🛡️ Meghalaya ramps up HIV awareness drive 📢

Meghalaya is launching the Intensified IEC Campaign 3.0 to fight HIV and STIs across the state. This two-month campaign starts on Wednesday at Lady Keane College, with Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla as Chief Guest. Data from November 2025 shows over 10,000 people, including nearly 500 children, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The drive aims to break down social barriers discouraging testing and treatment across the state. Authorities will use digital platforms and outreach to encourage early testing and reduce stigma.

🤢 Zepto Warehouse Raid Exposes Filth in Bengaluru

A raid on Zepto's warehouse in Bengaluru uncovered extremely unhygienic conditions, including organic trash and discarded wrappers. Health officials from the Food Safety Division conducted the inspection at the Hoskote Taluk unit. During the check, numerous violations were noted, such as non-compliant labelling and unhygienic food handling. Consequently, the health department has sealed the warehouse and issued a notice recommending legal action. Authorities stated that strict measures will be taken against operators violating food safety regulations. 🤢

🔬 How medicine completely changed life spans

Medical innovation has dramatically improved human life expectancy over the last century. This progress is evident in heart attack treatment, which saw a two-thirds drop in early death rates since the 1970s. In rich countries, the chance of dying from cardiovascular diseases is now only a quarter of what it was in the 1950s. Conditions like type 1 diabetes are now manageable with modern devices, unlike decades ago. This constant stream of breakthroughs means more people are surviving longer, including those in lower economic brackets. 🩺

⚖️ Rahul Gandhi faces defamation case over Hathras rape comments

A defamation notice has been served to Rahul Gandhi regarding his comments on the 2020 Hathras rape case. This action was initiated by the complainants, Ravi, Ram Kumar alias Ramu, and Lav Kush, in the MP/MLA Court No 5. The case relates to the gangrape of a Dalit girl in Boolgarhi village in September 2020, which resulted in her death. The court previously dismissed the complaint against Gandhi on May 13, but the complainants filed a revision petition. The next hearing date for this defamation case is set for September 19. ⚖️

🎓 Kerala launching master trainer training for OBE

The Kerala State Higher Education Council is hosting a master trainer training program focused on Outcome-based education (OBE). This program is specifically for teachers within the higher education sector in Kerala. The hands-on training aims to build competent trainers who will implement OBE in colleges and universities. This initiative contributes to enhancing the quality and practice-oriented nature of higher education. Interested and eligible teachers can apply online via the official KSHEC website.

🇮🇳 The forgotten designer of India's national flag

Pingali Venkayya was instrumental in creating the concept for India's national flag long before independence. He was a freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh who tirelessly advocated for a national symbol. Between 1916 and 1921, he studied 30 countries' flags and presented ideas to the Indian National Congress. In 1921, Gandhi reportedly asked him to design a flag featuring a spinning wheel. The final tricolour, with the Ashoka Chakra, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947. 🇮🇳

📉 Retail Option Trader Losses Drop After New Rules

Retail option trader losses have seen an 18% decrease following the implementation of regulatory curbs. This change affects individual traders across the Indian financial markets. The data reflects trends observed during the last quarter of 2023. These regulations were introduced to enhance market stability and protect retail investors from excessive risk. Authorities will continue monitoring the market to ensure compliance with the new guidelines.

🦟 New malaria defense: kill parasite, not mosquito

Scientists found a fresh approach to combat malaria transmission without killing the mosquito. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health tested antiparasitic compounds on treated bed nets. In 2023, malaria caused 263 million cases globally, showing the need for new tools. The strategy targets the parasite's life cycle inside the vector after contact with the net. This dual-action method could add vital protection against rising insecticide resistance.

⛽ UAE ramps up crude exports with eighth spot tender

The UAE's national oil company, ADNOC, has issued its eighth spot tender since June to boost crude sales. These tenders are for Upper Zakum, Umm Lulu, and Das crude grades, available for October and November loading. Since early June, ADNOC is estimated to have sold over 90 million barrels through these spot tenders. The UAE has successfully increased its oil exports to pre-crisis levels since June by finding workarounds around the Strait of Hormuz. Moving forward, the nation continues to maximize crude shipments both inside and outside the Strait of Hormuz.

🔬 Mosquitoes can live while fighting malaria inside them

Scientists developed a new strategy to combat malaria by targeting the parasite inside mosquitoes instead of killing the insects. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health tested antiparasitic compounds delivered via treated bed nets. The study, published in Nature, focused on preventing Plasmodium falciparum development after mosquitoes encounter the treated material. Two key compounds, ELQ-453 and ELQ-613, showed strong activity and were combined to boost infection inhibition. This dual-site approach offers a potential way to bypass existing malaria resistance issues. 🦟

👑 Malaysian Princess Marries British Racer

Tengku Puteri Ilyana Alia, aged 29, married British GT racer Christopher Lionel Froggatt, aged 32, in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, August 7. The ceremony took place at the Shangri-La hotel, with Sultan Abdullah of Pahang in attendance. The event followed Islamic wedding traditions and included the presentation of the ‘mas kahwin’ and ring exchange. The bride wore Queen Azizah’s Diamond Tiara and a gown by Radzuan Radziwill. Froggatt is known for his career in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. 🏎️