News from October 28, 2025

Technology

Warships, Fighter Jets And The CIA - What Is Donald Trump's Endgame In Venezuela? | N18G

For two months, the US military has been building up a force of warships, fighter jets, bombers, marines, drones and spy planes in the Caribbean Sea. It is the largest deployment there for decades.Long-range bomber planes, B-52s, have carried out "bomber attack demonstrations" off the coast of Venezuela. Trump has authorised the deployment of the CIA to Venezuela and the world's largest aircraft carrier is being sent to the region.The US says it has killed dozens of people in strikes on small vessels from Venezuela which it alleges carry "narcotics" and "narco-terrorists", without providing evidence or details about those on board. News18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

News18 5 days ago

Technology

Delhi govt's 621 more schools to have private cleaning services

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) In an effort to ensure cleaner and more hygienic campuses, the Delhi government has revamped the sanitation system in its schools, extending private cleaning services to hundreds of additional institutions across the national capital. The Delhi Directorate of Education has signed an umbrella agreement with a private organisation to manage sanitation in 621 more schools, adding to the 117 that were already availing such services. “The restructuring aims to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness in all government schools,” an official said. “Regular inspections will be carried out by departmental officers to ensure proper implementation of the sanitation contract,” he said. For schools not covered under private sanitation services, the government has deployed three to four regular sweepers in each institution depending on student enrollment, he said. Heads of schools have been instructed to monitor the sanitation work closely and ensure that cleaning is completed at least 30 minutes before the start of each school session. “The cleaning frequency will depend on the strength of students, ranging from twice a day for smaller schools to up to eight times a day for schools with over 1,500 students,” the official explained. The guidelines also require heads of schools to maintain attendance records of private sweepers and ensure that only female workers are deployed to clean girls’ toilets. In cases of negligence or non-deployment of workers, the head of the school has been authorised to arrange cleaning work from other sources by paying up to Rs 2,000, which will later be deducted from the contractor’s payment, the official added. Contractors are required to ensure that sufficient manpower and cleaning materials are provided as per student enrollment. “They are also responsible for immediate replacement in case any worker is absent and must ensure that sweepers wear nameplates or identification badges while on duty,” the official said. The new system, the official added, is designed to make sanitation in Delhi government schools more efficient, accountable, and regularly monitored — ensuring that students study in a clean and safe environment. PTI SHB RT

News18 5 days ago

Technology

SocioMinds: Empowering the Digital Future with Vision and Innovation

PNNNew Delhi [India], October 28: SocioMinds Pvt. Ltd. has established itself as a leading digital marketing and brand innovation company in India through its rapid market expansion. Rahul Kumar established SocioMinds Pvt. Ltd. as a digital success story through his self-made entrepreneurial journey starting in Muzaffarpur Bihar.Rahul started his journey in a rural area where residents faced obstacles when trying to access the internet. Through YouTube and Google resources he learned digital marketing and social media strategy and branding while using only mobile data and free online tools. The entrepreneur maintained his self-education while earning money through private teaching and executing small digital projects despite his limited financial resources. The experiences he had during his early days made him understand that technology serves as a tool for empowerment for everyone regardless of their location.Rahul established Digipro Media in 2017 before launching Bollywood Bus in 2024 and then creating SocioMinds Pvt. Ltd. as his flagship company. Through SocioMinds Rahul Kumar established a platform which delivers digital services while creating actual business prospects for Indian youth. The company delivers social media marketing solutions and online reputation management and influencer partnership services and brand development to help clients boost their digital presence.Rahul Kumar leads SocioMinds which employs more than 150 creative staff members who work with various business sectors to generate quantifiable business expansion. Through his business activities Rahul supports young people by running complimentary digital education programs which help them gain financial autonomy.SocioMinds demonstrates how to create innovative solutions while making sure all people have equal access to opportunities while generating meaningful results. Through Rahul Kumar’s motivational guidance SocioMinds advances digital transformation by demonstrating that successful concepts can thrive anywhere dreams are big enough.Press release by Kensica(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)

News18 5 days ago

Technology

India bids for 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and 2026 Asian Relays

