1. Nearly 12% of tested spice samples failed to meet quality and safety standards, according to data obtained by Reuters of tests by Indian authorities after several countries took steps over contamination risks in two popular brands.

2. At least six people were killed and four others injured Sunday due to lightning strikes at various places in state, police said.

3. The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and will hear the case August 20, as protests demanding justice for the victim continued across the nation for the tenth day.

4. With 500 positive cases, Khurda district has emerged a dengue hotspot in the state where more than 2,000 cases have been recorded so far. Source in the state Health Department said Sunday that around 700 cases have been found in Sundargarh, Bolangir and Cuttack districts, which are closely trailing Khurda.

5. The two-day orientation programme for newly-elected members of Odisha Legislative Assembly concluded here Sunday.

6.Energised by the release of senior leader Manish Sisodia from jail after 17 months, the AAP has intensified its preparations for next year’s Delhi Assembly elections, organising workers’ meetings in each constituency to design the campaign.

7.An application was filed with a court in Bangladesh Sunday to register a case against deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 33 others, accusing them of carrying out a mass murder by indiscriminately firing on a rally organised in 2013 by Hefazat-eIslam here

8.Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rakesh Pal, who played a key role in boosting his force's operational prowess, died at a hospital in Chennai Sunday following a cardiac arrest,

9.Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren Sunday said he experienced "bitter humiliation" as chief minister, which compelled him to seek an alternative path.

10.A local court here Sunday granted Odisha Police five-day remand of Raju Mandal, an accused in the SIM box racket, officials said. West Bengal resident Mandal was arrested Saturday with over 1,000 pre-activated SIM cards along with routers .

11.The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee Sunday announced that it would join the nationwide protest on the Hindenburg Research's latest allegations and will gherao the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office here August 22.

12.French film legend Alain Delon, a divisive star known to some as a sex symbol and to others as an egotistical chauvinist, has died aged 88, his children announced Sunday.

13.Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann felicitated Sunday eight hockey players of the state who were part of the Indian team that won the bronze in Paris, with a cash prize of Rs1 crore each.

14.Jay Shah, the Secretary of the BCCI, congratulated talismanic batter Virat Kohli for completing 16 years of playing international cricket.

15.Vinesh Phogat received a grand welcome on her return to the country and after being feted by several supporters and 'khap panchayats' en route to her village Balali.