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Oklahoma City Skyscraper Plans Revised To Make It USA’s Tallest Building

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Ambitious new plans to construct an iconic 107-floor skyscraper that would be the tallest building in the United States were unveiled this week by developers Matteson Capital.

The Boardwalk at Bricktown Tower project in downtown Oklahoma City has reportedly had its proposed height increased to 1,907 feet, overtaking New York’s One World Trade Center by around 100 feet.

Matteson Capital said the new height was chosen as a symbolic nod to 1907 – the year Oklahoma became the 46th state to join the United States.

The $370 million development will encompass a total built-up area spanning 5 million square feet across four towers, with the centerpiece main tower dwarfing the other three 345-foot residential blocks.

As per the latest proposals submitted, the tower complex will feature 1,776 housing units, two Hyatt hotels, commercial office spaces, high-end condominiums, and an observation deck with restaurants expected to attract scores of tourists.

However, the drastic plan alteration from a previously approved 1,780-foot design now requires the property plot to be fully rezoned instead of just obtaining a variance clearance.

The company will also need to convince city authorities that challenges around infrastructure capacity and flight path obstructions can be addressed through mitigation strategies.

An Oklahoma City official said on condition of anonymity: “A structure this tall raises many questions regarding zoning, safety codes, and surrounding aesthetics that will need satisfactory answers.”

If ultimately green-lit, the project will transform Oklahoma City’s skyline and cement its reputation as one of the fastest-growing urban centers in America. The metro area population stood at around 680,000 as per the 2020 US Census.

5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern Chile, No Damage Reported

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5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern Chile, No Damage Reported

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile on Wednesday, centered 37 km northeast of the city of Calama in the Tarapacá region.

Chile’s National Seismological Center registered the depth of the quake at 118 km. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The tremor occurred at 8:15 AM local time and many residents in Calama felt the shaking, describing it as moderate.

“The lamps swayed a bit but it was over in a few seconds,” said 22-year-old Alejandra Galvez, a resident in an apartment building.

Local authorities and emergency services said they had not received any distress calls after the earthquake. Preliminary assessments also did not show any visible damage in and around Calama.

“It seems the quake did not impact infrastructure except for some minor cracking of plaster,” said Ramon Ortiz, head of Calama’s municipal works department.

The Chilean Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service confirmed that the characteristics of the earthquake do not indicate the generation of a tsunami.

Chile is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, lying on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire.’ The arid northern regions have experienced several minor tremors this month although Wednesday’s is considered medium intensity.

Delhi-Based Healthy Bakery Brand ‘The Cinnamon Kitchen’ Bags Rs 60 Lakhs Deal On Shark Tank India Season 3

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Delhi-Based Healthy Bakery Brand 'The Cinnamon Kitchen' Bags Rs 60 Lakhs Deal On Shark Tank India Season 3

Delhi-based bakery ‘The Cinnamon Kitchen’, which supplies gluten-free and vegan treats to celebrities like Sonam Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor, recently struck a sweet deal on a business reality show Shark Tank India Season 3.

Founder Priyasha Saluja managed to secure Rs 60 lakhs in funding from boAt co-founder and CMO Aman Gupta in exchange for a 5% equity share in the business. She had entered the tank seeking Rs 60 lakhs for 2% equity.

The Cinnamon Kitchen aims to redefine indulgence with its range of organic, wholesome, and nourishing bakery products like spreads, snacks, cookies, and cakes. Started in 2018 with an initial investment of Rs 50,000, the brand hopes to make health-conscious baking mainstream.

During her pitch, Priyasha highlighted that all products are plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free while offering samples of popular items like almond butter cookies and vegan cheese chips.

When asked about scalability and sales figures, she revealed the brand clocked Rs 6 crore turnover last year, projecting over Rs 13 crore combined for FY2023 and FY2024. Aman’s offer of Rs 60 lakhs for a 5% equity share then sealed the deal.

On gaining backing from the boAt co-founder, an elated Priyasha said, “The valuable insights shared by the sharks on optimizing business operations were truly priceless. Their empathy towards challenges faced by early entrepreneurs deeply resonated.”

The investment from Shark Tank India will focus on expanding distribution networks and partnerships to widen The Cinnamon Kitchen’s reach. With Aman Gupta’s guidance, the brand also has sights set on becoming a household name for nutritious baking options.

Squid Game Season 2 Confirmed For 2024, Netflix Announces Cast Additions

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Squid Game Season 2 Confirmed For 2024, Netflix Announces Cast Additions

After months of fevered speculation from fans, Netflix has finally confirmed that the hit Korean drama Squid Game will return for a second season in 2024.

The announcement came buried in Netflix’s latest shareholder letter on Tuesday while updating investors on some of its major titles for the year.

