🔎 Search for Indonesia quake victims continues on Independence Day

Search and rescue operations are actively underway following a recent earthquake in Indonesia. Indonesian and international teams are working tirelessly in the affected regions. The tremor occurred on August 17th, causing significant damage across several areas. Efforts are focused on locating survivors amidst the destruction caused by the quake. Aid organizations plan to continue providing support throughout the coming days. 🇮🇩

🔥 Six dead in massive hotel fire in Birbhum

Six individuals were tragically killed in a huge fire that engulfed a hotel in Birbhum district. This incident occurred in the temple town of Tarapith in West Bengal on Monday morning. Initial reports indicate that two fire tenders were deployed to control the massive blaze around 4 am. The exact cause of this devastating fire has not yet been determined by authorities. Rescue and firefighting operations are currently ongoing at the location.

📈 Awarapan 2 hits 110 cr at Day 3

The film Awarapan 2 has crossed the Rs 110 crore mark at its third day of release. The movie stars Emraan Hashmi and was released in India. As of day three, the box office collection stood at Rs 110 crore. The film has seen a strong opening, gaining traction across various regions. Further collections will be tracked over the coming days to gauge its long-term run. 📈

🏏 India vs Sri Lanka: Jadeja strikes in Galle Test 🏏

Sri Lanka's batting struggles continued on Day 3 of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle. Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Dhananjaya De Silva for 21, leading to Sri Lanka being 99/5 in 28 overs before lunch. The current score shows Sri Lanka trailing by 363 runs as Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella bat. This ongoing collapse puts pressure on the hosts as they try to build a crucial partnership. The focus now shifts to how Sri Lanka stabilizes their innings against the Indian attack.

🚨 10 shocking crowd stampedes that rocked India

Recent years have seen large gatherings turn deadly across India due to recurring crowd management issues. The latest incident involved a stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, where 7 people died and 12 were injured. Major tragedies since 2024 include a political rally crush in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on September 27, 2025. Other incidents involved temple crowds in Srikakulam and Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar in 2025. Authorities are continuously facing challenges managing crowds from religious events to cricket celebrations. 😥

🌧️ 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.