🧠 Why reading is secretly good for your brain

Recent research confirms that reading offers significant advantages for cognitive health across all ages. A study highlighted that reading can boost memory and executive function in individuals. It also helps keep the brains of older adults from showing signs of aging. Christelle Langley, a cognitive neuroscientist, noted these benefits apply to recreational reading for fun. Therefore, embracing bookmaxxing is a simple way to support overall lifelong wellbeing.

🔥 SmackDown drama: Zayn vs Owens, Orton in MITB qualifier

WWE SmackDown featured big moments on September 18, 2026, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Sami Zayn, the new Undisputed WWE Champion, addressed the mixed crowd reaction to his title win last week. The GM, Nick Aldis, announced Zayn would defend the title against Kevin Owens tonight. Meanwhile, Randy Orton competed in a Men's Money in the Bank Qualifying Match against Trick Williams and Rey Fenix. The match saw intense action, with Fenix and Orton exchanging moves before the segment ended. 💥

🎬 Resident Evil India hits top 5 Hollywood openers

Zach Cregger's Resident Evil reboot made a strong debut at the Indian box office. The film collected a net of INR 2.6 crore on Friday, September 18, in India. This performance placed it fifth among Hollywood openings of 2026, beating Project Hail Mary. The horror spectacle surpassed two Bollywood films on its opening day. It is aiming for a 9 to 10 crore opening weekend if momentum continues.

📉 Flop 'Toxic' becomes 2026's top South Indian film

The Yash starrer 'Toxic' has ironically become the highest-grossing South Indian film of 2026 in India. It was released on August 26, 2026, and despite poor reviews, it earned 245.46 crore net after 24 days. This total surpasses Ram Charan’s 'Peddi' at 244.64 crore net. The film saw a sharp drop to 6 lakh on its fourth Friday, day 24. It is now projected to achieve a lifetime collection between 245.9-246.1 crore net.

🎬 Bethlehem Kudumba Unit hits massive box office milestone

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has become the second highest-grossing Malayalam film in India on Day 29. Starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, the film has amassed a net collection of 153.23 crore in 29 days. This performance shows minimal drop on the fifth Friday, indicating strong audience interest. The rom-com is close to topping the chart, needing just 3.78 crore to pass Lokah Chapter 1 – Chandra. The movie is expected to reach a lifetime net collection between 165-175 crore. 💰

🎬 Kunal Kemmu's Vibe starts strong on Day 1

Kunal Kemmu's new action-comedy, Vibe, has officially hit theaters, marking his return after directing Madgaon Express. On Friday, September 18, Vibe collected 1.5 crore across 3,194 shows with a 14% average occupancy. This opening is slightly lower than his last release, Madgaon Express, which opened at 1.63 crore. However, positive word-of-mouth suggests Vibe is set for significant growth over the weekend. The film is well-positioned to potentially reach 5.5 to 6.5 crore over three days.

⚽ Mamata's faction gets new symbol in political split

The Election Commission allotted new symbols and names to the rival factions of the Trinamool Congress. Mamata Banerjee's group received the 'football player' symbol under 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress'. The rival faction, led by Arup Roy, was given the 'envelope' symbol as 'Democratic Trinamool Congress'. Both factions will be treated as recognised parties in West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Tripura. This setup allows their candidates to contest upcoming bypolls and parliamentary seats.

🏏 Guyana Amazon Warriors score big in Cricket World

The Guyana Amazon Warriors showcased strong batting throughout their innings in the Cricket World tournament. They secured a 50-run partnership in 34 balls, featuring Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope. The team reached 200 runs in 19.5 overs, with Hetmyer scoring 102 runs off 45 balls. After a strategic timeout, the Warriors posted a total of 206/4 in 20 overs. The next phase of the game will see the opposing team chase this substantial score. 🏏

🤝 SPG backs listing despite Tata Sons' warnings

Shapoorji Pallonji Group (SPG) is pushing for a public listing of Tata Sons, opposing concerns raised by Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata. SPG, holding an 18.4% stake, views the listing as a "social and moral imperative" after the RBI rejected their registration surrender application. Previous settlement talks, which included a Rs 25,000 crore monetization proposal, failed over valuation differences. Mistry suggests the RBI ruling is a chance for reconciliation, not conflict, among stakeholders. Ultimately, SPG believes listing will boost governance and value for the company. 📈

👴 Oracle of Omaha steps down as Berkshire chair

Warren Buffett is officially stepping down as the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. This transition takes place with his son, Howard, becoming the new chairman at the $1 trillion conglomerate. Buffett, who chaired the company since 1970, will now become chairman emeritus and remain a director. Greg Abel took over as CEO at the start of this year, while Howard will focus on the company's culture and values. Analysts still have questions regarding how effectively Abel will manage the massive $365 billion cash pile moving forward. 💰

🛡️ Anthropic partners with Accenture for AI safety check

Anthropic has officially partnered with Accenture to enhance the safety testing of its artificial intelligence models. This collaboration involves both companies focusing on robust evaluations of AI systems. The agreement was finalized recently, though specific dates were not provided in the announcement. The partnership aims to build trust and ensure that powerful AI tools are developed responsibly. Moving forward, the joint teams will work on implementing advanced safety protocols across Anthropic's AI offerings.