Apple has officially announce the next generation iPhone and for those living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia here are the pricing of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.
Storage Variant
iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
256GB
SAR 5,699
SAR 6,099
512GB
SAR 6,699
SAR 7,099
1TB
SAR 8,699
SAR 9,099
2TB
SAR 11,699
SAR 12,099
iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will be available for Pre-order this Friday, Sept. 12th and will be available in stores and retailers starting 18th of September.
Apple has officially introduced the iPhone Duo, marking the most significant evolution in the iPhone’s physical design since its inception. Unveiled on stage by Apple CEO John Ternus, the device enters the foldable market with a refined book-style form factor. Crafted from mirror-polished Grade 5 titanium, the iPhone Duo folds into a compact passport-sized shell while opening into a expansive tablet-class canvas. The hardware is available in two distinct finishes: Star White and Night Sky.
Image: iPhone Duo in folded and unfolded form
The physical design centers on two displays. The cover interface uses a 5.4-inch outer panel for quick single-handed tasks. Unfolding the device reveals a 7.6-inch Ultra Retina XDR inner display engineered with a multi-pivot magnetic hinge, resulting in a near-invisible crease across the foldable screen.
The hinge allows the phone to flex across multiple positions. It can sit in Laptop Mode—splitting apps with controls on the bottom half and content on top—or stand independently in Tent Mode for hands-free video playback. A camera utility called Duo Preview projects live viewfinders onto both screens simultaneously, letting photography subjects see their framing in real time.
Under the hood, the device is powered by the 2nm A20 Pro silicon, backed by a 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU, and Dual 16-Core Neural Engines designed for complex Apple Intelligence workflows. On-device software support includes true side-by-side app multitasking and full support for the Apple Pencil on the inner display. The rear housing features a dual 48MP Fusion system, paired with the custom C2 cellular modem and N1 wireless chip for efficient network management.
Image: iPhone Duo in Star White and Night Sky Colors
Feature
Official Specification
Inner Display
7.6-inch Flexible OLED, Super Retina XDR (1-120Hz ProMotion)
Outer Cover Display
5.4-inch OLED, Super Retina XDR (1-120Hz ProMotion)
Build Materials
Polished Grade 5 Titanium Chassis, Ceramic Shield
Processor
A20 Pro (2nm architecture, 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU)
Neural Engine
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Main Cameras
Dual 48MP Fusion Camera System (Main + Ultra Wide)
Front Cameras
– (Outer) 12MP Center Stage Camera – (Inner) Under-display FaceTime camera
Stylus Support
Apple Pencil compatible (Inner and Outer Display)
Wireless Silicon
Apple N1 (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread) + C2 Cellular Modem
Battery Endurance
Up to 44 hours video playback (outer display) / Up to 31 hours (inner display)
Storage Configurations
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Color Finishes
Star White, Night Sky
iPhone Duo Intro Video
iPhone Duo is a foldable iPhone with the largest iPhone display ever and reimagined iOS experiences for unprecedented versatility, including side-by-side apps for multitasking, hands-free FaceTime calls, and flexible viewing. It features an inner display that’s 50 percent larger than iPhone 18 Pro Max, a titanium frame, a 48MP Dual Fusion camera, all-new ways to shoot, the A20 Pro chip, a dual-battery system for all-day power, and Siri AI, your more personal, more powerful AI assistant.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the base 256GB storage variant, with higher storage tiers extending up to 2TB.
Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo open on Friday, October 16, at 5:00 a.m. PT. Official in-store and online availability begins one week later, on Friday, October 23.
Apple has officially revealed its latest flagship flagship lineup: the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Unveiled during Apple’s keynote event, the new smartphones mark a major step forward in mobile photography, thermal engineering, custom silicon performance, and deep OS-level artificial intelligence integration.
Spec-wise, the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are the same device with the difference in just their size and battery life; the iPhone 18 Pro features a 6.3-inch while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is clocks in at 6.9-inches, both are Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology. As for the battery life, the iPhone 18 Pro will have 36 hours of video playback, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max will have up to 45 hours of video playback.
As for the specs that both iPhone shares are; Inside, the 2nm A20 Pro chip delivers 20% faster CPU speeds, 40% better graphics, and dedicated AI acceleration, backed by an expanded vapor chamber that improves cooling by 40%.
Apple’s new N1 and C2 custom chips bring Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and reliable cellular performance, while optimized designs boost battery life up to 36 hours on the Pro and 45 hours on the Pro Max. Finally, iOS 27 upgrades Apple Intelligence with context-aware Siri features and a smaller Dynamic Island that handles up to three Live Activities at once.
