🐀 Giant inflatable rat protests Xbox execs

Bethesda staff placed a giant inflatable rat outside the offices during an Xbox leadership visit to demo The Elder Scrolls 6. The CWA union organized the protest to voice outrage over Microsoft's recent mass layoffs affecting staff. Over 1,600 employees lost jobs amid Xbox's downsizing, with another 1,600 expected to leave this year. Staff fear the layoffs will severely impact the development of The Elder Scrolls 6, which is reportedly still two years away. Developers are mobilizing to fight the layoffs and protect the future of game studios. 🐀

👶 Baby rescued 48 hours after Colombia quake

A baby was miraculously rescued alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Cali, Colombia. The dramatic rescue happened nearly 48 hours after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit the country. This seismic event on Monday caused over 200 fatalities across western Colombia. The faint sound of a baby alerted rescuers at the La Torres del Limonar complex. Rescuers then focused on freeing the baby and another trapped man.

🔪 UP teacher found dead; family alleges murder

A 29-year-old private school teacher, Shalini Yadav, was found dead in a bathtub at her Fatehpur home on Saturday morning. Her family accused her husband, Dilip Yadav, and brothers Bhupendra and Sandeep of murder with a sharp weapon. Police found injuries on her body and sent the body for post-mortem examination. The couple married around nine to ten years ago, with the family citing prior disputes. Further action will depend on the post-mortem report and the complaint filed by Dharmraj. 🔪

🩺 New study looks at cancer drug side effects in seniors

A new study investigated the impact of a Geriatric Assessment-Driven Intervention (GAIN) on chemotherapy toxicities in elderly cancer patients. The research was published in Cureus, focusing on patient care protocols. The study examined data related to various cancer treatments administered to older adults. This intervention aims to personalize care and manage side effects more effectively. Future research will continue to evaluate the long-term benefits of using GAIN in oncology. 🩺

✨ Spotting the Perseid Meteor Shower in the UAE

The Perseid meteor shower will streak across the skies over the Middle East and North Africa starting on August 12th. Viewers in the UAE and Syria, among others, have a prime opportunity to witness these shooting stars. The shower peaks between 2am and 4am UTC on August 13th, with varied local timings across the region. This event coincides with a new moon, reducing lunar glare for better viewing conditions. Observers should head to dark, rural spots away from city lights for the best chance to see these meteors. 🌠

🏀 Miller slams critics on WNBA trans debate

Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller strongly dismissed recent comments made by Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White regarding WNBA transgender participation. She voiced these opinions while speaking to TMZ Sports at LAX, stating outside voices are creating unnecessary negativity around the women's game. Kanter Freedom claimed he qualifies based on self-identification, while White demanded equal treatment for professional basketball. Miller insisted the focus must remain on the WNBA season and playoffs, not mid-season debates. She believes the transgender policy issue needs careful discussion during the offseason. 🏀

🏏 GT ditches Hardik Pandya's return demand

Gujarat Titans rejected Hardik Pandya’s attempt to rejoin the squad with captaincy as a key condition. The Mumbai Indians captain was in talks with GT, but his demand proved to be a dealbreaker for Shubman Gill's team. Pandya, who captained MI since 2024, has seen lukewarm reception from fans and the team. Now, MI is exploring trade options, with KKR and CSK showing interest. His future remains uncertain as no concrete trade has been finalized yet. 🏏

📉 Oracle hints at more layoffs amid AI push

Oracle is planning a fresh round of job cuts this month, despite climbing revenue, as AI data center spending escalates. The company aims to reduce payroll before its second quarter begins on September 1, following the shedding of 21,000 roles in the last fiscal year. These potential cuts could hit double-digit percentages across some teams, reminiscent of 6 am emails affecting staff in the US, India, Canada, and Mexico. Oracle spent $55.7 billion on infrastructure last fiscal year while managing significant debt. The company continues to restructure as AI adoption drives workforce adjustments. 💻

🏞️ US ditches 100 dams, reconnecting massive river miles

The United States removed 100 outdated dams across 30 states in 2025, reconnecting over 4,893 river miles. Pennsylvania led the charge with 14 removals, adding to its total of 433 since 1912. Ecology was the main driver, cited in 59 projects, while failing structures accounted for 37. This work allows wildlife habitats to recover and restores natural river flow. American Rivers now aims to remove 30,000 dams by the year 2050. 🏞️

🛡️ Microsoft drops 400+ security patches, one zero-day active

Microsoft released its August 2026 Patch Tuesday addressing over 400 vulnerabilities this month. The security updates targeted issues across various systems, including a zero-day exploit, CVE-2026-68820. These fixes were rolled out on August 2026, following reports of active exploitation by North Korean attackers. The patches address risks like privilege escalation and remote code execution across Windows platforms. Security experts advise organizations to triage these updates carefully instead of rushing implementation. 🛡️

🏈 Trump names Giants favorite for Super Bowl 2027

Donald Trump named the New York Giants as a favorite for Super Bowl 2027 during the 2026 Patriot Games Finale in Geneva, Ohio. He also mentioned Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford among the contenders for that year. The announcement followed a prior controversy involving Jaxson Dart back in late May 2026. This previous incident involved Dart introducing Trump at a campaign event, leading to discussions about social issues. Now, Trump is watching these teams as the NFL season approaches.