Jammu and Kashmir Incident : లోయలో పడ్డ ఆర్మీ వాహనం | Army Vehicle Falls Into Gorge
Pawan Kalyan Praises Chiranjeevi’s Latest Sankranti Blockbuster
For over four decades, Megastar Chiranjeevi has remained deeply connected to audiences, consistently entertaining them with his unmatched energy, impeccable comic timing, and iconic dance moves. His latest success has added yet another milestone to his already illustrious filmography, reaffirming his enduring appeal across generations.
Actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan extended special appreciation to director Anil Ravipudi (@AnilRavipudi) for delivering yet another Sankranti blockbuster. He also expressed his happiness at watching Megastar Chiranjeevi and Victory Venkatesh (@VenkyMama) share screen space, describing the experience as truly memorable for cinema lovers.
Pawan Kalyan further lauded music director Bheems Ceciroleo (#BheemsCeciroleo) for composing energetic and impactful songs that significantly enhanced the film’s overall appeal. He also congratulated producers Sahu Garapati (@sahugarapati7) and Sushmita Konidela (@sushkonidela) for backing a project that strongly resonated with audiences.
In addition, Pawan Kalyan extended his best wishes to Nayanthara, Shine Screens (@Shine_Screens), and Gold Box Entertainment (@GoldBoxEnt) for being part of the film’s successful journey.
On the professional front, Pawan Kalyan is eagerly awaiting the release of his upcoming cop drama Ustaad Bhagat Singh, directed by Harish Shankar. The film is expected to hit theatres in April this year. Beyond acting, he has also partnered with People Media Factory to produce content-driven films aimed at raising the creative and technical standards of Telugu cinema.
With multiple commitments lined up, Pawan Kalyan is set to stay busy in the coming months, balancing his roles as both an actor and a producer.
SS Rajamouli Praises Priyanka Chopra’s Performance in The Bluff
Global star Priyanka Chopra is once again winning hearts with her powerful performance in the upcoming film The Bluff, and her act has now earned praise from none other than ace filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Rajamouli shared the film’s trailer and heaped accolades on Priyanka’s screen presence. “Priyanka is unstoppable and always surprises… What a commanding presence and fiery performance. Looking forward to #TheBluff,” he wrote, further amplifying the buzz around the film.
Directed by Frank E. Flowers, who co-wrote the script with Joe Ballarini, The Bluff is an epic period thriller set against the historically and culturally rich backdrop of the Cayman Islands. The film has been shot extensively at breathtaking real-world locations, including the mysterious Skull Cave and the iconic Bluff, adding visual depth to the narrative.
The project is produced by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, and Angela Russo-Otstot under the AGBO banner. The Russo Brothers are globally acclaimed for blockbusters such as Avengers: Endgame and Extraction, further raising expectations for the film.
The Bluff is slated to premiere on Prime Video on February 15.
Meanwhile, Rajamouli and Priyanka Chopra are also set to collaborate on the highly anticipated film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu in the lead role. With two powerhouse talents coming together, expectations for the project are already soaring.
Malavika Mohanan Faces Backlash Over Lip-Syncing Remarks
In a recent interview, actress Malavika Mohanan sparked debate after making candid remarks about the working practices of some actresses in the Tamil and Telugu film industries, particularly with regard to dubbing and lip-syncing.
Malavika said that over the years, she has observed instances where certain actresses did not make the effort to learn their dialogues on set. Explaining the practice, she remarked that actors would merely express the required emotion—such as sadness or anger—while counting numbers or reciting the alphabet, relying on dubbing artists later to match the dialogue during post-production. She added that this was not an isolated practice and claimed that some performers had followed this method throughout their careers.
However, Malavika’s comments did not go down well with a section of the audience and film fans. Her remarks quickly went viral, triggering intense trolling on social media, with many accusing her of generalising and indirectly targeting fellow actresses in the industry.
The backlash has gained further traction as Malavika recently made her Tollywood debut with The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas. Some netizens were quick to critique her performance in the film, questioning her right to comment on others. One social media user wrote that while learning lines is important, acting involves much more than accurate lip-syncing, adding that her own performance in the film was underwhelming.
The episode has once again reignited discussions around dubbing practices, performance standards, and professionalism in South Indian cinema, while also highlighting how candid industry opinions can quickly turn into online controversy.
Election Commission Allots ‘Whistle’ Symbol to Thalapathy Vijay’s TVK
With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections drawing closer and political activity gaining momentum, a key development has emerged from the Election Commission of India regarding actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
According to the latest confirmation, the Election Commission has officially allotted the “whistle” symbol to TVK. The announcement comes just months ahead of the elections, giving the party a clear visual identity as it prepares to take its message to voters across the state.
