News from November 17, 2025

Sports

Exclusive: Norman Powell teases explosive connection with Tyler Herro when he returns

MIAMI – As Miami Heat star Tyler Herro has returned to practice after missing the start of the season, still recovering from left ankle surgery, there is one connection on the team that fans have yet to witness, which features Herro and Norman Powell. There’s no doubt that the veteran has made an impact, like Andrew Wiggins calling Powell the best thing to happen for the Heat this year, but how will he look with Herro also on the floor? Heat’s Norman Powell on fit with Tyler Herro when he returns Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images So far this season, Powell has been stellar for the Heat, averaging 26.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 47.9 percent from three-point range. One would imagine those statistics go down when Herro returns in about a “week or two,” as the star said Sunday, but that won’t mean Powell will be suppressed. In a one-on-one interview with ClutchPoints after Sunday’s practice, he would express his excitement to Herro and Bam Adebayo, returning to practice, saying that he doesn’t expect any changes when the guard is back. Powell cites himself playing with star players in the past, producing alongside them, and even mentions how the two have spoken about “playing off one another.” “Especially in this offense, I could see if it was we had to run plays and I need a certain number of shots, or whatever it is, but that’s not the case,” Powell said. “I mean, if you look at my track record from playing with other stars, I played alongside ball-dominant stars and still been productive and been able to produce. So I don’t think it’s going to be anything different.” “I think we’re going to complement each other with our play style, with the way they’re guarding me,” Powell continued. “Now they have to guard Tyler as well. So I think we’re going to have him in a lot of rotations, especially with the pace. We’re both selfless players. We’ve already been talking about how we’re going to be finding each other and looking for each other in transition and playing off one another.” Heat’s Tyler Herro on Norman Powell’s season thus far With the Heat displaying its new offense, emphasizing a free-flowing and fast-paced system, it could be easy to imagine Powell and Herro forming an explosive backcourt. Powell would receive praise from Herro after Sunday’s practice, saying that the former Los Angeles Clippers guard has “been killing it” and also highlighting that he doesn’t “expect anything else to change” when he comes back. “He’s been killing it, super excited for Norm [Powell],” Herro said to ClutchPoints. “I know how hard he works, since he’s come here, you know, he’s lived in the gym, guys like that, I just tip my hat. So I love workers, love guys who come in and get extra reps, and that’s what he does. I don’t expect anything else to change. He’s a hell of an offensive player. He’s going to continue to do that for us the whole season. Opens up a lot for our offense.” Asked Tyler Herro about what he’s seen from Norman Powell to start the season and if there will be any change with their fit: “He’s been killing it, super excited for Norm…I don’t expect anything else to change…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/NC3uQJ2UaA — Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 16, 2025 Still, there is a handful of games to play with Herro sidelined, as Powell will be called upon to be the leading scorer once again, with a rematch against the New York Knicks on Monday after the disappointing loss last Friday. The rebounding has been an issue for Miami recently, with Powell telling ClutchPoints that aspect was a big emphasis in practice, saying he takes blame for not just the boards, but needing to be a better leader. At any rate, Powell and the Heat look to get back in the winning column on Monday night.

Zachary Weinberger 1 days ago

Entertainment

Angry Ginge faces ITV I'm A Celebrity blow with Ruby Wax after first live show

Comedian Ruby Wax and social media star Morgan Burtwistle, known as Angryginge, will be the first celebrities to face an eating challenge on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!. Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly told campmates the bushtucker trial will take place at “revolting restaurant” The Divey, with both stars set to take part and try to win stars for the camp. Morgan has already proven himself by winning the first challenge of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! alongside rapper and friend Aitch and TV star Jack Osbourne, son of Ozzy. The stars faced offal, slime and snakes before collecting key fobs that secured their place in a luxurious getaway car that took them into camp. After their arrival, Osbourne cooked a steak dinner with mushrooms and avocado for his fellow winners while the o ther contestants – Ruby Wax, Lisa Riley, Shona McGarty, Kelly Brook, Alex Scott and Martin Kemp – were given emu neck for dinner. Speaking ahead of the new series, Anthony McPartlin said “we’re back baby” as the show got underway on Sunday night, November 16. McPartlin and his co-host, Declan Donnelly, spoke about the contestants and joked that Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp was a “nepo daddy” given his son, radio host Roman Kemp, entered the jungle in 2019. Some viewers commented on how 'attractive' Martin was after the first episode, as he caught the eye for his good looks during the show. A second said: "I mean Martin Kemp is still a very attractive man," while a third added: "Martin Kemp is so gorgeous. Those eyes. Only ever seen such stunning eyes like that before on Paul Newman." A fourth viewer asked: "So we all agree that Martin Kemp is an objectively SEXY MAN, right?" and a fifth commented: "MARTIN KEMP DILFFFF #ImACeleb."

Peter Hennessy 1 days ago

Entertainment

Ruby Rose lashes out at ‘cretin’ Sydney Sweeney

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau is trying not to be distracted by her estranged husband Justin Trudeau’s romance with Katy Perry. The 50-year-old TV presenter – who separated from the former Canadian prime minister in 2023 – broke her silence on his new romance a month after Justin, 53, and pop star Katy, 41, made their debut public appearance as a couple in Paris on October 25, the singer’s birthday. Earlier that month photos had emerged of the pair kissing on Perry’s yacht as it sailed off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. Appearing on the latest episode of the Arlene is Alone podcast, Sophie was asked by host Arlene Dickinson how she has dealt with the publicity surrounding her ex’s new relationship. She replied it was “normal” to be affected by a former spouse dating someone new. “We’re human beings and stuff affects us. Normal. How you react to stuff is your decision. So I choose to try to listen to the music instead of the noise,” she said. “I’m very aware that a lot of public stuff out there can be triggers. Right, we’re humans. What I do with it is my decision. The woman I want to become through this is my decision. “Does that mean I don’t have emotions? That I don’t cry, scream, laugh? No. Especially that I’m a super tender heart, right? But it’s my decision after that, between the emotion and the reaction.” Justin and Katy Perry were first linked after they were spotted walking her dog through Montreal’s Mount Royal Park in July. The same month, the Roar hitmaker announced her split from actor Orlando Bloom, after nine years together. The couple has has five-year-old daughter, Daisy. Sophie said she has to “let myself feel” while refusing to be in “reactive mode” amid Justin’s romance. “I’ll let myself be disappointed by someone, I’ll let myself be angry, be sad. And I know for a fact how important it is, as a mental health advocate, to feel those emotions,” she said. “You can stay in that reactive mode, but you’ll suffer the consequences. “I’m also learning at 50 that people will meet life as where they are inside of them … it’s your choice to see that and be like, ‘How am I going to let that affect my happiness?’.” Sophie – who has sons Xavier, 18, and Hadrien, 11, as well as daughter Ella-Grace, 16, with Justin – says she and her ex-husband maintain a good relationship for their children following their split after 18 years of marriage. “We have separate lives, but we have one family life. You need a common, conscious decision that our family is our greatest creation and we’re going to feed it together, no matter if we’re on different life paths.”