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) India has submitted bids to host the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships as well as the 2026 Asian Relays, in line with the country’s efforts to stage continental and global events in the coming years. If India succeeds in its bids for the events, it would be the first time the country would be hosting the two continental competitions. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has proposed Bhubaneswar as the host city for the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships while the venue for the 2026 Asian Relays is yet to be finalised. “We have submitted the bid for 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships with Bhubaneswar as the host city. There is no other venue in India which can host the event other than the indoor facility at the Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar,” a top AFI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. “For 2026 Asian Relays, we have not yet decided on the venue.” As of now, the AFI is considering a north Indian city for the Asian Relays, likely to be held in April, but it is not yet final and can be changed later, it is learnt. The state-of-the-art indoor facility at the Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar was inaugurated in 2024. It has a 200m running track, a 100m practice track, designated areas for long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and shot put, warm-up areas for athletes, as well as a gym. The oval shaped track lies below a spectator gallery which can house 2000 people. The facility also houses 60 twin-sharing rooms and a dining hall for those undergoing full-time training. The inaugural Asian Relays was held in May 2024 in Bangkok where India won gold in the mixed 4x400m, and a silver each in men’s and women’s 4x400m. The Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, a biennial event, was first held in 2004 in Tehran. Iran has hosted the event four times, all in Tehran, the most by any country. The Iranian capital hosted the last edition also, in 2024, with India winning three gold medals and one silver. Tajinderpal Singh Toor (men’s shot put), Jyothi Yarraji (women’s 60m hurdles) and Harmilan Bains (women’s 1500m) won a gold medal each while Ankita Dhyani (women’s 3000m) got a silver. The 2026 edition of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships will be held in Tianjin in China from February 6-8. India has also formally expressed its interest to host the 2028 World U20 Championships as well as either of the 2029 or 2031 editions of the senior World Athletics Championships. PTI PDS AM PDS AM AM

News18 5 days ago

Technology

Will the government shutdown impact California’s election on Prop. 50?

The ongoing government shutdown is expected soon to delay food benefits and impact pay for federal employees. But will it have any effect on California’s special election on redistricting? The short answer is no, according to the California secretary of state’s office. “The only possible impact would be if United States Postal Service operations were interrupted and the USPS has noted that their operations won’t be interrupted,” a spokesperson for the secretary of state said in an email. Natashi Garvins, a spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service in Southern California, confirmed that. “U.S. Postal Service operations will not be interrupted in the event of a government shutdown, and all Post Offices will remain open for business as usual,” the agency said back in September. “Because we are an independent entity that is generally funded through the sale of our products and services, and not by tax dollars, our services will not be impacted by a government shutdown.” Garvins also pointed to a Wednesday, Oct. 22, release from the Postal Service, which said it’s ready to handle an increase in mail and packages due not only to the ongoing election, but also the holiday season. Still, California elections officials have advised voters who choose to vote by mail to get their ballots in early this year. Due to changes to mail service this year, people living more than 50 miles from a U.S. Postal Service regional mail processing hub who drop off their ballot in a mailbox or at a post office on Election Day won’t have a guarantee that their ballot will be postmarked that same day. Instead, it could be postmarked the day after — too late for the ballot to count. There are other ways voters can cast ballots, too. Voters can drop off their ballot at a secure designated drop box, polling location, county elections office or vote centers, many of which open on Saturday, Oct. 25. The federal government remains shuttered as U.S. senators continue to be at loggerheads over spending plans. Both sides blame each other for the ongoing shutdown. Democrats have said they will not support a plan to reopen the government unless it includes a provision to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year; Republicans have said they want the government to reopen first before they consider a plan to extend those subsidies. Meanwhile, California is in the midst of a special election on redistricting. Voters are being asked whether to implement new congressional maps for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections. That would mean forgoing the current maps drawn by a 14-member group comprising five Republicans, five Democrats, and four commissioners not affiliated with the two major parties. The idea only impacts congressional races. And it’s a partisan one, an effort to favor Democrats in California’s congressional elections as a way to counter similar, Republican-led plans elsewhere in the country to boost the GOP.

Kaitlyn Schallhorn 5 days ago

Bloqueo de EE.UU. contra Cuba vuelve a debate en ONU

Imagen principal: El bloqueo de Estados Unidos contra Cuba vuelve hoy al escrutinio mundial en la Asamblea General de la ONU con el debate del proyecto de resolución que pide levantar el cerco económico más largo de la historia.El ministro de Relaciones Exteriores Bruno Rodríguez encabeza la delegación cubana que se encuentra en Nueva York para “participar los días 28 y 29 de octubre en la discusión y votación del proyecto de resolución de la Asamblea General, que llama a poner fin al bloqueo de Estados Unidos contra Cuba”, escribió en su cuenta en la red social X.

odalys 5 days ago

Technology

Spanish court compels Barcelona to hand over key documents in ongoing corruption probe

