Actor and motorsport enthusiast Ajith Kumar has expressed appreciation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay following the announcement of a proposed world-class Motor Sports City in Chennai. The project is expected to feature advanced racing tracks capable of hosting Formula 1 to Formula 4 events, along with training facilities, tourism infrastructure and motorsport-related manufacturing. Ajith welcomed the initiative, describing the focus on motorsport infrastructure as a major step forward for Indian racing. His statement has attracted significant attention online, with fans celebrating the public exchange between the popular actor and the Chief Minister, popularly known as “Thala x Thalapathy.” (PC: India Today)

Apple’s new CEO John Ternus is set to receive a compensation package worth about $58 million for fiscal 2027 after succeeding Tim Cook on September 1. The package includes a $3 million annual salary and a targeted $55 million stock award, along with a prorated $2.5 million equity grant for fiscal 2026. A key condition is that 75% of his fiscal 2027 equity award depends on Apple’s shareholder returns outperforming the S&P 500. The performance-linked structure places significant emphasis on delivering results. Meanwhile, Tim Cook remains Apple’s executive chairman with a separate compensation package. 

A new study titled The Many Urban Indias, by PRICE in collaboration with Tata Sons Research, highlights major differences in household financial behaviour across India’s cities. Bengaluru records the highest average household income, while Chandigarh has the highest household spending. Chennai has the highest household debt-to-income ratio, making it the leading city for borrowing, whereas Hyderabad records the lowest borrowing levels. Bengaluru also leads household savings among India’s six major metros. Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR remains the country’s largest consumption market, with the top six metros accounting for a significant share of urban consumption. The findings underline India’s varied patterns of earning, saving, spending and borrowing. (PC: ET)

Indian opener Smriti Mandhana created history during India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Group A match against Hong Kong in Dubai, surpassing legendary Mithali Raj to become the highest-ever run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all formats. Mandhana crossed Raj’s career tally of 10,868 runs while producing a spectacular 124 off 64 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes. She reached the landmark at 113 runs with a six in the 18th over. Her innings also delivered her 18th international century, moving her ahead of Meg Lanning. India posted 193/5 and defeated Hong Kong by 137 runs. (PC: NDTV)

New York City Public Schools will impose a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for students from 2-K through eighth grade during the 2026–27 school year. The policy, described as the nation’s broadest school AI restriction, aims to protect critical thinking, creativity, human interaction and independent problem-solving. High school students will instead receive AI-literacy education twice yearly and gain limited access to five vetted AI programs under direct teacher supervision. Companion chatbots will be prohibited across all grades. The city will also recommend daily screen-time limits and continue allowing necessary assistive technology for students with disabilities and English-language learners. (PC: Getty Images)

India will finalise its proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States only after securing preferential tariff treatment for Indian exporters, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on September 3. New Delhi wants Indian goods to receive a competitive tariff advantage over products from rival economies in the US market. Goyal said India has secured favourable terms in sensitive sectors and will announce the agreement’s final details once Washington provides the required tariff advantage. The negotiations reflect India’s focus on protecting export competitiveness while expanding global trade partnerships. Goyal also highlighted continued growth in India’s merchandise exports and urged industry to set ambitious targets. (PC: ANI)

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman will coach India’s men’s cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He returns to the role after guiding India to a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Laxman, currently associated with the BCCI Centre of Excellence, will be supported by former spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh. The appointment comes as head coach Gautam Gambhir will be unavailable because of India’s international commitments during the tournament. India will aim to defend its Asian Games cricket title, with the men’s competition scheduled for later this month. 

Brazilian football legend and 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Cafu is set to visit Darjeeling on September 6, bringing international football attention to the hills. Cafu will launch two new futsal teams, Darjeeling Warriors FC and North Bengal Fighters FC, and virtually lay the foundation stone for the proposed Sidra Hills Sports & Wellness Resort at Arya Tea Estate, around 10 km from Darjeeling town. The ceremony will take place at Gorkha Stadium in Lebong. The project aims to combine sports, wellness and tourism, while Cafu’s presence is expected to inspire local football enthusiasts and promote Darjeeling as a sporting destination. (PC: Reuters)

Indian professionals seeking U.S. employment-based Green Cards face extraordinarily long delays, with some EB-2 applicants potentially waiting up to 179 years, according to an analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP). Nearly one million Indians are estimated to be in the employment-based backlog, representing about 79% of the total 1.26 million cases. The backlog is driven by annual visa limits and the U.S. 7% per-country cap, despite much higher demand from India. NFAP estimates potential waits of 179 years for EB-2, 38 years for EB-3 and about 4–5 years for EB-1 applicants filing in 2026. 

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) will honor Lionel Messi following his retirement from international football by pausing matches across the country this weekend. Every game, including men’s, women’s, futsal and beach football, will stop in the 10th minute for a 60-second round of applause, reflecting Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt. Stadiums with video screens will also show a commemorative tribute before matches. Messi, 39, ended his Argentina career after 21 years, becoming the national team’s record appearance holder and top scorer with 125 goals in 207 games. He also led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles. (PC: Reuters)