🏏 Joe Root hits WTC milestone as captain

Joe Root etched his name in the World Test Championship record books on Friday during the opening Test against Pakistan at Headingley in Leeds. The 35-year-old Yorkshire batter achieved this feat by scoring 3,000 runs as captain on Day 2. Root now has 3,000 runs from 34 matches and 63 innings as WTC captain, boasting an average of 50.13. This achievement firmly places him ahead of rivals like Ben Stokes and Dimuth Karunaratne in the captaincy run charts. His milestone occurred while England secured a significant first-innings lead over Pakistan. 🏏

🔫 Borderlands 4 drops FL4K DLC next month

The new story pack DLC, "FL4K and the Last Resort," is launching next month for Borderlands 4. Players will team up with FL4K to Providence, a resort island facing a warzone led by Tediore. This content drops on 10 September, also bringing a new Vault Hunter and Bounty Pack 5. The mission involves saving a skag companion while battling tough enemies and bosses on the island. This update also increases the level cap by 10 for all players across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

🎤 Kangana slams Sharmila Tagore on Vande Mataram views

Kangana Ranaut reacted strongly to Sharmila Tagore's comments regarding the song 'Vande Mataram'. Tagore had expressed concern that the song's references to multiple deities might be difficult for monotheistic believers to accept. Ranaut, in response, called her views as an artist "limiting and contrived." She argued that poetic references like Shakti should be seen as strength, not just religious practice. Ranaut urged people to move beyond rigid Hindu-Muslim mindsets to embrace the song's spirit of freedom struggle. 🇮🇳

🔥 Tamil Nadu's Deepesh Devendran bowls a rocket

Eighteen-year-old Deepesh Devendran is gaining buzz in Indian cricket after hitting speeds over 140 km/h. He is from Tamil Nadu and recently featured in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). His fast bowling pace has significantly improved in just a few months, with one delivery clocking 146 km/h. Devendran attributes this progress to high bowling volume and advice from Sandeep Warrier. He continues to develop his game despite not yet making his Ranji Trophy debut. 🏏

🚢 Carrier name change sparks debate: Trump or Sailor?

Internal Navy conversations suggest renaming the future aircraft carrier CVN-81, which was slated to honor Doris Miller. The discussions are reportedly about honoring Donald Trump, though the Navy is also considering renaming another warship after Miller. The original naming honored a Black sailor from Pearl Harbor, set during President Trump’s first term. The Navy has internally stopped using the USS Doris Miller name and is now using its hull number, CVN-81. Finalizing the name is urgent as the ship's keel-laying ceremony is expected at the end of this year.

🍇 iPhone 18 Pro colors: Dark Cherry is the vibe 🍇

Rumors suggest a dramatic new color, Dark Cherry, is coming for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. These models will feature four color options, including Silver, Dark Gray, and a new blue shade. The launch is anticipated for the week of September 9, with the iPhone 18 scheduled for Spring 2027. The iPhone Ultra, the foldable device, is expected to stick to a limited palette like white and indigo. Apple is rumored to unify the look by minimizing the color difference between the frame and glass back.

📈 Market check-in for August 21 trading

Indian stocks saw a bounce, with Nifty 50 closing more than 0.6% up after a losing streak. This happened as Sensex closed 0.82% higher at 77,537.72 on the date. Gold was set for a big weekly gain, trading near $4,530 an ounce. Meanwhile, US markets showed dips due to inflation fears and weak sales reports. Investors are keeping an eye on global trends for the upcoming trading sessions. 📈

🚇 Bengaluru's underground market stuck in limbo

The Krishna Devaraya Palike Bazaar, Bengaluru’s first underground AC market, still lacks vendors two years after its opening. This ₹13 crore facility in Vijayanagar has 79 shops, inaugurated in August 2024, but only a few are operational. Street vendors are hesitant due to high rents and business worries, despite the BWCC's efforts. Two vendor associations are divided, with one demanding relocation of outside vendors first. The BWCC has set a deadline of September 10 for new tenders and vendor movement. 😥

🚀 India's space launches are surprisingly pricey

A peer-reviewed article found that India is the most expensive market among six for satellite launches. As of the end of calendar year 2025, the cost stood at $13,302 per kilogram. This figure is over four times the US rate of $3,225 per kg. While Skyroot Aerospace is stepping up, industry experts say cost reduction is key. India aims for $3.5 billion in annual revenue by 2033, but scalability is a challenge. 🚀

♓️ Pisces horoscope: Don't judge people by fantasy

Pisces is set for a positive day with potential for unexpected rewards and assistance. For those in relationships, it is crucial to handle spouse matters with care and open communication. Career-wise, efforts may be noticed, leading to potential profit increases or recognition for students. Financially, gains look promising, making it a good day to manage debts and invest wisely. The main challenge remains inner restlessness, so mindful practices before sleep are recommended. ♓️

😔 Afghanistan life struggles five years after Taliban return

Five years have passed since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, ending the previous Islamic Republic's rule. On August 15, 2026, a parade was held in Kabul, marking this fifth anniversary of the takeover. This event followed the Taliban's entry into the capital on August 15, 2021, as Ashraf Ghani fled. The collapse ended America’s longest war and saw the Taliban reassert power. Despite this, life in the country remains marked by numerous ongoing struggles.