⚖️ France's court greenlights assisted dying, scraps teen social media ban

France's Constitutional Council upheld the law legalizing assisted dying under specific conditions, while simultaneously striking down a bill banning under-15s from social media. This ruling was issued on Friday by France's highest constitutional authority. The assisted dying law passed last month with 291 votes in favour and 241 against. The decision allows citizens suffering from incurable illnesses to choose medical support for ending their lives. Macron has asked his government to draft a new, legally sound version of the teen social media legislation moving forward. ⚖️

🧐 Illegal Sand Mining Probe Against E.V. Velu

Allegations of large-scale illegal sand mining near Tiruvannamalai will be probed by the district administration. The complaints involve senior DMK leader E.V. Velu in the Malappambadi village dry lake bed. This sand theft allegedly caused an ₹8 crore loss to the exchequer, as per the NGO complaint dated August 13. The sand was reportedly used for leveling land for the DMK's northern zone youth wing conference on December 14 last year. An inquiry committee is being formed to conduct a detailed investigation into these charges. 🧐

✨ Google drops Pixel 11 series and Watch 5 for 2026

Google unveiled its 2026 hardware lineup, featuring the Pixel 11 series, Pixel Watch 5, and Fitbit Air. The Pixel 11 boasts the Tensor G6 chip, 12GB RAM, and 256GB base storage, with models in Pistachio and Hibiscus. Pro models introduce the HiLight feature, while the Fold sees a weight reduction despite a smaller battery. The Pixel Watch 5 adds double storage to both 41mm and 45mm models. Fitbit Air, an affordable tracker, is launching in India in October. 📱

⚽ Arteta updates on five key Arsenal players for Community Shield

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Bukayo Saka are fit for the Community Shield match. The Arsenal boss announced this during Friday's pre-match conference in relation to the clash with Manchester City. Rice and Saka participated in the final weekend of the World Cup, while Saliba and Timber dealt with injuries. Jurrien Timber's recovery is progressing, but William Saliba's back issue remains a long-term concern. Arteta stressed the importance of taking careful steps for every player's rehabilitation moving forward.

⚽ Mbappe confident: Real Madrid will win titles this year

Kylian Mbappe has returned to training with Real Madrid after the World Cup and shared his team's high ambitions. He confirmed that he and coach José Mourinho spoke frequently during the tournament before his return. Currently, Mbappe is focusing on building fitness to manage workload for the upcoming league season. He stated clearly that winning trophies is the top priority and that they are sure to succeed this year. This focus follows a positive debut experience and his excitement about life in Spain.

✨ Pixel 12 leaks hint at big changes ahead

The Google Pixel 12 is expected to debut next August, potentially bringing a major design shake-up after three years of similar looks. Four models are rumored: base, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold. RAM upgrades to LPDDR6 and silicon-carbon batteries are possible features for the new devices. Users are hoping for a modern GPU and better ergonomics instead of the current flat design. Google is expected to continue its trend of introducing experimental hardware surprises with the next iteration. 📱

🤡 UK politics: Clown vs. Trash Can in by-election

A satirical candidate, Count Binface, surprisingly won a by-election in Clacton-on-Sea. This event occurred amidst the deep political chaos following Brexit in England. The election took place on Friday, August 14, 2026, following Nigel Farage's resignation. The political landscape is currently baffling, mirroring a dysfunctional, trial-period government experience. Future politics might require complex explanations similar to those described by Pramod Mahajan. 🤷‍♂️

🇮🇳 Dharwad hosts massive Tiranga Yatra for Independence Day

A 200-metre-long Tiranga Yatra was held in Dharwad on Friday for Independence Day celebrations. The event, organized by ABVP, marked the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram'. The procession started at Lingayat Bhavan, passing Saptapur Bavi and KCD Circle before ending at Jubilee Circle. Hundreds of students, youth, and citizens participated in this patriotic march. The yatra aimed to boost unity and remember the freedom struggle's key figures. 🇮🇳

🏏 Vijay Shankar joins Dublin Guardians alongside Ashwin

Former Indian allrounder Vijay Shankar has signed with Dublin Guardians, one of the six franchises in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). He will reunite with R Ashwin, who is appointed captain and mentor for Dublin, in Europe. The inaugural ETPL season runs from August 26 to September 20 across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Vikram Rathour has been appointed as Dublin's head coach for this new venture. This league is set to be Europe's first ICC-sanctioned multi-country franchise T20 league. 🏏

🏏 Vijay Shankar joins Dublin Guardians with Ashwin

Former Indian allrounder Vijay Shankar has signed with the Dublin Guardians for the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). He will reunite with R Ashwin, who is appointed captain and mentor for the franchise in Dublin. The ETPL inaugural season runs from August 26 to September 20, featuring six teams across multiple countries. Vikram Rathour has been appointed as the head coach for the Dublin Guardians. This move follows Shankar's retirement from IPL and Indian domestic cricket in May. 🏏

🇮🇳 TN Governor sends Independence Day vibes

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar extended Independence Day greetings to the people on Friday. He addressed the citizens of Tamil Nadu in his message regarding the national day. The message emphasized remembering freedom fighters' sacrifices and India's progress since independence. He stressed that every citizen must contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Arlekar urged the youth to dedicate themselves to building a stronger India for future generations.