Barcelona’s legal troubles have taken a dramatic turn as a Spanish court demands crucial documents in an explosive caseTwo former Barcelona coaches are now set to appear before the court alongside club president Joan LaportaBarcelona now faces mounting pressure to prove the controversial payments were innocent or risk a verdict that could haunt the club for years Barcelona’s long-running legal crisis has deepened after a Spanish court instructed the club to hand over the original contracts linked to the €8 million paid to former refereeing executive Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. The directive comes amid growing alarm over missing documents, with investigators struggling to determine whether the transactions were legitimate or aimed at swaying officiating decisions in favour of the Catalan giants. Court orders Barcelona to provide Negreira contracts The high-profile “Negreira Case” has entered a decisive phase as a Barcelona court issued a formal order demanding the club present every contract and record connected to payments made between 2001 and 2018. Reports from El Mundo suggest investigators have so far found no trace of the original documents in the club’s archives, an absence that has only fuelled suspicions surrounding the nature of Barcelona’s relationship with Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain’s Referees Committee. The court’s latest order also compels Barcelona, as a legal entity, to testify. For this reason, former coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, along with current president Joan Laporta, are scheduled to appear as witnesses on November 25, marking a potentially pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation, as featured by the Catalan News. In the meantime, judicial authorities remain determined to uncover the truth behind the nearly two decades of payments to Negreira. At the heart of the inquiry lies a key question: were these fees genuine consulting services, or part of a scheme to influence officiating decisions? Now, the court has asked for any material proof of the supposed advisory work, including written analyses, reports, or correspondence. According to El Mundo, so far, none has surfaced to support Barcelona’s claim that the payments were for lawful referee assessments and scouting advice. Meanwhile, former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell have both defended the arrangement, insisting the services were strictly technical. However, conflicting testimonies and the continued lack of verifiable documentation have only heightened judicial scrutiny. The investigation’s scope has now widened, with club representative Elena Fort and former president Joan Gaspart summoned to testify early next year. Ex-referee Ricardo Segura, who currently serves in a similar advisory role at Barcelona, will also face questioning. As the November 25 hearing approaches, the club faces immense pressure to produce evidence that could determine whether the case is one of administrative failure or something far more serious that could stain Barcelona’s reputation for years to come. Barcelona's Raphinha missed El Clásico Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported on the unavailability of key Barcelona winger Raphinha for last Sunday's La Liga El Clásico. Hansi Flick was also without striker Robert Lewandowski, with Real Madrid carrying the day with a 2-1 success against the 2024/25 Spanish champions. Source: YEN.com.gh

Gariba Raubil,Samuel Obour 5 days ago

Technology

India’s toll revenue to be Rs 1.4 lakh crore in two years: Nitin Gadkari

ANINitin Gadkari India’s annual toll collection could more than double to Rs 1,40,000 crore in next two years from Rs 55,000 crore now as the government aims to build world-class road infrastructure, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said. Addressing the National Conference on Future of Smart Roads - Safety, Sustainability and Resilience by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Tuesday, Gadkari laid out a roadmap for development of safe, sustainable, comfortable and economically viable road infrastructure in the country.“Infrastructure is the backbone of our economy. If world-class infrastructure is developed across transport, power, communication and water, it will give an immense boost to our industry and trade, will attract capital investment, generate employment, raise per capita income and significantly reduce poverty,” he said.Elaborating on his vision for sustainable road development, Gadkari said his ministry will soon come up with a Plan 2027 to formalise the use of segregated municipal waste in road construction.“50% of the legacy solid waste in the country is in 15 cities. I have discussed the idea with the prime minister and there is a possibility of extending the use of segregated waste to even constructing roads under the Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana,” he said. Live EventsGadkari said he plans to promote the use of construction equipment running on alternate fuels to reduce pollution and import of fossil fuel while also giving a boost to the agriculture economy in the country. “We are planning to give a five-seven year interest-free loan to road contractors buying construction equipment on alternate fuels to encourage large-scale use of such equipment,” he said, adding his ministry will seek approval from the finance ministry. Gadkari said his ministry will come down heavily on contractors and officers responsible for building faulty roads and not maintaining roads as per standards. “I have directed my office to do project director (PD) and regional officer (RO)-wise classification of faulty roads where most accidents happen and undertake their performance audit to ensure quality roads are built and maintained.“Road contracts have a 10-year defect liability clause yet officers responsible to oversee this are not doing their job properly and hence the need for performance audit,” he added. Gadkari is of the view that his ministry has enough funds and there is huge economic viability for development of world-class road infrastructure in the country provided there is co-operation, communication and coordination between all stakeholders.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onroad infrastructure developmentIndia toll revenuesustainable roadsNitin Gadkariroad safety and sustainabilityPradhan Mantri Sadak Yojanaconstruction equipment alternate fuelsdefective roads auditgadkaricii (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onroad infrastructure developmentIndia toll revenuesustainable roadsNitin Gadkariroad safety and sustainabilityPradhan Mantri Sadak Yojanaconstruction equipment alternate fuelsdefective roads auditgadkaricii(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless Prime ExclusivesInvestment IdeasStock Report PlusePaperWealth Edition123View all Stories

