📈 India tweaks export taxes on fuel, cuts jet fuel levy

The Indian government increased windfall taxes on petrol and diesel exports while reducing the levy on jet fuel. This decision by the Union finance ministry was made on Tuesday, reflecting crude oil price volatility. The tax on diesel exports is now ₹25 per litre, and the ATF export duty stands at ₹19 per litre for the next fortnight. These special excise duties aim to stabilize domestic supply and capture supernormal profits from petroleum companies. The rates are reviewed every fortnight based on international crude oil prices. ⛽

🤔 Punjab's 5 political camps face major tests

The rallies at Baba Bakala offered a mid-point reading of Punjab's five main political camps ahead of the 2027 assembly election. Congress showed many leaders but lacks unified direction, while BJP aims to prove itself beyond Akali Dal support. AAP must defend its record on delivered welfare schemes against voter expectations. SAD is becoming more aggressive, fighting multiple rivals in the Panthic space. Waris Punjab De is focusing heavily on addressing the severe drug crisis in the state. 🧐

🌕 Oppo Find X9 Ultra vs. iPhone for Lunar Eclipse Shots

A near-total lunar eclipse recently occurred while the author was camping on the Wales coastline in the UK. The author tested the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, using a 300mm (13x) teleconverter lens for astrophotography. The phone delivered the best quality eclipse photos the author had captured using a mobile device so far. While manual controls were lacking in the dedicated mode, the 13x zoom provided impressive close-ups of the moon. Despite preferring dedicated cameras, the X9 Ultra made it possible to pack lighter while still getting great shots. 🌕

🔥 Armed men burn houses in Manipur village

Armed individuals set multiple houses on fire in a village within Manipur. Local authorities reported the incident which has caused significant distress in the area. The exact number of houses and people affected was not specified in the initial report. The violence is part of ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region. Authorities are currently investigating the attack and managing the situation.

📊 Delhi Voter Exclusions Outshine Other States

The recent data reveals a significant number of voter exclusions in Delhi compared to other states. Specifically, Delhi has recorded a higher percentage of excluded voters across the nation. These figures were compiled and released on March 15, 2024, by the Election Commission of India. This disparity has sparked discussions regarding the electoral roll accuracy and inclusion processes. Authorities are now reviewing the criteria to address these reported discrepancies going forward.

🎮 Gamescom 2026: Major gaming reveals drop

Gamescom 2026 saw 1,743 exhibitors present highlights to 368,000 visitors. Key announcements included The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past releasing in 2027. Control Resonant arrives on September 24, 2026, featuring hack-and-slash combat. Fable reboot drops on February 23, 2027, showcasing new gameplay demos. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is set for February 12, 2027. 🎮

🚨 Bank VP stabbed in Times Square, succumbs to injuries

Bank of America VP Erin Piacenti was fatally stabbed during a random attack in Times Square on Monday. The incident occurred near an NYPD substation outside One Times Square, involving a 49-year-old woman from Queens. The attack happened shortly before 4:30 p.m., where she initially stabbed a 68-year-old man before targeting Piacenti, who was 32. Police struggled to subdue the attacker who reportedly threatened officers before they fired. The investigation is continuing, with no evidence pointing towards terrorism. 💔

🧬 Fungal 'Starships' Drive Gene Swaps Across Species

Giant fungal Starship transposons are enabling the horizontal transfer of smaller adaptive genes between different species. A survey of 1,348 fungal genomes revealed at least 5,906 independent transfer events across the kingdom. Horizontally derived TEs make up an average of 7.7%, reaching up to 67% of fungal TE content. This gene transfer is especially common in the Mucoromycotina subphylum and specific classes of Pezizomycotina. Future research will explore how these mechanisms shape rapid genome evolution in fungi.

💰 Mahanadi Coalfields IPO drafts filed, big stake up for sale

Mahanadi Coalfields, an arm of Coal India, has officially filed its draft papers for an upcoming Initial Public Offering. The filing indicates that the Offer for Sale (OFS) component will consist of more than 66 crore shares. This move is set to bring the company's shares to the public market for investment. The IPO aims to raise capital for the company's future expansion and operations. Investors will now await regulatory approval before the offering goes live.

🏛️ New foundation aims to save Karnataka's heritage sites

The Karnataka Tourism Department proposed the Karnataka Heritage and Cultural Foundation (KHCF) to systematically conserve the state's historical assets. This initiative focuses on monuments, archaeological sites, museums, and cultural elements across Karnataka. A survey across 239 taluks identified nearly one lakh historical sites, highlighting the need for long-term funding. The foundation will structure participation from government, private sector, and the public in restoration efforts. KHCF aims to boost heritage engagement among younger generations and secure sustainable resources. 🏛️

🤖 AI startup Empirik raises $21M to stop tech outages

Empirik has officially launched as an independent company after securing $21 million in seed funding. The company was incubated by Sequoia and is led by Kartik Chandrayana, with core founders Avon Puri and Sudheer Dhurjati. The funding round included investors like Canapi and Alumni Ventures. Empirik aims to predict and prevent tech outages by tracking system changes and inferring ripple effects across massive infrastructures. It positions itself as an autonomous infrastructure engineer, similar to how AI tools helped software developers. 🤖