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NEW The Hindu Mon 17 Aug 2026 07:35:14 AM

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes Minahassa Peninsula; third to strike Indonesia

SUMMARY

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Minahassa Peninsula in Sulawesi, Indonesia, marking the third significant seismic event to hit the country in a short period. The quake was recorded at a shallow depth, raising concerns about potential damage and aftershocks. Indonesia, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences earthquakes due to tectonic plate activity. Authorities issued warnings urging residents to stay alert. No immediate tsunami warning was issued, but emergency teams were deployed to assess damage and casualties.

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NEW The Hindu Sun 16 Aug 2026 11:15:13 PM

August Krogh’s Nobel winning discovery of oxygen supply to muscles

SUMMARY

August Krogh, a Danish physiologist, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1920 for his groundbreaking discovery of the capillary motor-regulating mechanism that controls oxygen supply to muscles. He demonstrated that capillaries in muscles are not continuously open but open and close based on the tissue's oxygen demand. During rest, few capillaries are active, but during exercise, more open to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery. His work revolutionized understanding of microcirculation and how the body efficiently regulates oxygen distribution to tissues based on metabolic needs.

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NEW Firstpost Sun 16 Aug 2026 08:00:16 PM

Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman urges ‘conducive environment’ to reset ties with India amid Hasina row

SUMMARY

Bangladesh's acting leader Tarique Rahman has called for a "conducive environment" to rebuild ties with India, strained over ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's shelter in India. Hasina fled to India in August 2024 after mass protests toppled her government. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has demanded Hasina's return to face trial. Rahman, BNP's acting chairman, emphasized diplomatic dialogue while tensions persist over border issues, trade disputes, and minority rights concerns in Bangladesh.

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NEW News 18 Hindi Sun 16 Aug 2026 07:20:02 PM

Vantara Hits New Conservative Milestone On 80th Independence Day, 20 Blackbucks Rewilded In Banni Grasslands

SUMMARY

On India's 80th Independence Day, Vantara—an animal welfare initiative by Anant Ambani under Reliance Industries—achieved a conservation milestone by rewilding 20 blackbucks into the Banni Grasslands of Kutch, Gujarat. This effort aims to restore the native blackbuck population in their natural habitat, bolstering biodiversity in one of Asia's largest grasslands. The rewilding follows Vantara's broader mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing animals back into the wild responsibly.

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NEW Firstpost Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:45:13 PM

Lok Sabha clears more Supreme Court judges, but experts warn it may not fix India's 5-crore backlog

SUMMARY

India's Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2025, increasing the sanctioned strength of SC judges from 34 to 40 (including the CJI). The move aims to address India's massive judicial backlog of over 5 crore pending cases across all courts. However, legal experts caution that simply adding judges won't resolve the crisis, as most cases pile up in lower and high courts, not the Supreme Court. They advocate for systemic reforms like better case management, digitization, alternative dispute resolution, and filling existing vacancies in subordinate courts. Critics also highlight infrastructure gaps and procedural delays as root causes needing urgent attention.

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NEW News 18 Hindi Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:45:07 PM

After NALSAR, Bengaluru Law University Students Oppose CJI Kant's Presence At Their Convocation

SUMMARY

Students of Bengaluru's National Law School of India University (NLSIU) have opposed Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna's invitation as chief guest at their convocation, following a similar protest by NALSAR Hyderabad students against former CJI DY Chandrachud. Students cite concerns over recent Supreme Court judgments they view as undermining civil liberties and judicial independence. They demand the university reconsider the invitation, reflecting growing discontent among law students regarding judiciary's accountability and transparency.

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NEW Firstpost Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:30:02 PM

India at 80: A young nation faces an ageing South and a job-hungry North

SUMMARY

India turns 80 in 2027 amidst a stark demographic divide. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu face rapidly ageing populations with declining fertility rates, straining pension and healthcare systems. Meanwhile, northern states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have a youth bulge, demanding massive job creation. This North-South divide fuels tensions over resource allocation, parliamentary seat redistribution, and migration. India must balance elder care in the South with employment generation in the North to harness its demographic dividend before it becomes a burden.

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NEW Hindustan Times Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:25:12 PM

On Cam: Military Parades Mark Poland's Armed Forces Day At Sea, In Air And On Land

SUMMARY

Poland celebrated Armed Forces Day with grand military parades showcasing its growing defense capabilities on land, sea, and in the air. The event featured troops marching, naval vessels, fighter jets, and advanced military equipment, highlighting Poland's commitment to national security amid rising tensions in Europe due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Senior officials, including the president and defense minister, attended the ceremony, honoring soldiers' service and sacrifice. Poland, a key NATO member, has significantly boosted defense spending, becoming one of the alliance's top spenders relative to GDP, reinforcing its role as a frontline defender in Eastern Europe.

