Indigo Airlines has issued a travel advisory for passengers flying out of Mumbai due to intense rainfall and widespread waterlogging. The airline warned of delays in both departures and arrivals, citing sluggish traffic and operational challenges caused by flooded roads leading to the airport. Passengers are urged to leave earlier than usual and check flight status via the Indigo app or website. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai, forecasting more heavy showers. Indigo expressed regret for the inconvenience and assured that teams are working to minimize disruptions. (PC: Hindustan Times & Indigo)

Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc and beyond accused the Election Commission (EC) of bias and evasion. At a press conference in Delhi, they alleged voter list fraud and demanded action against past election commissioners. Trinamool Congress filed a case in Calcutta High Court over EC’s request for block-level activist data. Rahul Gandhi, on his Vote Adhikar Yatra, claimed voter rights were stolen in Bihar. Congress and CPM criticized EC’s impartiality, while leaders like Akhilesh Yadav and M.K. Stalin questioned the EC’s silence on key issues. The opposition urged a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and fresh elections, citing compromised democratic integrity. (PC: The Hindu)

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House, days after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The high-stakes summit aimed to explore a resolution to the Ukraine war. Trump suggested Zelenskyy could end the war “almost immediately,” proposing Ukraine relinquish Crimea and abandon NATO ambitions but, Zelenskyy rejected. European leaders, including Macron, Starmer, and von der Leyen, joined the talks, emphasizing unity and peace. Zelenskyy handed Trump a letter from Ukraine’s First Lady for Melania Trump. The meeting marked a shift in U.S. diplomacy, with Trump pushing for trilateral talks involving Putin, Zelenskyy, and himself to forge a lasting peace. (PC: Al Jazeera & BBC) 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held his “best talks yet” with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Zelensky confirmed they spoke about “sensitive matters including security guarantees” for Ukraine. Trump said the U.S. will give Ukraine security guarantees as part of a future peace deal and claimed Russia would accept them. He also said a ceasefire is not needed to start peace talks. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged for a ceasefire. Trump added he will call Russian President Vladimir Putin later today to discuss next steps. (PC: BBC)

Mumbai is facing heavy rains, with the India Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert for the city and a red alert for nearby districts like Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Kolhapur, and Pune. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation announced that all schools and colleges will remain closed on Tuesday, August 19. Waterlogging was reported in areas such as Gandhi Market in Sion, while heavy traffic slowed down travel on major routes, including the Western Expressway. Airlines like Akasa Air and IndiGo advised passengers to leave early for flights. Police urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and stay indoors for safety. (PC: India Today)

New satellite images analysed by India Today’s OSINT team reveal that the Pakistan Navy took a defensive posture during Operation Sindoor in May. After Indian strikes on May 6–7, Pakistani warships were shifted from Karachi’s naval dockyard to commercial docks, while frontline vessels moved to Gwadar, near the Iranian border. Experts said this showed low operational readiness and attempts to avoid missile attacks. Vice Admiral SC Suresh Bangara (Retd) noted that warships hiding in civilian areas risked civilian safety. Analysts said India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant’s deployment put heavy pressure on Pakistan’s navy, forcing it into retreat. (PC: BBC)

A small village in Tripunithura, Kerala, has honoured a stray dog named Eldho with a lifelike statue at Kozhivettumveli junction. Eldho came to the locality 14 years ago and soon became part of the community. He joined weddings, festivals, school runs, and even escorted children and the elderly. Locals say he loved milk cake, which they called “Eldho cake.” When he passed away, residents led by autorickshaw drivers decided to immortalise him. Sculptor Jayan V K and his nephew Nibin V G made the statue. The memorial reflects love, loyalty, and compassion between people and their four-legged friend. (PC: Times Now)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington on Monday with top European leaders to meet Donald Trump. The group includes NATO chief Mark Rutte, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, UK prime minister Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron, German president Friedrich Merz, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish president Alexander Stubb. They are seen as Zelenskyy’s “bodyguards,” showing support as Trump pushes a Russia-friendly peace plan. European leaders want to stop any deal forcing Ukraine to give land to Moscow. They stressed Ukraine’s sovereignty, strong defense, and Europe’s security. Talks at the White House will be tense. (PC: Instagram)

Foreign minister S Jaishankar met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on Monday. He said, “The basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. It is also essential that the de-escalation process move forward.” Jaishankar stressed that India and China must work together after a difficult phase in relations. He also called for stronger action against terrorism, noting China’s links with Pakistan. He added that India supports a multipolar Asia and a fair world order. Both sides agreed to continue dialogue on global issues. (PC: NDTV)

India’s rabies vaccine market is set to grow after the Supreme Court ordered the removal, sterilisation, vaccination, and sheltering of all stray dogs within eight weeks. The ruling is expected to raise demand for both human and veterinary rabies vaccines. India accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths, with 18,000–20,000 deaths each year, according to WHO. Dog bite cases rose from 21 lakh in 2022 to 37 lakh in 2024. The human rabies vaccine market is valued at ₹500 crore, while the veterinary segment is projected to grow faster than expected. Experts say timely access remains a public health challenge. (PC: Business Today)