Image: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Color Lineup from Apple.com
Technical Specifications for iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max
Feature
iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Display
Super Retina XDR ProMotion (1-120Hz), 2868-by-1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
Super Retina XDR ProMotion (1-120Hz), 2868-by-1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
Processor
A20 Pro (2nm, 6-Core CPU, 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators)
A20 Pro (2nm, 6-Core CPU, 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators)
Neural Engine
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Main Camera
48MP Fusion Main Ultra Wide with variable aperture with Ultra Wide 48MP Fusion Telephoto
48MP Fusion Main Ultra Wide with variable aperture with Ultra Wide 48MP Fusion Telephoto
iPhone 18 Pro is Apple’s most powerful iPhone yet. It features the A20 Pro chip, which has exceptional AI capabilities and is cooled by a next-generation vapor chamber. It delivers the longest battery life ever in an iPhone — 6 more hours of video playback on iPhone 18 Pro Max compared with iPhone 17 Pro Max. A Pro camera system with variable aperture, greater depth of field, and better-quality low-light photos. And Siri AI, your more personal, more powerful AI assistant.
Pricing and availability;
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for 256GB of base storage, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 for the 256GB model. Through Apple Installments, customers can purchase the iPhone 18 Pro starting at $49.95 per month or the Pro Max at $54.12 per month over a 24-month period, with trade-in discounts offering up to $1,200 off eligible devices.
Pre-orders for both models begin on Friday, September 12, followed by the official in-store launch on Friday, September 18th.
In a rare shift at the top, FIBA dropped Team USA to the No. 2 spot in FIBA’s latest Women’s World Cup Power Rankings; Volume 5, ceding the top position to an surging French national team.
The slight drop for the Americans serves as a reaction to their tightest tournament test yet—a narrow 55–52 victory over Italy. Marking the program’s lowest scoring tally since the introduction of the three-point line in 1984, the defensive grind highlighted lingering chemistry adjustments for the star-studded squad. Meanwhile, France climbed to No. 1 behind dominant defensive displays and record-setting offensive efficiency from beyond the arc.
Despite dropping one spot, Team USA remains the formidable tournament favorite to capture gold in Berlin. Headlined by elite talent and deep rotation options, the Americans bounced back immediately with a 105–64 blowout win over Czechia to close out group play.
Here are the top 10 of the Women’s World Cup Power Rankings; Volume 5;
France
United States
Belgium
Spain
Australia
Germany
China
Japan
Hungary
Italy
While FIBA’s subjective rankings focus on current momentum, Team USA’s unmatched two-way depth makes them the gold standard heading into the knockout stage. This drop in ranking could motivate a squad that has held FIBA World Cup gold since 2010. The quarter-finals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup kick off tomorrow, September 10, when Team USA faces Hungary—with a potential rematch against Italy looming in the semi-finals.
Open AI just announced the ChatGPT Images 2.5, an image generation engine powered by the GPT-Image-2.5 model family.
Images 2.5 produces more natural lighting and richer textures, is better at preserving the subjects in your reference photos, and follows editing instructions more reliably across multiple turns. We’ve also reduced image generation latency by up to 50% compared with Images 2.0, so you can generate images and refine your concepts more quickly.
In ChatGPT, we’re introducing product features that give you more control over the creative process. Sketch(opens in a new window) is a new feature that lets you draw directly in ChatGPT as a reference for your final image. Templates make it easier to start creating across some of the most popular image formats, like flyers and product photos. You can also now place comments directly on images for more focused editing, and you can share prompts you’ve used to let others try your ideas with their own photos and details.
Images 2.5 is available to all ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex users across desktop, mobile, and web.
For developers, we’re introducing two new models in the API. GPT‑Image‑2.5 Flare brings the same improvements in quality, editing, and speed, and GPT‑Image‑2.5 Sunburst offers an extra level of precision for detailed creative work with longer generation times.
Pricing and availability
Model
Modality
Input
Cached input
Output
gpt-image-2.5-sunburst
Image
$8.00
$2.00
$30.00
Text
$5.00
$1.25
–
gpt-image-2.5-flare
Image
$8.00
$2.00
$30.00
Text
$5.00
$1.25
–
Intro video for ChatGPT Images 2.5;
Say hello to ChatGPT Images 2.5—faster, sharper, smarter, with better tools for creating whatever you can dream of.
Faster image generation to keep your ideas flowing
Improved fidelity for more natural, recognizable images
Consistent details across multiple edits
Comment-based edits to change only what you want
Apple’s highly anticipated “Surprise and Shine” keynote takes center stage today at Apple Park. Marking CEO John Ternus’s first major product unveiling, the presentation promises a historic shift in Apple’s hardware roadmap.
Apple’s First Foldable Device
The headline act is expected to be the long-rumored iPhone Ultra—Apple’s foray into foldable devices. Featuring a custom liquid-metal hinge engineered to minimize screen creasing, the passport-style foldable opens into a seamless 7.8-inch display, driven by the next-generation 2nm A20 Pro chip and C2 5G modem.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
Alongside the foldable flagship, Apple will showcase the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Key hardware upgrades include a mechanical variable aperture primary camera system, advanced vapor-chamber cooling, and a refined Dynamic Island footprint.
