Your Daily Reading: Key Updates You Need To Know
Here we are in the 24 last hours and we are reminded how connected our world really is- what happens in one corner is felt around the world in a matter of seconds. The scenery continues to change: America gets news, and hit songs introduce new music, sport offers all new festiveness and business choices make business ripples. In these moments together they can look like the world which never stops its movement and where politics, culture, and commerce are moved one next to another. The history is presented in real time so there is no time to stop. There is no time to go slow at all these days, one must be alert, flexible and fast to keep up with the harsh and persistent rhythm of this age.
World News- Kim Jong Un Urges Rapid Nuclear Expansion Amid U.S.-South Korea Drills
The North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un demanded that his nation rapidly build up nuclear weapons and termed the current U.S.- South Korea training as a planned provocation. Pyongyang sees the ulti-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises that kicked off this week as an invasion practice, although Seoul and Washington have claimed otherwise that they are purely defensive. Kim underlined that the existing security engulfs an increase in the pace of nuclear development, particularly that of the nuclear aspects perceived during U.S.- South Korea drills. Also, the North Korean Command intends to finish a third 5,000-tonne Choe Hyon-class destroyer in October 2026 and is still developing new armaments to equip its naval troops.
National News- Delhi Issues Evacuation Alert as Yamuna Surpasses 205m Danger Mark
On August 18, 2025, the danger mark of the Yamuna River in Delhi was breached when it rose to the danger level of 205.33m and the Delhi government gave an evacuation alert. At 7 PM the level had been up to 205.59 meters. The authorities credit the rise to massive bursts of the Hathnikund and Wazirabad barrages. Chief minister Rekha Gupta carried out inspections in major areas and focused on preparedness. Irrigation and Flood Control (I & FC) vessels with loudspeakers are patrolling riverbanks, and are asking the people in low-lying places to voluntarily evacuate. The water level rises to 206 meters and leads to formal evacuations.
Entertainment News- Veteran Actor Achyut Potdar, Famous as the 'Confused Professor' in 3 Idiots, Dies at 91
On Monday, veteran actor Achyut Potdar who was most popularly known as the lost and found college professor in Rajkumar Hirani loved movie, 3 idiots, breathed his last at the age of 91 in Thane. He was a prolific actor, under his belt had 125+ films in Hindi and Marathi and 100+ serials. No particular information on his death is being disclosed currently, but it is speculated that he was being treated as an inpatient of a hospital in Thane (because of age-related illnesses). He will be cremated August 19 in Thane. Potdar started his theatrical life when he was 44, having worked in the Indian Armed forces as well as Indian Oil and has even been a professor in Madhya Pradesh.
Sports News- India Has Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma—but Can't Overlook Shubman Gill: Harbhajan Singh
Even after the quality performance of Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh said that selectors should not sabotage the chances of Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup. Already a shining star in ODIs and Tests- having put his doubts behind him with his performance against the English- Gill is a refined all-format batsman. He has a good T20 record, having scored 578 runs in 21 matches (average 30.42), strike rate 139.27 played in the recent past but despite his absence in them, he has a brilliant T 20 record and a scintillating run of T20 collected in the IPL 2025 with 650 runs and an average of 50 with a strike rate of 155.87.
Business News- Trump-Zelensky Talks Lift Market Sentiment, Nifty-50 Nears Breakout
On Monday, the Nifty-50 closed at 24,876.95 with a gain of 1%, Bank Nifty closed 0.71% higher and the mid-and small-caps marginally higher with an increase in the range of 1-1.4%. Technical analysts identify short term support at 24,800 with a downward crash to 24,500 likely with a definite break of 25,000 triggering an upswing. The Trump-Zelensky summit that featured security assurances to Ukraine (not membership to NATO) has given the market confidence, and this could fan international purchasing demand. Kirloskar Oil Engines, Supreme Industries, Castrol India, Prestige Estates Projects and National Aluminium Company top five stocks tipped to take cues intraday.
