🔒 Google passkeys vulnerable to basic malware attacks

Researchers from Unit 42 found that malware can steal Google-synced passkeys without any PIN or biometric interaction. Three distinct account takeover attacks were demonstrated, with the most severe one extracting every synced passkey from a victim's account. This vulnerability exists because some services trust a verification flag without truly confirming user identity. While Google removed one secret from Chrome logs, device memory remains risky, demanding stronger verification methods. 🔐

📈 AP's growth rate beats Telangana's, says CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu claimed the state's growth rate is at 11.3% for the 2024-26 period. This was presented at a press conference in the Secretariat on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, comparing it to Telangana's 10.7%. The government has spent ₹1,49,401 crore on welfare and created 30,607 government jobs. Improvements are credited to public investment and infrastructure like the Bhogapuram International Airport. The administration plans to continue this balanced development approach across the state. 📈

🤖 China's AI spending vs America's splurge

American tech giants are reportedly planning massive capital spending on data centers exceeding $740bn this year. This contrasts sharply with Chinese titans, who are forecasted to invest less than a tenth as much in data centers in 2026. Despite lower investment, Chinese models like Moonshot AI's K3 are nearly as clever as top American frontier models. This frugality is partly due to American tech export restrictions limiting access to the best chips. Furthermore, Chinese businesses are noted for being stingy with their IT budgets.

🏏 Stokes eyeing England coaching role after playing career

Former captain Ben Stokes has expressed a strong ambition to coach the England national cricket team in the future. He is currently pursuing his Level 3 coaching qualification to prepare for this transition. Stokes believes his experience, including making major decisions, makes him qualified for the role. He also questioned why Harry Brook was not named Test captain despite his vice-captaincy. Following Stokes' retirement, Joe Root was reappointed captain and Stephen Fleming became head coach. 🏏

⌚ 5 smartwatches that actually hit the mark

After extensive testing, five smartwatches were picked for their real-world performance instead of just marketing hype. The selections include the Redmi Watch 5 Lite, Amazfit Bip 6, OnePlus Watch 2R, Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, and Google Pixel Watch 3. These devices were evaluated based on comfort, battery life, and daily usability across different price points. Each watch offers unique strengths, from long battery life to advanced health monitoring capabilities. Buyers are seeing a mix of value and performance across these diverse options. ⌚

🦴 New guide for pregnancy bone health issues

A new international position statement offers practical guidance for Pregnancy- and Lactation-associated Osteoporosis (PLO). This guidance was developed by experts from several international medical organizations. It provides a clinical pathway for identifying and managing PLO, which can cause spinal fractures during late pregnancy or postpartum. The statement recommends tailored assessments, conservative care, and individual evaluation for bone-specific agents. Further research is needed to determine the true incidence and long-term outcomes for affected women. 🦴

📚 Rahul Singh's debut novel explores complex choices in queer and Muslim lives

Rahul Singh's debut novel, Unfolding, questions what it truly means to choose someone across different life circumstances. It features an affluent gay couple in Kolkata and a working-class Muslim house-help, Zubina. The narrative juxtaposes their worlds, highlighting contrasts in lifestyle and personal compromises. Zubina observes the couple's relationship, prompting her to question her own life choices. The book ends somewhat ambiguously, suggesting a settling rather than a passionate decision. 📖

😟 Visa crackdowns shift Punjab's youth vote

Tightening visa rules in Canada, UK, and US are expected to influence Punjab's youth electorate. Over 2,000 to 2,500 Punjabi nationals have been deported from the US since 2022, with 3,567 from Punjab and Haryana deported in 2025. Many Punjab students faced deportation risk, especially those in non-credit courses, leading them to defer studies locally. This shift avoids debt and exploitation, changing the future voting patterns. Students are now opting for local degrees instead of pursuing foreign work permits. 😟

✨ KDE Plasma 6.7.4 drops with UI glow-ups

KDE Plasma version 6.7.4 has been officially released to bring notable improvements to key desktop components. This update targets the Spectacle, Discover, and Emoji Selector applications for better functionality. The release includes bug fixes and feature enhancements, making the user experience smoother. These updates are part of the ongoing development cycle for the Plasma desktop environment. Users are encouraged to update to take advantage of these new features starting now.

🔬 Ancient sea life found in Antarctica's Blood Falls

Scientists confirmed that the mysterious red water in Antarctica's Blood Falls originates from the sea. This discovery was made by researchers analyzing 167 samples from the McMurdo Dry Valleys area. The findings were published in Nature Geoscience on dates not specified. The brine harbors descendants of ancient marine microorganisms trapped beneath the glacier for millennia. This unique find reveals how life persisted through massive climate changes on Earth. 🔬

📈 Nykaa's Q1 Profit Jumps Over Threefold

Nykaa reported a significant spike in its net profit for the first quarter. This growth was achieved by FSN E-Commerce Ventures, which runs the beauty and fashion retailer, in the quarter ending June 30. The consolidated net profit reached Rs 80.01 crore, up from Rs 23.32 crore a year prior. Revenue from operations also jumped by more than 29% year-on-year to Rs 2,782 crore. Investors are now watching to see if Nykaa can maintain this strong growth trajectory while boosting profitability.