Smart Wearables & OS Rollouts
As with previous September Apple events, the company will most likely announce its next-generation wearables: the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 with continuous background health tracking, alongside AirPods 5 powered by the new H3 chip. Official release dates for iOS 27 and watchOS 27 will also be included in the presentation.
Other Devices & Services
While Apple’s September event is usually reserved for new iPhones and wearables, it wouldn’t be surprising if the company also announces updates to its various services and platforms, including Apple TV+, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and visionOS for the Vision Pro.
With baseline iPhone models shifted to spring 2027, today’s event firmly spotlights Apple’s high-end, futuristic design vision.
Where and How to Watch
The Apple “Surprise and Shine” event will stream live on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT via:
Filipina Tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala appeared as an in-studio guest to discuss her performance at the 2026 US Open, managing the pressures and privilege of high-level athletic competition, sharing the court with legends like Venus Williams and peers like Coco Gauff, as well as sharing who she is rooting for to win the tournament following her third-round exit.
You can watch the full interview below.
Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala, who achieved a career-best run at a Grand Slam tournament after reaching the third round of the U.S. Open and losing to Iva Jovic, joins “CBS Mornings” to discuss her performance and how her tennis career began.
During a high-level session at the Seoul Defense Dialogue on September 8, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. turned a standard diplomatic encounter into a masterclass in public pushback.
After receiving a note from a Chinese delegate reiterating Beijing’s rejection of the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling—which invalidated China’s expansive territorial claims in favor of Philippine sovereign rights—Teodoro dismantled the argument line by line. Addressing the room, he delivered a sharp, unscripted quip: “Of course, because you lost.”
He went on to accuse Beijing of systemic coercion and bullying before the international forum hosted by South Korea. In an emotional shift, Teodoro switched to Filipino to urge a standard of basic decency, noting that he planned to keep the physical note as a permanent memento of China’s desperation. The room erupted into strong applause from the international audience.
MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO | Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. responded to a note from the Chinese side during the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2026 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.#DNDPHL#DiKaPasisiil#SDD2026pic.twitter.com/fsCRVphkgf
— Department of National Defense – Philippines (@dndphl) September 8, 2026
Defense analysts and diplomatic observers view the exchange as an extraordinarily candid stand against Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. Rather than letting standard diplomatic talking points slide, Teodoro’s swift rebuttal reinforced Manila’s commitment to international law and demonstrated a growing willingness to challenge Beijing openly on the global stage.
Team USA delivered an explosive performance at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, cruising past Czechia 105–64 on Monday. The decisive victory capped a 3–0 sweep of Group D and extended the Americans’ tournament winning streak to 33 games, sending them directly into the quarterfinals.
Bouncing back from a cold shooting night against Italy, the U.S. offense exploded early, shooting 63.6% inside the arc in the first half to build a commanding 57–33 halftime lead. Breanna Stewart led the charge with a stellar all-around stat line—19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Six U.S. players reached double figures, highlighting the team’s elite depth and ball movement.
Czechia fought gamely but was ultimately overpowered by the Americans’ speed and size. Eliska Joklova was the lone bright spot for Czechia, scoring a team-high 19 points alongside 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the loss that eliminated her squad from the tournament.
With group play wrapped up, Team USA awaits the winner of the Hungary vs. Japan matchup to determine their opponent for the win-or-go-home quarterfinals.
Coco Gauff delivered a masterclass on Monday night, dominating fellow American Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 to advance in style. The commanding victory extended the fourth seed’s blistering run of form to a 10-match winning streak, during which she has swept an astonishing 19 consecutive sets.
At just 22 years old, Gauff continues to etch her name into tennis history. By securing this victory, she became the youngest American woman to reach three Grand Slam quarterfinals in a single calendar year since Serena Williams accomplished the feat back in 2003. This impressive milestone also marks Gauff’s 12th career major quarterfinal appearance overall.
During her post-match on-court interview, Gauff graciously praised Jovic’s rising talent and bright future. She now shifts her focus to Wednesday’s highly anticipated showdown against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, setting up a blockbuster clash between two of the game’s brightest young superstars.
Google Philippines has announced that eligible college and university students across the country can access a full year of Google AI Plus for free. The initiative aims to support Filipino tertiary students by providing advanced, AI-driven learning tools to enhance their academic productivity.
Not gatekeeping this one! If you're a higher education student, claim your 1-year trial Google AI Plus at no cost right now (Terms apply*) 🤫. Limited time only, check out the link to grab it before your next big assignment: https://t.co/N0E4UgdLDEpic.twitter.com/fMCEYMZiqq
Subscribers gain complimentary access to Google’s Gemini Omni model, interactive 3D visualizations, Gemini Live for conversational study, and Study Notebooks—a tool designed to turn class materials into step-by-step lesson plans and practice tests. The plan also includes 400 GB of cloud storage shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
Here’s the complete list of benefits for free Google AI Plus for Students;
To claim the promotion, students must sign in to the student hub or Gemini app using a personal Google account and verify their active enrollment at an eligible Philippine institution. A valid payment method is required for activation, but no charges apply during the 12-month period. Eligible students can redeem the offer until December 31, 2026. You can visit https://one.google.com/u/1/ai-student, for more information.