Arlene Is Not Alone 1 days ago

Technology

Ecommerce majors tweak listings for better AI chatbot visibility

Amazon India and Flipkart are optimising their product listings for some categories to ensure better visibility on large language model (LLM) chatbots, people aware of the matter told ET.These marketplaces are looking to show up better on chatbots like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google Gemini and other silicon savants that users turn to for ecommerce shopping.“Amazon India has started piloting ChatGPT search optimisation for some product categories after its Diwali sales ended,” said two people in the know. “Depending on the results, it will be rolled out across categories.”Flipkart is also in talks with third-party firms that offer generative engine optimisation (GEO) services, according to sources.Experts said that other ecommerce players and quick commerce firms are likely to follow suit as users move to LLM search.These developments follow the National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI’s) integration with ChatGPT in October, in partnership with Razorpay and Tata group-owned BigBasket. In the pilot phase, users can shop directly from BigBasket via ChatGPT and pay through UPI without leaving the platform.“Product listing optimisation for LLM search is the first step for ecommerce platforms before they get into agentic commerce,” said an expert.Currently, both Amazon and Flipkart are looking at ChatGPT search optimisation.A spokesperson for Amazon said, “We continue to enhance the search and discovery experience by introducing AI-driven tools and programmes that make it more intuitive, personalised and efficient for customers.”Walmart-backed Flipkart said it is “exploring LLM optimisation to make product information more accessible and relevant across platforms”.Keywords and dataUnlike conventional search engines which rely heavily on keywords, LLMs respond to prompts and generate curated answers. For LLM optimisation, platforms must focus both on keywords and prompts most frequently used on chatbots.“Ecommerce product links are ranked on LLMs based on their price, delivery date, inventory, geography, description and other factors,” said Mayank Mishra, founder of Consumable AI, which offers AI-powered search optimisation solutions to companies.In August, ET had reported that startups such as Y-Combinator-backed Siftly, Bengaluru-based Asva AI, and Pune-based Consumable AI are offering GEO and LLM optimisation services to brands as users turn to chatbots for search.These platforms scrape thousands of data points across categories to find the most searched and accurate keywords. “The right keywords then need to be put in the right order to ensure the product listing shows up on top of the search,” said Mishra.The future: agentic commerceAfter GEO, which only improves search visibility, platforms are moving towards agentic commerce, in which AI agents do the shopping and payment on behalf of the user.“From search engine optimisation (SEO), online commerce websites have started to focus on generative engine optimisation (GEO) due to advanced technology and platforms like Shopify,” said Vinay Raj Chowhan, founder and CEO of Clapp AI, an agentic commerce platform. “We are now moving towards a future where websites need to be generative experience optimised (GXO).”Chowhan said, “Under the Shopify-OpenAI collaboration, Shopify merchants can directly sell on ChatGPT without links using the model context protocol (MPC).”MPC allows chatbots like OpenAI to connect with external tools and data sources, enabling them to conduct the purchase.ChatGPT has partnered with Etsy to enable chatbot-led shopping in the US. Similarly, Walmart announced in October that its customers can soon shop on ChatGPT using its Instant Checkout feature. Besides ChatGPT, Perplexity AI has partnered with Shopify and PayPal to enable AI commerce.Amazon also has its AI shopping agent, Rufus, which answers queries and provides product links.The latest shift in online shopping has led to a legal dust-up. Amazon sent a notice to Perplexity earlier this month asking it to block its agent (on its AI browser Comet) from making purchases on Amazon on behalf of customers.

Disha Acharya 1 days ago

Technology

Data law to unlock a Rs 10,000 crore space as firms boost compliance spends

India's new data protection law is expected to attract investments of about Rs 10,000 crore over the next three years as businesses allocate more resources toward privacy automation and services to comply with the norms, according to consulting firm EY India.Two years after Parliament passed the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, the government on Friday notified the administrative rules that are required for putting the law into effect.According to EY India, of the nearly Rs 10,000 crore anticipated in investments, consent management—a crucial element of compliance—could represent about 10% as large enterprises embed consent systems into their digital infrastructure over the next 12 to 18 months.Global vendors such as ServiceNow, IBM, OneTrust and TrustArc are already making moves to capture early market share in consent management-as-a-service.ServiceNow said it is working with four of India’s top five banks. IBM’s access management platform, IBM Verify, is also emerging as a major contender in enterprise deployment.Among startups, Atlanta-based OneTrust, a global leader in privacy and risk management, announced an expansion into Singapore earlier this year to serve as its APAC hub for markets, including India, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The nine-year-old firm, now valued at $4.5 billion, has a registered office in Bengaluru and recently entered co-sell partnerships with Deloitte and KPMG to strengthen its India operations.Meanwhile, California-headquartered TrustArc is in the process of being acquired by Netherlands-based private equity firm Main Capital Partners, a move that will be pivotal for its India expansion, reports suggest.“The DPDP will create a significant compliance ecosystem in India… with an estimated upwards of Rs 10,000 crore opportunity over the next three years across privacy automation and compliance services,” Tiffy Isaac, partner, cybersecurity consulting, EY India, told ET.“Consent management alone could represent 10% of this spend, which may, however, get subsidized, based on how the commercial model for registered consent manager pans out,” he said.Email queries sent to IBM, OneTrust and TrustArc remained unanswered till as of press time.According to the DPDP Act, a consent manager (CM) is a registered entity which operates a neutral, interoperable, privacy-enabled platform for users to give, review, withdraw or modify consent for data fiduciaries.As per Data Protection Board’s norms, to qualify for registration as a consent manager, an applicant must be a company incorporated in India with a minimum net worth of Rs 2 crore.The IT ministry has selected six companies among Indian firms for its “Code for Consent” challenge . They are: Jio Platforms, Baldor Technologies (IDfy), VertexTech Labs (Redacto), Quagga Tech (Zoop), Concur and Aurelion Future Forge.“Over the past year, many organisations had already initiated their DPDP programmes mapping data flows, refreshing privacy notices, and redesigning consent journeys,” said Sundareshwar Krishnamurthy, partner and cyber leader at PwC India.“With the rules now formally in effect, these preparatory steps must evolve into operational, auditable compliance,” he said, adding that the market will see emergence of privacy-as-a-service platforms.However, challenges remain. “Modernising legacy systems, ensuring multilingual and accessible consent flows, improving consumer awareness, and meeting the technical rigour expected of consent managers,” Krishnamurthy highlighted.Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, GVP, sales and managing director, India and SAARC, ServiceNow, said, “We see DPDP accelerating the need for enterprise-grade consent and data-governance workflows.”According to Lakshminarayanan, the next 12-18 months will see rapid acceleration in compliance, with large enterprises moving first, followed by mid-market adoption.He said consent is no longer a one-time checkbox—it's now an ongoing, auditable and revocable digital relationship with the customer.“The biggest challenges we foresee are fragmented data systems, legacy processes and the need for end-to-end visibility across customer touchpoints,” he said, adding that companies are addressing this by shifting toward unified workflow platforms.

