🦟 Dengue spike hits kids in Chengalpattu

Multiple children have been hospitalized with dengue fever in Chengalpattu district, causing public concern among parents. Affected children are admitted to various government hospitals, including in Guduvanchery and Chengalpattu. Last year, between January and November, the state recorded 20,866 dengue cases and 12 deaths. Officials are boosting surveillance while confirming no immediate plan for the Qdenga vaccine rollout. Early diagnosis and mosquito control are stressed as key prevention methods moving forward.

🐘 Elephant Tusko died from massive LSD dose in 1962

In 1962, researchers administered 297 mg of LSD to 14-year-old elephant Tusko at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The experiment was conducted by Dr. Louis Jolyon West and Dr. Chester M. Pierce. Tusko collapsed within five minutes of the injection and passed away 100 minutes later. The goal was to induce 'musth', but the massive dose proved fatal to the elephant. Later attempts to replicate the study showed survival when LSD was administered orally. 🐘

🎬 Awarapan 2 hits 72 crore mark

Emraan Hashmi's film, Awarapan 2, has crossed the Rs 72 crore mark at the box office. This achievement was recorded worldwide for the movie. The collection update is specifically for Day 2 performance. The film has garnered significant traction since its release. Further box office tracking will continue in the coming days.

💖 Himanshi Khurana on breakup over religious divide

Himanshi Khurana discussed her struggles with depression, childhood trauma, and her breakup with Asim Riaz. The couple, who met in Bigg Boss 13, separated in December 2023 due to religious differences. During this tough time, she faced health issues like thyroid and anxiety, leading to an eight-month personal break. She felt she was betraying God when religious conversion was pressured upon her. Now, she feels a better version of herself has emerged after overcoming these challenges. 🧘‍♀️

😔 Arunachal student found dead in Kerala

A 20-year-old engineering student from Arunachal Pradesh was discovered deceased at a rented house in Kozhipilly, Kerala. The student, identified as Michi Marpu, was a third-year B Tech student at MA College of Engineering, Kothamangalam. He was found on Saturday evening with a rope around his neck, and a three-page note was recovered. Police suspect he attempted suicide over low marks, though a detailed probe is ongoing. Students are now planning protests regarding the college's high minimum credit requirement. 😔

🐊 Why Crocodiles Can't Fly, Birds Can

Scientists have finally determined the biological reasons behind the flight capabilities of different reptiles and birds. The research focused on comparing the skeletal structures and muscle development between crocodiles and various avian species. Specifically, the study analyzed bone density and pectoral muscle mass in both groups. This discovery sheds new light on evolutionary adaptations in vertebrates. Further research will explore the environmental factors influencing these physical traits. 🐊

🌎 India hosts BRICS Environment Ministers' Meet

India will host the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on August 18, 2026. The preceding Senior Officers’ Meeting will take place on August 17, 2026, in the city. This event is under the theme of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 focusing on resilience and sustainability. Key discussions will cover four priorities: sustainable lifestyles, afforestation, circular economy, and climate adaptation. These meetings aim to strengthen environmental cooperation among all BRICS member countries. 🌎

😔 TMC leader found dead at party office in Birbhum

Former TMC leader Ashish Banerjee was discovered dead inside a party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum, on Sunday, August 16. The local police indicated it was primarily a suicide case after recovering a note from the spot. The note allegedly denied corruption allegations and expressed regret about entering politics. Banerjee had served as a Deputy Speaker and MLA for the TMC for many years. His passing comes after the TMC lost power in West Bengal following the 2026 Assembly elections. 😔

😠 CM Yadav slams Gandhi over Vande Mataram song

CM Mohan Yadav accused Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of insulting Vande Mataram during a Congress event. This accusation followed BJP claims that the leaders showed 'utter disrespect' at the Independence Day event on Saturday. Yadav stated the national song's singing was disrupted, thereby insulting Vande Mataram. He highlighted PM Narendra Modi's address where the complete song was sung at the Red Fort. Yadav demanded that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi issue an apology to the nation for the alleged insult.

🎬 Ranveer Singh's 'Pralay' action thriller shoots in Mumbai

Ranveer Singh's end-of-the-world action thriller, 'Pralay,' has officially kicked off filming in Mumbai. The movie is being produced by Birla Studios, True Story Films, and Maa Kasam Films, and is directed by Jai Mehta. It stars Singh alongside Kalyani Priyadarshan and is set against the backdrop of Mumbai. The film tells an original survival story amidst a global catastrophe, shot at live locations. This project follows Singh's previous successful duology, 'Dhurandhar' (2025) and 'Dhurandhar – The Revenge' (2026).

🚀 Batwara 1947 surges with 160% spike on Independence Day

Sunny Deol's film, Batwara 1947, saw a massive 160 percent surge on Independence Day. The movie, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, collected Rs 13 crore nett in Day 2 in India. The running cume for the film is now Rs 18 crore nett as of Day 2. This production, backed by Aamir Khan Productions, was made after the success of Gadar 2. It is currently projected to cross the Rs 25 crore nett mark by the end of the day. 🚀