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NEW Firstpost Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:25:02 PM

Govt refers FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 to JPC amid Opposition protests

SUMMARY

The Indian government introduced the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) Amendment Bill 2026 in Parliament, proposing changes to regulations governing foreign funding received by NGOs, trusts, and civil society organizations. Amid fierce Opposition protests alleging the Bill aims to stifle dissent and target critical NGOs, the government referred it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny. Opposition parties demanded broader consultations, calling the amendments draconian and threats to democratic freedoms. The JPC will examine the Bill's provisions and submit recommendations before Parliament takes a final vote.

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NEW Hindustan Times Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:15:13 PM

Large clouds of smoke engulf Russia's Wildberries warehouse after Ukraine's massive attack on Moscow | Visuals

SUMMARY

A massive fire erupted at a Wildberries warehouse near Moscow after Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on the Russian capital. Thick clouds of smoke were seen billowing from the facility. Ukraine targeted multiple sites across Moscow and surrounding regions, escalating its cross-border strikes. Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, confirmed the warehouse was hit, disrupting operations. Russian air defenses intercepted several drones, but some got through, causing significant damage. No casualties were immediately reported. The attack marks a bold escalation in Ukraine's strategy.

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NEW The Times Of India Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:15:08 PM

Cauvery water row: SC to hear Tamil Nadu plea against Karnataka on August 17

SUMMARY

The Supreme Court will hear Tamil Nadu's plea against Karnataka on August 17 regarding the Cauvery water dispute. Tamil Nadu sought the court's intervention, alleging Karnataka failed to release its share of Cauvery water as per the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's directive. The long-standing interstate river dispute involves water sharing among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry. Tamil Nadu argues insufficient water release affects its farmers, especially during the crucial Samba cropping season.

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NEW Firstpost Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:15:02 PM

Isro gets Nasa Moon Base invite as India, US deepen space cooperation

SUMMARY

India's space agency ISRO has received an invitation from NASA to participate in the Artemis Moon Base project, marking a significant milestone in India-US space cooperation. This collaboration aligns with the Artemis Accords, which India signed in 2023. The partnership will enable ISRO to contribute to lunar exploration, including habitat development and scientific research on the Moon's surface. This invite strengthens bilateral ties, building on joint efforts like the NISAR satellite mission. India's growing space capabilities, demonstrated by Chandrayaan-3's successful lunar landing, make it a valued partner for NASA's ambitious plans to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the late 2020s.

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NEW Firstpost Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:05:08 PM

Lashkar commander dies mysteriously in Pakistan days after terror operative claims 30 killed

SUMMARY

A senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander died under mysterious circumstances in Pakistan, just days after a terror operative linked to the group claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 30 people. The commander's sudden death has raised suspicions of internal rifts, possible silencing by intelligence agencies, or a covert operation. Pakistani authorities have remained largely silent on the incident. The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of Pakistan-based terror outfits and their cross-border activities, particularly against India. Security agencies are investigating whether the death was natural, an assassination, or linked to infighting within the banned militant organization. The timing has fueled speculation about Pakistan's efforts to manage its image amid global pressure on terrorism.

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NEW News 18 Hindi Sun 16 Aug 2026 05:05:02 PM

Will Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman Visit India? Suspense Continues Amid Dhaka’s Sheikh Hasina-Hadi Case 'Conditions'

SUMMARY

Bangladesh's acting PM Muhammad Yunus's adviser Tarique Rahman's potential India visit remains uncertain. Dhaka has reportedly set conditions linking the visit to India's cooperation on the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after her ouster in August 2024, and resolution of the Hadi case involving a Bangladeshi national. India has sheltered Hasina, straining bilateral ties. Dhaka demands her return to face trial, while India maintains diplomatic silence, making Rahman's visit politically sensitive amid deteriorating relations.

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NEW News 18 Hindi Sun 16 Aug 2026 04:50:14 PM

Trump’s Secret Escape From Turkey | Secret Plane Switch After NATO Summit In Turkey | TGR

SUMMARY

During a NATO summit in Turkey, former President Donald Trump's security team executed a covert departure plan due to perceived threats. Instead of using the publicly known Air Force One, Trump was secretly switched to an alternate aircraft as a precautionary measure. The Secret Service orchestrated the decoy operation, with the original plane departing separately to mislead potential threats. This dramatic exit highlighted escalating security concerns during international diplomatic events and underscored the lengths taken to protect the U.S. president abroad. The incident raised questions about U.S.-Turkey relations and NATO security protocols.

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