🏡 Half of UK homes take longer to sell now

Half of homes across Great Britain are taking longer to sell compared to a year ago. This trend is observed in 180 out of 363 local authorities across England, Scotland, and Wales. The national average time to sell remains steady at 42 days, despite market shifts. Mortgage volatility and concerns over inflation are making buyers adopt a 'wait and see' approach. Future pressures include expected inflation rises and potential increases in the Bank of England's base rate.

⚓ Hormuz Strait traffic: Who's really calling the shots? 🚢

Donald Trump suggested US military control over the Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian claims of closure. Maritime data shows 112 oil/gas vessels passed between August 1 and 19. Of these, only 21 used the Iranian route and 2 used the Omani route. The majority, 89 vessels, used dark or unclassified routes due to transponder switching. This complex situation continues amidst US and Iran tensions and recent attacks.

🤖 Google Gives Indian Students Gemini AI Plus Free

Google is offering one year of Gemini AI Plus access to students across India. This free access is available to students enrolled in various educational institutions throughout the country. The offer runs from September 1, 2024, until August 31, 2025. This initiative aims to boost digital literacy and provide students with advanced AI tools for learning. Eligible students can sign up via the official Google Education portal soon. 🤖

📈 Smallcap stocks blast off, some hit 217% gains

Fourteen smallcap stocks saw massive jumps, with returns ranging up to an incredible 217% over the last six months. This surge happened while the Nifty 50 fell by around 5.5%, specifically involving stocks in the smallcap segment. Data shows six of these stocks more than doubled their investors' wealth during this period. For instance, HFCL was the top performer, rising from Rs 71 to Rs 227 in six months. Investors will be watching how these high-growth stocks perform moving forward. 🚀

🔭 India building massive new space telescope in Ladakh

India is preparing to construct the 13.7-metre National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (NLOT) in Hanle, Ladakh. This project aims to significantly boost domestic deep-space optical astronomy capabilities for Indian astronomers. NLOT will have nearly 15 times the light-collecting area of current Indian telescopes, making it a major leap. This development builds upon India's experience gained while partnering in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) consortium. The telescope is expected to take a decade to build, promising detailed studies of exoplanets and the early universe. 🔭

😠 Minister's Daughter Slams CM Reddy Over Ticket Showdown

A major rift opened in the Telangana Congress after Konda Sushmita challenged CM Revanth Reddy's authority. Speaking in Parkal, she questioned why he could decide her candidature for the assembly constituency. The dispute intensified after Reddy publicly backed Revuri Prakash Reddy, which led Sushmita to threaten contesting as an independent. She also alleged arrogance and questioned the party's direction under his leadership. This confrontation has now resulted in a disciplinary notice being issued to minister Konda Surekha. 😠

📉 Evergrande Boss Goes Down in Jail

Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan has faced serious legal trouble following the massive debt crisis of his company. He was detained in China amid ongoing investigations into the company's financial irregularities. The investigation has scrutinized over $30 billion in liabilities connected to the property giant. This situation marks a major downfall for one of China's most prominent real estate figures. Authorities are continuing the proceedings to determine the full scope of his legal responsibilities.

😠 Keralites react strongly to Jailer 2 song promo

A 32-second promo for the song Ala Bolelo from Jailer 2 was released on Tuesday featuring Rajinikanth and Shamna Kasim. The song, which features Malayalam words, was released by the film's team for the sequel. While some fans were excited, many Keralites took to social media to complain about the mispronunciation of Malayalam words. Users felt the incorrect sounds were irritating and disrespectful to the language. The full version of Ala Bolelo is scheduled to drop on August 21.

😠 Alvarez absence sparks major fan backlash at Atletico

Julian Alvarez was notably absent from Atletico Madrid's opening La Liga match against Malaga. The Argentine forward was excluded from the matchday squad, despite Diego Simeone citing training needs. Hostile fan reactions emerged, including a banner directed at him regarding Barcelona transfer links. Some supporters openly discussed his future, suggesting he should leave or remain on the bench. This situation highlights rising frustration over his possible departure amid transfer rumors.

🏫 Harbhajan Singh points out Punjab school infra issues

Harbhajan Singh recently highlighted the poor school infrastructure present in Punjab. The comments were made by him while discussing the state's education system. The video footage circulated online is actually from the year 2018. This raised questions regarding the current status of educational facilities across the state. Authorities are expected to address the concerns raised by the video's release. 🏫

🚀 Swiggy shifts focus to Instamart style, rivals Blinkit

Swiggy is reportedly pivoting its business model to resemble Instamart, the quick commerce format. This strategic move is being implemented by Swiggy in response to market dynamics observed with its main competitor, Blinkit. The shift aims to boost profit margins for the delivery giant in the competitive food and grocery space. This adaptation follows a period of intense competition and aggressive pricing across the quick commerce sector. Analysts expect this change to redefine how Swiggy operates moving forward. 🚀