🔥 Political row over venue 'purification' post Kharge rally

A political spat broke out between the BJP and Congress regarding a 'shuddhikaran' ceremony at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground. Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged the 'Shri Ram Sena' was BJP-linked, claiming it targeted Kharge due to his Dalit background. The incident occurred after Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there on August 8th. Godiyal called the ritual a crime against humanity, highlighting ideological divides. The BJP denied these links and countered by accusing Congress of disrespecting Dalit leaders.

🩺 Andhra Pradesh pushing for big AIDS control goals

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced efforts to meet the 95-95-99 HIV/AIDS targets by December 2026. This was declared during the launch of a two-month IEC campaign in Vijayawada on Wednesday, August 12. Currently, the state has reached 88%, 87%, and 96.2% progress for the respective metrics. The Minister also unveiled the Suraksha Dashboard to track and address gaps in the control programmes. Awareness will be boosted through various mediums focusing on women testing and preventing mother-to-child transmission. 🩺

🎓 NIT-Calicut kicks off session with 900+ scholars

NIT-Calicut held its orientation program for newly admitted postgraduate and doctoral scholars on Wednesday. More than 900 students joined the campus, showing high academic demand for the institute. Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan was the chief guest, while Prof. Prasad Krishna presided over the event. He encouraged students to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset for national development. The orientation introduced scholars to the institute’s research ecosystem and academic rules. 📚

📈 Stocks to watch: Earnings reports drop this week 📊

Several companies are in the spotlight after reporting their June quarter earnings. Astral Ltd and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd released strong results for the first quarter of FY27. Tata Motors showed an 83.3% rise in consolidated profit, while UltraTech Cement is planning a large share sale. Various other firms like Lenskart and Sun TV Network Ltd also shared their Q1 performance updates. Investors will be tracking these numbers closely as markets react to the diverse reports.

🌕 Solar eclipse dazzles globe, misses India

A rare total solar eclipse happened on August 12, 2026, creating a stunning show across the Northern Hemisphere. The event passed over Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and parts of Portugal. Totality lasted for 1 minute and 37 seconds in Valoria la Buena, Spain. While Europe saw spectacular views, India was outside the visible path entirely. The celestial event concluded worldwide, leaving behind incredible sky footage. 🌠

🦠 TB: Still killing more than any other infection

Tuberculosis remains the world's deadliest infectious disease, killing over 1.3 million people annually, primarily in developing nations and Canada's North. The book highlights how Canadians have largely forgotten about this severe health issue despite its ongoing threat. The bacterium's tough cell wall makes it hard for the immune system and drugs to eradicate it fully. Early treatment relied on injections and sanatoriums, drastically different from recent health crises. This persistent threat reminds us about the need for better global health preparedness. 🦠

👮 Anantapur SP checks police stations for upgrades

Anantapur Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh conducted surprise inspections at Raptadu, Itukalapalli, and Bukkarayasamudram police stations on Wednesday. He reviewed station functioning, records, and facilities like visitor registers and pending cases. The SP emphasized keeping premises clean and ensuring all police operations are highly efficient. Furthermore, he directed staff to prioritize women's safety and promote cybercrime awareness at the village level. Strict enforcement against traffic violations and courteous treatment of complainants were also stressed.

⌚ Pixel Watch 5 drops with Gemini and health boosts

Google officially launched the Pixel Watch 5, focusing heavily on new health and AI features. This new smartwatch is available alongside the latest Pixel 11 series, introducing blood pressure and insulin resistance trend tracking. The watch comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes, with the 45mm model offering up to 40 hours of battery life. It integrates smarter Gemini assistance and upgraded workout tools for users. Pre-orders are open, priced at ₹42,900 for the smaller model.

🚨 Pakistani national, aide arrested over ISI links

The West Bengal STF arrested a Pakistani national and his aide on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The accused, Rana Rauf, was from Faisalabad, and the arrest took place in Bangaon, North 24 Parganas district. Rauf had allegedly visited India about six times since 2012, collecting sensitive data on Indian Railways and Army. He was planning to flee to Bangladesh and used a fake identity while gathering intelligence for ISI agents. The STF is currently tracing Rauf's other agents across Bengal, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

🏏 CPL 2026: Lucia Kings vs Nevis Patriots clash

The Caribbean Premier League 2026 Match 5 is set for August 12th at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia. Saint Lucia Kings are currently third on the points table, while St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots are in sixth place. Stats suggest Saint Lucia Kings are likely to win this upcoming encounter. Both teams have key players like Andries Gous and Kevin Wickham contributing heavily to their performances. The match handicap prediction leans in favor of the Saint Lucia Kings. 🏏

🏏 Golf balls fly as Bangladesh heads to Darwin

The Bangladesh team experienced golf ball interruptions during practice at Marrara Oval in Darwin. This was caused by errant drives from the Australian team during their nets session. The first Test between Australia and Bangladesh is scheduled for August 13-17, 2026. The pitch is described as hard and expected to quicken, making conditions tough for Bangladesh. They are still hoping to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final. 🏏