9 PM | ETV Telugu News | 18th March” 2026
Shreya Dhanwanthary Turns Heads with Glam Beach Look
Actress Shreya Dhanwanthary, who made her Telugu debut with Josh opposite Naga Chaitanya, has steadily built a strong presence across Bollywood and OTT platforms. After her initial outing in Telugu cinema, she shifted focus to Hindi projects, gaining recognition for her versatile performances and screen presence.
She recently grabbed attention with her appearance in the popular web series The Family Man Season 3, which once again brought her into the spotlight. Adding to the buzz, she is also gearing up for her upcoming Hindi project Nausikhiye.
Meanwhile, Shreya has set social media abuzz with her latest beach holiday pictures. Dressed in a stylish brown bikini, she is seen enjoying a relaxed walk on the sand, confidently flaunting her toned physique. Her natural open hair and minimal styling give off a breezy, carefree vibe, while her bright orange lipstick adds a bold touch to the overall look.
The scenic beach backdrop, filled with greenery and warm sunlight, enhances the visual appeal of the pictures. With her effortless charm and glamorous poses, Shreya once again proves why she continues to captivate audiences both on-screen and off-screen.
Revanth Reddy Questions Salaries for Absent MLAs, Targets KCR
A debate over legislative accountability took center stage in the Telangana Assembly as Chief Minister Revanth Reddy questioned the practice of elected representatives drawing salaries despite rarely attending sessions. His remarks brought attention to opposition leaders like K. Chandrashekar Rao and Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who have often been criticized for their limited presence in Assembly proceedings.
During the session, Revanth Reddy revealed that KCR has reportedly received around ₹1.06 crore in salary even after the 2023 election defeat, despite not actively participating in Assembly meetings. He questioned the propriety of accepting public funds without fulfilling legislative responsibilities and raised concerns about maintaining the dignity of democratic institutions.
The Chief Minister suggested that it is time for a serious discussion on whether MLAs who fail to attend sessions regularly should continue to receive salaries. He advocated for stricter measures to ensure accountability and proper utilization of public money.
The issue has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of elected representatives and whether attendance should be made a key criterion for drawing salaries, with many viewing it as a necessary step toward strengthening democratic practices.
Panja Vaishnav Tej in Talks with Director Nanda Kishore Emani
Young Telugu actor Panja Vaishnav Tej is once again making headlines, this time for a potential new film project. Early reports suggest that discussions are underway for a collaboration with director Nanda Kishore Emani, who is known for his recent film 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu. While talks are still in the initial stages and no official confirmation has been made, the possibility of this pairing is already generating excitement among fans.
Panja Vaishnav Tej rose to fame with his debut hit Uppena and has since been exploring diverse roles, consciously avoiding repetition to build a unique career that showcases his acting range. Alongside his film work, he recently drew attention with stylish vintage photos featuring a classic look with a moustache and minimal styling.
Director Nanda Kishore Emani has also earned acclaim for his storytelling, particularly in 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu, which received positive audience response. If this new project comes to fruition, it promises an intriguing combination in Tollywood: a young actor known for experimentation paired with a director bringing fresh ideas, potentially creating a dynamic cinematic team.
Harish Shankar Strategically Promotes Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh
Interest in the upcoming movie Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Power Star Pawan Kalyan, continues to grow day by day. Directed by Harish Shankar, the film is reportedly being handled with meticulous care, especially when it comes to its promotional strategy.
Sources suggest that Harish Shankar is being particularly cautious to avoid mistakes made by other directors in the past, such as Maruthi, whose film promotions drew criticism for revealing unnecessary details that created a negative impact. Learning from such experiences, Harish Shankar is focusing entirely on highlighting Pawan Kalyan’s image, energy, and screen presence rather than creating excessive hype about box office records or collections. The emphasis is on keeping the audience engaged with the content itself.
In recent times, several films have faced disappointment when pre-release hype raised sky-high expectations that were not met after release. By avoiding that path, Harish Shankar aims to promote the movie effectively without overpromising.
Fans of Pawan Kalyan already have high expectations for Ustaad Bhagat Singh, and his ability to balance films alongside his political commitments, coupled with his hit combination with Harish Shankar, has further fueled interest. Managing these expectations is a major challenge for the director. Promotion, in this case, is not just marketing but also creating the right audience perception and excitement.
Harish Shankar’s careful approach—speaking only when necessary and avoiding unnecessary hype—appears designed to keep Ustaad Bhagat Singh in a “safe zone” before its release. How well this strategy pays off post-release remains to be seen, but his method may serve as a lesson for other filmmakers in the future.
