🚧 ₹4200cr expressway sinks weeks after opening

Parts of the Rs 4,200-crore Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway started showing serious damage and cracks just three weeks after its launch. The issue was spotted in Unnao district, where the 63-km expressway was inaugurated on July 13. Initial repairs on a 120-meter patch were needed, but NHAI then had to excavate a larger 300-meter stretch. NHAI has suspended toll collection and is taking action against PNC Infratech due to the sinking. Experts suspect water penetration into the underlying soil caused the pavement deformation.

🚧 ₹4,200 Cr UP expressway sinks weeks after launch

Parts of the new Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway have started sinking and showing surface slippage just weeks after opening. The issue was first spotted on July 26, 13 days after the July 13 inauguration, near kilometre 64. NHAI has suspended toll collection and initiated action against concessionaire PNC Infratech. Preliminary findings suggest rainwater may have penetrated the pavement and reached the underlying soil. Authorities are now excavating and rebuilding several damaged stretches to address the quality concerns. 🚧

🏛️ Forum pushes for J&K and Ladakh statehood

A forum led by ex-Home Secretary Gopal Pillai strongly advocated for full Statehood for J&K and repeal of the J&K Reorganization Act 2019. This civil society group, which includes several judges, released an annual report detailing human rights issues in the region. The report highlighted the 2025 Red Fort attack, suggesting a revival of homegrown militancy in J&K. For J&K, the forum argued Statehood restoration is vital for peacebuilding, referencing past judicial calls for this move. Furthermore, for Ladakh, the forum demanded Statehood and faster police reforms, especially after the September 2025 violence. 🧐

🔬 Plants growing meat protein in chloroplasts

A study published in Frontiers in Science shows growing myoglobin protein fibres inside plant chloroplasts. Researchers achieved this in lettuce and tobacco plants, with the findings released on August 6, 2026. Experts see this as a major step towards scalable, low-input meat alternative production. However, incomplete heme incorporation and tobacco-related safety concerns still need addressing. Further research is required to confirm food functionality and commercial viability. 🧪

🎬 Samay Raina sparks talk on 1990 Pandit exodus films

Samay Raina's comments on the Kashmiri Pandit exodus have reignited interest in films about the 1990 displacement. He brought this up on an India's Got Latent members-only episode before Munawar Faruqui. This year, he shared his family fled Kashmir overnight as militancy grew. Several movies depict this, like The Kashmir Files (2022) and Shikara (2020). These films show the violence, displacement, and resilience of the community.

🛡️ Armoured Carrier Moves Taiwan President

An armoured carrier was utilized during a recent drill in Taiwan. The carrier transported the President to the command centre as part of the military exercise. The drill reportedly took place on a specific date, though the article does not specify the exact date. This maneuver is part of ongoing military preparedness and defense drills in the region. Authorities plan to continue similar high-level drills to test operational readiness moving forward. 🇹🇼

📚 DU PG Admission Deadline Extended for CSAS Round 1

The deadline for the CSAS PG Spot Round 1 for DU PG Admission 2026 has been officially extended. This extension applies to candidates applying at Delhi University. The new deadline is set for August 8, allowing more time for applications. This change is to accommodate more applicants who need additional processing time. Interested students should check the official DU website for further details and procedures. 📚

🧐 Akhilesh Yadav: BJP 'deliberately lost' bypolls

Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP intentionally lost the recent assembly bypolls in Bankipur and Datia. This claim was made by the SP chief at a Brahmin Sammelan held at the party's state headquarters. The bypolls took place after Prashant Kishor won in Bankipur and Congress defeated BJP in Datia on August 6, 2026. Yadav suggested the BJP did this to counter EVM criticism and mislead the public about election integrity. The SP asserted that dedicated workers will fill any vacancies left by those who defected to the BJP.

🎮 Delhi HC stops Bihar firm from using Nintendo name

The Delhi High Court has issued a restraint against a Bihar-based real estate firm for using the name "Nintendo." This action was taken because the court found the use infringes the trademark rights of the Japanese gaming giant, Nintendo Co. Ltd. The court passed the interim order on July 29, after Nintendo discovered the company in Patna in November 2025. Nintendo argued the name is nearly identical and likely to mislead the public about any affiliation with the global gaming maker. The court has restrained the defendants from using the name until further orders. 🎮

🧐 Are fake sweeteners actually brain poison?

Recent headlines have been buzzing about artificial sweeteners potentially accelerating cognitive decline. A study suggested six 'dangerous chemicals,' including xylitol and aspartame, might be causing quicker brain decay. However, the research is merely simple observational work and doesn't actually show any issues with these sweeteners. Furthermore, food frequency questionnaires often measure what people think they eat, not actual intake. Despite the fear, artificial sweeteners are well-tested and generally considered not harmful. 🧠

💡 Assam man turns plastic bottles into flood safety device

Flooded roads in Assam pose deadly risks from hidden drains and potholes. Thirty-eight-year-old Abhijit Dowarah from Sivasagar created a low-cost solar safety device using discarded plastic bottles. This invention uses a reflector during the day and an automatic light at night to warn pedestrians and motorists. Abhijit has already developed over 50 products from waste and hopes this will be adopted widely. His goal is to prevent accidents and save lives in flood-prone areas. 💡