Yogima Seth Sharma 5 days ago

Technology

2 Bullish Signals for XRP

If you're an XRP (XRP +0.65%) investor, it's time to start getting nervous. After hitting a 52-week high of $3.65 in mid-July, XRP is now down more than 25% and currently trades at about $2.68. But there are two bullish signals on the horizon for XRP. Both of them could send this popular cryptocurrency soaring during the final months of the year and into 2026. 1. New spot XRP ETFs Since the start of the year, XRP investors have been eagerly awaiting the rollout of new spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Six different investment firms have already submitted spot XRP ETF applications to the Securities and Exchange Commission, and a final decision on the status of these applications was due in October. However, that timing is now very much in doubt, due to the federal government shutdown. Any ETF approvals will have to wait until the government opens back up for business. That's what has investors on tenterhooks right now -- nobody really knows when that might happen, or what the crypto market might look like when it does. When the new ETFs launch, they are expected to unlock a tsunami of new institutional money. The early thinking was that they might unlock as much as $8 billion in new money, all of which could help to send XRP higher. That initial estimate might be a bit too optimistic, but it is clear that there is institutional investor appetite for these ETFs. According to recent data from CoinShares (which is among the firms planning to launch a spot XRP ETF), nearly $2 billion has already flowed into XRP since the start of the year. During the most recent reporting period (Oct. 20), nearly $75 million flowed into XRP in a single week. 2. New XRP treasury companies The other interesting development that could push XRP higher involves the launch of new XRP treasury companies that are designed to do just one thing: buy and hold XRP. This summer saw the launch of the first-ever publicly traded XRP treasury company: VivoPower International (VVPR 1.22%). Since then, other publicly traded companies have announced their intentions to buy and hold XRP. Admittedly, all of these are relatively small companies, and may not move the needle when it comes to the price of XRP. For example, the current market cap of VivoPower International is just $48 million. By way of comparison, the total market cap of XRP is almost $160 billion. That's why I'm excited about the recent launch of Evernorth, a pure play XRP treasury company that is backed by Ripple, the company behind the XRP coin, as well as one of the co-founders of Ripple. The company has secured $1 billion in commitments from outside investors, and plans to go on a major XRP buying binge with that war chest. In a best-case scenario, the arrival of Evernorth will encourage other companies to embrace the XRP treasury company model. Just as the success of Strategy (MSTR +2.27%) encouraged other companies to accumulate Bitcoin (BTC 0.78%), the success of Evernorth might encourage other companies to accumulate XRP. Is $12.50 still a reasonable price target for XRP? In April, Standard Chartered predicted that XRP would hit a price of $5.50 by the end of this year, and $12.50 by the end of 2028. That now looks highly unlikely to happen. It would require XRP to more than double in value within the span of the next two months, and then double once again between 2026 and 2028. To be sure, a future price target of $12.50 is not entirely out of reach. It's based on the assumption of greater adoption of XRP as a global payment network by banks and other financial institutions. For more than a year, XRP bulls have been predicting that XRP's blockchain technology could eventually replace parts of the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) payment network, which runs on 50-year-old legacy technology. For that reason, I'm keeping my eyes on what's happening with SWIFT right now. Blockchain integration trials launched last month, and more are expected in the months ahead as SWIFT looks for a way to modernize itself for the future. If XRP can somehow become a major player in the future of cross-border payments, then the sky's the limit. But just keep in mind: in more than a decade, XRP has never once cleared the $4 price level. So keep your expectations in check. XRP certainly has upside potential, but perhaps not as much as all the hype and buzz around it might lead you to think.

Dominic Basulto 5 days ago

Technology

Dr Anish Bhatia Breaking Myths And Guilt Around Breast Cancer | N18S | #Shorts

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News18 5 days ago

Technology

Joselyn Dumas gets new appointment at Goldbod jewellery, Sammy Gyamfi applauds her

Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas has signed a new deal with the Ghana GoldBod headed by Sammy GyamfiAward-winning media personality Bola Ray was also tapped for the same role on October 28, 2025Some social media users have commented on Joselyn Dumas and Bola Ray's new appointments on Facebook Award-winning Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas has officially been appointed as the brand ambassador for GoldBod Jewellery. The movie star, renowned for her roles in both local and international films, has previously worked with several beauty and fashion brands. Joselyn Dumas named Goldbod Jewellery ambassador Joselyn Dumas has made headlines after being unveiled as the brand ambassador for Goldbod Jewellery. The unveiling ceremony took place at the company’s Head Office in Accra, marking a significant milestone in Goldbod’s mission to promote Ghana’s rich gold heritage and craftsmanship both locally and internationally. According to Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of Goldbod, the collaboration is a strategic move to raise awareness of Ghanaian creativity in gold jewellery production and ethical sourcing. The Goldbod Jewellery brand is defined by excellence and authenticity, which are embodied by Bola Ray and Joselyn Dumas. Their appointments represent a significant turning point in our efforts to encourage local value addition to Ghana's gold resources,” Mr Gyamfi stated. Bola Ray gets new appointment at GoldBod Jewellery Ghanaian media personality Kwabena Anokye Disi, popularly known as Bola Ray, was also named a brand ambassador for GoldBod Jewellery. The CEO of GoldBod added that the partnership aligns with President Mahama's vision to position Ghana as a major centre for authentic gold ornaments and jewellery in Africa. As brand ambassadors, Joselyn Dumas and Bola Ray would lead public outreach initiatives, media engagements, and brand campaigns showcasing Goldbod's exquisite collections of gold and diamond jewellery, custom designs, and premium accessories. With the support of two of Ghana's most recognisable public figures, Goldbod Jewellery is hoping to elevate Ghana’s reputation as a centre of excellence in gold craftsmanship by merging tradition, innovation, and elegance. The Facebook post is below: Ghanaians react to Joselyn Dumas' GoldBod deal Some social media users have congratulated Joselyn Dumas and Bola Ray on their new contract with the GoldBod company. YEN.com.gh has compiled some reactions below: Nana Ntergyei commented: "Congratulations to them, they really deserve it." Lukman Seidu Lutie stated: "Congrats, For God and Country." Asare Boateng stated: "Great move." Sumaila Kabore stated: "Congratulations to them all." Jesse Jones Jaka stated: "Well deserved." Peter Eshun stated: "Congratulations to Bola Ray and Jocelyn Dumas on their new roles as brand ambassadors! May this partnership bring success and growth to GoldBod Jewellery." TryGod Worlator Liati stated: "May Ghana be the winner at the end." Williams Angel stated: "Congratulations." Azure Johnson stated: "Congratulations to them." Joselyn Dumas celebrates her birthday Earlier, YEN.com.gh wrote about Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas, who looked gorgeous in chic attire for her 45th birthday photoshoot. The Adams Apple actress completed her amazing appearance with three custom-made costumes and several hairstyles. Joselyn Dumas's birthday pictures have received comments from celebs, including Ghanaian musician Stonebwoy. Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh. Source: YEN.com.gh

Portia Arthur,Samuel Obour 5 days ago

Technology

Big Relief For Central Government Employees: Gratuity Limit Raised To Rs 25 Lakh

In a major announcement, the central government has increased the maximum gratuity limit from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. However, this raised an important question – who will actually benefit from this hike? The government has now issued a clarification, outlining which categories of employees will be eligible for the revised gratuity limit. The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has issued an official clarification. As per the clarification under the office memorandum issued on May 30, 2024, the revised gratuity limit will apply only to central government civil servants covered under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules 2021 or the Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules 2021. Who is not included in the circle? – Employees who do not fall under the Central Civil Services rules will not be considered eligible for gratuity. This includes personnel working in banks, port trusts, RBI, PSUs, autonomous institutions, universities or the state government. These institutions function under their own separate rules; therefore, this department does not decide on their cases. In simple terms, the increased gratuity limit of Rs 25 lakh will apply only to central government employees covered under the Civil Services Pension Rules 2021 under NPS will get a maximum gratuity of up to Rs 25 lakh. Employees outside the circle are advised to consult their respective departments to determine the regulations applicable to them. This decision by the government comes as a relief for long-serving central government employees. With the enhanced gratuity limit, the retirees will now achieve higher financial support at the time of retirement. This also ensures improved stability and comfort in their post-retirement years.

