From a shocking stabbing attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in his Mumbai residence to US President Joe Biden’s farewell address to the nation, the news cycle remained eventful on Thursday. Hindenburg Research, the US-based investment research firm that made headlines with its explosive reports on companies like Adani Group and Block Inc., announced its unexpected closure.
Saif Ali Khan Health Update
While on the geopolitical front, Israel and Hamas reached a significant milestone with their phase one ceasefire agreement after 15 months of devastating conflict.
This and more. Here’s everything that happened overnight.
Saif Ali Khan attacked in Bandra flat
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed multiple times in an attempted burglary at his flat in Bandra (West) on Thursday. The 54-year-old was attacked by an intruder who entered his 11th-floor apartment between 2 am and 2:30 am. Khan, who was woken up by a noise, had a scuffle with the assailant. During the altercation, the intruder fled after stabbing the actor six times, including a deep wound near his spine. The actor’s family, including his son Ibrahim, rushed him to Lilavati Hospital, where he was undergoing surgery to treat the injuries, which also included damage to his left wrist. Dr. Niraj Uttamani, COO of Lilavati Hospital, confirmed the actor’s condition was stable, though the full extent of the damage would only be clear after surgery. Mumbai police are investigating the incident and reviewing CCTV footage to determine how the intruder bypassed the building’s security. Read full story.
Hindenburg Research shuts down after high-profile market probes
US-based investment research firm Hindenburg Research, renowned for its explosive short-selling reports, is shutting down. Nate Anderson, the firm’s founder, confirmed the decision on Wednesday, citing his intent to wind down after completing ongoing investigations. “As I’ve shared with family, friends, and our team since late last year, I have made the decision to disband Hindenburg Research,” Anderson stated.
He said that the firm had shaken “some empires that we felt needed shaking,” but noted there was no singular event leading to the closure. Hindenburg’s notable reports included accusations against the Adani Group in 2023, alleging corporate fraud that led to a dramatic $150 billion loss in market capitalization. Anderson also highlighted Hindenburg’s role in exposing Nikola’s misrepresentation of its electric truck technology, which contributed to a $125 million SEC settlement and the criminal conviction of Nikola’s founder. Moving forward, Anderson plans to open-source the firm’s investigative methods while supporting the next steps of its employees. Read full story.
Biden warns of oligarchy, stresses climate action in farewell speech
In his farewell speech, President Joe Biden warned that the growing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the ultra-wealthy threatens American democracy. Describing it as an emerging “oligarchy,” Biden urged vigilance against the “avalanche of misinformation” undermining democratic institutions. “Extreme wealth, power, and influence are taking shape in America, and it literally threatens our entire democracy,” he said. He also expressed concern over the erosion of press freedoms.
Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, Biden stated, “Together, we’ve launched a new era of American possibilities,” citing job creation, infrastructure modernization, and climate action as key accomplishments. He warned that the climate crisis remains an existential threat, stressing that the U.S. is proving that environmental protection and economic growth can go hand in hand. On climate, Biden stated, “The existential threat of climate change has never been clearer, and our actions have never been more consequential.” Read full story.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal brokered after intense negotiations
After 15 months of conflict, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a temporary ceasefire following intense negotiations. The breakthrough agreement, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, is set to take effect on January 19 and includes provisions for the release of hostages and prisoners. President Joe Biden praised the deal, calling it a crucial step towards peace. “At long last,” he said, crediting his team, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, for their efforts.
The negotiations, which took place in Doha, saw Israeli and Hamas negotiators separated by floors, exchanging proposals through mediators. The U.S. involvement played a key role in finalizing the deal, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby noting the frequent communication between Biden’s team and Trump’s representatives. The ceasefire will allow for humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and provide relief to displaced civilians. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani emphasised the need for both sides to act in good faith to ensure the deal’s success. Read full story.
Delhi-NCR: Overnight rains intensify chill and disrupt rail traffic
Overnight rains intensified the chill in Delhi-NCR, causing dense fog and delays for at least 29 trains on Thursday morning. A Met official predicted light rain due to a western disturbance, with another round of light rain expected on January 21. These conditions contributed to a sharp increase in air pollution, with levels reaching the ‘severe’ category. As a result, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reintroduced GRAP-4 pollution control measures, including a ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles in the region. Construction activities, including linear public projects, were suspended, and schools shifted to hybrid mode, offering online classes. On Wednesday, Delhi witnessed near-zero visibility due to dense fog, which lasted until nearly noon—the season’s most delayed fog clearance. This disruption severely impacted air, rail, and road traffic in the capital. By the evening, the air pollution crossed the ‘severe’ threshold, prompting the CAQM to impose GRAP-4 curbs after 22 days. The measures included a ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles and suspension of all construction activities. Schools were also mandated to operate in hybrid mode. Visibility dipped to zero between 8:30 am and 11:30 am, improving slowly thereafter. Read full story.
ISRO achieves milestone with successful satellite docking
In a significant achievement for India’s space program, ISRO completed its first-ever satellite docking manoeuvre early Thursday (January 16), a crucial step towards future missions including Chandrayaan-4 and the development of India’s own space station. Multiple sources confirmed the docking’s success, although no official announcement was made at the time of writing. With this, India joins an elite group of nations—US, Russia, and China—that have mastered the complex technology of satellite docking. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), launched on December 30, saw two satellites unite at an orbital altitude of 475km. The docking process, involving multiple monitored stages, employed a petal-based docking system in line with international standards. Despite facing setbacks, such as postponed attempts due to further validation requirements, ISRO has now set its sights on mastering docking technology for future space exploration. Read full story.
