🏛️ Pala municipal power shifts to Congress rebels

The balance of power in Pala municipality is leaning towards the Congress rebels after they agreed to support Maya Rahul for the chairperson post. This move is happening in Pala, where Maya Rahul, an independent councillor, is set to face the election on August 19. The election was called after the LDF moved a no-confidence motion against UDF-backed chairperson Diya Binu Pulikkakandam on July 2. The LDF supports Ms. Rahul because her independent status avoids future political commitments for them. This new setup allows the LDF to influence the council without formally taking charge.

💻 Linux Mint 22.3 HWE ISOs are live with Kernel 7.0

Linux Mint 22.3 HWE ISOs have been released for public download. These updates are available for users across various distributions. The new versions incorporate the Linux Kernel 7.0. This release brings modern kernel features and performance improvements to the operating system. Users can now download these updated ISOs from the official Linux Mint website to start installing.

⛏️ Govt aims to cap state taxes on mining operations

The government introduced an amendment bill in the Lok Sabha to prevent states from imposing taxes or levies on mining and minerals. This move targets improving the commercial viability of mining operations across various states. The bill seeks to regulate mineral-bearing lands under the Centre's control, following the Supreme Court's ruling on state taxing powers from July 25, 2024. The government states that excessive fiscal burdens discourage extraction and harm small operators. This aims to enhance certainty and support long-term investment in the sector. ⛏️

✅ Rajya Sabha passes Tax Bill; UPI charges ruled out

Parliament passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the Rajya Sabha discussed and returned the Money Bill. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured that neither consumers nor small merchants will face Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI transactions. This assurance comes as the Lok Sabha had previously approved the Bill on Monday. The amendment is an enabling provision, not imposing any tax, and no MDR framework has been finalized yet. These reforms aim to boost India's manufacturing and attract investment across various sectors. 🚀

🤖 Zuckerberg predicts everyone will have a personal AI agent

Mark Zuckerberg envisions a future where everyone possesses a personal superintelligence agent, which acts as a companion for various life aspects. This vision suggests AI could assist with careers, health, education, and even starting new businesses for individuals. He anticipates AI tutors with PhD-level knowledge and tools to lower barriers for entrepreneurs. Crucially, Zuckerberg argues this power should be broadly distributed, not controlled by a few institutions. However, the internet's reaction is divided, with some supportive and others skeptical of his motives. 🤖

🚀 Acumatica launches new GCC in Hyderabad

Cloud-based ERP provider Acumatica announced the opening of its global capability centre in Hyderabad on Monday. This new centre is being established in Hyderabad to boost product innovation and currently has 30 employees. The Hyderabad GCC will function as a core growth engine for the company within India. It joins Acumatica’s existing operations spread across the U.S., Canada, Serbia, and Sri Lanka. Initially engineering-focused, the centre plans to expand into more disciplines over time.

⚖️ Money laundering case isn't double jeopardy, says Karnataka HC

The Karnataka High Court ruled that prosecuting someone under PMLA after an initial conviction is not double jeopardy. This decision was made while dismissing petitions from 11 individuals convicted for fraud in 2016. The petitioners were sentenced to six years in 2024 for cheating people of lakhs of rupees. The court clarified that PMLA is a distinct statutory offence based on laundering proceeds of crime. These convictions are currently pending appeal before the High Court.

📸 Photo exhibition poster unveiled by GVMC Commissioner

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg unveiled the poster for the annual 'News in Frames' photography exhibition. The event is being organized by the Vizag Photo Journalists’ Association at Visakha Museum. It is scheduled to take place on August 19 and 20, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition will showcase photos covering public life, culture, and nature. Entry to the exhibition will be free for everyone.

😔 Father kills two daughters in Bengaluru hotel

A father tragically murdered his two young daughters inside a 5-star hotel in Bengaluru. The victims were identified as daughters aged 5 and 10. The incident reportedly took place on a recent date, though specific dates are not provided in the initial report. Police have launched an investigation to understand the motives behind this horrific act. Authorities are continuing their search for any other suspects related to this case. 😔

💔 Bengaluru Hotel Horror: Father Kills Young Daughters

A father tragically killed his two young daughters at the Taj Hotel in Bengaluru. The victims were identified as children aged 5 and 10. The incident reportedly occurred on a recent date, though specifics are pending police confirmation. Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding this horrific event. Police are continuing their probe to uncover all details of the tragedy. 💔

🎶 Emraan Hashmi to play Mehmood in R.D. Burman biopic

Emraan Hashmi has joined the R.D. Burman biopic to play the veteran actor Mehmood. He will join Akshay Kumar, who is attached to play Rajesh Khanna, in this project. The film, helmed by Neeraj Pandey and produced by Excel Entertainment, is currently in pre-production. Mehmood was a close friend and key figure in R.D. Burman’s career. The movie is set to begin shooting in September, promising an interesting look into the composer's life.