Trisha Krishnan Sparks Speculation Over Political Entry
Senior South Indian actress Trisha Krishnan has become the focus of speculation regarding a potential political entry, sparking widespread discussion in both film and political circles. Known for staying largely silent on political matters in the past, reports suggest that Trisha may soon break her silence, prompting reactions from netizens and fans alike. While it is common for some actresses affiliated with ruling parties in Telugu states to avoid commenting on political issues, Trisha is reportedly considering responding to criticisms, particularly from opposition parties.
Rumors are circulating that she could contest elections under the banner of the newly formed Vijay Tamilgal Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu. Reports suggest she may choose a constituency with a significant Telugu-speaking population, although no official confirmation has been made. Trisha enjoys a strong fan base across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, which could translate into substantial support if she enters politics. However, some observers caution that converting a film career into political success is not straightforward.
Historically, Tamil Nadu has seen major political influence from actresses entering politics, with late leader Jayalalithaa serving as a prime example of a film star rising to the position of Chief Minister. Similarly, speculation suggests that Trisha could follow in such footsteps. However, she has not officially announced any plans to join politics, and her close associates have not confirmed the reports.
Currently, Trisha continues to be active in the South Indian film industry with several ongoing projects. Discussions are ongoing about whether entering politics at this stage could impact her film career. Regardless, her potential political entry has generated significant interest in both cinema and political spheres. Official clarity is expected only after an announcement from Trisha or the relevant political party.
T20 World Cup Champion Tilak Varma Visits Ram Charan’s Peddi Sets
T20 World Cup champion Tilak Varma recently visited the sets of Mega Power Star Ram Charan’s upcoming Pan-India film Peddi, creating excitement among the cast and crew. Fresh from India’s global win, Tilak watched the film’s intense sports sequences and was reportedly impressed by their authenticity and high-energy execution.
He interacted warmly with the team and praised them for capturing the raw spirit of competitive sport with grit and realism. His encouraging words reportedly boosted the morale of actors preparing for physically demanding scenes.
Peddi is set for a worldwide release on April 30, 2026, and Tilak’s visit has added fresh buzz to the film’s promotions. This isn’t his first crossover into the film industry; after India’s One Day World Cup victory, he visited the sets of Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, which later became a blockbuster. Tilak’s latest appearance on the Peddi sets strengthens the ongoing bond between Indian cricket and cinema.
Iran Assures Stability After Death of Ali Larijani
Following the confirmation of the death of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Tehran stated that the Iranian political system will remain stable despite this loss. Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi emphasized that a single individual does not affect the country’s political structure.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi said, “I do not know why the Americans and the Israelis still have not understood this point: The Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure with established political, economic, and social institutions. The presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure. Of course, individuals are influential, and each person plays their role – some better, some worse, some less – but what matters is that the political system in Iran is a very solid structure.”
He noted that when former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly targeted during US-Israel strikes on February 28, the system continued uninterrupted. “There has never been anyone more important than the leader himself, but the system continued its work and immediately provided a replacement,” Araghchi added. He further asserted that if any other official, including himself, were killed, there would be someone ready to replace them.
Ali Larijani was a prominent figure in Iran’s political landscape, serving as judiciary chief, foreign policy adviser, and head of the Supreme National Security Council. He led the Iranian parliament from 2008 to 2020 and was actively involved in defence and foreign policy matters. Between 2005 and 2007, he served as chief negotiator and strongly supported uranium enrichment. Born in 1958 in Najaf, Iraq, to clerical parents, Larijani grew up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and later fought in the Iran-Iraq War as part of the Revolutionary Guards.
Iran’s Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij forces, was also killed in the US-Israel strike. Araghchi stressed that the conflict in the Gulf region was initiated by the United States, holding it responsible for all human and financial consequences impacting Iran, the region, and the world.
Samsung and AMD Expand Partnership for Next-Gen AI Memory and Chips
Samsung Electronics and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have expanded their collaboration on next-generation AI memory and computing technologies by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase memory chip supplies for AI infrastructure, Samsung confirmed on March 18.
The signing ceremony took place at Samsung’s chip manufacturing complex in Pyeongtaek, Korea, with Dr Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, and Young Hyun Jun, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics, in attendance. The collaboration will focus on supplying Samsung’s next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) for AMD’s upcoming Instinct MI455X AI accelerators, as well as optimized DDR5 memory for its sixth-generation EPYC processors.
