🇮🇳 Pakistan Army slams Operation Sindoor docuseries

The Pakistani Army reviewed the 'Declassified: Operation Sindoor' documentary, calling it highly dramatised and biased. The review was conducted by the ISPR regarding the series which premiered on August 15. Operation Sindoor, an 88-hour mission, was launched on May 7, 2025, following a terror attack in Pahalgam. NSA Ajit Doval detailed the mission's goal to destroy enemy camps, emphasizing India's strength against terrorism. The government has maintained a zero-tolerance policy, treating terror acts as an act of war. 🇮🇳

🤫 BJP's new social media team members vanish on X

The accounts of four newly appointed BJP social media co-convenors disappeared or hid posts shortly after the August 17 announcement. These members were Priti Gandhi, Shivanand Dwivedi, Alok Bhatt, and Arun Yadav, appointed by Nitin Nabin. Deepak Mhaskey, the new convenor, saw his post count drop from 6,905 to 5,563 by August 18. Concerns have been raised due to past instances of communal rhetoric and misinformation from some appointees. The situation suggests a potential internal shift in the party's digital strategy.

🏏 Weatherald out as Aus tweaks Test squad for Bangladesh

Jake Weatherald has been dropped from the Australia Test squad following a shocking loss to Bangladesh in the series opener. He was the only change made to the 13-member squad, with Matt Renshaw recalled for the crucial second Test. Weatherald struggled significantly in Darwin, scoring 23 and 0 in his first Test series against Bangladesh. Coach Andrew McDonald noted changes in Weatherald's batting technique while the decision was made on Tuesday morning. The team will now feature Renshaw alongside established players for the upcoming match. 🏏

📈 KKR-backed LEAP's related party deals surge before IPO

LEAP India's related party transactions with its founder have dramatically increased during the IPO preparation phase. This significant jump involves transactions between the company and its founder, with KKR backing the firm. The transactions saw a massive 50-fold increase leading up to the public offering. This sharp rise in related-party dealings has drawn attention from market watchers regarding governance practices. Investors will be closely watching how these transactions are managed as the IPO progresses.

🔄 Bihar shakes up top police ranks after controversies

Bihar conducted a major reshuffle of 17 senior IPS officers following recent controversies. Siwan SP Pooran Kumar Jha was transferred after an alleged AK-47 firing during a student protest on July 25. The reshuffle also saw Bhojpur SP Mister Raj transferred, with new postings announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Several officers moved to specialized wings like vigilance and ATS, indicating a departmental overhaul. These changes affect officers from various batches, signaling a new administrative phase.

😔 Protests end after college agrees to demands in Kerala

The student agitation at Mar Athanasius College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, was called off on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. This followed the death of a 20-year-old BTech student from Arunachal Pradesh. The students demanded changes regarding the strict year-back system, which mandated 22 credits. Management agreed to set up an internal inquiry and align the minimum credit requirement with KTU norms. The inquiry committee is set to submit its report within one week. 😥

⚽ Al Nassr vs Diriyah in Saudi King's Cup Round of 32

Al Nassr is set to face Diriyah in the Round of 32 of the Saudi King’s Cup 2026-27 this Tuesday. The fixture is scheduled for August 18, 2026, with a kickoff time of 11:30 PM IST. Al Nassr started their season strong with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh. Meanwhile, newly promoted Diriyah lost their league opener by a narrow 1-0 margin against Al Ahli. Viewers in Saudi Arabia can catch the match live on Thmanyah, as it won't be streamed in India. ⚽

🎧 CMF Buds Neo drops on August 20 in India

CMF is launching the CMF Buds Neo as its most accessible entry-level earbuds in India. The product is set to go live on August 20 at 12 noon IST across India. The design has been teased in blue, orange, and black options, positioning them below the existing CMF Buds 2 series. The current CMF Buds 2 starts at Rs 2,699 with 48dB ANC, while the Buds 2 Plus is Rs 3,299. This launch happens while CMF is scaling back some planned product releases for 2026.

👑 Who was Sarvai Papanna, or 'Papadu'?

A statue of Sarvai Papanna, known as 'Papadu', is set to be unveiled on August 18, 2026, near Hussainsagar Lake in Hyderabad. This figure emerged in the first decade of the 18th century, challenging Mughal power in Hyderabad with an army of around 12,000. While some viewed his raids as wealth distribution for the poor, others saw him as a bold figure who eventually received recognition from the Mughal emperor. He belonged to the toddy tapper community, and his association with toddy is celebrated in local folklore. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar stated his struggle inspires the current generation. 👑

✨ 130-year business legacy: father's 3-word advice

A father of a 130-year-old antiques business shared a profound lesson with his daughter, Sarah Sham. This incident occurred during a podcast recording where the 'legacy slate' ritual was used. Instead of writing about the business, he wrote just three words: "keep my memory." He explained that memories, like family holidays, ultimately matter more than possessions. LinkedIn users widely praised this choice as a powerful reminder of true inheritance. 💖

🌡️ Antarctica is turning into a toxic hotspot

Rising global temperatures are causing Antarctica to become a hotspot for a dangerous pollutant. This environmental shift is being observed by scientists in the Antarctic region. Data indicates a concerning increase in the pollutant levels over the past few years. This trend is linked to changing climate patterns affecting the ice caps. Researchers are now studying ways to mitigate the impact of this toxic buildup. 🌡️