Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have reportedly bought Strancally Castle, a Gothic-style mansion in Ireland’s County Waterford, for an estimated $35 million. The exact price remains undisclosed, though The Irish Times estimated its value at €20 million-€30 million. Built in 1830 for former Conservative MP John Keily, the castle sits on a 440-acre estate and was renovated in the early 2000s. Zuckerberg and Chan are expected to use it as their Ireland base. The purchase also has a connection to Meta, which maintains its international headquarters in Ireland. A Meta spokesperson said the family looks forward to caring for the historic property and spending time in Ireland. (PC: X)

Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal has married his longtime partner Gabriella Demetriades in an intimate ceremony in Goa, officially registering their marriage on Friday, August 21, 2026. The couple completed the legal formalities at the Sub-Registrar’s office in Mapusa, North Goa, in the presence of close friends. They reportedly arrived around 4 pm and wore casual outfits for the occasion. Special permission was granted to waive Goa’s mandatory 15-day waiting period between signatures. Rampal and Demetriades have been together since 2018 and share two sons, Arik and Ariv. Rampal was previously married to Mehr Jesia, with whom he has two daughters. The couple had announced their engagement in 2025. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the relationship between the government and citizens should be based on trust rather than suspicion, while outlining his government’s approach to regulatory reforms and ease of doing business. Addressing the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026, he said India was shifting from a “Prohibited unless permitted” approach to “Permitted unless prohibited.” Modi highlighted India’s growth prospects amid global uncertainty, saying the country remained a “bright spot” for global growth and hope. He also criticised the earlier licence-raj model, calling its approach “Production Linked Punishment” and contrasting it with the Production Linked Incentive scheme. He said PLI had generated Rs 2.5 lakh crore investment, Rs 22 lakh crore production and sales, and over 14 lakh jobs. (PC: Yahoo)

Turkey has issued an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of an investigation into Israel’s interception of an activist flotilla bound for Gaza, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced Friday. Gurlek said Turkey’s Justice Ministry had requested that the Interior Ministry issue Interpol red notices for Netanyahu and other officials so they could be sought internationally. Turkey had previously issued warrants against Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials over allegations of “genocide” related to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel firmly denies the genocide allegations. Meanwhile, Netanyahu said Israel had sent Turkey a “clear message” over its alleged plans to establish a military foothold in Syria, warning Israel would not tolerate such a presence moving south.

India’s decision to allow overseas companies with up to 10% Chinese shareholding to invest through the automatic route has begun yielding results, with 29 FDI proposals totalling about Rs 4,895.65 crore reported so far. The Finance Ministry notified the changes under FEMA on May 1, 2026. Investments span information technology, artificial intelligence, information and communication, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, data centres and transport services. Investors are based in Mauritius, the US, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands. The revised framework removes prior government approval in eligible cases, reducing transaction time and providing greater certainty. However, the relaxed rules exclude entities registered in China, Hong Kong and other countries sharing land borders with India. (PC: The Economic Times)

Mumbai Police have approached the Ministry of Home Affairs to serve, through Interpol, a proclamation order against six absconding accused in the 26/11 terror attack case, paving the way for possible trial in absentia. The six Pakistani nationals are Lashkar-e-Taiba co-founders Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, operations commander Sajid Mir, Abu Alqama, Asim alias Abu Qahafa and Major Abdur Rehman Pasha. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the court that the MHA received the order on August 3 and sought time for a status report. Police seek prosecution under Section 356 of the BNSS, which permits trial in absentia subject to safeguards. The next hearing is scheduled for September 14. (PC: X/@NDTV)

FIFA has imposed a combined 21-game ban on several Argentina players and support staff following a brawl involving Spain players after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, which Spain won to claim their second title. Leandro Paredes received the heaviest punishment, a 10-match ban and a $90,000 fine. Right-back Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches and fined $90,000, while Thiago Almada received a one-game suspension and a $30,000 fine. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was handed a three-game ban and a $30,000 fine. Spain midfielder Gavi, who was involved in the fight, was also banned for one game and fined $30,000. Argentina was additionally fined over a Falklands Islands banner displayed after their semi-final win over England.

Thousands gathered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Friday under the banner of Reservation Reform Andolan, opposing the University Grants Commission’s equity regulations and seeking reforms in the caste-based reservation system. The protesters, primarily from unreserved and upper-caste groups, described the gathering as a peaceful demonstration and a show of strength. The mobilisation took place amid confusion over Delhi Police permission and heavy security, with Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force deployed at the site. As the protest continued, police and RAF personnel moved in and detained several protesters. Those gathered said they would leave only after submitting a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There was no official estimate of the crowd, though protesters claimed thousands attended.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday dismissed Pakistan’s protest over US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s remark that Jammu and Kashmir is an “important part of India.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India, adding, “They were, they are, and they will remain so.” Responding to Pakistan’s diplomatic protest, Jaiswal said he saw no reason to comment on Islamabad’s “frustration.” Gor, who is visiting Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, made the remarks during his visit to Srinagar. After meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, he said J&K was an important part of India. Pakistan subsequently summoned the US Charge d’Affaires and protested Gor’s statement.

The Indian High Commission in Nairobi on Friday said it is monitoring the situation involving 22 Indian seafarers reportedly onboard two commercial vessels hijacked in separate incidents, and has taken up the matter with Somali authorities. The vessels are MT Sibu, an Eritrea-flagged vessel, and MV Lutuf, a Cameroon-flagged ship. The High Commission said it had raised the issue of the Indian crew members with the concerned Somali authorities. According to its post on X, 16 Indian seafarers are reportedly onboard MT Sibu and six on MV Lutuf. It said all 22 Indian seafarers are reportedly safe and stressed that India attaches the highest importance to the safety and welfare of its seafaring community.