Business Desk,News18,Surbhi Pathak 5 days ago

Technology

Pawan Kalyan To Team Up With Vamsi Paidipally For Next? Here's What We Know

Pawan Kalyan, who was last seen in They Called Him OG, has reportedly been approached by Vamsi Paidipally for his next big project, and if things fall into place, this collaboration could be one of the most exciting combinations in Telugu cinema. The news has created quite a buzz among fans, who are eagerly awaiting official confirmation. According to 123 Telugu, Vamsi approached Salman Khan but it didn’t worked out. And now it is being reported that director has now approached to Pawan Kalyan for his next. With his in-house directors, Anil Ravipudi and Vamsi Paidipally, Dil Raju is said to have been working on scripts for Pawan’s film. It seems Vamsi Paidipally is set to join forces with Powerstar for a social drama, if the star greenlits the project. Pawan Kalyan To Collaborate With Lokesh Kanagaraj? Recently, a report came in that Telugu superstar and Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj is in early talks for a massive action project. If confirmed, the film will mark Pawan Kalyan’s first collaboration with Lokesh, known for creating the celebrated Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) featuring blockbusters like Kaithi, Vikram, 123 Telugu report says that Pawan Kalyan’s next project will be directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Apparently, KVN Productions is currently bankrolling Vijay’s Jana Nayagan and Yash’s Toxic. However, an official confirmation is made on this till now. Lokesh’s last project, Coolie starred Rajinikanth in the lead role. Ustaad Bhagat Singh’s Poster out on Pawan Kalyan’s birthday: Taking to their Instagram handle, Mythri Movie Makers shared the poster, which features Pawan Kalyan in a dancing pose. “Happy Birthday to the USTAAD of style, swag and box office – POWER STAR @PawanKalyan #UstaadBhagatSingh will be a feast for fans and a delight for the audience.” Earlier, the 123 Telugu reported that the next scheduled film will start again on September 6, 2025. Only a small portion is left, and once that is done the movie will be wrapped up. Makers Urge Fans To Stop Sharing Leaked Set Photos: Recently, the makers of Ustaad Bhagat Singh announced that accounts circulating or sharing leaked pictures from its sets will be reported and taken down. Mythri Movie Makers, which is producing Ustaad Bhagat Singh, said, “We’ve observed that many accounts are circulating and sharing leaked pictures from the sets of #UstaadBhagatSingh. We understand the excitement, but kindly refrain from sharing them. We are working to give you the best experience. Any accounts indulging in this would be reported and taken down.” Film And Its Cast Sreeleela plays the female lead. Raashii Khanna has also joined the cast. Music for this film is being composed by Rockstar Devi Sri Prasad, who is on a success spree. Cinematography for the film is by Ayananka Bose while editing is being taken care of by Ujjwal Kulkarni. The duo of Ram-Laxman is choreographing the action sequences in this film which will have Anand Sai as its production designer. Screenplay for the film is by K. Dasharath while additional writing is by C Chandra Mohan. Pawan Kalyan seems to have now set his sights on completing a considerable portion of ‘Ustaad Bhagat Singh’, which has been scheduled for release next year.

Akriti Anand,News18 5 days ago

Technology

I come to praise shopping centres, not to bury them

Really, I’m here to be around people. Thursday night is a good time because the shopping centre is full of all sorts: late-night shoppers, gangs of teens going to the movies, couples on date nights, families doing a pre-weekend grocery run. You sit and watch and listen, alone among everybody. It was a habit I developed when I was single – I needed to eat, I had the time and I needed company. Not the company of a person or a group of friends, in this instance, but the company of a community. Some of my mates are baffled by this ritual. You choose to do this in a … shopping centre? But I come to praise shopping centres, not bury them. To a certain extent, at least. We have a love-hate relationship with shopping centres in this city. As in, we love to hate on them, but then we go to them all the same.

Matt Shea 5 days ago

Technology

' I feel sorry for people with just one wife' – Regina Daniels’ husband says

Nigerian senator and businessman Ned Nwoko has sparked fresh debate after declaring that men who marry only one wife are “standing on one leg.” The outspoken lawmaker, who represents Delta North, made the remarks during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television on Sunday. According to him, polygamy brings stability, balance and structure to family life. “I feel sorry for those who have one wife. Just imagine standing on one leg; it’s difficult. But with two, three, or four, you’re more balanced. That’s the example I give,” he explained. READ MORE: Regina Daniels reportedly returns to husband Ned Nwoko's home after reconciliation When the host pointed out that the Bible discourages polygamy, Nwoko quickly countered: “The Old Testament does [endorse it]. I am a man of faith. But that’s not what we are here for.” The senator, who is currently married to four wives, insisted he has no regrets about his choices. “No, I don’t have any regret. I would do the same thing again. You should marry who you want to marry,” he stated confidently. Nwoko also addressed ongoing rumours of domestic abuse in his marriage with Nollywood star . He categorically denied the allegations, describing them as “false and unfounded.” READ MORE: Regina Daniels' husband reacts to wife beating allegation, accuses her of drug abuse “I am not a violent person. I respect my wives and love them and my kids,” he said. His comments follow recent social media buzz after Regina Daniels unveiled a new luxury mansion, captioning her post: “In my house, I am a queen. I needed a roof over my head, so I got this for me and my family.” The post fuelled speculation of growing tension in the couple’s marriage, especially after a viral video showed the actress appearing to accuse her husband of domestic abuse. READ MORE: 'It’s discipline, not oppression' - MzGee defends Education Minister's SHS haircut directive Nwoko swiftly dismissed those claims, suggesting instead that Regina’s alleged drug use had placed strain on their relationship. READ MORE: From Pope John Paul II to Bob Marley: 10 Famous celebrities who survived gunshots Days later, speculation of reconciliation spread when the actress was spotted travelling in a private jet many assumed belonged to her husband. However, her younger sister, Destiny Daniels, took to Instagram to shut down the rumours, clarifying that Regina had personally booked the jet for $10,000.

