Stock Markets ^{As of 8/30 4:30 PM CST}

Top News

Top Brazilian judge orders suspension of X platform in Brazil amid feud with Musk

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in Brazil due to the company's failure to appoint a local legal representative, a requirement under Brazilian law. The platform must be blocked by internet service providers and app stores within five days, with fines imposed on users employing VPNs to bypass the block. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Musk and Brazilian authorities over free speech and compliance with local regulations, amid broader concerns about the impact on X's significant user base in Brazil.

Goldman to lay off a few hundred employees in annual talent review, source says

Goldman Sachs plans to cut a few hundred jobs as part of its annual performance review process, which was reinstated in 2022 after a hiatus due to COVID-19. Despite these reductions, the bank expects its workforce to grow in 2024 compared to 2023. Although recent workforce cuts have ranged between 1% to 5% annually, Goldman Sachs has reported strong second-quarter profits, driven by robust debt underwriting and fixed-income trading, contributing to a 32% rise in its stock price this year.

"To Cover Up Delays...": Centre On Mamata Banerjee's Letter On Rape Cases

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi has responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's call for stricter laws and faster judicial processes for heinous crimes, stating that West Bengal has not fully implemented the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) as required. Devi criticized Banerjee for the discrepancy in the number of operational FTSCs and noted the state’s failure to address the backlog of rape and POCSO cases. The BJP has also criticized Banerjee for not enforcing existing protections for women and girls, demanding accountability rather than mere appeals for new legislation, amidst national outrage over the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata.

India's Q1 GDP grows at 6.7%, lowest in 5 quarters

India's GDP growth slowed to 6.7% in Q1 FY25, the lowest in five quarters, down from 7.8% in the previous quarter and 8.2% in Q1 FY24. The slowdown is attributed to decreased government spending, likely due to election-related activities and the adverse impact of heatwaves, despite a modest increase in industrial production. Capital expenditure fell significantly, with the central government and 22 state governments showing notable year-on-year contractions, affecting overall investment activity.

Trump says he wants government or insurance to pay for IVF, criticizes Florida abortion ban

Former President Donald Trump proposed that under his administration, the government or insurance companies should cover the costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, and criticized Florida's six-week abortion ban. In a recent NBC News interview, Trump emphasized that IVF expenses should be fully covered either by government funding or mandated insurance coverage. However, he later retracted these comments, amid controversy surrounding IVF accessibility following a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that classified frozen embryos as children, impacting IVF practices.

Hidden camera found in women's washroom at Gudlavalleru college in Andhra, massive protests erupt

On Thursday, protests erupted at SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Andhra Pradesh after a hidden camera was discovered in the girls' hostel washroom. Female students rallied, demanding justice and increased safety, while police identified the suspect, Vijay, a fellow student, and seized his laptop containing over 300 obscene videos. The Telugu Desam Party announced that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed officials to address the students' concerns.

Vote For Note: Relief For Revanth

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy received a favorable outcome in the 'Vote For Note' case from 2015, as the Supreme Court dismissed BRS MLA Jagadeesh Reddy's petition to move the trial to Bhopal. The court, led by Justice B.R. Gavai, determined that shifting the trial based on the presented arguments would imply a lack of faith in the legal system. Instead, the bench decided to appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the case due to concerns about the trial process.

Movie News

No Room For Rumors – Pushpa Is On Track

Pushpa Part 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun and directed by Sukumar, is set to hit theaters on December 6, as confirmed by producer Ravi Shankar. The film is progressing on schedule with the following timeline:

- September 2: Completion of the first half edit.

- October 6: Completion of the second half edit.

- November 20: Final copy ready.

- November 25: Censor formalities completed.

The film features a star-studded cast, including Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Rao Ramesh, Sunil, Anasuya Bharadwaj, and Ajay Ghosh. Despite some speculation about a possible delay, Ravi Shankar assured that everything is on track for the scheduled release.

Chiranjeevi Vs. Venkatesh Vs. Ajith for Sankranti 2025

The Sankranti 2025 box office is shaping up to be a major clash between Tollywood heavyweights:

- Chiranjeevi will star in Vishwambhara, a fantasy action drama directed by Vassishta, known for his work on Bimbisara.

- Venkatesh will appear in a village drama, directed by blockbuster filmmaker Anil Ravipudi.

In addition to these highly anticipated films, the Telugu version of Ajith's Good Bad Ugly, produced by Mythri Movie Makers, will also release during the Sankranti season. Mythri Ravi Shankar confirmed that the film will have a simultaneous release in both Tamil and Telugu.

This release period will see a significant competition among major films, reminiscent of the previous Sankranti season when Chiranjeevi’s Waltair Veerayya and Ajith’s Thunivu went head-to-head. Fans can expect an exciting and fiercely competitive season at the box office.

Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency' to be banned in Telangana: Reports

The upcoming release of Emergency, starring Kangana Ranaut as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is stirring significant controversy ahead of its September 6 debut. The film is reportedly facing potential bans in multiple regions due to various concerns:

• Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is considering a ban on the film, but not due to its political narrative. Instead, consultations are ongoing regarding potential legal action.

• The Telangana Sikh Society has urged for the film's ban, claiming it misrepresents and hurts Sikh sentiments. This criticism focuses on the portrayal of Sikh-related issues within the film.

• In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal has also voiced objections, indicating that the film may face a ban there as well.

Despite Kangana Ranaut's political affiliations with the BJP and the party's central government presence, the enforcement of bans falls under state jurisdiction. Therefore, the Centre has limited influence over state-level decisions regarding film censorship.

Theatre Releases

Source: Filmibeat