🔥 Awarapan 2 booking sets a new record for Hashmi

Awarapan 2 is charting a record-breaking start for Emraan Hashmi's solo film venture. The movie, starring Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani, sold over 45,000 tickets in national chains like PVR Inox and Cinepolis. Specifically, nearly 25,000 tickets were sold on August 12, showing a big surge from the previous day. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the romantic drama is aiming for over 1 lakh in advance sales. This film is projected to open around Rs. 20 crore nett, surpassing OG Awarapan's earnings.

🏏 Afghanistan bags series win over Ireland 🏏

Afghanistan secured a 42-run victory over Ireland on Wednesday in Belfast, extending their series lead to 3-0. The Afghan side, featuring Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal, scored a massive 343 for 9 in their innings. Ireland was bowled out for 301, falling short of the target despite Andy Balbirnie's 109 runs. This performance helped Afghanistan claim a direct spot in the 2027 World Cup. The series continues with one match yet to be played between the two teams.

🚨 Kashmiri Pandit Employees Demand Probe Over Threats

Kashmiri Pandit employees are calling for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and a change in transfer policy. This demand comes following the receipt of fresh threat letters targeting the community. The employees are located in the region, and the threats have been ongoing. They are seeking institutional protection against these intimidation tactics. The government's response to these urgent requests is now awaited.

🚨 IPS trainee faces huge fine over bribe call

An IPS trainee, Rahul Bansal, is now facing a ₹1 crore charge after his actions came under scrutiny. The incident involved Bansal calling a ₹500 bribe to what was deemed 'very bad' conduct. This development surfaced recently, detailing the seriousness of the lapse. The matter highlights ongoing vigilance against corruption within the police training system. Further legal proceedings will determine the final outcome of the case.

⚠️ Woman Drowns in Bridge Repair Pit; Villagers Protest

A woman named Mallavva Suresh Viveki, aged 44, tragically fell into a deep crater dug for bridge repairs on Wednesday. This incident occurred in Hosur, specifically in the Bailhongal taluk of Belagavi district. The pit, used for constructing a bridge column on the Bailahongal-Munavalli main road, contained accumulated water leading to drowning. Villagers protested, alleging that no safety measures like barricades were installed despite previous warnings to the contractor and PWD officers. Police later intervened, securing assurances from the PWD officers regarding action against those responsible. 😥

🚀 AI coding startup Cognition eyes massive valuation jump

Cognition, the maker of AI coding agent Devin, is reportedly in discussions with investors for a new funding round. This potential round aims for a substantial $40 billion valuation. The target is based on achieving a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate, according to sources. Previously, the company raised $1 billion at a $26 billion valuation in May. Devin helps with tedious programmer tasks and is already used by big names like NASA and Mercedes-Benz.

💍 Kelce calls Taylor Swift wedding 'best night of my life'

Travis Kelce shared that his wedding to Taylor Swift was an incredible celebration. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end married Swift on July 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event was attended by an estimated 1,000 guests, including Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks. Kelce described the night as a crazy, fun celebration that fulfilled a childhood dream. Now, his focus has completely shifted back to football and the NFL season. 🏈

😠 Ex-CM Raghubar Das threatens system over JPSC protest

Former Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das joined the JPSC-JSCC aspirants' protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Wednesday. He strongly criticized the Hemant Soren-led government for allegedly suppressing the youth's movement. Das demanded Rs one crore compensation for nineteen affected families and issued a one-week ultimatum. He warned officials that they would face consequences if the state machinery interfered with the protest. Failing a CBI inquiry order within seven days, Das announced he would start a hunger strike.

📱 Porn videos found on ex-MP's phone in jail

Former JDS MP Prajwal Revanna, who is in jail for a rape case, has come under new scrutiny. Investigators found between 80 and 90 downloaded pornographic videos on a mobile phone seized from his cell in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. This discovery happened during a search operation targeting high-profile inmates in August 2026. The phone is now undergoing forensic analysis to check the content's relevance to his ongoing criminal proceedings. Authorities have registered a fresh FIR and named another prisoner in the case.

📚 Cambridge hired academic linked to terror group

Cambridge University has hired an academic who previously supported the proscribed Islamist terror group Hizb ut-Tahrir. Farah Ahmed joined the Faculty of Education at Cambridge last year to handle postgraduate research and undergraduate teaching. In 2002, she co-wrote a pamphlet claiming Western education was a threat to Muslim beliefs. She also condemned democracy as a corrupt tradition and criticized British schools' curricula. The university stated its commitment to academic freedom and robust debate. 📚

⚽ Ferran Torres heading to PSG for big move

Ferran Torres is set to join Paris Saint-Germain, ending his successful stint at Barcelona. The Spanish international has agreed personal terms for a deal valued at €50 million plus €5 million in add-ons. This transfer was finalized around Wednesday, allowing him to skip training with Barcelona. Coach Luis Enrique plans to use Torres' versatility, leveraging his ability to drift in attack. He is expected to feature in the August 23 Ligue 1 opening match against Stade Rennais. 🚀