News from November 12, 2025

Technology

‘Warning cops!’: new tech coming to Aus

Read Today's PaperTributes 1:58AMWednesday, November 12th, 2025 Set your local weather Read Today's Paper Today's Paper The Daily Telegraph Tweed Daily News The Coffs Coast Advocate North Shore Times Wentworth Courier Mosman Daily Liftouts & Magazines Body + Soul Real Estate Sydney Weekend TAB Form Guide Campbelltown-Camden St George and Shire Canterbury-Bankstown Eastern Suburbs North Shore South East Sydney Sydney City Blue Mountains Byron Shire Central Coast Coffs Harbour Port Macquarie South Coast Tweed Heads Wagga Wagga Local Sport Breaking News Police & Courts Bush Summit I Catch Killers JMO Confidential Mates Under Fire Read Today's Paper Classifieds Back Australia Let Them Be Kids Northern Territory South Australia Western Australia The Chart Room Dear Rachelle The Mushroom Cook Birtles and the Bean Middle East North America New South Wales Northern Territory South Australia Schools Hub Early Education Exam Results Higher Education Future of Work Student Life Mental Health Technology & Digital Safety Family Health Heart Health Endometriosis Neurodivergence Mental Health Anxiety & Depression Weight Loss Strength Training Cosmetic Health Mindfulness Sexual Health Mental Health Health Funds Piers Akerman Andrew Bolt Peta Credlin Joe Hildebrand James Morrow James Campbell James O'Doherty Vikki Campion Public Defender Business News New South Wales Northern Territory South Australia Australian Economy Small Business Stocks & Shares Entrepreneurs Leaders & Companies Women in Leadership Opinion & Analysis Barefoot Investor Cryptocurrency Aviation & Frequent Flyers Superannuation & Retirement Entertainment Books & Magazines Celebrity Life Celebrity Style Competitions Delicious 100 Cryptic Crossword Real Estate Relationships Pets & Wildlife Sydney Weekend Safe Driving SuperCoach NRL NRL Tipping Schoolboy Cup SuperCoach AFL AFL Tipping Women's Sport SuperCoach BBL Women's Cricket SuperCoach NBL Horse Racing Super Rugby Local Sport More Sports American Sports Paralympics Daily Telegraph NRL SuperCoach NRL The Matty Johns Podcast Live Streams Other Sports KTV Partners Motoring News Lexus and Toyota consider drones for sports cars New cutting-edge car technology set to be introduced to Australia could keep an eye out for cops on the road - far beyond simply warning about speed radar traps. David McCowen @davemccowen November 12, 2025 - 11:39AMMotoring Прослушать эту статью Copied URL to clipboard news.com.au Deep dive: Future of car design with Lexus and Ian Cartabiano Lexus designer Ian Cartabiano leads reporters on a tour of the manufacturer's stand at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. Motoring News Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Toyota is working on technology that will help car lovers make the most of every drive. The brand showed off upcoming features at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo that promised to help drivers have fun in cars, avoid accidents and become better drivers. They might even use it to avoid fines for speeding and other forms of dangerous driving. Lexus unveiled a planned rival to the Porsche 911 in the Lexus Sport concept, a sleek two-door expected to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine. MORE: Auto giant to ditch annoying tech Lexus LS Sport Concept. Picture: Supplied Lexus designer Ian Cartabiano says one of the more interesting features on the model is a high-speed drone integrated into its bodywork. In the same way that military reconnaissance forces might use a drone to scout ahead for potential trouble, the Lexus drone can identify potential hazards on the road ahead. “The idea on this car is that it would launch at speed and it could, in this car, follow you on a track day, recording your ultimate track day, and you could review it later at home with your buddies,” he said. “Or it could fly ahead of you and it could help you find the perfect apex line around the corner, it would feed that back to the head up display or to the computer control system in the interior. Lexus is experimenting with connected drones. “Could it look ahead for cops? I’m not saying anything about that.” Toyota executive Akihiro Sarada, president of the manufacturer’s software development centre, said an electronic warning system currently under development could help drivers understand when to be extra cautious, and when they can enjoy the performance of sports cars. “With connected technology, one thing we realised is this can avoid dangers,” he says. “Drivers want to have excitement in driving. The new tech could potentially look ahead for police. Picture: Alan Barber “By using connected data, thy are able to receive announcements that if it is this state, or under this condition, they are able to have more fun when driving - ‘right now it’s safe’, then several seconds later there is this kind of risk that might come to you. MORE: Toyota stuns with Rolls-Royce rival 2025 Lexus LS Sports Concept car. Picture: Supplied “By receiving that warning beforehand they are able to confidently drive with fun.” Sarada says the system could warn of the potential presence of pedestrians. Toyota, which makes some of the most engaging sports cars on sale, is wrestling with increasingly strict driver monitoring systems and safety features that may not be welcomed by enthusiasts. Copied URL to clipboard news.com.au New Toyota Corolla shocks in Tokyo The humble Toyota Corolla... Acknowledging that warning systems can be “a nuisance for drivers”, Sarada says Toyota “will enable AI to sense what is not a nuisance and what is a nuisance”, and work to make sure customers can “decide the way they drive their cars”. The brand is also working on ways to help coach drivers to be better on track, and experience the true performance potential of cars like the Toyota Supra or GR86. “One thing that we are technically trying is to have the autonomous driving behave like a professional race driver, and let the car drive on its own on a race circuit,” Sarada says. MORE: Toyota fires back at Tokyo motor show Lexus Concept cars for the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. Picture: Supplied “You could be in the passenger seat and enjoy that professional circuit racing as if you are driving with a professional.” Several high-performance brands working on features such as augmented reality to help drivers experience thrills. Several cars have drift modes that help drivers enjoy sideways thrills, and Ferrari’s latest tech can even add a touch of torque to the steering wheel to help customers understand when to catch a slide before their car spins out of control. More Coverage ‘Retro’ ute to take over Australia David McCowen Mega change to Aus roads began at midnight Danielle Collis Originally published as Lexus and Toyota consider drones for sports cars Join the conversation (0 Comments) Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Join the conversation, you are commenting as More related stories Motoring News ‘Recipe for tragedy’: Aus expert’s Tesla fear An Aussie motoring expert has delivered a grim assessment of Tesla’s newest and much-hyped piece of car technology. On the Road Massive changes to Aus’ favourite ute Australia’s favourite car is undergoing some huge changes that drivers have waited almost a decade for. 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David McCowen 12 hours ago

