Prime Minister Narendra Modi met NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate CP Radhakrishnan in Delhi on Monday. Modi praised Radhakrishnan’s long career in public life and said his experience would strengthen the nation. The BJP-led alliance announced Radhakrishnan as its nominee after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned in July due to health reasons. Radhakrishnan, a two-time MP from Coimbatore and former Governor of Jharkhand, has held several key roles in politics and governance. His nomination is also seen as a political move to strengthen the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu. The Vice Presidential election is expected soon. (PC: India Today)

A court ban on feeding pigeons in Mumbai has led to protests and clashes. Authorities say pigeon droppings spread serious lung diseases and worsen public hygiene. The Bombay High Court called public health “paramount” and ordered strict action against illegal feeding. But many animal lovers and the Jain community oppose the move, saying feeding pigeons is part of tradition and faith. Experts warn that overpopulation of pigeons is harming other urban birds and spreading infections. Activists suggest regulated feeding hours to balance health and heritage. An expert panel will now recommend alternatives for the city’s feeding centres. (PC: Getty Images)

A jawan of Chhattisgarh Police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG) was killed and 3 others injured in an IED blast triggered by Maoists in Bijapur district on Monday. The explosion took place in Indravati National Park when the team was on an anti-Maoist operation. DRG jawan Dinesh Nag died in the blast. The injured were given first aid and evacuated from the forest. Security forces have stepped up operations as part of the Centre’s mission to eliminate Maoism by March 2026. In recent months, many Maoists have been killed or surrendered during the ongoing crackdown in Chhattisgarh. (PC: NDTV)

The Yamuna river in Delhi has crossed the danger mark of 205.33 metres, raising flood concerns. Authorities said the rise is due to heavy rainfall and water release from the Hathnikund and Wazirabad barrages. On Sunday, all 18 gates of Hathnikund were opened for the first time this monsoon, releasing over 1.27 lakh cusecs of water. The Central Water Commission has warned that the water level may reach 206 metres by August 19. Evacuation from low-lying areas will begin if levels rise further. Officials have urged people to stay alert and move to safer places if needed. (PC: PTI)

On August 17, 2025, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar sharply responded to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s “vote theft” allegations (referred to as “vote chori”), demanding that he either submit a sworn affidavit substantiating his claims within seven days or issue a public apology—declaring there is “no third option” . The CEC described Gandhi’s allegations as an “insult to the Constitution” and said any failure to comply renders the claims baseless . This comes amid Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra, which aims to spotlight alleged electoral irregularities across multiple states. (PC: ANI)

At a media briefing on Sunday (August 17, 2025), Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that the Election Commission (EC) has not yet decided when to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and other states; the timeline will be set by the three Election Commissioners at an appropriate time . In West Bengal, preparatory steps—including uploading 2002 SIR data and rationalizing polling stations—are underway, although specific dates remain unsettled. (PC: PTI)

Rahul Gandhi reconnected with a 91-year-old loyalist, Karuna Prasad Mishra during the Congress-Bihar Padayatra. Mishra, a farmer from Madhya Pradesh, has a long history of walking with Congress leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He was invited by Rahul Gandhi to join the 1,300-km "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in Bihar, a campaign protesting against voter roll revisions. The article highlights Mishra's unwavering support and resilience, noting he walked for four months during the 2023 Bharat Jodo Yatra without his feet aching. His presence underscores a generational connection to the party's legacy and a shared commitment to its core values.

A viral video shows a family—husband, wife, and their young daughter—travelling from Noida to Delhi in an Uber cab when police signalled them to stop at a routine checkpoint near Parthala Bridge. With incomplete documents, the driver sped off instead, ignoring the family's desperate pleas to stop. During the reckless chase, the cab collided with another vehicle, causing minor injuries to the wife. The family finally escaped when the car stopped near Sector 66. The driver, identified as "Nasim" (alias Sonu), was later arrested and charged with multiple offenses including rash driving, kidnapping, forgery, and wrongful confinement. Over ₹29,000 in fines were issued, the vehicle was seized, and Uber removed him from its platform. 

In the Independence Day 2025 special of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, three distinguished women officers—Colonel Sofiya Qureshi (Indian Army), Wing Commander Vyomika Singh (Indian Air Force), and Commander Prerna Deosthalee (Indian Navy)—took the hot seat. Featuring personal accounts from Operation Sindoor, their participation underscored bravery and patriotism. Impressively, despite the time running out before the ₹50 lakh question, the trio correctly identified the designer of India Gate (Sir Edwin Lutyens) using Audience Poll and secured ₹25 lakh as winnings. They pledged the prize to the welfare funds of their respective services. (PC: Hindustan Times)  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, unveiled Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a next-generation, multi-layered air defence shield comparable to Israel’s Iron Dome, targeted for completion by 2035. The system will safeguard strategic and civilian assets with advanced interception, counter-strike, and cyber defence capabilities. Modi also urged the creation of Made-in-India fighter jet engines, appealing to scientists, engineers, and youth to drive defence self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The dual push—strengthening missile defence and reducing dependence on imports—signals a major strategic shift in India’s security policy and aims to boost domestic defence manufacturing capabilities. (PC: AP)