🎢 SEBI's new auction system starts with drama

SEBI's Closing Auction Session (CAS) had a volatile first week, leading to sharp end-of-day swings and trader confusion. This rollout happened on Monday, August 3, by SEBI for stocks with listed derivatives on the NSE. The initial week saw unusual movements and a visible divergence between the Sensex and Nifty indices. SEBI insists the disruption is temporary and the reform is permanent to align with global standards. The divergence is structural because the BSE still uses the old VWAP method for closing prices. 📈

✊ Jharkhand students protest for exam fairness

The JPSC-JSSC aspirant protest in Ranchi has reached its fourteenth day demanding exam transparency. Students are continuing their agitation concerning recruitment procedures and selection criteria. The protest has intensified recently after a hunger striker was hospitalized in the city. Student representatives are now getting ready for discussions with the government authorities. Political leaders have also come forward calling for accountability and a resolution to the issues.

🧘‍♀️ Suriya and Jyotika's wellness secrets revealed

Suriya and Jyotika shared their sustainable health habits despite demanding careers and travel. Jyotika strength trains 4-5 times a week, and Suriya focuses on functional strength training to manage a back injury. Jyotika achieved her first two pull-ups at age 47 with trainer Mahesh Ghanekar's help. They emphasize strength over looks, while Suriya stresses eight to nine hours of sleep. The couple prioritizes consistency in their wellness journey. 🧘‍♀️

🧐 Startup fund panel conflict deemed 'unavoidable'

The government disclosed in Parliament that TDB expert panel members had financial ties to companies they judged for public funds. This occurred after a July 30 disclosure, prompted by media reports about these links. As of July, TDB has approved ₹2,192 crore for 22 projects under the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund. TDB Secretary Rajesh Pathak stated that conflict of interest is unavoidable but manageable with clear guidelines. The fund supports high-risk tech startups via loans, not direct company funding. 🧐

🗣️ India says it didn't endorse Sheikh Hasina's speech

India's MEA clarified that the government played no role in the press conference held by former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina in Delhi. Hasina alleged worsening conditions in Bangladesh, stating she plans to return by the end of this year. The event, which took place on Wednesday, featured her criticizing the BNP government following a 'rigged election.' India stated it does not endorse any comments made at the private media entity's forum. The Bangladeshi foreign ministry expressed outrage over the meeting's occurrence.

🚫 Maharashtra bans 114 radical terrorist literature items

The Maharashtra government has officially banned 114 items of literature linked to terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al Qaeda. This action was detailed in a gazette notification issued by the Home Department on August 6, 2026. The banned materials include various magazines and books associated with groups such as Voice of Khurasan and The Revolutionary Resurgence. Authorities cited these items as glorifying violent extremism and posing a threat to India's public order and internal security. The State Anti-Terrorism Squad has recently conducted raids and arrests related to the circulation of such extremist propaganda.

💥 'DC' review: Slick action, shallow heart? 🎬

The new film 'DC' features Arun Matheswaran's latest intense action narrative focusing on two main characters. These are Devadas, played by Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Chandra, played by Wamiqa Gabbi, set against a backdrop of societal injustice. The plot involves Devadas, a gangster, and Chandra, a sex worker, who both engage in violent survival tactics. While the action choreography is superb, the film suffers from a weak emotional core throughout its runtime. Anirudh Ravichander's music does much of the heavy emotional lifting for the story.

🧬 Brown rat genome finally complete, big science win

Researchers have successfully assembled the most complete brown rat genome to date, which is a major breakthrough for disease study. Led by Peter Doris at UTHealth Houston, the team published their findings in Cell Genomics. This involved creating the first telomere-to-telomere assembly across all 22 chromosome pairs. The discovery revealed over 60 new genes and clarified regions obscured by duplicated genes. This comprehensive pangenome allows scientists to investigate conditions like heart and kidney disease.

🎓 MacKenzie Scott donates $50M to Native Forward

MacKenzie Scott gave a massive $50 million unrestricted donation to Native Forward Scholars Fund. This gift is for Native American students at the organization located in Albuquerque. The funds will allocate $10 million over five years for scholarships and establish a $40 million permanent endowment. This support comes as more students face financial hurdles to pursue higher education. Native Forward plans to use this to bolster current aid while securing future educational access. 🎓

🛣️ Trilateral Highway gets a major boost in talks

The India-Myanmar-Thailand transnational highway project received a significant boost during bilateral talks between the Myanmar President and Thailand's Prime Minister. This 1,360-kilometre strategic road connects Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand. Key milestones include the Tamu-Kalewa Highway handover in 2009 and the Kalewa-Yargi section handover in October 2025. The commitment reaffirms strengthening transport links as part of India's Act East policy. Future plans involve developing maritime connectivity and establishing a joint working group.

🏏 Pak cricketer banned for 2 years over visa issues

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a two-year ban to all-rounder Hamza Nazar following an investigation. The disciplinary action was taken against him in Pakistan after misleading information was provided during a visa application process. The board imposed this ban and a PKR one million fine on him in the latest ruling. This conduct was deemed inconsistent with the expected standards of honesty for those associated with Pakistan cricket. The issue ended his chances of being selected for the recent two-Test tour of the West Indies. 🏏