The whistle is a symbol that carries a strong cultural resonance in Tamil Nadu. Popularly associated with fan culture and mass celebrations, it is deeply embedded in the state’s public imagination—particularly through the iconic “Whistle Podu” chant linked to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and IPL cricket culture. From cinema halls to cricket stadiums, whistles have long been a symbol of enthusiasm and mass appeal among Tamil audiences.
Political observers believe this subconscious familiarity could work to TVK’s advantage, especially among younger voters and first-time participants in the electoral process. Securing a relatable symbol well ahead of the polls provides Vijay and his party a strategic head start in building recognition.
The focus now shifts to how effectively the party leadership and cadre popularise the whistle symbol at the grassroots level. If leveraged creatively, it would not be surprising to see Vijay incorporating the whistle prominently into his campaign imagery and public outreach in the coming months.
Nara Lokesh Floats Social Media Ban for Children Below 16
If Andhra Pradesh Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh has his way, the state government may consider banning social media usage for children below 16 years of age, citing growing concerns over child safety and exposure to harmful online content.
According to a Bloomberg report, Lokesh said the Andhra Pradesh government is closely examining the legal framework adopted by Australia, where access to social media platforms has reportedly been restricted for minors under 16. State officials are studying how the Australian law functions in practice and whether a similar model can be adapted within India’s legal and administrative framework at the state level.
The report noted that Lokesh stressed the importance of having a clear and robust legal mechanism before enforcing such restrictions. He expressed the view that children below a certain age often lack the maturity to fully understand the content they encounter on social media, making their protection an urgent priority.
Reiterating his stance, Lokesh said young children should not be given unrestricted access to social media platforms, as unchecked exposure could have serious psychological and social consequences.
Currently, India largely depends on parental controls and platform-level safeguards to regulate minors’ online activity. The Central government has not yet taken a definitive position on imposing blanket restrictions on social media access for minors, with such measures posing significant legal and technological challenges.
The Bloomberg report also pointed out that the Madras High Court has raised similar concerns in the past, observing that the issue requires careful and detailed examination. The court has previously urged the Centre to explore the feasibility of enacting legislation on the lines of Australia’s law to regulate internet and social media usage by children below 16 years of age.
Vijay Sai Reddy’s Cryptic Post Sparks Buzz in YSRCP Circles
A cryptic social media post by former YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP V. Vijay Sai Reddy has triggered fresh political speculation, with many interpreting it as a veiled criticism of YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
After maintaining a low public profile for a considerable period, Sai Reddy resurfaced on X (formerly Twitter) a few days ago with a strongly worded message that appeared to indirectly target the party’s leadership. While his post did not explicitly mention Andhra Pradesh politics or the YSRCP, it drew an analogy with recent developments in Venezuela, setting off intense debate within political circles.
In the post, the former Rajya Sabha member cautioned public leaders who, according to him, were being held “hostage” by compromised inner circles. He urged such leaders not to blindly trust their coterie and instead reflect seriously on their political future.
Sai Reddy questioned how the President of Venezuela and his wife could be removed from the presidential palace without resistance, despite the country having a powerful military and security establishment. He attributed this to betrayal from within, suggesting that internal sabotage can be more dangerous than external opposition.
Within YSRCP circles, the tweet is being widely viewed as a coded message. Party leaders and political observers are debating whether Sai Reddy was attempting to issue a warning or signal possible developments ahead.
The post has drawn particular attention as it came shortly after media reports claimed that the Enforcement Directorate had issued notices to Sai Reddy in connection with the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, adding another layer of intrigue to his remarks.
WEF 2026: Google’s James Manyika Warns of AI Divide, Hails India’s Leadership
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos, James Manyika, Senior Vice President at Google parent Alphabet, cautioned that India faces growing but less visible risks as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates globally. He warned that the traditional digital divide could soon evolve into a far more consequential AI divide if access, skills, and infrastructure gaps are not addressed in time.
Speaking to Business Today on the sidelines of WEF, Manyika highlighted the strategic importance of India hosting the India AI Impact Summit 2026, calling it a pivotal moment in global AI collaboration.
“Having a summit like this in India and being able to actually show that we’re all working to make sure this does not become an AI divide — both in terms of access, infrastructure connectivity, people being able to use these tools, and people being skilled — is fundamentally important,” he said.
Manyika described India hosting the global AI summit as “one of the most exciting things” not just for the country, but for the world at large. He acknowledged India’s rapid technological progress over the years and underscored the optimism that distinguishes its approach to emerging technologies.
According to him, India’s AI narrative is driven less by fear and more by opportunity. “People here are not dominated by fear, but by possibility — about how we fully capitalise on this technology to transform our economies, education systems, and healthcare,” Manyika noted. He added that the next phase of global AI adoption demands a balance between ambition and accountability. “We think it’s important to be both bold and responsible,” he said.
