Tax relief for Indian middle class – but will it boost economy?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition government has unveiled its first full-year budget after his party lost an outright majority in parliament last year. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced measures to counter slowing growth, rising prices and flagging consumption among the middle class in Asia’s third-largest economy. After a period of world-beating growth of more than 8%, India is set for its slowest economic expansion in four years as stagnant wages and high food prices hit consumer spending and corporate profits. Here are five key takeaways from India’s union budget:
US sovereign wealth fund could buy TikTok, Trump says
US President Donald Trump has taken the first step towards setting up a sovereign wealth fund for the United States, and suggested that it could end up buying TikTok. The president signed an executive order on Monday, to kickstart the process, saying the fund would soon be “one of the biggest”. More than 90 countries have sovereign wealth funds, investing surplus income for the benefit of future generations. However, the US currently runs a budget deficit. “We’re going to create a lot of wealth for the fund,” Trump told reporters, without clarifying where the money would come from.
‘A brutal reality for Man Utd’ – McNulty’s deadline day verdict
There will be widespread consternation among Manchester United fans that they leave the transfer window with their already slim attacking options even thinner than they were when it opened. Head coach Ruben Amorim effectively wiped Marcus Rashford from his mind, leaving the exiled 27-year-old to join Aston Villa on loan, with United sources stating a minimum of 75% of his wages will be covered at Villa Park. Amorim’s decision to play teenage England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine in the 2-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace, ahead of expensive recognised striker Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, delivered a damning verdict of how little he feels he has at his disposal with that pair. This lack of a striker will be the biggest talking point of a United transfer window that brutally outlined their reduced circumstances, mocking their status as the world’s third richest football club.
‘It could illuminate an area the size
Vladimir Syromiatnikov’s bold attempts to light up Siberia with a space mirror captured global attention. The BBC’s Tomorrow’s World reported on an ambitious experiment that was launched on 4 February 1993. It sounds like a scheme a James Bond villain might hatch: launching a giant mirror into orbit to harness the Sun’s rays, then redirecting them to beam down on a target on Earth. Yet this was exactly what the Russian space agency Roscosmos attempted to do on 4 February 1993. But the aim of the Znamya (meaning banner in Russian) project was not a dastardly plot to hold the world to ransom. Its more utopian goal, as presenter Kate Bellingham explained on BBC Tomorrow’s World before Znamya’s launch, was “to light up Arctic cities in Siberia during the dark winter months”. Essentially, it would try to switch the Sun back on again for Russia’s polar regions after night fell.
Why employees smuggle AI into work
“It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission,” says John, a software engineer at a financial services technology company. “Just get on with it. And if you get in trouble later, then clear it up.” He’s one of the many people who are using their own AI tools at work, without the permission of their IT division (which is why we are not using John’s full name). According to a survey by Software AG, half of all knowledge workers use personal AI tools. The research defines knowledge workers as “those who primarily work at a desk or computer”. For some it’s because their IT team doesn’t offer AI tools, while others said they wanted their own choice of tools. John’s company provides GitHub Copilot for AI-supported software development, but he prefers Cursor. “It’s largely a glorified autocomplete, but it is very good,” he says. “It completes 15 lines at a time, and then you look over it and say, ‘yes, that’s what I would’ve typed’. It frees you up. You feel more fluent.” His unauthorised use isn’t violating a policy, it’s just easier than risking a lengthy approvals process, he says. “I’m too lazy and well paid to chase up the expenses,” he adds. John recommends that companies stay flexible in their choice of AI tools. “I’ve been telling people at work not to renew team licences for a year at a time because in three months the whole landscape changes,” he says. “Everybody’s going to want to do something different and will feel trapped by the sunk cost.” The recent release of DeepSeek, a freely available AI model from China, is only likely to expand the AI options.
The right-wing wish list for Trump’s second term
The Mona Lisa will be moved to a new exhibition space at the Louvre in Paris as part of a plan to renovate the world’s most frequented museum. Emmanuel Macron stood in front of the masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci as he made the announcement to an audience of dignitaries, with the change to be introduced by 2031 and visitors charged separately to see the painting. The French president was outlining his New Renaissance project, which will also involve an international competition to design a second entrance to relieve the growing pressure of visitor numbers beneath the famous glass Pyramid. Tariff changes will also be introduced from next January so non-EU residents – including UK tourists – pay more to visit.
