🚀 Shopify says AI search boosts sales, not replacing Google

Shopify claims that the rise of AI in searching is actually driving more traffic and sales for its merchants. The e-commerce software company noted that AI has complemented, rather than substituted, traditional search methods. During the second quarter, AI-driven traffic and orders to Shopify stores tripled year-over-year. This growth helped the company report a 36% revenue rise to $3.6 billion, beating analyst forecasts. Shopify plans to further integrate AI tools with platforms like Claude and ChatGPT to enhance merchant experiences.

🎮 Xbox Insiders get more control over captures and saves

New updates are rolling out to XBOX Insiders to improve gameplay capture and save management features. Alpha Skip-Ahead members can now include chat audio in their game recordings, a feature available to some Insiders. Players can also sort their achievement history by multiple metrics and restore cloud saves directly on console, starting with Forza Horizon 6. Additionally, all XBOX players can now add up to 1,000 games to their wishlist for better tracking. These changes aim to give users more flexibility and convenience with the Xbox platform. 🎮

📈 What moves the stock market on Thursday?

The Indian stock market closed slightly up on Wednesday after mixed trading amid confusion over the new closing auction session. Sensex finished at 78,581 and Nifty 50 closed at 24,625 on Wednesday, while India VIX dropped 1.5% to 12. RBI MPC maintained the status quo while upgrading FY27 GDP growth projection, suggesting an optimistic outlook. Crude price hikes due to West Asia tensions caused initial dips, though realty and auto stocks performed well. Analysts expect the Nifty to remain range-bound in the short term, with support at 24,400.

💀 Chemical leak kills 3 factory workers in Karnataka

Three factory workers died and two others were injured due to a suspected sulphur dioxide leak on Wednesday. The incident happened at a factory in the Kadechur-Badiyal Industrial Area in Yadgir district, Karnataka. Three migrant labourers passed away, and two workers were hospitalized for treatment. Preliminary findings suggest the chemical leak caused the workers to suffocate inside the facility. Police have registered a case against the company management and are investigating the site.

📱 Fold 8 deals live, Pixel charger on sale

Pre-order offers for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 are still active, with shipping expected as early as Monday from Best Buy and Amazon. For those wanting cheaper options, 2026 Galaxy A series phones start as low as $345 at Best Buy in open-box condition. Additionally, the Google Pixelsnap Charger with Stand is marked down by 40% to $41.99 on Amazon. Samsung is also bundling discounts with Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 purchases. Shoppers can still grab these deals before the delivery timelines slip further into September. 📱

🧠 Microsoft upgrades Zero Trust tools with AI and DevSecOps

Microsoft has integrated an AI pillar and a DevSecOps pillar into its Zero Trust Assessment and Workshop tools. These additions allow development teams to use AI for tasks like code generation and infrastructure configuration. The Zero Trust Assessment now includes AI and DevSecOps checks, feeding findings into a 12-24 month roadmap. The DevSecOps pillar embeds zero trust principles into the entire development lifecycle, including source repositories. This helps organizations like Ford Motor Company enhance their security posture continuously. 🛡️

⛏️ Minecraft lands on Switch 2 on October 27

Mojang Studios has officially announced the release of Minecraft for the Nintendo Switch 2 console. The game will be available on October 27th, offering a digital upgrade for existing Nintendo Switch owners. The Switch 2 version features Vibrant Visuals by default, enhancing lighting and shadow effects across the game. Additionally, the Super Mario Mash-Up pack will receive an update to match these new graphics. More specific details regarding the digital upgrade path will be provided later.

🔬 Protein pathway shields neurons after spinal cord injury

A new research team identified a protein-based defense pathway that helps neurons resist ferroptosis after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). This study was conducted by researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China and the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. The findings detailed how STUB1 stabilizes SIRT6, enabling it to activate NRF2, which is crucial for neuronal survival. In injured mice, SIRT6 delivery improved motor function scores and increased surviving neurons near the lesion. This pathway suggests new targets for therapies aimed at reducing secondary neuronal death after SCI. 🧠

📜 New Stone Reveals Hoysala Ruler's Death Date

A centuries-old veeragallu with a Kannada inscription was discovered in Neeragunda, Arsikere taluk. This stone potentially clarifies the death date of Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana, who ruled parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The inscription dates the memorial stone to December 11, 1141, corresponding to Ekadashi of Pushya Masa of Durmathi Samvatsara. This discovery addresses historical confusion regarding whether Vishnuvardhana died in 1152 or 1149. Scholars have shared the information with the Karnataka Itihasa Academy for further analysis.

🏛️ FCRA Bill still stuck in Parliament

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act bill remains pending in Parliament. This legislation aims to regulate foreign funding received by various entities across India. As of now, the bill has seen discussions but no final passage has occurred. It is considered a crucial step for securing the nation against misuse of foreign funds. Further action depends on the parliamentary proceedings in the coming sessions.

🧱 Minecraft finally gets colored concrete slabs and stairs

Concrete slabs and stairs, available in all 16 concrete colors, have been added to Minecraft. This update is part of the game's third game drop of 2026, available in Java snapshot and Bedrock Preview. Previously, concrete was limited to full blocks, making detailed building difficult. This new addition is highly anticipated by builders for modern designs and city projects. Players can test these new features immediately in the latest Java Edition snapshot.