⚠️ Iran warns against a second Strait of Hormuz corridor

Iranian state television quoted General Mohsen Rezaei, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, stating Tehran won't allow a second corridor in the Strait of Hormuz. He warned Iran would target any warships or military forces brought into the waterway for this reason. This warning comes amid conflicting US and Iran signals regarding talks to end their five-month-old war on August 4. Rezaei also mentioned Iran continued attacks for two days after the US stopped theirs. Tehran's stance adds to the uncertainty surrounding global energy flows.

📺 Jio drops 3-in-1 packs: Wi-Fi, TV, and OTT combo

Jio launched new 3-in-1 service packs for home subscribers combining Wi-Fi, TV, and OTT benefits. These packs are available in two tenures, 2+1 months and 3+1 months, starting Monday. The 2+1 months pack costs Rs. 2,122, while the 3+1 months option is priced at Rs. 2,222. The 2+1 months plan provides 100 Mbps speed with access to 1,000+ TV channels and 12 OTT platforms. Subscribers can opt for a lower monthly cost with the longer 3+1 month plan. 📺

🔬 Gut bacteria could boost cancer chemo delivery

Researchers found a way to reshape the gut microbiome to make chemotherapy more effective in preclinical models. This work was led by Betty Kim, M.D., Ph.D., at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In these models, reshaping gut bacteria with antibiotics roughly doubled chemotherapy circulation time on August 4, 2026. This suggests the microbiome, not just the immune system, can enhance drug delivery for nanoparticle cancer drugs. Future research may use selective microbiome engineering for better patient treatment outcomes. 🔬

⚠️ Smokeless tobacco hides major cancer risks

Smokeless tobacco products, like gutkha and paan, contain dangerous chemicals that can cause serious health damage. In India, where use is high, these cheap products are often seen as low risk despite their dangers. Regular use quietly increases the chance of cancer and other life-threatening diseases over time. Early signs like mouth sores or swallowing issues require immediate medical checks to eliminate risks. Quitting tobacco significantly lowers the risk of cancer and other major health problems. 😟

📱 Samsung Galaxy Z Foldables Hit Preorder Record

Samsung's new Galaxy Z foldable lineup achieved a massive 1.44 million preorders in Korea. The record was set during a seven-day preorder period running from July 28 to Monday, across the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Flip 8. This figure beats previous records set by the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S26 series. Demand is reportedly fueled by the new passport-sized design and the growing shift from bar-type phones. The devices began activating on Tuesday and will launch in about 100 countries soon. 📱

🏗️ L&T bags massive ₹15,000 crore ADNOC Offshore deal

Larsen & Toubro's offshore hydrocarbon division secured a massive order valued over ₹15,000 crore from ADNOC Offshore. This major project is set to take place in West Asia, with L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore leading the execution through a consortium. The deal involves developing multiple offshore facilities and upgrading existing ones. L&T will handle the core scope, including engineering, procurement, and construction work. This achievement highlights client trust in L&T's engineering excellence for complex energy infrastructure.

📢 Youth Protests Aren't One Single Gen Z Thing

The recent youth-led protests at Jantar Mantar should not be attributed to an innate trait of an entire generation. Different students experience vastly distinct worlds, making broad generalizations inaccurate. While the BJP had long managed to sideline youth as a political force, these protests showed an irreverence toward authority. The success lies in how comic energy subverts power, turning protest into a form of comedy. However, these actions are attempts to establish democracy, not happening within an existing one.

🚨 Viral video sparks questions over Punjab's anti-drug drive

A viral video allegedly showing drug supply triggered renewed scrutiny of Punjab's 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh' campaign. Bathinda Police acted swiftly after the video gained traction online. They identified the woman as Santosh Rani alias Sandeep Kumar and linked her to an existing NDPS case. This followed an arrest of Akash, where 38 grams of heroin was recovered. Authorities confirm intense anti-narcotics drives will continue to tackle drug trafficking.

📱 Fire-Boltt's first smartphone dropping soon

Flipkart announced the launch date for Fire-Boltt's debut smartphone. The brand, currently known for wearables, will unveil the device under the Boltt name in India. This launch is scheduled to happen on August 25th. The phones promise 'Honest Specifications' and 'Clean Software' at fair prices. More specific details about the device will be revealed closer to the launch date.

⚙️ Why cloud control planes are secretly complex

Zak van der Merwe discusses his career building control planes at AWS for services like EC2 and DSQL. He transitioned from managing small, physical servers in Cape Town to dealing with massive cloud scale. The control plane reconciles desired state with actual system state, making infrastructure feel invisible to users. These systems manage complex operations like spinning up VMs via API calls, much like a thermostat. The lessons learned from EC2 directly influenced the design of DSQL.

⏳ Man City stalls Rodri transfer while waiting for Barca

Manchester City is delaying transfer talks with Real Madrid for captain Rodri. This is because the Premier League giants are anticipating that Barcelona might join the race this summer. Rodri's contract expires at the end of next season, and Real Madrid is keen to sign him for their new coach Jose Mourinho. Barcelona is also linked with the move as they need a midfielder, but their priority is signing a centre forward. This strategic delay could help Man City maximize Rodri's value, estimated around €60-75 million.