The Xizang region of Tibet experienced another earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale at 11:27 AM IST, marking the second significant tremor in the area within five hours. Earlier in the day, a stronger earthquake had struck Dingri County in Xigaze City, leaving at least 53 people dead, 62 injured, and causing extensive structural damage, including the collapse of several buildings. Regional disaster relief authorities reported that a 6.8-magnitude earthquake occurred at 9:05 AM IST, with its epicenter located at 28.5°N latitude and 87.45°E longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Emergency response efforts are underway, with drones deployed to assess the affected areas. Local forces have activated disaster relief plans, with transport and medical aircraft, helicopters, and ground teams on standby to assist. Reports of collapsed buildings in Tonglai Village, situated in Changsuo Township of Dingri, indicate severe local impacts. Additionally, the region has experienced several aftershocks following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake earlier at 6:35 AM IST, also at a depth of 10 kilometers. Aftershocks recorded include magnitudes of 4.7, 4.3, 4.5, 4.8, 4.9, and 5.0, occurring at intervals throughout the morning. The area remains on high alert as authorities continue rescue and relief operations.

The District and Sessions Court of Bhopal has ordered a compensation of ₹1.26 crore, with 6% annual interest, to the family of Vitesh Rathore, an area manager at a private finance company, who tragically lost his life in a road accident in 2023. Judge Prahlad Singh Kamethia issued the judgment, holding both the truck driver and the truck’s owner along with the insurance company liable for the accident. Advocate LB Yadav, representing the petitioners, detailed that Rathore was riding his bike around 3:00 PM on September 6, 2023, when a truck (bearing registration number MP-09 HH 6722) hit him at Bichhadhta turn, under the jurisdiction of Shahpura police station. Rathore sustained severe head injuries and succumbed to them at the scene. The compensation seeks to provide relief to the bereaved family of the deceased.

Akshay Kumar’s cameo in Stree 2 last year turned out to be a major highlight, and despite starring in other films like Khel Khel Mein and Sarfira in 2024, it was Stree 2 that emerged as his biggest blockbuster, crossing over Rs 800 crore at the global box office. Fans are now eagerly wondering if Akshay will reprise his role in Stree 3 and whether his character will play a more prominent part in the ever-growing Maddock Films’ horror-comedy universe. At the trailer launch of Sky Force, Akshay humorously referred to his upcoming collaboration with Dinesh Vijan as his “dedh” (meaning ‘one and a half’) collaboration. When asked about returning for Stree 3, Akshay responded by suggesting that the decision lies with producers Dinesh Vijan and Jyoti Deshpande. He added, “Aur Amar Kaushik ko direct karna hai” (And Amar Kaushik has to direct it), which seemed to confirm his involvement. In a follow-up conversation, Dinesh Vijan confirmed Akshay’s participation, jokingly calling him their “Thanos” in the universe, further cementing Akshay’s role in the franchise. For context, Akshay’s character in Stree 2 was introduced as the enigmatic leader of a hospital for the mentally disabled, with the secret to vanquishing the ghost tied to his bloodline. Although his name was not revealed, his character is positioned as a pivotal figure within the universe, leading to speculation that he may headline a future horror-comedy film of his own. Stree 2, directed by Amar Kaushik, was released in August 2024 and quickly became a domestic box office juggernaut, grossing over Rs 600 crore in India. The film, starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, continued to dominate the box office for almost six weeks. With Stree 3 scheduled for release on August 13, 2025, fans are excited to see what role Akshay Kumar will play in the next installment.

2024 has proven to be one of the most successful years for Malayalam cinema, with director Haneef Adeni’s Marco emerging as a major success. The film, which stars Unni Mukundan in the lead role, crossed the Rs 100 crore mark in worldwide earnings just 15 days after its release on December 20. The film, noted for its intense violence, sparked considerable discussion and controversy upon its debut. The movie features an ensemble cast including Siddique, Yukti Thareja, Jagadish, Abhimanyu Thilakan, Anson Paul, and Kabir Duhan Singh. It is the sixth Malayalam film of 2024 to reach the Rs 100 crore milestone, joining other major hits such as Manjummel Boys (Rs 240.5 crore), Aadujeevitham (Rs 157.35 crore), Aavesham (Rs 154.79 crore), Premalu (Rs 131.18 crore), and Ajayante Randam Moshanam (Rs 107.3 crore). The movie has also achieved notable milestones, including a record number of shows and screens on its release day in India. Additionally, Marco made history in Telugu-speaking regions by becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam movie on its release day, earning Rs 1.75 crore. As the film prepares for its upcoming release in South Korea, there are high expectations for it to secure a major opening in the East Asian country. Produced by Shareef Muhammed under the Cubes Entertainments banner, Marco boasts music and background score by Ravi Basrur, stunts choreographed by Kalai Kingson, cinematography by Chandru Selvaraj, and editing by Shameer Muhammed.