Sports

Why Bucks shouldn’t be worried about Myles Turner’s scoring

The Milwaukee Bucks surprised NBA fans this offseason by waiving and stretching future Hall of Fame point guard Damian Lillard. The move opened up the team’s financial situation enough to bring in center/forward Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers, a move that received mixed reviews by basketball pundits at the time. But looking at Turner’s numbers through the first 10-plus games of the season have some (particularly some salty Pacers’ fans) questioning if bringing him in was the right fit for the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Bucks. Looking at his stats, there’s at least some reason to pause: he’s averaging just 11.6 points per game so far, which is four points off his average across 72 games last year in Indianapolis. But the Bucks would not be wise to panic about their major acquisition. And according to head coach Doc Rivers, all signs point to Milwaukee feeling very happy about what Turner is bringing to the team. Myles Turner has time to turn into Bucks’ second scorer It’s important to remember we’re just 11 games in as of Nov. 11. Turner’s 11.6 scoring average, while not quite the figure he’s put up the last three seasons, isn’t too far off his career scoring total of 14. With 71 games remaining in this NBA season, Turner could raise that figure as he gets accustomed to Milwaukee’s offense and young roster. And Rivers admitted that his staff is still figuring out how best to unlock Turner’s potential in the system. Following a home win against the Chicago Bulls earlier this month, Turner was spectacular. He scored 23 points on 8-14 shooting, including 5-8 from distance. He also hauled in eight rebounds and finished with four steals and a block. “I think we kind of screwed him up,” Rivers said after that contest. He said to start the season, the coaching staff was asking Turner to “pop more” off screens. The suggestion may have, unintentionally, forced Turner to play against his instinct. Rivers continued, “This morning [before the Bulls game], we said, ‘Just do what you feel. Roll, pop, we’ll figure it out. Just do you.” With plenty of time and practice, it would not be a stretch to imagine Turner having more games like he did against Chicago, especially if Antetokounmpo continues his current MVP-caliber pace (33.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.2 APG). Turners brings more to Milwaukee than just scoring Since his 23-point showing, Turner scored closer to his career average in the next two contests. He pitched in 13 (6-11 shooting, 1-3 from three) in a home loss to the Houston Rockets. The next day, he put up 14 in Dallas (3-12 shooting, 1-7 from three) in a win against the Mavericks. He pulled in six and seven rebounds, respectively, in the back-to-back and also added three steals against the Rockets. Before the Houston game, Rivers noted his value extends much deeper than his ability to score in bunches. “He just does everything,” Rivers said. “The other night, he made shots, and he’s going to make more shots.” Milwaukee’s coach noted point blank, an off shooting-night from Turner is not a high stressor. “He hadn’t shot the ball great [throughout the season], but he will. I’m not concerned by that.” Instead, Rivers and staff have been figuring out how to leverage Turner’s high basketball IQ and ability to set up other players on the team. “Defensively, he’s been incredible,” Rivers added. “He’s also been the most unselfish player on our team. Shooters don’t typically dive out of the way to give another shooter a shot. He does it all the time. It’s one of the reasons our spacing has been so good, because he’s so intelligent.” So even though Turner’s statistical production hasn’t screamed “blockbuster signing” thus far, there’s plenty of season left and reason to believe the Bucks can make the most of the multi-faceted big man.

Mitchell Keller 12 hours ago

Sports

Nets’ Day’Ron Sharpe receives positive injury update after hamstring scare

The Brooklyn Nets dodged a significant injury to a key contributor. Day’Ron Sharpe exited Sunday’s loss to the New York Knicks with what was reported as left hamstring tightness. However, following evaluation, the team concluded that the injury is a left glute contusion. Sharpe was ruled out for Tuesday’s home matchup with the Toronto Raptors but is considered day-to-day. “No hamstring. It’s a glute contusion, and he’s day-to-day. We’re not concerned,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “And we want to make sure he feels good and is mentally in a good place to be ready to play. So, that’s all good news, and it’s an opportunity for the next man up.” Sharpe missed 21 games to start last season due to a left hamstring strain. However, he returned and emerged as one of the NBA’s top backup centers, averaging 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 52/24/76 shooting splits in 18.1 minutes per game. The Nets re-signed the fifth-year big man to a two-year, $12 million contract this summer. Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe avoids hamstring injury scare Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Sharpe has continued to produce this season, averaging 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 64.9 percent shooting in 15.9 minutes per game. However, his production hasn’t translated to team success with Brooklyn’s revamped second unit. The 24-year-old has posted a -9.5 net rating swing (team points scored minus team points allowed per 100 possessions), the worst mark among Nets players who have played at least 50 minutes, per CleaningTheGlass. With Sharpe sidelined, rookie big man Danny Wolf could play his first meaningful NBA minutes during the coming games. “I’m not going to tell you who’s going to play, but obviously, Danny is here, Ben [Saraf] is here. So, excited for all these guys, whether they play or not,” Fernandez said. “They all know that next-man-up mentality is always important, and just go out there and play as hard as you can.” Wolf posted back-to-back double-doubles during a pair of G League appearances last week. The former Michigan star scored 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting with 13 rebounds, two assists and three turnovers during a 112-105 loss to the Capital City Go-Go on Sunday. Noah Clowney could also see minutes at center in Sharpe’s absence.

Erik Slater 12 hours ago

Entertainment

Matthew Reilly orders the $76 toothfish – and settles a literary score

The move was also partly to get closer to Hollywood and to build better connections in the movie industry (Tobey Maguire once lived in a neighbouring house!). Reilly is the best kind of film nerd: enthusiastic and encyclopaedic. Our lunch is peppered with references to cinema blockbusters; he talks about cinema with a contagious, almost boyish delight. He owns a DeLorean DMC-12 (the Back to the Future car) and keeps a life-sized Han Solo mounted on his office wall. His favourite book of all time is Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, and on the flight to Sydney, he attempted the latest in the film franchise, Jurassic World: Rebirth. “I gave it 30 minutes and that was 25 too many,” he says. He is not just a lover but a student of film. A lifetime of watching making-of documentaries, reading director biographies and listening to commentary tracks helped prepare him long before he ever stepped onto a set. All of it fed into the Netflix frantic action movie Interceptor, which he wrote and directed, starring Elsa Pataky and Luke Bracey. Critics were harsh (I am intrigued to see what lunch the New York Post will have to buy him after its reviewer labelled the film “torturous”), but it was watched by 120 million Netflix accounts and hit No.1 in 91 countries. Reilly hopes to work more in screen, but he’s realistic about its fickleness – rights bought and held for years, projects collapsing days before a green light. It’s why he won’t quit writing. That, and he’s still got work to do on his golf game. “This last summer, when I was writing the sequel of The Detective. I had nothing on my plate. I had no Hollywood meetings. I said, I’m going to write every morning and play golf in the afternoon, and I just devoted myself to that,” he says. “Whereas writing a book … my wife would say it’s efficient. I can be ultimately efficient because it’s me, and I’m working hard and focused.” So there’s going to be more of our Hooters VIP Sam Speedman. But now that the debt has been settled – Reilly’s toothfish-devoured plate offering all the evidence required – it feels only fair to turn over a new leaf at lunch and ask for a scoop. Fans have been begging for more novels featuring Shane Michael Schofield, the United States Marine Corps officer (called Scarecrow because of the scars on his face) and the hero of Ice Station (1998), Area 7 (2001), Scarecrow (2003), the spin-off Hell Island (2005), plus a cameo in The Four Legendary Kingdoms (2016). And while Reilly has teased a comeback before, this time it sounds definite: he has finally found an international villain and geopolitical threat worthy of Scarecrow. “So let’s just say I’m very close, and there is a good chance,” he says, with planning under way and writing to start next year. “I think it will be supercharged because I am a lot better at it … it will be fast, it’ll be big, and it will be off the leash.” The toothfish, it seems, has done its job. The Detective is out now. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.

