🕉️ Himachal village women's unique 5-day ritual

A centuries-old tradition in Pini village, Himachal Pradesh, involves women observing strict rituals during a five-day festival. Women and men in this Kullu district village follow specific rules during this observance period. The festival takes place at the end of the Hindu month of Shravan, and locals believe breaking customs brings misfortune. The belief stems from a local deity, Lahu Ghond, defeating evil spirits long ago. While some now wear thin cotton, the tradition remains a core part of Pini's identity. 🧐

🌍 Ebola outbreak speed overwhelms aid response

The WHO Chief has stated that the ongoing Ebola outbreak is significantly outpacing the current response efforts. This situation is being complicated by aid workers staging strikes over their compensation. The outbreak has seen several critical escalations reported across the affected regions. The lack of adequate resources and timely pay is hindering effective containment measures. Authorities are now urgently seeking international support to stabilize the situation. 🌍

💥 Kerala man dies in Dubai gas explosion

A 27-year-old Indian man named Shijin Paul was killed in a gas cylinder explosion at a car showroom in Dubai. He was a multimedia marketing specialist from Kottarakkara in Kerala, and five other people were injured in the blast. This incident occurred this week, and Paul succumbed to his injuries while hospitalized. His family revealed he was planning to bring his wife and child to the UAE soon. This tragedy highlights safety concerns for Indian workers in the Gulf region. 😥

🚨 Assam girl allegedly raped, brutally killed

A 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered inside her home in Assam's Hailakandi district. Five people, including a minor, have been arrested in connection with this horrific crime in the Barak Valley. The incident occurred around 11 pm on Saturday, and two more accused were arrested on Wednesday, bringing the total to five. Police suspect the motive is a love triangle, as the victim allegedly had romantic relationships with two accused. A SIT has been formed, and the family is demanding capital punishment for the perpetrators. 💔

📱 OnePlus stocks vanish in US, Canada, Mexico

OnePlus phones are now out of stock on official websites in the US, Canada, and Mexico. This follows the company's confirmation last month to exit the US and European smartphone markets. Devices like the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus Pad Go 2 are unavailable as of recent reports. Existing users are guaranteed software support, but the OnePlus Community platform shuts down on August 16th. There is currently no indication that this inventory wind-down affects OnePlus' operations in India. 📱

🛰️ Malayali Hacker Gets NASA Hall of Fame Nod

Cybersecurity engineer Pranav P. Ramesh has been inducted into NASA's Hall of Fame for responsibly finding security flaws. He is from Vairankode in Malappuram, Kerala, India. The vulnerabilities were disclosed after his professional curiosity led him to examine NASA's website. This disclosure prompted NASA to start strengthening its security measures immediately. Pranav, who previously found flaws in Google and Lenovo systems, now runs his own cybersecurity service. 🛰️

📱 Samsung drops date for One UI 9.0 Beta 5

Samsung has announced the release date for the fifth One UI 9.0 beta build for the S26 series. A Beta Operations Manager confirmed this update will land next week for the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. The company apologized for the delay, promising this next version will be more stable. The stable One UI 9.0 has already launched with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8. Samsung is also planning to expand the beta program to S25 series and Z Flip/Fold 7.

📱 TCL P80 & P80 Pro leaks drop: check the specs

Official-looking renders for two new TCL smartphones, the P80 and P80 Pro, have recently been leaked by a reliable source. The devices are set for a launch in the European market by TCL. The P80 features a Dimensity 7300 Elite, while the P80 Pro runs on the Dimensity 7400 Elite. Pricing is expected to be €299 for the P80 and €349 for the P80 Pro. Further official details regarding the launch date are yet to be confirmed.

🤒 Cold vs Allergy vs Flu: Doctors explain the confusion

India's shifting weather patterns are making it tough for people to tell the difference between a cold, allergies, or the flu. This confusion is occurring across India as symptoms like sneezing and sore throats overlap across all three conditions. For instance, allergies rarely cause fever, unlike the flu which arrives suddenly with high fever and severe body pain. Experts advise that recognising these distinct patterns early is key to preventing delays in necessary medical attention. Vaccination remains a crucial tool to protect against severe flu-related illnesses as climate change alters disease patterns. 🤒

🔬 Moderna starts Ebola vaccine trial in Canada

Moderna has kicked off the first Phase 1 clinical trial for its mRNA vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. This trial is happening in partnership with CEPI, following authorization from Health Canada. The study focuses on safety and immune response in healthy participants, and it runs as part of a broader infectious disease program. Moderna has pledged to support access for low and middle-income countries if the vaccine gets approved. Investors will now watch the initial Phase 1 readout for key safety and antibody generation data. 🔬

🎬 Big B works 24hrs before KBC shoot

Amitabh Bachchan recently completed a demanding 24-hour work shift, finishing at 7 am after starting the day before. The veteran actor is now gearing up for the shooting of Kaun Banega Crorepati on August 6th. KBC Season 18 is set to premiere on Monday, August 10th at 9 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV. He stressed that missing this commitment would lead to job replacement for him. Additionally, Big B is in the pipeline for the Kalki 2898 AD sequel. 🎬