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Heavy rains in upper regions have raised the flood level of the Godavari River at Dhavaleswaram barrage in AP’s East Godavari district. Authorities have issued the first danger alert as water levels reached 11.75 feet. All 175 crest gates are being lifted, releasing nearly 1 million cusecs of water downstream to manage the surge.
Here are the 24-karat gold prices per 10 grams today in the cities. ★Chennai: ₹10,0140 ★Mumbai: ₹10,0140 ★Delhi: ₹10,0290 ★Kolkata: ₹10,0140 ★Bangalore: ₹10,0140 ★HYD: ₹10,0140 ★Ahmedabad: ₹10,0190 ★Jaipur: ₹10,0290 ★Lucknow: ₹10,0290 ★Vijayawada: ₹10,0140 ★Nagpur: ₹10,0140 ★Chandigarh: ₹10,0290 and ★Bhubaneswar: ₹10,0140.
India is preparing to bid for the 2036 Olympics, and Australia has expressed full support, offering any assistance needed in the bidding process. The Australians welcomed India’s initiative to host the prestigious event, highlighting their enthusiasm, having hosted in Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000), to back India’s Olympic aspirations.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar will meet Russian FM Sergey Lavrov today in Moscow to boost the “special strategic partnership.” Talks will span trade in national currencies, energy, defence, and culture, while addressing Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Asia-Pacific security. Both nations reaffirm multipolar cooperation, mutual trust, and deeper global engagement.
Nikki Haley urged treating India as a “prized democratic partner” to counter China, warning that undoing 25 years of progress would be a “strategic disaster.” She highlighted India’s manufacturing potential, defence strength, and Middle East role, calling US-India partnership a “no-brainer” against China’s dominance and global ambitions.
5 schools in Delhi, including Prasad Nagar and Dwarka Sector 5, received bomb threats today, triggering panic. Delhi Police and Fire Department teams rushed to the sites and conducted thorough inspections. Authorities later confirmed that nothing suspicious was found, easing tensions after the alerts sparked concern among parents and students.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnudev Sai expanded his cabinet to 14 ministers, inducting Gajendra Yadav, Guru Khuswant Saheb, and Rajesh Agarwal. Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel called it unconstitutional, questioning Centre’s approval and accusing BJP of breaking norms. BJP defended the move, citing the 15% rule with 90 MLAs, similar to Haryana’s model.
Research suggests green tea extract boosts fat burning and metabolism, aiding weight loss. Catechins in green tea enhance energy expenditure, especially when combined with regular exercise. Dietitians recommend unsweetened green tea as part of a balanced diet for sustainable weight management and improved metabolic health.
Schools in Gautam Buddh Nagar will stay closed today, August 21, on account of the Guru Dronacharya Mela at Dankaur, aimed at easing traffic and ensuring student safety. The annual event commemorates Mahabharata’s Guru Dronacharya. Schools will also remain shut on August 26 for Onam and August 27 for Ganesh Chaturthi, resuming classes afterward.
The US sanctioned four ICC judges and prosecutors, including France’s Nicolas Guillou and Canada’s Kimberly Prost, over actions against Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the court a “national security threat.” Sanctions block assets and bar entry, also targeting prosecutors from Fiji and Senegal for backing warrants against Israeli leaders.
A plea in the Supreme Court seeks a special investigation team led by a former judge to probe Rahul Gandhi’s vote theft allegations of electoral roll manipulation. Filed by advocate Rohit Pandey, it cites Gandhi’s August 7 claims of “criminal fraud” involving BJP and EC, and requests independent audits, transparency, and machine-readable voter rolls.
Bernie Sanders has backed President Trump’s plan to convert federal chipmaker grants into government equity stakes, marking rare support. The policy, affecting firms like Intel with $10.9 billion in grants, stems from the 2022 Chips Act. Sanders said taxpayers deserve returns, noting it mirrors an earlier amendment he and Elizabeth Warren had proposed.
Israel will call up 60,000 additional reservists, nearly doubling troop numbers in Gaza to 120,000, signaling a wider offensive despite ceasefire talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Netanyahu approved expanding operations into Gaza City to target Hamas strongholds, drawing criticism as the UN warns of starvation and mass Palestinian displacement.
Elon Musk has paused plans to form his own political party, citing a focus on business. Initially proposing the ‘America Party’ after a feud with Trump, Musk is maintaining ties with Vice President JD Vance and may financially back him for a 2028 presidential run. Vance hopes Musk returns to the Republican fold before midterms.
Shreyas Iyer was left out of India’s Asia Cup squad despite a stellar IPL season. Cricketers like Ashwin, Irfan Pathan, Uthappa, and actor Varun Dhawan expressed support. Many questioned the selection logic. Ashwin warned such snubs might force players to shift from team-first cricket to playing for personal security. Iyer still has domestic opportunities ahead.