Melanie Kembrey 12 hours ago

Politics

'Wage-weighted' US visa plan is legally dodgy, disruptive'

IT industry body Nasscom has termed the US government's move to replace the H-1B work visa lottery with a new "wage-weighted" system as legally questionable, economically flawed, and operationally disruptive.In response to consultations by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Nasscom warned that the new system creates geographic and sectoral inequality. For instance, an employee at Level 2 wage in New York could be placed higher than Level 4 in Iowa, it said.There are also possibilities to game the system; it might encourage inflated salaries on paper to get more lottery entries, Nasscom said."For nearly two decades, US employers have structured their hiring cycles, budgeting, and project timelines around the existing random lottery framework. A sudden shift to a wage-weighted model would upend these long-standing expectations," Rajesh Nambiar, president, Nasscom, said in a written submission to the DHS on October 30, a copy of which was seen by ET. He said companies plan recruitment months in advance, coordinating with clients, academic calendars, and product release cycles. "Introducing variable selection probabilities based on fluctuating wage formulas would add layers of compliance complexity," he added.

Himanshi Lohchab 12 hours ago

Technology

Capillary Technologies trims IPO on strong cash flows, fewer exits

Capillary Technologies is trimming its initial public offering (IPO). The customer loyalty and engagement software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm doesn’t need to raise as much capital as initially planned due to sufficient free cash flows, its founder and CEO Aneesh Reddy told ET in an interaction.The valuation has also been aligned to what institutional investors are willing to pay rather than a predetermined number, Reddy said.With many existing investors who had initially opted to sell now deciding to hold on, the secondary sale portion of the IPO has also been reduced.According to the final red herring prospectus, the company will raise Rs 345 crore through fresh shares against Rs 430 crore proposed in its draft prospectus filed in June. The offer for sale (OFS) has been nearly halved to 9.2 million shares from 18.3 million earlier. The total IPO size now stands at around Rs 878 crore.Capillary has set a price band of Rs 549-577 per share, translating to a post-money valuation of around $521 million (Rs 4,624 crore) as per the upper price band, compared to its last private valuation of $475 million.“The business continues to generate cash. The free cash generated in the first half is about Rs 55 crore, which is why we thought for primary, we won't need the entire Rs 430 crore and we brought that down,” Reddy said.He said the company did not insist on a fixed valuation and has instead priced the IPO at a level where institutional investors are comfortable participating. “There is a good set of institutional investors we have met and that way we’ve not been very rigid about what the valuation should be,” he said.According to Reddy, the valuation, at about six times Capillary's annual revenue, offers significant upside for potential investors. “There are hundreds of public SaaS companies globally, and there are very few which are profitable, and we are one of them,” he noted.He explained that profitable companies in this sector typically command an enterprise value-to-sales multiple of six to ten. Therefore, even at the highest end of the current price range, its six-times multiple provides substantial room for growth in value, Reddy said.Capillary has maintained an Ebitda margin of over 10% for the last few quarters.SaaS valuations have moderated from the peak of 2021–22. Freshworks, which debuted on Nasdaq at a valuation of over $10 billion during the boom, now trades at around $3.2–3.3 billion, while several privately held SaaS firms have recently raised capital at flat or lower valuations.Winner of The ET Startup Awards 2025 in the Comeback Kid category, Capillary Technologies is part of a growing pipeline of Indian enterprise software firms heading for the public markets.Others that have filed draft IPO papers include cloud platform Amagi Labs, AI analytics firm Fractal Analytics, and ecommerce software provider Shiprocket.Capillary has seen a profitability turnaround, with revenue rising from around Rs 200 crore in FY23 to nearly Rs 600 crore in FY25, driven by technology investments, said Anant Choubey, its chief financial officer and chief operating officer.Also Read: Capillary Technologies’ DRHP highlights rising competition, AI impact on businessThe company posted an operating revenue of Rs 359.2 crore for the six months ended September.It turned profitable in FY25, recording a net profit of Rs 13.2 crore compared with a net loss of Rs 59.3 crore in FY24, and remained in the black with a net profit of Rs 1.03 crore for the six months ended September.“We are beginning to see economies of scale. Only about 30% of our costs increase linearly with revenue,” Choubey said. As a result, Ebitda margins improved from –4% in FY23 to around 12.5% in FY25, while margins moved from a 44% loss margin to 2% profit margin during the period, he said.Discussing the plan behind choosing to list in India despite IPO windows reopening in the US for software firms, Reddy said the decision was intentional. “We’ve always wanted to build a leading product company out of India. Listing here is part of that story,” he said.