For three quarters at the Berlin Arena, the Italian national team executed a defensive masterclass, threatening one of the most stunning upsets in international basketball history.
Entering the matchup, much of the chatter around Team USA centered on its high-powered, “young and turnt” core featuring the likes of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, and Angel Reese. However, Italy’s structured, physical, half-court defense systematically disrupted that momentum. Italian guards Matilde Villa and Costanza Verona compressed the floor, forced tough decision-making, and slowed Team USA’s transition game to a crawl. Combined with disciplined interior defense from Sara Madera and Olbis Andre, who combined for 15 points and 11 rebounds, Italy dragged the heavy tournament favorites into an uncomfortably low-scoring affair.
When USA’s younger contingent struggled to find standard perimeter rhythm—shooting just 29% from the field and 1-for-12 from three-point range as a team—Italy capitalized. Led by a game-high 14-point effort from Cecilia Zandalasini, whose tough shot-making anchored the Italian offense across more than 30 minutes of action, Italy launched a third-quarter surge that eventually yielded a 50–49 lead with just 3:21 remaining in the game.
That was when championship experience took over.
With their 32-game World Cup winning streak on the line, USA’s veteran core stepped up to anchor a decisive 7–0 run in the final minutes. Chelsea Gray took control of the offense, finishing with 7 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds while scoring a crucial late jumper that pushed the lead to two possessions. Breanna Stewart delivered the go-ahead basket with under three minutes remaining, capping off a stat line of 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Alongside steady defense and transition hustle from Kahleah Copper, who contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, as well as team-leading scoring from Jackie Young with 10 points, the American veterans held Italy to just two points over the final four minutes to seal a grueling 55–52 victory.
Full game highlights;
With the hard-fought victory, Team USA officially clinched the top spot in Group D and punched their ticket directly into the Quarterfinals, resting up before their upcoming knockout match against the second-placed finisher of Group C. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Italy remains in strong contention to advance to the knockout stages. Having proved they can contend with the world’s standard-bearers, the Italians turn their immediate focus to a high-stakes final group stage showdown against China, where a win will lock up their place in the quarterfinal round.
While Italy revealed a blueprint on how to slow down Team USA’s explosive next generation, the final frame proved why veteran poise remains the ultimate equalizer on the international stage.
Tesla has officially launched its highly anticipated Cybercab into public ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas, opening paid driverless rides to passengers. Engineered specifically for autonomous transport, the Cybercab is Tesla’s first dedicated vehicle designed completely without manual driving controls—eliminating the steering wheel, accelerator, brake pedals, and side mirrors entirely.
The futuristic two-seater features upward-opening butterfly doors and an open lounge cabin. Without a traditional dashboard or steering column, passengers enjoy expanded legroom, an automated profile system that adjusts climate settings upon entry, and a large central display powered by Starlink for 4K streaming and gaming. Despite its compact footprint, the rear hatchback accommodates full-sized luggage. Key technical innovations built into the vehicle include inductive wireless charging, dry electromechanical brake-by-wire, and steer-by-wire systems.
Riders request vehicles using the Tesla Robotaxi app within a geofenced Austin service zone. However, the launch has drawn swift scrutiny from federal regulators. Tesla deployed the fleet by self-certifying that the vehicle complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Because federal regulations historically require standard driver equipment, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an audit query to review Tesla’s technical data and evaluate whether formal exemption permits are required for expanded commercial operations.
TESLA CYBERCAB AT A GLANCE
Passenger Capacity:
2 Adults
Manual Controls:
No Wheel, no Pedals and no mirrors
Door Architecture:
Powered Butterfly Doors
In-Cabin Connectivity:
High-Speed Starlink V5
Braking & Steering System:
Electro-mechanical Brake-by-Wire
Charging Method:
Automated Inductive Wireless
Despite regulatory review, the Cybercab launch represents a significant milestone in Tesla’s transition from driver-assist software toward purpose-built autonomous fleets, positioning the automaker directly alongside competitors like Waymo and Zoox in the emerging driverless ride-hailing market.
International theater icon and Disney Legend Lea Salonga made history on September 4, 2026, becoming the first Filipino recipient of a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Tony Award-winning performer was honored with the 2,855th star under the Live Performance category. The sidewalk tile was formally unveiled directly outside the historic Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, a fitting location reflecting her decades-long impact on live stage theater.
