🌊 Flood cleanup speeds up in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta

Large-scale clean-up operations have intensified across Kottayam and Pathanamthitta as floodwaters begin to recede. In Kottayam, the Meenachil river caused significant mud damage to homes and submerged roads for nearly four days. As of the recent reports, 12,063 people are sheltered in 139 camps in Kottayam, while 10,570 are in 142 camps in Pathanamthitta. The government is offering ₹10,000 per affected household and enhancing crop loss assistance. Authorities are maintaining close watch due to the threat of further heavy rainfall.

🏏 CPL 2026 kicks off with new faces and captains

The 14th edition of the Caribbean Premier League starts on August 7, featuring Jamaica Kingsmen versus Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in Kingstown. Nicholas Pooran continues to lead Trinbago Knight Riders, while Roston Chase takes charge of the Kingsmen. The tournament runs until September 20, with the top four qualifying for playoffs at Kensington Oval in Barbados. New teams and captains are joining, including Kingsmen, with many high-profile players still in action. This season will be held across eight nations, showcasing next-gen talent and established stars. 🤩

🧛 Farhan Akhtar's Excel backs Malayalam vampire thriller 'Half'

The Malayalam vampire action thriller 'Half' has been picked up by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment for Hindi distribution in North India. This film, directed by Samjad and written by Praveen Viswanath, stars Ranjith Sajeev and Aiswarya Raj. It premiered at TIFF and follows two half-blooded vampires on a violent hunt. The production ran for 117 days across locations including Rajasthan and Kazakhstan. 'Half' is slated for release in five languages, including Hindi.

⚖️ Kerala HC questions Muthanga conviction basis

The Kerala High Court observed that the trial court needed thorough scrutiny instead of relying only on prima facie evidence for the conviction. This bench heard appeals from four convicts challenging the Kalpetta Principal Session’s Court judgment from 2003. The trial court had imposed five years of rigorous imprisonment and a ₹36,000 fine on the accused. The convicts claimed their conviction was unsustainable, based on a finding of criminal conspiracy. The court directed the trial court to forward charges for perusal, setting the next hearing for August 12.

🦠 Chandipura virus: what you need to know 🦟

Recent deaths in Gujarat and Rajasthan have brought the Chandipura virus back into focus. This vector-borne infection was first identified in India in 1965, and outbreaks have claimed over 300 lives. The 2024 outbreak saw 64 confirmed cases out of 245 AES cases, leading to 82 deaths. Experts stress the urgent need for better surveillance and vaccine research against this virus. Prevention currently focuses on avoiding insect bites and controlling breeding sites.

📈 S&P 500 flat as tech weakness pulls it back

The S&P 500 index remained flat for the trading day. This performance was seen across the market by analysts in New York. Key weakness in chip and software sectors counteracted wider market gains reported on this date. Investors are closely watching how tech earnings will influence future market movements. The index is expected to react to upcoming economic data releases next week. 📈

🚀 India tests Agni-4 missile successfully in Odisha

India successfully test-fired the Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. This launch took place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, under the Strategic Forces Command. The test validated all operational and technical parameters as expected during the trial. The Agni-4 is part of India's strategic missile programme and is operated by the Strategic Forces Command. This success highlights another milestone in the country’s strategic deterrence capability. 🚀

🌉 Karnataka gives NOC for Wayanad-Kodagu bridge

The Karnataka government has issued the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Bairakuppa Bridge project. This long-delayed interstate project connects Perikkalloor in Wayanad with Bairakuppa in Kodagu, Karnataka. The approval was granted on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, following talks between Kerala Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer and Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar. The bridge will offer an alternative route to Mysore and Bengaluru, easing traffic issues and reducing travel distance by 40 km. The overall project now hinges on completing the adjoining road construction in Karnataka.

📉 Honeywell Aerospace stock dips after forecast cut

Honeywell Aerospace shares have seen a decline following a reduction in their financial forecast. This happened with the company, located in the aerospace sector. The latest update indicated a revised outlook, making them 'starting behind the curve.' This adjustment signals potential challenges in meeting prior growth expectations. Investors will now watch closely to see how the company navigates this revised trajectory. 📉

🥶 Arshad Nadeem responds to CWG comments

Pakistan's javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem expressed hurt over disrespectful social media comments following his CWG 2026 performance in Glasgow. He finished ninth in the men's javelin final with a best throw of 77.41 metres, missing out on defending his 2022 Games record of 90.18 metres. Nadeem attributed his poor showing largely to the extremely cold weather affecting his body and rhythm. He stated that his parents taught him to stay grounded, despite his past Olympic success. Nadeem plans to compete next at the Athletissima on August 21 against top throwers. 🥶

🚔 Techie gets booked for balcony air gun blast

A 35-year-old software engineer was arrested for firing an air gun from his apartment balcony. This incident happened at Sipani Apartments near Bengaluru on Thursday, August 6th. The accused, Anurag Tiwari from Lucknow, fired five to six rounds after a family argument at around 2:30 am. The pellets damaged a parked car's window, leading to his arrest by Surya City Police. A case has been registered under the Arms Act, 1959, and BNS, 2023, with further investigation ongoing. 🚔