Ajay Rag 12 hours ago

Business

Late-stage funding dip is mostly supply-side driven: Verlinvest CEO

Verlinvest, the Belgium-based investment company backed by the family that owns beer giant AB InBev, is sharpening its India focus, chief executive Roberto Italia said.The company is targeting startups that are between the early and growth stages with investments of $5–20 million, Italia told ET in an interview. Its V3 Ventures arm invests in early-stage companies while Verlinvest supports startups in the growth stage.“This is an interesting sort of way to connect the dots between the very early stage (V3 Ventures) and what we do in growth for Verlinvest. And then we are trying to get ready for us to address that market opportunity and we plan to do it both in India and elsewhere,” said Italia.The fund is targeting roughly 15 investments a year across stages with plans to deploy up to $20-25 million in the early stage and about $30-40 million in the early growth stage, followed by $125-150 million in the growth stage where it has been operating the longest in India. Overall, it aims to double its India deployment from the current average of $100 million to about $200 million, Italia said.Verlinvest’s focus remains on four key sectors: food and beverages, FMCG, healthcare services and lifestyle, he said.With about €2 billion in assets under management—India represents 20% of that—the firm has been active in India since 2010, backing over 25 consumer brands including Blue Tokai, Epigamia, Lahori Zeera, Veeba, Purplle and Ferty9. This year, it acquired a 20% stake in South India-based hospital chain The Eye Foundation for $75 million. Between 2023 and 2024, it fully exited Sula Wines, monetising its long-standing investment in two tranches for almost Rs 1,000 crore.IPOs a 'mega plus’Amid the rush of new-age IPOs, Italia said the public-market window is a 'mega plus' for risk investors and one of the main exit avenues in a complex market like India. Several large consumer companies such as Lenskart, Urban Company and Groww have tapped the public market this year, while another cohort is waiting in the queue.“You have to be mindful of the liquidity in the public capital markets, because they represent a quality alternative for anyone seeking capital...When that market is liquid, it largely determines pricing conditions for the private market as well,” Italia said, adding that for private investors, every new deal must factor in what the public markets are willing to pay for the right opportunity. “This provides perspective on the ability to invest in a complex market like India with some light at the end of the tunnel. Ten years ago, you wouldn’t have contemplated going public as an exit route but now, if not the only, it is certainly one of the main exit avenues.”Next in the pipeline for the fund include Wakefit, which filed its IPO papers in June, as well as online beauty retailer Purplle and sauce manufacturer Veeba, which Italia said are about 18 months away from hitting the public market.Apart from having products with fundamental attributes that resonate with customers, he said companies, especially in the food and beverage space, must demonstrate consistent “quality growth in excess of 15% per annum” to be considered listable.This trend of going public in India, Italia said, mirrors western markets two to three decades ago and contrasts with the founder sentiment today to stay private owing to “plenty of liquidity in the private secondary market.” He added that the drying up of late-stage funding is more supply-side-driven than demand-side, because of slowing down of investment by funds that had made excess investments but were not seeing adequate returns.India remains investable because it has consistently delivered an average net return of at least 20%, he said.Commenting on valuations soaring after consumer brand deals like Haldiram in India, Italia said trophy assets, regardless of geography, often set the tone for the market. “Any trophy asset commands a new price, and that usually lifts the spirits of the entire sector. We come across opportunities that look excessively priced, but it boils down to figuring out whether you are the one who can sort of marry... At times, we’ve decided to invest at a price point we were initially not comfortable with,” he said. “It’s a function of the work you carry out on the opportunity as such. Inevitably, there are also cases where we’ve decided not to invest.”

Apoorva Mittal 12 hours ago

Business

Gen Z and millennials are telling India’s sneaker story, homegrown brands ride new wave

Looking to experiment with a new kind of footwear, 26-year-old Devyani R bought her first pair from a home-grown sports shoe brand with ghungroos woven into them. Devyani, who loves wearing anklets but often loses them, found the idea of attaching an anklet to the shoe practical and stylish.“Sneakers with skirts are such a fun fashion statement. These feel like they were designed for skirts. I didn’t see anything else like it in the market,” she said.Devyani’s choice mirrors a growing trend among Gen Z and millennials looking for sports shoes that have unique Indian designs, limited editions and comfort. Many direct-to-consumer (D2C) manufacturers are now tapping into this mass-premium market or bridge-to-luxury segment, positioning sports shoes as “aspirational yet accessible”.Priced at Rs 3,000-5,500, these shoes are attracting consumers in the 18-35 age bracket mostly through social media. Founders told ET that repeat purchases make up 20-30% of overall sales, promising growing brand loyalty.Home-grown brands such as Comet, Gully Labs, Thaely, Neeman’s, Banjaaran and Bacca Bucci are riding this wave with focus on design and quality. Some have also raised pre-seed and series A rounds, such as Comet ($6.57 million), Neeman’s ($2.7 million), Gully Labs ($1.17 million) and Thaely ($344,000). Designs with a desi twistFor Gurgaon-based Gully Labs, every launch or collection is backed by storytelling and nostalgia. “We took ordinary Indian items and reimagined them as well-thought-out designs like our Kulfi and Ghungroo shoes, which are among our bestsellers and also our most expensive. People appreciated that originality,” said founder Arjun Singh.Bengaluru-based Comet has also taken a storytelling-led approach. The brand makes limited edition, theme-based sports shoes inspired by nostalgia and collaborations with Indian artists. It recently opened stores in Bengaluru and Delhi, offering a hands-on experience of its products. “The space is very hot for investors. It’s fast-growing and has high barriers to entry because creating these products is hard. You have to solve for both supply and demand,” said Utkarsh Gupta, cofounder of Comet. The company raised a $5.08 million series A round led by Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners.Bacca Bucci, of Shark Tank fame, which makes sports shoes and boots for men and women, is also expanding offline with new stores planned for Delhi-National Capital Region. “The market today is a mix of organised and unorganised players; the shift toward organised brands is happening. There will eventually be consolidation,” said founder Natwar Agrawal. He highlighted that material availability and minimum order quantities still lag behind China, which needs to be addressed. Market finding its feetMost brands in the segment are eyeing revenue of Rs 100 crore by next year as they ramp up manufacturing through contractual agreements and building their own factories. Analysts estimate that sports shoes now make up 20-25% of India’s footwear market, and sales volume is projected to reach 73 million pairs by 2030.However, founders also said manufacturing remains one of the biggest challenges. India has long been strong in leather shoe exports, but is still catching up in the casual shoes segment. “Factories here are improving but are years behind China and Vietnam,” said one founder, who did not wish to be identified.Naman Lahoty, who tracks consumer investments at Stellaris Venture Partners, said while there’s excitement around the segment, strong supply chains are needed for scaling up. “India excels in leather but lacks an established ecosystem for sneakers. Back-end integration and material innovation will be key for emerging brands,” he said, adding that the firm will continue to evaluate brands with the potential to scale up to revenue of Rs 500-1,000 crore.Investors see sector as promisingVenture capitalists are watching the segment closely but remain cautious about how sustainable these businesses can be. “These companies are scaling revenue fast, but the real test is whether they can build emotional connect and brand loyalty and not just short-term buzz,” said Rohit Krishna, general partner at WEH Ventures, who has evaluated a few sports shoe brands. Krishna said the opportunity for his firm lies in the mass-premium segment rather than the top 1A consumer base. “People in tier-II and tier-III cities are also shifting from sandals to shoes. That’s a much larger market, and brand loyalty there tends to be stronger because affordability and accessibility will drive repeat purchases,” he said.Analysts expect India’s sports shoe brands to follow a similar path as fast-moving consumer goods and personal care, where home-grown players eventually dominate the domestic market.Brand consultant Renu Bisht, founder of Commercify360, said the cultural shift toward casual dressing is one of the biggest game changers. “Sneakers have become appropriate for almost every setting, work, conferences, even semi-formal events,” she said. “Consumers are willing to pay more if the product delivers comfort, design and credibility.”Bisht believes increasing incomes and social media exposure are also making sports shoes aspirational beyond metros. “Tier-II and tier-III cities are the next big growth pockets,” she said.