The ceremony, emceed by Emmy Award-winning journalist Sibley Scoles, brought together high-profile guest speakers, family members, and hundreds of roaring fans. Actress Ming-Na Wen—who voiced the speaking role of Mulan alongside Salonga’s singing voice in Disney’s animated classic—delivered an emotional tribute, noting that Hollywood is significantly brighter with Salonga’s star on the boulevard. Actor Darren Criss, donning a traditional barong Tagalog, also spoke, praising Salonga’s relentless work ethic and dedication to her craft.
Here are some of the highlights of the Star unveiling ceremony;
Dressed in a sleek purple suit, Salonga opened her acceptance speech with her signature sharp wit: “I’ve walked down this street many times. I’ve stepped on a lot of famous people, and now people get to step on me—which feels strangely appropriate for show business!”
Turning heartfelt, Salonga reflected on her journey from a young girl starting her career in Manila to international stardom, acknowledging the lack of Asian representation on global stages when she first started out. Though her name is the one etched into the brass star, she emphasized that a career is never built alone, dedicating the honor to her family, teachers, directors, crew members, and her devoted global fanbase.
“Long before Hollywood, long before Broadway, there was Manila,” Salonga remarked. “I hope that someday a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name, and thinks, ‘Oh, maybe I can get here too.'”
Salonga’s historic star cements a career filled with milestones—from her breakout role as Kim in Miss Saigon and legendary runs in Les Misérables, to defining the singing voices of Disney’s Princess Jasmine and Mulan.
In a high-stakes, three-hour third-round thriller under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, 18-year-old American Iva Jovic outlasted 17th seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.
The clash between two of tennis’ brightest young stars delivered relentless intensity. Eala brought fiery baseline play and roaring support from a passionate New York crowd, rallying back to force a decider after dropping the opening set. She carried that momentum into the third set, building a 4-2 lead. However, Jovic demonstrated exceptional grit, winning five of the final six games to seal a dramatic comeback victory.
Match highlights;
Without a doubt, this dramatic showcase stands out as one of the best matches at this stage of the US Open. Both players pushed each other to the absolute limit, giving fans an unforgettable, instant classic. Jovic advances to face Coco Gauff in the fourth round.
Image: Apple ’s new Mac mini featuring M6 and M5 Pro
The new Mac Minis is the first update to the compact desktop in nearly two years. The refreshed lineup keeps the same design but brings a major internal overhaul, headlined by two new chip options: the all-new M6 and the M5 Pro, which first appeared in the MacBook Pro earlier this year.
Image: Apple Mac Studio Front Ports
While the new Mac Studio is a more powerful version of the Mac mini and marketed towards professionals working with demanding workloads like 3D rendering, video effects, and large-scale AI models.
The two new Mac desktop are now available for preorder and will be available by Sept 29th.
Here are the starting prices for the Mac Studio and Mac mini models directly from Apple Store Saudi Arabia.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has announced she will retire at the end of 2026, concluding a transformative seven-year tenure as the league’s first official commissioner.
Appointed in 2019, Engelbert spearheaded an unprecedented era of growth for women’s basketball. Her leadership saw record-breaking television viewership, historic highs in attendance, full-time player charter flights, and league expansion from 12 to 18 teams. She also secured a landmark multi-billion-dollar media rights package and navigated crucial collective bargaining agreements.
Engelbert departs having fundamentally elevated the WNBA’s commercial valuation, global footprint, and overall business landscape.
You can read the full text of Engelbert announcement here.
Below is the statements from WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike and executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson.
A compelling third-round matchup is set at the 2026 US Open as Alex Eala prepares to take on American rising star Iva Jovic. Jovic locked in the marquee clash by sweeping past Britain’s Francesca Jones 6-4, 6-4 in a straight-sets second-round victory.
Beyond their intense court rivalry, Eala and Jovic share a close personal friendship. Fans got a preview of their chemistry just ahead of the tournament during the “Stars of the Open” exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium. There, the close friends delighted the crowd by inviting their fathers onto the court to join them for a heartwarming mixed doubles match.
Caitlin Clark proved once again why she is a generational talent, delivering a flawless Player of the Game performance in her FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup debut. Coming off the bench, the superstar guard orchestrated the floor with masterclass precision, showcasing the elite court vision, lethal deep shooting, and poise that have defined her meteoric rise.
Clark posted a remarkable double-double, matching a team-high with 14 points alongside 11 assists and 3 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action. What elevated her performance into the record books, however, was her absolute ball security. Clark recorded zero turnovers throughout the night—setting a USA Basketball record for the most assists without a giveaway in a single World Cup game. Her 11 dimes also marked the highest assist total for any American player in their World Cup debut.
Whether knocking down signature perimeter jumpers or threading microscopic passes through defensive gaps, Clark controlled the tempo whenever she stepped onto the hardwood. Finishing with an astounding game-high +30 plus/minus rating, Clark left no doubt that her dynamic game translates seamlessly to the international stage.
