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What Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy could abolish in the name of government efficiency

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead an initiative aimed at drastically reducing federal bureaucracy, with a specific focus on cutting or abolishing agencies for efficiency. Musk has hinted at reducing the number of federal agencies substantially, with targets potentially including the ATF and the Department of Education, while Ramaswamy has previously advocated for eliminating major departments like the FBI and IRS, as well as cutting 90% of Federal Reserve staff. Although both men have Trump’s support, the extent and feasibility of these ambitious changes remain uncertain as they will provide external guidance on government reform.

Trump returns to Washington and vows a ‘smooth transition’ in White House meeting with Biden

President-elect Donald Trump returned to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Biden and Republican lawmakers, aiming for a smooth transition of power. During his Oval Office meeting with Biden, the two discussed national security and domestic policy issues, with Biden pledging full cooperation for the handover, marking a stark contrast to 2020’s contentious transition. Trump also met with House Republicans, expressing enthusiasm over GOP wins and the party’s projected control over both chambers of Congress.

OpenAI’s take on AI agents could come in January

OpenAI may launch an AI agent tool, codenamed “Operator,” as early as January, which would enable direct actions on a user’s computer and likely function through a developer API. This tool, expected to compete with similar agent features from Anthropic and Google, could operate as a general-purpose assistant capable of executing tasks in a browser. The news coincides with OpenAI's release of a policy paper suggesting AI economic zones and a strategic alliance with U.S. allies to enhance AI competitiveness against China.

Smog Blanket Over North India, Air Quality Drops To "Severe" Level

Delhi and much of north India are experiencing an unusually severe smog blanket this year, largely due to widespread stubble burning across northern states. Satellite images reveal a dense white cover extending from Delhi down to Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and eastward to Central Uttar Pradesh. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi recently spiked to a 'Severe' level, crossing 400, causing hazardous visibility issues and hampering flights, though improvements are expected soon as stronger winds are forecasted to disperse pollutants.

Movie News

Record Budget for Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu's Movie

Director SS Rajamouli is set to work with Mahesh Babu on a record-breaking project with a budget of approximately Rs 1000 crore, making it one of the most expensive films in Indian cinema. The cast and crew's remuneration alone could account for nearly half of the budget, with filming expected to begin in January 2025.

Varun Tej’s Matka USA Premieres Today

Matka, starring Varun Tej, is a period action drama about a young refugee's rise from hardship to become the "Matka King" of Vizag in the 1970s. Directed by Karuna Kumar, the film showcases Varun Tej in a powerful role alongside Meenakshi Chaudhary and Nora Fatehi. The film, produced by Vyra Creations and SRT Entertainments, features music by GV Prakash Kumar and is set for a grand release, with premieres in the USA through Shloka Entertainments.

Massive opportunity for Suriya’s Kanguva to strike gold in Hindi

Suriya's film, Kanguva, is set to release soon, but distribution issues have delayed bookings in some South Indian areas, potentially impacting its initial box office performance. However, its extended eight-week theatrical window in the Hindi market has secured over 5000 screenings nationwide, allowing it to reach a broader audience. Directed by Siruthai Siva and featuring Disha Patani and Bobby Deol, the film’s wide Hindi release may boost its box office success if it resonates with audiences.

Theatre Releases

Source: Filmibeat