⚽ Ceferin tells Infantino to quit FIFA presidency

European football chief Aleksander Ceferin stated he has no plans to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. Ceferin warned the under-fire president that he must step down or face a serious leadership challenge. This comes after Infantino's controversial private investment plans led to pressure and potential boycotts from UEFA. Ceferin believes Infantino's position is threatened ahead of the March FIFA Congress in Morocco. The Swiss leader is relying on support from poorer football nations to secure his re-election until 2031. ⚽

🔬 Lunar survival zones spotted for Earth microbes

A NASA study revealed potential survival zones for Earth microbes on the Moon's South Pole. Planetary scientist Prabal Saxena led this research from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland. The study examined five microbes across three areas near the South Pole on October 10, 2023. This suggests human-carried microbes could persist, complicating future scientific findings. Scientists stress that baselining contamination is essential before sustained lunar exploration begins. 🔬

✈️ Top credit cards with airport lounge access in India ✈️

Airport lounge access is now a must-have perk for modern travelers, making waiting times more comfortable. IDFC FIRST Bank offers several cards providing this benefit, which can be domestic or international. These cards might require meeting minimum spending criteria, and benefits vary by card type. Travelers should compare visit limits, annual fees, and additional rewards before applying online. A comprehensive look ensures the card offers value beyond just airport access.

🏢 Dipam selling decades-old office junk

Dipam, the government's asset-sale arm, has put various old office items up for auction. These assets are from Dipam's own office and include laptops, furniture, and even a three-seater sofa. The auction is set on an 'as is where is' basis for items spanning from 2005-06 to 2013. This sale is part of Dipam's busy program to meet its FY27 ₹80,000-crore asset-sale target. The revenue from this smaller clean-up sale will depend entirely on the bids received.

💡 New Headlight Rules Coming for Vehicles

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proposes tightening road safety rules for vehicle lighting. Automatic headlamps on new two-wheelers will be restricted to low-beam mode, while heavy vehicles might need genuine reflective tapes. These amendments aim to reduce glare and boost visibility for all motorists. The new safety norms are scheduled to take effect from April of next year. This includes capping headlamp intensity and colour temperature to improve overall road safety. 🚦

🩺 Type 2 diabetes isn't one-size-fits-all

Type 2 diabetes presents in two fundamentally different ways based on a patient's BMI, according to new research. In patients with higher BMI, it's mostly due to insulin resistance, while lower BMI individuals suffer from insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. The study analyzed data from over 3,300 African adults across Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Europe, with findings from August 24, 2026. Currently, both groups receive the same standard medication, which may be inappropriate for lean patients. Researchers are calling for targeted clinical trials to find better treatments for this overlooked group. 🩺

💉 Japanese Pharma Partnering with SII for JE Vaccine

Japanese pharmaceutical giant Meiji Seika Pharma is partnering with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to produce the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine in India. This collaboration followed a meeting between Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Meiji Seika Pharma's President in India. Meiji intends to transfer the technology for its JE vaccine to SII, with regulatory approval potentially starting as early as next year. The partnership aims to strengthen India-Japan pharmaceutical ties and make the vaccine affordable for Indian children. Meiji is currently in the strategy stage regarding its future investment plans in India. 💉

🔬 UNIST cracked 2D chip contamination with new metal layer

Researchers at UNIST developed a process to stop photoresist residue on MoS₂ surfaces using a 5nm sacrificial metal layer. This tech was created by a team led by Professor Kim Myung-soo at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology. The new process achieved a 10-fold increase in on-current and reduced contact resistance to one-tenth of conventional levels. This breakthrough eliminates the need for harsh cleaning or high-temperature annealing methods. The technology is expected to boost the creation of high-density logic and memory devices.

📈 Gold prices surge in Hyderabad today

Gold rates saw a notable surge in Hyderabad on August 24, 2026. The price for one tola of 22-carat gold hit Rs. 1,50,300, and 24-carat gold reached Rs. 1,63,970. These increases follow a recent dip during the wedding season where 22-carat gold was around Rs. 1,30,000 for 10 grams. Gold is considered a reliable investment that tracks international prices and rupee rates. Investors can check major jewelry outlets in areas like Panjagutta and Mehdipatnam for current rates. 💰

🛂 VFS might handle passports and driving licenses in India

VFS Global is planning to introduce citizen services in India, potentially allowing applications for passports and driver's licenses. The company operates over 200 centres across India, having recently opened one in Lucknow. VFS processes nearly 30 million visa applications annually, with its operations subject to rigorous government oversight. They are also deploying AI to detect fraud in documents and appointment systems. This expansion shows VFS is growing its presence beyond just visa services in the country. ✈️

🤢 Worm in salad at PAUL bakery causes drama

A viral Instagram video showed a live worm in a Caesar salad at PAUL bakery's Horizon Centre outlet in Gurugram. The customer, Sulabh Mathur, shared the footage on August 24, 2026, after dining with a group around 11 AM. The incident prompted PAUL to issue a public apology, stating it did not reflect their standards. However, Mathur felt the response was a templated reply rather than a genuine acknowledgment of the issue. Authorities are reportedly investigating the hygiene standards at the bakery. 🤢