Himanshi Lohchab 1 days ago

Politics

School Assembly News Headlines For November 17: Top National, International & Others News

News Headlines for School Assembly, November 17, 2025: From former Union Minister RK Singh announcing his resignation from the BJP to Indian equity markets ending the week on a high note, here are today’s top news highlights for today. Top National News: – Former Union Minister RK Singh announced his resignation from the BJP on Saturday, just hours after being suspended and receiving a show-cause notice which he claims did not specify the charges against him. – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed the Supreme Court that it has instructed officials in Bihar to use Aadhaar strictly as proof of identity, not citizenship, while updating the state’s revised electoral roll. Top International News: – US border czar Tom Homan, responsible for removing illegal immigrants from the United States, stated that the Catholic Church’s stance on President Donald Trump’s administration’s mass deportations is “wrong”. – Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI continues its ‘disappear and dump’ policy in Balochistan, according to top intelligence sources. Seven Baloch individuals have gone missing in Kech, Mastung, and Panjgur areas of Pakistan’s Balochistan, local sources informed News18. Top Sports News: – India’s campaign at the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics started with a spectacular display in shooting, winning four medals in two events. This includes a world record–breaking gold from Dhanush Srikanth and a brilliant double podium finish from Mahit Sandhu and Komal Waghmare. Top Business News: – Indian equity markets ended the week on a strong note, with benchmark indices rising due to the resolution of the U.S. government shutdown, strong domestic fundamentals, better-than-expected Q2 earnings, and easing inflation. Record-low October inflation strengthened expectations of an RBI rate cut, boosting domestic equities further. Gains were broad-based across sectors, led by IT, Pharma, healthcare, and Auto stocks. Top Education News: – The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the President of India’s decision to withhold assent to the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021. The Bill seeks to exempt the state from NEET and base medical admissions on Class 12 scores, using a scientific normalisation process, according to ANI. The Governor’s Secretariat informed the State of the President’s decision on March 4, 2025.

Education And Careers Desk,News18,Sukanya Nandy 1 days ago

World

Meet the whistleblowers who exposed Queensland’s domestic violence failures: ‘I was warned they would pulverise me’

Exclusive: The women who made Guardian Australia’s two-year investigation possible on why they decided to break ranks and speak out

Ben Smee Queensland correspondent 1 days ago

World

India's NCDEX eyes 20% stake in Sri Lanka's first commodity exchange

India’s leading agriculture commodity exchange, the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), has decided to acquire around a 20 per cent stake in a new commodities and financial derivatives exchange being set up in Sri Lanka, subject to regulatory and governmental approvals. The move aims to deepen NCDEX’s footprint in the financial ecosystem of its neighbouring country. The new exchange, being promoted in Sri Lanka by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), will be called CSEDEX and focus on commodity and financial derivatives. Currently, Sri Lanka does not have any exchange for either commodity or financial derivatives. Sources said that if approved, this could be one of the rare instances of an Indian commodity exchange directly acquiring a stake in an overseas exchange, though there have been previous collaborations and partnerships between Indian bourses and foreign exchanges. “Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU)