Team USA opened its campaign at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin with a decisive 94–61 group-stage victory over China at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.
The Americans controlled the game early, establishing a 27–14 advantage in the opening quarter and utilizing quick ball movement and high-intensity defense to keep China at bay.
Caitlin Clark led the charge for Team USA, posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Operating as the engine of the offense, Clark shared team-high scoring honors alongside Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard—who also added 14 points apiece—while setting the pace with her playmaking.
China leaned heavily on its interior presence to stay competitive, featuring 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu. However, veteran WNBA center Han Xu delivered China’s standout performance, posting a team-high double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds to anchor their frontcourt.
Despite China’s frontcourt size, Team USA’s transition play and bench depth proved overwhelming across four quarters. The victory extended the Americans’ long-standing winning streak in senior FIBA World Cup play and got their tournament off to a 1–0 start in Group D.
Philippine tennis sensation Alex Eala swept past Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, to secure her place in the third round of the US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Eala set the tone early, breaking Oliynykova’s serve twice with sharp, aggressive baseline returns and punishing groundstrokes. Winning 75% of her first-serve points, the 17th-seeded Filipino neutralized the Ukrainian’s pace to wrap up the first set in dominant fashion.
Oliynykova pushed back in the second set, attempting to build momentum through longer rallies. However, Eala maintained composure and capitalized on crucial break opportunities to stay ahead. Converting 5 of 7 break points throughout the match, she fended off a late surge to seal the victory in just over an hour.
The win serves as sweet redemption for Eala, who had previously fallen to Oliynykova in a grueling three-set battle at Strasbourg earlier this season. With her serve clicking and confidence surging, Eala moves into the Round of 32, continuing her impressive Grand Slam campaign on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
Match highlights;
In the third round, Eala awaits the winner of the second-round clash between American 14th seed Iva Jovic and Britain’s Francesca Jones. If Jovic advances, it will set up a highly anticipated matchup between close friends who recently shared the stage in the “Stars of the Open” exhibition match. Addressing the potential scenario in her post-match interview, Eala noted that both Jovic and Jones are great friends and outstanding competitors, wishing them both the best ahead of their match.
The Wizarding World has officially reopened its doors. HBO has dropped the official trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, giving fans their first comprehensive look at the highly anticipated television adaptation set to premiere on Christmas Day 2026.
Directed by Mark Mylod and showrun by Francesca Gardiner, the preview promises a faithful, book-accurate return to J.K. Rowling’s magical universe. The trailer offers striking visuals of iconic moments, from Hermione Granger charming banners on the Hogwarts Express to the grand, detailed expanse of the Great Hall during the Sorting Ceremony. Viewers are also treated to thrilling glimpses of high-flying Quidditch matches and the formidable mountain troll lurking in the castle depths.
Led by a fresh young cast starring Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, the footage balances familiar nostalgia with a refreshed cinematic depth. Supported by a stellar adult cast, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Hagrid, the trailer captures the exact wonder that captivated readers decades ago.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is an 8-episode series and will premiere on HBO Max during Christmas of 2026.
At the LEAP 2026 technology conference in Riyadh, Lenovo marked a major milestone in Middle Eastern technology manufacturing by unveiling its very first locally produced commercial laptop.
Assembled at Lenovo’s new state-of-the-art facility in Riyadh, the physical unit serves as a working proof-of-concept for the tech giant’s localized production capabilities. The unveiling builds on Lenovo’s strategic multi-billion-dollar partnership with Public Investment Fund (PIF) entity ALAT, aimed at bolstering domestic industrial capabilities and tech infrastructure under Saudi Vision 2030.
The newly minted laptop represents the frontline of a broader operational hub. The Riyadh facility is engineered as Lenovo’s first global manufacturing plant designed to produce its entire product ecosystem—encompassing PCs, ThinkPad commercial laptops, servers, and Motorola mobile devices—under one roof.
While retail pricing and precise sub-model specifications for the consumer market remain under wraps, full-scale mass production at the Riyadh site is scheduled to officially ramp up in late 2026. Beyond hardware production, the facility incorporates local engineering talent trained alongside Lenovo’s global technical teams, positioning Saudi Arabia as a vital hub for regional and international technology manufacturing.
Filipina Tennis Star Alex Eala will advnce to the second round of the US Open after defeating Mary Stoiana in 2 straight sets. The match only lasted for an hour and 17 minutes.
Haresh Ramchandani reports on WTA website, “Playing in front of a packed crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Eala saved two break points in the opening game and stormed to a 5-0 lead. Stoiana, making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, managed to get on the scoreboard in the sixth game, but Eala held to love to close out the opening set 6-1. Eala faced break points in her first two service games of the second set but saved them both. After breaking for a 3-2 lead, she never looked back, closing out the match 6-1, 6-2 in 1 hour, 17 minutes.”
