stop polio outbreaks 🌍

Five African countries have successfully halted the spread of polio following technical assessments by OBRA. Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Congo, and Uganda were the nations where transmission was interrupted. This milestone was confirmed by the WHO Regional Office for Africa after reviews conducted between January and June 2026. These successes highlight the impact of strong national leadership and health worker dedication in combating the virus. Continued vigilance and high immunization coverage are crucial to prevent future polio outbreaks.

😠 Congress sticks to 2-stanza Vande Mataram; BJP slaps label

The Congress decided to adhere to its 1937 resolution, singing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events. This decision came amid government efforts to enforce the full version at official events. The BJP sharply criticized Congress, labeling the party a "new Muslim League" for its stance. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal defended the move, citing top leadership decisions from 1937. The controversy reignited after Sonia Gandhi's gestures and Mallikarjun Kharge's singing at a Goa event.

🧠 Webinar on future of integrative mental health

Buddhi Clinic and The Hindu are hosting a webinar to discuss the evolving landscape of integrated mental healthcare in India. The event will explore merging mainstream medicine with evidence-based traditional and complementary approaches like Yoga and Ayurveda. Key discussions will cover policy development for integrative mental health as a specialty in India. Speakers include Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy, B.N. Gangadhar, and Shivarama Varambally. Interested people can register for the session happening on August 21 at 5 p.m. 🧠

🚮 Bengaluru owner fined for construction waste dump

A property owner was fined Rs 1 lakh for improperly dumping construction debris in Bengaluru. This incident occurred in Koramangala, specifically on 6th Main Road, during a morning inspection. The fine was imposed by civic officials after a marshal from the BTM Layout division noticed the waste. David, the property owner, was fined for damaging the public drain and footpath. He has also been ordered to clear all the debris at his own cost. 🚮

🩺 Pune survey shows TB returning post-treatment

A large-scale tuberculosis survey in Pune revealed a worrying trend of recurrent TB in survivors. Researchers monitored 1,076 TB survivors and 3,309 household contacts between Jan 21, 2021, and Sept 4, 2023. They found 75 TB survivors, or 7% of the surveyed group, developed recurrent TB within the follow-up period. This highlights the critical need for active surveillance after TB treatment completion. The data is expected to guide future policy decisions regarding post-treatment TB monitoring. 🩺

🏏 England dominates first day, Pakistan struggles

England managed to trail by 59 runs after a dominant first day of the Test match. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue both took five-wicket hauls while playing at Headingley. Pakistan scored 171 runs, while England reached 112 for 2 on the date. Despite initial resistance, Pakistan suffered a destructive collapse towards the end of the day. The match will continue with England holding a strong position heading into the next session. 🏏

✊ TNCC protests Amit Shah over policies

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore led a protest in Egmore against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The protest included former TNCC presidents K.S. Alagiri and Su. Thirunavukarasar. This action took place on Wednesday while Amit Shah was chairing the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Tamil Nadu. The Congress unit opposed Amit Shah's policies, specifically the Delimitation and paper leaks. They demanded that the Home Minister listen to the voices of the people. ✊

🏛️ Jain and others in custody over DJB scam

Former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain and four other individuals were sent to judicial custody in the ongoing Delhi Jal Board scam case. Ankit Shrivastava was also sent to one-day police custody as part of the latest court developments. This case focuses on alleged irregularities within the Delhi Jal Board operations. The legal proceedings continue to scrutinize the high-profile allegations surrounding the civic body. Further updates on the investigation are expected in the coming days. 🏛️

⚕️ Health Minister to launch big infectious diseases conference

Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya is scheduled to inaugurate CIDSCON 2026 in Gandhinagar this Thursday. This major conference will gather top experts focusing on infectious diseases. Over 950 delegates are expected to attend the event, which will also feature a book unveiling. AI is listed as an emerging theme, with a dedicated workshop planned for it. The minister will officially kick off the proceedings, marking a focus on medical advancements.