Sanjeeb Mukherjee 1 days ago

World

Horoscope Today, November 17, 2025: Aries, Leo, Virgo And More, Your Day Ahead

Daily Horoscope Today, November 17, 2025: Today, each zodiac sign experiences a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. Aries will thrive in harmony, deepening relationships with loved ones and enhancing communication, while Taurus faces stress and internal conflict, presenting an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery through improved communication. Gemini struggles with uncertainty and potential misunderstandings, urging emotional control and introspection to overcome past tensions. Cancer enjoys a day of emotional fulfillment, strengthening bonds through meaningful conversations and family support. Leo radiates positivity and creativity, attracting new relationships and renewing energy through social connections and personal growth. Virgo faces emotional turbulence and unmet expectations, yet finds growth in introspection and careful communication to overcome challenges. Libra experiences a vibrant day of sociability, building harmonious relationships and feeling mentally uplifted, while Scorpio faces mental stress and struggles that test inner strength, requiring patience and wisdom to navigate. Sagittarius embraces an exciting day of opportunities and progress, with creativity and spirituality fueling personal and relational growth. Capricorn contends with confusion and emotional strain, needing to focus on patience and clarity in communication, while Aquarius faces tension in relationships, urging patience, dialogue, and self-clarity to navigate the temporary challenges. Finally, Pisces enjoys a highly positive day, enhancing connections through empathy and open communication, with the chance to experience something new and special in relationships. Aries Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a day filled with fulfillment and harmony for Aries. Positive energy will flow into your life, allowing you to deepen your relationships. This is a time when you will want to spend more time with loved ones, which will enhance their sweetness. Communication and understanding will be key, allowing you to establish harmony with your loved ones. Your spontaneity and confidence will help you build deeper connections with others. Today can bring new hopes and dreams to your relationships. This is a great time to share happiness and experience new things. The depth and authenticity of your feelings will take your relationships to new heights. Overall, today will be a wonderful day for Aries, enhancing harmony and love in your life. Enjoy time spent with loved ones and strengthen your relationships. Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Colour: Pink Taurus Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a challenging day overall for Taurus. You will feel a rush around you, which may cause mental stress. However, this time will also be important for your personal growth. Difficulties will teach you to manage yourself and make you aware of your inner strengths. You must understand that behind every difficulty lies a negative aspect, which we must transform into a positive one. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings and communicate with others. This communication can bring positive change for you. You need to strengthen your communication skills. Try to resolve ongoing relationship problems through conversation. Also, recognize your creativity and find a way to express it. Overall, today will help you understand your potential and strengths, but you must remain cautious. Lucky Number: 1 Lucky Colour: Sky Blue Gemini Horoscope Today Ganesha says today can be a bit challenging for Gemini. The overall situation will be a little more difficult than usual. You may feel that the environment around you is uncertain, and this may affect your mental state. Be careful when communicating with friends and family, as your words may be misunderstood. It is important to control your emotions at this time. Instead of seeking help from others, trust yourself and remain calm. Arguments or worries about a past issue may cause you mental stress today, so it’s important to maintain composure. You may experience separation or tension in your relationships. Try to resolve these situations through conversation. Express your thoughts clearly but thoughtfully. The overall harmonious atmosphere can provide you with opportunities for experimental reflection and self-discovery. Despite difficulties, focus on understanding your inner self to better face future challenges. Lucky Number: 11 Lucky Colour: Blue Cancer Horoscope Today Ganesha says today brings excellent opportunities for Cancerians. This is a time to strengthen your personal love and relationships. You will be able to have deep and meaningful conversations with your loved ones. The family atmosphere will be pleasant and supportive, making you feel more emotionally secure. Your sensitivity and compassion will bring sweetness to your relationships. Putting aside the negative emotions of this time, you should strive to maintain harmony with your spouse and family. Share your heart openly, as this will deepen your relationships. You will have the opportunity to renew your relationships and meet old friends or family members. Your presence will attract people and open new avenues of connection. Strengthen your relationships and celebrate life with passion and love. Today will bring excitement and positivity to your relationships. Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Colour: Purple Leo Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a wonderful experience for you overall. Your personality will possess a charm that will attract people. The atmosphere around you will be filled with positivity, making you feel more confident and energetic. Your creativity will be at its peak, allowing you to better express your thoughts and feelings. You will also experience harmony and affection in your relationships. Spending time with loved ones will bring you joy and satisfaction. Your thoughts and perspectives will be renewed during this time, strengthening your social connections. New friendships and relationships are likely to be formed, bringing new happiness into your life. Participating in social activities will prove beneficial and motivate you towards your goals. Overall, today will be a wonderful experience for you, and you will experience renewed enthusiasm and joy. Lucky Number: 6 Lucky Colour: Brown Virgo Horoscope Today Ganesha says overall, today will be a challenging day for Virgos. Planetary positions indicate some complications that could affect your mental and emotional health. You may feel unstable during this time, which could cause you stress. Your plans may not go as expected, and this may lead to disappointment. However, this is also a time for learning and introspection. During this time, relationships may experience some strain. Be cautious in your conversations, as it’s best to avoid serious arguments. Mutual understanding and cooperation are crucial at this time. Try to maintain a positive outlook, as behind every challenge lies an opportunity. This time can prove to be a turning point in your personal growth. Remain calm and face every situation and find solutions. Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Colour: Dark Green Libra Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a very good day for you. You will be filled with renewed enthusiasm, allowing you to enjoy every aspect of life. Your marital and personal relationships will be especially positive. This day will provide you with a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your family and friends. Your sociability and communication skills will attract people, which could lead to new relationships. During this time, deep and meaningful conversations will bring you closer to others. This is a time to share your thoughts without hesitation, which will strengthen your relationships. This atmosphere of positivity will also refresh your spirit and make you feel much lighter mentally. This positive energy will have a long-term impact on your life. Overall, today will be a day for you to be sociable, creative, and build harmony among people. Take full advantage of this opportunity and strengthen your relationships even further. Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Colour: Grey Scorpio Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a challenging day for Scorpios. This time indicates that you may face mental stress and struggles. However, you need to recognize your inner strength. Some adversities may try to test you, but remember that every challenge is a part of your growth. You are advised to make wise decisions. Control your emotions and stay away from negativity. Spending time with family or close friends will bring you peace, but try not to get caught up in external conflicts. During this time, try to keep your thoughts positive and constructive. There’s truth and depth to your thinking, which you can use to understand your situation. This is a challenging time for personal growth, but overcoming it will make you stronger. Be patient, and remember, difficulties are temporary. Lucky Number: 12 Lucky Colour: Black Sagittarius Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will bring a unique and pleasant experience for Sagittarius. You will experience a unique blend of expansiveness and possibilities in your life. This is a time for you to move forward while facing various challenges. The spirituality you seek will enrich your inner world. You will also see progress in your relationships. Exchanging ideas with family and friends will strengthen your relationships. Your creativity will be at its peak, allowing you to realize your ideas. This is an excellent time to move forward with determination towards your goals. The challenges you face will be simple and abundant, helping you move forward. Overall, today will bring excitement and possibilities into your life, allowing you to move forward in a new direction. Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Colour: Magenta Capricorn Horoscope Today Ganesha says today may be full of some challenges for you. From an overall perspective, this time is not favorable for you. There may be some disturbance in the energy around you, which may affect you mentally and emotionally. Circumstances may seem difficult, and you may feel confused. During this time, you need to pay more attention to small details. There may be some ups and downs in your relationships. You may be advised to be patient when communicating with loved ones. Try to express your thoughts and feelings clearly; this will help reduce bitterness in relationships. To maintain your mental stability, you should engage in positive activities. You can take advantage of this time to recognize your inner strength. Meditation and contemplation can help you overcome this crisis. Believe in yourself and face every challenge. Today is certainly a difficult day, but you can handle it. Lucky Number: 15 Lucky Colour: Orange Aquarius Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be filled with some challenges for Aquarius. You have faced many changes in your life, and you are still trying to balance these changes. This time is not entirely favorable, so you should maintain a positive attitude. Your harmony may be tested. Some tension may arise between friends and family, but this is only a temporary situation. You need to be patient and try to resolve matters through dialogue. Avoid any confusion. Communication and understanding play a vital role in relationships. Try to express your views, but don’t make any major decisions under the influence of emotions. This is a time to clarify your self-commitment and courage. Challenges will make you stronger, so have faith in yourself. Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Colour: White Pisces Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be an overall excellent day for Pisces. This is a time to build good and positive relationships with those around you. Your sensitivity and empathy will help you understand the feelings of others, allowing you to deepen your relationships. Time spent with friends and family will bring you joy and satisfaction. This is a great opportunity for you to express your heart and communicate openly. You will be able to express your feelings clearly, which will strengthen your relationships. You are likely to experience something new with someone special, and it will touch your heart. Your ability to think diplomatically will help you resolve any disputes. These communication skills will strengthen your relationships. Overall, today will be a great day for your relationships, bringing happiness into your life. Lucky Number: 10 Lucky Colour: Green (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla).

