Breaking: Stunning News Headlines Transforming India – August 18, 2025

Headlines Trending in India and World: Politics, E-Commerce, Lifestyle, Sports, Health & Entertainment on 18th August 2025

1. Mumbai Rains: Red Alert Issued in Maharashtra as Heavy Downpour Causes Waterlogging

Mumbai and several parts of Maharashtra witnessed non-stop heavy rains today, leading to severe waterlogging in many areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the city and nearby districts, warning residents to stay cautious as more intense showers are expected in the coming hours. Local train services and road traffic have been badly affected, creating trouble for daily commuters. Authorities are advising people to avoid unnecessary travel and follow safety updates closely.

2. “Radhakrishnan’s Name Comes Up for Vice President Post… Did the ‘Dhankhar Factor’ Influence BJP’s Choice?”

The BJP-led NDA has announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the Vice President Election of India in September 2025. This decision follows the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down citing health reasons. Political discussions suggest that Dhankhar’s sudden resignation and the circumstances around it may have influenced the BJP’s approach in choosing their next candidate. Party sources indicate that the leadership considered not only political experience and loyalty but also the recent challenges faced during Dhankhar’s tenure. As a result, Radhakrishnan, known for his grassroots activism and long-standing association with the BJP and RSS, was chosen with consensus among NDA allies, possibly factoring in the lessons learned from the Dhankhar episode.

3. Airtel Network Down: Outage Turns Into Meme Festival Across Social Media

On August 18, 2025, a major Airtel network outage hit users across several Indian cities, causing widespread frustration as calls, SMS, and mobile internet stopped working for thousands. Reports to trackers like Downdetector peaked above 3,500 complaints, with voices from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and other metros highlighting how the downtime disrupted daily life—especially during crucial working hours.

But instead of just venting, social media users quickly turned their irritation into laughter. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) lit up with a flood of memes and witty posts poking fun at Airtel’s situation. Some compared the outage to “unexpected holidays,” while others joked about switching to carrier pigeons for urgent messages. Popular hashtags like #AirtelDown and #AirtelMemeFest began trending, with creative users sharing screenshots, GIFs, and playful takes on the telecom giant’s troubles.

Airtel acknowledged the issue on its social channels, assuring users that teams were working to restore services and apologizing for the inconvenience. Meanwhile, the meme fans continued to make the best of the downtime, pulling in likes and retweets as laughter replaced frustration for a few hours.

This episode shows how Indian netizens can turn a tech crisis into a social media party—using humor to cope and connect even when the signal drops.

4. Modi Government Plans Tax Cuts on Small Cars, Auto Stocks Jump

The Indian government is considering cutting taxes on small cars as part of new reforms announced under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. The news led to a surge in auto sector stocks including maruti, with investors reacting positively to the proposed changes. Experts say that lower taxes could boost car sales and make personal vehicles more affordable for middle-class families across India.

5. Here are the top stock gainers and losers on August 18, 2025

Top Gainers

Top Losers

Auto and consumer sectors drove the rally after reform proposals, helping the benchmark indices end the day strongly in green. Maruti Suzuki led the gains, while ITC was the top loser of the day.

6. West Bengal Releases Provisional NEET UG Merit List 2025; 11,178 Candidates Eligible for First Counselling Round

The West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee (WBMCC) has released the provisional merit list for NEET UG 2025 counselling. A total of 11,178 candidates have qualified for the first round of seat allotment for MBBS and BDS courses under the state quota. Students whose names appear in the merit list can now participate in the choice filling and locking process. The counselling is expected to help many aspiring doctors and dentists secure admission to medical and dental colleges in West Bengal. Candidates are advised to keep track of official updates on wbmcc.nic.in and complete their registration and option entry within the given timeline.

1. Payal Malik, You Tuberer Armaan Malik’s First Wife, Expecting Fourth Child; Not Second Wife Kritika

YouTuber Armaan Malik’s first wife, Payal Malik, has joyfully announced that she is pregnant with their fourth child. This news clears up confusion after Kritika Malik, Armaan’s second wife, shared a pregnancy-related post on social media, which led many to believe it was Kritika who was expecting. In a recent vlog, Payal opened up about her emotional journey with fertility struggles and IVF treatments over the years, calling this pregnancy a miraculous blessing after 15 years. The couple and their fans are excited to welcome the new addition to their unconventional yet closely-knit family.

8. Zakir Khan Makes History as First Indian to Perform Hindi Comedy at Madison Square Garden

Indian stand-up comedy star Zakir Khan has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first Indian to headline a Hindi comedy show at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden. On August 17, 2025, Zakir took the stage before thousands of fans, filling the iconic venue with laughter, desi jokes, and his signature charm.

The sold-out show highlighted Zakir’s journey from humble beginnings in Indore to an international sensation. His relatable humor, witty observations, and “sakht launda” catchphrases connected instantly with the audience, which included both South Asian fans and comedy lovers from around the world.

Social media lit up with congratulatory messages from celebrities and fellow comedians, celebrating Zakir’s achievement as a proud moment for Indian entertainment. Bollywood stars like Arjun Kapoor and Tabu praised his performance, while fans couldn’t stop sharing clips and reviews online.

In post-show interviews, Zakir expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support: “Performing in Hindi at Madison Square Garden felt like a dream come true. It’s proof that our stories and laughter can touch hearts across the globe.”

This historic event not only marks a personal triumph for Zakir Khan but also opens new doors for Indian comedy worldwide, inspiring many others to believe that language and culture are no barriers to success.

9. Bollywood Stars Including Gauri Khan, Neelam Kothari, and Zoya Akhtar Attend Vikram Phadnis’ Father’s Prayer Meet

Fashion designer and filmmaker Vikram Phadnis recently lost his father, and to honor his memory, a prayer meet was held in Mumbai on August 17, 2025. The event witnessed the presence of several prominent Bollywood personalities who came together to offer their condolences and support to Vikram during this difficult time.

Among the attendees were Gauri Khan, Neelam Kothari, Zoya Akhtar, Suhana Khan, Farah Khan, Farhan Akhtar, and Shweta Bachchan Nanda with her son Agastya Nanda. Actor Suniel Shetty, along with his wife Mana Shetty, and Bobby Deol with his wife Tanya Deol, were also present. Amrita Arora arrived with her mother, Joyce, while Saiyami Kher, Huma Qureshi, Neha Dhupia, and Angad Bedi were seen paying their respects.

The gathering reflected the strong bonds within the Bollywood community, showing solidarity and compassion amid personal loss. Vikram Phadnis, a respected figure in fashion and film for over three decades, expressed how his father was a pillar of strength throughout his journey. The outpouring of support from close friends and industry colleagues brought comfort during this difficult period.

The prayer meet was a heartfelt reminder that beyond the glamour, true friendships and support run deep in the film fraternity.

10. Ashok Leyland Q1 Profit Jumps 20% to ₹658 Crore, Revenue Crosses ₹11,700 Crore

Ashok Leyland reported a strong first quarter for FY26 with its net profit increasing by 20% year-on-year to ₹657.72 crore. The company’s consolidated revenue grew nearly 10% to ₹11,708.54 crore compared to the same period last year. This robust performance was supported by record commercial vehicle sales, hitting 44,238 units—the highest ever in a quarter for Ashok Leyland. The domestic medium and heavy commercial vehicle segment saw steady growth, with market share rising to 30.7%. Light commercial vehicle volumes also reached a quarterly high of 15,566 units. Exports grew by 29%, further boosting revenue. Ashok Leyland’s strong operational and financial performance led to an 8% jump in the company’s share price, hitting a 52-week high, reflecting investor confidence in its growth outlook.

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