⚖️ Trump admin refunds $100B in scrapped tariffs

The Trump administration has refunded around $100 billion in tariffs after the US Supreme Court invalidated a wide range of duties. This action involved duties levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on goods from US trading partners. By July 31, about 60% of the $166 billion collected was returned to importers, including interest. The Supreme Court ruled in February that the president lacked the authority to impose these tariffs unilaterally. Trump is now using other legal sections, like Section 301, to implement new tariff measures. 💰

🔋 Vivo S2 drops with massive battery and AMOLED screen

Vivo officially launched the Vivo S2 in India, adding to its S-series lineup. This phone features a 6.83-inch curved AMOLED display and a 7,050mAh battery. It is priced starting from Rs. 39,999 and comes with a 50MP Sony camera. The device runs on MediaTek Dimensity 7360-Turbo and supports Google Gemini integration. It promises three major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates.

🔬 IIT Madras teams up with Indonesia for big research goals

IIT Madras is partnering with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. The collaboration is between IITM Global and the Indonesian Ministry to boost higher education and innovation. This strategic partnership was formalized following recent talks between PM Narendra Modi and President Prabowo Subianto. The goal is to build globally competitive innovation ecosystems supporting sustainable economic growth. Universities across Indonesia will now have more chances for joint research and talent development.

⚖️ 16th Finance Commission shakes up Centre-State finance

The 16th Finance Commission's report sparks major debate on fiscal federalism in India. It was presented by the commission concerning the 2026–31 period, affecting Centre-State financial relations. Vertical tax devolution is set at 41%, while grants-in-aid are dramatically halved to 8.3%. Critics argue this burdens vulnerable states by removing need-based grants and emphasizing GDP contribution. The way forward suggests re-institutionalizing targeted equalization grants for disadvantaged regions. ⚖️

⛏️ CAG report slams WB govt on tribal mining land issues

The CAG reported that the West Bengal government failed to protect tribal interests during mining land acquisitions. This issue occurred in five fiscals, from 2017-18 to 2021-22, while the Trinamool Congress was in power. For 66 cases, ECL and BCCL paid only ₹2.55 crore against an assessed value of ₹17.79 crore. The government's inaction led to short payments and failure to provide mandatory solatium to tribal people. The CAG recommended proactive involvement from district collectors in all future acquisitions. ⛏️

🚗 Atiq Ahmed's Youngest Son Dies in Road Crash

Abaan Ahmed, the youngest son of Atiq Ahmed, died in a road accident on Thursday morning, August 6, 2026. The crash occurred on the Jhansi-Kanpur National Highway in Uttar Pradesh, under Poonch police station limits. Two people lost their lives, including Abaan Ahmad and Sonu, son of Raja. The accident happened while he was en route to meet his older brother in a Jhansi jail. Two others are currently receiving treatment at the Montha Community Health Centre. 😔

💥 Ukraine strikes Russian oil refineries

Ukrainian forces reportedly hit two Russian oil refineries in a recent military action. The strikes were reported in the context of ongoing regional conflicts. Specific numbers and dates related to the refineries were not provided in the report. This action is part of the larger military engagement in the area. Further details regarding the impact of these strikes are expected soon.

💻 MacPaw and Liquid AI bring local AI to Mac users

MacPaw has partnered with Liquid AI to develop a tech stack for local AI directly on Macs. This collaboration merges Liquid Foundation Models with MacPaw's Elix and Mnemos technologies. The first product to feature this is Eney, expected to show results later this year. This setup ensures personal data stays private on the Mac and responds quickly without internet access. The tech is being built as shared infrastructure for MacPaw's ecosystem and future developers.

🏥 Supreme Court lets Asaram hire caregiver in jail

The Supreme Court permitted self-styled godman Asaram to use a trained caregiver in prison. This decision was made by Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale after reviewing an AIIMS report concerning his health. Asaram, convicted in a 2013 rape case, suffers from ailments like coronary artery disease and thalassemia. The court also noted that Asaram had recently obtained a 20-day parole from the Rajasthan High Court. The application regarding his sentence suspension was adjourned, leaving the caregiver engagement decision pending. 🏥

😥 Ireland Miss ODI World Cup 2027 Qualification

Ireland failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup 2027 after an ODI washout involving Afghanistan. The Irish cricket team is currently ranked 12th in the world rankings. The crucial match was scheduled for a specific date, but the washout meant missed opportunities. This result puts them behind key competitors in the qualification race. The team will now focus on upcoming matches to try and climb the rankings. 😥

🌟 Ramayana English trailer impressed fans with Ranbir's voice

The English-dubbed trailer for Ramayana premiered last night, receiving positive buzz from audiences. The trailer stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita in New Delhi. It features AI-led lip sync technology and has a massive budget of Rs 4,000 crore. The film aims to be the largest epic film globally, showcasing the emotional bond between Ram and Sita. Part one is set to release worldwide in October 2026, followed by the second part in Diwali 2027. 🎬