🚢 Hormuz shipping slows amid US-Iran tension

Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly dropped this week due to uncertainty surrounding US-Iran talks. Between Monday and Thursday, only 33 vessels passed through, down from 50 during the same period last week. This decline follows Houthi claims of hitting a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea earlier this week. Iranian proposals suggest a much stricter regime, including potential bans on US and Israeli ships. Analysts warn that growing distrust could lead to worsening security situations in the Gulf and Red Sea. 🚢

🥇 Kohli's support helped Sakshi Chaudhary win CWG gold

Indian boxer Sakshi Chaudhary revealed Virat Kohli's crucial role in her career journey. The Haryana boxer, who won gold in the women's 51kg event in Glasgow, acknowledged Kohli's support via the Virat Kohli Foundation. This triumph came after she missed the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Asian Games due to injury. She ultimately defeated England's Ruby White in the final by a unanimous 5-0 decision. This victory contributed to India's historic campaign of 10 medals, including seven golds. 🥇

🚑 Hotel operator shot over food delay dies in crash

A hotel operator was shot after an argument broke out concerning a delay in serving food. The incident happened at Neelkanth Hotel in Kharnal village, Nagaur district, involving the victim Ramkumar alias Ramdas. The shooting occurred after a group of men confronted the operator, with the victim being shot in the chest. He was rushed from JLN Hospital in Nagaur to Jodhpur, but the ambulance overturned near Khinvsar. Doctors declared him dead at a government hospital after the accident.

📈 Stock market closing is now an auction, not an average

The closing price mechanism for F&O stocks is changing from a 30-minute average to a real-time auction starting August 3, 2026. This transition affects traders, index funds, and arbitrage funds in the market. Previously, the close was a calculation, but now a single price is determined by matched buy and sell orders. Long-term investors holding SIPs or index funds are advised to do nothing as the change benefits them. Traders must learn the new 3:15 pm auction schedule, while arbitrage funds should wait for price stabilization.

🐳 Sperm whales use bubbles to stay underwater

Scientists discovered that sperm whales use bubble releases to manage their buoyancy while resting beneath the ocean surface. This behavior was observed in sperm whales off the coast of Norway. The study tracked them using tags and found bubbles counter the natural tendency to float due to spermaceti oil. This action helps them remain almost weightless in the water, counteracting gas expansion. Future research will explore if this release is conscious and if they sleep with one brain half at a time.

🎬 Jackie Shroff joins Salman, Nayanthara in new film

Jackie Shroff has joined Salman Khan and Nayanthara for Vamshi Paidipally’s upcoming action entertainer. The film is being shot in Mumbai and is produced by Dil Raju and Shirish. The Indian schedule wraps up by the end of August, with a brief European schedule planned before the final wrap. The movie is slated for a global release on the Eid 2027 weekend. Rahul Dev and Abhimanyu Singh are set to play the negative parts in the untitled project.

🛒 Tamil Nadu liquor orders online starting Friday

Tamil Nadu's liquor retail system is changing with the introduction of online ordering via the Tasmac website. This new system, led by the Vijay government, allows cashless payments before pickup from designated Tasmac outlets. This move comes after persistent complaints about customers being overcharged at state-run shops. It aligns with a Madras High Court crackdown on overcharging, which directed police presence at outlets. The government is also considering privatization, marking a potential shift since 2003. 🛍️

💧 TN CM rejects all-party meet on Mekedatu dam

Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay declined the DMK's call for an all-party meeting concerning the Mekedatu dam. He defended his push for talks with Karnataka over the Cauvery dispute, stating he would face insults for the state's benefit. Vijay mentioned considering a visit to Bengaluru for discussions on the Cauvery issue. Despite dialogue efforts, his government maintains its official stance of pursuing the dispute through legal means. He stressed that no compromise would be made on the state's rights regarding river water or the dam issue. 💧

SUV crashes into tempo in Mumbai-Pune tunnel

An SUV speeding at high velocity collided with a tempo inside the Mumbai-Pune Expressway tunnel. The incident occurred on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near the tunnel area. Authorities confirmed that one person lost their life in the crash, and several others were injured. The collision happened recently, prompting immediate emergency response from local teams. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of this fatal accident. 😔

📚 UP pushes catch-up teaching to fix school gaps

The Uttar Pradesh government, led by CM Yogi Adityanath, is intensifying its Catch-up Teaching campaign to eliminate learning deficits in foundational education. This drive involves displaying IEC materials on Catch-up Teaching and NIPUN Lakshya across all government schools and related offices by July 31. The initiative aims to standardize competency-based teaching across the state through a detailed 15-point strategy. This strategy focuses on identifying struggling students, grouping them, and implementing activity-based learning. Ultimately, the goal is to bring every child to their appropriate class learning level.

🔬 Light vs. Dark: How Caves Change Bones

Scientists studied animal bones in South Australia's underwater caves to see how the environment affects preservation. Researchers from Griffith University examined bones in Green Waterhole and Gouldens Sinkhole near Mount Gambier. Bones near light showed algae traces, while those in total darkness remained pristine. This offers a new framework for paleontologists interpreting ancient fossil deposits worldwide. The findings help distinguish environmental changes before and after burial in submerged sites. 🦴