🏅 National Sports Awards 2025 announced

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2025 on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Seventeen sportspersons were recognized for the prestigious Arjuna Awards across various disciplines. These recipients include Divya Deshmukh, Gayatri Gopichand, and boxer Narender among others. The awards were based on recommendations from a Selection Committee chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra. The Ministry did not name any athlete for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award this year. 🥇

🏥 Imran Khan to private hospital over health worries

Pakistan's top court ordered that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan be moved to a private hospital due to health concerns. This order was made following demands from his PTI party and family, citing recent medical reports from Adila Jail. The Supreme Court directed him to be at Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours and remain until September 16. A medical board will be formed, including his physician and sister Dr Uzma Khan, to monitor his condition. The court also mandated weekly meetings between Khan and his family members.

⚽ Journalist says Rodri signing is overkill for Barça

A Spanish journalist, Edu Aguirre, questioned the logic of Barcelona signing Rodri, arguing the club already has plenty of midfield talent. The 30-year-old Spaniard joined Barça after they beat Real Madrid for his signature. Aguirre pointed to players like Pedri and Gavi, suggesting the €80 million fee was unnecessary for current depth. He speculated the move was a smokescreen following complications with the Julian Alvarez saga. Despite criticism, experts view Rodri as a crucial short-term control and leadership addition. 👑

🚀 Defence stocks jump as MoD pushes indigenisation

Several defence shares, including Paras Defence and Zen Tech, saw a rise of up to 8% recently. This surge occurred after the Ministry of Defence notified the sixth Positive Indigenisation List. The list highlights domestic manufacturing progress in India's defence sector. This move strongly supports 'Make in India' initiatives within the defence domain. Investors are now watching how further indigenisation targets will impact these stocks moving forward. 🚀

🗳️ BJP appoints new in-charges for UP, Punjab, and Gujarat

BJP president Nitin Nabin appointed new in-charges for key states ahead of upcoming elections. Vinod Tawde was named in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, while Satish Poonia took charge of Punjab. Tarun Chugh was appointed as the in-charge for Gujarat. These strategic appointments are being made with the next assembly polls in mind for next year and later in 2027. The party recently overhauled its national team, increasing senior positions significantly.

🛡️ iPhone users: Update to iOS 26.6.1 or 18.7.10 now

Apple has released iOS 26.6.1 and iOS 18.7.10, which contain dozens of critical security fixes for all iPhones. These updates specifically patch serious issues in WebKit and the iPhone Kernel, protecting users from spyware threats. iOS 26.6.1 fixes three Kernel flaws and nearly 20 WebKit issues, while iOS 18.7.10 has over 30 WebKit and a dozen Kernel fixes. Cybersecurity experts stress these patches are vital because WebKit flaws can trigger via malicious web content. Users must update immediately through Settings to secure their devices against potential attacks. 🛡️

📈 Garmin climbs as overall smartwatch sales dip

Global wearable shipments dropped by 2% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to Omdia data. Garmin increased its smartwatch market share to 15%, up from 11% in the previous year. Apple's share slightly decreased from 48% to 46%, while Samsung fell from 17% to 15%. This shift shows consumers favoring premium sports watches over basic models. Garmin's strong showing is attributed to its presence in the premium segment for detailed training data. 📈

⚖️ Bihar police AK-47 firing incident heads to SC

The Bihar government has clarified its stance in the Supreme Court regarding the AK-47 use during student protests. The state claimed a constable trapped in Siwan fired four rounds in the air, with no one injured by those specific shots. On July 22 to 25, 69 FIRs were registered, and 500 protesters were arrested across several places. The government admitted to using tear gas and water cannons, injuring 157 police and 7 staff. A departmental probe is ongoing, and the constable involved has been suspended. ⚖️

⌚ Casio F-B100W shows off step tracker and metal buttons

Fresh hands-on footage of the Casio F-B100W has surfaced from a Japanese watch channel. The watch, which launched on August 7, is featured in the video from a Japanese watch channel. It launched for ¥8,800, or around $55, and sold out quickly on its own store. The watch features a visible step tracker bar and distinct polished metal buttons, unlike its predecessors. It is now available for purchase in the UK in three colorways. ⌚

💰 Gold Holds Steady Below $4,400 Amid USD Strength

Gold prices are remaining weak, staying below the $4,400 mark. This trend is influenced by the strengthening US Dollar across global markets. Specifically, the USD is firming due to oil price movements and risks associated with the Federal Reserve. Investors are closely watching these economic indicators for potential shifts in the metal's value. Future movements in gold will depend heavily on Fed policy changes and oil market stability. 📈

🏛️ TN Speaker removes Law Minister's remarks on Karunanidhi

The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker, J.C.D. Prabhakar, expunged remarks made by Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. These comments were directed against late CM and DMK leader K. Karunanidhi during a special calling-attention motion. Nirmalkumar had made the remarks while addressing the killing of three Tamils in Karnataka. The Speaker stressed that only issues directly related to the motion could be discussed. Moving forward, he clarified rules regarding who can speak on such motions.