Meteor Garden: Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu dies at 48
Cek satu Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who was best-known for starring in the hit 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has died from pneumonia at the age of 48, according to local media. One of the biggest stars in the Mandarin-speaking world, Hsu became a familiar face even in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand after Meteor Garden was dubbed in local languages. “I can’t believe it,” read one comment on Chinese social media platform Weibo, echoing the sentiments of millions of shocked fans who have been paying tribute. She is believed to have fallen ill while visiting Japan. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her death to Taiwan’s TVBS News on Monday. “During the Lunar New Year, our family came to Japan for vacation. My dearest sister Barbie has unfortunately left us after getting pneumonia, triggered by influenza,” Dee Hsu said in a statement shared by her manager. Hsu, who had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, was hospitalised previously due to seizures. She leaves behind her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, and two children from an earlier marriage. She and her ex-husband, Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, were married for 10 years, before an acrimonious divorce in 2021. Who is Barbie Hsu? Hsu began her career at 17, as part of a pop duo with her sister Dee. They became famous as TV hosts, known for their animated style and sense of humour. But it was Meteor Garden, a TV adaptation of a 1990s Japanese comic of the same name, that turned Hsu into a star whose fame stretched beyond Chinese entertainment. In the drama, Hsu played Shancai, a teen from a middle-class family who attends an elite private school and finds herself entangled in a love web with the heirs of wealthy families. Her four male co-stars in Meteor Garden would later form the Taiwanese boyband F4, one of the most popular Mandopop groups of the 2000s. On Monday, F4 member Ken Chu shared a black, empty screen as well as a group photo with Hsu on Instagram. Then on Weibo, he wrote: “What a bolt from the blue.” After Meteor Garden, Hsu starred in more than a dozen TV shows and movies, including popular romantic dramas like Corner With Love and Summer’s Desire. She took a break from acting in 2012, but continued to appear in reality shows. Aya Liu, a host and long-time friend of the Hsu sisters, wrote on Weibo that she had met Hsu at a gathering last month, where they had promised to meet more often. “I didn’t think that would be our last gathering,” Liu wrote. “Rest in peace, the most beautiful queen.” Hsu was the top trending topic on Weibo on Monday. “She was only 48 years old… this is too sudden. This is a little difficult to accept,” read one comment. Posts about influenza in Japan were also trending as fans tried to understand how she had fallen sick.
Akun Instagram KPU Trenggalek Diretas, Jualan iPhone Pro Max Rp 1,5 Juta, Jauh dari Harga Pasar yang masih Rp 21 Juta
Akun resmi Instagram Komisi Pemilihan Umum (KPU) Kabupaten Trenggalek kembali disalahgunakan. Pada Jumat (10/1/2025), akun tersebut mengunggah promosi penjualan iPhone 15 Pro Max dengan harga Rp 1,5 juta, padahal harga pasar untuk smartphone yang satu ini masih menyentuh Rp 21 juta. Hingga Sabtu (11/1/2025), unggahan yang diduga sebagai modus penipuan itu masih terpampang, memicu kekhawatiran publik. Ketua KPU Kabupaten Trenggalek, Istatiin Nafiah memastikan bahwa unggahan tersebut bukan berasal dari institusinya. Ia menyebut peretasan ini adalah kejadian ketiga yang menimpa akun media sosial KPU Trenggalek. “Ini sudah terjadi beberapa kali. Kami tegaskan bahwa postingan semacam itu tidak ada kaitannya dengan KPU,” ujar Istatiin. KPU Trenggalek