In her post-match interview (embedded above), Eala said “It’s an amazing time for me to reflect on the past four year, but it’s also an amazing time for me to look ahead and, see my whole career ahead of me and see the people that I go through it with and, share the blessings with them. So I’m really, really grateful to be here. I’m on Louis Armstrong (Stadium), and I’m really grateful. I’m so happy.”
Here Are the Highlights: Mary Stoiana vs. Alexandra Eala | 2026 US Open Round 1
Alex Eala will face Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova in the second round. Oliynykova defeated American wild card Reese Brantmeier 6-4, 6-4 in her opening match. She leads Eala 1-0 in their head-to-head record, having won their previous meeting in three sets in Strasbourg earlier this year.
Philippine-based FinTech startup, Salmon announced that they are teaming up with NBA in a multi-year marketing partnership with the NBA. The announcement was made at SPACE in One Ayala, Makati City. The launch brought together key leadership from both organizations, including Sheila Rasu (NBA Head of Southeast Asia and Asia Marketing) and Ed Winkle (NBA Associate Vice President), alongside Salmon co-founders George Chesakov, Pavel Fedorov, and Raffy Montemayor.
As part of the deal, Salmon kicked off its involvement as a Supporting Partner for NBA House 2026, offering immersive fan experiences, interactive booths, and merchandise activations.
Yugatech reports, “The partnership will bring NBA-themed promotions, fan events and branded merchandise to Filipino basketball fans. Salmon will also support NBA House Philippines 2026 in Makati and become the Presenting Partner of the NBA 3X Philippines Open starting with the 2026-27 season. The NBA 3X Philippines Open will feature men’s and women’s 3-on-3 teams alongside NBA entertainment.”
USA Basketball has officially finalized its 12-player national team roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, locking in dynamic Washington Mystics teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen as late additions.
The sophomore WNBA duo enters the fold following the withdrawal of veterans A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum due to health and workload management. While filling the shoes of established Olympic champions is no small task, head coach Kara Lawson’s squad receives a major injection of youth, perimeter versatility, and frontcourt depth as Team USA pursues a historic fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal.
For Sonia Citron, the call-up marks her official debut with the senior 5×5 national team after previously representing the United States across under-16 and under-19 international stages. Citron brings elite 3-and-D capabilities, transition scoring, and perimeter secondary playmaking. Her floor-spacing ability and defensive length provide immediate tactical flex behind primary ball-handlers like Chelsea Gray and Caitlin Clark.
Kiki Iriafen steps into the senior national team spotlight following a standout stint during the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico earlier this year. Known for her high motor, interior footwork, and aggressive glass-cleaning, Iriafen adds essential frontcourt depth alongside veterans Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Her presence in the paint will be vital against heavy physical competition across group play.
2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team Roster
Player
Position
WNBA Team
Paige Bueckers
Guard
Dallas Wings
Sonia Citron
Guard
Washington Mystics
Caitlin Clark
Guard
Indiana Fever
Chelsea Gray
Guard
Las Vegas Aces
Rhyne Howard
Guard
Atlanta Dream
Jackie Young
Guard
Las Vegas Aces
Aliyah Boston
Forward / Center
Indiana Fever
Napheesa Collier
Forward
Minnesota Lynx
Kahleah Copper
Forward
Phoenix Mercury
Kiki Iriafen
Forward
Washington Mystics
Angel Reese
Forward
Atlanta Dream
Breanna Stewart
Forward
New York Liberty
The USA Basketball Women’s National Team open group play against China on Sept. 4, followed by Italy on Sept. 6 and Czechia on Sept. 7.
Apple has officially confirmed its most anticipated hardware showcase of the year, sending out invitations bearing the cryptic tagline “Surprise and Shine”. Scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT, the event will be broadcast live from the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park.
While a September event is a cornerstone tradition for Apple—officially kicking off what tech journalists famously call “Tech-Tember”—this year’s keynote marks a historic transition. It serves as the public debut of John Ternus as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer. Having taken the helm on September 1, 2026, following Tim Cook’s transition to Executive Chairman, the former Hardware Engineering chief will step onto the stage to outline Apple’s vision for its hardware and AI-driven ecosystem.
Here is a full breakdown of what to expect on stage during Apple’s big presentation.
1. Executive Transition: John Ternus Leads the Way
For the first time in 15 years, an Apple September keynote will may not be opened by Tim Cook. John Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran who previously led the engineering of the Mac, iPad, AirPods, and iPhone product lines, is officially driving the company into its next decade.
Ternus takes the stage as a product builder—a contrast to Cook’s operational background—and industry watchers are eager to see how his leadership style influences both product design and the public presentation of Apple’s long-term hardware roadmap.
2. Expected Hardware Announcements
The upcoming event focuses heavily on Apple’s flagship, Pro-tier mobile hardware and next-generation wearables.
