♟️ Praggnanandhaa bags Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title

GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu clinched his first title and $50,000 at the 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz. He achieved this victory in Saint Louis, where he held a 1.5-point lead over Javokhir Sindarov across five days. The tournament concluded with Praggnanandhaa securing the win with a round to spare in the penultimate round. This achievement earns him 13 GCT points, boosting his standing in the Grand Chess Tour. Next up, the 2026 Sinquefield Cup begins on Monday, August 10.

💹 US joins Japan in Yen intervention

The US has joined Japan in an unprecedented yen intervention to stabilize the currency. This move aims to prevent forced selling of Treasury securities, marking the first such joint action in 15 years. The intervention involved the US selling euros to acquire yen, as reported on Friday. This action suggests the market needed a short-term fix for currency pressures. Experts view this as merely a temporary band-aid solution for underlying bond issues.

🌧️ Nagaland asks for teamwork on flood disasters

Nagaland's Minister Temjen Imna Along urged Assam and Nagaland to collaborate instead of assigning blame for floods. This statement followed the devastation in eastern Assam's Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat districts. Since April, the floods have taken 95 lives and impacted over 7.5 lakh people. The Minister stressed collective action, noting Nagaland also faced damage from heavy rains. Regular classes are set to resume from August 10 across affected districts.

🤖 OpenAI's first puck-shaped device leaks for 2027

OpenAI's first hardware device is rumored to be a donut-shaped, puck-sized speaker with a camera and moving parts. This device is reportedly aimed for a 2027 launch with a price tag between $300 and $400. It will be the first in a planned family of io Products devices, positioning OpenAI as a hardware platform. The premium pricing is a major concern, as it sits above current high-end smart speakers. Furthermore, the device faces tough privacy hurdles for consumer trust in the home.

📱 Pixel Fold: Flagship foldable for way less

The Pixel Fold is available for $460, offering a foldable experience much cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. This deal is happening now on Woot and includes a one-year warranty. The phone, which originally launched at $1,799, runs Android and gets support until June 2028. It features a Tensor G2 chip, 12GB RAM, and a 7.6-inch inner display. This discounted model is a steal for anyone wanting a budget-friendly foldable. 📱

🔬 Quantum microscopy boosts resolution fourfold

Researchers have developed a new quantum microscopy technique that significantly enhances image clarity. This breakthrough was achieved by a team of scientists at a leading research institution. The new method reportedly quadruples the resolution capabilities of existing microscopes. This advancement opens doors for observing smaller structures at unprecedented levels of detail. Future applications could revolutionize fields like biology and material science. 🔬

🔋 Why Motorola phones might be your next phone upgrade 📱

Motorola offers several perks that make switching from flagship brands worth considering. The company provides aggressive pricing on mid-range models, sometimes offering discounts of $100 or more. Key features include convenient Moto Gestures for quick shortcuts and excellent multi-day battery life in Moto G and Edge lines. Additionally, Smart Connect lets users link phones to PCs and TVs for easy file transfer. Many Motorola phones also retain the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to older tech preferences.

💍 Tom Holland and Zendaya debut wedding rings

Hollywood stars Tom Holland and Zendaya have confirmed their marriage by showing off their wedding rings. The couple recently celebrated their wedding with a private reception at the Beaverbrook Hotel in Surrey, England. This intimate celebration took place on a Tuesday, gathering family and close friends. Speculation had been building since Zendaya's stylist hinted at their secret wedding in March. The pair first met while filming 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' and made their relationship public in 2021. 💍

😟 Trump believes Iran war will wrap up soon

Donald Trump stated that he anticipates a war with Iran will conclude in the near future. He made this comment while serving as the former President of the United States. There are no specific dates or casualty numbers mentioned in his recent remarks. The statement reflects his past geopolitical stance on regional conflicts. Further developments on this issue remain to be seen. 😟

🇮🇳 PM asks everyone to celebrate National Handloom Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged Indians to celebrate National Handloom Day on Friday. He posted on his Instagram account while handling various handloom materials from across the country. This call connects to the Swadeshi movement, which started on August 7, 1905. Modi asked people to showcase the excellence of Indian handlooms by sharing videos. He urged everyone to use #NationalHandloomDay to promote this diversity. 🇮🇳

✨ Pixel users can now customize Quick Settings layout

Google is rolling out Android Canary 2608, which introduces the ability to customize the Quick Settings layout on Pixel devices. This update, version ZP11.260717.006, is available for several Pixel models including the Pixel 10a and Pixel 8 Pro. Users can now tap the pencil icon to access a new 'Layout' tab and reorder options like Brightness and Tiles. This feature lets users choose from six possible combinations for their quick settings. Canary builds are experimental and not recommended for general use.