“Audiences will be able to choose from hit returning dramas like The Diplomat S2, Bridgerton S3, Squid Game S2 and Empress S2,” the letter stated.

While an exact release date remains unclear, sources suggest the 9-episode Season 2 could debut by late 2024 on the streaming platform. The survival drama became Netflix’s most-watched series ever upon release in Sept 2021.

Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has remained mostly tight-lipped about plans for the new season. But several high-profile cast additions hint at an ambitious scope.

Park Hae-soo is set to return as Cho Sang-woo alongside lead actor Lee Jung-jae. The two will be joined by newcomers like Sweet Home’s Park Gyu-young, Move to Heaven’s Kang Ae-sim, Miss Granny’s Lee Jae-won, and K-pop icon Choi Seung-Hyun.

The plot will pick up from the emotional finale of Season 1 while exploring the backstory of the mysterious Front Man. Fans can also expect more games with deadly stakes in the race to win a ₩45.6 billion prize.

For Netflix, the return of Squid Game later this year will be a welcome boost amid rising competition in the streaming space. Paired with releases like Bridgerton Season 3, the slate aims to attract new subscribers while pleasing loyal fans.

Mira Road Clashes: Cops Warn Of Action Against Inflammatory Social Media Posts

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Mira Road Clashes: Cops Warn Of Action Against Inflammatory Social Media Posts

Police have cautioned residents of Mumbai’s Mira Road area against making inflammatory social media posts related to the recent communal clashes in the locality.

The Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) Police issued a stern directive to all social media group admins, asking them to ensure that no forwards, jokes, or videos about the clashes are circulated. Stern action will be initiated against those found in violation, officials warned.

The order came a day after bulldozers razed down illegal encroachments in the sensitive Naya Nagar locality on the instructions of the Maharashtra government. The structures were demolished in areas where clashes had erupted between two communities during a religious procession on Sunday night.

As per reports, trouble began around 10:30 pm when 10-12 people conducting a bike and car rally celebrating the Ayodhya Ram Mandir consecration were confronted and attacked by locals armed with sticks. Police teams rushed to the spot upon receiving stone-pelting complaints and brought the situation under control.

12 people have been arrested so far based on video evidence and an FIR was lodged for promoting enmity between groups. The authorities are however apprehensive that inflammatory social media posts may reignite tensions.

“We appeal to all citizens to refrain from forwarding unverified messages or old videos related to the incident. Help us maintain peace and harmony,” a senior MBVV policeman said. Officials have also increased patrolling and deployed mediators in sensitive areas as confidence-building measures.

Dense Fog In Delhi Causes Flight, And Train Delays; Passengers Left Stranded

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Dense Fog In Delhi Causes Flight, And Train Delays; Passengers Left Stranded

Dense fog enveloped Delhi and surrounding regions on Wednesday morning leading to widespread disruptions in flight and train services.

Visibility dropped considerably due to the foggy weather, forcing airports and railways to reschedule several services. At least 22 international and 20 domestic flights were delayed at the Delhi Airport while dozens of trains ran behind schedule.

The adverse conditions meant hardship for many passengers who found themselves stranded for hours with little information. Narendra, who had booked the Bhopal Express for 8:30 pm on Tuesday, realized after reaching the station at 3 am that the train was canceled.

“Our train is very late. It was rescheduled for 3 am but when we arrived, we learned it’s not running today. We have been continuously waiting,” he told reporters.

Similar issues were faced by air travelers as well. An airport official said delays ranged from 1-5 hours for nearly 80 flights till early morning.

Northern Railway spokesperson Deepak Kumar said 28 Delhi-bound trains were delayed due to dense fog in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of North India.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions over North India including Delhi for the next two days. On Tuesday, the maximum temperature in the capital was 19.5 degrees Celsius while the minimum was 6.9 degrees Celsius.

Besides train and flight operations, vehicular movement has also been impacted due to poor visibility. The traffic police have advised motorists to drive slowly and switch on fog lights.

Sensex Rises Over 450 Points; Nifty Tops 21,350 Amid Volatility

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Indian Markets Open Lower Amid Volatility

The Indian stock markets displayed a positive trend on Wednesday amid high volatility. The BSE Sensex rose over 450 points to trade above the 70,800 level while the Nifty 50 index surpassed 21,350 in morning deals.

The markets opened on a strong note tracking largely positive Asian cues. However, choppiness crept in later as investors turned cautious after the latest earnings reports from Axis Bank and Asian Paints disappointed.

Axis Bank shares fell nearly 2% after the private lender reported a muted 4% rise in net profit for the December quarter. Asian Paints also dropped over 1% as its net profit declined 18% due to higher expenses.

However, gains in banking and metal stocks helped the indices trim most of the losses. IndusInd Bank, SBI, Power Grid, HCL Tech, Hindustan Unilever, and Tata Steel were prominent gainers.