Dorcas Agambila 5 days ago

Technology

RajKummar Rao All Praises For Ashish Chanchlani’s Ekaki Trailer: ‘Looks Lot Fun’

YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani is all set to make his directorial debut soon with the upcoming horror-comedy series, Ekaki, scheduled to premiere on November 27. On Monday, the actor finally unveiled the trailer of his much-awaited project, leaving his fans excited. Ashish is known for his sharp wit and engaging content, through which he has developed his significant fan base. Now, several renowned YouTubers and Bollywood actors have extended best wishes to Ashish for his upcoming project, including RajKummar Rao. RajKummar Rao Extends Wishes To Ashish Chanchlani Taking to Instagram, RajKummar re-shared the trailer on his stories and wrote in the caption, “All the best, brother. Looks like a lot of fun. Will watch it first day.” Apart from him, YouTuber Bhuvan Bam, Singer Arjun Kanungo, Harsh Beinwal, Arjun Kapoor, Purav Jha, Elli Avrram, Tanmay Bhatt, Raghav Juyal, Varun Sood, Be You Nick and Fukra Insaan, among others also extended their best wishes. More About Ekaki The show will premiere on Ashish Chanchlani’s YouTube channel in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam languages. Written and directed by Ashish, the show features himself, Akash Dodeja, Sidhant Sarfare, Harsh Rane, Rohit Sadhwani, Grishim Nawani and Shashank Shekar in the lead roles. The 2-minute 40-second teaser claims the series will be a roller coaster trip inside a haunted bungalow. With nearly 31 million subscribers on YouTube, Ashish released only a handful of videos in recent years, around four to five in the past three years. EKAKI marks his return after two years, following his last hit video, Holi Returns. The YouTuber has still not shared whether all episodes will be out at once or weekly. What’s Next For RajKummar Rao? Up next, the actor will be seen in the comedy entertainer film, Toaster, along with Sanya Malhotra. Helmed by Vivek Das Chaudhary, the film will stream directly on Netflix. An official release date is yet to be announced by the makers. Besides this, he also has a legendary Indian cricketer, Sourav Ganguly’s biopic in his kitty. Earlier, speaking to Mid-Day, the actor shared that the makers need some more time for the pre-production of the film and it will go on floors in January 2026. RajKummar will also be seen in Stree 3 and Guns and Gulaabs Season 2.

Akriti Anand,News18,Sahas Mahapatra 5 days ago

Technology

Why This Battered Boston-Based Betting Stock Can Bounce Back

Investors paying attention to sports betting stocks these days are likely aware the industry has caught a virus known as "Prediction Markets Flu." Down 22.6% for the month ended Oct. 21, DraftKings (DKNG 0.12%), one of the largest operators in the space, proves as much. The prediction markets tale of woe incurred by DraftKings and friends started in earnest in late September amid reports that turnover on Kalshi -- one of the biggest yes/no prediction exchanges -- soared to record highs, exceeding totals seen just prior to Election Day 2024. Meanwhile, September brings the early portion of the college football and NFL seasons, and football is the most wagered-on sport in the U.S. Combine those factors with DraftKings and other sports betting stocks previously displaying favorable seasonality around football season, and investors were right to wonder, "What the heck is going on with DraftKings?" Those concerns hold clues as to why DraftKings is a viable rebound candidate. Prediction market concerns overstated Invest long enough and you will hear terms like "panic selling" and folksy wisdom such as "stocks fall faster than they rise." Both are relevant in discussing DraftKings' recent price action as the stock sold off on reports of Kalshi's soaring football contract volume. To borrow another market pearl of wisdom, they may have "thrown the baby out with the bathwater" without fully understanding the scenario. What sports betting equity investors may have gotten wrong regarding Kalshi volume is that turnover on the exchange isn't comparable to a sports wagering handle. Handle pertains to the total amount of money bet on an event, whereas volume on a prediction market represents buy and sell orders. In fact, in the wake of the DraftKings drubbing, at least one analyst argued that media reports assessing Kalshi's volume surge didn't take into account the possibility of that company potentially counting both sides of trades, thus making its volume numbers highly unlike a sportsbook's handle. Interestingly, that argument was framed in the context of the prediction markets drama representing a buying opportunity in stocks like DraftKings. Then there's the matter of parlays -- long odds, multi-leg wagers that bettors love due to the lottery ticket feel. Sportsbooks like DraftKings love parlays, too, because bettors rarely cash those tickets meaning those bets are profit boosters for gaming companies. Yes, Kalshi and other comparable exchanges are offering football parlays, including those of the same-game variety, but word on the street is that those offerings leave a lot to be desired relative to DraftKings' parlay menu. Add it all up, and it's not surprising that some analysts maintain the view that prediction exchanges aren't competitive threats to established sportsbook operators. Those are strong points in favor of a possible rebound by the stock. Speaking of a rebound... Another reason DraftKings has been in a funk is because some investors interpreted the company as sitting idly by while prediction markets ate its lunch. The Beantown-based gaming operator allayed those concerns late Tuesday of last week, announcing the acquisition of upstart prediction market Railbird Exchange. Judging by the stock's 4.4% jump in after-hours trading Tuesday, investors like the news. That could be a foundation on which a rebound is built because while the Railbird buy isn't the biggest deal in gaming industry history -- terms weren't even disclosed -- it shows that DraftKings is responsive to competitive threats and willing to push into new arenas when needed. That might be enough to restore investors' confidence.

