💔 Anupama revealed ex-boyfriend made her ashamed

Anupama Parameswaran shared that her ex-boyfriend caused her to feel ashamed of being an actor, confident, and having periods. Speaking on Dhyan Varma's YouTube channel, she detailed how her partner blamed disagreements on her menstrual cycle. She mentioned her desire for 11 children vanished due to this controlling behaviour. Previously, she described the relationship as 'narcissistic abuse' and talked about emotional highs and lows. She has not confirmed if actor Dhruv Vikram is the person she discussed. 😔

⛽ Oil prices surge as Hormuz Strait traffic slows

Crude oil prices went up for the fourth consecutive day due to reduced traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. This situation is happening amid increased rhetoric from both Iran and the United States. Brent crude was at $91.53 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was trading at $85.47 per barrel on this date. Ongoing attacks from Iran and Houthis are keeping oil prices supported in the short term. Gulf producers are exploring alternative export routes to potentially increase production from those regions.

🦠 Congo gold miners complicate Ebola containment efforts

Eleven-year-old Isaac Batisa is searching for gold at a mining site in eastern Congo to support his family. He is located in eastern Congo, where health workers are trying to manage the Ebola outbreak. This activity complicates the efforts of health workers attempting to contain the disease. The article highlights the challenges faced by health workers in the region. Further updates on the containment efforts are pending. 😥

😔 Former Karnataka Minister BC Nagesh Passes Away at 65

Former Karnataka minister and BJP leader BC Nagesh passed away on August 18 at his daughter’s residence in Bengaluru after a short illness. Nagesh, a two-time MLA from Tiptur, served as the School Education and Literacy minister from 2021 to 2023. During his tenure, controversies included textbook saffronisation and restricting Muslim girls from wearing the hijab. He was instrumental in enforcing these hijab restrictions in government PUC colleges. His final rites are scheduled to take place in Tiptur later in the day.

🛡️ US-SK drills cut short due to Trump's order

Joint military drills between the US and South Korea have been shortened from 11 days to five days following an order from President Donald Trump. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, starting August 17, will now finish on August 21 instead of August 27, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The second phase focusing on counteroffensive operations is expected to be scrapped entirely. This change is linked to Trump's desire to re-engage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Military analysts are concerned about the potential impact on the allies' combined defense readiness. 🇰🇷

🏛️ Trump delays 50% tariffs on Canada after talks

President Donald Trump announced a pause on the planned 50% tariffs against Canadian goods on Tuesday. This delay came after both nations reached a last-minute agreement hours before the levies were supposed to start on Wednesday. The pause is set for three days to finalize documents for a deal that may revive the Keystone XL Pipeline. The US Trade Representative noted the deal includes market access and digital trade alignment for US workers. Canadian PM Mark Carney confirmed the postponement until the end of day on August 21.

🇮🇳 Netflix show based on Kargil war ops

A new Netflix show, Safed Sagar, is based on Operation Safed Sagar, the IAF's operations during the Kargil war. The show relates to the conflict that took place in the Kargil region of India. India observes Kargil Vijay Diwas annually on July 26th to commemorate the victory. The image shows Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif from 1999. A quiz is being released concerning this historical event.

🧠 Scientists grow mini mouse brain in lab

Researchers at ISTA successfully cultivated a cerebral cortex using mouse stem cells for the first time. This lab-grown mini-brain aims to study normal brain development and developmental disorders. The study tracked cell types using single-cell sequencing and genetic techniques. The comparison showed the organoid had the right cells but lacked the strict timing of a real brain. Scientists suggest the missing 'stem-cell niche' is crucial for proper organization. 🔬

🌧️ Chandigarh flooded again after heavy rain 🌧️

Chandigarh faced heavy rainfall again on Wednesday, continuing the waterlogging issues from Tuesday's downpour. The city saw intense showers on Tuesday, with reports noting 72.4 mm of rain in just two hours. This resulted in severe traffic delays, with one commuter's 15-minute trip taking nearly 2.5 hours. Residents are now questioning the city's drainage infrastructure and civic response to the recurring problem. Authorities are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel while the city deals with the wet conditions.

📚 Sonia Gandhi's Memoir Drops This November

Sonia Gandhi's memoir, titled 'Belonging,' is set to be released to the public soon. This book delves into her personal journey encompassing themes of love, loss, and political life. The book is scheduled to hit the stands in November of this year. It offers an inside look at her experiences within the complex world of Indian politics. Fans and readers are anticipating this significant personal and political narrative.

💸 Vivo T5 Pro price jumps due to RAM shortage

The Vivo T5 Pro has seen another major price hike in India, increasing by ₹7,000 for both storage variants. This price increase affects the Vivo T5 Pro in India, amidst ongoing global RAM shortage issues for smartphone makers. The 8GB+128GB model is now ₹41,999, up from ₹35,999, while the 8GB+256GB is ₹46,999, up from ₹39,999. This follows a previous price adjustment in July and a recent hike on the Vivo X300 FE. Consumers must now weigh if the specs match the significantly higher asking price. 📱