The 82nd Golden Globes marked the start of the 2025 Hollywood awards season, held on January 5 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles. Hosted by stand-up comedian Nikki Glaser, the event made history with Glaser as the first solo female host in Golden Globes history. Highlights: Indian Representation: Presenters: A star-studded lineup included Andrew Garfield, Anthony Mackie, Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Coolidge, Viola Davis, Michelle Yeoh, and more. Diversity and Change: The Golden Globes’ voting body has expanded and diversified in recent years, adopting a new code of conduct to reflect broader representation and inclusivity. The event celebrated outstanding talent across film and television, continuing its legacy as a prominent precursor to the Oscars.

A unique Kumbh Clock, designed like a flower, has been installed at the Ravindra Convention Centre during the 31st National Children’s Science Congress. This clock demonstrates how astronomy determines the timing of Kumbh fairs in Prayagraj, Ujjain, Nashik, and Haridwar. In this design, the 12 zodiac constellations replace the usual numbers on the clock. The minute hand is represented by the Sun, while the hour hand is Jupiter. As the Sun completes a full cycle through the constellations, Jupiter transitions to the next zodiac sign, mimicking the celestial movements that decide the timing of Kumbh fairs. Science communicator Sarika Gharu explained that the sky functions like a universal clock, with Jupiter deciding the year of the Kumbh and the Sun indicating the month. The event also featured the evaluation of student projects and workshops aimed at enhancing learning. Educational strategist Raj Kishore spoke about the enduring importance of creativity and critical thinking, emphasizing that no AI tool can replace human ingenuity. He underscored the vital role of teachers in fostering problem-solving and independent reasoning among students.

Over ₹33 crore was spent on renovating the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence, significantly exceeding the initial estimate of ₹7.9 crore, according to an audit report. The renovation, initiated in 2020, included luxury additions such as an 88-inch OLED TV for ₹28.9 lakh, ten other OLED TVs for ₹43.9 lakh, a high-end refrigerator for ₹3.2 lakh, and kitchen appliances worth over ₹8 lakh. Furniture and furnishings, including beds and sofas, cost ₹13 lakh, while a jacuzzi, sauna, and spa installation cost ₹19.5 lakh. An additional ₹19.8 crore was used to construct seven servant quarters, a diversion from funds originally allocated for building a staff block. The 21,000 sq. ft. property features eight bedrooms, three meeting rooms, two drawing rooms, two kitchens, 12 toilets, and a dining hall, furnished with high-end amenities such as Bose ceiling speakers and 50 indoor air conditioners. The audit, which covers the period up to March 2022, flagged irregularities in expenditure and questioned the lack of feasibility studies and transparency in contractor selection. The Public Works Department (PWD) revised estimates multiple times without tendering for additional works amounting to ₹25.8 crore, including ₹18 crore spent on superior and ornamental items. The matter has sparked political controversy, with allegations of wasteful spending during the pandemic. The report highlighted incomplete records and insufficient documentation to validate expenses, raising concerns about accountability in executing the renovation project.

Two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported in Bengaluru: a 3-month-old baby now discharged and an 8-month-old currently recovering. These are the first reported HMPV cases in India, with no recent travel history linked to the patients. The infections were identified through routine respiratory virus surveillance. HMPV is known to cause mild cold-like symptoms but can lead to complications like pneumonia, particularly in infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immunity. The virus is globally present and often peaks in winter and early spring. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with increased testing capacity and surveillance efforts in place. Hospitals have been advised to follow strict isolation protocols and report cases of respiratory illnesses promptly.

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein is making a comeback in India after a four-and-a-half-year ban. The company, which was blocked along with 200 other Chinese apps by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on June 29, 2020, is re-entering the market through a partnership with Reliance Retail. Shein has begun a backend test launch on Reliance’s e-commerce platform, Ajio.com, focusing on casual westernwear. While the rollout may expand to other Reliance platforms in the future, a specific timeline for the full-scale launch is yet to be announced. This partnership positions Shein to compete with brands like Tata’s Zudio and Flipkart’s Myntra in the affordable fashion segment. Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. formalized its partnership with Shein last year, and the two companies have signed a technology agreement to create a local e-commerce platform. This platform will rely on Indian manufacturers and suppliers to produce and sell Shein-branded products. Global Success Fuels Shein’s India Plans Shein has been a major player in the global fashion industry, emerging as the world’s most visited fashion and apparel website in September 2024, according to Similarweb. It held a 2.68% global web traffic share in the third quarter of 2024, surpassing brands like Nike, H&M, and Zara. The platform’s user base has grown significantly, with a report by Earnest highlighting a 40% rise in transaction-making users on Shein’s website between January and August 2024. Shein is also challenging established players in key markets like the US and France.