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• On August 5, 2026, during the 13th day of the Monsoon Session, the Rajya Sabha cleared the Supreme Court Judges' Bill. • The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day following the legislative proceedings. • Government representatives emphasized their commitment to the independence of the judiciary, citing the handling of writ petitions over recent years.

• Forbes Asia released its 2026 Best Under A Billion list on August 4, highlighting 200 top-performing small and mid-sized listed companies across the Asia-Pacific region. • Malaysia saw a significant surge in representation, with the number of included firms more than doubling to 19 companies. • The growth is largely attributed to the AI boom and the expanding data center industry, exemplified by the debut of Southern Cable Group on the list.

• The 2026 Parliament Monsoon Session has commenced, featuring the "Mangal Milan," a rebranded weekly strategy session for the NDA to ensure alliance alignment and constructive debate. • Congress MP Pawan Khera has demanded an official statement from the Union Home Minister regarding recent student-related developments and the NEET paper leak controversy. • The opposition alleges that the government is intentionally avoiding parliamentary discussions on these critical student issues.

• Index Ventures has raised approximately €1.7 billion ($2 billion) in new funding, increasing its total investing capital to nearly €3 billion. • The fundraise coincides with the 30th anniversary of the firm, which was founded in 1996 to support entrepreneurs across seed, venture, and growth stages. • This capital expansion strengthens the firm's ability to back high-profile portfolio companies such as Adyen, Figma, Revolut, Robinhood, and Wiz.

• In late July 2026, the Situational Awareness AI fund suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing approximately three-quarters of its assets within a few days. • The crash was driven by a market shift where investors stopped funding "pipeline" potential and demanded signed contracts with creditworthy tenants. • KBW downgraded Core Scientific to Market Perform, highlighting "model-layer risk" where developers are exposed if AI lab tenants fail to meet expectations.

• Apple TV is releasing the fourth season of the popular series "Ted Lasso" this week. • Paramount+ will debut a new concert film featuring Billie Eilish, which was co-directed by James Cameron. • These releases highlight a diverse range of high-profile entertainment options across major streaming platforms.

• Federal lobbying expenditures reached a record $5.08 billion in 2025, with one in four lobbyists now focusing on artificial intelligence. • AI startups are increasingly selling specialized technology back to the influence trade to optimize how lobbying is conducted in Washington. • The trend highlights a "black box" shift in political influence, where AI tools are used to navigate and manipulate the complex federal regulatory environment.