Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Karnataka bans tobacco; Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran resigns
On August 13, 2026, there was a lot of big news from India and around the world.
The state of Karnataka in India decided to stop stores from selling tobacco and nicotine products like gutka and pan masala for one whole year to keep people healthy.
A very important business leader, N Chandrasekaran, who was the chairman of Tata Sons, a big Indian company group, decided to step down, but he will stay until February 2027.
In China, a rocket exploded in the sky just 85 seconds after it launched from an island called Hainan.
In Syria, a former president was reportedly executed for war crimes.
And in sports, Afghanistan and India will play cricket matches against each other in New Delhi in September 2026.
There was also news about gold prices going up and a big bank in India starting to accept job applications.
The Karnataka government imposed a one-year ban on the sale and distribution of all tobacco and nicotine products, including gutka and pan masala, citing public health.
N Chandrasekaran stepped down as chairman of Tata Sons, a 66% principal shareholder of the Tata Group, and will continue in the position until February 2027.
China's Long March 7A rocket exploded 85 seconds after liftoff from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan while trying to launch the ChinaSat-4B communication satellite.
The BCCI confirmed Afghanistan will host a three-match T20I series against India from September 13 to 17, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher were reportedly sentenced to death and executed on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, the China National Space Administration's Long March 7A rocket, and the BCCI and Afghanistan Cricket Board.
- What
- Multiple events: a one-year ban on tobacco and nicotine product sales in Karnataka, N Chandrasekaran's resignation as Tata Sons chairman, a Chinese rocket exploding after liftoff, an Afghanistan vs India T20I series announcement, and the reported execution of Bashar al-Assad.
- When
- News reported on August 13, 2026; the rocket explosion and gold price rise occurred around August 12, 2026.
- Where
- Karnataka, India; the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan island, China; Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The tobacco ban was imposed in the interest of public health; the rocket exploded due to an in-flight anomaly after liftoff.
- Ban duration
- One year on all tobacco and nicotine products in Karnataka
- Tata Sons stake
- 66% principal shareholder of the Tata Group
- Chandrasekaran tenure
- Will continue as Tata Sons chairman till February 2027
- Rocket
- China's Long March 7A, exploded 85 seconds after liftoff
- Satellite
- ChinaSat-4B communication satellite
- T20I series
- Three matches, September 13-17, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
- 24-carat gold price
- Rs 15,486 per gram on August 12, 2026
- SBI recruitment deadline
- Applications for Junior Associates open till August 31