🗑️ 3,100 kg gutkha smashed in Tirupattur

Over 3,100 kg of gutkha products were destroyed by Tirupattur police on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The operation took place in Kottapattu village near Vaniyambadi town under the order of Superintendent of Police Akshay Anil Wakhare. This destruction followed multiple confiscations across various police stations in the district. The police action is part of a continuous drive to curb smuggling and usage of these tobacco products. The disposal strictly adhered to all legal and environmental guidelines at the designated spot.

🛍️ Store charged Rs 30 for carry bags; huge fine issued

A Gurugram consumer commission found Red Tape guilty of unfair trade practices for charging a customer Rs 30 for three carry bags. The customer shopped at the Gurugram outlet on August 31, 2025, and claimed the charge was illegal. The commission ruled against the company, citing precedents that retailers should provide free bags. Red Tape was ordered to refund Rs 30 with 9% interest and pay Rs 26,000 in compensation. The company must comply with this order within 45 days. 🛍️

🤝 Modi, Kharge, Gandhi siblings meet at Delhi wedding

Political rivals PM Modi and Mallikarjun Kharge shared a light-hearted moment at a wedding reception in New Delhi. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were also present during this rare political interaction. The exchange happened on Monday, August 11, 2026, at the event held at Sharad Pawar’s 6, Janpath residence. Kharge joked to Modi that he had changed, sparking laughter among the leaders present. Despite this, political tensions remain due to ongoing Parliament disputes. 🧐

🤝 Kharge and Gandhi Siblings Meet PM Modi at Delhi Wedding

Kharge and the Gandhi siblings recently met with Prime Minister Modi during a wedding event in Delhi. The meeting took place at a high-profile social gathering in the capital city. Specific details regarding the date and exact attendance numbers were not released to the public. This interaction occurs amid ongoing political discussions and party dynamics in India. Further official statements regarding this meeting are anticipated in the coming days.

📸 Couple finds spy camera in Madrid Airbnb

A retired British couple discovered a hidden camera pointed at their bed during a trip to Madrid. Donna, 62, and Raymond Nunn, 87, found the device in their Lavapiés apartment on August 3. They noticed the camera on August 4 and were told by Airbnb to leave immediately. The couple relocated two hours south of Madrid on August 5 after their terrifying discovery. Airbnb issued a full refund and removed the property listing from their platform.

📡 CEO flags suspicious activity near damaged undersea cables

Two undersea communication cables owned by Subco reported faults close together off Perth, Australia. Bevan Slattery, the company's CEO, urged the Australian Federal Police to launch an urgent probe into the incident. The Indigo-West and Indigo-Central cables developed shunt faults on the night of the incident. Slattery noted suspicious activity from a vessel near the fault location at the same time. The AFP has confirmed receiving a report of crime and is currently assessing the information. 🚨

🏆 Babar Azam back in ICC Test top 10

Pakistan batter Babar Azam has returned to the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings after two years. This happened following his team's eight-wicket win against the West Indies in Port of Spain. He scored 88 and 24 not out, advancing five places to 10th position on the date of the match. This comeback follows him dropping out of the top 10 in September 2024 after five continuous years. The drawn two-match World Test Championship series did not help either team's WTC standing.

🏋️‍♀️ Celina Jaitly defends gym sessions in divorce court

Celina Jaitly shared that she had to defend her weightlifting routine during her bizarre divorce proceedings. The actor, who filed for divorce from Peter Haag in November 2025, was questioned about spending 1.5 hours daily at the gym. This comes amidst several personal struggles, including loss of children and family crisis. She stated that discipline, instilled by her father, was what gave her strength through these tough times. She questioned if lifting weights was wrong, noting the barbell weight wasn't the heaviest she carried.

⚖️ Ex-judge Yashwant Varma indicted in cash-at-home case

A Lok Sabha inquiry committee indicted former Allahabad high court judge Yashwant Varma regarding a cash-at-home case. The panel determined his explanation for unaccounted cash found at his official residence was evasive and unsatisfactory. This cash was discovered partially burnt in the outhouse following a fire in March 2025. Varma had previously denied any knowledge of the cash and rejected corruption allegations. It is uncertain if Parliament will act on the findings, given the law may only apply to a serving judge. ⚖️

🌌 Tarantula Nebula's Hot Gas Might Be Escaping

A new view of the Tarantula Nebula shows thousands of young stars alongside hot gas. This stellar nursery, located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, was observed using Chandra, Webb, and Hubble telescopes. The research noted considerably less X-ray-emitting gas than predicted by stellar winds. Scientists suggest that up to half of the hot gas might be leaking through the shell walls. Understanding this energy loss helps scientists study how young stars shape future star formation. 🔭

🚨 Indian Govt Suspends TTFI Recognition

The Indian sports ministry has suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India due to serious governance deficiencies. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been ordered to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the sport operations. This action follows TTFI’s failure to hold timely elections and unsatisfactory responses to official notices. The TTFI, led by Meghna Ahlawat, has a history of power struggles and administrative issues. The IOA will establish regulatory mechanisms until a proper governance structure is restored in TTFI.