India

The Union government introduced the Online Gaming Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha, banning real-money gaming platforms and ads, empowering warrantless searches and arrests. It promotes e-sports, imposes strict penalties, and restricts financial transactions, despite potential Rs 20,000 crore tax revenue loss

US President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India, including 25% on Russian oil imports, to pressure an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. India rejected the move as “unjustified,” vowing to protect its national interests and economic security

A bomb threat email sent to Jaipur’s Palace School triggered a major security operation involving police, ATS, bomb squad, and cyber cell. The threat claimed IEDs were planted in classrooms and toilets, prompting extensive searches despite earlier false alarms

The Lok Sabha witnessed protests over Bihar’s electoral roll revision as Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced a bill banning online money gaming and related ads. Despite disruptions, the bill distinguishes eSports and social gaming, while prescribing penalties for violators

NDA candidate C P Radhakrishnan filed his vice-presidential nomination in Parliament, accompanied by PM Modi, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and senior NDA leaders. With broad alliance support, his election is almost certain. He earlier paid tributes at Prerna Sthal

A CPI(M) branch committee in Eloor, Kochi, mistakenly hoisted the Congress party’s flag instead of the national flag during Independence Day celebrations. The mix-up by an elderly leader lasted about 10 minutes before being corrected, but images went viral online

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) shares surged after reports that the firm is set to secure one of its biggest government defence contracts, worth around ₹62,000 crore, for 97 Tejas Mk1A jets. The deal strengthens HAL’s indigenous fighter programme

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public hearing at her residence by Rajkot resident Rajesh Sakariya, who hurled an object, slapped, and abused her. Police are interrogating him, treating it as a major security lapse

On Rajiv Gandhi’s 81st birth anniversary, PM Modi paid tributes on X, while Congress leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge visited Veer Bhumi to honour the former Prime Minister, also celebrated as Sadbhavana Divas.

Haryana government will hand over the investigation into 19-year-old teacher Manisha’s death in Bhiwani to the CBI following public outrage. Police claimed suicide by insecticide, but her family and villagers rejected the finding, demanding a fair and impartial probe.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said India won’t initiate normalisation with Pakistan after repeated betrayals, urging Islamabad to dismantle terror networks on its soil. He stressed India would reciprocate once Pakistan demonstrates genuine intent to curb terrorism.

Multiple Delhi schools, including SKV Malviya Nagar and Andhra School, received bomb threat emails early Wednesday, prompting police and fire services to conduct extensive search operations. Authorities are investigating while urging calm, as past threats in the city were hoaxes.

Daily Horoscope: Your stars are bringing good tidings for you. Check out your astrological predictions for Aug 20, 2025. May the day bring you happiness

Badminton in India is facing a shuttle crisis as feather supply drops and costs double, with BAI, Yonex and Gopichand stressing urgent need for synthetic alternatives and possible government support

Shubman Gill returns as India’s T20 vice-captain for Asia Cup 2025 alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, while Shreyas Iyer misses out; India face Pakistan in group stage on September 14

Redeem Tlang’s stunning first-half strike helped defending champions Northeast United edge Shillong Lajong 1-0 in the Durand Cup semifinal, securing a spot in the final after a gritty contest

All 582 passengers stranded on a Mumbai Monorail between Chembur and Bhakti Park were successfully rescued by the Mumbai Fire Brigade using snorkel ladder vehicles after a technical failure halted the train. A technical review is underway to prevent future incidents.

India’s U17 women’s team face Nepal in their SAFF U17 Championship opener in Bhutan. The round-robin tournament will decide the champion on August 31. Coach Joakim Alexandersson remains upbeat

The India Junior International Series 2025, a BWF-sanctioned tournament, begins August 20 at Gopichand Academy, Hyderabad, featuring 350 players from eight countries with ranking points at stake

Aligning the vision of high-ambition bloc with the development needs of primary producer nations is the way forward to ending plastic pollution

Rashmika Sahgal clinched the junior women’s 10m air pistol gold at the Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, while Manu Bhaker earned bronze, boosting India’s tally to five gold medals overall

India announced a strong 25-member squad led by Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda and Bhargav-Viswa pair for the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 in Guwahati, aiming to add to its medal tally

The Sixteenth Finance Commission must ensure fair devolution across Union, State, and Local governments

Indian airlines cancelled 5,706 flights in the first half of 2025 due to regulatory and geopolitical issues, Parliament was told. Despite cancellations, domestic air travel grew 7.34 per cent. Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and others reported varying cancellations