Puran Choudhary 12 hours ago

Technology

Tech industry groups urge MeitY to refine AI content rules to boost innovation, for global alignment

The technology industry has called on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to adopt a flexible and globally harmonised approach to the proposed amendments to the Information Technology Intermediary Rules and Digital Media Ethics Code to label artificial intelligence-generated content in the public domain.The draft rules proposed by MeitY require platforms and users to label AI-generated visuals with a visible marker covering at least 10% of the display area, or, for audio, add a disclaimer for the first 10% of the content duration.The submissions to MeitY reflect broad industry concern that while addressing the threats of AI-generated content is crucial, overly rigid regulation could stifle technological progress and complicate compliance for global-facing businesses.Nasscom, which represents India’s tech sector, urged the ministry to clarify the definitions of “synthetically generated information” and “deepfake synthetic content”, arguing that the rules should focus on harmful and malicious content rather than sweeping in all algorithmically altered media.The association raised concerns about the technical feasibility of some labelling proposals and called for distinct obligations based on whether technology is consumed by businesses or individuals.The organisation warned that uniform rules for platforms with vastly different business models and capabilities could impose unworkable burdens—potentially hampering startups and small firms disproportionately.BSA, representing major global software firms, echoed several of these points in its own submission. It said tackling challenges posed by synthetically generated information, including deepfakes and malign disinformation campaigns, is urgent. However, the group cautioned MeitY against imposing inflexible standards that it said might undermine innovation.It recommended that India avoid requiring visible watermarks or labels on AI-generated content, warning that such marks are easily removed and could make Indian digital outputs less attractive globally. Instead, they suggested machine-readable markers and advocated for alignment with international protocols like the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), making compliance simpler for multinational platforms without sacrificing transparency or user safety.Both industry groups pushed for policy frameworks that encourage responsible innovation and allow rapid adaptation to technical advances. They highlighted the risk of India falling out of step with global digital standards if it moves too fast without international alignment.Their submissions said India can be both a standard-bearer for ethical technology and a global digital powerhouse, provided its laws remain pragmatic, clear, and future-ready.MeitY’s proposed changes come as governments around the world scramble to address the ethical, social, and security issues created by generative AI. The rule changes will impact all significant social media intermediaries (SSMIs) or those with 5 million or more registered users in India.Google-owned YouTube; Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp; X (formerly Twitter); Snap; LinkedIn and ShareChat will have to obtain user declarations on whether the uploaded content is synthetic, deploy automated tools to verify these declarations, and ensure synthetic content is clearly marked with appropriate labels, or will be considered non-compliant.Also Read: New IT rules explained: Deepfakes must be labelled, takedowns only by senior officialsAnybody enabling the creation or modification of synthetic content must prominently label such material. All firms would have to embed the disclaimer in their content whether they are a social media intermediary or are just providing software.This opens up a long list of popular AI-based software, apps and services including OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, Microsoft's Copilot, Meta's AI assistant to scrutiny.One industry source said a major point of contention is how these amendments may affect the “safe harbour” provisions, long seen as a crucial shield for online intermediaries.Under current law, platforms enjoy conditional immunity from liability for third-party content, provided they meet due diligence requirements and act promptly upon receiving takedown notices.The new draft does not abolish this framework but explicitly clarifies that due diligence obligations now include verification and labelling of AI-generated material. Failure to comply—with respect to either flagging unlabelled content or authenticating user declarations about AI use—could strip platforms of their conditional immunity, triggering what an industry executive described as “secondary liability” for harmful content.While the safe harbour itself remains intact, “these changes further clarify the due diligence obligations for platforms, making the burden heavier”, the executive added.For providers of AI or content hosting platforms, the mandate presents significant technical challenges. “From a technology provider perspective, implementing a reliable 10% watermark is an incredibly heavy lift. Image generation models are by nature probabilistic and non-deterministic-prompt instructions like ‘make the watermark cover 10%’ often fail,” the executive explained.Such requirements add latency and cost to AI outputs, making the burden of compliance disproportionately high for platforms compared to the ease with which users may circumvent the rules by cropping, editing, or screenshotting content.Three strategies for meeting the draft’s verification demands were outlined by the executive: detecting visible labels and metadata, using hidden watermarking and embedded metadata, and deploying classifiers to infer whether media is AI-generated.Each of these is “imperfect and prone to error,” the executive said, and can potentially result in “overreaching or under-enforcement”, wrongly flagging edited photographs or missing more sophisticated forgeries.Creative professionals and advertising agencies are also expressing concerns, pointing out the practical limitations of dedicating 10% of an audio ad to disclaimers or reliably watermarking images at scale.The technology sector notes that many global AI tools do not embed detectable signals, and cross-platform sharing often strips metadata, further complicating enforcement.The public consultation on the draft rules closes on November 13, with no clarity yet on timelines for implementation or compliance grace periods.Industry participants anticipate a protracted period of negotiation over technical feasibility.The rules have prompted questions over the procedural safeguards available to users whose legitimate content could be wrongly taken down.As per current practice, affected users can pursue in-app appeals, escalate to a grievance officer, and eventually approach statutory grievance appellate committees or the courts.The industry executive warned that the draft rules fundamentally expand “due diligence obligations” and could result in more frequent and uncertain content moderation risks, especially as “the reasonable person test” for authenticity is difficult to operationalise against the evolving landscape of digital manipulation and user behaviour.

