🌧️ Ganga Expressway section sinks due to heavy rain

A minor portion of the Ganga Expressway sank between Faiyaznagar and Sahdara Milak villages in Hasanpur tehsil due to intense rainfall. Local residents noticed the depression and pothole-like damage on the evening of August 14. Maintenance teams were quickly dispatched by authorities to inspect and begin repairs at the affected spot. The repair work was completed soon after the damage was spotted, and traffic is now running normally. Officials mentioned such issues can happen on certain stretches during the rainy season. 🚧

😟 Tiruchy youth dependency on opioids rising

There is a noticeable increase in young people needing opioid dependence treatment in Tiruchy, according to hospital data. Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) treated over 30 such patients between January and July this year. This contrasts with 40 patients in 2025 and 68 patients in 2024. Many of these patients are using Tapentadol, leading to concerns about syringe-sharing and Hepatitis C infections. Treatment at the de-addiction centre includes assessment, detoxification, counselling, and de-addiction. 😟

🏆 Mahindra scores big at London E-Prix

Mahindra Racing had a historic finish at the London E-Prix, achieving a first-ever front-row lockout. Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara started from the front at the demanding Excel Circuit on Sunday. They secured a double podium finish, placing second and third, accumulating 252 points. This performance lifted Mahindra to third in the Teams’ Championship and marked their first podium in almost ten years. Taylor Barnard ultimately won the race, securing the victory on the 2.077km track.

🏞️ 36 hours in Srinagar: A quick guide

A traveler explored the city of Srinagar, a place blending history and present-day life, over 36 hours. The itinerary included visiting the 600-year-old Jamia Masjid and the Sufi shrine, Khanqah-e-Moula, on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the trip featured a 6 am shikara ride on Dal Lake and a visit to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden. The traveler also experienced the bustling downtown area and finished with some shopping at Lal Chowk. This short trip showcased the cultural richness and serene spots of Kashmir. 🏞️

🔬 Sweeteners and diabetes risk: what the data says

A meta-analysis of over 720,000 adults suggests long-term artificial sweetener intake might not be metabolically neutral. The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, found higher intake correlated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Six cohort studies from the US, Japan, and Europe, with a mean follow-up of 10.1 years, were included in the review. This raises concerns about the safety of these alternatives despite short-term trials showing no adverse effects. Health bodies should consider these findings when setting dietary policies moving forward. 😟

🤒 Flu hits Bengaluru school; classes paused

A severe flu-like illness has caused an outbreak at Clarence High School in Richards Town, Bengaluru. Over 500 students and 21 staff members are reportedly sick with fever and body aches. At least two H1N1 cases have been confirmed as of August 17, 2026, leading to a closure until August 18. The school also raised issues regarding unhygienic street food vendors near its premises. They are now seeking urgent health and safety inspections from civic authorities.

🛡️ Trump backs 'Islamic Nato' pact

Donald Trump strongly endorsed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. This pact, inked on August 7th in Jeddah, draws comparisons to NATO's collective defence principle. The agreement mandates that an attack on one nation will be treated as an attack on all three members. This move signals growing cooperation in the Middle East, prompting India to examine its security implications. Future details regarding military obligations and scope remain unclear as the full text is private. 🛡️

🚢 Secret oil runs through Hormuz Strait

Middle Eastern oil producers are secretly shipping fossil fuels through the Strait of Hormuz, which is helping to keep energy prices stable. Tankers from the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait are operating with transponders off in the strait. The secret shuttling is currently moving volumes higher than the market's estimate of four million barrels per day. This covert movement is mitigating inflation fears even as the Iran war continues to drag on. The risk of attacks remains high for these vulnerable vessels navigating the vital chokepoint.

🕉️ Stampede at Bihar temple kills seven people

Seven people were killed and several were injured during a stampede-like event at Ashokdham Temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar. The incident occurred on early Monday, Shravan’s Somvaar, when a large crowd was gathered for worship. Authorities reported that a falling electric pole may have caused electrocution, triggering the chaos. The district administration noted that the crowd swelled unexpectedly, exacerbated by the arrival of two trains around 6:30-6:45 am. Further details regarding the exact cause of the stampede are currently under verification.

📈 Stocks to watch: RIL, Ather, NMDC and more

Benchmark equity indices are facing a subdued start as they track lackluster Asian market moves. GIFT Nifty was trading lower by 0.13 per cent at 24,399 as of 7:30 AM on Monday. RIL has set LPG production potential at 63,810 tonnes a day across 21 refineries. Ather Energy recently raised its total fundraise to about ₹2,500 crore through recent deals. ONGC has secured a licence to resume full operations in Venezuela. 🚀

📺 New K-dramas dropping this week

Several new K-dramas are set to premiere between August 17th and August 23rd. Titles like ‘OK, Let’s Get Divorced’ are among the upcoming releases. The lineup features various genres for different viewer preferences. These shows are part of the ongoing trend of Korean content gaining global traction. Viewers can look forward to checking out these series on streaming platforms soon.