🏛️ Congress faces backlash over naming leaders for council posts

Congress has drawn criticism for publicly naming its leaders for constitutional posts in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. This move is controversial as Basavaraj Horatti, the senior member, currently holds the Legislative Council Chairman post. The party named its Chief Whip, Saleem Ahmed, for the position, following recent council election wins giving them a majority in the Upper House. Critics argue this public announcement bypasses the House's election process, setting a bad precedent. The situation is complicated by the upcoming Monsoon Session on August 13, where the Deputy Chairman position will be vacant.

❤️ Heart health: Don't wait for 40 to get screened

New global lipid guidelines are shifting heart health discussions from age to individual risk factors. Dr Harikrishnan S from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology discusses statin initiation with Unnikrishnan S. Patients with diabetes or hypertension, even at 30, might need statins, while LDL targets are now as low as 30 mg/dL for those with multiple heart attacks. Waiting until age 40 for screening is often too late because risk factors are usually already present. Primordial prevention through healthy habits is emphasized to prevent disease before it starts. 🩺

🔬 New blood marker tracks MS progression better

Researchers have identified a new blood marker, GFAP, that can help track multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. This study was conducted by the University of Basel using data from over 2,300 people with MS in Switzerland and the US. Elevated GFAP levels were linked to disability progression, complementing the existing NfL marker. Furthermore, declining GFAP during treatment predicted a lower risk of future progression. This discovery brings GFAP closer to clinical use for monitoring and therapy assessment. 🔬

🩺 Webinar on vascular health coming soon

Kauvery Hospital and The Hindu are hosting a webinar focused on vascular health. The event will take place on August 5 at 11:30 a.m. to mark National Vascular Day on August 6. The session aims to boost awareness about early detection and preventive care for vascular issues. Doctors from various Kauvery Hospital locations will discuss diagnosis, risk factors, and diabetes links.

🌧️ CM defends lunch during flood review tour

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan defended himself against criticism for having lunch during his flood review tour. He clarified that he was at a friend's house in Ponnani around 3 pm and not at a felicitation event. He pointed out that during the 2018 and 2019 floods, officials were actively involved in disaster response. Satheesan also stated his helicopter travel was official for investor discussions and cost no extra government money. The CPM dismissed his explanation, suggesting the scrutiny was warranted given the rain crisis. 🌧️

🌊 1,764 lbs of marine life seized near Malpelo sanctuary

Colombian authorities intercepted a fishing vessel carrying about 1,764 pounds of suspected marine animals. The incident occurred in the Colombian Pacific, near the protected Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary. The stop involved three Ecuadorian citizens, and the seizure took place on an unspecified date. Officials are investigating the catch, which is believed to be illegally sourced from this biodiverse reserve. Authorities will now determine the exact catch details and potential legal action moving forward. 🌊

🪐 Solar wind is stripping Mars' atmosphere away

A recent study investigated the connection between the solar wind and Mars' atmospheric loss. Researchers analyzed data from NASA's MAVEN spacecraft and China’s Tianwen-1 mission. The findings confirmed Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) waves are created when solar wind hits the Martian atmosphere. These KH waves are responsible for spikes in atmospheric ions escaping into space. This process could also affect other planets lacking a strong magnetic field. 🪐

🔪 Stalker stabs teacher 20+ times in Faridabad

A stalker lured a 26-year-old teacher to the school gate by using her husband's name in Faridabad. Amit, 21, attacked Sandhya at Saraswati Senior Secondary School on Monday morning. The brutal assault, captured on CCTV, involved more than 20 stab wounds in just 13 seconds. This happened after Sandhya allegedly cut off contact and warned him of police action. Amit was arrested within hours and faces murder charges under BNS. 💔

🔥 Kharge's 'Lathi-Charge or Resign' comment sparks debate

Priyank Kharge made a controversial statement regarding student protests. He said he would resign if lathi-charges were used against students. This remark was made during recent political discourse in the state. The statement ignited significant political controversy across different parties. Further reactions and political moves are expected in the coming days.

🛍️ Amazon Great Freedom Sale drops August 7th 🔥

The Amazon Great Freedom Sale goes live at 12 am on August 7 on Amazon.in, featuring discounts on phones, TVs, and fashion. HDFC Bank users can get a 10% instant discount, while Amazon Pay UPI offers an extra Rs 150 cashback. Top phone deals include the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra starting at ₹95,999 and the Redmi A7 Pro 5G at ₹11,499. Electronics can see up to 65% off, and flight bookings offer savings of up to 21%. Shoppers can also find daily essentials from just ₹149 during the event. 🛍️

💻 Maha Direct 2nd Year Engg Round 1 Results Out

The Provisional Allotment Result for Maharashtra Direct 2nd Year Engineering CAP Round I is being released today, August 04, 2026, on the official Maharashtra CET Cell website. This round is for BE and BTech courses for the 2026-27 academic year. The reporting and confirmation of admission at the allotted institute must happen between August 05 and August 07, 2026, by 03:00 PM. Candidates who don't get in this round can try for the DSE 2026 CAP Round 2. Eligibility requires passing a Polytechnic Diploma or a relevant BSc course.