Chennai and Kovalam, Tamil Nadu, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay are participating in key Centre-state discussions. Amit Shah meets CM Vijay in Chennai Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai ahead of the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting, marking their first meeting since Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister in May 2026. Shah shared photographs of the interac

Voting is scheduled from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Bangladesh time. Where lawmakers will choose between Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Oli Ahmed. Alamgir favored as Bangladesh holds historic presidential vote Bangladesh is holding its first contested presidential election in 35 years on Thursday, August 20, with ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir widely expected to win the largely ceremonial five-year post.

V Studios, the production house behind Deewana, has announced a new opportunity for aspiring filmmakers. Producers Vasudev Koppineni and Sridevi Karyampudi are inviting promising directors to submit their script synopsis or pitch deck, with selected candidates getting a chance to direct a film within 90 days. V Studios Opens Door for New Filmmaking Talent V Studios, known fo

US Treasury data released on Wednesday, August 19, showed national debt had crossed $40 trillion. As investors focus on rising federal deficits, higher interest costs and pressure in the Treasury bond market. US National Debt crosses historic $40 trillion mark The United States' gross national debt has crossed $40 trillion for the first time, marking a new milestone for the world's largest economy and renewing concerns over W

Varalakshmi Vratam 2026 will be observed on Friday, August 21, 2026, in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana according to Telugu panchang traditions. Puja is observed throughout the day, with morning, afternoon and evening Sthira Lagna periods preferred; exact timings vary by city. Varalakshmi Vratam 2026 date and puja timings Varalakshmi Vratam is one of the most important festivals dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and is widely celebrated in Andhra Prad

Actor Ram Pothineni made a heartfelt gesture toward his young fan Shashi, who has been battling serious health issues for the past two years. After learning about her wish to speak with him, Ram connected with her through a video call, encouraged her to stay strong and promised to meet her soon. Shashi’s Life Changed After Sudden Health Struggles Until about two years ago,

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has stepped in to address growing concern over private properties appearing in the Section 22-A prohibited lands list, directing revenue officials to verify affected properties within two days in cases where owners have already booked online registration slots. If verification establishes that the property is genuine private land, officials have been told to complete the registration immediately. Revanth Reddy Orders Two-Day Ve

HYDERABAD: Telangana Rakshana Sena president Kalvakuntla Kavitha has promised one acre of land to every landless poor family in Telangana if her party comes to power, putting land redistribution at the centre of her emerging political agenda. Kavitha announced the proposed Bhu Lakshmi scheme on August 18, arguing that access to land is essential for economic security and meaningful social justice. Kavitha One-Acre Promise Puts Land Back At Centre Of Politics Kavith

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has rejected BJP and JD(S) demands to remove Minister B. Nagendra from the Cabinet, defending his decision to bring the Ballari Rural MLA back into the ministry. The Opposition has disrupted proceedings in the Karnataka legislature while demanding Nagendra’s resignation over allegations linked to the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation case. Shivakumar Defends Nagendra’s Return To Karnataka Cabinet

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged India’s public sector banks to transform their image among young customers, asking them to become more appealing to Gen Z without compromising responsible banking standards. Speaking at the concluding session of PSB Confluence 2026, Sitharaman said state-run banks should focus on customers aged 16 and above with simple, personalised and accessible services. Banking for Youth was also one of the key themes discussed at the two-day gove

BENGALURU: Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized spurious medicines worth more than Rs 5 crore from an unlicensed facility near the Bidadi toll gate. Officials said the drug-control wing found medicines being repackaged and relabelled to resemble products sold by multinational pharmaceutical companies. The premises were allegedly operating without a valid licence. Karnataka FDA Busts Alleged Fake Drug Repackaging Racket Officials said t

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has announced a major expansion of maternity benefits for women government employees, increasing leave for the birth of a third child from 12 weeks to 365 days. Human Resources Management Minister D. Sarathkumar made the announcement in the Assembly while replying to the debate on demands for grants for his department. Tamil Nadu Extends One-Year Maternity Benefit To Third Child Under the existing policy, eligible women government

CHENNAI: A sharp political confrontation erupted between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and the DMK in the Tamil Nadu Assembly over the proposed relocation of Chief Minister Vijay’s office to Namakkal Kavignar Maligai. The debate, held during discussions on demands for grants for the Public Works Department, also widened to include tender procedures, the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, pension policy and major infrastructure projects. CM Office Shift Triggers Heated D

U.S. President Donald Trump said no talks are under way or scheduled with Iran, while Tehran insisted the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to shipping, exposing a widening gap after a ceasefire expired. Iranian officials said the strategic waterway would stay shut until Washington met conditions linked to an interim agreement signed in June. Trump Rules Out Talks With Iran Trump’s statement reduced expectations of an immediate diplomatic breakthro

Paris: France will expel two Iranian diplomats after accusing Iranian authorities of detaining and physically intimidating two members of the French embassy in Tehran during a July incident. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the expulsions would take place in the coming days, calling the episode intolerable and saying Paris had promised consequences. French officials say the two embassy staff members were detained for several hours on July 19 while carrying out professional dut