💒 SNP Politician Marries Kerala Partner in Guruvayur Temple

Scottish SNP politician Martyn Day married his Kerala-born partner, Nidhin Chand, in a traditional ceremony at Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. The ceremony took place on Tuesday in the temple town and was attended by family and friends. Although the couple married in the UK in 2016, the Guruvayur rituals were delayed due to the 2018 floods and COVID-19 pandemic. Martyn Day, 55, is a veteran politician, while Nidhin Chand moved to the UK in 2008 for higher education. The couple's journey, which included facing visa issues, culminated in this special traditional celebration. 💒

🏅 Sports Ministry defends trimmed Arjuna Award list

The Sports Ministry backed its decision to trim the list of national sports awardees, stating awards must be earned and not just given for reputation. Only 17 athletes were named for the Arjuna awards out of 24 recommended by the selection committee in New Delhi. This decision comes after a prolonged evaluation, and the ministry confirmed it retains the final say on these honors. Notably, no athlete was selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna for 2025, marking the first time since 2014. The ministry aims to preserve the integrity of these prestigious sporting awards. 🏆

🗳️ Poonia eyeing Haryana plan for Punjab polls

Satish Poonia might adopt a strategy similar to the Haryana election blueprint for the upcoming Punjab polls. This political move involves bringing in a support team sourced from Rajasthan. The strategy aims to boost campaign efforts across the state. This move is part of the broader political maneuvering before the election. Details on the exact implementation are yet to be revealed.

⚓ 4 sailors dead in Houthi Red Sea attack

Four sailors were tragically killed in a recent attack conducted by the Houthis in the Red Sea. The victims were reportedly transported to Jeddah for further proceedings. The incident occurred following ongoing tensions in the maritime region. This attack adds to the growing instability in the Red Sea shipping lanes. Further updates on the investigation are awaited from regional authorities.

🚁 Drone dodges FCC ban with clever design

HoverAir's new Versa has become the first consumer quadcopter to clear the FCC's foreign drone ban. This handheld gimbal camera, made by HoverAir, was launched on Indiegogo for the U.S. market. The Versa is available starting at $449, and the Flight Kit weighs 230 grams. Its modular design avoids strict FCC restrictions because the kit lacks RF transmitters. If approved, this could revolutionize drone availability in the US. 🚁

🏛️ Karnataka govt defends minister amid opposition uproar 🏛️

The ruling Congress defended B. Nagendra's cabinet position despite him being accused in a corporation embezzlement case. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara stated that ₹79.68 crore out of ₹89.63 crore was recovered and Nagendra was granted bail on October 14, 2024. He argued that ministers facing cases are not unprecedented given other high-profile members' pending cases. Nagendra claimed the opposition was targeting him due to being a Dalit leader. Protests by BJP and JD(S) members continued against the government's decision.

📚 Kerala launches program to boost student learning skills

The General Education department started 'Revive-Navajeevanam' to close learning gaps in lower and upper primary students. This initiative, run by Samagra Shiksha Keralam, focuses on improving proficiency in Malayalam, English, and Mathematics across Kerala. The program is part of the government's 100-day effort, with 23.5 lakh schoolchildren set to benefit. Minister N. Samsudheen released the brochure for this educational push. Additionally, the minister inaugurated the distribution of 4 kg of rice for the mid-day meal scheme. 🍚

🚜 Farmers demand full payout before Veligonda eviction

Farmers' groups are demanding complete compensation for families displaced by the Veligonda irrigation project. This demand was made by organizations in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday during a round-table meeting. The groups cited the need for full rehabilitation before any evacuation occurs. Former Minister Vadde Shobhanadreeswara Rao criticized the government's 'hasty approach' to the displaced families. They further requested that the actual village vacation date be the cut-off for R&R package beneficiaries. 😟

💧 Ponnam launches outreach in Husnabad constituency

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar launched the 'Palle Palleku Ponnam Anna' mass contact programme in Husnabad Assembly constituency. He addressed villagers in Duddenapalli, Saidapur mandal, on Wednesday to discuss local issues. The Gouravelli project, which provides irrigation to 1.06 lakh acres, is progressing after clearing hurdles. The outreach aims to cover all 173 villages, focusing on basic amenities like water and roads. New pensions are open for applications until August 31, and the Duddenapalli-Mogilipalli bridge received ₹3.56 crore. 💧

📸 Pixel 11 Pro telephoto camera has a subtle upgrade

The Pixel 11 Pro features an upgraded telephoto camera sensor which was not highlighted in official announcements. A Reddit user demonstrated that this new sensor allows the 11 Pro to focus on closer subjects compared to the Pixel 9 Pro. While both the Pixel 9 Pro and 10 Pro use a 48MP Sony IMX858 sensor, the 11 Pro boasts a 48MP, 1/1.95" sensor. This closer focus capability offers better flexibility when framing shots, even if the exact minimum distance isn't confirmed. Google has not yet responded to requests for further comment on this feature. 📸

🧬 Personalized Cancer Vaccine Hits Key Trial Goals

A personalized cancer vaccine developed by US firms successfully met several crucial goals during its ongoing clinical trials. The vaccine was tested on patients in the United States, showing promising results in early stages. Specifically, the treatment demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of cancer spreading throughout the body. This breakthrough has led to a substantial surge in the stock market, with the firms' shares rising by 90%. Further trials will determine the vaccine's broader applicability and long-term efficacy. 🧬