Sebi looks to allow trading in IPO shares ahead of listing to curb grey market activity: Buch

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is actively considering the introduction of a platform to facilitate the trading of shares allotted in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) before their official listing on stock exchanges. This initiative aims to regulate and legitimize the currently unregulated grey market activities that occur during the typical three-day interval between share allotment and formal listing.
MONEYCONTROL

SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch highlighted the prevalence of curb trading in this interim period and emphasized the need for a structured mechanism to allow such transactions within a regulated framework. She stated, “Between the three days when the shares are allotted to the time the shares start trading, there is a lot of curb trading. If investors want to do this, why not give them the same opportunity in a properly regulated space.”
MONEYCONTROL

The proposed “when-listed” securities trading would enable investors to trade shares after the IPO closure but before their official listing. This move is expected to enhance transparency and protect investor interests by bringing pre-listing transactions under regulatory oversight.
INC42

This development comes in the context of a robust IPO market in India. In 2024, the country witnessed a significant surge in IPOs, with 91 large firms going public and raising a record 1.6 trillion rupees ($18.5 billion).
REUTERS

SEBI’s initiative to allow pre-listing trading is part of its broader efforts to curb unregulated market activities and ensure a fair and transparent trading environment for investors.

Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE Updates: President-elect vows to end 'American decline

Donald Trump was sworn in today as the 47th President of the United States, marking his second, non-consecutive term in office. The inauguration ceremony took place indoors at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to extreme cold weather, a setting last used 40 years ago.
REUTERS

In his inaugural address, President Trump pledged to end what he termed “four long years of American decline,” promising a new era of “American strength and prosperity.” He outlined plans to sign approximately 200 executive orders immediately, targeting issues such as border security, immigration, and energy policies. Specific actions include declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and classifying drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
THE TIMES

The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who hosted the Trumps at the White House prior to the event. All living former U.S. presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama—were present, along with their spouses, except for Michelle Obama. India was represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
HINDUSTAN TIMES

Security measures were heightened due to recent political violence, including assassination attempts on President Trump. Despite the cold weather and indoor relocation, the inauguration proceeded smoothly, marking a historic moment as Trump becomes the first president since Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms.

TikTok ban US: Trump may give 90-day reprieve on Jan 20, app gears for farewell, users seek alternatives

As of January 19, 2025, TikTok has been removed from U.S. app stores and is currently inaccessible to its 170 million American users due to a federal ban.
THE SCOTTISH SUN
This action follows the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which mandates that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest its U.S. operations by January 19 to address national security concerns.
BARRON’S

In response to the ban, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he will “most likely” grant a 90-day extension after taking office on January 20, allowing ByteDance additional time to negotiate a sale to a U.S.-based entity.
NPR
Despite this potential reprieve, TikTok preemptively disabled its services in the U.S., notifying users of the app’s temporary unavailability.
THE VERGE

The uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future has prompted many users to seek alternative platforms. Apps such as RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), Lemon8, Clapper, and Flip have experienced a surge in downloads as users migrate to new spaces for content creation and sharing.
CNN
This migration has led to the viral use of the hashtag “#tiktokrefugee” among communities adapting to these new platforms.
WIKIPEDIA

While the potential 90-day extension offers a glimmer of hope for TikTok’s return, the platform’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. Users and creators are advised to stay informed about developments and consider diversifying their online presence across multiple platforms to mitigate the impact of such disruptions.

Galaxy Unpacked Event 2025: Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra Prices Leaked Ahead of January 22 Launch

Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy S25 series—including the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra—at the Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025. Ahead of the official launch, leaked information has surfaced regarding the pricing and pre-reservation benefits for these devices.

Leaked Pricing in India:

According to reports, the Galaxy S25 series is expected to be priced higher than its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 series, in the Indian market. The anticipated prices are as follows:

Galaxy S25:
12GB RAM + 256GB Storage: ₹84,999
12GB RAM + 512GB Storage: ₹94,999
Galaxy S25 Plus:
12GB RAM + 256GB Storage: ₹1,04,999
12GB RAM + 512GB Storage: ₹1,14,999
Galaxy S25 Ultra:
12GB RAM + 256GB Storage: ₹1,34,999
16GB RAM + 512GB Storage: ₹1,44,999
16GB RAM + 1TB Storage: ₹1,64,999
These prices indicate an approximate increase of ₹5,000 across all models compared to the Galaxy S24 series. The price hike is attributed to the integration of the advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which enhances performance but also raises production costs.
GSMARENA

Pre-Reservation Benefits:

Samsung is offering incentives for customers who pre-reserve the upcoming Galaxy S25 devices. By registering on Samsung’s official website or through the Shop Samsung app before January 22, 2025, customers can secure a $50 credit applicable toward additional devices or accessories (excluding the phone itself). Additionally, a $100 credit is available for those pre-ordering eligible 2025 TVs or audio products using the same email address.
THE VERGE

Furthermore, there are reports suggesting that the Galaxy S25 series may come with a complimentary one-year subscription to Gemini Advanced, Google’s AI service comparable to ChatGPT Premium. This subscription, typically priced at €21.99 per month, would offer users access to Google’s most advanced AI models, integrated seamlessly with Samsung’s Galaxy AI.
CINCO DÍAS

Design and Features:

Leaked official images reveal design enhancements in the Galaxy S25 lineup. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to feature rounded corners and camera rings matching the frame, maintaining a quad-camera setup with optical improvements. The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are anticipated to have slimmer bezels and color-coordinated camera modules. All models are likely to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, equipped with 120Hz displays, and run on Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7.
CINCO DÍAS

Please note that these details are based on leaks and unofficial reports. For confirmed information, it is advisable to await Samsung’s official announcement during the Galaxy Unpacked event.

