😠 Women orgs slam Karnataka's all-male cabinet

Several women's rights organizations strongly objected to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's entirely male Cabinet in Bengaluru. All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) called the move 'anti-women' and 'anti-democratic' in a statement. Despite women being 52% of the State’s electorate, no women were inducted into the Council of Ministers. This contradicts the Congress's support for the Women's Reservation Act in Parliament. Feminists also noted the omission of Gayathri Shanthegouda, calling it a political choice. 👎

🔊 Marantz drops new Cinema 2 AVR range

Marantz has unveiled its new Cinema 2 range of AV receivers, featuring enhanced performance and new capabilities. This lineup includes the Cinema 50 Series 2, Cinema 60 Series 2, and Cinema 70s Series 2. Key updates include a new 32-bit DAC and Dirac Live Room Correction availability on all models. The flagship Cinema 50 Series 2 offers nine channels of amplification, while the entry-level 70s Series 2 starts at $1,500. All models are scheduled for worldwide release on August 15. 🔊

🌟 Cricket legends who shone in the shadows

Ajinkya Rahane's retirement brought back memories of Indian cricket's comeback in Australia. He took charge of a depleted side in Adelaide, scoring a century that changed the series. This period saw India clinch a historic 2-1 triumph in Australia in 2018-19. Many greats, like Dravid and Laxman, contributed immensely but were overshadowed by superstars. Their indispensable efforts often remained outside the brightest public memory of their era. 🏏

🧵 Mysuru handloom fair starts next week

A four-day District-Level Handloom Fair is kicking off at JSS Mysuru Urban Haat from August 6 to 9. This event brings together handloom cooperative societies and skilled weavers from various districts across Karnataka. The fair will showcase authentic products like sarees, shawls, and home furnishings for four days. Visitors can buy directly from weavers, supporting artisans and preserving the state's weaving heritage. Cultural programs and honors for senior weavers will be part of the celebration. 🧵

🚧 Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway toll halted after road slippage

Toll collection on the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway has been suspended after a slippage was detected across approximately 300-metre stretch. This incident occurred near kilometre 64 on July 26, less than two weeks after the ₹4,200-crore expressway opened on July 13. NHAI is cracking down on concessionaire PNC Infratech Limited and removed three officials for negligence. The contractor must repair the damage at their own cost, estimated around ₹3 crore. Experts from IIT Kharagpur have been brought in to investigate the root cause of the failure.

📉 Vijay's budget sparks big political row in Tamil Nadu

TVK Vijay's inaugural Tamil Nadu budget has immediately triggered strong criticism from the DMK. The opposition party has labeled the entire financial plan as a 'Zero Budget'. This controversy erupted following the budget presentation on February 15th. Critics argue the budget lacks substantive allocations for various state needs. The political fallout is expected to dominate Tamil Nadu's legislative debates moving forward. 📉

🚀 J&K's 7-year shift after Article 370 abrogation

The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 transitioned Jammu and Kashmir from instability towards development. This change took place under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reorganizing the state into UTs of J&K and Ladakh. Security incidents dropped from 153 in 2019 to 46 in 2023, while GSDP grew to Rs 2.62 lakh crore by 2024-25. Economic indicators show growth, with over 1255 startups emerging by late 2025. Tourism has rebounded significantly, now contributing about 7% of the GSDP. 📈

😠 AYUSH doctors strike over stipend gap

AYUSH house surgeons and PG doctors across Telangana have started an indefinite strike due to stipend inequality. Around 2,500 doctors from five government colleges are participating in this agitation. The protest began after a 15-day notice failed to get a response from authorities on Tuesday. They demand their pay match allopathic counterparts, citing current disparities like ₹13,000 vs ₹28,000 for house surgeons. The strike will continue until the government addresses this remuneration difference. 😠

🇮🇳 Indian Odyssey

An event called Indian Odyssey took place, featuring various cultural aspects. The event was held in a specific location that was not detailed in the provided text. Specific attendance figures or dates were not mentioned in the article. The purpose of Indian Odyssey was to showcase a diverse range of Indian traditions and art forms. Further details about the event's future plans are currently unavailable.

🏛️ Historic Mala Synagogue Restoration Kicks Off in Kerala

The long-awaited restoration of the historic Mala Jewish Synagogue has finally commenced after its roof collapsed during heavy rains. This crucial heritage monument is located in Thrissur, Kerala, and the project is part of the Muziris Heritage Project. Officials aim to wrap up the entire restoration within three months, starting after the roof caved in in June of last year. The work involves rebuilding the roof and assessing wall stability, overseen by a monitoring committee. However, ongoing monsoon rain might impact the construction timeline moving forward. 🏛️

🔭 IIA Director wins prestigious COSPAR award

Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, received the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal for 2026. This honor recognizes her significant contributions to space research in developing countries. The award ceremony took place on Monday at the 46th COSPAR General Assembly in Florence, Italy. Her work covers stellar populations, blue straggler stars, and AstroSat missions. She is the first Indian woman to receive this esteemed recognition. 🔭