Chirag Daruwalla,News18,Nibandh Vinod 1 days ago

Technology

Non-tech firms up AI spends to stay ahead of the curve

Companies in India outside of the tech sector are stepping up hiring of artificial intelligence (AI) professionals amid a rush to boost productivity and stay ahead of the curve.Recruiters Quess, Michael Page, Randstad and Xpheno told ET that the demand for AI professionals among non-tech companies-such as banks, healthcare providers, consulting firms, manufacturers, and retailers-has increased by 25% to 50% compared with the previous year.The demand for AI jobs is mostly for engineering, support and functional roles, according to data collated by specialist staffing firm Xpheno. Among the companies hiring actively are JPMorgan Chase, IQVIA, BNY, Optum, PwC and Wells Fargo, Xpheno said."The active hiring for AI roles in the non-tech sectors is driven by a need to organise data, processes and people structures for efficiencies and non-linear business growth," said Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno. "This is an important shift and phase for non-tech firms, to avoid being left behind in the larger AI-enabled ecosystem."Anand V, chief information officer for the APAC region at Randstad, said he's seen AI hiring mandates from non-technology sectors surge by 50% over the past year. "Companies across banking, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, hospitality, real estate and retail are embedding AI directly into revenue, risk and operations, and not treating it as a tech add-on, which is driving this acceleration," he said.As AI adaptation increases across sectors such as BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), retail, manufacturing and energy, hiring of professionals trained in AI and related fields has shot up, said Kapil Joshi, chief executive (IT staffing) at Quess Corp.AI/ML (machine learning) hiring in non-IT sectors has surged by over 50% y-o-y, a sign of how strongly traditional industries are investing in automation, fraud prevention, decision intelligence and personalised customer journeys. Generative AI (GenAI)-specific roles are growing by 178% year-on-year, he said.Companies gung-hoOrganisations such as RPG Group, Deloitte and EY have stepped up hiring for AI-related roles across levels. "We've seen a significant growth in AI-related hiring, reflecting both the pace of client demand and our focus on building a technology-first firm," said Arti Dua, partner and national talent leader at EY India. "We are investing significantly in generative AI, machine learning, data engineering, AI governance, responsible AI frameworks and applied AI and business integration." Dua said, "We are bringing in AI engineers, data engineers, solution architects and product managers--roles that sit at the intersection of technology, data and business transformation."At RPG Group, the allocation of resources in AI-related projects has increased by 30% in the last 12 months. The conglomerate aims to double this in the next 15 months."We believe artificial intelligence and technology is an integral part and enabler for diversified manufacturing-first businesses like ours to be future resilient," said Amol Deshpande, group chief digital officer and head of innovation at RPG Group.RPG is hiring data engineers, data scientists and GenAI experts.At Deloitte India, chief people and experience officer Deepti Sagar said the hiring momentum has been particularly strong in GenAI, data modernisation and cloud-based AI delivery."As a professional services firm, we need to stay ahead of the curve with AI-enabled service delivery for our clients," said Sagar.

Brinda Sarkar 1 days ago

Technology

Dunzo’s Kabeer Biswas eyeing funds for AI concierge startup

Dunzo cofounder Kabeer Biswas, who recently left Flipkart, is in discussions to raise about $12 million for his new venture, a personal AI concierge service, according to people in the know. Biswas has held talks with Peak XV Partners, Lightspeed, Blume Ventures and other early-stage investors for the funding round.The startup is being pitched as a personal AI agent that can book travel, make reservations and handle errands along with delivery and pickup services. The positioning is that of a Dunzo 2.0, a person in the know said.“It is as a broader concierge layer that can deliver something, pick something, buy something or coordinate tasks. It is Dunzo 2.0…,” the person cited above said on the condition of anonymity.Peak XV, Lightspeed and Blume Ventures did not respond to queries. Biswas did not respond to queries either.Biswas’s fundraising efforts come close on the heels of his exit from Flipkart, where he spent less than a year after joining to head the ecommerce major’s quick commerce unit under Flipkart Minutes. His hiring was seen as a significant move for the Walmart-owned Flipkart, given his background in running Dunzo. People familiar with the matter said Biswas had held talks to join Tata Group-owned grocery delivery platform BigBasket, though he had denied any such discussions when contacted by ET in August and September.Dunzo started in 2015 as a hyperlocal, on-demand concierge app in Bengaluru, facilitating WhatsApp-based pickup and drop requests without being operations-heavy. After scaling and raising $200 million from Reliance Industries in 2022, the company pivoted to a quick commerce model which finally led to massive cash burn and led to its shutdown in 2024. Venture Capital firm Blume was an early backer in Dunzo, too.Large food delivery and quick commerce firms too have tried to capture the growing need for urban consumers to spend for convenience and quick deliveries.“We’ve been tracking a new habit taking shape among India’s urban professionals…which is to outsource the small and time-consuming tasks of daily life. Also, there’s a clear shift toward paying for ease rather than investing personal effort…and this is leading to opening up of a sizeable opportunity in the lifestyle services space for offerings that are centred on automation,” a venture capital investor told ET.Bengaluru-based Swiggy launched its travel and lifestyle concierge app, Crew, earlier this month, after a pilot programme it had rolled out in June this year. Crew is now available to users in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru regions. It lets users secure restaurant reservations, curate travel itineraries, organise birthday parties and gifts, get Aadhaar updates and book airport transfers.Biswas’s shift into a consumer-facing AI concierge reflects the broader rush towards agentic AI, where startups are building digital assistants that execute tasks rather than simply providing suggestions.Notably, a clutch of chat-based concierge services had come up in the 2014-2015 period but failed to scale up. These included Delhi-based Goodservice, which raised $1.6 million in seed money from erstwhile Sequoia Capital India. Goodservice was acquired by Urban Company in 2016. Another startup, JoeHukum, which raised funds from Tracxn Labs, Jupiter founder Jitendra Gupta, Pine Labs CEO Amrish Rau and 1mg founder Prashant Tandon, was acquired by Freshworks in 2017 after two years of operations.

