Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have reportedly purchased Strancally Castle, a historic 19th-century Gothic-style property in County Waterford, Ireland. The off-market deal is estimated at €20 million to €30 million, with the upper figure equivalent to around ₹335 crore, although the exact price has not been disclosed. The estate covers approximately 440 acres and includes a 16,000-square-foot castle built around 1830. The couple reportedly plans to use the property during visits to Ireland while continuing to live in the United States. Ireland is also home to Meta’s international headquarters. (PC: Reuters)

Retail sugar prices in Kolkata have climbed to ₹70 per kg ahead of the festive season, rising ₹20 over the past month. Traders reported a sharp 10% increase during the last four to five days, while jaggery, batasa and nakuldana have also become more expensive. The Centre has allowed sugar mills to import one million tonnes of raw sugar and reduced stockholding limits for bulk consumers to 15 days. Traders cite tight supplies, increased festive demand, ethanol diversion and lower Brazilian production among the factors driving prices. Sweet manufacturers warn that continued increases could push up the cost of traditional sweets. (PC: Shutterstock)

SpaceX founder Elon Musk has highlighted Starlink’s potential to improve internet access in India’s underserved and rural regions. In a social media post, Musk said Starlink could particularly benefit communities that remain poorly served by existing connectivity infrastructure. The satellite-based service aims to provide high-speed internet without relying heavily on conventional terrestrial networks, making remote locations easier to connect. The comments come as Starlink continues efforts to expand its presence in India. Reuters reported that Starlink has reapplied for regulatory approval to deploy its satellite network in the country, signalling renewed efforts to enter the Indian market. (PC: PTI)

India has directed Google to shut down hundreds of accounts on its Firebase platform after authorities detected criminals using the service for online fraud. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) ordered the removal of at least 57 Firebase-hosted websites and databases in August, citing malware distribution and theft of sensitive financial data. Some phishing pages impersonated major banks, including SBI, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank. Scammers also allegedly used fake PM-KISAN apps to trick users into installing malware capable of accessing phones and stealing information. Google said it maintains strict anti-abuse policies and cooperates with law enforcement. (PC: Reuters)

UEFA and CONCACAF have begun discussions to create a combined Nations League featuring all 96 member nations from Europe, North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The biennial tournament could launch as early as 2028, following the European Championship. The proposed format would include multiple leagues, a knockout stage and a Final Four, bringing teams such as Spain, France, England and Germany against Mexico, the United States and Canada. Matches would use existing international windows to limit scheduling disruption, with revenue shared among participating nations. The plan also reflects growing cooperation between UEFA and CONCACAF amid tensions with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (PC: Getty Images)

Two commercial vessels carrying 22 Indian nationals have been hijacked in separate piracy incidents off Yemen and Somalia, raising fresh concerns over maritime security in the region. The Eritrea-flagged oil-products tanker MT Sibu 1, carrying 16 Indians among 20 crew members, was seized by armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden, about 30 nautical miles off Yemen. Separately, the Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel M/V LUTUF, with six Indians among its 10-member crew, was hijacked off Somalia’s Puntland coast on August 17. Officials said the Indian crew aboard Sibu 1 were safe, while the latest status of the LUTUF crew remained unclear. (PC: AFP)

A 26-year-old woman, Bharati Mukhi, was killed after an Aston Martin allegedly driven at high speed by Lingamaneni Sanjush, son of Jana Sena Party Rajya Sabha MP Lingamaneni Ramesh, struck her near Inorbit Mall in Hyderabad’s Madhapur on August 16. Mukhi, a mall saleswoman, was crossing the road after returning from lunch when the collision occurred. She suffered severe head injuries and was taken to hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Madhapur police registered a case against Sanjush under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence. Police have issued him a notice, and the investigation continues. (PC: News18)

India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a remarkable comeback to defeat China’s fourth-seeded Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian in the women’s doubles quarter-final at the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi. The Indian pair lost the opening game 16-21 but responded strongly, winning the second 21-15. They dominated the deciding game 21-13 to complete a 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 victory. The result sends Treesa and Gayatri into the semi-finals and guarantees India a medal at the World Championships. Their victory also marks a significant achievement for Indian women’s doubles badminton. (PC: NDTV)

Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday staged a dharna at Delhi’s Parliament Street police station, demanding an FIR over alleged excessive force used against students during the July 20 CJP-led protest. Gandhi accompanied student Sahil Lochab, who reportedly suffered pellet-gun injuries during the demonstration over NEET-related issues. After his complaint was not registered at Mandir Marg police station, Gandhi approached senior police officials and continued his protest. He demanded accountability for the alleged use of pellet guns and action against those responsible. Reports and medical records have documented multiple pellet-related injuries among protesters, while Delhi Police has disputed some allegations. (PC: The Hindu)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and party volunteers were allegedly assaulted on Friday while travelling to inspect a government school in Rampura Kanwarpura village, Jaipur’s Bagru constituency. Ranka claimed that a group of people attacked the team, leaving one volunteer with a fractured arm. He alleged that BJP workers were behind the incident, though Hindustan Times could not independently verify the claim, and a BJP response was awaited. The visit was part of CJP’s campaign to highlight poor government-school infrastructure. The incident follows Rajasthan’s recent restrictions on unauthorised outsider entry, photography and videography inside government schools.