Apple pulls error-prone AI-generated news feature in beta iPhone software

Apple has temporarily suspended its AI-generated news summary feature in the iOS 18.3 beta software due to inaccuracies in the generated content. This decision affects iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers running the beta versions.

The suspension follows complaints from media organizations, notably the BBC, which reported that Apple’s AI-generated summaries were producing false news alerts. In one instance, the AI incorrectly summarized a BBC report, leading to a misleading notification.

Apple has acknowledged these issues, often referred to as “hallucinations” in AI terminology, and is working to improve the accuracy of its AI summarization technology. The company plans to reintroduce the feature in a future software update once the problems are resolved.

This incident highlights the challenges tech companies face in implementing AI technologies without compromising information accuracy. Similar issues have been encountered by other companies, such as Google, which had to adjust its AI-driven search engine to address accuracy concerns in the past year.

Nothing Phone 3 release date

The Nothing Phone (3) is rumored to launch in March 2025, based on a leaked email from Carl Pei, the CEO of Nothing. While the company has not made an official announcement, the leaked information suggests the following details about the release:

Expected Timeline
March 2025: Official launch of Nothing Phone (3).
Pre-orders and global availability could begin shortly after the announcement, likely in key markets like India, the US, and Europe.
Key Features (Speculative)
Performance:

Powered by a Snapdragon 8-series chipset, potentially the latest in Qualcomm’s lineup.
Enhanced GPU performance for gaming and multitasking.
Camera:

Expected to feature a dedicated telephoto lens, marking a first for the company.
Improved camera hardware and software, as Nothing is increasing its R&D investment in this area.
Software:

Will run on a revamped Nothing OS, possibly integrated with AI features for personalized user experiences.
Design:

Continuing the transparent aesthetic, with upgrades to materials and build quality.
Battery and Charging:

Likely to support faster wired and wireless charging, with improved battery efficiency.
Market Strategy
Nothing Phone (3) is expected to target the premium mid-range to flagship segment, offering unique design and features at a competitive price.
The company may also focus on expanding its ecosystem, enhancing compatibility with other Nothing devices.
Speculation on Pricing
While the exact pricing is unknown, the Phone (3) is expected to be slightly more expensive than the Nothing Phone (2), which was priced at around ₹44,999 ($499) at launch.

Stay tuned for official updates as the launch date approaches!

Inadvertent error': Meta India apologises for Mark Zuckerberg's remark on 2024 elections

Meta India has issued an apology for an incorrect statement made by CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding the outcome of India’s 2024 general elections. During a podcast with Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg claimed that in 2024, many incumbent governments worldwide, including India, were voted out of power, attributing this trend to factors like inflation and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE INDIAN EXPRESS

In response, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw refuted Zuckerberg’s assertion, emphasizing that over 640 million Indian voters participated in the 2024 elections, reaffirming their trust in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vaishnaw labeled Zuckerberg’s claim as “factually incorrect” and expressed disappointment over the spread of misinformation.
HINDUSTAN TIMES

Following this, Shivnath Thukral, Meta India’s Vice President of Public Policy, issued an apology on social media, acknowledging the error and reaffirming India’s significance to Meta. Thukral stated, “Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India. We would like to apologise for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country for Meta, and we look forward to being at the heart of its innovative future.”
THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Additionally, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, announced plans to summon Meta representatives to address this misinformation. Dubey emphasized that incorrect information about a democratic country tarnishes its image and that Meta should apologize to the Indian Parliament and its citizens.
FIRSTPOST

This incident underscores the importance of accuracy in public statements by global tech leaders, especially concerning sensitive topics like election outcomes in democratic nations.

Parliamentary panel to summon Meta over Mark Zuckerberg's remark on India polls: BJP MP

A recent statement by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has prompted significant reactions from Indian political leaders. In a podcast interview, Zuckerberg remarked that during the 2024 global election cycle, many incumbent governments, including India’s, were voted out, attributing this trend to public dissatisfaction with pandemic management.
HINDUSTAN TIMES

In response, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, announced plans to summon Meta representatives. Dubey emphasized that disseminating incorrect information tarnishes the image of democratic nations and stated that Meta should apologize to the Indian Parliament and its citizens.
TIMES OF INDIA

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also criticized Zuckerberg’s remarks, labeling them factually incorrect. He highlighted that in the 2024 elections, the Indian populace reaffirmed their trust in the NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vaishnaw pointed to India’s effective pandemic response, including distributing free food to 800 million people and administering 2.2 billion free vaccines, as evidence of the government’s competence. He expressed disappointment over the spread of misinformation from a prominent figure like Zuckerberg and called for upholding factual accuracy and credibility.
HINDUSTAN TIMES

This development underscores the growing scrutiny of global tech companies and their influence on public discourse, especially concerning the dissemination of information related to democratic processes.