💰 Which countries have the most gold in their reserves?

The U.S. and Germany hold the highest gold shares among selected economies at 82% of central bank reserves. China possesses 2,306 tonnes of gold, ranking fourth in volume but with less than 9% of its reserves. Gold remains a key reserve asset, though its weight varies widely from 0% to over 80% globally. Canada, despite being a major producer, reports zero gold reserves due to past divestment decisions. These rankings are based on World Gold Council data from December 2025.

🔬 AI designs new viruses to kill bacteria

Scientists used GenAI and massive genomic data to engineer novel biological systems from scratch. A team from Stanford University and the Arc Institute designed bacteriophages using AI models trained on trillions of DNA bases. They tested nearly 300 synthesized designs, and 16 emerged as effective at killing E. coli. This shows AI can move beyond analysis to actively design new biological tools. These new phages could form cocktails to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 🔬

💡 New Tool Lets You Track AI Coding Costs

A new project called Frugal Tokens has been launched to help users manage expenses associated with coding agents. This tool allows developers to explore the costs and usage metrics across various AI coding agents. Specific data points regarding resource consumption and monetary expenditure are tracked within the platform. The goal is to provide transparency so users can optimize their AI development workflows efficiently. Developers are encouraged to check out Frugal Tokens to get a better handle on their AI spending.

🗳️ Bangladesh presidential election set for Thursday

Bangladesh is set to hold its first presidential election in 35 years on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The contest will be between BNP stalwart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed from the 11-party opposition alliance, held at the Parliament. The voting will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on that date. This election is needed after a close aide of Sheikh Hasina resigned last month. If elected, the president-elect will take the oath on Friday evening. 🗳️

🐕 Dog costume protest highlights stray dog issue in Khandwa

A man in a dog mask protested at the Khandwa collectorate office to highlight the menace of stray dogs. This incident involved Deepak "Mullu" Rathore, a Congress leader, in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. He claimed nearly 13,225 people had been bitten by dogs, and the number was rising despite spending lakhs of rupees. Rathore also alleged irregularities in the sterilization program tender, causing fear among locals. Collector Rishav Gupta criticized the stunt but assured that the allegations would be investigated.

✈️ Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian planes till Sept 24

Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft until September 24. This decision was announced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by the country's airports authority. The restriction, which applies to both Karachi and Lahore FIRs, is set to run from 10:15 a.m. on August 23 until 4:59 a.m. on September 24. This measure follows matching restrictions imposed after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025. Both nations continue these reciprocal bans, which have caused financial issues for airlines.

🩺 Free lung cancer screenings available now

Free lung cancer screenings are being offered to promote overall body health awareness. This initiative is being run by various health organizations across the region. The screenings are available starting from October 15th and will run until November 30th. These screenings are crucial for early detection of lung cancer in at-risk populations. Interested individuals should register through the official health portal for details. 🩺

🏏 Ares Management eyeing stake in Kolkata Knight Riders

Ares Management is reportedly in discussions to acquire a minority stake in the Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchise is owned by Shah Rukh Khan, Jay Mehta, and Juhi Chawla. The talks are ongoing, with no specific financial figures or dates yet disclosed. This potential investment signifies a major move in the IPL's ownership landscape. Further developments on this deal are expected to be announced soon.

🎮 MW4 beta fixes decade-long annoyances

The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta is rolling out to address long-standing issues plaguing the series. Activision is reducing the frustrating 'update requires restart' prompts players have faced for about six years across various platforms. PC and PS5 users will see fewer prompts, while Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2 will still face restarts during the beta. This beta will also debut as a standalone file, meaning no full HQ launcher is needed to play. The beta kicks off on Friday, August 21 at 11am PT, with pre-loading starting August 20 at 9am PT.

🎬 GTA VI clips leak before Netflix premiere

Clips showing Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay have surfaced online, potentially revealing details before its major debut. These leaks feature protagonist Jason Duval performing various actions, such as shooting hoops and engaging in crime. The footage, attributed to "CyberLeek," includes scenes of driving, punching, and a six-star Wanted system. Rockstar Games is set to premiere an extended look on Netflix on August 27th at 3PM ET. The highly anticipated $79.99 title is scheduled for release on November 19th.

💸 Flower and fruit prices skyrocket before Varamahalakshmi festival

Flower and fruit prices have surged across Bengaluru markets due to high demand for the Varamahalakshmi festival. K.R. Market saw crowds shopping for items like chrysanthemums and lotus flowers ahead of the celebration. Specific prices include chrysanthemums at ₹200-₹400 per kg, while lotus stems jump to ₹50-₹100 on Thursday and Friday. This price hike is attributed to deficit rainfall and festive buying habits, despite farmers not benefiting. Customers are purchasing various items, with one shopper spending ₹2,460 on mixed flowers and seven varieties of fruits.