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BEIJING — China on Friday reported strong growth in retail sales and a steep decline in real estate investment in October, signaling that the country's recent stimulus push has already bolstered certain sectors of its flagging economy.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. What do a state-run power behemoth, a humble penny stock, and a Maharatna enterprise have in common? These stocks are among a handful that have not only attracted retail investors in hordes in 2024 so far, but have also outdone themselves on this metric in each successive quarter. Leading this unlikely trio was NTPC Ltd, which added about 1.7 million new individual investors in the September quarter, thanks to its strong growth and green energy ambitions.

Vivek Ramaswamy has now been handed over the responsibility of cutting government expenses alongside Elon Musk in an all-new department known as 'DOGE-Department of Government Efficiency'. And the first thing that Ramaswamy and Musk are reportedly planning on doing is closing down the FBI that could cut off a majority of unchecked government expenses. He is also thinking of sacking nearly 1.5 million federal employees under his 'shut things down' strategy, which is already raising fear in the hearts and minds of federal workers across the country, according to a previous ET report. Ramaswamy will now have the power to shape the priorities of the new department and it will operate outside of government and provide recommendations to the White House on huge chunks of expenses from the multi-trillion dollar federal budget. This Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE was actually the brainchild of Elon Musk, the billionaire who has become one of Trump’s closest aides throughout the Presidential campaign, and has been constantly rooting for the idea of a cost-cutting commission on the campaign trail.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Every Friday, Plain Facts publishes a compilation of data-based insights with easy-to-read charts to help you delve deeper into the stories reported by Mint in the week gone by. The 29th UN Climate Change Conference-COP29 began earlier this week in Azerbaijan, focusing on global warming and other critical environmental issues.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Law firms are advising Indian companies operating in the US or engaging in deals with American firms to expect closer scrutiny under the Trump administration, suggesting additional clauses in legal contracts to protect their interests. The election of Donald Trump has sparked concerns in India and across the world that the President-elect's America First policies will raise the heat for other countries and their companies.

Sean Diddy Combs is currently held in the 4 North unit of Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) which is a facility known for housing high-profile inmates like Sam Bankman-Fried and R. Kelly, reported The Mirror US. The dormitory-style environment accommodates around 20 inmates and features unique aspects which include holes that allow inmates to see and communicate with women on a lower floor, revealed the former inmates. According to The Mirror US life in this unit for the inmates is described as somewhat monotonous while it has severely limited privacy with small beds placed closely together and very basic amenities like access to tablets for movies and games. Sean Diddy Combs is lodged in MDC and is awaiting trial on serious charges which includes sex trafficking and racketeering eventually which he has denied. Also Read: Stellar Blade x Nier Automata DLC: See release date, pricing and outfits

US Presidential Elections 2024, the famous personality Kim Kardashian has remained notably silent regarding the results which eventually led her fans to speculate on her reasons for not publicly supporting Kamala Harris. SheKnows reported that Kim Kardashian’s friendship with Ivanka Trump might have influenced her initial stance while there are suggestions that Kim Kardashian might have voted for Donald Trump and is avoiding backlash from her followers. According to SheKnows, Kim Kardashian and Ivanka Trump have been friends since their first meeting at the Met Gala 2014 and their relationship has eventually strengthened over the years specifically during Donald Trump's Presidency. They actually bonded over shared interests which included Kim Kardashian's advocacy for prison reform while Ivanka Trump helped in facilitating that. Also Read :Cameron Diaz to make a comeback with this Netflix spy comedy. See release date, plot, cast and trailer

COP29 on Thursday stressed the need to improve transparency, access and affordability of finance to enable climate action across the world. Initiating the dialogue on the designated 'Finance and Trade Day' of the summit, UN climate chief Simon Stiell said for climate finance to deliver, it will need to be accessible, predictable and commensurate to the challenges faced in developing countries. Referring to the findings of the progress report on efforts to raise over $100 billion a year prepared by the COP's Standing Committee on Finance, Stiell said the overall trend shows an increase in the funds with more money being allocated for adaptation. However, there is a need to improve transparency, access and affordability, he said. «The new goal is not just about a target but about enabling action,» the UN climate chief stressed.

