A 15-year-old Class 10 student was stabbed to death by a Class 9 boy at a private school in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The victim, from the Sindhi community, died after being taken to hospital. The accused, from the Muslim community, has been taken into custody under juvenile laws. The incident sparked anger, with parents, Hindu groups, and ABVP activists protesting and vandalising the school. Some staff were also attacked. Heavy police deployment was made after clashes with protesters. Complaints were filed against the school principal and management, demanding accountability. Police said investigations are ongoing, and order is being restored. (PC: India Today)

Amid relentless heavy rain and extremely low visibility at Mumbai airport, an Air India pilot delivered a remarkably smooth and controlled landing, as captured in a video by a passenger. The footage—now viral—shows the aircraft gliding steadily through turbulence and touching down with minimal bump, earning widespread admiration for the pilot’s exceptional skill and composure . While social media comments varied on Air India’s broader performance, praise poured in for the pilot’s professionalism. This incident is being celebrated as a powerful reminder of the critical role of pilots' expertise during extreme weather conditions.  

The INDIA bloc has nominated former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy (Telangana) as their candidate for Vice President, positioning the contest as a defense of constitutional values . In response, the ruling NDA has fielded C.P. Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra from Tamil Nadu . Though the NDA holds numerical dominance in Parliament, the INDIA bloc emphasizes the symbolic power of Reddy’s legal stature and integrity . Political pressure mounts on regional allies like TDP as the contest unfolds. (PC: X)

The Centre will introduce three constitutional amendment bills in the Monsoon session to mandate removal of the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, and State/UT Ministers if arrested on serious criminal charges. Under the proposal, any official in custody for 30 consecutive days for an offence punishable with five years or more will be required to step down or face automatic removal on the 31st day. The bills seek amendments to Articles 75, 164, 239AA, Section 54 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, and Section 45 of the UT Act, aiming to strengthen accountability in governance. (PC: NDTV)  

On August 19, 2025, a Mumbai monorail train became stranded mid-journey between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park in pouring rain. With power and air conditioning gone, over 580 commuters, including senior citizens and children, resorted to using phone flashlights and napkins to fan themselves amid rising heat and suffocation. Rescuers deployed snorkel lifts and broke window panes to evacuate them in a 3½-hour operation. Simultaneously, a second overcrowded monorail also stalled, bringing the total number rescued to approximately 782—spotlighting urgent concerns over transit safety and crowd control during extreme weather.   

The central government will introduce three key bills in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, August 20. These bills aim to create a legal framework for removing the prime minister, union ministers, chief ministers, and state ministers if arrested on serious criminal charges. The proposals say leaders held in custody for 30 days for offences carrying at least five years’ jail must resign or face automatic removal. Union home minister Amit Shah will move to send the bills to a joint parliamentary committee. The Opposition is set to oppose, as the bills require no court conviction for removal. (PC: HT File)

The Union Cabinet has approved the Online Gaming Bill to regulate digital gaming in India. Sources said the Bill will ban all money-based gaming transactions and advertisements for real-money games. Banks and financial institutions will not be allowed to process or transfer funds for such platforms. The Bill promotes e-sports and non-monetary skill-based games while targeting unregistered and illegal sites. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will act as the central regulator. The move comes after concerns over fraud, addiction, and high taxes on online gaming. The Bill will be introduced in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. (PC: Indian Today)

In Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, India’s first Garbage Cafe is giving people meals in exchange for plastic waste. For 1 kg of plastic, people get rice, curries, dal, roti, salad, and pickles. For half a kg, they get snacks like samosas or vada pav. The project, started in 2019, helps reduce hunger and plastic pollution. The Ambikapur Municipal Corporation funds the scheme, which has already collected 23 tonnes of plastic. Other cities like Siliguri, Mysuru, and Mulugu have started similar cafes. Locals say it provides both food security and cleaner streets. Experts call it a small but important step. (PC: BBC)

The Press Club of India and Indian Women Press Corps condemned sedition charges filed against senior journalists Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar of The Wire by Assam Police’s Crime Branch. The FIR, filed under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, comes despite Supreme Court protection earlier granted to Varadarajan and other Wire journalists. The groups said Section 152 was a “repackaged sedition law” and is being used to silence the press. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR and repeal of Section 152, calling it a threat to free speech and press freedom in India. (PC: The Hindu)

Heavy rain crippled Mumbai on Tuesday, causing severe waterlogging, flight delays, and traffic chaos. The weather office issued a red alert for the city and suburbs. According to Flightradar, 155 outbound and 102 inbound flights at Mumbai Airport were delayed. Central Railway trains also ran 20–30 minutes late, while BEST buses were diverted from flooded routes. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for schools, colleges, and government offices. Several areas including Dadar, Andheri, and Sion were submerged. In Vasai, nearly 400 people were trapped due to flooding. Vikhroli recorded the highest rainfall with 255.5 mm in 24 hours. (PC: India Today)