📱 Pixel 11 series drops in India with big AI updates

The Google Pixel 11 series, including four models, is now available for purchase in India. Customers can grab these phones from authorized online and offline stores nationwide. Pricing starts from ₹89,999 for the Pixel 11, with offers running until August 31, 2026. These new smartphones feature a new in-house chip and enhanced AI capabilities built around Gemini. Users can also avail of instant cashback and exchange bonuses on these devices.

🇮🇳 Congress limits Vande Mataram to first two stanzas

The Congress announced it will only sing the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its events. This decision follows a 1937 Congress Working Committee resolution limiting the song's rendition. This stance adheres to decisions made by leaders like Gandhi and Nehru to exclude later stanzas. The move comes after the BJP accused Congress leaders of disrupting the full song at an Independence Day event in Delhi. The party leader, KC Venugopal, clarified that the party will follow these established decisions.

📱 Samsung drops new affordable S26 model soon

Samsung Electronics is set to host an online launch event on August 27 to expand its Galaxy S26 line-up. The showcase, titled 'Galaxy Event August 2026', will stream live from Samsung.com and YouTube starting at 9 pm KST. Industry watchers anticipate the arrival of the Galaxy S26 FE, bringing core S26 features at a lower price point. Reports suggest it will feature a 6.7-inch panel, Exynos 2500, and a 50-megapixel camera. This release follows Samsung's recent launch of the Galaxy Z Fold8 series. 📱

🔬 UH team studies how mutation rates change across species

A nearly $1 million NSF grant is funding University of Houston researchers to examine mutation rate evolution across different species. Professors Ricardo Azevedo and Rebecca Zufall, alongside scientists from the University of Iowa and University of Toronto, will study how reproductive modes affect DNA mutation speed. The project will run for four years, building on previous work finding Tetrahymena has a low mutation rate. Researchers will compare snails and mustard plants with UH's focus on Tetrahymena to isolate reproduction's impact. Understanding these mechanics could shed light on cancer progression and antibiotic resistance. 🧬

🇦🇺 Australia Questions Israel Over Aid Worker Death in Gaza

Australia has summoned the Israeli ambassador to Canberra following the death of a Gaza aid worker. The incident occurred in the Gaza Strip, raising serious concerns about the safety of humanitarian personnel. Official reports confirm that the aid worker passed away on January 15, 2024. This action reflects growing international scrutiny regarding the humanitarian crisis in the region. Further diplomatic discussions are expected to address the circumstances surrounding the fatality. 🇦🇺

📈 RBI minutes and dollar dip lift rupee mood

Hawkish minutes from the Reserve Bank of India helped soothe concerns surrounding the rupee's value. This sentiment boost occurred alongside a softer dollar against other currencies. The central bank's intervention in the market was also noted during this period. These developments reflect ongoing efforts to manage currency stability in the economy. The RBI will continue monitoring these market dynamics moving forward. 📈

😔 Former husband of Pavithra Gowda passes away in Rajasthan

Sanjay Singh, the former husband of Pavithra Gowda, reportedly died several months ago due to liver-related health complications. This incident occurred in Rajasthan amidst the ongoing Renukaswamy murder case, where Pavithra Gowda is currently in custody. The report indicates Singh suffered from alcohol dependency after their divorce in 2013. Pavithra Gowda is lodged at Parappana Agrahara Jail in Bengaluru as a main accused in the case. Authorities continue examining the murder circumstances, while Pradosh seeks approver status. 😔

🕵️ Bihar, Jharkhand accused busted in ₹48.60L Boss scam

Mumbai Cybercrime police arrested two individuals from Bihar and Jharkhand for a 'Boss scam' defrauding an accountant of ₹48.60 lakh. The accused were operating in connection with nearly seven similar cases across India. The fraud involved impersonating the CEO via WhatsApp to trick the accountant into transferring money. The arrests followed the initial complaint registered on February 26, 2026. Police are currently holding the entire defrauded amount of ₹48.60 lakh while the investigation continues. 🕵️

🔬 mRNA cancer vaccine beats Keytruda in melanoma trial

Merck and Moderna announced a bespoke mRNA cancer vaccine significantly reduced melanoma recurrence after surgery when combined with Keytruda. This was shown in the Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial across 1,137 patients with high-risk melanoma. The trial hit its primary endpoint on recurrence-free survival and its secondary milestone on distant metastasis. This marks the first Phase 3 win for individualized neoantigen therapy and improves on Keytruda alone. This success proves the mRNA platform has therapeutic potential beyond infectious diseases. 🔬

⚖️ Supreme Court Reopens Debate on Polygamy

The Supreme Court is once again reviewing the constitutional standing of polygamy practices. This review was prompted by a recent petition challenging the practice's legal status. Last week, the court asked the Centre for its response and suggested legislative action to abolish it for everyone. Five activists filed the petition, aiming to make polygamy a criminal offense under Section 82 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The petitioners also requested the annulment of existing exemptions under Muslim Personal Law. ⚖️

⚖️ High Court overturns acquittal in Tejpal rape case

The Bombay High Court set aside the 2021 acquittal of Tarun Tejpal, sentencing him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a former colleague. This judgment criticized the trial court for adhering to the 'perfect victim' myth, a concept theorized by Nils Christie in 1986. Christie argued that societal views often judge victims based on specific attributes, ignoring the true nature of the crime. Past cases, like Bhanwari Devi's, showed how caste and social status affected victim perception in courts. The Supreme Court recently urged greater gender sensitivity in judicial writing. ⚖️