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With a strong LS showing, Chirag Paswan readies a bold play in Bihar
While BJP backs Nitish Kumar as chief minister, Chirag Paswan-son of Dalit icon Ramvilas Paswan-isn't hiding his readiness for the role
Muthoot Finance to go slow on MFI biz amid stress in the segment: MD
George Alexander Muthoot says the firm will prioritise gold loans due to strong demand and regulatory pressure on unsecured lending, as MFI exposure is scaled down
 "Muthoot Finance to go slow on MFI biz amid stress in the segment: MD")
Muthoot Finance to go slow on MFI biz amid stress in the segment: MD
George Alexander Muthoot says the firm will prioritise gold loans due to strong demand and regulatory pressure on unsecured lending, as MFI exposure is scaled down
Malur Ramasamy Srinivasan: A nuclear scientist who advocated disarmament
After the first peaceful nuclear explosion at Pokhran in 1974, Srinivasan was one of the small group of scientists and technocrats who ensured that the country's nuclear sector achieved self-reliance
 "Malur Ramasamy Srinivasan: A nuclear scientist who advocated disarmament")
Best of BS Opinion: How we manage change can turn the future around
Today's columnists assess change, and the various forms it takes - from Trump's flip-flops to changing the ideal of what a company should do, to the Indian cricket team's leadership churn
Silver's performance may continue if global economy avoids recession
Beware of its volatile nature and don't invest more than 5% of your investment portfolio in it
 "Silver's performance may continue if global economy avoids recession")
Indian pharma market back to pre-Covid level in FY23, says report
After a Covid-hit FY21 (when the IPM grew by only 2.2 per cent), the market posted a growth of 14.7 per cent in FY22, on a low base
 "Indian pharma market back to pre-Covid level in FY23, says report")
Apple Vision 'Air': Affordable and lightweight headset may launch this year
Reportedly, this lighter Vision headset may not operate independently and could instead require a connection to an iPhone or Mac to function
 "Apple Vision 'Air': Affordable and lightweight headset may launch this year")
DeepSeek demand shrinking: Baidu founder notes shift away from text-only AI
Chinese tech major Baidu launched Ernie 4.5 Turbo and X1 Turbo, which feature multimodal capabilities including text, image, audio and video
 "DeepSeek demand shrinking: Baidu founder notes shift away from text-only AI")
Waqf Amendment Act in SC today: 73 petitions filed, 7 states defend law
The Supreme Court will hear 73 petitions today challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, as seven states defend its constitutionality and petitioners raise concerns over religious autonomy
 "Waqf Amendment Act in SC today: 73 petitions filed, 7 states defend law")
Panasonic expands startup partnerships to adopt new tech in its products
Panasonic aims to co-create scalable solutions, integrating startup innovations into its product line-up to lead the next wave of intelligent living, according to the company chief innovation officer
 "Panasonic expands startup partnerships to adopt new tech in its products")
RG Kar rape-murder case: HC asks for case diary, poses questions to CBI
The court asked whether the central agency was considering the possibility of gang rape or the destruction of evidence in its probe
 "RG Kar rape-murder case: HC asks for case diary, poses questions to CBI")
India imposing 150% tariff on US alcohol, 100% on agriculture goods: WH
While addressing a press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump believes in reciprocity and wants to have fair and balanced trade practices
 "India imposing 150% tariff on US alcohol, 100% on agriculture goods: WH")
India bought 112 billion euro worth of Russian oil since Ukraine war
China was the biggest buyer of Russian fossil fuel at EUR 235 billion (made up of EUR 170 billion for oil, EUR 34.3 billion for coal and EUR 30.5 billion for gas)
 "India bought 112 billion euro worth of Russian oil since Ukraine war")
Non-essential curbs
Policy focus must shift from imports to exports
Global pharma eyes India's obesity mkt, but weight-loss drugs face hurdles
These drugs belong to a class known as glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite
 "Global pharma eyes India's obesity mkt, but weight-loss drugs face hurdles")
China's marriage rate hits 40-year low in 2024, deepening population woes
Given that most births in China occur within marriage, this downward trend in marriage rates is expected to push birth figures even lower in 2025
 "China's marriage rate hits 40-year low in 2024, deepening population woes")
Sales dip at 60% of Mumbai's offline grocery as quick commerce grows: Study
More than 80% of such traditional businesses blame dark stores of quick commerce companies: JP Morgan survey
 "Sales dip at 60% of Mumbai's offline grocery as quick commerce grows: Study")
CCI approves US-based KKR's proposal to acquire stake in Rebel Foods
CCI approves US-based KKR's proposal to acquire stake in Rebel Foods
 "CCI approves US-based KKR's proposal to acquire stake in Rebel Foods")
At 5.2 billion, India ranks 2nd globally in encrypted cyberattacks: Report
The United States topped the list with 11 billion attacks between October 2023 and September 2024: Zscaler ThreatLabz 2024 Encrypted Attacks Report
 "At 5.2 billion, India ranks 2nd globally in encrypted cyberattacks: Report")
