Coco Gauff demolishes Iga Swiatek in Madrid Open semi-finals
Coco Gauff advanced to the final of the Madrid Open after defeating world No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 in the semi-finals. Gauff hit seven aces and won 19 of 21 points on her first serve during the match. The 20-year-old American displayed dominant form on the court, handing Swiatek one of her most one-sided losses. Gauff will now compete for the Madrid Open title in the upcoming final.
Read more at Sports Tiger
Why do humans heal slower than our hairy relatives?
Humans heal skin wounds nearly three times slower than primates, a new study reveals. The reason lies in our evolutionary loss of body hair, which improved sweat-based cooling but reduced healing speed. Unlike our hairy relatives, human skin developed a thicker barrier and slower cell turnover to compensate for the lack of fur. This trade-off highlights how evolutionary gains, like thermoregulation, can come at the cost of slower recovery from injuries.
Read more at The CSR Journal
Sitting still for 6 hours a day increases risk of high neck pain: Study
A new study finds that just six hours of sitting still, especially during screen time like phone or computer use, increases the risk of neck pain. The risk is higher in women and office workers, and it begins with as little as one hour of screen-based inactivity. Interestingly, watching TV showed little effect. Researchers stress the need for preventative steps, especially for people who sit for long hours daily, to protect physical health and posture.
Read more at New York Post
Australia votes today amid uncertainties: Anthony Albanese vs Peter Dutton – key issues, stakes and how election works
Australia heads to the polls today in a closely watched election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese facing opposition leader Peter Dutton. Key issues include the economy, climate change, housing, and education. Voters will decide who leads the country and which policies shape their future. Australia uses a preferential voting system, making every vote count. The outcome could influence global discussions and offers insight into how democracies handle major challenges.
Read more at Hindustan Times
Trump wants to take away Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. Here’s why
President Donald Trump wants to remove Harvard University’s tax-exempt status, claiming the school promotes “woke ideology” and unfair practices. He believes elite universities use their tax benefits to push political views rather than focus on education. This proposal is part of a larger plan to reform higher education in the U.S. Trump’s move is aimed at gaining support from voters and addressing concerns about bias in top academic institutions.
Read more at Hindustan Times
Reviving a far-sighted but forgotten Bill mechanism
Private Member’s Bills (PMBs), proposed by MPs who are not ministers, allow legislators to present independent ideas or address local issues. However, their significance has declined due to frequent disruptions, limited time, and government dominance of Parliament’s schedule. Only 2 of 729 PMBs were discussed in the 17th Lok Sabha. Notably, Supriya Sule’s 2019 “Right to Disconnect” Bill, though not passed, sparked important debate on work-life balance and mental health.
Read more at Civils daily
Trump nominates Mike Waltz for UN ambassador in major shake-up of national security team
President Donald Trump has nominated National Security Adviser Mike Waltz as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, following a shake-up in the national security team. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily take over Waltz’s duties. The move comes after Waltz and his deputy announced their departures. Waltz had recently faced scrutiny over a reported mistake involving a private Signal chat discussing military plans, mistakenly including a journalist.
Read more at AP News
How Locusts form massive Swarms?
Locusts form massive swarms when a period of dry weather is followed by sudden, heavy rainfall, creating perfect conditions for rapid breeding. As their numbers grow, locusts undergo a change in behavior, becoming more social and mobile. Crowding triggers them to band together, forming large swarms that can travel great distances in search of food. These swarms can destroy entire crops within hours, posing a major threat to agriculture, food security, and livelihoods in affected regions.
Read more at Civils daily
Indian Men’s relay team breaks 15-year national record
At the Indian Open Relay Competition, Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain blazed the track in 38.69 seconds, breaking the 15-year-old national record in the men’s 4x100m relay. They erased the previous mark of 38.89 seconds, set during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. This record-breaking feat highlights India’s rising sprint talent and serves as a big inspiration for young athletes across the country.
Read more at Hindustan Times
Plastics linked to 3.5 lakh heart deaths in 2018: Study
A recent study has found a strong link between exposure to phthalates – harmful chemicals used in many plastic products – and around 3.5 lakh heart disease deaths in 2018. Phthalates are commonly found in plastic containers, food packaging, and personal care items. These chemicals can disrupt the body’s hormone system and may raise the risk of heart problems. Experts are urging people to reduce their use of plastics to help lower long-term health risks.
Read more at The Hindu
