⛽ ONGC gets green light to expand in Venezuela ⛽

ONGC has received a license from the US Treasury's OFAC to significantly boost its operations in Venezuela. This clearance allows the state-run company to invest more in its assets and increase oil production in the country. The license could also help ONGC recover a pending dividend exceeding $500 million from its Venezuelan holdings. The company is exploring taking over some projects currently managed by PDVSA, Venezuela's state oil company. ONGC is focusing on shallow and onshore fields, leveraging its experience from Western India.

✊ AKSSA protests in Dharwad despite police denial

The All Karnataka State Students Association (AKSSA) is launching an indefinite satyagraha from Tuesday near the Michigan Compound in Saptapur, Dharwad. This action is being taken by the association across the district to push for student and job aspirant issues. AKSSA demands a re-examination for police constable recruitment irregularities and an inquiry into KPSC recruitment issues. Furthermore, they want the State Budget announcements, like Indira Canteens, to be implemented immediately. The police denied permission citing law and order concerns, though they suggested conditions for a protest at Nehru Stadium in Hubballi. ✊

✅ Andhra CM: Teacher Hiring Was Pure Merit

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that the Mega DSC teacher recruitment drive was completely transparent and merit-based. He made this assertion during his address in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Monday. The drive, one of the largest in the state, was held to fill vacancies in government schools. Naidu pointed out that even unsuccessful candidates acknowledged the process's fairness. The government is committed to maintaining this system for all future public appointments.

✨ Anita Dongre addresses plagiarism claims over 'Love All' campaign

Designer Anita Dongre responded to allegations of plagiarism regarding her 'Love All' Festive/Winter 2026 collection. Independent designers Mehar Toor and Sachi Raval accused the brand of using similar campaign shots without credit. These claims surfaced following the campaign launch on August 7th, with discussions occurring around August 12th and August 15th. Dongre stated that different creators can arrive at overlapping creative expressions, referencing previous theme-based campaigns. She emphasized building her brand with integrity and acknowledged the feelings of the founders involved. 💖

🚨 UK PM tricked by Trump aide imposter

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham was allegedly deceived into messaging an imposter claiming to be a Trump aide. The incident reportedly took place in connection with communications related to political outreach. Specific details regarding the exact date or the scale of the interaction were not provided in the report. This alleged deception raises questions about security protocols during high-level political contact. Further investigation is expected to clarify how this misinformation campaign succeeded.

🕊️ Hanur shoot-out aftermath: MLA gives aid to victims' families

The funerals for three men allegedly killed in a shoot-out at Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary were held on Monday. The victims were in Hanur taluk, and their bodies were brought to Thomiyarpalya village after a post-mortem at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute on Sunday. MLA M.R. Manjunath distributed ₹15 lakh compensation to each family, comprising ₹5 lakh from the government, ₹2 lakh from R. Narendra, and ₹8 lakh from himself. He stated this aid was provided on humanitarian grounds, considering the families' socio-economic situation. Further steps will be taken, including a meeting of senior officials, as the investigation continues.

🗳️ 93 lakh Telangana voters get notices for roll update

Nearly 93 lakh electors in Telangana will receive notices regarding the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls. This was announced by Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudarshan Reddy in Hyderabad on Monday, August 17. A total of 73,39,235 names were deleted, reducing the state's voters to 2,64,87,213. These notices are for electors with anomalies or those who missed filling details from 2002 SIR. Electors must reply to these notices before September 16, 2026, for inclusion in the final rolls. 🗳️

✊ Activists push for Rohith Vemula Bill passage in Karnataka

Activists are urging the State government to pass the Karnataka Rohith Vemula Bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session. This bill aims to safeguard the education and dignity of SC and ST students in higher institutions. The State Cabinet approved the bill on April 16, 2026, but it remains pending with the Social Welfare Department. Groups warn that the delay is increasing distress among SC/ST students who face daily discrimination. They are pressing CM D.K. Shivakumar to ensure its enactment this session. ✊

🔬 AI tissue clocks map organ-specific aging

Researchers developed AI-based 'tissue clocks' to estimate biological age across 40 different tissue types. The study, conducted by scientists at CeMM and Ludwig Boltzmann Institute, analyzed over 25,000 tissue samples. Findings show organs age at varied rates, detectable via blood samples, with a mean prediction error of 4.9 years. This technology links tissue aging patterns to chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Future use could enable minimally invasive organ health diagnostics through routine blood tests. 🔬

🏭 Big electronics investment boost in India 🇮🇳

Thirty-one projects have secured approvals under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, investing ₹7,877 crore in components like mobile enclosures and copper coils. Wipro Electronic Materials, Jyoti CNC, and Bhagwati Products Ltd are among the key players involved in this initiative. These approvals are part of the larger ₹40,000-crore ECMS, aimed at boosting domestic high-margin income in India's electronics sector. The government is pushing for deeper localization across the entire electronics supply chain moving forward. This progress has already created over 74,628 direct jobs across the approved projects.

🏗️ 93 major projects running in Amaravati, says Minister

Minister of MA&UD P. Narayana confirmed that 93 major projects are currently under execution in Amaravati. He noted that a total of 119 projects were proposed, with Letters of Award issued for 103 of them. Furthermore, 71,299 returnable plots were allotted to 30,173 farmers under the Land Pooling Scheme. A financial tie-up of nearly ₹41,188 crore has been secured from several bodies, and ₹12,732 crore has been spent since 2024. Comprehensive infrastructure, including drains and power, is being developed in phases to support these areas.