🦠 Africa CDC uses old Ebola vaccine in DR Congo

Africa CDC confirmed Thursday that it will deploy a vaccine designed for the Zaire Ebola strain against the current outbreak. This crisis is happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has seen nearly 4,000 cases since May 15. Over 1,800 people have died from the Bundibugyo variant across five provinces in the eastern region. Jean Kaseya noted that vaccinated individuals showed no deaths, suggesting a protective level of immunity. The vaccine will be offered in eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu.

🧶 National Handloom Day celebrates India's weaving skills

National Handloom Day is celebrated annually on August 7 to honor India's rich handloom heritage and the talent of its weavers. This day recognizes the skills of 35.22 lakh weavers and allied workers, where 72% are women. The day commemorates the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, and PM Modi marked the 12th celebration in 2026. Government schemes aim to boost the sector, which currently stands at ~ ₹1,330.96 crore in exports for 2025-26. Future focus remains on global market linkages while protecting traditional crafts from mass production. 🧵

🤫 Soha recalls learning about Saif and Amrita's secret wedding

Soha Ali Khan revealed how she and Saba Pataudi first learned about Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's surprise 1991 wedding. While they were in school, they were told by parents not to share the news which appeared in newspapers. Soha mentioned her French teacher told her about the last-minute affair. Designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla later confirmed witnessing the intimate ceremony. The couple stayed married for 13 years before Saif married Kareena Kapoor in 2012.

🚨 UGC flags 32 fake universities, states must act

The Central Government has instructed all states and Union Territories to start legal action against 32 fake universities. This list of self-styled institutions was published by the UGC in February 2026. The government also asked states to ensure the closure of these places and take action against those misleading students. The UGC has already issued various notices and published public alerts regarding these institutions. States must now register FIRs and report any other unlisted fake universities operating in their areas. 🚨

🤖 AI to Power Next Indian Healthcare Export Wave

Artificial Intelligence is set to significantly boost India's healthcare export sector. This growth is anticipated across various specialized medical domains in India. Projections suggest a substantial increase in exports starting in the next fiscal year. This advancement is driven by India's strong capabilities in digital health solutions and R&D. The government aims to support this push to make India a global healthcare tech hub. 🤖

📉 RBI draft norms hit Bajaj Finance shares

Bajaj Finance shares dropped over 6% on Friday, August 7, following draft directions from the Reserve Bank of India. The RBI proposed banning revolving credit facilities for NBFCs, allowing only term loans under new norms. This move is set to take effect once notified, with comments sought until August 28, 2026. Analysts warn this change could expose borrower stress and limit the long-term growth of NBFCs. Consequently, IIFL expects an impact of about 15% on Bajaj Finance's consolidated AUM. 📉

💰 Gold and silver prices jump across major Indian cities

Gold and silver prices rose on Friday, August 7, amid hopes for peace in the Middle East. Across major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, retail rates for 24K and 22K gold saw a slight increase. The MCX gold rate was at ₹149,490 per 10 grams, while MCX silver futures were at ₹228,660 per kg. This domestic rise follows a global trend as spot gold hit a seven-week high. Investors are now waiting for key US nonfarm payrolls data for future outlook clues. 📈

💳 UPI charges? FM clarifies who pays MDR

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refuted claims that regular users might have to pay more for UPI transactions. She clarified that any Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) would be imposed only on merchants, not on end customers. This discussion followed a post by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on the social media platform X. The UPI and Services Steering Committee will only look into MDR after Parliament passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. This legislation provides the central government the power to decide on changing the current zero-MDR framework for UPI and RuPay transactions.

🧐 NTA lapses exposed in NEET paper leak case

The CBI chargesheet reveals multiple shortcomings in the NTA's paper-setting process that led to the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The issue occurred at the NTA headquarters in Delhi involving subject experts who accessed and retained exam material. The lapses included experts having full access from moderation onwards and no live CCTV monitoring or frisking. Accused experts like PV Kulkarni allegedly noted down questions on chits, and Manisha Mandhare correlated them with NCERT textbooks. The CBI has named PV Kulkarni, Manisha Mandhare, and Manisha Havaldar as the main sources of the leak. 🧐

📸 Redmi K100 Pro Max camera samples revealed 📸

Redmi has officially shared camera samples for the K100 Pro Max, positioning it as their most camera-focused flagship yet. The phone features a 200MP main camera alongside a 5x periscope telephoto and a 50MP ultra-wide camera. These components allow coverage across five focal lengths, with samples captured at various settings. The device also boasts a Bose-tuned 2.1-channel speaker system and a 6.9-inch OLED display. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 V-series chipset and packs a massive 9,070mAh battery.

📉 Dalal Street's new trading system facing initial turbulence

India's new closing auction system for stock prices is hitting some early rough patches with erratic price swings. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) held discussions with brokerages in response to trader concerns regarding the system's stability. During the first week, liquidity dipped due to low participation from proprietary and high-frequency traders. SEBI confirmed the auction is permanent, citing teething issues while pushing for technology upgrades. This reform, proposed in 2024, aims to align India's market structure with global exchanges. 📈