✨ Cosmic triple threat lights up UAE skies this Wednesday

Three major celestial events—a planet alignment, solar eclipse, and Perseid meteor shower—are happening this Wednesday. Six planets will align early morning while a total solar eclipse is visible from Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, but not the UAE. The Perseid shower peaks on Wednesday, potentially showing up to 100 meteors per hour due to the new moon. The Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a stargazing event in Al Khatim Desert with telescopes available for viewing. Enthusiasts are encouraged to look up, as the desert offers the best, least light-polluted viewing spots.

🎉 UAE 2027 holidays: Long breaks loading up 🗓️

The UAE is set for several public holidays in 2027, with potential for long weekends and even six-day breaks. New Year's Day falls on Friday, January 1, 2027, giving a three-day weekend for residents. Eid Al Fitr's duration depends on moon sighting, potentially leading to a six-day break if Ramadan lasts 30 days. Eid Al Adha is likely on May 15 to May 18, offering four days off. Planning ahead is advised as some holidays might fall on weekends.

🏛️ Is Opposition self-sabotaging Parliament talks?

Monsoon Session of Parliament is seeing repeated disruptions as Opposition protests various issues across the House. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued that constant disruptions disadvantage the Opposition more than the government. He stressed that Parliament is vital for Opposition to scrutinize the executive via Question Hour and Zero Hour. While protests are legal, they bypass the institutional record-keeping Parliament provides for accountability. Prolonged disruption lets the government push through business, as seen when the Tribunals Reforms Bill passed on August 10.

🌠 Perseids meteor shower peaks this Wednesday night ✨

The Perseid meteor shower is peaking this Wednesday night, offering a stunning celestial show. Skywatchers globally can catch the display, with the best views on August 12th and 13th. This year, the new moon means no bright moonlight to obscure the meteors, making viewing conditions ideal. Astronomer Dr Becky Smethurst called it a perfect cosmic coincidence alongside a partial solar eclipse in the UK. Viewers are advised to seek dark locations away from city lights for the best chance.

✈️ Attari border now open for e-visa holders

India has expanded its entry network to 88 international ports, which includes the Attari border for e-visa holders. The Ministry of Home Affairs notified 11 more ports, adding nine land ports and two airports to the existing system. These additions, which occurred between January 1, 2026, and now, bring the total to 88 designated points. This expansion aims to make the e-visa facility more accessible for international travelers visiting India. Eligible travelers from 172 countries can now utilize this enhanced entry framework. 🇮🇳

😔 Brad Pitt on suicidal feelings after split with Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt candidly revealed experiencing suicidal thoughts during a period related to 'family stuff.' This confession comes nearly a decade after his separation from Angelina Jolie. Pitt, 62, shared this in an interview with Esquire, emphasizing the overwhelming pain he felt. He clarified that his survival instincts eventually kicked in, stating the situation was not easy. The couple, who share six children, legally settled their divorce in December 2024.

🧠 Exercise helps aging brain clear out junk

New research suggests regular exercise can help protect the brain from age-related decline like dementia. Victoria University researcher Dr. James Broatch analyzed how activity influences the glymphatic system, which clears brain waste during sleep. The study, published in Trends in Neurosciences, found exercise improves blood pressure, neuron activation, and sleep quality. This mechanism is crucial as over 10 million people globally are diagnosed with dementia yearly. Further research is needed to pinpoint the most effective exercise routines for brain health. 🧠

🏏 Afghanistan bags 2027 ODI World Cup spot

Afghanistan directly qualified for the 2027 ODI World Cup after defeating Ireland in the third ODI. The match took place at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Monday. Afghanistan bowled Ireland out for 206 in 46.3 overs and chased it down in 44.5 overs on Monday. This win secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series, confirming their spot. The team will next participate in the tournament hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. 🏏

🏛️ 18 shortlisted for Ram Temple CEO post

Eighteen candidates were shortlisted from 5,200 applicants for the CEO role at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This selection process is happening amid recent allegations concerning donation embezzlement at the Ram Mandir. The shortlisted candidates arrived in Ayodhya on Monday, and interviews are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 10 am. The CEO will manage temple affairs, and candidates must be practising Hindus, pure vegetarian, and teetotallers. Krishna Mohan is expected to continue as interim general secretary until a final decision is made. 🏛️

🌡️ Kids are most vulnerable to heatwave mental health risks

A review of global studies found that children and teenagers aged five to 18 are the most vulnerable group to heatwaves. This research was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, examining the link between temperature and mental health. Adverse mental health outcomes increase by almost 1% for children with every 1 degree Celsius rise in daily temperature. The risk of poor mental health outcomes increases by 25% during heatwaves across the 5-18 age bracket. Therefore, the findings stress the need to integrate mental health into climate-adaptation efforts. 🌡️

🩺 New focal HIFU treatment for prostate cancer

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute is adopting organ-preserving focal HIFU for specific localized prostate cancer patients. This New Delhi-based institute integrated HIFU into its prostate cancer program after reviewing a 10-year international study. That study, published in European Urology, analyzed 3,477 men, showing a 0.13% cancer-specific mortality rate. Researchers suggest focal HIFU is a first-line option alongside radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy for select patients. The institute emphasizes careful selection and advanced imaging for this personalized approach. 🩺