Suraksha P 12 hours ago

Business

Global VC majors circle Indian AI startups eyeing early bets

Indian AI startups are attracting global venture capital firms. US funds Insight Venture Partners, Iconiq Capital and Sierra Ventures are among the first movers while First Round Capital, QuantumLight Capital and some others are looking for investments, people in the know said.The companies that have raised funding from global players include Smallest.ai, from Sierra Ventures, and UnifyApps, from Iconiq. Attentive AI, a startup in the construction space, has received $30 million from Insight Venture in a Series B round, valuing the company at $135 million, two people aware of the development told ET.Sateesh Andra, managing partner at early-stage VC fund Endiya Partners, said they are in initial talks with investors from the Silicon Valley for their portfolio companies for a larger round. Siddhartha Ahluwalia, managing partner at Neon Fund, also said they are getting inbounds from the investors based in the US and Europe for Series B and Series C.Both said global VCs may come in even earlier for some of their portfolio companies. They did not disclose the name of investors as the talks are in early stages.This interest comes after a decline in global VC funding to Indian startups post the pandemic. ETtech AI is driving the momentumDuring the pandemic, bank loan interest rates in the US and some other western countries fell to zero and that encouraged investors to look at emerging markets to deploy capital, explained Rajiv Mehta, partner at Athera Venture Partners. As the interest rates went back up, investments to the emerging markets such as India declined.But now, with the AI wave and lowering interest rates, the risk-taking ability is coming back again, Mehta said.Also Read: VCs chase Indian developer tools startups amid AI frenzyIn addition, over the past year, more Indian VCs have been spending time in Silicon Valley, he said. “They are not just meeting founders but also Valley investors. From that perspective, (Valley) investors have got a taste of what kind of startups are being built and are now starting to come inbound,” he explained.Ben Mathias, managing partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, said the Indian VC market has matured substantially, compared to 10 years ago, when they had made their initial investments.“In the last couple of years, there has been a spate of IPOs in India, which have given significant exits to VC investors,” he noted. “All these have likely contributed to Valley VCs stepping up their investments in Indian AI startups.”Emails sent to First Round Capital and QuantumLight Capital did not elicit any response until press time Tuesday.Also Read: Seasoned tech pros partner VCs for a piece of the startups actionNo scale yetWhile this is a welcome sign, Endiya Partner’s Andra pointed out that it is unclear if this would become a mainstream trend as large global investors have yet to make investments in India’s AI market.Also, while investors might not want to miss the opportunity to enter emerging markets like India, there are multiple startups within a five-mile radius in the Valley, he noted.“AI is a different beast as you are going global from day one and the bar is high. Indian startups need to be in the top three in their category, or they will not reap the same valuation,” Andra said.India’s advantageShiva Dhawan, founder and CEO of Attentive AI, said the hypothesis behind Insight Venture’s investment in his firm is likely the macro timing of the AI agents and AI-enabled services becoming real plays. Insight Venture Partners did not respond to ET’s queries till press time.Mehta of Athera Venture said India has always been good at understanding the business needs of the western world as the IT outsourcing hub. “As a result, India is actually better poised than China to solve a lot of the complex problems for a lot of these companies,” he added.Also Read:AI rush prompts investors to increase focus

Swathi Moorthy 12 hours ago

Sports

‘Healthy banter’, legends, larrikins and star wars: Inside this summer’s Ashes commentary

That had been the concern heading into the last three Ashes series on Australian soil, the home team going on to win 13 of the past 15 Tests (plus two draws) here. But there’s a different vibe to this latest Bazball bonanza, beginning next week in Perth, and that has all broadcasters as frothy as a morning cappuccino. “This time England genuinely have a chance, and that’s why we are so excited,” Guha says. The public interest, reflected in booming ticket sales, has prompted what is likely to be unprecedented coverage. Viewers and listeners these days demand that content be available any time, day and night. And that’s what all the major networks say they will provide this summer. Here’s what you need to know.

Unknown 12 hours ago

Politics

Elisa Loncon Aims to Become Chile’s First Mapuche Senator, Promoting Social Justice and Intercultural Dialogue

Original article: Elisa Loncon busca ser la primera senadora mapuche de la historia de Chile Historic Legacy and Political Autonomy Elisa Loncon (EL): The mandate is to bring the realities and solutions from the territories into law. Congress has legislated with its back turned to La Araucanía. My role is to use the seat to introduce the voices of those who have been excluded in every project. If I become a senator, that chair will be a tool for social justice, a banner that will not only be raised in the streets but also in committees and the Chamber. EL: I owe nothing to anyone. My history stands behind me. My autonomy is guaranteed by my history of fighting for human rights and culture. I do not belong to any party; my commitment is to the agenda of La Araucanía and the marginalized sectors. If I win, I will be a pivotal independent institutional force, ensuring that social justice is not postponed by centralist interests. EL: It is a message of political dignity. We want democracy to be different, free from discrimination. We want a region that is no longer stigmatized, because that harms the youth and educators. Indigenous women are ready to contest the narratives and decisions in Congress. Economic Justice and Territory EL: There are two main issues. The first is Decentralization of Resources and Powers. We propose that municipalities and social organizations receive direct resources and authority to address the issues that deprive us of peace: from the annual wildfire disasters to health crises and insecurity. The second is a Law of Investment and Development with Relevance, which attacks the core of poverty by ensuring that the State invests in projects that create stable jobs and respect culture, rather than perpetuating dependence on extractivism. EL: It is a measure of economic and territorial justice. These companies have exploited the region’s resources without providing adequate returns. The Royalty is crucial for directly funding regional resources that support our Law of Investment and Development with Relevance. This is how the wealth generated in La Araucanía stays in La Araucanía, breaking the historical cycle of poverty. EL: The Commission lacked effective participation from the Mapuche people in its formulation, which undermines its legitimacy. My stance is that the Senate must ensure the application of international standards (ILO Convention 169) and that any proposed territorial solution must emerge from a dialogue that respects and understands history. We need a Law of Reparations and Restitution that holds legitimacy with all parties. Gender Agenda and Security EL: My commitment as a Senator will be to transform the Senate into a protective shield for the women of La Araucanía. Machista violence is a crisis that claims lives: this year, we witnessed horrific femicides in Temuco, Lautaro, and Vilcún. The Senate has failed by being too slow. Therefore, my work will prioritize the immediate approval of crucial laws: one addressing digital violence, another refining prevention and punishment measures for gender violence, and a law that prohibits firearm possession for those convicted of domestic violence. EL: I use the term «organized crime» instead of «terrorism»; I don’t want that stigma for the region. That narrative is harmful and doesn’t resolve underlying issues. My proposal is to concentrate efforts on modern and precise legislation against organized crime and drug trafficking. The Anti-Terrorism Law, which has been abused in a discriminatory manner, must be replaced with regulations that address actual criminality without criminalizing social protest. We need the State’s presence in productive and cultural matters, not just in security, which historically has been the only response. Governance and Vision for the Country Elisa Loncon (EL): We need a Law of Recognition and Use of Indigenous Languages in Public Services and Courts. We cannot attack what is natural in society: our differences. Training is needed, along with the requirement for interpreters in the judicial system. Interculturality is not just for indigenous peoples; “Plurinationality is for Chile, for the regions, for everyone, because it allows us to see each other as equals.” EL: I tell them that transformation does not stop. History is not written; it is made through struggle. We must translate the energy of movements into a fight for real power. If anyone has put their entire history into defending rights, it’s me. It’s time for more dialogue, more respect, and for us to put an end to the stigma in La Araucanía. Elisa Loncon’s challenge transcends merely holding a seat. Her candidacy for the Senate from La Araucanía is not just a political campaign; it embodies a historic struggle for representation and territorial justice. The oldest and most traditional organ of the Chilean state faces the imminent possibility of being influenced by a voice from the resistance, carrying the mandate for social justice alive in the heart of movements. If Loncon makes history, her presence in Congress will serve as a constant reminder of Chile’s debt and a legislative lever for transforming the structural foundations of the Republic. La Araucanía and Chile are watching closely; this electoral battle is far more than just a vote; it is a struggle for the country’s future. The Citizen

