Delhi Capitals have released their long-time player and captain Rishabh Pant ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, leaving many fans and experts surprised. Despite Pant's impressive performance in the 2024 season, where he made a strong comeback and also gained the Indian team's trust across formats, the franchise decided not to retain him. This has opened up opportunities for other franchises, particularly RCB, who have a large budget and need a strong captain and wicket-keeper. Meanwhile, PBKS will also be a key bidder as they have the largest purse among all teams.
After a disappointing performance in IPL 2024, Gujarat Titans are looking to strengthen their squad for IPL 2025 through the mega auction. With a budget of INR 69 crores and one RTM card, the Titans are expected to bring back key players like David Miller and Vijay Shankar, who have proven to be crucial for the team in the past. Fans and experts are anticipating the impact these experienced players will have under the leadership of young captain Shubman Gill.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians have announced the list of five players they have retained for the upcoming 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Veteran pacer Jasprit Bumrah became the highest-paid player in the franchise's history with a whopping fee of Rs. 18 crore, followed by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, who were retained for Rs. 16.35 crore each. The franchise also announced the reappointment of Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene as their head coach and confirmed that Pandya will continue to lead next season. With just one right-to-match option for an uncapped player, the team will enter the mega auction with a budget of Rs. 45 crore.
As the Indian government holds edible oil firms responsible for the rise in prices amid huge stockpiles, recent reports by the SEAI and expert predictions suggest that the country's import of edible oil and pulses is steadily decreasing. In line with this, Adani Wilmar has announced investments worth Rs.600 Crore in the edible oil and solar sectors. While the government's ambitious goal of achieving a USD 55 trillion economy by 2025 seems promising, doubts have been raised about the success of their Digital Agriculture Mission, with the AIKS expressing concerns. The agricultural sector's reactions to the Union Budget 2024 also reflect a forward-looking attitude towards the use of high-yielding pulses and oilseeds as a means to reduce imports.
The long-awaited Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, starring Kartik Aaryan, has already made a huge impact with a record-breaking non-theatrical deal of Rs 135 crore for its digital, satellite, and music rights. The film is set for a Diwali 2024 release and the makers are pulling out all the stops to promote it, with a teaser already released and a theatrical trailer and music launch coming soon. The growing popularity of horror-comedy and Kartik Aaryan's appeal to young audiences have been major factors in securing this massive deal that has already covered a large portion of the film's budget.
The two individuals, identified as Ahmed Rubel and Mohammad Khukan, were arrested by Indian authorities while trying to cross the Indo-Nepal border without proper visa documentation. The incident took place near the Bargadwa border outpost and the suspects have been handed over to local police for further questioning. This highlights the ongoing issue of illegal immigration and the importance of securing borders, especially in the context of the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2024 Union Budget announcements.
Thalapathy fans cannot contain their excitement as the highly anticipated film, 'The Greatest of All Time', starring Vijay in a dual role, is set to release in 2024. With a star-studded cast and a hefty production budget of Rs. 300-400 cr, this science-fiction action thriller is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Tickets are already selling out, with Vijay receiving a record-breaking salary of Rs. 200 cr for his role.
After successfully manufacturing the iPhone SE series in India, Apple is now set to produce its premium Pro models in the country as well. With this move, the tech giant is looking to reduce its dependence on China and take advantage of India's strong alternative. The Indian unit of Foxconn has been chosen to assemble the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max versions, which use advanced technology and materials such as titanium and have higher version cameras. The Union Budget 2024 cutting customs duty on mobile components also serves as an added benefit for Apple, leading to a potential price drop for the upcoming models.
After months of economic decline and a “technical recession”, the UK economy has finally rebounded with a 0.6% growth in the second quarter of 2024. This optimistic news comes after a slight slowdown in the services sector, which still shows growth despite challenges from the pandemic. The Economic Survey also forecasts a 6.5-7% growth in India’s GDP for the upcoming year, highlighting the resilience of the global economy. The pharmaceutical sector is also expected to play a key role in driving economic growth, with emphasis on skills and innovation. Additionally, the Union Budget has assumed a 10.5% nominal GDP growth, further highlighting the positive outlook for the economy.
In a show of solidarity and protest against the tragic incident of a female doctor's death after being allegedly raped, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has declared a nationwide halt on elective services across all hospitals in India starting from August 12. The doctors' body urges authorities to not politicize the issue and emphasizes the importance of protecting humanity in this matter. This comes amidst the excitement around Paris hosting the Olympics in 2024 and the buzzing discussion surrounding the upcoming Union Budget for 2024.