Flagship Smartphones: iPhone 18 Pro Series & iPhone Ultra
Unlike previous years, reports indicate that the base-model iPhone 18 line will be delayed until early 2027, leaving September strictly for the premium tier:
iPhone Ultra (Apple’s First Foldable): The headliner of the event, the long-rumored foldable iPhone—tentatively dubbed the iPhone Ultra — is expected to make its debut. Featuring a book-style fold with a 7.7-inch inner screen and a 5.3-inch outer display, it is set to run an updated build of iOS tailored for side-by-side multitasking.
iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max: Powered by the new 3nm A20 Pro chip, these flagships are rumored to introduce a smaller Dynamic Island and a variable-aperture camera system (exclusive to the Pro Max) for enhanced low-light photography.
Wearables: Apple Watch & Next-Gen Audio
Apple Watch Series 12: Featuring the new S11 processor, improved power efficiency, and advanced health tracking, the Series 12 may also see the return of a premium ceramic case option.
Apple Watch Ultra 4: Built with the new S11 chip, the Ultra 4 is expected to expand satellite features—enabling offline satellite photo transmission in Messages and satellite navigation updates.
AirPods 5: Apple is expected to introduce two distinct variants of the 5th-generation AirPods: a baseline model and a mid-tier version featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
Hardware Expectations at a Glance
Device
Key Expected Features
Target Availability
iPhone Ultra
Book-style foldable design, dual displays, specialized iOS multitasking features
Pre-orders Sept 12 / Late 2026
iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max
A20 Pro chip, smaller Dynamic Island, variable aperture camera system
Pre-orders Sept 12
Apple Watch Series 12
S11 chip, enhanced battery, potential ceramic case return
In a monumental shift for the tech industry, Tim Cook has officially stepped down as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer. Taking the helm as the new CEO is John Ternus, Apple’s longtime Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, marking the beginning of a fresh era for the Cupertino giant.
This historic leadership handoff follows Apple’s official announcement on April 20, 2026, which outlined a structured succession strategy unanimously approved by the Board of Directors. After leading Apple through fifteen transformative years—growing its valuation past $4 trillion—Cook transitions into his new role as Executive Chairman.
Reflecting on his historic journey and expressing immense faith in his successor, Cook shared a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter):
Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO. My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration. My gratitude is endless, and I’m excited for the next chapter!
Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran, assumes control as the company navigates next-generation hardware launches and evolving AI integrations, carrying forward Apple’s legacy of innovation.
POCO has officially set the stage for its next generation of performance flagships. The Xiaomi sub-brand confirmed via official teasers that the POCO F9 Series will premiere globally on September 1, 2026. Continuing the strategy seen in recent lineups, POCO will skip a standard “vanilla” model and jump straight into high-performance territory with a duo lineup: the POCO F9 Pro and the flagship-tier POCO F9 Ultra.
UltraPower Unbound. No ceiling. No compromise. No weakness. POCO F9 Series is coming to raise the flagship standard.
Teased under the tagline “UltraPower Unbound,” both devices are heavily tipped to be global adaptations of China’s recently released Redmi K100 series. Early renders reveal premium finishes—including Dark Cherry red and Aurora Green—complemented by explicit “Sound by Bose” audio branding on the rear panel.
Rumored Specifications of POCO F9 Ultra
1. Next-Gen Performance & Processing
At the heart of the POCO F9 Ultra is Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with dedicated display coprocessing hardware (D2 display chip) to handle extreme frame rendering. Configured with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB (or up to 1TB) of UFS 4.1 storage, the F9 Ultra aims to deliver desktop-grade mobile gaming power without thermal bottlenecking.
2. Class-Leading 185Hz AMOLED Display
The F9 Ultra features a massive 6.9-inch AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. Targeting hyper-responsive gaming and media consumption, it boasts a class-leading 185Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision support, HDR10+, and a peak local brightness rated up to 4,500 nits.
3. Upgraded Periscope Camera System
Moving beyond traditional performance-focused compromises, the camera array on the Ultra model brings substantial optical hardware upgrades:
Main: 200 MP wide-angle sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
Ultra-Wide: 50 MP ultrawide lens for expanded landscape shots.
Front Camera: 32 MP sensor supporting 4K video recording.
4. Massive Battery & Charging
To sustain high-refresh gaming, the F9 Ultra is reported to feature an 8,050mAh battery —a notable upgrade over its predecessor, the F8 Ultra. The battery supports 100W wired fast charging, along with 50W wireless and reverse wireless/wired charging options.
Bose 2.1 Tuned Speakers, IP68/IP69 rating, eSIM support
Estimated Pricing
Starting around €999 in European markets
Global Launch Details
The global livestream event for the POCO F9 Series is scheduled for September 1 at 8:00 PM GMT (1:30 AM IST on September 2) via the company’s official Youtube Channel youtube.com/@POCOGlobal. Pricing details and regional availability configurations will be officially confirmed during the broadcast.