It has been over a week since the massive wildfires broke out in Los Angeles, fueled by hurricane-strength Santa Ana winds, causing some of the most catastrophic fire scenes California has ever witnessed.

The fires, centered around the Palisades and nearby Eaton areas, remain largely uncontained. With the return of Santa Ana winds, the risk of further spread or new ignitions grows.

To date, these fierce wildfires have claimed at least 25 lives, destroyed over 12,300 structures, and scorched more than 40,600 acres (about 164 square km).

So, when will these fires end, and what do firefighters need to stop them?

Apple, with its aspirational image and rising footprint, has entered the top 5 smartphone players in India for the first time, garnering nearly 10 per cent market share by volume in the October-December quarter (Q4) of 2024, industry data showed on Thursday.

According to Counterpoint Research, which analysed Apple's strategic approach, the implementation of a comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) strategy, centred around key pillars of domestic manufacturing, distribution and driving premiumisation, has helped the brand break into the top 5 smartphone players in the country.

“This multi-faceted approach reflects Apple's commitment to staying ahead in the market and catering to the evolving needs of consumers. There is a significant rise in the premium segment as we are witnessing incremental purchase behaviour in rising middle class in India, especially youth,” Tarun Pathak, Research Director, Mobile Devices and Ecosystems at Counterpoint Research, told.

Wanted criminal 'Bomb' Saravanan was arrested after a brief encounter with police in Chennai on Thursday.

According to police officials, when asked to stop, Saravanan attacked a Sub-Inspector, which was retaliated.

Saravanan, who suffered a bullet wound, was arrested and admitted to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Saravanan, classified as an A-category rowdy, has 33 cases registered against him, including six murder cases.

Accidents during Kite-flying claimed four lives in Telangana during the last two days. The incidents were reported in the Mahabubnagar, Nirmal, Rangareddy, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts on Tuesday and Wednesday.

An 11-year-old died after falling from the terrace of his house while flying a kite. The incident occurred in Nirmal town on Wednesday. Mohammed Huzef was studying in the sixth class at Telangana Minority Residential School. The boy lost his balance and fell down from the terrace while flying a kite along with his friends. He sustained grievous injuries and was shifted to a hospital, where he succumbed.

In another incident, a man died after falling from a building while flying a kite. The incident took place at Meerpet corporation limits in the Rangareddy district. K. Mahesh Yadav (39) fell down from the terrace while flying a kite. A schoolboy died of electrocution while flying a kite in Mahabubnagar district. The boy, identified as Manoj Kumar, suffered electrocution while trying to retrieve a kite that was entangled in electric wires. The incident occurred when the boy used an iron rod to retrieve the kite from electric wires on the terrace of his house.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday announced the issuing of revised Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations to permit more liberal use of INR accounts held by NRIs to make payments, in order to promote cross border transactions in the Indian rupee and national currencies of trading partner countries.

According to new regulations, overseas branches of Authorised Dealer banks will be able to open INR accounts for a person resident outside India for settlement of all permissible current account and capital account transactions with a person resident in India.

“Persons resident outside India will also be able to settle bona fide transactions with other persons resident outside India using the balances in their repatriable INR accounts such as Special Non-resident Rupee account and SRVA,” according to the statement.

The new rules further allow persons resident outside India to be able to use their balances held in repatriable INR accounts for foreign investment, including FDI, in non-debt instruments.

IT major Infosys on Thursday reported 11.5 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 6,806 crore in the third quarter (Q3) this fiscal, from Rs 6,106 crore in the year-ago period.

The digital services and consulting leader delivered strong and broad-based performance with $4,939 million in Q3 revenues, growth of 1.7 per cent sequentially and 6.1 per cent (year-on-year) in constant currency.

Operating margin for Q3 was at 21.3 per cent, an increase of 0.2 per cent sequentially. Free cash flow for Q3 was highest ever at $1,263 million, growing 90 per cent year on year, the company said in a statement.

“Our strong revenue growth sequentially in a seasonally weak quarter and broad-based year on year growth, along with robust operating parameters and margins, is a clear reflection of the success of our differentiated digital offerings, market positioning, and key strategic initiatives,” said Salil Parekh, CEO and MD.

India's domestic benchmark indices ended higher on Thursday as Adani Ports was among the top gainers.

Sensex ended at 77,042.82 up by 318.74 points, or 0.42 per cent, and Nifty settled at 23,311.80, up by 98.60 points, or 0.42 per cent.

Adani Ports closed at Rs 1,151 per share after gaining by Rs 22.85 or 2.03 per cent.

Nifty Bank ended at 49,278.70 up by 527 points, or 1.08 per cent. The Nifty Midcap 100 index closed at 54,483.80 after climbing 584.80 points, or 1.09 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index closed at 17,643.30 after adding 289.35 points, or 1.67 per cent.

According to experts, benchmark indices continued to trade in the positive, albeit off highs, driven by positive investor sentiment following mild US inflation data, which raised hopes for a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve.

The Indian Air Force will deliver a breathtaking aerial display during this year's Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path. A total of 40 aircraft, including 22 fighter jets, 11 transport aircraft and seven helicopters will participate in this year's flypast.

These aircraft will operate from 10 different bases and will fly in 12 different formations. However, this year Tejas and ALH will not participate in the Republic Day flypast.

The first formation during the IAF flypast will be ‘Dhwaj’. Besides this, 'Ajay', 'Satluj', 'Katar', 'Baaz', 'Rakshak', 'Arjan', 'Varuna', 'Netra' and 'Bheem' formations will be formed in the sky during the Republic Day celebration.

The IAF informed that five Jaguar aircrafts will make an arrow formation. 'Vajraang' formation will be made by six Rafale fighter jets. Sukhoi fighter jets will make a 'Trishul' formation.

In the end, Rafale fighter jets will come for the 'Vertical Charlie' formation.

Ireland have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during their third and final ODI of their recently concluded series against India at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement that as per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Kim Cotton and Akshay Totre, along with third umpire Virender Sharma and fourth umpire Vrinda Rathi. Match Referee G S Lakshmi of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Ireland was found to be two overs short of the required target, even after accounting for time allowances.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has expressed his excitement about returning to the field and making every moment count in the upcoming Legend 90 League, saying he set to "bring his legendary form to the field". Dhawan will represent the Delhi Royals in the Legend 90 League, slated to take place next month.

"I'm super excited to share some big news with you all. This season of Legend 90 League, I'll be playing for the Delhi Royals. I'm all set to bring my legendary form to the field and make every moment count. Thank you to my fans for the continued support," said Dhawan.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Royals have bolstered their lineup with the inclusion of new players following the recently concluded players' draft for Legend 90 League. The team, already headlined by cricketing stalwarts like Dhawan and Ross Taylor, welcomes a host of talented players to its ranks.