The Citizen 12 hours ago

Technology

Braves promising pitcher is ‘pain-free’ after elbow rehab

After missing the playoffs for the first time in 2018, the Atlanta Braves are entering the offseason looking to turn things around. After their latest injury update, the Braves will be entering hot stove season with some extra momentum. Spencer Schwellenbach is now pain-free, general manager Alex Anthopolous confirmed to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network. The right-hander suffered a fractured elbow in July that prematurely ended his season. But before going down, Schwellenbach appeared to be a key weapon for Atlanta’s pitching rotation. In his 17 2025 starts, the righty held a 3.09 ERA and a 108/18 K/BB ratio. Over his two years and 38 total starts with the Braves, Schwellenbach has put up a 3.23 ERA and a 235/41 K/BB ratio. Atlanta’s rotation is spearheaded by names such as Chris Sale and Spencer Strider. Still, the Braves finished their 2025 campaign ranked 22nd in team ERA with a collective 4.36. Having those two top names healthy alongside the return of Schwellenbach will only make the Braves a more dangerous team. The franchise is sure to be cautious throughout the offseason. While Schwellenbach may be pain-free, the Braves won’t want to push him beyond his limit. The same goes for Strider, Sale and any pitcher with potential injury problems. But if they make it into the regular season healthy, the NL East will be put on full notice. Atlanta missing the playoffs in 2025 was quite the shock based on their continued success. With Schwellenbach back in the frame, the Braves have to like their postseason chances much more entering 2026.

Dan Fappiano 12 hours ago

Sports

Louisiana attorney general breaks silence on Brian Kelly lawsuit against LSU

The 2025 LSU football season turned into a dumpster fire, but there is almost even more drama happening around the Tigers off the field. Brian Kelly was fired in response to the Tigers’ struggles. In the aftermath of the firing, the drama surrounding the LSU program only grew. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry became directly involved in the firing, and the situation grew even cloudier. According to On3’s college football insider, Pete Nakos, Brian Kelly filed a complaint against LSU’s board of supervisors with the Louisiana Attorney General’s office, saying that the Tigers did not “formally terminate” him as head coach. The Louisiana Attorney General, Liz Murrill, responded by saying that they are reviewing the matter and have no further comment. Brian Kelly was fired on Oct. 26 after the Tigers were blown out against Texas A&M, 49-25. The lawsuit was filed in the 19th Judicial District Court of East Baton Rouge Parish late Monday night, seeking to reverse the university’s decision to fire Kelly “for cause.” The issue is that Kelly wants his entire $54 million buyout, so his filing this lawsuit makes sense because of that. Kelly’s lawyers are arguing that he was fired from LSU without cause and that he is entitled to his full damages, which come out to $54 million, which is 90% of his annual base salary and supplemental compensation remaining on his 10-year, $100 million deal he agreed to with LSU in November 2021. LSU athletic director Scott Woodward was the person who fired Kelly, citing performance, in his statement. Still, since then, things have changed, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry intervening in the coaching search and ensuring that Woodward does not return due to the significant buyout Kelly had. Reportedly, LSU offered Kelly two settlements: a one-time $25 million buyout, which Woodward had provided on the day he was fired, and a second settlement. Later, Cromer and LSU Chief Financial Officer Matt LaBorde increased the offer to $30 million, which would be paid out in two installments. Kelly rejected both offers, according to his lawsuit.

Jake Faigus 12 hours ago

World

Tussles break out between protesters and security at Cop30 in Brazil

Dozens storm venue at climate conference that has encouraged NGOs and Indigenous groups to play unprecedented role in talks

Jonathan Watts, Oliver Milman and Dharna Noor in Belém, Brazil 12 hours ago

Sports

College Football Playoff rankings: Texas Tech jumps Ole Miss, Miami rises

There wasn’t much action at the top of the College Football Playoff rankings in Week 11, as Texas A&M and Alabama both cruised through potential landmines in the SEC and Indiana survived a scare from Penn State with one of the best catches you’ll ever see. Look outside the top five, however, and there was plenty to take note of. Texas Tech routed previously-unbeaten BYU in a battle at the top of the Big 12, establishing itself as the clear favorite out of that conference. Oregon escaped a very rainy Kinnick Stadium with a hard-earned victory to keep itself in the playoff picture, and Vanderbilt stayed alive with a comeback win against Auburn in overtime. Over in the ACC, losses from Virginia and Louisville muddied the picture at the top of the conference even more, with the auto-bid still very much up for grabs. A loss from Memphis against Tulane on Friday night produced a new Group of Five member in the projected bracket as the CFP starts to take shape. Here are the full Week 12 College Football Playoff rankings, released by the selection committee on Tuesday night. Ohio State (9-0) Indiana (10-0) Texas A&M (9-0) Alabama (8-1) Georgia (8-1) Texas Tech (9-1) Ole Miss (9-1) Oregon (8-1) Notre Dame (7-2) Texas (7-2) Oklahoma (7-2) Vanderbilt (8-2) Miami (FL) (7-2) Georgia Tech (8-1) Michigan (7-2) Virginia (8-2) Louisville (7-2) Pittsburgh (7-2) Tennessee (6-3) South Florida (7-2) Cincinnati (7-2) The biggest development in the top 10 of these rankings is Texas Tech leapfrogging Ole Miss for the No. 6 spot after beating BYU while the Rebels rolled through a buy game against The Citadel. Lane Kiffin’s squad is now in a peculiar spot. The Rebels, who are clinging to a home playoff game, close the season with games against Florida and Kentucky. Teams like Oregon and Texas both have major resume-boosting chances in front of them and could be the next teams to jump Ole Miss. Miami is now the highest-ranked ACC team, putting it in the mock bracket for now. However, the Hurricanes still have two ACC losses, making it nearly impossible for them to get into the conference championship game with five one-loss teams in front of them in league play. The Group of Five is represented this week after being left out of the top 25 entirely a week ago. South Florida jumped into the poll at No. 24 and is in the mock bracket as the No. 12 seed. If the Bulls handle business and win the American, it looks like they will be in. Looking ahead to Week 12, USC will play Iowa in what is essentially a Big Ten elimination game. Notre Dame gets a chance for a ranked win against Pitt, while a loss from the Irish would be huge for the two-loss teams below them. Things in the SEC will sort themselves out as well, as Oklahoma goes on the road to play Alabama and Texas heading to Georgia. Both the Sooners and Longhorns likely need wins to stay in the mix.

