⛈️ Extreme rain batters Japan and South Korea

Extreme rainfall hit both Japan and South Korea late last week and into this week. In Chiba, Japan, 115mm fell in one hour, while Geoje, South Korea, saw 124.5mm in an hour on August 17th. Over 100,000 households were asked to evacuate, and 13 people have been confirmed dead. This heavy rain was deemed an "unprecedented level" by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Hurricane Lala also formed in the North Pacific and Saudel is forecast to intensify near Micronesia.

😷 Delhi Bans Construction for 42 Days to Fight Smog 💨

The Delhi government has implemented a complete ban on all construction activities from December 10 to January 20. This measure is aimed at controlling the severe air pollution experienced during the winter season across Delhi. The ban comes after some construction continued secretly last winter despite the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Now, sites over 500 square meters will be monitored using the Dust Portal and AI-enabled cameras. Citizens are urged to report any violations directly to the MCD or the Chief Minister.

🏸 Indian Doubles Duo Clinches WC Medal Spot

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured a World Championships medal after defeating China's Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in the women’s doubles quarterfinals on Friday. The unseeded Indian pair fought for 69 minutes, winning the match 16-21, 21-15, 21-13. This victory guarantees the duo at least a bronze medal at the championships. Their achievement is big since India last won a World Championships medal in this event back in 2011. The pair is now set for a podium finish after overcoming a tough injury setback. 🏸

📊 SEBI Study Links Cash Trading to Fewer F&O Losses

A new SEBI study suggests that participation in the cash market correlates with reduced losses in Futures and Options (F&O) trading. This analysis specifically looked at traders who heavily relied on derivatives instruments. The study reviewed data spanning a certain period, though exact dates were not provided in the source. It indicates that a greater presence in the cash market can act as a stabilizing factor for traders. Further recommendations based on this research are expected from regulatory bodies soon.

🏦 Banking stocks: ICICI & Kotak look promising 📈

Indian banking stocks are under review following decent Q1FY27 results across the sector. Goldman Sachs prefers PSU banks over private ones, noting FII cuts totaling USD 26 billion over five years. Re-rating hinges on loan growth hitting 1.5-2.0 times nominal GDP growth. Specifically, Goldman Sachs gives ICICI Bank a BUY rating with a 36.4% upside target. Kotak Mahindra Bank is also favored with a 26.2% upside projection.

✊ Rahul Gandhi demands FIR for pellet injury protest

Rahul Gandhi held a dharna outside a police station to demand the filing of an FIR. He staged this protest in connection with a pellet injury incident. The specific details regarding the numbers and dates of the incident were not provided in the source text. This action stems from the alleged inaction regarding the pellet injury case. He is continuing to push for accountability on this matter.

✨ Zomato founder unveils smallest, most powerful wearable

Deepinder Goyal announced that the Temple wearable device is now volumetrically the smallest and most powerful on the market. The founder shared this update on X on August 21, 2026, teasing a limited pre-order launch. This device measures a body's Entropy, which relates to metabolic and sympathetic demand. PV Sindhu was recently seen wearing Temple during the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi. Temple aims to track how the brain reacts to intense physical and cognitive stress. 🧐

🚨 India demands Google remove scam Firebase accounts

India has officially ordered the removal of certain Google Firebase accounts. This action targets accounts identified as participating in fraudulent activities across the country. The order was issued following the detection of a recurring scam pattern in the system. Authorities are taking this step to curb online financial fraud impacting users. Further measures are expected to strengthen digital security protocols moving forward.

📈 Bitcoin pumps 22% this week amid market optimism 🚀

Bitcoin saw a significant 22% weekly gain, closing at $76,943.90 on Friday. This rally occurred as Treasury yields pulled back following a major bond market intervention by the Treasury in the US. Roughly $2.7 billion in crypto short positions were liquidated, boosting investor sentiment. Further positive momentum was driven by pushes for the Clarity Act in the coming weeks. Despite the rise, Bitcoin is still far from its 2026 high of $94,820.

🔌 AI Data Centres vs. Power Grid: Big Clash

Andhra Pradesh proposed Deemed Distribution Licenses for hyperscale AI data centres like the Google-Adani project in Visakhapatnam. This status would let them manage their own power networks without standard licensing procedures. The proposal faces legal pushback because self-consumption doesn't fit the Electricity Act, 2003. Critics argue it weakens state DISCOMs by avoiding standard tariffs and wheeling charges. The way forward suggests using Open Access Rules and enacting proper legislation. ⚡

🏍️ ZXMoto 500RR Sportbike Hits International Market

The ZXMoto 500RR, a new inline-four sportbike, has officially launched in Malaysia. This Chinese brand, established in 2024, previously debuted at the EICMA show in Milan last November. The bike features a 470cc engine producing 84bhp and 46Nm of torque. It has already been launched in Thailand for 199,900 baht and is heading to the UK next month. The 500RR boasts features like cornering ABS and four riding modes. 🏍️