The Day's Top 10 Stories · September 19th

A Los Angeles judge tentatively opposed part of the US government’s agreement with TikTok to resolve allegations of children’s privacy violations, extending uncertainty around the service’s operations in the country.

So, you remember how The Night King was built up as this massive threat throughout Game of Thrones, right? Well, HBO really played that up for years, but when it came down to it, his defeat felt pretty rushed and left a lot of fans scratching their heads. During the Battle of Winterfell, Arya Stark took him out in a surprising twist, but it happened so quickly that it didn’t quite live up to the hype.

After surviving for thousands of years and leading a huge army of the undead, it was a bit disappointing that he never even made it to King’s Landing or faced off against some of the main characters we were all invested in. It felt like there was so much potential for a bigger showdown, but instead, it was all wrapped up in a single moment.

This has sparked a ton of debate among fans about whether the storytelling really did justice to such a significant character. A lot of folks were hoping for a more epic confrontation, especially given how much buildup there was around him. It’s interesting how a single moment can change the way we view an entire series, isn’t it?

Michael Pirotton is gearing up for a big fight against Johnny Fisher at the Copper Box Arena in London on September 26. He’s confident he can pull off an upset, claiming Fisher is under too much pressure and that his mindset is fragile. Pirotton, who has faced setbacks in his career, believes these experiences have made him stronger and more resilient. He acknowledges Fisher's high profile but insists that being underestimated could be a mistake. Pirotton's journey has been tough, working as a doorman while training. He’s ready to showcase his skills and prove his worth on this significant stage.

World No 9 beats Maks Kasnikowski 6-3, 6-0 in World Group I tie James Duckworth meets Kamil Majchrzak next at Pat Rafter Arena Alex de Minaur has taken his frustrations out in a Davis Cup thumping to put Australia up 1-0 in their must-win Brisbane tie against Poland. The world No 9, keen to rediscover his mojo after a disappointing second-round US Open loss, lit up Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday afternoon with a dominant 6-3 6-0 defeat of world No 231 Maks Kasnikowski. Continue reading...

KTM has faced some challenges lately, and their latest move is to launch the 690 Rally, a 690-cc single-cylinder bike aimed at rally enthusiasts. While this might seem like a bold choice, it’s worth noting that rally bikes are typically niche products, which could make it a tough sell. Instead of opting for a more mainstream approach, like a commuter bike or a versatile adventure model, KTM is doubling down on a specific segment.

This strategy could either reinvigorate their brand or risk alienating potential buyers who prefer more practical options. It’s a gamble, but if they nail the performance and appeal of the 690 Rally, it could carve out a loyal following among off-road riders. The success of this bike might hinge on how well it balances the thrill of rallying with everyday usability.

Morgan Stanley's MSBT ETF just picked up $52 million in Bitcoin, and here's the kicker — it hasn't seen any outflows. This is a solid signal for the market, showing that institutional interest in Bitcoin is not just a passing phase. The fact that they’re adding to their position suggests a belief in Bitcoin's long-term value, which could shift how other players in the financial markets view crypto.

With more traditional finance embracing Bitcoin, it might just pave the way for broader acceptance and investment strategies across the board. Keep an eye on how this plays out; it could be a turning point for institutional crypto involvement.

For listeners who want low-fee crypto exposure, our markets partner Kraken supports Bitcoin — link in show notes.

On the markets — Kalshi traders have been actively repricing this story in the last day.

JavaScript is disabled in your browser. A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser.

The story so far: Noisy celebrations have now become a part and parcel of urban as well as rural Indian life. As vehicles packed with powerful new speakers known as DJs are available at lower prices and the competition to play high-volume music has reached all parts of the country, it is posing a challenge to body and soul. What does science say? A new research paper published in Scientific Reports in January 2026 uses the term ‘subclinical hearing damage’ to identify the effect on hearing due to high-level amplified music at recreational/celebratory events.

The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the central region hit 102 at 1pm. SINGAPORE: Air quality in the central region of Singapore returned to the unhealthy range on Saturday (Sep 19). The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the region hit 102 at 1pm, crossing into the unhealthy band. The 24-hour PSI for the region rose to 105 at 2pm. Air quality remained in the moderate range for the other regions of the country. PSI readings have dipped in and out of the unhealthy range over the past weeks. The central region last recorded unhealthy air quality on Thursday evening.

The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, or KICT, has developed a new early detection technology aimed at improving urban flood forecasting. This technology focuses on identifying quasi-stationary linear rainbands and sudden, localized torrential rainfall, which can lead to significant flooding in urban areas.

KICT plans to integrate this advanced detection system into the Urban Flood Forecasting Platform managed by the Han River Flood Control Office in Korea. By doing so, they hope to enhance the accuracy and timeliness of flood forecasts, potentially allowing for better preparedness and response to flooding events.

This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for more sophisticated tools to manage urban flooding, especially as climate change continues to impact weather patterns. The collaboration between KICT and local authorities could serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges.