😠 Odisha leader slams new mining bill, demands meeting

Former CM Naveen Patnaik called for a special Assembly session to protest the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. He sent a letter to CM Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneshwar on Friday regarding the bill. The bill, passed by Parliament on Thursday, is seen as threatening Odisha's fiscal autonomy and causing massive revenue losses. Patnaik highlighted that the bill restricts state power to levy taxes on minerals, impacting crucial welfare schemes. He urged Majhi to convene an all-party meeting immediately to address these concerns. 😠

♻️ New waste plant approved despite LDF protests

A proposal to build a new plant at Brahmapuram for 150 tonnes of biodegradable waste was passed by the Kochi Corporation Council on Friday, August 14. The proposal, put forward by G3 Renewables Private Limited, required a ₹25–30 crore investment and three acres on lease. The vote passed with 40 votes to 19, with BJP councillors supporting the decision. Opposition leader V.A. Sreejith questioned the approval process, citing lack of site visits. Mayor V.K. Minimol defended the move, noting 100 tonnes of waste are currently dumped daily. ♻️

🏛️ G.S. Patil elected Karnataka Assembly Speaker

Gurupadagouda Sanganagouda Patil was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Friday. He hails from Ron in the Gadag district and is the 18th Speaker since 1972. The 78-year-old was nominated by CM D.K. Shivakumar and seconded by Deputy CM G. Parameshwara. His political background includes contesting eight Assembly elections, and he is known for being a farmer and sportsperson. The BJP boycotted the election, criticizing the Congress high command's role.

😠 Hezbollah chief slams Lebanon-Israel deal

A Hezbollah chief stated that the recent deal between Lebanon and Israel has deeply humiliated the nation and its military forces. This statement was made by a senior Hezbollah figure in Lebanon. The details of the deal, which remains confidential, were discussed in the context of regional security. The leader expressed strong disapproval of the terms agreed upon by the Lebanese government. Future actions regarding this agreement are yet to be determined.

😥 CEO fired after firing 900 staff

Vishal Garg was terminated as CEO of Better Home & Finance Holding Company after escalating a control dispute. This action came one day after Garg demanded five directors resign and claimed shareholder backing for a board change. The company stated the unanimous board decision stemmed from concerns over his judgment, temperament, and credibility. This reverses an August 3 announcement where Garg had supposedly agreed to step down from the CEO role. Garg is now fighting the decision, having previously fired 900 people on a Zoom call in December 2021. 😥

🇮🇳 Independence Day Facts You Need To Know

India celebrated Independence Day recently, marking a significant national event. This commemoration took place across the entire nation of India. Key dates and historical milestones associated with the day include August 15th, 1947. The day celebrates the end of British colonial rule and the beginning of self-governance for the country. Further celebrations and reflections on the nation's journey are expected to continue throughout the year.

🏙️ Delhi aims to be India's top urban economy

CM Rekha Gupta stated that Delhi must boost trade and business to fuel India's growth trajectory. She made this declaration at the Bhartiya Vyapar Mahotsav held at Bharat Mandapam. Gupta noted that India is shifting to a digitally driven economic transformation, with startups rising from 100 pre-2014 to over 2.5 lakh. This change is supported by free trade agreements and digital tools like UPI. Delhi needs to strengthen its ecosystem to play a bigger part in this national growth story. 🚀

🔪 Man killed by family over caste dispute

A man named Chhote Lal Pasi was allegedly murdered by his wife and daughter in Lucknow. The incident occurred in Barain Majre Hilalganj village under Harchandpur police station. His remains were recovered from a canal embankment nearly a month after he went missing. The killing stemmed from his opposition to his daughter Chaya’s relationship with a man from a different caste. Authorities are further questioning the wife and daughter to reconstruct the sequence of events.

🇮🇳 Artist makes tiny statue for freedom fighter Raju

Artist V.S.N.N. Achari paid tribute to freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju on Independence Day. He created a miniature statue, measuring 16mm in height and 6mm in width, using graphite. This tribute came as the Bhogapuram international airport, named after him, is set to start operations on August 17, 2026. Narasimhachari also requested the government to include Raju's biography in textbooks. This highlights the continuing recognition of his sacrifice against the British government.

😠 MLA's Daughter Allegedly Slaps Police SI at Temple

A woman police sub-inspector accused Suresh Gowda’s daughter, Aishwarya, of abusing and slapping her on August 12th. The incident took place at Aarathi Ukkada Temple in Srirangapatna, Mandya. During crowd-control duty, Aishwarya reportedly slapped the SI after she refused to let her enter the sanctum immediately. Aishwarya allegedly questioned the SI's authority by mentioning her father's status and made further objections. Both parties have filed complaints, and the Mandya SP confirmed an investigation is underway. 👮

🦀 Europe tackles self-cloning crayfish threat

European conservationists are launching targeted eradication efforts against self-cloning marbled crayfish in the Czech Republic. This project is led by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, focusing on two newly detected populations. The species reproduces via parthenogenesis and carries crayfish plague, posing a big risk. This effort is part of the first 20 projects funded by the European Invasive Alien Species Rapid-Response Fund. Experts stress that early removal is key to preventing massive long-term environmental damage. 🦀