Good Morning Folks!!! In the great battle against nature, man emerged victorious by way of science and reason. But it is also a man’s intelligence that makes him prone to destruction, further isolating him from the animal kingdom. In 1947 an instrument was created by a board of scientists including Albert Einstein. Symbolizing humanity's close encounters with self-inflicted catastrophes, it measures the urgency of addressing existential threats. Can you name this instrument? Stay tuned till the end of the newsletter to find out if you have aced today's trivia!

Today’s Read time is 5 minutes.

FINTECH
BharatPe Gets Zapped with ₹20k Fine By Consumer Forum for Faulty Swipe Machine

One Liner: BharatPe was ordered to pay ₹20k for delivering a defective swipe machine that turned doctor’s transactions into a comedy of errors.

The Nalgonda Consumer Forum ruled against BharatPe, slapping a ₹20k fine for delivering a faulty swipe machine to Dr. Kommuri Mahesh Babu. The doctor claimed the device failed within a week, crippling his hospital’s transactions. BharatPe argued it wasn’t their fault, but the forum didn’t buy it, holding them responsible under the Consumer Protection Act 💰 ✍️

FMCG
Skincare Brand Foxtale Bags $18 Million

One Liner: Foxtale secures $18 million from Panthera Growth Partners to amp up its D2C skincare game.

Foxtale, the budget-friendly skincare brand, just nabbed $18 million in a Series B round led by Panthera Growth Partners. This Mumbai-based startup, launched in 2021, is gearing up to tackle acne, aging, and more with products crafted for Indian skin. With existing investors like Matrix Partners and Kae Capital chipping in, Foxtale’s plans include expanding its reach on platforms like Nykaa and Amazon. Skincare just got a whole lot foxier! 🦊🔥

BENGALURU
12 Crore Rupees Meant For Lake Fund Misappropriated

One Liner: 12 crore rupees meant for Kaggadasapura Lake vanished faster than transparency, with shady contractors making off like bandits.

In Bengaluru, a whopping ₹12 crore earmarked for the rejuvenation of Kaggadasapura Lake has allegedly been misappropriated. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claims the funds, which were supposed to breathe new life into the lake, instead evaporated into the pockets of contractors who didn’t get the memo that the money was for the lake, not their private yachts. Meanwhile, the lake continues to suffer from illegal encroachments, turning this supposed haven into a hub of corruption and environmental degradation 🤷💣

WORLD

Black Semiconductor, a German company at the forefront of chip technology, has secured €254 million ($274 million) in funding to develop next-generation chips utilizing graphene. This significant investment, primarily from the German government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, underscores Europe's commitment to fostering a competitive edge in chip manufacturing.

Data analysis reveals a disturbing trend: global average sea level is rising at an accelerated pace. Between 2022 and 2023, the average sea level jumped significantly at 0.76 centimeters. Experts attribute this surge to the combined effects of a warming climate and a strong El Nino event. These rising ocean surfaces pose a serious threat to coastal communities around the world.

India ranked 129th globally in the Gender Gap Index, and behind most of its South Asian neighbors behind Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan excluding Pakistan. While education and political participation show promise, economic disparity remains a major hurdle. Despite a slight decline in ranking, India has closed over 64% of its gender gap overall.

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ANSWER TIME!!

Answer(Trivia): The Doomsday Clock

Answer(Wednesday’s Riddle) : A Hole