📉 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. 🚢

🎮 Crimson Desert eyeing multiplayer and sequels

Pearl Abyss is actively researching multiplayer modes and planning potential sequels for the hit game Crimson Desert. The company confirmed a target Nintendo Switch 2 launch for the game's next iteration in the first half of next year. Initially, Crimson Desert earned over $250 million in its first few months following its March 19 launch. Development is also prioritizing a DLC release this year, possibly unlocking areas like Sunbaked Peaks. The studio views Crimson Desert as a core flagship IP designed for long-term growth and expansion. 🎮

🐷 Farm advice pivots from 'better farming' to 'trust the pigs'

A recent shift in agricultural advice has moved away from general 'better farming' techniques. This pivot involves stakeholders in the livestock industry, specifically focusing on pig farming practices. The change was observed around the date of October 2023. This transition suggests a growing reliance on empirical observation over prescriptive methods in animal husbandry. Future strategies will likely involve closely monitoring the outcomes of these pig-centric methods.

🧠 One-third of women miss perimenopause mental health link

A recent study reveals that one-third of women are unaware of how perimenopause can affect their mental health. This awareness gap was highlighted by contemporary OB/GYNs in their latest research. The data indicates that this issue is impacting a significant portion of the female population globally. Perimenopause is a transitional phase before menopause, bringing various physical and emotional changes. Medical experts suggest that better education is needed to manage these health shifts effectively.

🥹 Jeff Dean's final days at Google were intense

Jeff Dean detailed his schedule during his last days at Google before starting his AI startup. He informed 139 close colleagues in an emotional video chat at the KDD Conference in Jeju, South Korea. Dean led about 4,400 people and held a farewell celebration attended by roughly 1,500 colleagues. After a 7 p.m. yoga session, he spent late nights replying to hundreds of touching messages. Finally, at 11:59:59 p.m., he became 'Unemployed' before co-founding Discovery Loop.