🚢 Iran's grip weakens, ships favour Omani route in Hormuz

Iran claims control over the Strait of Hormuz, but shipping data suggests its influence is fading. Over 80% of vessels in the last two weeks used the UN-authorised Omani route, according to Kpler data cited by CNN. Shipping traffic slowed recently due to uncertainty, despite Iran attacking ships near Oman's coast. While US President Donald Trump claims total control, oil flow levels suggest Iran's deterrent power has weakened. Oman and Iran are currently in talks to restore navigation without US involvement. 🚢

🚨 9-year-old girl sexually assaulted and murdered in Pune

A nine-and-a-half-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered in Pimpalwandi village, Pune district. The 25-year-old accused, a daily wage labourer, was known to the victim and resided in the same neighbourhood. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the man lured her with a guava and took her to a nearby farm. CCTV footage led to the accused's detention, and he later confessed to the crime. Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar has directed a fast-track court trial for the accused. 😥

🌟 Actor's 30-year grind paid off with 'Awarapan 2'

Suvinder Vicky, seen in 'Dhurandhar', joined Emraan Hashmi's 'Awarapan 2' after a long struggle. He initially arrived in Mumbai with only Rs 5,000 and survived by selling insurance policies. His career took off at age 50 with the Netflix series 'Kohrra'. This breakthrough validated years of taking small roles in Punjabi and Hindi cinema. Now, his mainstream success in 'Awarapan 2' marks the culmination of decades of persistence.

😔 Shehzad Poonawalla quits BJP: 'Need to pay rent'

Shehzad Poonawalla announced his resignation from all BJP party positions on Monday, submitting it to BJP National President Nitin Nabin. He stated that financial pressures were the main reason for his departure from the party. Poonawalla mentioned that political organizations do not provide salaries to spokespersons, forcing him to support himself. He clarified that his association was ideological, not an employment opportunity, and he had contemplated leaving in 2024. He also jokingly mentioned conditions for potentially joining the Congress party later. 💸

🚪 Shehzad Poonawalla quits BJP, cites rent stress

Shehzad Poonawalla announced his resignation from all BJP party positions on Monday, stating he had submitted it to BJP National President Nitin Nabin. The former spokesperson, who served for almost two decades, cited financial pressures as the main reason for leaving the party. He mentioned that political organizations do not pay spokespersons, and he needed to support himself financially. Poonawalla stressed his association was ideological, not an employment opportunity, despite initial discussions in 2024. He ruled out an immediate return to the Congress unless certain conditions were met. 💸

🔥 Kolkata hotel fire kills nine, including five Bangladeshis

At least nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals, died in a massive fire at a five-storey hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata. The blaze occurred early Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at a hotel housing various small accommodations. Five fire tenders were deployed to control the fire, and around 80 people were rescued from the building. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari condemned the previous government for negligence regarding the hotel's safety norms. A special investigation team has been formed by Kolkata Police to look into the cause of the tragedy. 😥

📈 Milky Mist shares hit 10% upper circuit again

Newly listed Milky Mist shares managed to hit the 10% upper circuit for the second consecutive day. This strong performance was observed in the stock market of India. The shares achieved this milestone on Tuesday, May 28th, showing significant investor interest. This upward trend reflects positive market sentiment towards the FMCG company. Analysts are closely watching to see if this momentum continues in the coming weeks.

📱 Google planning to ditch Pixel production in China

Google reportedly intends to halt all Pixel product manufacturing in China very soon. This decision affects smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds across the region. The timeline is set for next year, building on recent successful Pixel production in Vietnam this year. This move reduces Google's dependence on China, following efforts to expand capacity in Vietnam and India. If this happens, Google could gain market share from Apple in key global regions. 📱

🏥 half of maharashtra's homeopathy colleges have political ties

At least 34 of 72 private homeopathy colleges in Maharashtra are backed by politically linked trusts or societies. These colleges hold almost 3,000 seats, which is about half of the total homeopathy seats in the state. As of August 3, 74 homeopathy colleges across Maharashtra have a capacity of 6,248 seats for the 2026-27 academic year. Students often choose homeopathy due to low NEET UG scores or high MBBS costs, making these colleges a fallback option. Political influence keeps these institutions running because of the promise of prescribing allopathic drugs.

🎓 Indian student moves to NYC for MBA

Apoorva Makhija, known as The Rebel Kid, has relocated to New York City to pursue an MBA degree. He is setting up his life in the city after making the big move for higher education. The student plans to start his MBA program in the coming academic year, targeting a top-tier institution. Makhija openly expressed skepticism about the actual utility of the degree in today's job market. He is determined to make the most of the experience despite his reservations about its practical value. 🎓

📉 CLSA gets cautious on Indian IT stocks

CLSA has downgraded several major Indian IT companies, including TCS, Infosys, and Tech Mahindra. This advisory was issued by the financial firm regarding the performance outlook of these tech giants in the Indian market. The downgrades were made around late 2023, reflecting changing market sentiments. Analysts are now leaning towards mid-tier stocks due to the impact of Artificial Intelligence trends. Investors are advised to re-evaluate their portfolios based on this new cautionary stance.