Beyond policy discussions, Manyika pointed to India’s unique application of AI across critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. He highlighted the country’s leadership in AI-driven medical diagnostics, particularly in addressing diseases like tuberculosis and diabetic retinopathy at scale.
The conversations at WEF 2026 reinforced the view that India is not merely an adopter of artificial intelligence, but an innovator shaping solutions for real-world challenges. As it prepares to host the AI Impact Summit, India is increasingly being seen as a global blueprint for leveraging AI to address developmental pressures while ensuring inclusive growth.
Eightfold AI Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Secret Candidate Scoring
Eightfold AI, a Silicon Valley-based artificial intelligence recruitment platform backed by SoftBank Vision Fund and General Catalyst, is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in the United States over allegations that it secretly evaluates job candidates without their knowledge, potentially violating federal consumer protection laws.
The lawsuit, filed on January 21 in California, was brought by job seekers Erin Kistler and Sruti Bhaumik. The plaintiffs allege that Eightfold compiles detailed “talent profiles” of candidates, including personality assessments and “fit scores,” which they argue function as consumer reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
According to the complaint, Eightfold allegedly fails to notify candidates that such profiles are being created or provide them access to review and dispute the information. Under the FCRA, companies that furnish consumer reports for employment purposes are required to inform individuals and allow them to challenge inaccuracies that could affect hiring outcomes.
Citing a Reuters report, the plaintiffs claim that Eightfold’s assessments influence recruitment decisions at major employers, effectively placing the company in the role of a consumer reporting agency—without complying with the regulatory obligations that accompany that designation.
Eightfold was co-founded in 2016 by Ashutosh Garg and Varun Kacholia, both alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology. Garg, the company’s chief executive officer, previously held research roles at Google and IBM, while Kacholia, its chief technology officer, served as an engineering director for Facebook’s News Feed.
The company has a significant presence in India, with its Noida-based Global Centre of Excellence playing a key role in product development and operations. Eightfold’s Indian partnerships include a collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services in 2021 and Wipro in 2024.
Eightfold counts several Fortune 500 companies among its customers, including Microsoft and PayPal, and promotes its platform as a tool that helps employers automate hiring by analysing large volumes of resume and job-market data to predict candidate suitability.
Responding to the allegations, an Eightfold spokesperson denied any covert practices. “We do not scrape social media and the like. We are deeply committed to responsible AI, transparency, and compliance with applicable data protection and employment laws,” spokesperson Kurt Foeller said, according to Reuters. He added that the platform relies on data voluntarily shared by candidates or provided by client companies.
The lawsuit comes amid growing regulatory and public scrutiny of AI-driven decision-making systems, particularly in sensitive areas such as hiring, lending and housing, where concerns around algorithmic bias and opaque scoring models have intensified.
Eightfold has not yet filed a formal response to the lawsuit in court.
Kuwait Introduces Multiple-Trip Exit Permit for Expat Workers
Kuwait has launched a new multiple-trip exit permit service for expatriate workers, marking a major shift in how the country manages labour mobility and administrative oversight. The initiative, announced by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), is aimed at reducing paperwork, accelerating approvals and easing the administrative burden on both employers and employees as part of Kuwait’s broader push toward digital governance.
For the first time, expatriate workers can apply for an exit permit that allows multiple departures and re-entries within a specified period, eliminating the need to seek approval for every individual trip. Officials said the upgrade will significantly benefit workers who travel frequently while streamlining monitoring processes for employers.
According to PAM, the service is fully integrated with the Ministry of Interior’s systems, enabling approved permits to be transmitted automatically. Once approved, both employers and workers can print the permit at any time without additional processing.
Applications can be submitted digitally through the Ashal portal for companies and manpower services, or via the Sahel app for businesses and individuals. Applicants can choose between single-trip and multiple-trip permits, specify the start and end dates, and complete the process entirely online. The system immediately generates a transaction number and displays the application status upon submission.
In a statement, PAM said the new service allows authorised signatories to provide advance, automatic approval for exit permits, removing the need to manually review each request. Authorities said this is expected to significantly reduce administrative pressure on employers while ensuring faster and more seamless travel approvals for workers.
The reform builds on Kuwait’s earlier move to tighten oversight of expatriate travel. In June 2025, exit permits were made mandatory for private-sector expatriate workers, with the regulation set to come into force on July 1, 2026. Under the rule, expatriate employees must obtain their employer’s permission before leaving the country.
Officials have maintained that the measures aim to balance the rights of employers and employees while strengthening oversight of workforce movement, even as Kuwait modernises its labour systems through digital platforms.