Pranav Mukul 1 days ago

Business

Busy startup IPO season gives risk investors Rs 15,000 crore in cash exits

The busy IPO cycle of 2025 is handing out some of the biggest returns that venture and growth investors have seen in India’s startup ecosystem.The half a dozen new-age companies — Urban Company, Lenskart, Groww, Ather Energy, Bluestone and Pine Labs — that have listed so far this year have collectively unlocked more than Rs 15,000 crore ($1.6 billion) in cash liquidity for their early- and late-stage shareholders, as per ET’s calculations. Beyond the realised gains, investors are also sitting on over $8 billion in mark-to-market value on the shares they continue to hold, buoyed by strong post-listing performance by some of these companies.The largest paper gains have come for Peak XV’s (formerly Sequoia Capital India) residual stake in wealth-tech platform Groww, now valued at around $1.7 billion. SoftBank with its $1.1 billion position in Lenskart is next.Silicon Valley’s famed startup accelerator Y Combinator has also raked in multi-fold returns on Groww. It sold around a 2% stake in the firm through the offer-for-sale (OFS) portion of the IPO and is still holding on to around 10% in the firm, which crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in market capitalisation on Friday.New York-based Tiger Global and Palo Alto-headquartered Ribbit Capital have both sold a small part of their shareholding in Groww during the IPO and as per the current market cap of the fintech firm, their stakes are worth Rs 4,726 crore and Rs 11,511 crore, respectively.“These IPOs have given a clear message to global investors that Indian startups can facilitate sizeable exits,” said an early-stage investor who has backed fintech and consumer tech startups. “If there ever was any doubt or question in the minds of large global venture funds, the successful IPOs of startups like Groww have given a larger statement on behalf of the sector.” ETtech Peak XV’s big IPO seasonPeak XV Partners has taken home the largest cash exits from Groww and Pine Labs, two of its very large bets. Accel, Elevation Capital and SoftBank also liquidated parts of their holdings across Lenskart, Ather, BlueStone and Urban Company at a premium.Between wealth-tech startup Groww and digital payments platform Pine Labs, Peak XV Partners sold shares worth more than Rs 2,000 crore through the OFS process, which lets existing investors sell shares during an IPO. Their remaining stake in the two companies is worth more than Rs 20,000 crore as per closing stock prices on Friday.“Peak XV’s investment in Pine Labs was a unique case of long-term patient capital which is typically unlikely for venture investors, but the returns have been huge as well,” said a senior fintech industry executive and an active angel investor. Peak XV had invested around $35 million in Pine Labs over two or three rounds since first backing it in 2009. It is today sitting on likely gains of over $1 billion, with $575 million already coming in.For Peak XV, the series of cash-outs come at a time when it is in the midst of raising its first independent fund at over $1 billion, after the split from Sequoia Capital in 2023, as reported first by ET in April.The Pine Labs IPO gave partial exit opportunities to two large corporate investors as well: PayPal and Mastercard. However, some of the late-stage backers like Vitruvian Partners and Nordmann Investment are in the red having come in at a $5 billion valuation. Pine Labs took a 40% cut on its private valuation when it fixed the IPO price.SoftBank snagged a multimillion-dollar exit from the eyewear retailer Lenskart. The fund had invested $280 million in the company and its current stake in the firm is valued at more than $1 billion. The Masayoshi Son-led group sold shares of around $200 million through secondary transactions and the OFS component in the IPO. SoftBank’s remaining stake in Lenskart is worth over $1 billion.“We’re in the business of making money, so if incremental IRR (internal rate of return) isn’t attractive, we redeploy, but there’s no mandate to liquidate. We don’t report performance by region, but it’s safe to say India is one of the strongest-performing geographies in the Vision Fund,” Sumer Juneja, managing partner and head of EMEA and India at SoftBank Investment Advisers, told ET in an interview earlier this month.Strong gains for early backersIn the case of Urban Company and BlueStone, early investors including Accel and Elevation Capital generated strong returns.Accel first backed jewellery retailer BlueStone in 2012 and participated in multiple funding rounds for the company since then. The venture capital firm invested a total of Rs 200-215 crore in BlueStone and is sitting on paper gains of six times its investment, including realised and unrealised returns.With Urban Company, where Accel was the earliest institutional backer along with Elevation Capital, the VC fund made paper gains of 29 times its investment of Rs 70-75 crore. Elevation Capital, which ploughed Rs 95-100 crore across various stages in the at-home services platform, meanwhile saw a multiple of 19x on its investment.In the Groww IPO, YC took out Rs 1,054 crore, thereby marking the first such instance of a public market exit for the venture firm in India.Another YC alumnus, ecommerce firm Meesho, is slated for a December IPO at a valuation of $6-7 billion, which could change depending on market conditions. The IPO will see investors including Elevation Capital, Peak XV Partners and Y Combinator sell stakes.Ribbit Capital, an active investor in Indian fintech startups, sold shares worth Rs 1,181 crore in the Groww IPO and has a shareholding worth of Rs 11,511 crore currently.Tiger Global, which was an investor in electric scooter manufacturer Ather, sold shares worth Rs 12.8 crore in the IPO and exited the company fully by selling shares worth Rs 1,204 crore through post-IPO block deals.

Pranav Mukul 1 days ago

Technology

Mixed reactions to data law with some flagging costs, gaps

India’s latest data protection law has drawn mixed reactions from legal experts and policy researchers, with some arguing the framework bolsters privacy and individual rights, while others believe high compliance costs and ambiguity over state’s use of data could weaken the legislation’s original intent.Dhruv Garg, from New Delhi-based non-profit think- tank Indian Governance and Policy Project (IGAP), described the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules as “a mixed picture on data minimisation.”While the rules reinforce deletion obligations, they also require tech service providers to retain traffic logs and activity records for at least one year.“This improves auditability but raises real privacy concerns over the persistence of digital footprints,” Garg said.That could strain smaller startups that must maintain large data logs and security information systems.Although the tiered consent and verification mechanisms offer strong protections, they impose a “heavy operational lift” on platforms expected to verify guardianship and implement age verification systems, he said. Garg warned that state processing remains “a big grey zone” as the framework provides only broad standards for government data use, giving discretion the maximum latitude while offering minimal oversight.Detailed, yet demandingExperts see the DPDP Rules as a detailed but operationally demanding framework. While they signal the government’s intent to harden privacy enforcement, the resulting compliance costs, definitional ambiguities, and expansive state powers may test both industry readiness and the law’s stated balance between innovation and individual protection.Meghna Bal, director at the Esya Centre, a New Delhi-based policy think tank said the rules represent a missed opportunity to simplify compliance. “Instead of being less compliance-heavy than the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we have one of the most stringent consent regimes in the world,” she said.With consent required for nearly all data processing and no recognition of legitimate interest or contractual necessity, Bal said, “routine operations like marketing campaigns or parcel deliveries could become legally cumbersome.”Arun Prabhu, partner and co-head of digital, and technology, media and telecommunications at law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, said stakeholders had hoped for practical clarity on the manner of recording consent and standardised templates for data processing agreements. “That has not occurred,” he said, adding that operational uncertainty persists.Kazim Rizvi, founding director of The Dialogue, another New Delhi-based policy think tank, termed the outcome “disappointing,” given that stakeholder concerns raised during consultations were largely unaddressed. He pointed to persistent gaps in the framework for children’s data and the absence of clear thresholds for breach notifications, which could “overwhelm regulators with minor or low-impact incidents.” Rizvi also warned of unintended consequences from the localisation requirements for Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs), which may challenge firms relying on globally distributed infrastructure and reduce operational flexibility.There also remains uncertainty over how entities will be designated as Significant Data Fiduciaries and which categories of data will be subject to localisation. 'Opaque'“The absence of guidance on the criteria, composition of the committee, and process of determination creates regulatory opacity,” said Lagna Panda, partner at law firm AP & Partners. Supratim Chakraborty, partner at Khaitan & Co law firm, pointed out that many expected relaxations “have not materialised.” He said there was an absence of exemptions allowing child-directed services to filter or curate content for age-appropriate use, even as limited allowances have been made for location tracking to ensure child safety. “Similarly, the obligation to verify guardianship for persons with disabilities could be practically onerous where legal records are unavailable,” he said. The issue of children's data, and its collection has been heavily debated for years now. "Unlike the earlier Draft Rules, the final Rules exempt data processing for determining the "real-time location" of a child from the DPDPA's prohibitions on tracking and behavioural monitoring," Bal stressed.Lawyers pointed out the rules have not provided any uniform template for the dissemination of notices. This grants businesses the latitude to tailor their notification frameworks in alignment with the nature of the data being processed, Rajiv Chugh, partner and national leader, policy advisory and specialty services at EY India said. "The time has come to take stock and action before the moratorium of 18 months given to stakeholders runs out.” he warned.

