The 2026 Candidates chess tournament in Cyprus faces pre-event anxieties due to Middle East tensions, leading to a player withdrawal and concerns over logistics. This echoes a past instance in 1978 Tehran, where Indian players competed amidst a crumbling monarchy and civil unrest, largely shielded by isolation from news and the tournament’s remote location.
Olympic champion Alysa Liu shared a powerful on-stage moment with Taylor Swift at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, presenting her with Artist of the Year. Liu’s heartfelt tribute, calling Swift the “G.O.A.T. of music,” sparked emotional fan reactions. The crossover highlighted their shared journeys of independence, resilience, and redefining success on their own terms.
Candace Owens has accused Erika of plotting her husband’s murder, alleging she tried to shape public perception in advance. Owens pointed to an Instagram post from September 8, where Erika shared a video of her frail mother, claiming it was meant to gain sympathy and build a narrative. The claims remain unverified and have sparked
Former cricketer Yograj Singh has surprisingly backed MS Dhoni to continue playing in the IPL, urging him to play for another decade. Singh praised Dhoni’s fitness, discipline, and dedication, dismissing age as a factor for retirement. He questioned critics and highlighted that performance should be the sole criterion for selection, even referencing younger stars.
As IPL 2026 begins, cricket giants Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit Sharma are under the spotlight. Commentator Aakash Chopra believes Kohli’s fitness and opening role give him an edge. He notes Dhoni faces a tougher challenge due to his age and limited recent play. Rohit is expected to maintain his aggressive batting approach for Mumbai Indians.
Royal Enfield has launched the Guerrilla 450 Apex, featuring a sportier riding posture with lower, forward-set handlebars and new Vredestein tyres. The Dash variant also receives updates, including a headlamp grille, knuckle guards, and improved tyre grip. Both variants retain the 450cc Sherpa engine, offering 40 hp and 40 Nm torque.
Apple has handed out rare, out-of-cycle bonuses worth $200,000 to $400,000 to its iPhone Product Design team, in a bid to slow a sustained exodus of hardware talent to AI startups. The restricted stock units vest over four years, tying designers to the company through the payout period. The move comes as multiple startups—including ones
Melinda French Gates revealed her 48-hour rule for delivering feedback on work, allowing time to process before communicating to ensure honesty and grace. This practice, which she calls ‘gracious, thoughtful,’ aims to foster employee growth and prevent surprises during performance reviews. Gates also shared a surprising piece of advice from an IBM hiring manager that
Mohammad Kaif urges Mumbai Indians to fully utilize Rohit Sharma on the field, not just as an Impact Player. He believes Rohit’s leadership and on-field presence are crucial, especially in high-pressure situations, and would benefit both the team and his own batting. Kaif emphasized that a fitter Rohit should be involved in all game phases.
