Lucknow Student Protest, North Korea Missile Tensions, Bhogapuram Airport & Delhi Road Protest

Around 200 students of Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvoday Girls School blocked Lucknow-Dubbaga Road for two hours in heavy rain, protesting a six-month teacher shortage. The students said their school lacks Physics and Chemistry teachers ahead of board examinations. They also complained about rude staff behaviour and alleged that officials ignored earlier complaints. The protest followed a similar demonstration by boys from the institution three days earlier. Police later persuaded the girls to return safely to the school. Authorities have begun reviewing their demands, while the students’ action has drawn praise for highlighting the challenges faced by economically weaker students.

North Korea has launched ballistic missiles toward allied waters in recent days and threatened a strong response to the United States and South Korea. Pyongyang has rejected diplomatic talks proposed by President Donald Trump and continues to refuse denuclearization. Trump said he ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises. He described the drills as costly, hostile and inappropriate, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The decision has raised concerns among allies, who fear that reducing military exercises could weaken regional deterrence and encourage further provocations from Pyongyang.

Bhogapuram’s new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport welcomed its first commercial flight on August 17, marking the start of a new aviation era for Andhra Pradesh. Passengers praised the modern design, live music and spacious facilities, while Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called the airport a major boost for jobs and economic growth. The old Visakhapatnam Airport, which served the region since the 1960s, will now mainly support military operations. Some employees worry about their future, and locals described the shutdown of civilian services as an emotional farewell to a long-time landmark.

Delhi Police and CRPF deployed tear gas shells and lathis in Burari on Sunday as hundreds of residents staged a sit-in demanding AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha’s resignation. Protesters said the main road has remained broken for five years, despite repeated complaints. They accused Jha of ignoring the area’s basic infrastructure needs and said they were embarrassed to invite guests home. The protest came three weeks after the CJP’s Jantar Mantar demonstration. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also backed the residents’ concerns. The confrontation highlighted growing anger over poor roads and the lack of action from local authorities.