💰 India might tap into its $5 trillion gold stash

The Indian government is reportedly updating its Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) to activate the nation's huge reserve of idle gold. This revamp delegates responsibility to jewellers, a trusted group, and is expected to launch later this month. Estimates suggest Indian households and temples collectively hold around 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of gold. The scheme aims to formalize household jewelry into the financial system, reducing gold imports. Jewellers could earn up to a 1% incentive, significantly lowering their financing costs.

🏏 Bounce is the key for Bangladesh in Darwin Test

Bangladesh is preparing to face challenging bounce in the Darwin Test against Australia. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto noted that while a recent practice collapse to 54 caused concern, the team is ready. They are playing their first Test on Australian soil since 2003, and the team is hopeful for a strong performance. Currently, Bangladesh sits at No. 4 in the World Test Championship table after a recent win against Pakistan. The players aim to bat for longer periods and compete until the fifth day of the match. 🏏

⚖️ Ex-CJI named Russia's arbitrator in Ukraine dispute

Former Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud, has been appointed by Russia as its arbitrator in an investment treaty dispute. This case involves the Ukrainian state-owned bank Oschadbank, with proceedings being heard under the 1998 bilateral investment treaty. Oschadbank's claim concerns assets lost in four Ukrainian regions following Russian military actions since 2022. The dispute is understood to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, with Oschadbank filing a notice in July 2025. This appointment marks a change from his previous decision to decline similar approaches from Russia. ⚖️

🐄 UP starts cow urine collection pilot project

Uttar Pradesh has initiated a pilot project focused on collecting cow urine. The initiative is being rolled out across various locations within the state. Specific details regarding the timeline and scope of the project were not provided in the initial announcement. This move has drawn commentary, with the Samajwadi Party offering criticism of the plan. The government plans to monitor the pilot phase closely before making any larger decisions. 🐄

🚨 MLA named in hasty cremation FIR at Kolkata hospital

A fresh FIR has been filed concerning the alleged rushed cremation of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The investigation names former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh, along with Somnath Dey and Sanjib Mukherjee, in this matter. The case was registered on Monday following a complaint by the doctor's father, amidst an ongoing CBI inquiry. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari claimed the cremation was moved up from its original schedule. Authorities have booked the three individuals under charges like wrongful restraint and trespassing. 😟

🚨 Over 10k HIV Cases Reported in Meghalaya

More than 10,000 individuals have recently been diagnosed with HIV in the Indian state of Meghalaya. This alarming statistic has triggered local authorities to significantly boost public awareness campaigns across the region. The Meghalaya State AIDS Control Society highlighted the necessity for more targeted health interventions amid the rising cases. The state government plans to intensify efforts focusing on testing, treatment, and prevention methods. Officials are pushing for greater accessibility to healthcare, especially in rural areas.

💁‍♀️ Rhea Chakraborty spent salary on face fixes

Rhea Chakraborty revealed that she used her last Rs 3 lakh salary to 'fix' her appearance. This happened when she was 17 or 18, earning as an MTV VJ. The revelation came during a chat with Tanmay Bhat on his YouTube channel. She mentioned that back then, only good-looking people were allowed to speak in the industry. Next, Rhea will be seen in the second season of The Traitors. 💁‍♀️

🔥 SpiceJet flight gets too hot, passengers refuse to fly

Passengers on a SpiceJet Delhi-Pune flight refused to fly because the aircraft cabin became extremely hot. This incident happened on August 11, 2026, aboard the Delhi-PXQ flight which carried people of all ages. The cabin temperature rose so sharply that several passengers started struggling to breathe and getting drenched in sweat. Despite the discomfort, the flight was allegedly moved towards the runway, leading to a protest. Passengers demanded action from the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding their compromised safety. 🥵

🏏 IPL fielding: flashy moments vs. shaky basics

Jonty Rhodes noted that modern cricket fielding is incredibly athletic and has evolved significantly over time. Despite this, the key fielding metrics in the IPL have remained stagnant or even declined in recent seasons. Over the past two seasons, there has been a noticeable surge in dropped catches during franchise T20 cricket matches. Coaches suggest players are often underprepared, treating fielding as a secondary skill rather than mastering the basics. Teams like KKR, under Dishant Yagnik, demonstrate that intensive, data-driven practice yields superior fielding performance. 🏏

🔋 Vivo drops new S2 phone with massive battery

Vivo has officially launched its new S2 smartphone in the Indian market. The device was introduced in India, targeting various consumer segments. Key specs include a huge 7050 mAh battery capacity and various other features. This launch aims to compete strongly in the mid-range smartphone segment. Vivo plans to push this model across different retail channels soon.

🧐 Skull found in hand baggage at Delhi Airport

A skull was discovered hidden in a passenger’s hand baggage during security screening at Delhi Airport. The CISF intercepted the flyer who was traveling from Delhi to Hyderabad on August 12, 2026. The passenger claimed the object was a monkey's skull, which prompted authorities to take action. The individual was handed over to local police for legal proceedings under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Officials are currently investigating the skull's exact nature and origin. 🧐