🤕 Babar Azam out of first England Test due to injury

Babar Azam is sidelined for the first Test against England after sustaining a hand injury. This happened during a tour match on Saturday while batting against a Professional County Club Select XI. The injury, which occurred from a delivery by Manny Lumsden, is expected to keep him out for the Test starting in Leeds on Wednesday. Either Shan Masood or Salman Agha is in consideration to captain the team in his absence. The final decision will be made by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi. 🤕

⚖️ Tax drama over Messi visit heats up in Kerala

The Kerala GST department has recommended disciplinary action against senior tax officials. This action is related to the failure to collect GST during the unsuccessful bid to host Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team. The lapses involve an alleged shortfall of ₹22.68 crore in GST from the sponsoring television channel. A five-member Special Investigation Team had been formed based on a report from the Secretary, Sports. The GST Commissioner has now submitted these recommendations to the State government for further steps.

🚨 Haryana BJP IT Chief Removed Amid Arrest Calls

The IT cell chief of the Haryana BJP was removed from his post. This action took place in Haryana, following public pressure on social media. Specifically, there were calls for his arrest circulating on Twitter. The removal comes amid ongoing political scrutiny regarding his activities. Future developments related to this political fallout remain uncertain.

🚀 United Launch Alliance appoints new CEO

United Launch Alliance has officially named Mark Peller as its new Chief Executive Officer. This leadership change is taking place at the company's headquarters. The appointment was finalized in early 2024. Peller brings extensive experience in the aerospace industry to the role. The company anticipates further growth under his guidance moving forward.

✅ AP Health Minister: No COVID Clusters Found

The Health Minister stated there is no evidence of COVID-19 spreading in clusters across Andhra Pradesh. This was announced on Monday, August 17, 2026, confirming the state's current low spread level. From January 1 to August 15 this year, the state recorded 74 cases out of 2,554 nationally. Of those 74 patients across 17 districts, 56 recovered, 10 are hospitalized, and four passed away. Officials confirmed all necessary testing and medical supplies are available for ongoing monitoring.

😟 $100k H-1B fee might make US lose tech talent

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi warned that a proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas could seriously hurt US competitiveness. This Illinois Democrat stated that businesses would have to choose between hiring talent in the US or shifting jobs overseas. He noted that Indian nationals received 71% of all H-1B visas in fiscal year 2024, making the impact significant. Krishnamoorthi argued this fee acts as a tax on skilled workers who build the US economy. He urged policymakers to fix the legal immigration system to prevent this talent drain. 😟

🏏 Suthar vs Jadeja: Different styles, same wicket threat

Manav Suthar showcased his bowling skills in Sri Lanka's first innings in Galle. He played for India, and his performance was noted on Monday. In his first spell, Suthar picked up 2 wickets for 13 runs. His old-school left-arm orthodox style seems perfect for Sri Lankan pitches. He is proving there is still a place for classic spin in modern Test cricket. 🏏

😠 Man arrested for defacing YSR statue

A man was arrested for smearing black paint on the statue of former CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in Nandyal district. The incident occurred on Sunday, August 16, at the Allagadda Four Road Junction. The accused, Siddam Reddy Ramana Reddy, was identified from P. Chintakunta village. He allegedly felt deceived by local YSRCP leaders after seeking justice for a reported 16 crore property fraud. Police caught him attempting to flee on Monday afternoon and recovered related items. 😠

🧐 Telangana voters face notices for name differences

Nearly 93 lakh voters in Telangana are set to receive notices regarding slight name mismatches during the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls. Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudharshan Reddy confirmed that using a full name with a surname versus just an initial will be flagged as an anomaly. The office's initial list of 11 red flags did not specifically include name mismatch issues. Document-related anomalies, like having zero papers, will surface during the verification process. Voters must reply to these notices to keep their names on the final rolls. 🧐

⚽ Rights group says FIFA must block Infantino's re-election

Human rights group FairSquare has urged FIFA to prevent Gianni Infantino from running again for the presidency. They argued he has already hit the maximum three-term limit set by FIFA statutes. Infantino previously won an argument in 2022 that his first term shouldn't count toward this limit. This is happening as he seeks re-election for the 2027-31 cycle in Morocco on March 18. The move comes amid scrutiny over his conduct and the transparency of past decisions.

🏖️ Alia & Ranbir share cute vacation vibes with Raha

Alia Bhatt shared serene vacation pictures from a trip with Ranbir Kapoor and their daughter Raha Kapoor. The photos showed Raha enjoying the sea while seated between the parents. Alia mentioned in the caption that these were 'good old days' moments with cuddles. She emphasized that her priorities are her daughter and family when selecting projects. Ranbir's big film, Ramayana, is set to release in two parts during Diwali 2026 and 2027.