Analysts said the markets may remain volatile in the near term amid the ongoing Q3 earnings season. While the underlying trend remains positive, investors need to be stock-specific in their approach.

“The bias remains positive as long as Nifty trades above the 21,000 mark. Traders should maintain extra caution in stock selection and risk management,” said Gaurav Ratnaparkhi of Sharekhan.

The rupee, meanwhile, appreciated 26 paise to trade at 81.58 against the US dollar in the early session.

Zee Shares Tank Over 30% After Sony Calls Off $10 Billion Merger

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Zee Shares Tank Over 30% After Sony Calls Off $10 Billion Merger

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) shares plunged by over 30% on Tuesday, wiping off Rs 7,285 crore from its market valuation, after Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) unexpectedly pulled out of their $10 billion merger deal.

ZEEL stock recorded its biggest intra-day crash after SPNI on Monday cited breaches by Zee as the reason to terminate the mega-merger announcements made last year. The sharp sell-off also dragged Zee shares to a new 52-week low.

Closing 32.73% lower at Rs 155.90 apiece on BSE, the media stock recorded its steepest fall in over two decades. The trading volumes were massive with over 22 crore Zee shares changing hands on NSE alone.

Analysts attributed the crash to the abrupt decision by Sony to walk away from the merger agreement instead of renegotiating the terms. As per reports, Sony is also seeking a $90 million break-up fee citing a violation of non-compete clauses by Zee.

The unexpected development has raised concerns over the financial health of the Subhash Chandra-led Zee Group and its ability to repay debt through strategic deals.

Meanwhile, the stock market volatility intensified amid weak global cues, with Sensex swinging over 1,500 points to finally close 1,053 points lower. Nifty finished below 21,250, down 333 points.

The meltdown in Zee shares comes months after the merger pact was signed between two of India’s biggest media groups to create an entertainment behemoth spanning digital streaming, broadcast networks, movie studios, and more.

KL Rahul Not To Keep Wickets In IND Vs ENG Test Series: Dravid

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KL Rahul Not To Keep Wickets In IND Vs ENG Test Series: Dravid

With a load of a grueling 5-match Test series in mind, the Indian team management has decided against assigning KL Rahul the additional responsibility of wicket-keeping in the upcoming contest against England.

This was confirmed by head coach Rahul Dravid on Monday ahead of the first Test starting January 27th in Hyderabad. He stated KS Bharat and youngster Dhruv Jurel will be the wicket-keeping options instead.

“Rahul will not be keeping wickets this series as we picked two other keepers. Considering 5 Tests and playing in these conditions, we’ll choose between the other two,” Dravid clarified.

Rahul donned the gloves during India’s previous Test assignment in South Africa last year. His batting abilities, especially on turning Indian pitches, make him a valuable asset in the playing XI.

However, the demands of wicket-keeping over a long series appear to have tilted the scales away from using Rahul behind the stumps again. The spin-friendly conditions pose an additional challenge that may have factored into the team’s planning.

Rahul will now focus solely on his batting without the distractions of juggling dual roles. KS Bharat is the front runner to take the gloves while teenager Dhruv Jurel provides the backup option as the selectors invested in the future.

The 5-match contest will serve as an important test for India under new captain Rohit Sharma as they aim to book their place in the World Test Championship final scheduled in June 2023.

Ankita Proudly Remembers Sushant On Bigg Boss, Gets Support From Sister Shweta

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Ankita Proudly Remembers Sushant On Bigg Boss, Gets Support From Sister Shweta

Ankita Lokhande, one of the finalists on the reality show Bigg Boss Season 17, has often fondly spoken about her late ex-boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput during her stint. Responding to media questions on the same, Ankita said she feels “very proud” to talk about Sushant publicly.

In the episode aired Monday, when asked why she frequently takes Sushant’s name on the show, Ankita replied that fellow contestant Abhishek Kumar considers the late actor his idol and wants to emulate him.

“I’ve always talked only positively about Sushant because I feel if I can tell some good things about him through this platform, why not?” Ankita remarked. She added that she perhaps knows Sushant better than anyone having known him closely.

Sushant’s sister Shweta Singh Kirti also showed support for Ankita by sharing a throwback picture with her on Instagram. “We love you, Anki! You are the best and the purest,” Shweta wrote.

Ankita and Sushant met as co-stars on the TV show Pavitra Rishta and dated for seven years until their 2016 split. Ankita married businessman Vicky Jain in 2021, who has accompanied her on Bigg Boss 17 as a contestant.

The grand finale of the reality show, hosted by Salman Khan, is scheduled for next week where Ankita has made it to the top finalists. She has emerged as one of the most popular and strong players on the show.