Canada–India reset: 21 Canadian university presidents visit India
Universities Canada will lead a delegation of 21 Canadian university presidents to India from February 2 to 6, marking a significant step in the reset of bilateral relations between the two countries as negotiations begin toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The five-day mission is aimed at strengthening research collaboration, expanding industry partnerships and deepening academic exchange between Canada and India. It builds on the Canadian government’s recently announced $1.7-billion research and talent strategy and aligns with the New Roadmap for Canada–India relations unveiled in October 2025.
The delegation, representing universities from across Canada, will engage with leaders from India’s higher education sector, government and industry in Goa, New Delhi and Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT City). Discussions are expected to focus on joint research initiatives, academic mobility and sustainable models of transnational education.
“Canada and India have a long history of collaboration in the education sector,” said Christopher Cooter, High Commissioner of Canada to the Republic of India. “The visit by Canadian university presidents is a big step in our renewed collaboration on research and education initiatives, as guided by the New Roadmap for Canada–India relations.”
Indian officials have also framed the visit as a signal of long-term commitment. “Education is a cornerstone of the India-Canada partnership, strengthening people-to-people ties and advancing collaboration in research, innovation and sustainable development,” said Dinesh K. Patnaik, High Commissioner of India to Canada. “The visit of Canadian university presidents marks an important step in deepening academic cooperation and advancing a forward-looking agenda for enhanced India-Canada collaboration.”
Universities Canada said the mission highlights the role of academic institutions in translating shared national priorities into practical outcomes. “Universities are essential to building the global partnerships that create economic growth and opportunity,” said Gabriel Miller, president and CEO of Universities Canada. “As Canada and India renew their vitally important relationship, this mission reflects and advances our commitment to create lasting, shared success for both of our countries.”
The delegation is supported by a contribution from CanExport Associations, underscoring a coordinated effort by government, universities and industry to strengthen international collaboration in ways that deliver tangible economic and social benefits.
The timing of the visit is notable, as India remains Canada’s largest source of international students. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the number of Indian students studying in Canada rose from 31,920 in 2015 to 278,005 in 2023 — an increase of 770% over eight years.
As both governments seek to rebuild trust and expand cooperation, education and research are emerging as key pillars of a renewed Canada–India partnership.
Chiranjeevi’s “Mana Shankaravara Prasad Garu” Set for Grand Blockbuster Celebration
For many years, Mega fans have been expressing their longing to see Megastar Chiranjeevi deliver a blockbuster that truly matches his legendary stamina and screen presence, especially in a vintage, full-length role. That long-standing wish has finally been fulfilled with “Mana Shankaravara Prasad Garu.” The film has successfully connected with audiences across generations, from senior fans to the youngest admirers, offering wholesome entertainment on a grand scale.
Directed by Anil Ravipudi, the film emerged as a Sankranti blockbuster, effortlessly crossing the ₹300 crore mark at the box office. Even after the festive holidays, the movie continues to register strong theatrical shares, reinforcing the unit’s confidence that it will go on to achieve even bigger milestones in the coming days.
To celebrate this massive success, the makers are planning a grand victory celebration event. Reports suggest that Anil Ravipudi has already instructed his team to begin preparations. Although Chiranjeevi is currently in Dubai, he has reportedly given his consent for the success meet. The event is expected to take place soon after his return to Hyderabad.
The celebration is being planned on a large scale, with a massive turnout of fans anticipated. All the key cast and technicians who worked on the film are expected to attend. However, one question that has now become a topic of discussion is whether Nayanthara will be present at the event.
Playing Shashirekha, the wife of Shankaravara Prasad, Nayanthara impressed audiences with both her elegant looks and mature performance. Many believe her presence would make the victory event even more special. It is said that Anil Ravipudi personally invited her to attend the celebrations. However, as has often been the case, Nayanthara reportedly expressed her inability to attend stage events. She had skipped the film’s pre-release function as well, though she did participate in promotional videos. Hence, there is strong speculation that she may not attend the blockbuster success event either. Whether Chiranjeevi’s intervention or a change of heart could bring her to the stage remains to be seen.
In “Mana Shankaravara Prasad Garu,” Chiranjeevi won over audiences with his impeccable comic timing, graceful screen presence, and vintage charm. Director Anil Ravipudi, riding high on this monumental success, has added yet another biggest blockbuster to his filmography, creating immense curiosity around his next project.
Notably, the film is on track to become one of the highest-grossing Telugu-only releases ever. Achieving break-even across all territories within just the first ten days stands as a rare and remarkable record in recent times. Given this historic success, Mega fans are eagerly hoping for the victory celebration to be conducted on an equally grand scale. Industry buzz suggests that the event is likely to be held on Sunday, the 25th.
