🏝️ Dwayne Johnson addresses the 'Moana' mixed reviews

Dwayne Johnson discussed the backlash and mixed reviews for his live-action film, 'Moana.' The film, which stars Johnson as Maui, was released in theatres and faced online criticism about omitted elements. Johnson commented that such outcomes are common in the industry, sharing these thoughts with his wife, Lauren Hashian. He emphasized that the main goal was to put Polynesian culture at the center of the movie. He feels the culture was represented well, allowing his kids to see themselves on the big screen. 🏝️

💸 NYT Strands August 9: Treat or Splurge?

NYT Strands puzzle #889 explores the theme "Isn’t that a bit much?" It challenges players to spot words related to spending on indulgent items. The theme words include Luxury, Treat, Extravagance, Frills, and Indulgence. The nine-letter spangram spanning the board is revealed to be I’M WORTH IT. Players can now check out the full solution for this financial dilemma puzzle.

🤝 US Ambassador meets Kerala CM, checks out backwaters

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor had a very good meeting with Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan in Kochi on Saturday. The discussions focused on bilateral growth across higher education, technology, and port infrastructure. Gor later enjoyed an incredible houseboat cruise in Alappuzha, Kerala's famed backwaters. Additionally, Trump's son-in-law, Michael Boulos, also visited Alappuzha during the monsoon rains. Both visits signal growing cooperation between the US and Kerala. 🛶

💣 Japan's nuclear stance under pressure amidst China threat

Japan is facing a renewed debate on nuclear weapons as its leaders question the nation's pacifist principles. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has refused to clarify if she will uphold the three non-nuclear principles amidst China's growing military might. The country is updating its defense strategy this year following the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing on Thursday. Survivors are unnerved by this shift, feeling diplomacy is being sidelined for military capacity. Future discussions are focused on whether to allow US nuclear arms under the existing security alliance. 😟

⚖️ Ideology trumps law degree in latest verdict

A recent legal case highlights how ideology can supersede formal legal qualifications in decision-making. The judgment involved a prominent legal scholar and was delivered in a high-stakes court session. Specific details mentioned the involvement of several key figures and a hearing date of October 15, 2023. This ruling has sparked intense debate among legal professionals regarding the balance between doctrine and belief. Further implications of this verdict are expected to be analyzed by legal experts in the coming weeks.

🏏 Super Giants scrape narrow win to stay in hunt

Manchester Super Giants secured a tense 10-run victory over Southern Brave in a close encounter. The match took place in the league stage, with Paul Walter and Tim Seifert anchoring the innings for the Giants. The final scores saw Giants reach 149/8 and Brave finish at 138/8 on October 15th. This win keeps the Super Giants' knockout stage hopes alive against Sunrisers Leeds. Gus Atkinson sealed the win for the hosts after Brave needed 19 from the final five balls.

🥚 Eggs flying in Kosovo Parliament drama

An opposition lawmaker threw eggs at acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti during a parliament session in Pristina. The incident involved Time Kadrijaj, from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), targeting PM Kurti. This happened while Kurti's Vetevendosje party was negotiating post-June 7 election arrangements. Kurti stated he was willing to endure the egg attacks to keep political talks alive. The parliamentary session was suspended amid this intense political crisis. 🥚

✨ iPhone 18 Pro Max gets A20 Pro and camera glow-up

Apple is preparing to launch its next flagship line, the iPhone 18 series, which will feature the top-tier iPhone 18 Pro Max. These devices are expected to launch in September 2026, alongside Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Ultra. Leaks indicate the iPhone 18 Pro Max will boast the A20 Pro chipset and a triple-housed variable-camera sensor. Additionally, the Pro models will debut a new Dark Cherry colour option, replacing Cosmic Orange. The Pro Max is also rumored to feature a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. 📱

🏛️ SC collegium names 5 judges for HC Chief Justice roles

The Supreme Court collegium has decided to recommend five judges for chief justice appointments in various high courts. This decision was made by the collegium, led by CJI Surya Kant, to fill numerous vacancies currently held by acting chief justices. Specific recommendations include V Kameswar Rao for Patna, and Ashwani Kumar Mishra for Punjab and Haryana. These recommendations are expected to be sent to the Union government soon to provide full-time leadership. However, decisions for Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh remain pending. 🏛️

😠 MLA claims daughter married conman who swindled 25 women

A BJP MLA, Sevata Gyan Tiwari, alleged that his daughter was tricked into marrying a conman using fake IDs. The accused, Prakhar Trivedi, allegedly married about 25 women across states like Maharashtra and cheated them of crores of rupees. The marriage took place in 2024 after the conman posed as a Mumbai real estate businessman. The police registered an FIR and arrested Anuj Trivedi and Prakhar Trivedi following the complaint. Tiwari demanded strict punishment for the accused after his daughter was brought home. 😠

🥈 India's Basant Meghwal bags historic U20 high jump silver

Basant Kumar Meghwal secured a historic silver medal in the men's high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships. This achievement took place at the U20 Championships, marking India's first silver in this specific event. He cleared 2.21m on his second attempt, matching his lifetime best on August 9, 2026. This result adds to India's junior global championships haul, following Ashish Yadav's silver in Javelin throw. The medal was decided by countback among the three athletes clearing 2.21m. 🥈