Spain and Portugal are battling record wildfires as heatwaves and drought fuel flames across both countries. More than 343,000 hectares of land have burned in Spain this year, the highest on record, while Portugal has lost 216,000 hectares. At least six people, including two firefighters, have died. Thousands have been forced to leave their homes as over 20 major fires rage in western Spain’s Galicia, Castile and Leon, and Extremadura. Portugal deployed 2,000 firefighters in the north and center. Both countries are receiving international help, but strong winds and smoke hinder aircraft. Officials hope cooler weather brings relief soon. (PC: Al Jazeera)

Comedian Zakir Khan has made history by becoming the first Indian to perform a Hindi comedy show at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The 37-year-old from Indore performed to a sold-out crowd of 6,000 fans on August 17 as part of his North America tour. Known for his “sakht launda” persona and emotional storytelling, Zakir shared his joy on Instagram, calling it a “big day.” His show featured humor, shayari, and collaborations with comedian Tanmay Bhat. Earlier, his poster lit up Times Square. Zakir has also performed at Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House. (PC: X)

Heavy rains have brought Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra to a standstill, leaving at least 6 people dead and many displaced. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and Pune. Roads, subways, and train tracks are waterlogged, disrupting travel and suspending local train services. Schools, colleges, and government offices remain closed. Officials said floods and crop damage have hit several districts including Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the situation and warned that the next 48 hours are crucial as rain is expected to continue in many districts. (PC: HT)

Veteran actor Achyut Potdar, remembered for his role as a professor in 3 Idiots, passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 91. He died at Jupiter Hospital in Thane, though the exact cause remains unknown. His last rites will be held on August 19 in Thane. Potdar worked in both Hindi and Marathi films, with notable roles in Tezaab, Parinda, Rangeela, Vaastav, Parineeta, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, and Dabangg 2. He also appeared in popular TV shows like Wagle Ki Duniya and Bharat Ki Khoj. Fans and colleagues are mourning the loss of the beloved actor. (PC:Times Now)

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)

India announced their 15-member squad for the Asia Cup T20, set to be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, with Shubman Gill named vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah secured his place in the squad, while Jitesh Sharma was picked as the second wicketkeeper ahead of Dhruv Jurel. Sanju Samson will be the first-choice wicketkeeper. Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar strengthen the all-rounder options, with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as specialist spinners. India will open against hosts UAE on September 10, with a high-voltage clash against Pakistan on September 14. (PC: India Today)

Two elderly Sikh men were brutally attacked outside Wolverhampton Railway Station in the UK on August 15. Videos showed one victim lying on the ground without his turban, while another was kicked and punched. British Transport Police confirmed three men, aged 17, 19, and 25, were arrested and later bailed. The attack is being treated as a racially aggravated hate crime. Both victims, local taxi drivers, were taken to hospital and later discharged. Sikh leaders in India and the UK strongly condemned the assault. They urged UK authorities to act swiftly and ensure the safety of the Sikh community.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi for fresh border talks. Yi said past setbacks between India and China were “not in our interest” and stressed that stability had been restored at the border. He welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Doval noted that peace had prevailed at the border for nine months and that both countries had gained since the Kazan BRICS Summit. Both sides agreed that better ties serve long-term interests as they mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. (PC: News18)

The INDIA opposition bloc has named retired Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy as its Vice President candidate. Born in 1946 in present-day Telangana, Reddy studied law at Osmania University and became an advocate in 1971. He served as a government pleader, legal adviser, and later as judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995. In 2005, he became Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court and was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2007, retiring in 2011. He also served briefly as Goa’s first Lokayukta. The election is on September 9, where he faces NDA’s candidate, CP Radhakrishnan. (PC: NDTV)