🏏 Afghanistan wants to shift T20 schedule for India series

The Afghanistan Cricket Board is looking to change the schedule for the three T20Is against India. This is happening in New Delhi at Arun Jaitley Stadium, as per the ACB and BCCI confirmation. The matches are set for September 13, 15, and 17, but ACB wants one game on September 14. This request is linked to the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and a potential partial holiday. The series serves as prep for both teams before the Asian Games. 🏏

💰 NYC's pied-à-terre tax drama is heating up 🤯

A new pied-à-terre tax has been implemented in New York City targeting high-value homes not used as a primary residence. This measure, backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, aims to raise about $500 million annually for the city's coffers. The surcharge applies to homes over $5 million or condos/co-ops over $1 million if not primary residences. Determining liability is complex due to trusts and LLCs, leading to confusion among property owners. Currently, the city has sent notices to 17,000 properties, while homeowners challenge the rollout in court.

⚽ Man City asks big price for Rodri

Barcelona received word that Manchester City rejected a second offer for Rodri. City is reportedly demanding a fee of £70 million (€82m) for the World Cup winner. This demand puts the decision back in Barcelona's hands for the summer transfer window. Rodri is rumored to want the move, and City is already looking at replacements like Enzo Fernandez. He is due back at City on Friday for pre-season training with Enzo Maresca's team. ⏳

🏏 Mitchell Starc breaks Test bowling records

Mitchell Starc etched his name in history by becoming the most successful left-arm bowler in Test cricket. This achievement happened during Australia's opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. Starc's wicket tally reached 434, surpassing Rangana Herath on Thursday. This milestone also placed him alongside Kapil Dev on the all-time wicket-takers list. He now needs just six more wickets to enter the top 10 of all-time Test wicket-takers. 🏏

💼 Tata Sons chairman's exit decision sparks succession hunt

Tata Trusts has respected N Chandrasekaran's decision to step down as Chairman of Tata Sons. The move came after he informed the trust nominees on August 12 regarding his plan. The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust has started appointing a successor as his term ends February 20, 2027. This follows the failure of his five-year extension proposal to get unanimous board support. The trust vows to support a smooth and orderly leadership transition for Tata Sons. 🤝

🏏 Sana soaks in Perry's legacy at the Hundred

Fatima Sana played a crucial innings for Birmingham Phoenix against MI London on Wednesday. She is a 24-year-old captain of Pakistan, drafted by Phoenix as a wild card in June. Phoenix struggled this season, sitting second from the bottom with only one win in seven games. Sana scored 66 runs off 52 balls, helping the team secure the victory. This marks a full-circle moment as she now plays alongside her former hero, Ellyse Perry. 🏏

😠 Iran official suggests war could last until 2029

A top official of the Iran Guards suggested the conflict with the United States could be prolonged until January 20, 2029. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, made these remarks while in an interview with PBS News Hour. He stated that prolonging the war would cause attrition to establish a clear cost for any future attacks on Iran. Naqdi also claimed Iran achieved victory in objectives like toppling leadership, noting American confusion. This comes as talks remain stuck despite mediation from Pakistan, Turkey, and Oman. 😠

🐦 How the first bird actually learned to fly 🤯

A landmark study from August 2026 revealed that the earliest bird, Archaeopteryx, did not take flight like modern species do. Researchers from the University of Southampton and the National Natural History Museum in Paris found it used rapid, two-legged jumps instead of immediate wing-powered take-offs. Simulations of the 400-gram creature showed up to 90% of the initial launch force came from its hind legs. This discovery supports a modified ground-up model, challenging older debates about dinosaur evolution. The research suggests modern birds like crows still use similar hopping techniques for takeoff.

🎣 Cape Cod stream barrier to be removed after 73 years

A concrete weir in Fresh Brook, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, has been planned for removal after decades of blockage. This barrier prevented native sea-run brook trout from accessing their spawning grounds in the stream. The weir was installed in 1953, effectively ending the trout's habitat in the stream. The Fresh Brook Restoration Project aims to restore natural flow and tidal influence for the trout. Construction and weir removal are estimated for fall/winter 2026. 🎣

🐦 Bird flu threat hits Tasmania's unique wildlife

H5N1 bird flu was detected in a brown skua on Tasmania's north-west coast, triggering urgent contingency plans. This discovery concerns authorities across Tasmania, as many unique species are now under risk of infection. The critically endangered orange-bellied parrot is prioritized for a vaccine rollout starting in September. Meanwhile, efforts for little penguins focus on habitat protection rather than vaccination due to permit requirements. Several seabirds, including shy albatross, are also identified as being at high risk from the virus. 🐦

🏛️ Parliament passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill

Parliament has successfully passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. This legislation was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in New Delhi. The Bill was also approved by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, completing the legislative process. The key aim of this Bill is to restrict states' powers regarding the levying of taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands. The law will officially become effective once it receives the President's assent. 🏛️