School Assembly Headlines for August 18: Top national, international, sports and business updates

The NDA has announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the post of Vice-President. A senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu with an RSS background, his candidature was declared by BJP president J P Nadda after consultations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and allies. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched the party’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, a 16-day march covering over 1,300 km across 20 districts. The campaign, protesting against what the Congress calls “vote chori,” began in Sasaram and will conclude with a rally in Patna on September 1. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has rejected allegations of bias in the Bihar voter list revision exercise and clarified that all parties, ruling or opposition, are treated equally during the electoral process. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated two major National Highway projects worth nearly ₹11,000 crore in Delhi. These include the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II.

On the international front, European leaders including Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and NATO chief Mark Rutte are set to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington for talks, following US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir has said the country possesses a “rare earth treasure” that could help ease its debt crisis and boost prosperity, even as Islamabad balances ties between the United States and China. In Canada, Air Canada will resume flights after a government directive ended the cabin crew strike that had caused the suspension of nearly 700 flights daily.

In sports, Pakistan has left out star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and a triangular series in the UAE. A 17-member team has been announced for the tournaments. In football, East Bengal stunned Mohun Bagan 2-1 in a fiery Kolkata Derby to reach the semifinals of the Durand Cup. Substitute Dimitrios Diamantakos scored twice to secure the win and set up a semifinal clash with Diamond Harbour.


In business news, Korean electronics giant Samsung has started manufacturing laptops in India at its Greater Noida plant, marking an expansion of its local production. Meanwhile, Taiwanese major Foxconn has commenced operations at its new Bengaluru factory, its second-largest unit in India, which has begun small-scale production of the upcoming iPhone 17.

School Assembly Headlines for August 18: National news

NDA picks Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as vice-president candidate
Maharashta Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu with an RSS background, was on Sunday named the vice-presidential candidate of the ruling National Democratic Alliance. BJP president J P Nadda made the announcement following a meeting of the party's parliamentary board, which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and consulting the party's allies.

Rahul Gandhi kicks off ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched the party’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, a 16-day march covering more than 1,300 km across over 20 districts. The campaign, aimed at protesting against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list and what the Congress calls “vote chori,” began from Sasaram and will culminate with a rally in Patna on 1 September.

Bihar SIR row: EC rejects allegations of bias and 'vote chori', says all parties equal before poll body
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday dismissed allegations of bias in the electoral process, saying it treats ruling and opposition parties alike, as Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) row picks up steam.

PM Modi inaugurates Delhi part of Dwarka Expressway, NH projects worth Rs 11,000 cr
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated two major National Highway projects worth a combined cost of nearly Rs 11,000 crore. This includes Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II).

School Assembly Headlines for August 18: International news

Keir Starmer, Macron, NATO's Rutte and other European leaders to join Ukraine's Zelenskyy for Trump meet
European leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Washington on Monday seeking an end to Moscow's invasion, after President Donald Trump dropped his push for a ceasefire following an Alaska summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Pakistan wants to earn billions with its 'rare earth treasure' while walking US-China tightrope
Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir has said the country possesses a “rare earth treasure” that could ease its debt burden and elevate it among prosperous nations, ANI reported citing Pakistan-based media.

Air Canada to resume flights after directive ending strike
Air Canada plans to resume flights on Sunday after the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) acted on a directive from the country's Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to end a cabin crew strike that caused the suspension of around 700 daily flights.

School Assembly Headlines for August 18: Sports news

Asia Cup: Pakistan leaves out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from T20 squad
Pakistan left out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for an upcoming triangular series and the Asia Cup as it named a 17-member squad on Sunday for the two T20 tournaments in the United Arab Emirates.

East Bengal ride Diamantakos brace to knock out Bagan, set Durand Cup semis against Diamond Harbour
A revamped East Bengal, inspired by Greek striker and substitute Dimitrios Diamantakos' double strike, stunned archrivals Mohun Bagan 2-1 in a fiery Kolkata Derby to storm into the semifinals of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup on Sunday. Diamantakos, brought on as an 18th-minute substitute after Moroccan forward Hamid Ahadad limped off injured, turned out to be the gamechanger.

School Assembly Headlines for August 18: Business news

Samsung begins manufacturing laptops in India
Korean electronics major Samsung has started production of laptops in India at its Greater Noida factory, sources told PTI.

Foxconn's Bengaluru unit commences operation with iPhone 17 production
Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn's Bengaluru factory, its second-largest manufacturing unit, has commenced operation with production of iPhone 17 recently at a small scale, reported PTI.

School Assembly Headlines for August 18: Thought of the Day

"It always seems impossible until it’s done." — Nelson Mandela