📱 TikTok settles $400M privacy case with US Justice Dept

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, settled for $400 million with the US Justice Department over children’s privacy litigation on Friday. The Justice Department initially sued TikTok in 2024, claiming the app violated COPPA by collecting children's data without permission. The settlement requires TikTok to immediately pay $300 million, plus another $100 million related to a 2019 FTC order. This action comes amid increased scrutiny on major tech platforms regarding child safety concerns. Moving forward, TikTok has implemented stricter safeguards for younger users as part of the resolution. 📱

💥 SmackDown drama heats up with title clashes 🔥

WWE SmackDown featured a major confrontation between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Undisputed Championship match spotlighted these two stars during the show's main events. The Tag Team Championship match saw Tama Tonga and Tala Tonga retain their titles against Damian Priest and R-Truth. CM Punk discussed pressure with Randy Orton backstage, setting up future rivalries. Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton were also involved in backstage segments regarding the Women's Championship.

🔮 Sagittarius horoscope: small mistakes cost more today

Sagittarius needs patience today as stress levels might rise unexpectedly due to various financial concerns. The Moon is uneasy, suggesting potential anxiety related to travel costs or forgotten bills on August 22, 2026. In relationships, sincere moments bring comfort, while career requires avoiding rushed decisions for better outcomes. Financially, it's best to keep spending low and carefully watch all transactions. Prioritizing quiet time can help manage emotional stress manifesting as physical tension.

✨ Why colored glassware is trending in home decor

Homeowners are shifting away from strictly minimalist aesthetics to embrace more personal and layered spaces. Coloured glassware has emerged as an easy way to inject personality and playfulness into interiors. Interior designer Tanvi Porwal notes that people are tired of neutral palettes and want their homes to reflect their individuality. Historically, these pieces symbolized artistry, and today, they interact beautifully with natural light. Starting with a few accent pieces is recommended to begin this colourful home upgrade. 🌈

🌌 Sydney PhD finds 'Rosetta Stone' for Milky Way radio bursts

A PhD student in Sydney found a 'Rosetta Stone' among unexplained Milky Way radio bursts. The source, ASKAP J1745−5051, is located in Western Australia and repeats bursts every 1.4 hours. This discovery, published on 1 June 2026, connects the signal to a binary orbit, not an unseen object. The system features an accreting white dwarf, confirmed by optical and X-ray data. This provides a key reference point for studying other galactic radio sources. 🔭

✈️ Plane crashes near Alaska during foggy landing attempt

A Cessna plane crashed at a remote military site in western Alaska, resulting in the death of all eight people aboard. The crash occurred on Thursday midday while the plane was attempting its second landing approach amidst heavy fog. The incident happened near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site, about 450 miles west of Anchorage. Regulations forced the pilots to abort the first attempt due to poor visibility, before the second attempt failed. NTSB investigators are now traveling to the scene to look into the devastating loss. ✈️

🕊️ Veteran Actor Sowcar Janaki Passes Away at 94

Renowned Indian actor Sowcar Janaki has passed away at the age of 94. She was a celebrated figure in the Indian entertainment industry. Her life spanned many years of performing in various roles. Janaki was known for her impactful contributions to cinema and theatre across the country. Her passing marks the end of an era for Indian arts.

💧 Cauvery dry spell hits Karnataka farmers

A farmer in Kuntanahalli, Karnataka, is worried about his paddy nursery due to the dry spell affecting the Cauvery basin. Farmers face uncertainty amid a predicted deficient monsoon and low reservoir inflows. The Cauvery Irrigation Advisory Committee decided to release canal water in only four rotational cycles this crop season. Farmers are stressed by the limited Cauvery water sharing with Tamil Nadu and internal water needs. Karnataka appealed to the CWMA on August 11 to reduce water release to Tamil Nadu. 💧

🎮 Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 quests are here

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 has launched with numerous new quests and gameplay features for players to tackle. Weekly quests are released every Thursday at 9 AM ET and offer 20,000 XP per completion. The season introduces Build-A-Wrixel quests, requiring players to complete tasks to unlock customizable skin styles. Additionally, Get Crafty Story Quests offer bonus rewards like the Ziggy Outfit upon finishing all five stages. Players can now jump into Battle Royale to boost their levels and collect exclusive items. 🎮

🎮 GTA 6 leaks: Nightmare or just a blip? 🤯

Apparent leaks showing footage of GTA 6 have surfaced, causing concern over the massive game's rollout. Take Two Interactive has initiated legal action in a New York court against sites like GitHub and Discord. While leaks appeared since Wednesday, the game is set for release on 19 November for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Experts suggest the impact might be minimal, as Rockstar usually keeps things very secret. Most analysts believe this controversy will ultimately become a footnote in the game's huge success.

🤖 Microsoft pushes Bing everywhere on Windows 11

Microsoft has developed a dedicated app, Microsoft Recommended Search Settings, designed to force Bing as the default search engine across various browsers. This tool, called MicrosoftSettings.exe, prompts users to install extensions on Edge, Firefox, and Chrome. The app redirects users to the Microsoft Rewards page after setup is complete, serving as a reward. Testing showed Chrome and Brave immediately flagged the new Microsoft Bing Homepage & Search extension. This highlights Microsoft's aggressive strategy to promote Bing despite user resistance. 🧐