😠 New Hire Snags Laptop After Salary Demand

A new hire vanished with a company laptop after demanding a raise, according to Vanshiv Technologies founder Gaurav Kheterpal. The incident involved an employee who joined despite a 15 lakh per annum package in Bengaluru. This occurred after the candidate asked for a 50,000 hike just three days before onboarding on August 7, 2026. Initially, she asked to work from home but later became unresponsive before returning the laptop. Kheterpal noted the recruit later joined another company offering 25K more.

⚖️ SC to check DPDP vs RTI clash

The Supreme Court agreed to examine if the DPDP Act, 2023 could hinder the RTI Act by classifying all data as personal. This review involves the court assessing how the two central laws should be harmonized. The court noted the 2023 Act imposes an en bloc embargo, contrasting with the earlier RTI Act's conditional access. Petitioners argue the provision turns the right to privacy against public functions and investigative journalism. The court will look into whether this restrictive approach repeals earlier transparency legislation. 🧐

🧐 Tharoor says Congress issues didn't resonate like CJP's

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated that issues raised by CJP during student protests were already touched upon by Rahul Gandhi's Chhatron Ki Goonj campaign. CJP began its demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 20, demanding accountability over examination leaks. Rahul Gandhi launched his campaign in Rajasthan's Kota on June 17, highlighting the exploitative nature of India's education system. Despite covering similar concerns, the Congress campaign did not achieve the same level of public mobilization as the CJP's agitation. Tharoor emphasized that Gen Z will be the largest voting cohort in 2029, demanding change. 🧐

⚖️ Uncle gets 10 years for raping 12yo relative

A 45-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping his 12-year-old relative. The accused, a helper from Film Nagar, Banjara Hills, was convicted by the Special Sessions Judge for PoCSO Act cases in Hyderabad. The case was registered after the girl's mother filed a complaint on May 22, 2019, regarding the incident from May 13. The victim had been staying at the uncle's house due to cramped living conditions. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on the convicted individual.

🔥 Scorpio N Facelift vs Tata Safari: Which SUV Wins? 🚗

Mahindra launched the Scorpio N Facelift, which is now fully loaded, to compete with the Tata Safari. The comparison covers both models, with the Safari starting at Rs 13.40 lakh against the Scorpio N Facelift's Rs 13.69 lakh. The Scorpio N Facelift boasts a more powerful 203 PS turbo-petrol engine, while the Safari offers a wider range of nine color options. Both SUVs are available with 6-speed MT or AT transmissions for different driving needs. Ultimately, the Scorpio N has a 4WD option, giving it an edge for off-roading.

⛽ Rahul Gandhi targets E20 fuel policy crackdown

Rahul Gandhi announced that the Congress party will soon campaign against the Centre's E20 ethanol-blended fuel programme. He made these remarks in New Delhi, accusing the government of 'stealing directly out of people's pockets.' According to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, consumers spent an extra Rs 88,234 crore between April 2023 and March 2026 due to lower mileage. Ramesh argued the government failed to deliver promised price reductions despite initial assurances. The Centre counters that E20 helps reduce dependence on imported crude oil and supports farmers. ⛽

📱 Pixel 11 vs S26: APAC price showdown coming

Google Pixel 11 pricing is still unconfirmed as the Aug. 12 launch approaches, while Samsung Galaxy S26 already has set APAC prices. The Galaxy S26 launched with prices around US$920 in India and US$1,110 in Singapore. Leaks suggest the base Pixel 11 might start at $899 with 256GB, a $100 increase from the Pixel 10. Component cost rises are pressuring both phones' pricing strategies globally. The final pricing and offers will determine the value gap for APAC buyers. 📱

⚠️ Chittoor police warn against fake tax WhatsApp scams

Chittoor district police issued a warning about fake WhatsApp messages impersonating the Income Tax Department. Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi stated that fraudsters are sending messages with subjects like “Pay Tax” to scare people. These messages trick recipients into clicking malicious links or installing APK files containing sensitive data. The police advised citizens to only use official government portals for tax transactions. Victims of cyber fraud should immediately call 1930 or report it online.

🌊 Super El Niño meets Indian Ocean Dipole

The WMO warns that a rapidly intensifying Super El Niño will combine with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole between August and October. This event affects regions worldwide, with record sea-surface anomalies expected above 2.9°C. The El Niño, declared on June 11 by NOAA, is hotter than the 1997-98 event. While El Niño typically suppresses Indian monsoon rain, the IOD might offset this effect. Governments have a chance to anticipate risks before these impacts unfold. 😥

🌧️ Delhi-NCR grinds to a halt due to heavy rains

Heavy rainfall has caused significant disruption across the Delhi-NCR region. The downpour has resulted in severe waterlogging across multiple areas. As of the latest reports, many major roads are completely submerged, making transit extremely difficult. Residents are facing major inconvenience due to the lack of functional public and private transport options. Authorities are monitoring the situation and are expected to issue advisories soon to manage the ongoing crisis. 🌧️

🦠 Singapore lab working on Ebola vaccine doses

Hilleman Labs in Singapore will develop and produce Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine doses for clinical trials. The collaboration is between Hilleman Laboratories and Norway's CEPI, focusing on affordability for outbreak areas. With up to $8.5 million in CEPI funding, the vaccine development uses the rVSV platform. MSD will advise Hilleman, adapting a process from their Zaire ebolavirus vaccine. This work aims to speed up the response to large Ebola outbreaks, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 🦠