langsung berkoordinasi dengan KPU RI untuk mengatasi masalah ini dan mengimbau masyarakat agar tidak terpengaruh oleh konten yang mencurigakan. “Segala unggahan yang tidak terkait dengan kegiatan kepemiluan jelas bukan berasal dari kami,” tegasnya. Istatiin juga mengungkapkan bahwa pihaknya sedang mempertimbangkan langkah untuk mengganti akun media sosial KPU. Namun, rencana ini belum diputuskan karena dikhawatirkan akan menghapus arsip digital yang penting. “Kami masih mencari solusi agar akun bisa kembali aman tanpa kehilangan jejak postingan yang penting untuk dokumentasi,” jelasnya. Peretasan ini menjadi perhatian serius karena dapat menimbulkan potensi penipuan yang merugikan masyarakat. Istatiin meminta publik untuk lebih waspada dan tidak mudah tergiur oleh penawaran yang tidak masuk akal. “Postingan seperti itu jelas hoaks dan tidak ada kaitannya dengan KPU Trenggalek,” tegasnya lagi. Sebagai upaya pencegahan, KPU Trenggalek berkomitmen meningkatkan keamanan digital untuk menjaga kepercayaan masyarakat. “Kami berharap langkah-langkah yang kami ambil dapat mencegah kejadian serupa di masa depan. Keamanan digital adalah prioritas kami,” tutup Istatiin.***
Terdakwa Rudapaksa Santriwati di Trenggalek Enggan Akui Hasil Tes DNA Identik
TRENGGALEK, lokaltrenggalek.com – Imam Syafi’i alias Supar, Kiai di salah satu Pondok Pesantren di Kecamatan Kampak, Kabupaten Trenggalek, enggan mengakui hasil tes DNA yang dinyatakan identik. Padahal, Supar kini telah menjadi terdakwa atas kasus rudapaksa terhadap santriwatinya sendiri hingga melahirkan seorang anak. Tahapan sidang kasus rudapaksa telah menghadirkan saksi ahli dan saksi yang meringankan. Sidang itu dilaksanakan di Pengadilan Negeri (PN) Kabupaten Trenggalek, Kamis (9/1/2025) siang. Kasi Pidana Umum (Pidum) Kejaksaan Negeri (Kejari) Kabupaten Trenggalek Yan Subiono mengatakan, pihak Jaksa Penuntut Umum (JPU) sudah menghadirkan saksi ahli. “Saksi ahli memberikan keterangan yang pada intinya terdakwa Imam Syafii mampu bertanggung jawab dan dalam keadaan sadar serta sehat,” ungkapnya. Lanjutnya, ada dua saksi a de charge atau saksi yang meringankan terdakwa. Yan menegaskan, tidak bisa memberikan keterangan mengenai saksi a de charge. Berdasarkan fakta persidangan, Yan mengatakan, ada beberapa jawaban dari terdakwa. “Pada intinya tidak mengakui semua perbuatan yang disangkakan Jaksa Penuntut Umum (JPU), terdakwa juga menolak tes DNA yang hasilnya identik dengan anak korban,” tandasnya, sidang kasus rudapaksa itu lalu ditunda. Persidangan ke depan, JPU akan membacakan tuntutan terhadap terdakwa. Jadwal sidang tersebut menurut Yan sekitar 16 Januari 2024.***
Angin Kencang, 25 Rumah di Trenggalek Rusak
TRENGGALEK, lokaltrenggalek.com – Puluhan rumah di Desa Karanggandu, Kecamatan Watulimo, Kabupaten Trenggalek, rusak. Peristiwa itu bermula saat terjadi hujan lebat yang disertai angin kencang pada Kamis (9/1/2025) sore. Kepala Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) Kabupaten Trenggalek Stefanus Triadi Atmono mengatakan, ada 25 rumah warga rusak akibat angin kencang. Tingkat kerusakan, kata dia, rusak ringan. Mayoritas kerusakan terjadi pada atap rumah. “Lokasi tepatnya berada di RT. 24 RW. 08, Dusun Gandu Desa Karanggandu Kecamatan Watulimo,” ungkap Triadi. Sementara data yang dihimpun Pusat Pengendalian Operasi dan Penanggulangan Bencana (Pusdalops) BPBD Kabupaten Trenggalek, 25 rumah warga yang terdampak itu meliputi rumah milik; 1. Mbah Uye 2. Bapak Paino 3. Bapak Rus 4. Bapak Supriyanto 5. Bapak Sujarwo 6. Bapak ROSO 7. Bapak Jinah 8. Bapak sarsi 9. Bapak Sarji 10. Bapak Arip 11. Bapak Dandi 12. Bapak kabul 13. Bapak Jalal 14. Bapak panidi 15. Bapak lamiran 16. Bapak Purwito 17. Bapak Andri 18. Bapak samuji 19. Bapak kabul 20. Bapak tarmidi 21. Bapak sugri 22. Mbah kaenah 23. Bapak Damiri 24. Bapak Juni 25. Bapak Slamet.***