Murugappa Group has signed a deal to acquire German specialty chemicals firm Hubergroup for an enterprise value of $310 million, a move that will help it expand in the global print and packaging sector. The acquisition was finalised this week and will see Murugappa, along with investment firm Avenue Capital Group, take full ownership of Hubergroup from Cornelius Treuhand Holding, pending regulatory approval. The transaction includes $160 million to refinance Hubergroup's debt and a $150-million equity infusion from Murugappa besides working capital, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk solely gained near about $26.5 billion. The US Mirror reported that Elon Musk who was a prominent supporter of Donald Trump reportedly funneled around $200 million into Donald Trump's campaign through his super PAC. Also Read: Major security breach at Obama's Hawaii home: Secret Service agent violates protocol, uses ex-President's beachfront property for frisky meet-up with lover

Indian audit standards with global norms is a «major reform towards corporate governance and making India a developed country» by 2047, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) chairman Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey told ET, while allaying fears it would lead to audit work concentration or disruptions. Pandey added that 39 of the 40 new audit rules proposed by the NFRA board this week will be applicable to all companies without any special dispensation. The revised standard on auditing (SA) 600, which proposes to make the principal auditor responsible for the entire corporate group's financial statements, would apply only to listed companies, banks and insurers, barring the state-run ones, he said. «We can't afford to have any standards that will be at variance with the global ones and which don't inspire trust and confidence of investors, both global and Indian,» Pandey said. «A developed India can't afford to have inferior audit standards. The upgrade will help detect any deviation or irregularity (in the financial performance of companies) at a very early stage, thereby protecting the interests of shareholders.»

GlobalBees, the house of brands subsidiary of baby and mother care products retailer FirstCry, has reported a 55% revenue growth of Rs 432.5 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2024, outperforming similar brands that have seen slower growth amid a consumption downturn. The adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for GlobalBees also surged by 154% year-on-year (YoY). While this growth aligns with the overall business expansion of the Pune-based company, which operates in India and Saudi Arabia, the management noted that increased seasonal sales significantly boosted this subsidiary's growth.

Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) accepted one demand of the aspirants to hold the Provincial Civil Services preliminary examinations on a single day on the old pattern, the trouble for the state administration could not come to an end. Reports reaching here said several aspirants continue to protest in front the UPPSC headquarters in Prayagraj in support of their other demand to hold Review Officers (ROs) and Assistant Review Officers (AROs) examinations in one shift on a single day. However, the UPPSC has decided to postpone the ROs and AROs examinations-2023, which were scheduled to be held in three shifts on December 22 and 23.

Elon Musk to US President- elect Donald Trump has eventually sparked discontent among members of the US President-elect's inner circle, according to Page Six. Elon Musk has eventually become a frequent presence at the Mar-a-Lago while participating in significant discussions which include calls with international leaders like Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. Page Six reported that this new bond has reportedly made many of Donald Trump's traditional advisors feel actually sidelined while insiders also noted that his inner circle is shrinking as he spends more time with Elon Musk and other selective individuals like Howard Lutnick who is the co-chair of his transition team. Also Read: Did a bakery refuse Whoopi Goldberg's birthday dessert order because of her political views? Here's the truth

Honasa Consumer, the parent company of beauty and personal care brand Mamaearth, reported a decline in its operating revenue for the September quarter while also slipping into losses, on account of a significant hit from its offline distribution restructuring exercise. For the July-September period, Honasa Consumer reported a 7% year-on-year (YoY) decline in operating revenue at Rs 462 crore. It posted a net loss of Rs 19 crore in the quarter, compared to Rs 30 crore net profit in the same period last year. “The impact (of the restructuring) was actually higher than what we had planned and expected…we initially had certain assumptions in place, which were based on a certain level of inventory but when we got into the actual execution, it turned out to be relatively higher,” the company’s founder and CEO Varun Alagh told ET.

Jharkhand Assembly elections, with Aquil Akhtar of Samajwadi Party emerging as the wealthiest, declaring assets exceeding Rs 400 crore, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) released on Thursday. The Jharkhand Election Watch and ADR analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 522 out of 528 candidates in 38 constituencies for the second phase of the elections, scheduled for November 20. Of the 522 candidates, 127 (24 per cent) are crorepatis, while 148 (28 per cent) have declared criminal cases against themselves, the report said. «The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties field wealthy candidates,» the report stated.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Private equity companies are looking to invest $100 million in new-age intra-city logistics services provider Porter, in a deal that will value the decade-old startup at $1.1-$1.2 billion, two people with knowledge of the development said. The new funding round will be a mix of primary and secondary share sale, they said on the condition of anonymity.

Hero MotoCorp Thursday beat street estimates to report 14% increase in net profit at Rs 1,203.54 crore for the second quarter ended Sep 30, 2024. The company had registered net profit of Rs 1,053.81 crore in the corresponding period of the last financial year. Analysts had expected the company to post net profit of Rs 1,156 crore last quarter.

Grasim Industries, the flagship company of Aditya Birla Group, on Thursday reported a 66% fall in its consolidated net profit at Rs 390 crore in the second quarter, compared with Rs 1,164 crore in the last year quarter. Revenue from operations, meanwhile, rose 11% YoY to Rs 33,563 crore in the reporting period.

Glenmark Pharma reported Rs 340 crore net profit in Q2FY25 led by robust sales growth in India and Europe. The drugmaker reported a net loss of Rs 180 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Revenue rose 7% YoY to Rs 3,434 crore in Q2FY25.