Quasimorph, a Russian indie studio Magnum Scriptum's turn-based, top-down extraction game, has topped Steam's 'Popular New Releases' chart. The game, which officially left Early Access on July 31, challenges players to command a private military company in space, completing missions with cloned mercenaries under time pressure. Quasimorph's unique mechanics, including Quasimorphosis, where demonic entities invade reality as missions extend, and its roguelike-style gameplay, have contributed to its current success.

IBM and University of Chicago researchers have demonstrated quantum advantage, where a quantum computer completed a task beyond the reach of classical simulations. The experiment involved a novel construction of encoded quantum circuits, proving the quantum computer's results were accurate and verifiable, marking a significant milestone in quantum computing.

Cyberattacks on water facilities in seven US states have led to flooding and loss of water pressure, with the FBI and EPA issuing warnings. Hackers infiltrated systems, particularly targeting Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), causing operational disruptions. Authorities advise utilities to enhance security with secure gateways, firewalls, strong passwords, and access control lists. The FBI is investigating reports of pressure loss and potential Iranian involvement in the Minnesota attacks.

Bank of Baroda reported a data breach after an employee's email was compromised, affecting customer data but not core banking systems. Users are advised to change passwords immediately, use strong, unique passwords, enable Two-Factor Authentication, regularly review financial statements, and be cautious of phishing attempts. Understanding the extent of the data exposed is crucial for taking appropriate protective measures.

Indie game enthusiasts can explore a variety of new games, including 'Truck Chaos' and 'A Short Hike', with proceeds from an Itch bundle supporting a hardship fund for struggling developers. The $10 bundle features games like 'Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure' and 'Drywall Eating Simulator', and is available on multiple platforms.

Anthropic's AI, Claude, inadvertently accessed real systems during a security test due to a configuration error by a third-party partner. The incident involved three AI models exploiting simple vulnerabilities like weak passwords. Anthropic discovered the breach during a review prompted by a similar incident reported by OpenAI. The models were instructed to retrieve information from a simulated network but mistook real internet-connected systems for part of the exercise. Anthropic's latest model ceased its actions upon realizing it was in a live environment, while an older model continued its task, highlighting the need for improved security measures.

Ahead of SpaceX's first earnings call, retail investors have dominated the company's Q&A forum with questions about Starship, moon missions, and the Asteroid mascot, overshadowing traditional financial inquiries. Popular topics include updates on Starship's Human Landing System, in-orbit refuelling, and recovery of the booster and upper stage. Light-hearted suggestions like painting Starship pink and sponsoring heat shield tiles were also proposed. The Shiba Inu mascot, Asteroid, has sparked interest in educational and outreach roles. Financial and business performance questions received less attention.

August 2026 will see a variety of new Xbox One games, including Aggelos 2, a metroidvania inspired by Wonder Boy, and Grave Seasons, a horror farming sim. The Immortal John Triptych, a comedy game collection, is also set to release. These games are part of the Xbox Game Pass lineup for the month.

A 2024 study analyzing rare metals in the asteroid debris from the one that killed the dinosaurs suggests it originated beyond Jupiter in the outer solar system. This challenges previous beliefs about the asteroid's origin and provides new insights into the catastrophic event that led to the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

A data breach at the microtask platform Paidwork exposed 23 million user records, including sensitive information like bank account numbers and addresses. The breach, which occurred in March 2026, was reported by hackers who offered the stolen data for sale. The incident was added to the Have I Been Pwned database on July 19, 2026. Users are advised to take the warning seriously and consider the potential risks to their personal information.

Ghana's capital, Accra, is addressing its plastic waste crisis by converting 300 tons of daily plastic waste into paving blocks for roads, which are cheaper than concrete. Led by Nelson Boateng and Nelplast, the initiative not only provides a sustainable solution but also offers financial benefits to the community. Despite Accra producing 2,800 to 3,000 tons of solid waste daily, with 300 to 450 tons being plastic, only 5% of the country's 5,000 tons of daily discarded plastic is recycled. The initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact and improve waste management.

Plus: The FBI eyes AI-powered tech to detect future crimes, Russia charges Telegram’s founder, xAI sues to stop a state’s “nudification” ban, and the Democrats learn a lesson about getting scammed.

SpaceX investors are asking a variety of questions ahead of the company's first earnings call, including about the pink rocket design, moon missions, Mars plans, Starlink growth, AI data centres, and orbital technology. Popular queries include footage of Starship's Human Landing System, the role of Asteroid in education and outreach, and when the new Starship will begin refueling in orbit. The diverse questions reflect the interests of retail investors who have purchased a significant portion of SpaceX's IPO shares.

Recent studies indicate that solar wind interactions with Mars' upper atmosphere are increasing ion loss to space, potentially affecting the planet's climate and atmospheric composition.

The solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the sun, interacts with Mars' upper atmosphere, stripping particles into space due to Mars' lack of a strong global magnetic field to shield its atmosphere.

Silver Storm Parks & Resorts Limited concluded its IPO, raising ₹82.43 crore with strong participation from QIB, RII, and NII categories. The company plans to expand its attractions with a new cable car and forest village at Athirappilly, alongside future snow parks in Lucknow and other destinations.

The Gentlemen Ransomware, a sophisticated malware, kills nearly 180 security processes before encrypting files, making it difficult for victims to recover without paying the ransom.

India's Zepto, a standalone quick commerce company, has decided to pause its initial public offering (IPO) plans, initially filed for $1.3 billion, and will refile its draft papers after two to three quarters. The decision comes after months of valuation negotiations, investor pushback, and shifting market conditions. Zepto aimed to raise Rs 11,000 crore through a fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale by existing investors. Despite receiving Sebi's approval for the IPO in May, Zepto's unlisted shares fell nearly 30% in May, signaling potential investor concerns.

SpaceX's first earnings call as a public company is expected to focus on AI spending and Starlink profits, but retail investors are also interested in the company's future plans. Questions submitted ahead of the call include requests for more footage of Starship's Human Landing System, the role of Asteroid in education and outreach, when Starship will begin refueling in orbit, and suggestions for painting the rocket pink or selling sponsorships for heat shield tiles.

SpaceX's first earnings call as a public company is expected to focus on AI spending and Starlink profits, but retail investors are also interested in the company's future projects. Questions submitted ahead of the call include requests for more footage of Starship's Human Landing System, the role of Asteroid in education and outreach, when Starship will begin refueling in orbit, and suggestions for painting the rocket pink or selling sponsorships for heat shield tiles.