🏏 Gill backs Siraj after Sri Lanka draw

India was denied a 2-0 clean sweep against Sri Lanka after a dramatic final day at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Captain Shubman Gill backed Mohammed Siraj and the bowling attack despite Siraj's subdued performance during the match. The second Test ended in a draw on Thursday, after India needed only four wickets to seal the sweep. Gill clarified that Siraj was not injured, attributing the slow pace to returning to rhythm after a break. The team controlled the game initially, but Sonal Dinusha's century prevented a decisive win. 🏏

🌊 Indians missing after massive Nepal floods

At least 290 Indians are reported missing following the catastrophic Nepal-Tibet flash floods. The missing individuals are from various states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. As of Friday, the death toll stood at 392, with 1,468 people missing across the border. Families are anxiously awaiting news amid the fear of a possible further surge from a new barrier lake. Authorities are actively tracing the missing nationals and providing helpline support. 💔

⚽ Ronaldo reportedly cried after Al-Nassr's comeback win

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly cried intensely after Al-Nassr secured a 3-2 comeback victory over Al-Ettifaq. The 41-year-old was substituted at half-time on Tuesday despite the team being down 2-0 and reduced to 10 men. Journalist Khalid Al-Shanif claimed Ronaldo requested the substitution because he wasn't ready to play. Manager Ange Postecoglou stated the plan was always for him to play only 45 minutes for fitness reasons. Al-Nassr will next face Al-Taawoun while aiming to keep their perfect start in the Saudi Pro League. 😢

🚨 US and Iran not in talks to end conflict

The White House stated on Thursday that the US and Iran are currently not negotiating an end to the war. US policy remains focused on applying economic pressure against Iran, keeping all options open. Meanwhile, the USS Theodore Roosevelt is anticipated to deploy to the Middle East soon. Iran's Supreme National Security Council warned of a harsh response to any malicious US action. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over potential escalation and disruptions to energy and food flows.

✈️ Chinese social media invents Rafale vs J-16 score

A dramatic 7-1 scoreline between Chinese J-16s and Egyptian Rafales is circulating on Chinese social media. This alleged clash happened during the Eagles of Civilization 2026 drills in Egypt. The claim dates back to August 23, 2026, involving six J-16s alongside other support aircraft. This highly publicized rumor lacks any official documentation from either Chinese or Egyptian ministries. Officials reportedly praised the Egyptian pilots, but no score was ever published by either side. ✈️

🇮🇳 Jan Dhan Yojana hits 12 years milestone

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has completed 12 years today, marking a huge transformation in India's financial inclusion. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, the scheme currently has over 59 crore accounts open nationwide. As of now, total deposits stand at 3 lakh 17 thousand crore rupees, with 78 per cent in rural areas. This massive initiative uses the JAM trinity to deliver financial aid directly to millions. The scheme is helping India's Financial Inclusion Index rise, showing better access to services.

🎬 Babita Singh Reporting: A Character Study 🧐

The review analyzes 'Babita Singh Reporting,' a police procedural disguised as a character study. It features Babita, an assistant sub-inspector, in Rewa while investigating her childhood friend's death. The film chronicles her efforts to seek justice despite family resistance and personal struggles. While the psychological journey is strong, the mystery's payoff feels anticlimactic due to the focus on her personal growth. Ultimately, it offers a grim look at middle-class struggles and micro-aggressions against women.

📈 5 Nifty500 stocks hit positive breakout signals

Five stocks within the Nifty500 pack successfully crossed above their 200 DMA on August 27, 2026. This technical signal was identified by data from stockedge.com's technical scan. The 200-day DMA is a major indicator showing a stock's overall trend. For instance, one stock saw its 200 DMA at Rs 42.16 while its LTP was Rs 44.99. Traders are watching these movements to gauge potential uptrends going forward.📈

🤖 US court says Pentagon unfairly targeted AI firm Anthropic

A US federal judge ruled that sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on AI firm Anthropic were unlawful. The court determined that the Pentagon's February order targeted the AI company for publicly criticizing the government. The judge vacated Anthropic's 'supply-chain risk' designation, finding the Department of Defense violated the Fifth Amendment's due process clause. This action followed Anthropic's refusal to let the military use its AI chatbot Claude for surveillance or autonomous weapons. The court has now ordered the Department of Defense to revoke all instructions issued against Anthropic. 🤖

🌍 Modi's 4-day Central Asia tour hits Uzbekistan & Kyrgyz Republic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a four-day trip to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1. He will start in Tashkent to meet Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, focusing on trade and defense talks. The visit includes reviewing cooperation, which currently sees over 16,000 Indian students in Uzbekistan. Following this, PM Modi will travel to Bishkek to attend the 26th SCO Summit. At the summit, he will emphasize India's focus on security, connectivity, and opportunity. ✈️

💥 Researcher says Iran's UAE targeting miscalculation

A researcher noted that Iran's decision to target the UAE ultimately failed due to the country's military strength and defense posture. Fatmah Alzeyoudi, from the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, suggested Tehran aimed to undermine the UAE's success as a regional model. This assessment comes six months after Iran began attacking the UAE and other Gulf nations. The crisis reinforced the need for diversification and deeper defense coordination among GCC states. Despite this, dialogue with Iran will continue, but it needs credible security guarantees. 🛡️