🗳️ 20 lakh Punjab voters dropped from electoral rolls

Nearly 10 per cent of Punjab's voters, totaling 20.69 lakh, were removed from the draft rolls during the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This removal was due to voters being marked as absent, shifted, deceased, or duplicates. The phase concluded yesterday after enumerators surveyed registered voters against 2003 rolls. Furthermore, 12 lakh voter forms could not be mapped, prompting official notices for registration. Objections for corrections can be submitted between August 13 and September 12.

😟 Kolkata Zoo's Meat Diet Changes, Costs Rise

The state-run Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata has started feeding goat meat to its carnivorous animals. This change occurred due to the suspension of buffalo slaughter at a local municipal abattoir. Officials reported that this dietary shift has caused a sharp increase in the facility's food expenditure. This situation reflects the impact of municipal changes on zoo operations. Authorities are currently managing the new procurement needs moving forward. 😟

🚁 Helicopters are becoming the ultimate drone hunters

The rise of drones globally has made countering them a major challenge for armed forces worldwide. In India, around 600 Pakistani drones were destroyed when they tried to overwhelm Indian air defenses. This shift disrupts old air defense plans designed for high-value targets like fighter jets. Solutions include using affordable air defense guns and adapting guided rockets for precise strikes. Helicopters are proving to be ideal platforms for hunting these low-flying, slow-moving unmanned systems.

📜 Book dives into the birth of a nation

Josy Joseph released his third book, Birth of a Nation, attempting to capture the immense task of nation-building. The book details the tumultuous weeks before August 15, 1947, when the British left, leaving two new countries to handle partition chaos. It covers the 1946 Cabinet Mission Plan and the conflict between federal republic proponents and dissenting princely states. Joseph focuses on lesser-known players, revealing the complexities of convincing 565 states to join a democracy. The narrative highlights the massive undertaking of forging India and Pakistan from disparate entities.

📈 AMD is finally hiking graphics card prices too

AMD has decided to follow NVIDIA's lead by increasing graphics card memory bundle prices by at least 10% starting in August. This move affects AMD products across various markets, driven by surging memory costs and higher wafer pricing from TSMC. NVIDIA's RTX 50 series saw price jumps up to 30% in South Korea, while China's Huaqiangbei market sees daily price fluctuations. Analysts predict that DRAM supply-demand tightness will persist until at least 2027. Consequently, consumers should not expect any immediate dips in graphics card pricing.

⚽ Vinicius Jr's demand stumps Real Madrid deal

Vinicius Jr is reportedly demanding a renewal bonus from Real Madrid during contract talks. The Brazilian forward, whose contract runs until 2027, wants this bonus similar to what the club gives free agents. This is a major sticking point because even Cristiano Ronaldo never received such a bonus at the club. Real Madrid is hesitant as it could set a precedent for the entire squad. If the bonus demand isn't dropped, the club is leaning towards selling him this summer. ⚽

🔬 Spider silk: Next-level material for medicine

Scientists are leveraging the biological properties of spider silk to create advanced materials for medical use. Researchers are studying this natural fiber, which spiders produce for various functions, to adapt it for human applications. The silk's spidroin proteins offer incredible strength and toughness, surpassing materials like Kevlar in certain tests. Instead of harvesting it, scientists are engineering these proteins into bacteria for controlled production. This technology could revolutionize drug delivery by acting as a slow-release reservoir inside the body. 🕸️

🚨 Govt to grill Meta over content and CSAM issues

The government plans to address several concerns regarding CSAM lapses and wrongful account actions with Meta's global team. This high-level meeting is scheduled to take place in India on August 5th and 6th, 2026. Key issues include inadequate systems and the brief restriction of PM Modi's post, which happened recently. Authorities are also scrutinizing algorithmic bias and compliance with Indian law. The government wants top Meta executives to clarify these operational challenges directly.

🤖 Hackers are weaponizing AI models for cyberattacks

Hackers are reportedly using top generative AI models like Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and Gemini to create malware and automate cyberattacks. This was revealed by Cisco’s Talos intelligence group after analyzing accidentally exposed prompt histories. Threat actors successfully bypassed safety guardrails using simple jailbreaking techniques, such as claiming ethical hacking participation. The findings show that AI capabilities designed for security are being easily manipulated by malicious actors. Cybersecurity experts now urge organizations not to solely depend on model-level protections against these threats. 🤖

🧐 Centre questions Meta on PM Modi post & AI content

The Centre summoned Meta’s Head of Public Policy, Joel Kaplan, and an Instagram technical official for meetings on August 5 and 6. These officials are meeting in Delhi as part of a regulatory review of Meta’s operations in India. The government will question them on content moderation, political visibility, and child safety protocols. Discussions will also cover Meta's response to the temporary removal of PM Modi’s July 23 post and AI-generated misinformation. This review aims to determine the next steps for increased oversight of major digital platforms.

📉 Saylor's Strategy sells $105M in BTC

Strategy sold 1,638 BTC for $104.7 million last week, reducing its holding to 842,138 coins. This sale, averaging $63,957, was below the company's $75,419 cost basis, resulting in a loss. Proceeds funded preferred stock dividends and an $81 million buyback of STRC shares. This move occurs as STRC has traded under its $100 par value since mid-May. Moving forward, Strategy is focusing on supporting preferred shares while maintaining its overall Bitcoin conviction. 📉