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• Massive flash floods in central Nepal have resulted in numerous deaths and left over 750 people missing, including 133 Indian nationals. • Indian authorities report that at least 290 Indian citizens currently remain "uncontactable" following the deluge. • Both Nepal and China have issued warnings regarding fresh flood risks, indicating that the region remains under significant threat.

• The Air Force chief is conducting a visit to rural villages to assess developmental needs and understand the specific challenges and aspirations of local residents. • A Delhi court has convicted alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar for impersonating a sitting Supreme Court judge in 2017 to illegally influence a bail hearing in a corruption case. • The court characterized Chandrasekhar's actions as a "direct affront" to the independence and sanctity of the judicial process, highlighting the severity of the fraud.

• On August 25, 2026, the Supreme Court criticized the lack of public information regarding 19 appellate tribunals established to handle special intensive revision (SIR) appeals in West Bengal. • The court noted that despite the tribunals being constituted five months ago, available data on the proceedings remains sparse or speculative. • This transparency gap is particularly critical as the state approaches upcoming municipal elections, where such revisions could impact voter eligibility.

• Ten European countries have restored border checks, signaling a potential decline in European solidarity and the viability of the Schengen common area. • The tension escalated on August 26, 2026, after Italy imposed restrictions on travelers from Spain, prompting an immediate retaliatory response from Madrid. • These diplomatic frictions are driven by an ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish exclave located in North Africa.

• On August 26, 2026, the Indian stock market showed mixed results with the Sensex remaining flat and the Nifty 50 slipping despite improving global cues. • Market activity focused on the BSE and NSE, reflecting a cautious sentiment among investors regarding current share prices. • A recent acquisition was noted as complementary to business operations, though analysts expect its overall financial impact to remain limited.

• A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed on Tuesday in the Bombay High Court challenging a Maharashtra government mandate requiring taxi, auto-rickshaw, and app-based cab drivers to have working knowledge of Marathi. • The petition targets a notification from the Home (Transport) Department dated August 12, 2026, which amended the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. • This rule makes Marathi proficiency a mandatory condition for the granting and renewal of driving licenses and permits for commercial drivers in the state.

• Chinese AI firms, including DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and Z.ai, are now providing consistent competition to leading AI models from the US and EU at the enterprise level. • The rise is driven by the technical capabilities and financial appeal of these models, challenging the previous dominance of Western AI ecosystems. • This shift is significant as it signals a narrowing gap in the global AI race, potentially altering the landscape of enterprise technology adoption.

• German politician Friedrich Merz vowed that those responsible for hybrid attacks against Germany "will pay" following the discovery of a third drone at Leipzig/Halle airport. • The airport is a critical logistics hub used by the German military and NATO allies for transporting military goods, and it serves as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines. • These incidents highlight an escalation in hybrid warfare targeting strategic infrastructure, raising security concerns for NATO operations and Ukrainian support.

• Prof Michel Chossudovsky and Drago Bosnic released a video on August 24, 2026, discussing a Medical Professionals Report submitted to the U.S. Congress regarding President Trump. • The report claims that the President presents a "clear and present danger" to both the United States and the global community. • Key medical concerns cited in the letter include an escalating loss of self-control and other psychological instabilities.

• The HinduBusinessLine has issued a stock recommendation for IndusInd Bank for August 24, 2026. • Analysts highlight that the bank is currently exhibiting a bullish long-term trend, suggesting a strong foundation for growth. • The recommendation is based on technical indicators pointing toward a potential upcoming rally in the stock's price.

• Indian equities are expected to open lower on August 25, 2026, as markets face pressure from geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the upcoming Nifty expiry. • Key global triggers include Brent crude futures hovering around $92 a barrel and a general slip in Asian shares ahead of Nvidia’s earnings report. • Geopolitical instability has intensified following Iran's pledge to retaliate against expanded economic sanctions imposed by the United States.

• The Juvenile Justice Board (JJC) has ordered a detailed report following a report by The Hindu regarding the sexual assault of minor girls. • Two individuals were arrested for the assaults, as detailed in an article published on August 10, 2026. • The JJC directed the police, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Welfare officials, and the Women Development and Child Welfare Department to provide the documentation.

• On August 24, 2026, the opposition BJP and JD(S) parties accused Karnataka's State Information and Publicity Department of providing biased coverage of Legislative Assembly proceedings. • Protesting members raised slogans against the department and stormed the well of the House to voice their grievances. • The unrest was further intensified by allegations of irregularities within the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation.

• Peter Koenig and Prof Michel Chossudovsky released a video on August 23, 2026, titled "The War Economy To the Detriment of Humanity." • The presentation argues that rising global defense spending is causing financial instability and the collapse of welfare states. • The authors claim that corrupt politicians are prioritizing military expenditures over societal programs, negatively impacting the world's 8 billion residents.

• Jubilant Pharmova Ltd announced that the USFDA has approved commercial batch manufacturing for the first product on Line 3, a new Isolator-based fill-and-finish line. • The approval applies to the Jubilant HollisterStier LLC (JHS) contract manufacturing facility located in Spokane, Washington, US. • This development is significant as it expands the production capabilities of Jubilant's subsidiary network, including Jubilant Pharma Holding Inc. and Jubilant Pharma Limited, Singapore.

• On August 24, 2026, the Indian stock market saw gains, with the Nifty 50 topping 24,300 and the Sensex rising by over 200 points. • Market attention is now focused on the upcoming Jackson Hole symposium, where signals regarding inflation and interest rates will be critical. • Analysts warn that a hawkish message could increase Treasury yields and strengthen the dollar, potentially reducing demand for risk assets like cryptocurrency.

• The August 23, 2026, edition of "Science Snapshots" highlights three distinct scientific breakthroughs involving narwhal tusks, the effects of psychedelics, and diamond resilience. • Researchers examined how diamonds maintain their structural integrity under extreme pressure and investigated the biological properties of narwhal tusks. • These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of material science and neurobiology, offering insights into extreme environmental adaptation and mental health.

• Union Bank of India's stock has entered a bullish trend after rallying since early July and surpassing a key resistance barrier at ₹178. • The stock found initial support at ₹154 and is currently trading around ₹183, indicating strong upward momentum. • Analysts suggest the stock is likely to continue rising from its current level or after a potential slight softening back to ₹178.

• In an article dated August 21, 2026, Prof Michel Chossudovsky and Felicity Arbuthnot report that medical experts have declared Donald Trump "mentally unfit" and are calling for his urgent removal from office. • The report alleges that the White House is contemplating nuclear war under a strategy described as "Make Nuclear Weapons Great Again." • Key details include claims that Pentagon specialists are discussing the deployment of nuclear weapons under the leadership of Peter Hegseth.

• The Jharkhand High Court issued a stay on Friday, August 21, 2026, regarding notifications that cancelled the appointments of Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs). • The court's ruling also extends to individuals recruited through the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination. • This legal intervention protects the job security of affected recruits who faced sudden termination of their appointments.

• BJP and JD(S) lawmakers staged a protest in Bengaluru on August 21, 2026, demanding the immediate resignation of Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra. • The protests took place at the Legislators' Home (LH) campus in front of the Maharshi Valmiki statue. • Minister Nagendra is facing serious allegations of embezzling funds from the Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation.

• India has approved ₹4,896 crore in foreign direct investment (FDI) across 29 different projects under revised regulatory rules. • The new guidelines permit up to 10% Chinese ownership in these ventures, reflecting a calibrated approach to foreign capital. • For FY26, the government approved only one direct Chinese FDI proposal worth ₹1 crore, though 13 proposals from Hong Kong were cleared.

Reports say Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have returned to Britain due to ‘top secret’ acting role for Meghan – we try to guess what it might be?In 2022, two years after she and Prince Harry bolted to California in an unhappy exit from the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex was asked if she could foresee ever returning to acting. “No, I’m done,” she told Variety magazine. “I guess never say never, but my intention is to absolutely not.”Well guess what – she’s back! At least according to news reports that claim the couple’s otherwise wholly unexpected return to the UK can be explained by one key factor – a new acting role for Meghan. Continue reading...

• Rahil Prakash, a 21-year-old, admitted to running a website that published fake election polls to test how easily misinformation could penetrate the political ecosystem. • The fabricated data influenced several races, including the LA mayoral contest between Karen Bass and Nithya Raman, and a Wisconsin governor's primary where candidate Francesca Hong was falsely reported to lead by over 20 percentage points. • The incident highlights a critical vulnerability in the political press, as some California media outlets picked up and shared the fake polls without verification.

• Indian equity markets ended largely flat on Friday, August 21, 2026, with the Nifty 50 edging up 0.08% to 24,252 and the BSE Sensex closing unchanged at 77,540.83. • Despite the flat daily finish, both benchmarks suffered weekly losses, with the Nifty 50 dropping 0.5% and the Sensex falling 0.6%. • The downward trend was driven by macroeconomic pressures, specifically elevated crude oil prices and rising global bond yields.

First Muslim woman and Afghan American elected to California legislature held lead throughout race over main opponent Melissa HernandezSign up for the US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to our live coverage of US politics.Following a bitter intra-party battle, progressive Aisha Wahab has been elected to Congress in a special election to fill the seat formerly held by Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April after facing sexual misconduct allegations (he has denied the allegations).Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, who turned on the president in 2019, when he compared him to a mobster during congressional testimony, executed another 180-degree turn, showering the president with praise during a friendly conversation between the two men on Cohen’s New York City radio show.The White House faced fresh questions over whether Donald Trump’s closest aide, Natalie Harp, had access to US government secrets without security clearance.At a Rose Garden event to promote Melania Trump’s advocacy for foster children, the first lady opened with a joked about her lack of recent public appearances, as her husband looked on with something less than rapt attention.One week after Trump ordered his navy secretary to redesign a new aircraft carrier, the USS Doris Miller - to scrap the modern electromagnetic system used to launch fighter jets, and install old-fashioned steam-powered catapults instead - CNN reports that the navy is considering another change to the same ship: removing the name of Miller, a Black sailor known for his heroism during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, and naming it instead the USS Donald Trump.The non-partisan Cook Political Report updated its midterm election forecast to rate the US Senate races in both Texas and Iowa, which had leaned in favor of Republicans, as toss ups that could break for Democrats. Continue reading...

• On August 21, the Indian stock market showed resilience as the Sensex rose 100 points following a flat opening, while the Nifty traded around 24,260. • Power Grid Corp and Kotak Mahindra Bank emerged as the top gainers, contributing to a broader Asian trend where India led gains at 0.82%, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore. • Technical indicators show an RSI near 79, signaling elevated buying activity, with critical support levels identified between $0.115 and $0.118.

• Indian equities ended their losing streak on August 20, 2026, with the Sensex climbing 628.04 points (0.82%) to 77,537.72 and the Nifty 50 rising 153.55 points (0.64%) to 24,231.85. • The rally was driven by broad-based gains in IT and financial stocks, supported by improved global risk appetite and advances in US indices like the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq. • Positive momentum extended across Asian markets, highlighted by a significant 5.63% rally in South Korea, while the VIX fell by 6%.