🏛️ Govt rejects income-based quota plea in Supreme Court

The Union government opposed a Supreme Court plea demanding income-based sub-quotas within reserved categories. This opposition was filed by the Centre in response to petitions from individuals and groups in Lucknow. The petitions sought sub-classification in SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories, aiming for economic priority. The government argued that reservation is based on historical social disadvantage, not solely on economic status. Parliament alone can alter the constitutional framework, and the matter is set for hearing on August 18. ⚖️

🔥 Tokyo labels China its 'greatest strategic challenge'

China lodged a serious diplomatic protest against Japan's new defence white paper, which identified Beijing as Tokyo's biggest strategic challenge. The protest came from China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The nearly 600-page paper, approved on August 4, detailed regional security risks and stressed cooperation with allies. This follows prior tensions sparked by PM Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan in November. Japan is also advancing its military capabilities, showcasing a new anti-ship missile. 🇯🇵

📱 Samsung foldables smash European pre-order records

The Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra, and Z Flip8 have set a new pre-order record for Samsung's foldables in Europe. This achievement was announced by the Korean company following the unveiling on July 22. Combined pre-orders for the Fold8 and Ultra increased 70% year-on-year, with the Fold8 making up 40% of total European orders. These devices surpassed previous records by over 17%, and pre-orders are open until August 6. The new Galaxy Z series foldables will officially launch globally starting August 7.

😠 Iltija booked for allegedly assaulting cop

Iltija Mufti has been booked by J&K Police for allegedly assaulting a police officer during a protest against Article 370 abrogation. The incident occurred in Srinagar on Tuesday, with charges filed under sections 121, 132, and 191 of BNS. Police claim she bit a cop’s forearm causing bleeding, while her mother, Mehbooba Mufti, was also named. PDP denies the charges, alleging that Iltija was manhandled and injured by the police. The party spokesperson called the FIR a blatant misuse of power and authority. 😠

🏛️ USCIS rule change slams legal immigration hopes

USCIS introduced a new rule empowering officers to deny applications without requesting further evidence like an RFE or NOID. This change affects H-1B and Green Card applicants processed by USCIS, not overseas visa seekers. Immigration expert Jennifer Behm argues this dismantles legal immigration by removing chances for applicants to correct officer mistakes. She notes that AI use and premium processing issues mean the system won't actually speed up. This policy puts US employers sponsoring visas at higher risk of having applications rejected. 😥

🥬 Michigan says lettuce is safe to eat again

Cases of cyclospora parasite infections linked to tainted lettuce are declining in Michigan. The state's health department confirmed this, following a broad recall of iceberg lettuce from Mexico. The outbreak recorded 12,485 cases and two deaths since June. Previously, health officials advised avoiding bagged salad mixes due to the contamination. Consumers can now resume normal food handling practices as the trend improves.

🧐 AI patching security flaws still needs human help

Autonomous AI fixes frequently fail to properly resolve security vulnerabilities in software systems. Researchers at 1Password's Off-by-1 Labs tested ChatGPT 5.5 and Claude Opus 4.8 across six disclosed CVEs. The average success rate for a clean patch was only 26.0 percent, failing to fix issues or introducing new problems. The study concludes that non-human-reviewed LLM patches have a net-negative expected value. Human oversight remains crucial because AI is easily derailed by incorrect initial guidance. 🧐

🔬 Dangerous drug-resistant fungus spotted across 23 US states

A deadly drug-resistant fungus has been discovered across 23 states in the United States. Experts are warning about the serious implications of this finding in the region. The fungus was identified during recent monitoring in various geographical locations. This poses a significant public health threat requiring immediate attention from health officials. Further studies are underway to understand the fungus's spread and develop effective countermeasures. 🔬

💰 Defense Tech Hadrian Nets $1.37B in Funding

Defense tech company Hadrian successfully raised a new $1.37 billion in funding this past Thursday. The round was secured at a valuation of $7.87 billion, with major investors like WCM Investment Management leading the investment. This latest capital injection follows a prior $260 million Series C financing about a year ago. Hadrian focuses on automated manufacturing for existing military vehicle parts instead of developing new AI weapons. The company continues to expand its manufacturing footprint, recently opening a submarine parts facility in Alabama. 🚀

🌕 Partial solar eclipse hits Latvia next week

An impressive partial solar eclipse is scheduled to be visible next week across Latvia. The event will start in Riga at 20:06 and reach its maximum phase at 20:57. This partial eclipse is visible throughout Europe, though total eclipses occur in a narrow band over Spain and Iceland. The last total solar eclipse in Latvia was in 1954, with the next one not expected until 2142. Astronomers advise viewers to use certified solar filters to prevent permanent eye damage.

💥 Landmine blast hits Army duo in Poonch

Two members of the Army’s Bomb Disposal Squad were injured late Wednesday when an old, corroded landmine exploded in Mendhar sector of Poonch district. The injured duo was part of the BDS team that went to dismantle the explosive after an Army patrol detected it. Additionally, two rusty mortar shells were found and destroyed in the Mankote sector on Thursday. These incidents highlight the ongoing danger of landmines in forward areas near the Line of Control. Explosives are often displaced by heavy rains, posing risks to soldiers and local residents.