🔭 Stunning look at the dying star Betelgeuse

Scientists used the ALMA array to capture a new, highly detailed image of the doomed red supergiant star Betelgeuse. This star is located about 600 light-years away from Earth. The 2023 observations revealed bright hotspots and a corrugated texture on the star's surface. The unevenness is likely due to massive convective movements creating shockwaves in the atmosphere. Astronomers will keep monitoring these hotspots until Betelgeuse potentially explodes as a supernova.

🇮🇳 Agniveer exits fueling Punjab political drama

Around 75 per cent of the first batch of Agniveers, totaling 34,500, will exit the Indian Armed Forces by the end of this year. Over 1,000 of these returning soldiers hail from Punjab, creating political tension. The draft reservation policy reserves 10% of police constable posts and 20% of office guard posts for them. However, this policy remains unimplemented, giving opposition parties ammunition against the ruling AAP. Veterans and politicians are now demanding a clear, time-bound re-employment strategy for these exiting recruits. 🧐

🚀 Garmin fēnix 9 series drops titanium, solar power ⌚

Garmin has launched the fēnix 9 and fēnix 9 Pro multisport GPS smartwatches with several major upgrades. The Pro version introduces a titanium case and solar charging capabilities for users. Both models feature a 50% bump in RAM, moving from 32GB to 64GB. The base fēnix 9 starts at $999.99, while the Pro variant starts at $1,099.99. New stamina tracking and enhanced inReach connectivity are key features for these devices.

📉 CAD under pressure as trade tensions loom

The Canadian dollar is facing short-term pressure following the last two trading sessions. USD/CAD has climbed over 0.6% in favor of the US dollar during this period. This trend is fueled by the US dollar's stabilization and growing uncertainty over US-Canada trade relations. As long as these trade concerns persist, the market might see more indecision in USD/CAD price action. Investors are currently waiting for the BEA to release the July Core PCE inflation rate on Wednesday. 📉

🛡️ No more illegal immigrants, says Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah declared the Modi government aims for an illegal immigration-free India in a short timeframe. He addressed the National Security Strategy Conference in New Delhi, meeting with over 850 security officials. Shah stressed that the country is not a Dharamshala, and infiltrators threaten national security and economy. This effort aligns with PM Narendra Modi's goal of a developed nation by 2047. The focus now includes eradicating terrorism and making India narcotics-free.

🩺 Tamil Nadu lacks genetic tests for intersex babies

The Tamil Nadu government banned sex-reassignment surgeries on intersex infants in a historic move to protect bodily autonomy. Doctors and activists note the state is lacking genetic infrastructure for proper diagnosis and understanding of sex variations. While the ban was issued in 2019 following a Madras High Court ruling, basic karyotyping is unavailable in most government hospitals. Only one of 38 medical college hospitals, Institute of Child Health, Chennai, has a dedicated genetic department. Experts urge strengthening this center and setting up more facilities for comprehensive genetic testing. 🧬

🧐 Guntur civic body loses ₹1.18 crore in tender mess

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has found preliminary evidence of a ₹1.18 crore financial loss to the Guntur Municipal Corporation. This loss is linked to alleged irregularities in the tendering process for municipal works between 2017-18 and 2024-25. ACB Guntur DSP T.V.V. Pratap Kumar disclosed these findings after a two-day search operation at the GMC on Tuesday. Initially, 156 works were scrutinized, narrowing down to 152 for examination. Further investigation will examine seized records and missing tender documents to determine the full extent of the financial loss. 🧐

💰 4 crore cheque offered at Ayodhya temple; funds questioned

A devotee from Chennai offered a Rs 4 crore cheque at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya for staff welfare. The donation was made by S Nag Lakshmi, who also gave Rs 10,000 for Ram Lalla during her visit. Bank-linked sources have now flagged concerns regarding whether the cheque will actually clear. This unusual donation was specifically earmarked for improving employee salaries and facilities at the temple. The final status of the Rs 4 crore cheque depends entirely on the bank's clearing process. 🧐

⚽ Man Utd eyeing £50m strike for Brighton defender

Manchester United is planning another raid on Brighton for a major summer signing. The club is targeting full-back Ferdi Kadioglu, who plays for Brighton, to bolster their defense. The proposed transfer fee is a significant £50 million, an increase from earlier reports. This move is happening as Brighton prepares to sign Jaouen Hadjam from Young Boys. United will be watching the Kadioglu deal closely while facing Ipswich Town next. ⏳

😮 Gas cylinder fire scares girls at Rajasthan school

An LPG cylinder caught fire at a government girls' primary school in Kotputli district, Rajasthan on Tuesday. The incident caused panic among approximately 150 girls, along with school staff and others present at the location. School personnel and local villagers quickly intervened to manage the situation. They successfully moved the burning cylinder out of the school and into a nearby pond. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among any of the girls or staff members involved. 😮

🏏 Dinusha and Sooriyabandara bring some hope to SL

Sonal Dinusha and Pasindu Sooriyabandara showed promise during the second Test of the series. They played for Sri Lanka at the SSC, featuring on day three of the match. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 85, averaging 134.50, while Sooriyabandara scored 80. These performances offer a potential boost amid the team's batting struggles. However, historical trends suggest sustained excellence remains a major challenge for Sri Lankan batters. 🏏