🦠 Ebola outbreak in DRC far from under control

The World Health Organization warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is still out of control. This situation was reported by the WHO Regional Office for Africa on Tuesday. As of August 16, there were 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 deaths across 55 health zones. The outbreak, caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus, is already the largest of its kind ever recorded. Urgent action is needed to prevent this from becoming the deadliest Ebola epidemic globally. 🚨

📉 Stocks to watch: Oil, Swiggy, Paytm & more

The domestic equity market is set to open in the red on Wednesday, August 19th, according to GIFT NIFTY futures. Oil-linked stocks, Swiggy, Paytm, and HZL are expected to be under investor focus today. Crude oil prices climbed 0.29% to $91.28 per barrel, influencing sector performance. Swiggy received shareholder approval to cap foreign ownership at 49.5%, enabling its IOCC status. ONGC commissioned gas evacuation facilities in Assam, facilitating gas utilization from its Jorhat asset. 📈

📱 iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost expected to jump 40%

Component costs, especially memory, are set to significantly inflate production expenses for the iPhone 18 series. TrendForce reports that the 256GB model's BOM cost is estimated to rise by about 38% year-on-year. This rise is driven by memory's share increasing to over 40% by 1H 2027, shifting from previous cost drivers. Apple might absorb some costs by cutting gross margins to keep retail prices manageable for the third quarter of 2026 launch. Android vendors face even bigger margin squeezes due to these persistent upward cost pressures. 📱

💉 CanSinoBIO's adult vaccine NDA accepted in China

CanSinoBIO's Td5cp adolescent and adult vaccine NDA has been accepted by China’s NMPA. This vaccine is intended for people aged six years and above, serving as a booster shot. The application was granted Priority Review status in May 2026, following a surge in pertussis cases in China. This acceptance is key as it expands the company's portfolio beyond its infant vaccine, Tripecia. The next step involves formal regulatory review toward potential commercialisation. 💉

🏙️ Why this consultant ditched Mumbai for Bhopal

A finance consultant shared 14 reasons for moving from Mumbai back to Bhopal after his marriage. He pointed out that a furnished 2BHK in Bhopal rents for around ₹17,000, with the whole city being max 17 minutes away. This move was made after spending his life in Mumbai, highlighting better living costs and cleaner air. Furthermore, offices in Bhopal wrap up by 5:30 pm, offering a better work-life balance. This experience has sparked discussions about the quality of metro city life. 🏡

🤝 US-Canada tariff spat paused after last-minute deal

The US and Canada reached a last-minute deal on Tuesday to delay President Trump’s planned 50 per cent tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian imports. This agreement was reached after intense talks between Canada PM Carney and US President Trump. The tariffs, which would have affected 5 per cent of Canadian exports, were scheduled to start at 12:01 am. This pause allows both nations more time to negotiate a wider trade agreement amidst tense relations. The next steps involve finalizing the documents as part of ongoing US-Mexico-Canada Agreement talks.

🩺 Hospitals use wristbands to cut down on maternal deaths

US hospitals are implementing a new strategy to decrease maternal mortality rates across the country. This initiative involves the use of specialized wristbands for patients in various medical settings. Data shows that these measures have helped reduce preventable deaths by 15% over the past year. The goal is to improve patient safety and early intervention during childbirth. Healthcare providers are continuing to monitor the program's effectiveness in the coming months. 🩺

⚖️ Meta faces massive trial over kids' safety

Meta is facing a huge legal challenge from 29 US states regarding its platforms' impact on children. The trial is taking place in an Oakland federal court, and the states are seeking major changes to Facebook and Instagram. Allegations include deliberately designing features like infinite scroll and likes to keep young users hooked. These changes could also affect the core algorithms and Meta's advertising-based business model. The outcome could result in penalties reaching into the hundreds of billions of dollars. ⚖️

📈 Top Stocks to Buy on August 19, 2026

Anand Rathi's Mehul Kothari has shared stock recommendations for August 19, 2026, for potential gains. The suggested buy picks are Bata India, IFCI, and KFin Technologies, analyzed by his DVP - Technical Research team. For example, Bata India is recommended to buy between Rs 750-760 with a target of Rs 850. IFCI shows a constructive setup, while KFin Technologies exhibits a strong bullish breakout. Traders are advised to consider long positions based on these technical setups. 📈

🧐 Focusing on your skin's inflammation can actually change it

A new study investigated whether voluntary attention can influence acute immune responses in humans. Researchers conducted experiments with 57 participants between February 2024 and July 2025. They induced inflammation via histamine skin prick tests and measured wheal and flare responses over 20 minutes. Focusing internally on sensations led to significantly smaller and faster-resolving inflammatory responses compared to distraction. This suggests cognition can shape how our bodies react to injury or infection. 🧐

🏏 Ashwin found Manjrekar's harsh critique constructive

R Ashwin initially reacted with anger to Sanjay Manjrekar's critical bowling observations. This criticism came after Ashwin took only nine wickets at a poor average during the 2011-12 series in Australia. Instead of getting bitter, Ashwin realized there was substance in the analysis and worked hard for the next four years. Later, Manjrekar acknowledged his improvement in a 2015 article, which motivated Ashwin further. Now, Ashwin views criticism as an opportunity to learn something valuable. 🏏