India
Ex-Australia cricketer Henriques to captain Portugal at T20 World Cup qualifier
Former Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques has been named captain of Portugal's squad for the ICC T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C. The tournament is set to be held in Finland. Henriques, who was born in Madeira — the same island hometown as football icon Cristiano Ronaldo — represented Australia in 4 Tests, 16 ODIs, and 24 T20Is during his international career. He will lead a 14-member Portugal side as they bid to advance in the T20 World Cup qualification process.
Pune Police Book UK OCI Holder Under Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law
Pune Police have registered an FIR against a UK-based Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder for allegedly attempting religious conversion. The accused is said to have made remarks about Jesus and Hindu deities during the alleged incident. In a separate but related case, a 21-year-old man was arrested under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act. Both cases come amid a broader debate in the state over religious conversions and foreign funding of religious activities. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has maintained that organizations operating transparently have no reason to be concerned about the law.
US Influencer May Lose Australia Visa After Handling Baby Wombat for Reel
American influencer Sam Jones is facing potential visa consequences in Australia after a video of him picking up a baby wombat from its mother went viral. The footage sparked widespread public outrage, prompting Australian authorities to review his visa status. Wildlife experts warned that handling wild animals for social media content poses serious risks to both the animals and humans. The incident has reignited calls to respect Australia's native wildlife and maintain a safe distance from animals in the wild.
Lebanon Abolishes Death Penalty, Becomes First Middle Eastern Nation to Do So
Lebanon has made history by formally abolishing the death penalty, becoming the first country in the Middle East to take this step. The decision was passed as part of a broader set of legislative measures currently under discussion in the country's parliament. Among the other bills in the same session is a general amnesty law that has been under debate for several years. The move marks a significant shift in Lebanon's legal and human rights framework.

Airbnb CEO Credits AI Strategy for Strong Financials, Plans Bigger Tech Investment
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has attributed the company's strong financial performance to a deliberate shift toward artificial intelligence. The strategy has accelerated product development and driven feature innovation, improving operational efficiency across the business. Following the release of solid quarterly results, Airbnb's share price rose sharply. Looking ahead, the company plans to increase spending on AI computing infrastructure to support continued growth.
Australian giant cuttlefish population crashes to historic low at Point Lowly
The giant cuttlefish aggregation at Point Lowly, South Australia, has suffered a dramatic collapse in 2026, with fewer than ten individuals observed per dive. This marks a steep decline from a previously recorded gathering of around 100,000 cuttlefish. Researchers suspect a recent algal bloom in the region may have harmed the cuttlefish directly or depleted their food sources. In response, authorities have introduced conservation measures and suspended tourism activity at the site to aid population recovery.
Jake Paul vs Logan Paul: Comparing Their Social Media Reach in 2026
Brothers Jake and Logan Paul have both built large digital presences across platforms including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and podcasts. Jake has focused his social media identity around combat sports promotion and business ventures, while Logan has leaned into entertainment, WWE wrestling, and visibility tied to his PRIME brand. Despite sharing overlapping audiences, the two brothers have pursued distinctly different content and commercial strategies. Together, they represent two separate models of how early internet fame can be scaled into broader media and business empires.
Caitlin Clark Foundation partners with Scholastic to donate 22,000 books to Midwest kids
Basketball star Caitlin Clark has teamed up with Scholastic to launch a book donation initiative through her foundation. The program will distribute 22,000 books to children in Iowa and Indiana, targeting students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The initiative is aimed at improving literacy and expanding access to reading resources for young students. Clark cited her own childhood memories of Scholastic book flyers as inspiration behind the effort.
Father kills two daughters in Bengaluru hotel amid custody dispute, police say
A 45-year-old man named SG Imran was found with a slit neck in the toilet of a five-star hotel room in Bengaluru. His two daughters, aged 8 and 10, were discovered dead on a nearby bed. Police believe an ongoing custody battle was the motive behind the children's murders. The incident came to light when the bodies were found in the hotel room. Authorities are investigating the case further.

Harbhajan Singh doubles down on Punjab drug crisis after police fact-check his video
BJP MP Harbhajan Singh has responded to Punjab Police's fact-check of a viral drug-related video he had shared on social media. Singh argued that questioning the location of such videos does not diminish the seriousness of Punjab's drug problem. He shared an additional video to reinforce his point, while accusing paid trolls of attempting to downplay the crisis. The cricketer-turned-politician also criticised those he alleged were working to suppress awareness of the issue. Singh concluded by urging the Punjab government to prioritise making the state free of drugs.
India Tells China: Border Situation Directly Reflects Bilateral Relations
India has issued a stern warning to China, stating that the condition of their shared border will mirror the overall state of ties between the two nations. The warning comes amid reports of Chinese troops crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near Pukar La and Ollo in Arunachal Pradesh. Indian officials signaled that any provocative actions along the border would have direct consequences on the broader bilateral relationship. The incidents highlight ongoing tensions between the two countries over the disputed frontier in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its own territory.

US Court Dismisses All Criminal Charges Against Gautam Adani
A United States court has dismissed all criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and co-accused individuals. The case had involved allegations of securities fraud and wire fraud. Following the court's decision, Adani publicly expressed gratitude toward those who supported him through the legal proceedings. The dismissal marks a significant legal relief for the Adani Group chairman.

Yogi Adityanath Pays Tribute to Khudiram Bose on Martyrdom Day
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath honored freedom fighter Khudiram Bose on his martyrdom anniversary on Tuesday. Khudiram Bose was one of India's youngest revolutionaries who fought against British colonial rule. He was executed by hanging at the age of 18, making him a symbol of youthful sacrifice in India's independence movement. His martyrdom day is observed annually to commemorate his courage and contribution to the freedom struggle.

Mirzapur: The Movie trailer drops, film set for September 2026 release
The popular Mirzapur web series is making its transition to the big screen with a full-length feature film. The newly released trailer brings back beloved characters while introducing new ones, with the battle for the Gaddi expanding into new territories. The film features the franchise's established ensemble cast in what promises to be a larger-scale continuation of the story. Mirzapur: The Movie is scheduled to hit cinemas on September 4, 2026.
BJP-Akali Dal Alliance Revival Faces Significant Hurdles Despite Mutual Interest
The BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) are exploring the possibility of reuniting as a political alliance after parting ways. Both parties contested the 2022 Punjab assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections independently. The solo performances of both parties revealed that a combined electoral front could have yielded a stronger vote share. However, analysts point to five key reasons why a reunion between the two longtime allies will not be straightforward.

