🏎️ Piastri chill after Verstappen locks in with Red Bull

Max Verstappen extended his contract with Red Bull until 2030 ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. This news ended rumours suggesting Verstappen might switch to McLaren, which had linked Piastri to a potential team swap. Oscar Piastri stated he was not worried about the extension, saying it didn't affect his future at McLaren. He expressed satisfaction with his current standing, mentioning wins and good opportunities at the team. Ultimately, Piastri feels McLaren is the best place for his continued success.

🎮 MW4 drops into Korea with fresh maps and vibes

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta has started, giving players a look at new maps and mechanics. The setting is centered around North and South Korea, providing a rich backdrop for the multiplayer mode. Early maps like Silkworm and Lotus informed the larger Hajin map for Warzone. The design team emphasized photorealism while ensuring narrative elements enhance, but do not distract from, competitive gameplay. They drew inspiration from modern Korean culture, including K-pop and PC bangs.

🏏 Stokes shines with bat and ball for Durham

Ben Stokes delivered a massive all-round performance during the Rothesay County Championship match between Derbyshire and Durham. He played for Durham at the OurCoop County Ground in Derby, where he scored 53 runs and took 2 wickets. Durham set a strong total of 283, while Derbyshire subsequently collapsed to 127 for 6 on the second day. Stokes' batting helped set up an imposing position for the team throughout the day. The match continues with intense action as both teams push their promotion ambitions.

💡 Modi: India is a bright spot for global growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India maintains political stability and is committed to reforms across all sectors. Addressing the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, he highlighted that the world views India as a bright spot of growth and hope. This confidence is backed by the NDA government's clear roadmap focusing heavily on governance. The administration is shifting from a 'prohibited-unless-permitted' to a 'permitted-unless-prohibited' policy model. These systemic changes are evident in sectors like Indian Railways and the Delhi Metro. 📈

💀 Taxi Driver Murdered Over Offline Booking

A 22-year-old taxi driver was allegedly kidnapped and murdered after accepting an offline booking for Jaipur. The victim, Ashish Pal from Auraiya, UP, was attacked while traveling from Sarita Vihar on July 20th. Police arrested six people, including a juvenile, and recovered the car and body in Rajasthan. The accused reportedly conspired to rob a vehicle due to lack of money and attempted to use the victim's belongings. Further investigation is ongoing to corroborate the roles of all the arrested individuals. 💀

🚢 Oman and Iran talk to keep Hormuz Strait shipping open

Oman and Iran discussed challenges to navigation through the strategic Hormuz Strait on Friday. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi spoke by phone amid ongoing disruptions. Traffic through the strait is reported by UKMTO to be about 90% below prewar levels. The diplomats aimed to reach practical understandings for uninterrupted maritime flow while considering all parties' interests. This comes as tensions remain high following late February conflict escalations.

⚖️ Pulwama Terror Case: NIA Court Denies Bail

An NIA court rejected the bail application of Insha Jan, an accused in the Pulwama terror attack conspiracy case. The court is located in Jammu and stated that the trial is ongoing and witnesses are still being examined. This decision was made on Thursday, citing the risk of influencing key prosecution witnesses during the trial proceedings. Although bail was denied, authorities were directed to provide necessary medical care to the accused every fortnight. Insha has been in custody for over six years since her arrest on March 3, 2020. 😥

🏏 Yorkshire fight for target in tight county clash 🏏

Yorkshire currently leads Hampshire by 111 runs in their Rothesay County Championship match. George Hill took five wickets for the hosts at the venue. The score saw Yorkshire at 173 and Hampshire at 135 for 5 on the first innings. Despite defensive batting from Hampshire, Yorkshire managed to secure a 24-run advantage. The focus now shifts to how the teams navigate the remaining stages of this low-scoring thriller.

🤔 RSS leaders say youth concerns need fixing

RSS leaders emphasized that youth concerns, like NEET issues, must be understood and actively addressed by all. This was stated by Sah Sarkaryavah C.R Mukunda and Sunil Ambekar at the Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak in Visakhapatnam. The three-day meeting saw 326 delegates from 32 Sangh-inspired organisations, held on Friday. Discussions covered demographic changes, narcotic substance abuse, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on Indian society. Moving forward, they stressed a positive approach requiring cooperation from the government, states, and society.

💔 Kishtwar teen dies after alleged forced abortion attempt

A 14-year-old schoolgirl from Kishtwar died following an alleged forced abortion attempt, sparking widespread protests on Friday. The incident occurred in Chatroo, where the accused teacher, Khalid Hussain, and his brother were subsequently arrested. The girl was reportedly five months pregnant, and complications arose during transport from Chatroo to GMC Jammu. She passed away late Thursday near Doda’s Batote after being shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar. Authorities are now investigating other potential involvement, including relatives and pharmacy staff. 😔

🎮 Tencent Games dropping massive lineup at Gamescom 2026

Tencent Games is bringing its largest Gamescom lineup to Cologne for consumer and business showcases. The company will be at Koelnmesse from August 26 to 28, after an opening night appearance on August 25. Highlights include Animula Nook and four titles from TiMi Studio Group, featuring Honor of Kings: ACE. The business area will debut Tencent Games Central Tech, focusing on generative AI and game production tools. Limited beta access for the LAP platform is scheduled to open in September globally. 🎮