Troy Finnegan 12 hours ago

Sports

Viral petition demands LeBron James’ return as face of Sprite Cranberry to replace Anthony Edwards

During the 2023-2024 NBA season, Anthony Edwards became one of basketball’s most talked-about players, per SI. His mix of swagger and skill captivated fans, helping his debut shoe, the AE1, sell out immediately. His confident southern charm made him one of the league’s most marketable young stars, leading brands to line up for partnerships. Sprite was one of them. The beverage giant, which has long maintained deep ties to hip-hop culture and the NBA, tapped Edwards as the new face of its Winter Spiced Cranberry campaign. Rebranded as “Anta Claus,” Edwards took over the commercial spotlight once held by LeBron James. In the 60-second ad, he delivers Sprite Cranberry to holiday parties in a flying convertible pulled by “eight tiny wolfdeer,” a playful nod to his Minnesota Timberwolves roots. The campaign, narrated by rapper Monaleo, marked Sprite and Edwards’ second collaboration since 2022. Still, not everyone is thrilled. Many fans are calling for a nostalgic return to the LeBron era, and they’re making their voices heard. Fans Launch Petition to Bring Back “LeKing” A viral petition titled “Make LeBron the Face of Sprite Cranberry Again” has surfaced on iPetitions, quickly collecting over 1,500 signatures and hundreds of comments. The petition’s creator, Robert Prince, was blunt in his message: “We will not stand for Anthony Edwards being the face of Sprite Cranberry. We need LeBron back and NOW.” The comments section captures a wave of nostalgia from fans who still associate the drink with LeBron’s iconic “Wanna Sprite Cranberry?” ad. “We need the King,” one supporter named Trevon wrote. Another user, Liam Tarrant, added, “I love LeBron and Sprite Cranberry!” Others leaned into humor, posting comments like “I miss you lepookie” and “Bring back leking.” The tone of the petition is both playful and passionate. Fans remember the cultural impact of LeBron’s holiday commercials, which became a winter tradition across the internet. His animated likeness holding a bottle of Sprite Cranberry became an instantly recognizable image, inspiring memes and remixes that still circulate today. Why Fans Still Connect Sprite Cranberry With LeBron LeBron’s connection to the drink runs deeper than advertising. His original campaign came at the height of his Cleveland Cavaliers days, and the ad’s catchy delivery made Sprite Cranberry a cultural staple. The question “Wanna Sprite Cranberry?” became a yearly signal that the holiday season had arrived. Now that Sprite is spotlighting a new generation of athletes, many fans are finding it hard to let go. Anthony Edwards may represent the future, but LeBron’s campaign defined an era. Across social media and the petition’s comment section, one phrase keeps appearing: “It’s not Sprite Cranberry without LeBron.” Whether Sprite decides to respond remains uncertain. What is clear is that nostalgia for the original holiday campaign is alive and well, and fans are showing that their love for LeBron’s version of “Sippin’ Season” is far from over.

Burtland Dixon 12 hours ago

Politics

Russia’s high court bid over Canberra embassy fails but Australian government to pay costs

Court rules 2023 cancellation of $2.75m 99-year lease was legal but Russia must be compensated

Nino Bucci 12 hours ago

Business

Food delivery service Menulog to shut down after two decades

The closure leaves Uber Eats and DoorDash dominating Australia’s increasingly competitive food delivery market, which has faced persistent profitability pressures. Deliveroo exited the Australian market in 2022. About 120 employees will be provided with redundancy packages, and eligible couriers will be entitled to four weeks of “voluntary payment”. The decision was made by Menulog’s new European owner, Prosus, a Dutch investment company that acquired Menulog parent company Just Eat Takeaway.com for €4.1 billion ($7.3 billion) earlier this year. Prosus is focused on core markets in Europe, and the Australian closure is not related to Australia’s financial performance, said a source who was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter. “This strategic decision reflects our ​focus on accelerating growth and investments in other markets and to deliver the best experience for customers, partners and couriers,” Just Eat Takeaway.com said in a statement.

David Swan,Jessica Yun 12 hours ago

Sports

The real reason Jaime Jaquez Jr. has ‘grown tremendously’ with Heat

MIAMI – While the Miami Heat’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers will be highlighted by Andrew Wiggins and his game-winning dunk to get the team the victory in overtime on Monday, 140-138, there were many contributions in the game. One of them was bounce-back Heat star Jaime Jaquez Jr., impressing once again after the sophomore slump from last season. In the win over the Cavaliers, Jaquez would score 22 points on shooting seven of 12 from the field to go along with a career-high 13 rebounds and seven assists. As Miami is displaying a new and improved offense that focuses on drives to the rim and a fast pace, it has unlocked the best version of Jaquez, as Erik Spoelstra mentioned how he’s grown. “Jaime is really growing,” Spoelstra said. “He’s so poised now with an aggressiveness. He’s making just enough plays to keep the defense honest. But every possession he’s going to make you have to be locked in defensively to keep him from his spot.” Erik Spoelstra speaks on Norman Powell being a steady presence for the team, says he’s a “proven, versatile, potent scorer.” Would also speak on how Jaime Jaquez Jr. is making defenses honest. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/wd0muLqApW — Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 11, 2025 Jaquez would help Miami tie up the game at the end of regulation, hitting on a turnaround mid-range floater. Spoelstra would speak on the trust level to put the ball in his hands then. “But the trust level really is more about the times if he does get stuck, everybody’s getting more trust that he’s okay,” Spoelstra said. “He’s grown tremendously with that, and he doesn’t need to get 20 assists, but if he can get 4, 5, 6, 7 assists, that’s only going to help him with his attacks…But then you get to that point in the game, you might not be able to get to the rim, you might not be able to make a play and and that the right play, you go to the mid-game.” Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. on improving in the summer Sam Navarro-Imagn Images With the Heat’s new and improved offense that sports the fastest pace in the league with 106.58 possessions per 48 minutes, it has led to improvements in many players. There hasn’t been a player more benefited by the offense, arguably, than Jaquez, letting him go back to his strengths and create more space, as he points out. “We got a lot of space out there,” Jaquez said. “That’s really what it is, with guys like myself, Davion, get into the paint, we are just surrounded by shooters. So, you know, really opens up a lot of driving lanes for us to get in there and make plays. And you know, when guys shoot open shots, they’re good. They’re gonna make them. So, you know, really just credit to this offense that allows us for so much space and so many driving lanes, and then it’s just on us to make the right play.” Jaime Jaquez Jr. was asked about the improvement in clutch situations under the new offense: “We got a lot of space out there…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/g0Laoo8Bjm — Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 11, 2025 When talking about the shot to help Miami extend the game into overtime, he would reflect in the summer about clutch situations from last season, in what he could’ve done better. “Just trying to make the right read,” Jaquez said. “It’s really great with this offense, got a lot of guys moving, so there’s a lot of targets for me to hit. So when you add that all together, it ends up making the reads a lot easier for me to make.” Jaquez and Miami look to keep it going as the team faces the Cavaliers again on Wednesday.

Zachary Weinberger 12 hours ago