Suraksha P 1 days ago

Politics

Trump news at a glance: Another Republican challenges Trump over Epstein files

Thomas Massie has criticized Trump for ordering attorney general Pam Bondi to examine Democrats with ties to Epstein – key US politics stories from 16 November at a glance

Guardian staff 1 days ago

Politics

Major US carrier arrives in Caribbean as Trump puts Venezuela in crosshairs  - St. Vincent Tribune – Daily

The United States’ most advanced aircraft carrier has arrived in the Caribbean Sea in a flex of military power by the President Donald Trump administration, as it raises pressure on Venezuela and prompts questions about what the influx of troops and armoury could portend. The arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford and other warships, announced by the US Navy in a statement on Sunday, marks a potentially pivotal moment in what the administration has pitched as a counterdrug operation, but is seen in many quarters as an aggressive push against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The US has been conducting military strikes on vessels the administration alleges are transporting drugs. In recent months, the campaign has carried out about 20 strikes in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coasts of Latin America, killing some 80 people. International law and human rights experts have repeatedly said that such attacks amount to extrajudicial executions, even if those targeted are suspected of drug trafficking. The administration has said that the build-up of American forces in the region is focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the US, but it has provided no evidence at all to support its assertions that those killed in the boats were what they term “narcoterrorists.” The Reuters news agency reported on Saturday that senior Trump administration officials held three meetings at the White House this week to discuss options for possible military action against Venezuela, citing unnamed officials. The reported meetings come as the Trump administration has continued to significantly expand the US military’s presence in the Latin America region, including with F-35 aircraft, warships and a nuclear submarine. Earlier this week, the Pentagon said the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group, which includes the world’s largest aircraft carrier, had arrived in the Caribbean with at least 4,000 sailors and dozens of “tactical aircraft” on board. In total, there are now about 12,000 US sailors and Marines in the region, in what US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday formally named “Operation Southern Spear”. Under the US Constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war. But Trump has said that he would not “necessarily ask for a declaration of war” in order to continue killing people “that are bringing drugs into our country”. Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, who commands the strike group, said it will bolster an already large force of American warships to “protect our nation’s security and prosperity against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere”. In Trinidad and Tobago, which is only 11 kilometres (seven miles) from Venezuela at its closest point, government officials said troops have begun “training exercises” with the US military. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sean Sobers described the joint exercises as the second in less than a month, adding they are aimed at tackling violent crime on the island nation, which has become a stopover point for drug shipments headed to Europe and North America. The prime minister has been a vocal supporter of the US military strikes. Venezuela’s government has described the training exercises as an act of aggression. It had no immediate comment Sunday on the arrival of the aircraft carrier. President Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the US, has said the US government is “fabricating” a war against him. On his Facebook page, Maduro wrote on Sunday that the “Venezuelan people are ready to defend their homeland against any criminal aggression”. Venezuela’s government recently promoted a “massive” mobilisation of troops and civilians to defend against possible US attacks.

Cb_usr 1 days ago

World

Israel kills at least three in Gaza, as thousands endure heavy flooding  - St. Vincent Tribune – Daily St

The Israeli military has killed at least three Palestinians in Gaza, as the coastal enclave reeled from heavy rains flooding shoddy makeshift tents housing thousands who have been denied adequate shelter owing to Israel’s continued throttling of aid supplies. A source at Nasser Medical Complex told Al Jazeera on Sunday that three people had been killed after Israel bombed east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. That same day, Israel also struck Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood and areas close to the southern city of Rafah. Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera’s Ibrahim al-Khalili said the Israeli army was still targeting locations inside the so-called yellow line, which demarcates where troops have withdrawn as part of the ceasefire. Al-Khalili said the situation was “going from bad to worse” for families living near the yellow line, as the military continued to “demolish residential buildings” and “spread panic” while they contended with heavy rains flooding makeshift shelters. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said that 13,000 families in Gaza whose homes were destroyed during two years of indiscriminate Israeli bombardment are now exposed to freezing temperatures and flooding in woefully inadequate shelters. UN data shows that more than 80 percent of all buildings and housing units in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the war. But Israel continues to block the entry of tents and mobile homes into the enclave despite the ceasefire, which was meant to unleash a flow of aid to stricken residents. Tamara Alrifai, UNRWA’s director of communications, said Israel had placed limitations on what could enter the enclave, banning certain items deemed to be of dual use that could potentially be used for military purposes. “Israel … would take out many items that are extremely needed, especially in this winter situation,” she said. “UNRWA is under double the amount of scrutiny and restrictions than other agencies despite being the largest agency there,” Alrifai said, adding that the UN agency has enough supplies to fill 6,000 aid trucks from its warehouses in Egypt and Jordan. Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud said: “It’s been raining for two days and people are telling us that everything has started to leak. Many of these displacement camps are at a different elevation to surrounding areas, allowing water to run in from all sides. Some areas are completely submerged.” “For people sheltering inside bombed-out buildings, everything is leaking, and there is a risk that with the heavy rains, the buildings could collapse. People who set up tents near the coast are at risk of strong tides washing away their tents,” he said. Abdulrahman Asaliyah, a displaced Palestinian in the city, told Al Jazeera: “All the tents have been flooded, people’s mattresses, their food, their water, their clothes. Everything has been soaked. We are calling for help for new tents that can at least protect people from the winter cold.” Caroline Seguin, Gaza emergency coordinator at Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym, MSF), said that many people were awakened by the floods and were afraid to go back to sleep. “In Gaza, it is a luxury to spend the night in a dry place,” she told Al Jazeera. Seguin said Israel was still putting up barriers to much-needed aid entering the enclave. Bringing in supplies, including tents and medication, was still “very complicated”, she said, requiring “even more administrative processes” from the Israeli side. Since the start of the ceasefire agreement last month, at least 266 people have been killed and 635 wounded by Israeli attacks, adding to a grim toll now approaching 70,000 deaths. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday that he did not know how long the Gaza ceasefire would hold, adding that Israel was still expecting the remains of three captives to be returned by Hamas. Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, has been undertaking efforts with the Red Cross to locate the remains of captives under mountains of rubble left behind by Israeli bombardment. Netanyahu also said that his opposition to a Palestinian state had “not changed one bit”, one day before the UN Security Council votes on a United States-drafted resolution mentioning a “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood that would mandate an international stabilisation force in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli violence in the occupied West Bank continued unabated, with raids on two camps that left two young Palestinians dead. Soldiers shot Jadallah Jihad Jumaa Jadallah, a 15-year-old ninth-grade student, as they raided the Far’a camp, located south of the city of Tubas in the West Bank, preventing paramedics from assisting him, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa. Separately, the military also killed Hassan Sharkasi during a raid on the Askar refugee camp east of Nablus, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Cb_usr 1 days ago

Politics

Vegemite ban: Murderer Andre McKechnie launches Supreme Court bid to allow iconic spread in Victorian prisons

