Bilibili global push is taking China’s major long-form video platform into new international markets with easier sign-ups, creator recruitment and localization. But India is notably absent from its early expansion map, highlighting how the country’s restrictions on Chinese apps continue to shape global platform strategies. Bilibili global push expands beyo

The Meta youth addiction trial now underway in Oakland could reshape Instagram and Facebook far beyond financial penalties. Twenty-nine states allege Meta harmed young users and violated child privacy laws, while four states are leading consumer-protection claims seeking major platform changes. Meta youth trial targets platform design Openi

The UK asylum booklet explaining British laws on consent, gender equality and public behaviour has triggered a wider political argument. The Home Office says the migrant guide helps newcomers understand UK law, while critics question whether singling out asylum seekers risks reinforcing stereotypes. UK asylum booklet explains British laws T

The AI model release pace is accelerating so quickly that independent evaluation is struggling to keep up. New releases from Meta, xAI and Z.AI arrived within days of one another this month, while recent launches from OpenAI and Anthropic show how quickly the competitive frontier is moving. AI model release pace keeps accelerating The broad

PV Sindhu vs Wang Zhi Yi will be one of the biggest women’s singles contests in the BWF World Championships 2026 round of 16. Sindhu reached the stage with a straight-game win over Wen Yu Zhang and says consistency, recovery and long-rally discipline will be crucial against the Chinese world No. 3. Sindhu round 16 challenge PV Sindhu advanced to the pre-quarterfinals in New Delhi after defeat

The Natalie Harp Trump row has intensified after Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff publicly targeted President Donald Trump’s close working relationship with his executive assistant. The remarks triggered an unusually aggressive White House response and renewed attention on Harp’s access, personal letters and role inside Trump’s circle. Ossoff remarks put Natalie Harp in spotlight Democratic Sen

US ICC sanctions have intensified Washington's dispute with the International Criminal Court. The Trump administration has designated ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, escalating the ICC jurisdiction row and its campaign over national sovereignty. US ICC sanctions The United States announced sanctions against two senior International Criminal Court officials on

China’s commercial space sector has reached a major milestone with the Zhuque-3 landing. LandSpace successfully recovered the reusable rocket’s first stage, strengthening China’s rocket ambitions and its challenge to SpaceX as booster reuse becomes central to cheaper satellite launches. Zhuque-3 landing Chinese startup LandSpace successfully recovered the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocke

Trump’s India voter ID remarks have renewed debate over the SAVE America Act as India conducts its SIR 2026 exercise. While Trump praised India’s voter identification system, voter roll exclusions in Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal have raised concerns over electoral access and voting rights. Trump India voter ID e

Delhi Police has defended its handling of the July 20 Sansad Chalo protest in a counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on August 18, 2026. Police rejected allegations of excessive force, saying officers adopted a graded response after parts of the crowd breached barricades and attempted to move towards Parliament. The affidavit comes amid judicial scrutiny of policing during the student-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Delhi P

India strengthened their position in the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after setting the hosts a challenging target of 372 runs. The visitors were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, but their strong first-innings advantage ensured that Sri Lanka were left facing a difficult fourth-innings chase. Earlier in the match, India had posted an imposing 462 in their first innings, putting significant pressure on the Sri Lankan batting lineup. The hosts

Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra have received a clean chit from the Special Investigation Team probing alleged theft and irregularities involving donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. According to an official statement cited on August 18, the Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT's final report and forwarded it to the temple trust for further consideration.

The Taliban seeks deeper India ties as Afghanistan looks to strengthen political trust, trade and regional connectivity with New Delhi. Taliban chargé d’affaires Noor Ahmed Noor highlighted India ties and their shared history while outlining Kabul’s interest in broader diplomatic and economic engagement. India ties gain focus at New Delhi event Noor made the remarks during a New Delhi even

US envoy Jared Kushner says the Gaza peace plan could begin showing progress within 30 days, with early steps focused on Hamas disarmament and closing militant tunnels. His comments followed talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders as Washington tries to revive a stalled roadmap. Hamas disarmament Kushner said he hoped the first visible progress could involve remov

US President Donald Trump has renewed his push for the SAVE America Act, citing India’s voter ID system while arguing for stricter eligibility rules in American federal elections. His latest remarks put India’s massive election process at the center of a renewed debate over voter identification, citizenship checks and mail voting in the United States. SAVE

Higgsfield AI support is drawing closer attention as the fast-growing video startup reaches a $5.4 billion valuation and expands beyond 30 million users. The company has scaled revenue and funding at exceptional speed, but some customers continue to raise questions about billing, refunds and how quickly support problems are resolved. AI video growth pushes Higgsfield valuation to $5.4 billion

Hayden Panettiere death is under investigation after the Heroes and Nashville star was found unresponsive in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16, 2026. Police reported no signs of foul play, while officials have not released a final cause or manner of death. Actor Hayden Panettiere, known for starring in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died at age 36 on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. Her rep

Shristi Selvan won the USTA Girls’ 16s national title in San Diego, defeating Aarini Bhattacharya in three sets after a comeback in the final. The victory gave Selvan her third national singles Gold Ball of 2026 and a main-draw wild card into the US Open Junior Championships. Shristi Selvan rallies for USTA Girls’ 16s title SAN DIEGO — Fifteen-year-old Indian-American tennis player Shrist

The U.S. visa interview for minors in India generally requires children to appear in person, including newborns and teenagers. The U.S. Embassy in India reiterated the rule as State Department interview-waiver standards remain narrower than in earlier years. The U.S. Embassy in India has reminded parents that minor applicants generally must appear in person for a U.S. visa interview, including newborns and teenagers approaching age 18. Sending only a parent or guar

Iran's foreign influence bill has moved forward in parliament, potentially expanding criminal penalties for contacts with foreign media, universities, embassies and organisations. The proposal comes amid heightened security concerns in Tehran and could significantly affect journalists, academics and civil society. Foreign media law could expand criminal penal