🏸 Lakshya Sen bounces back from scare at Worlds

Lakshya Sen managed to defeat World No. 128 Collins Valentine Filimon in three games at the BWF World Championships 2026. This match took place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, where Sen overcame a tough opening round challenge. Sen struggled initially due to wind drift, losing the first game 21-16 against the Austrian. However, a crucial diving save sparked a comeback, leading to wins in the second and third games. Next, Sen faces USA’s World No. 92 Garret Tan in his campaign. 🏸

⚽ Barcelona eyeing La Liga talent with low release clause

Racing Santander star Sergio Martinez impressed with a brilliant goal on his La Liga debut this past weekend. Barcelona is closely monitoring the 19-year-old midfielder at Racing Santander, alongside Real Madrid and Villarreal. Martinez holds a €3 million release clause, making him a highly sought-after prospect. Previous attempts by Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign him last January did not succeed. Despite this, Barcelona continues to track his potential for future moves.

🎭 Manju Warrier and Dileep spotted together again

Manju Warrier and Dileep made a rare joint public appearance at a new theatre inauguration in Kerala. The couple, who married in 1998 and divorced in 2015, were seen at the event inaugurated by Kerala CM VD Satheesan. Their shared presence quickly drew online attention amidst their complex history. This history is tied to the 2017 sexual assault case where Dileep was arrested in July 2017. The trial concluded in December 2025, leading to varying verdicts for the accused.

🗳️ US cites India's voter IDs, but Modi's elections?

US President Donald Trump promoted India's election system for tougher US voter ID laws. The comparison was made after the Chief Election Commissioner advised on photo ID requirements. India's last election had 646,000,000 voters, with less than 1 percent voting by mail. While admired for scale, Indian elections face scrutiny over rolls and institutional independence under PM Narendra Modi. The government rejected fraud allegations, despite opposition claims of irregularities in 2024 elections. 🧐

🤰 TN extends maternity leave to 365 days for third child

The Tamil Nadu government announced that women government employees will receive 365 days of maternity leave for their third child. This change was declared by HR Minister D Sarathkumar during the state Assembly debate. Previously, employees with two or more children were entitled to only 12 weeks of leave. This policy move comes amid concerns about Tamil Nadu’s Total Fertility Rate dropping below 1.4. The government may explore incentives similar to Andhra Pradesh's for future childbirths. 🤰

🏥 5-year-old dies after eating takeout food in Surat

A five-year-old girl tragically passed away after consuming Kaju-Paneer Curry from a Surat restaurant. The incident occurred in Ranujadham Society, where the family ordered the dish from Sheetal Restaurant. Five family members were hospitalized following severe stomach pain reported around 4 am on August 16. Doctors confirmed food poisoning for the survivors, while Arya died shortly after reaching Sadvichar Hospital. Health Minister Praful Pansheriya ordered the immediate sealing of Sheetal Restaurant and strict legal action against those responsible. 🏥

🛡️ Dubai gets missile alert amid West Asia tensions 🚨

Dubai residents received a missile alert for the first time in weeks due to rising tensions in West Asia linked to the US-Iran conflict. The UAE's defence ministry confirmed its air defence systems detected a missile threat on Tuesday, prompting an emergency alert for citizens. The ministry later clarified that one missile fell within UAE territorial waters while another fell outside. This was the first such alert since a false alarm in June, showing heightened regional instability. Authorities later confirmed the situation was safe, allowing residents to resume normal activities.

📸 Pokemon x Polaroid cameras dropping soon

New Pokémon x Polaroid special edition instant cameras and accessories are launching soon. These collectibles feature designs inspired by Pikachu, Sylveon, and Poké Ball across three camera styles. Specific models include the red and black Pokémon Edition and two Go Generation 3 variants. Various specialized film options are available, depicting different Pokémon in the frames. All items will be available for preorder at Pokémon Center and Polaroid.com.

🚨 UAE alerts citizens to possible missile threats

The UAE issued its first missile threat warning in several months, advising residents to seek shelter immediately. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) detected the threat targeting the country on August 18, 2026. This alert followed the expiry of the Iran-US MoU meant to quell Middle East conflict. The interior ministry also urged people to find the closest secure building due to the current situation. This follows the last real warning in May and a false alarm in June. 🚨

📱 Slim Moto Pad 70 lands in India now

The slim Moto Pad 70, the third in its family, is now officially available in India. It is available on Motorola.in and Flipkart, with the 8/256GB model listed at ₹34,000 on Flipkart. This tablet runs on the Dimensity 6400 chipset and features 5G connectivity natively. It boasts a 10,200mAh battery and is guaranteed two OS updates up to Android 18. The device comes in Pantone Sea Angel color and is IP52 rated for protection.

🚗 Skoda Superb Diesel is coming back to India

Skoda Superb Diesel has been confirmed to return to the Indian market. This model is expected to make its comeback via Skoda Auto in India. The return is anticipated for the upcoming fiscal year, starting in 2024. This revival aims to cater to the segment that prefers diesel engine options in large sedans. Skoda Auto is reportedly finalizing the details for the refreshed launch. 🚗