☕ Square and Google level up coffee ordering with AI

Square is expanding its collaboration with Google to integrate US food and beverage sellers into Ask Maps. These sellers can now surface in Google Maps' conversational AI experience by activating a Google Business Profile. The integration automatically syncs menus and hours from the Square Dashboard, requiring no extra setup or fees. Customers can discover, browse menus, and complete orders via Ask Maps using Cash App. This move is part of a larger effort to make food ordering more seamless across Google’s ecosystem. ☕

♟️ Five GMs nail spots in Esports World Cup

GMs Vladislav Artemiev, Parham Maghsoodloo, Wei Yi, Oleksandr Bortnyk, and Alexander Grischuk secured five spots in the $1.5 million 2026 Esports World Cup. This happened after a three-day Last Chance Qualifier held in Paris, which is the event's home base. The main event kicks off on Tuesday, August 11, and the total prizes are now $75 million. The qualification process ensures each of these players receives at least $20,000 prize money. The remaining two slots will be decided in an eight-player Play-In tournament on Tuesday. ♟️

🏛️ Govt says creamy layer can't be excluded from quotas

The government told the Supreme Court that excluding affluent members from SC/ST reservation benefits is complex. It argued that discrimination against SC, ST, and OBC/SEBC communities isn't solely based on economic factors. A seven-judge verdict on August 1, 2024, allowed sub-categorization based on backwardness, but the government pushed back. The Centre insisted that policy changes need thorough empirical study and legislative action by Parliament. This stresses that only Parliament can modify the official list of SC and ST communities.

🤝 Modi and Netanyahu chat about ties and West Asia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations. The two leaders reviewed progress on their special strategic partnership while also exchanging views on the West Asia situation. This call happens as Israel faces losing support due to Netanyahu's military offensive against Hamas. Modi had previously stated India would back Israel against terrorism in the Israeli Parliament. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit. 🤝

🏥 Hospital roof collapses on woman in Rajasthan

A 25-year-old woman named Kiran Meghwal was injured when a section of the roof fell on her at a government hospital. This incident happened in Churu district, Rajasthan, on Wednesday after she was leaving the facility. She reportedly received two stitches after the debris crashed down on her. Hospital officials stated that repair work had been requested from the Public Works Department on August 4. Opposition parties are now heavily criticizing the BJP-led Rajasthan government over the infrastructure failure.

📱 Samsung Galaxy S26 FE gets FCC approval

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 FE has officially passed through the FCC for regulatory approval. The device is set to feature an Exynos chipset and modem, alongside a Qualcomm chip for Wi-Fi. It supports 45W fast wired charging, wireless charging, NFC, and satellite connectivity. Rumors suggest the phone will adopt Samsung's latest design with an oval camera island. The S26 FE might come at a higher price point compared to the S25 FE.

📈 Foreign funding surges despite FCRA rule tightening

Foreign contributions reached Rs 22,963 crore in the 2024-25 period, according to the home ministry figures. This inflow was received by 16,200 NGOs across India. Over the three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22, Rs 55,741 crore was received by 13,250 NGOs via FCRA. This continues despite the progressive tightening of laws governing foreign contributions. The ministry clarified the amendments apply uniformly and target a specific channel, not civil society broadly.

🔬 Scientists 3D print Earth's hardest metal

Researchers developed a new 3D printing technique for tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co), an extremely hard industrial material. This breakthrough was achieved by a team using hot-wire laser irradiation in a lab setting. They successfully produced the material with hardness above 1,400 Vickers Hardness (HV) while using less raw material. This method bypasses traditional powder metallurgy, which is expensive and wasteful. If scaled up, this could significantly lower production costs for tools and equipment. 🛠️

🩺 MASLD and Hepatitis B raise major health alerts

MASLD in chronic hepatitis B was linked to increased cardiovascular and extrahepatic cancer risks over 13.7 years. This population-based cohort study involved 3,269 adults with chronic hepatitis B infection from northern China. Participants with MASLD showed a 98% higher cardiovascular risk and a 50% higher extrahepatic cancer risk. The elevated risk was present even with mild steatosis or normal liver enzymes, suggesting broader systemic issues. Therefore, metabolic management and cardiovascular monitoring are crucial for those with chronic hepatitis B. 🩺

😠 Opposition Slams FCRA Bill as Targeting Minorities

Opposition parties maintained their firm stance against the FCRA bill during a meeting. Rahul Gandhi briefed parties on his discussion with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding the delimitation bill. Members expressed concern that the legislation specifically targets religious minorities, particularly Christians. Some noted that the government might drop the objectionable clause concerning 'retrospective effect'. The opposition insists on the bill being scrutinized amidst ongoing protest activities.

🏗️ Telangana extends land conversion window till October

The Telangana Government has extended the window for industrial land conversion under the HILTP policy. This decision allows applications for lands within and near the ORR until October 31. The online portal is reopened for three months, specifically from August 1 to October 31. This extension addresses stakeholder concerns after the initial one-month period in June. The conversion will continue under SRO rates valid before June 5, 2026.