Todd Shriber 5 days ago

Technology

Ex-CM Champai Soren criticises lathi-charge of tribals in Chaibasa

Jamshedpur, Oct 28 (PTI) Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Tuesday criticised the police lathi charge of tribals in Chaibasa town, the previous day. He claimed that the tribals went to gherao the Jharkhand Transport minister Deepak Birua’s residence on Monday to demand imposition of “no entry” on heavy vehicles on NH 220 and NH75E during daytime to check frequent road accidents. The tribals wanted to plead with the Transport minister, but police resorted to lathi charge and hurled tear gas shells on them on Monday night, Soren said. Earlier, West Singhbhum district administration had imposed prohibitory orders from Monday 8 pm within 200 metre radius of the residence of the Transport minister after social activist Ramesh Balmuchu and his associates threatened to gherao Birua’s residence in Chaibasa. The former Jharkhand CM claimed that four persons were arrested by police while 17 others went missing during the gherao of Birua’s residence. He alleged that the Hemant Soren government lathi-charged adivasis-moolvasis in Chaibasa to crush their voices. Soren appealed to adivasis-moolvasis to unite to oust the “anti” adivasi/moolvasi government. The state government could have resolved the issue across the table instead of resorting to lathi charge, Soren added. PTI BS RG

News18 5 days ago

Technology

BPCL signs pacts with OIL, NRL, FACT

Hyderabad, Oct 28 (PTI) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) on Tuesday signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Oil India Limited (OIL), Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and Fertilisers & Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT). BPCL and OIL signed a non-binding MoU to explore collaboration in developing the former’s upcoming Greenfield Refinery and Petrochemical Complex near Ramayapatnam Port in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, a release from BPCL said. In another major development, BPCL, OIL, and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) signed a tripartite MoU to facilitate efficient evacuation of petroleum products following NRL’s expansion from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA. The agreement covers the joint construction of a 700-km cross-country product pipeline from Siliguri to Mughalsarai via Muzaffarpur, with an estimated investment of Rs 3,500 crore. The pipeline, designed to transport Motor Spirit (MS), High-Speed Diesel (HSD) and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), will be jointly owned by BPCL (50 per cent), with OIL and NRL sharing the remaining 50 per cent. Furthering its green energy and waste-to-energy initiatives, BPCL signed an MoU with Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) for the supply and trading of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) and Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM) produced from BPCL’s upcoming Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)-based Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant at Brahmapuram, near Kochi Refinery. The MoUs were signed at the 28th Energy Technology Meet 2025 being held here in the august presence of Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). PTI GDK KH

News18 5 days ago

Technology

8-foot python found in drain near college in Thane, rescued

Thane, Oct 28 (PTI ) A nearly 8-foot-long python was spotted in a roadside drain near a college in Maharashtra’s Thane city on Tuesday, sparking panic in the area. The snake was later rescued and handed over to a wildlife welfare organisation, officials said. Some residents spotted the reptile in the roadside drain near Maratha Galli, opposite a college in Savarkar Nagar. The Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) disaster management cell chief received information about it at 11:32 am from a resident, the officials said. A disaster management staff member, accompanied by a pickup vehicle, a firefighter with an emergency vehicle, and members of the Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA) from Konkani Pada rushed to the spot. The rescuers found the python, approximately 8 feet in length, in the drain. “The python was later safely rescued and handed over to the WWA team for further care,” TMC’s disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said. PTI COR GK

News18 5 days ago