📉 Gold and silver slip amid AI selloff, rate worries

Spot gold and silver prices dropped sharply on Tuesday due to high global bond yields and renewed AI equity selloffs. This movement occurred in the U.S. market while lingering Strait of Hormuz risk was also a factor. Spot gold traded near $4,338.10 an ounce, down 1.76%, and spot silver was at $63.370, down 3.49%. The market is currently caught between softer US data and expectations for higher-for-longer interest rates. Traders are now focused on the Fed’s July meeting minutes on Wednesday for more clarity. 📉

💰 PM Cares spent minimal funds in 2024-25

PM CARES utilized only Rs 88 lakh out of its massive Rs 8452 crore budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. This significant portion of the funds was placed into Fixed Deposits (FDs) for security. The remaining balance remains untouched as of the recent reporting period. This strategy reflects a conservative approach to managing the substantial corpus. Future utilization of these funds will depend on evolving national priorities and needs.

🏘️ Govt urged to fix Navluru land issue for 33 owners

The Centre for Liberty asked the State Government and APCRDA to solve a land dispute impacting 33 plot owners in Navluru village. The issue involves lands originally assigned to farmers during the British period, recorded as tank Poramboke in 1907. In 2017, the Guntur District Collector alienated these lands to APCRDA for road construction. This has led to ongoing legal battles, despite an assurance from the Collector. Revenue officials mention considering alternative land allotments for the affected owners.

🛑 Anti-corruption site bribes.fyi shuts down

The anti-corruption website bribes.fyi has officially shut down its operations for good. The platform, which aimed to expose corruption, ceased its service in the recent past. No specific numbers or dates were provided regarding the shutdown timeline. The site stated that it would be deleting all of its stored data permanently. Users are advised that access to the platform and its archives will no longer be possible going forward.

💨 Incense is the biggest indoor air polluter

Ohio eighth-grader Archishman Dey conducted a science project to check indoor PM2.5 pollution from five household sources. He tested an air fryer, candle, humidifier, gas, and incense in Solon, Ohio. Incense sticks produced the highest average PM2.5 concentration at 76.27 micrograms per cubic metre on the recorded date. This highlights that everyday activities can quietly introduce harmful, invisible particles into our homes. Dey suggests simple fixes like opening windows to improve indoor air quality.

🇨🇳 China's new law targets critics globally 🇨🇳

China implemented its Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress on July 1, turning Xi Jinping's doctrine into binding law. This law allows the government to pursue legal action against individuals and organizations outside Chinese territory who 'undermine ethnic unity.' The provision asserts that Chinese authority follows critics across oceans, impacting diaspora communities in places like Canada. Unlike Western laws, the offense is vaguely defined as a political judgment, enabling export of censorship. The response requires host governments to deny the law's effect and treat enforcement as the crime it is. 😟

🇮🇳 India demands reciprocity in Bangladesh ties

India has shifted its diplomatic stance on Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for 'reciprocity' in their bilateral relationship. This statement came after Dhaka intensified political heat regarding the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that extradition requests are being examined through established processes as of Tuesday. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is reportedly skipping the BRICS Leaders’ Summit, seeking political gestures for ties to advance. Moving forward, diplomatic sources suggest any progress will happen solely through political channels. 🤝

✨ 2026 Skoda Slavia facelift color options revealed

Skoda has unveiled the 2026 Slavia facelift, which boasts a refreshed design and an upgraded automatic gearbox. The Czech automaker has expanded the sedan's colour palette to ten shades across six variants: Classic, Classic Plus, Signature, Sportline, Prestige, and Monte Carlo. It features an updated 10.1-inch touchscreen and 6 airbags for enhanced safety. The facelifted Slavia is expected to launch with a price range of Rs 11 lakh to Rs 18 lakh. Deliveries for Cappuccino Beige will only start in December of this year. 🚗

🔬 IL-26 reprograms cancer cells to evade immunity

Researchers found that interleukin-26, produced by exhausted T cells, can reprogram colorectal cancer cell epigenomes. This discovery was made by a team led by Assistant Professor Takumi Itoh at Juntendo University, Japan. The findings, published on July 17, 2026, detail how IL-26 drives immune escape against anti-PD-1 therapy. IL-26 activates an epigenetic program that attracts immunosuppressive neutrophils, weakening antitumor T-cells. Targeting IL-26 or BRD4 could potentially boost immunotherapy effectiveness in treatment-resistant cancers. 🔬

⚖️ Kerala HC quashes case against MLA A.T. George

The Kerala High Court has quashed the criminal complaint against former Congress MLA A.T. George. The complaint was filed by former CPI(M) MLA K.K. Lathika concerning an incident during an Assembly ruckus in 2015. The court noted that a previous brawl case involving multiple MLAs was set aside in September 2024. The court found no evidence to prove obstruction charges against George in the matter. Consequently, the court dismissed a plea by LDF leaders seeking a joint trial.

⛽ India's crude oil import bill jumps 41% in July

India's crude oil import bill spiked over 41% year-on-year to reach $13.7 billion in July. This rise occurred as global oil prices increased due to West Asia uncertainty, with imports growing 13.3% in volume. The crude basket averaged $82.04 a barrel in July, up from $70.95 the previous year. This heavy reliance is evident as crude oil imports cover 88.5% of the country’s total consumption. The net import bill for oil and gas increased by over 19% to $11.2 billion.