A convicted murderer serving a life sentence behind bars has launched a legal battle in the Supreme Court to overturn a ban stopping him eating Vegemite in prison. Andre McKechnie, who was convicted with a non-parole period of 15 years for a murder committed in Queensland in the 1990s, is fighting the Department of Justice over the iconic spread’s ban in Victorian prisons. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Prisoner fights to overturn ban on Vegemite in jails Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow Vegemite has been banned in the state’s jails due to its high yeast content, which prisoners have previously used to brew homemade alcohol behind bars. Prison authorities also cite the product’s strong smell, which has allegedly been used to hinder detection dogs during searches. According to court documents, McKechnie claims he’s unable to “enjoy his culture” while incarcerated because of Vegemite’s contraband status, stating he would like to “no longer be prohibited from consuming Vegemite” and for the ban to be overturned. Taxpayers are reportedly footing the bill for the legal challenge, with Victorian courts listing the matter for a one-day trial in July next year. The current legal battle is just one of many court fights the prisoner has pursued while serving his sentence. In 2021 McKechnie commenced a proceeding against the State of Victoria to permanently restrain the state from “forcing or coercing” him to consume food which does not “conform to kashrut law”, a Jewish doctrine that defines which foods are kosher. Now incarcerated at Port Phillip Prison, McKechnie, who had earlier been jailed at Hopkins Correctional Centre and at Ravenhall Correctional Centre, had that matter thrown out of court, according to Jade legal publications. It’s not the first time Vegemite has made headlines this year. In April, an Australian cafe owner in Canada sparked an international debate over the sale of Vegemite after he was told by authorities to destroy $8000 worth of stock. Leighton Walters, owner of Found Coffee in Toronto, even gained the attention of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) flagged a new shipment of Vegemite for non-compliance, ordering it to be destroyed, citing concerns due to added B vitamins. The CFIA later clarified that the “level of risk to human health from the added vitamins present in the product is low” and permitted its sale to resume.

Sarah Keszler 1 days ago

Sports

Travis Kelce sets Chiefs TD record with clutch 4th-quarter score

Travis Kelce made franchise history following a touchdown score in the Kansas City Chiefs’ matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday evening. Going into the contest, Kelce scored 83 touchdowns throughout his career. He stood tall as one of the best scorers in the franchise’s history, getting closer to the mountaintop every time he caught the ball in the end zone. They were due for a big rivalry matchup against their division opponent in the Broncos. Denver has had a strong start to the season while Kansas City has been shaky in the same timeframe. As a result, this contest was important for both sides. It took a while for Kelce to make history, but he finally got it during the early minutes of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw the ball to Kelce as the star tight end reached the end zone to score the 21-yard touchdown. With the score, he now holds the all-time franchise record for most touchdowns, via NFL insider Adam Schefter. Travis Kelce has set the Chiefs franchise TD record with his 84th. pic.twitter.com/7rMFCqqZgm — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2025

Richard Pereira 1 days ago

Politics

Victorian teenage criminals reportedly sent on Gold Coast holidays as part of their rehabilitation

Violent teenage criminals from Victoria are reportedly being sent on lavish Gold Coast holidays as part of their rehabilitation, it has been revealed. At least two teenagers responsible for some of the state’s most violent crimes, including home invasions and carjackings, have been allowed to fly interstate to Queensland for holidays, ABC Radio Melbourne reported on Monday. The teenagers, who were sentenced to community corrections orders for their crimes, had their conditions altered to allow them to travel legally interstate. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow It has been confirmed that at least two of the offenders attended theme parks as a way to break their cycle of offending. The Victorian state government was quick to distance itself from the initiative, confirming the holidays had occurred but saying it was not their idea, nor did the government fund the trips. The funding was reportedly approved by the NDIS through the federal government and was organised by a program through the teenagers’ social workers. It’s unclear how many teenagers have been allowed to fly interstate, reportedly at taxpayer expense, as part of these rehabilitation efforts. 7NEWS.com.au has contacted the state government and the NDIS for comment.

Teegan Dolling 1 days ago

Entertainment

Justin Trudeau's ex admits Katy Perry romance 'affects' her emotionally in candid interview

Sophie Grégoire has some thoughts on her ex-husband, Justin Trudeau's budding romance with Katy Perry. During an appearance on the "Arlene Is Alone" podcast this week, Grégoire - who split from Trudeau in 2023 after 18 years of marriage - opened up about how she manages to handle the outside "noise" and navigate her emotions as her ex moves on. When host Arlene Dickinson asked Grégoire how she handles the publicity surrounding Trudeau and Perry’s relationship, she said she's only human. "We’re all human beings and stuff affects us," she said. "How you react to stuff, is your decision. So I choose to try to listen to the music instead of the noise." KATY PERRY AND JUSTIN TRUDEAU MAKE THEIR FIRST PUBLIC DEBUT AS COUPLE, WALK HAND-IN-HAND IN PARIS "I’m very aware that a lot of public stuff out there can be triggers, we’re humans," she continued. "What I do with it is my decision. The woman I want to become through this is my decision. Does it mean that I don’t have emotions? That I don’t cry, scream, laugh? No!" Despite the split, Trudeau and Grégoire — who share three children: Xavier, 18, Ella-Grace, 16, and Hadrien, 11 — remain a united front when it comes to their family. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP "We have separate lives, but we have one family life," Grégoire said. "And I think that we need two individuals in a couple … to detangle." "It’s not always easy to live, but it’s very adult," she added. NEWLY SINGLE KATY PERRY ENJOYS INTIMATE DINNER WITH FORMER CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER DURING WORLD TOUR BREAK On Oct. 25, Trudeau and Perry made their first public appearance while leaving the Crazy Horse Paris. According to TMZ, the couple attended a cabaret show at the Parisian hotspot in celebration of the pop star's 41st birthday. In photos obtained by Fox News Digital, Perry and Trudeau were all smiles as they walked hand-in-hand. At one point, Perry lovingly glanced at Trudeau. The duo were first spotted dining together in July at Le Violon in Montréal, per footage obtained by TMZ. At the time, a source told The Sun that the politician "has been single for a while and has enjoyed getting to know her." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "He likes her personality, and they are two people who really enjoy chatting about different topics, and they click very well so far, as they are going to see each other again very soon." "He is feeling that talking to her and getting to know her is very refreshing, like a breath of fresh air in his life," the source continued. "He was happy to connect with her so well, and that she appreciates him being a normal, respectful person who was very understanding of her recent separation from Orlando Bloom." In August, a source told People that while they are "interested" in one another, developing a serious relationship might take some time given their respective histories. Perry and Bloom confirmed their breakup in July after more than a decade together. "They are interested in each other, but it will take a while to see where this goes," the source said. "She is traveling around the world, and he is figuring out his life now that he is no longer prime minister of Canada, but there is an attraction. They have a lot in common." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Their own personal responsibilities could make this relationship move slower than it would, but there are ways to see the other and still fulfill their parenting responsibilities. For one thing, they each have an ex. So, duties are split in half. And long-distance relationships, while still hard, are possible for these two."

Christina Dugan Ramirez 1 days ago