🔬 Antiseizure meds and baby growth: new study

A large international cohort study linked antiseizure medication use during pregnancy to differences in foetal growth across various treatments. The study looked at 15,893 offspring, dividing them into monotherapy (12,911) and polytherapy (2,982) groups. Prenatal polytherapy showed higher odds of poor foetal growth compared to monotherapy, with risks increasing with more medications. Furthermore, different single medications showed distinct impacts on birthweight centiles. The research highlights that specific combinations and individual drugs affect outcomes differently.

🔋 Real talk: Mahindra EV ownership deep dive

Real owners are sharing their experiences with Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs like the BE 6, XEV 9e, and XEV 9S. These vehicles are being used for long trips, including a 3,890 km Gurgaon-Bhutan-Gurgaon road trip. Owners report city ranges of around 480-510 km and highway ranges of 450-460 km. Routine maintenance costs are relatively low, with one service bill showing a total of Rs 1,316. Mahindra provides a lifetime high-voltage battery warranty for the first private owner. 🔋

🚢 Iran and Oman agree on temporary Hormuz shipping route

Iran and Oman have agreed on a temporary new shipping route in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This agreement was finalized after top diplomats met in Tehran between the two coastal nations. The transit corridor will be seven miles wide, but Iran insists it won't reopen until the US meets its June peace deal commitments. This comes after major shipping in the strait has been shut down since February. Technical talks are planned to build a long-term arrangement for the waterway.

💡 DuckDB is changing how we build with data

Database systems have historically been separate big systems requiring network overhead for processing. DuckDB is enabling a new paradigm by moving computation onto single machines where compute and memory costs are shifting. This shift is allowing data processing to happen closer to the application, complementing tools like S3 Files. Andy Warfield, who wrote this, is joining AWS to advance this field. This evolution represents a major change in data processing physics. 🚀

🌋 Metals found under Caribbean volcano

Scientists discovered a fluid-filled zone beneath the active Soufrière Hills Volcano on Montserrat. The research, by Petros Bogiatzis and colleagues, used earthquake signals to map a potential magmatic brine lens at 2–3 kilometres depth. This finding suggests volcanoes can naturally concentrate valuable metals from magma-released fluids. The study indicates this system could hold both geothermal energy and concentrated resources. Future geophysical techniques could help explore these hidden deposits without immediate drilling. 🌋

🗿 Ancient art hidden in Ladakh's wild landscapes

An ancient, open-air art gallery consisting of petroglyphs is found in Ladakh. This site is located at Alchi, 65 km west of Leh, near a medieval monastery. Approximately 250 boulders display images dating back to the Bronze Age (3300-1200 BCE) and Tibetan inscriptions. These rock carvings showcase animals, architecture, and human activities across the region. Researchers are studying the rock varnish to potentially develop a dating method for these prehistoric echoes.

🛡️ Private firms to build India's missiles

The Indian Centre has approved transferring DRDO's conventional missile technologies to private industries. This major shift allows qualified domestic companies to fully produce systems like Akash and Pralay in-house. This move opens up technology licences via bidding to firms like Tata and Adani. The goal is to reduce import dependence and boost indigenous value addition significantly. This strengthens India's defence readiness for global market competition. 🚀

🐒 Kerala temple feeds monkeys during Onam festival

During Onam, the Sasthamkotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Kollam, Kerala, hosts a unique tradition where monkeys enjoy a traditional Onam sadya. This practice takes place annually on Uthradam and Thiruvonam, the ninth and tenth days of the festival. The tradition was started over fifty years ago by Aravindakshan Nair after seeing the monkeys struggle to find food. It began as an act of compassion to ensure the long-time residents did not go hungry during the celebrations. Now, it is an enduring cultural event where humans serve the feast before stepping aside for the monkeys. 🐒

🎓 AP Special TET 2026 registrations are live for in-service teachers

Applications for the AP Special TET 2026 have officially opened for in-service teachers. This exam is being conducted by the Department of School Education, Andhra Pradesh, for eligible candidates. The application window runs from August 25 to September 24, 2026, with an exam scheduled for October 11 to October 21, 2026. The test targets teachers appointed before 2011 who need to fulfill the mandatory TET qualification requirement. Candidates must pay a fee of Rs 1,000 per paper online. 📚

🏭 Fake liquor factory bust in Kutch after Bhavnagar tragedy 🚨

Police busted a fake liquor factory in Kutch, seizing nearly 10,000 bottles following the Bhavnagar hooch tragedy. The raid targeted a makeshift factory in Adipur, where 9,400 empty and 600 filled bottles were found. This operation is part of a wider probe into methanol-tainted liquor supply chains. So far, 27 persons have been arrested in the Bhavnagar incident, which saw 13 deaths. Authorities are now investigating the entire process from raw material sourcing to distribution.

🚇 Pune Metro Line 3 set for September launch

The first section of Pune Metro Line 3, running from Maan to Balewadi, is set to begin passenger services soon. This initial stretch, spanning 12 stations, is located in Pune and was approved by the CMRS on July 23. The Prime Minister is expected to inaugurate the line virtually in the first two weeks of September. Officials are currently conducting final reviews and preparing the inauguration schedule for the launch. Further extensions to 17 stations are possible pending inspections of five additional sites. 🚇