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Biden warns in farewell address that an 'oligarchy' of ultrarich in US threatens future of democracy

In his farewell address, President Joe Biden warned of an emerging oligarchy and the dangers posed by a “tech-industrial complex,” emphasizing their threats to democracy and individual rights. He proposed reforms like higher taxes on billionaires, Supreme Court term limits, and measures against political corruption while reflecting on his administration’s achievements in job creation and environmental protection. Biden also stressed the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions during turbulent times and called for a peaceful transition of power.

TikTok Plans Immediate US Shutdown on Sunday

TikTok has announced plans to shut down its app for U.S. users on Sunday, January 19, 2025, in response to a federal ban unless the Supreme Court intervenes. This shutdown would prevent access for existing users, exceeding the law’s current requirements, which primarily prohibit new downloads. Upon opening the app, users will encounter a message about the ban and options to download their data.

Tesla is offering Cybertruck discounts as EV market gets crowded

Tesla is offering discounts of up to $1,600 on new Cybertrucks and around $2,600 on demo models, reflecting slowed production at its Austin, Texas, factory. Initially unveiled in 2019 with a promised price of $40,000, the Cybertruck’s base price reached $80,000 in 2024, contributing to challenges in affordability and growth despite its success as the fifth best-selling EV in the U.S. Production delays, high costs, and repeated recalls, including six in 2024, have hindered the vehicle’s market potential, despite outselling competitors like the Ford Lightning F-150.

Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S25 on January 22 — here’s what we expect

Samsung’s next Unpacked event is scheduled for January 22 at 10 a.m. PT, where it will unveil the Galaxy S25 lineup comprising the S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. This flagship release follows Samsung’s usual cadence of launching Galaxy S models in early-year events, with foldables debuting in the summer. The S25 series is expected to feature a slimmer design (1–2 mm thinner), Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip (in most markets), and a stronger focus on Galaxy AI, distinguishing it from competing Android devices’ AI capabilities.

Samsung is offering a $50 store credit for preorders made before the event, further emphasizing its anticipation for the S25’s release.

Saif Ali Khan Stabbed 6 Times, Suffers Injuries Close To Spine

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed six times by an intruder who broke into his Bandra home in Mumbai around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday. The actor, suffering injuries including two deep stabs and one near the spine, is undergoing surgery at Lilavati Hospital, performed by a team of specialists led by neurosurgeon Dr. Nitin Dange. Police have launched an investigation, interrogating three house attendants and filing an FIR against the unidentified attacker, while Saif’s team has requested privacy as they provide updates on his recovery.

Decline in Indian Students Migrating to North America

Recent reports indicate a significant decline in the number of Indian students migrating to North America for higher education. In 2023, approximately 269,000 Indian students enrolled in U.S. institutions, while 427,000 chose Canadian universities. However, stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration have led to a 30% decrease in Indian student arrivals to the U.S., and Canada’s tightened rules have resulted in a sharper 60% drop. This has caused a combined 50% reduction in Indian student arrivals for courses beginning in January, with a similar trend expected for the September intake. 

Movie News

Sankranthi Box Office: Who Is The Winner?

During the Sankranthi 2025 festival, three major Telugu films competed at the box office: “Game Changer,” “Daaku Maharaj,” and “Sankranthiki Vasthunam.”

“Game Changer” received negative reviews, leading to poor box office performance, with theaters across Telugu states and in the USA and Canada reporting low attendance. 

“Daaku Maharaj” performed moderately, attracting audiences in B and C centers but underperforming in A centers. 

In contrast, “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” emerged as the festival’s frontrunner, achieving approximately 90% occupancy in many centers and full houses in some areas. 

The film earned ₹25 crore on its opening day, marking Venkatesh’s biggest opener to date. 

Trade analysts and critics anticipate that “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” will continue its strong performance, leading to significant profits due to its reasonable investment and high return on investment. 

While official box office statistics are yet to be fully compiled, “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” is currently leading the race as the Sankranthi 2025 winner.

‘Mega Ravipudi Project’: Sky is The limit!

Anil Ravipudi, a highly successful director known for his commercial hits, is set to direct Megastar Chiranjeevi in his next project, after the massive success of Sankranthi Ki Vastunnam. Chiranjeevi had been planning a collaboration with Ravipudi for some time, and now that Sankranthi Ki Vastunnam has been declared the Sankranthi winner, all roadblocks have been cleared. Ravipudi, known for crafting films that cater to the star image of actors like Venkatesh and Balakrishna, is now expected to experiment with Chiranjeevi’s unique comedy timing and all-rounder star image to create a fresh and engaging film.

Theatre Releases

Source: Filmibeat