🛡️ Microsoft drops 398 fixes, zero-day in play

Microsoft rolled out its monthly security updates, patching 398 flaws including an actively exploited Windows driver zero-day. This vulnerability affects a core Windows kernel driver, and Check Point Research suggests Lazarus used it. Four other critical flaws in DNS Server, WDS, QUIC, and HPC Pack were also patched without needing user interaction. The release also finalized a two-part fix for a SharePoint RCE chain that began in July. Users are advised to prioritize the exploited driver bug first. 🛡️

⚛️ Oracle and Quantinuum team up for quantum cloud

Oracle has partnered with Quantinuum to integrate quantum computing capabilities into its cloud services. This collaboration involves the tech giants working together to bring advanced quantum power to the cloud infrastructure. The partnership was announced recently, signaling a major move in the quantum tech space. Quantum computing promises to revolutionize complex problem-solving across various industries. This move aims to make cutting-edge quantum processing accessible to a broader range of users.

🎬 Verity trailer drops: Hathaway and Johnson in dark thriller

The trailer for Verity, starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, has created a lot of buzz online. The movie features Hathaway as Verity Crawford and Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh, set in a remote estate. The film is based on Colleen Hoover's 2018 psychological thriller, featuring suspense and deception. Lowen finds disturbing notes that challenge what she knows about the author. This adaptation is now gaining attention from thriller fans. 🎬

⚖️ HC slams J&K cop for skipping duty over terror threats

The J&K high court dismissed the plea of SPO Hemo Hamid Wani seeking reinstatement after he was sacked. The court stated that engaging SPOs is temporary, only for specific contingencies, and thus his justification was unacceptable. Wani, engaged in 2012, failed to report back to duty in 2015 after receiving life threats from terrorists. Although the court directed the DGP to decide last August, the DGP denied the plea, leading to this final hearing. The HC held that his failure to perform duties against terror threats was sufficient for removal. ⚖️

📉 Oracle planning more job cuts amid AI push

Oracle has reportedly planned another round of job cuts this month to manage payroll expenses. This action is happening at Oracle, following earlier layoffs, as the company funds massive AI infrastructure spending. The cuts aim to reduce payroll before the second quarter starts on September 1st, potentially affecting double-digit percentages on some teams. This reflects the high cost of the AI boom, where Oracle spent $55.7 billion on infrastructure in the 2026 fiscal year. The company expects to raise another $40 billion this fiscal year to support its heavy investments.

🔭 Water and dust found near Milky Way's black hole

The James Webb Space Telescope made a major discovery near the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*. Scientists found water and cosmic dust persisting just 0.55 light-years from the star IRS 3. This finding, using the MIRI instrument, confirmed dust formation despite extreme radiation conditions. Researchers previously doubted this process near a black hole, but the data proved otherwise. This suggests galaxy centers can still provide material for new stars and planets.

🤖 Uber cashes out on robotics company Serve

Uber has sold its entire stake in Serve Robotics, the autonomous delivery robot company. This divestiture occurred following Serve's growth from its roots as Postmates X, which Uber acquired in 2020. The final selloff happened after Uber had already reduced its stake in 2025. The companies started diverging on the business model for scaling their shared autonomous fleet. Serve does not expect to renew its partnership agreement with Uber when it expires in early 2027.

🏎️ Pink Floyd drummer's McLaren F1 up for auction

The '10R' McLaren F1 GTR, a rare and storied 'pop art' model, is heading to auction. It was owned by Nick Mason, the Pink Floyd drummer, and is scheduled for sale by RM Sotheby’s on August 15. This car, a 1996 spec GTR, has a history including track testing and multiple restorations after crashes. RM Sotheby’s estimates the sale could surpass US$35 million, significantly beating last year's auction record. The expected public sale price is anticipated to be much higher than its previous private sale in 2024. 🏎️

✨ Samsung is rolling out a new foldable style

Samsung is developing a next-gen 'rollable' display to compete in the foldable market. This new form factor is part of a lineup including the Z Flip 9 and Z Fold 9, targeting rivals like Apple and Huawei. Samsung confirmed a rollable line is in the pipeline, though no release date has been set for its commercialization. The tech features a camera on the moving side, potentially fixing previous thickness issues in foldables. This comes as market share projections show Samsung's lead shrinking by 2026. 📱

🕌 Listed pub in Norwich set to become mosque

Anger is brewing over plans to convert a Grade II-listed pub in Norwich into a mosque. The Norwich Muslim Centre (NMC) has submitted plans to City Hall to create a place of worship with separate halls for men and women. The NMC has secured a 10% deposit and is currently raising an additional £800,000 for the project. This proposal follows the pub's closure in 2023, after community attempts to buy it failed. The city council has not yet made a final decision on the contentious application. 🕌

🚢 US military hits ship trying to break Iran blockade

The US military fired at the Panama-flagged Vela Nova cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman. This incident occurred as US-Iran diplomacy remains stalled following a breakdown of the June MoU. CENTCOM reported that the helicopter targeted the engine room on Tuesday, disabling steering gear. US forces have previously disabled 55 commercial vessels under the blockade against Iranian ports. Negotiations continue amid rising tensions and regional conflicts. 🚢