Times of India

Actor Allu Arjun, arrested for his alleged role in a stampede during the 'Pushpa 2' premiere, was released on Saturday. The Telangana High Court granted him interim bail after a lower court's 14-day remand. Arjun spent Friday night in jail due to late arrival of bail documents, following a day of legal proceedings and a medical examination.

OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji, 26, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26. Balaji had publicly accused OpenAI of copyright infringement in developing ChatGPT, claiming their practices harmed businesses and entrepreneurs. Police found no evidence of foul play.

Luigi Mangione, 26, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was not a client of the company. Police suggest Mangione's motive stems from animosity towards the healthcare industry following a debilitating spinal injury. He was found with a ghost gun, silencer, and a manifesto detailing his plans. Mangione awaits extradition to New York to face murder charges.

India opted to bowl first against Australia in the crucial third Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, after Rohit Sharma won the toss. The overcast conditions and a grassy pitch influenced the decision. India brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep, replacing Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana. Australia welcomed back Josh Hazlewood for Scott Boland.

'Pushpa 2' has remain unaffected at the box office despite Allu Arjun's arrest on Friday in the stampede tragedy. The film is now on its way to cross Rs 800 by the end of this weekend!

Switzerland has withdrawn the most-favored-nation clause for India under their double tax avoidance agreement. This comes after a 2023 Indian Supreme Court ruling against Nestle, impacting Indian companies invested in Switzerland. Dividend tax will rise from 5% to 10% starting January 1, 2025, potentially reducing their competitiveness and prompting other nations to follow suit.

Three major IPOs—Vishal Mega Mart, Sai Life Sciences, and One Mobikwik—concluded on Friday, amassing a staggering Rs 2.2 lakh crore in investor interest. One Mobikwik led the pack with a 120-fold oversubscription, becoming 2024's most sought-after IPO exceeding Rs 500 crore. Vishal Mega Mart and Sai Life Sciences also saw substantial demand, subscribed 27 and 10.3 times respectively.

India's pharmaceutical retail market rebounded in November with double-digit growth, driven by increased demand for dermatological and cardiac medications. Respiratory issues, exacerbated by pollution, boosted Foracort sales to Rs 82 crore. Both acute and chronic medications saw 11% growth, and industry volumes rose by 3.5%. Analysts predict continued growth in 2025, fueled by price increases and new drug launches.

Bajaj Finance is leveraging AI to boost its business. Their FinAI initiative aims to triple lead conversions, double back-office productivity, and improve front-line performance. AI will personalize customer interactions, like offering tailored product suggestions via interactive SMS.

Indians are shifting towards premium wines and spirits, creating growth opportunities for companies like Moet Hennessy. High taxes and varying state regulations complicate the market, making foreign liquor expensive. Ongoing FTA discussions, particularly with the UK, aim to reduce duties and boost consumption. Domestically produced wines, like Chandon, are also gaining popularity.

India's market regulator, Sebi, is planning to permit retail investors to engage in algorithm-based trading, a practice currently exclusive to institutional investors. This move aims to level the playing field and potentially boost retail investor profits. SEBI proposes new safeguards, including broker checks and unique identifiers for algo orders, to ensure responsible implementation.

The Sensex surged 843 points to a two-month high of 82,133, driven by strong foreign fund inflows and buying in FMCG, IT, and banking stocks. This followed a volatile session with a 2,100-point intraday swing, influenced by global market weakness and uncertainty about China's economic recovery. Market sentiment remains cautious due to rising US Treasury yields and a weaker rupee.

The Supreme Court granted prospective bail to former Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee in a teacher recruitment scam money laundering case, starting February 1st. The court balanced the accused's rights with the offense's gravity, ordering the trial court to frame charges and record vulnerable witness statements by January 31st.

The Telugu film industry rallied behind actor Allu Arjun following his arrest in connection with a fatal theatre stampede. Industry figures like Trivikram Srinivas and Dil Raju offered support, while others like Nani and Balakrishna criticized the arrest, highlighting broader public safety concerns and questioning the focus on Allu Arjun's culpability.

Nearly 400 IndiGo passengers were stranded at Istanbul Airport for two days due to technical issues causing flight delays and cancellations. Passengers reported a lack of communication, accommodation, and meal vouchers, expressing frustration on social media. IndiGo stated that they provided refreshments and accommodation where possible and apologized for the inconvenience.

Shiv Sena UBT criticized former CJI D Y Chandrachud for inaction on the party split and alleged violation of the anti-defection law. They claimed an "undeclared Emergency" exists due to the Constitution being "played" with, citing concerns about judicial independence under the BJP government and referencing past allegations of government interference by Supreme Court judges.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, marking his first year in office, prioritizes industrialization and women's empowerment. He highlights the Ken-Betwa river-linking project's completion as a crucial step, enabling broader water access. Yadav also champions statewide industrial conclaves and international roadshows to attract investment, while acknowledging the financial commitment to the Ladli Behna Yojana as vital for empowering women.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed Parliament on various foreign policy matters. He confirmed Indian troops will patrol all historical points in Ladakh, including Depsang, despite disengagement agreements with China. Jaishankar expressed concern over minority treatment in Bangladesh, hoping for improved bilateral relations. He reiterated India's desire for amicable ties with Pakistan, contingent on Pakistan curbing terrorism.

Fifty-five opposition Rajya Sabha MPs have filed a notice seeking the removal of Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav. They allege Yadav delivered a hate speech promoting communal disharmony at a Vishva Hindu Parishad event, targeting minorities and advocating for the Uniform Civil Code.