Jun stated, “From industry-leading HBM4 and next-generation memory architectures to cutting-edge foundry and advanced packaging, Samsung is uniquely positioned to deliver unrivalled turnkey capabilities that support AMD’s evolving AI roadmap.” Samsung is already a primary supplier of HBM for AMD, providing HBM3E chips for AMD’s MI350X and MI355X accelerators.
The partnership aims to power next-generation AI systems combining AMD Instinct GPUs, AMD EPYC CPUs, and rack-scale architectures such as the AMD Helios platform. Samsung’s HBM4, fabricated with a 6th-gen 10nm-class DRAM process and a 4nm logic base die, delivers speeds up to 13 Gbps and bandwidth up to 3.3 TB/s. Samsung noted that the AMD Instinct MI455X GPU, paired with HBM4 memory, is expected to be the optimum solution for high-performance AI model training and inference. Additionally, AMD benefits from a more diversified supply chain.
The companies are also exploring a foundry partnership, with Samsung potentially manufacturing AMD’s future chips. This announcement comes amid GTC 2026, where Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also announced a foundry partnership with Samsung Korea and praised HBM4 chips for AI performance. Such strategic collaborations further strengthen Samsung’s position as a leader in high-bandwidth memory technologies.
Tim Cook Confirms He Will Stay on as Apple CEO Amid 50th Anniversary
Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has dismissed speculation about his imminent retirement, signalling that he plans to stay on as the company navigates its next phase of growth, including a major push into artificial intelligence. In an interview with Good Morning America, ahead of Apple’s 50th anniversary, Cook said, “I love what I do deeply. Twenty-eight years ago, I walked into Apple, and I’ve loved every day of it. We’ve had ups and downs, but the people I work with are so amazing. They bring out the best in me. And hopefully, I can bring out the best in them.” He added that he “can’t imagine life without Apple.”
The reassurance comes as Apple prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 1, 2026. Earlier reports had suggested that Cook might step down as CEO this year, with Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, potentially taking over. However, Cook’s latest statement makes it highly unlikely that he plans to step down. If retirement is eventually considered, he is expected to remain within the company as executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors.
To mark its 50th anniversary, Apple confirmed it will host celebrations around the world. Last week, the company hosted a concert by Alicia Keys at its Grand Central store in New York. Similar events are planned, including a gathering at Apple’s retail store at Taikoo Li in Chengdu, China, on March 18. Additionally, Apple will host a special Today at Apple session at its Myeongdong store in Seoul, South Korea, featuring the South Korean boy band CORTIS.
Nottingham Trent University Offers Up to 50% Scholarships for Indian Students
As interest in overseas education grows among Indian students, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has announced a new scholarship package aimed at reducing the cost of studying abroad. The merit-based scholarships offer up to 50% tuition fee support for eligible Indian applicants, reflecting the university’s commitment to making its programmes more accessible while attracting high-performing students from India, which is now its largest international student community.
The scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, leadership potential, and overall profile. NTU’s Excellence Scholarships form the core of the programme, providing significant tuition fee reductions across undergraduate and postgraduate courses. For undergraduates, scholarships include a 50% or 25% tuition waiver in the first year, followed by £3,000 per year for the remainder of the degree. Over the full course, students can receive up to £15,350 (~₹19 lakh) for 50% or £10,675 (~₹13.2 lakh) for 25% in financial support. Postgraduate students may receive scholarships ranging from £2,000 to £12,500, depending on the programme and their academic profile.
In addition to Excellence Scholarships, NTU offers several other funding options for Indian students, including the Undergraduate Executive Dean’s Scholarship (£5,000), NTU International Merit Scholarship (£3,000), NTU International Scholarship (£2,000), Sibling Loyalty Reward (20% fee reduction), and the MBA Excellence Scholarship (up to 50% tuition support). These scholarships cater to students across different programmes and academic levels.
NTU emphasizes combining classroom learning with industry engagement, collaborating with over 2,000 global companies. Students gain practical experience through internships, live industry projects, and professional development programmes. The university hosts over 36,000 students, including more than 6,000 international students from over 160 countries.
Students must secure admission to an eligible NTU programme before applying for scholarships. Applications will be reviewed in three rounds: March 25, 2026, April 22, 2026, and June 24, 2026. Early application is advised to allow sufficient time for visa processing and travel preparation. This scholarship initiative is part of NTU’s broader effort to expand access to international education for Indian students while strengthening its global student community.
April 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 & EB-3 India Dates Advance
There is positive news for Indian Green Card applicants in the latest April 2026 Visa Bulletin released by the U.S. Department of State. The bulletin shows forward movement in key employment-based categories, particularly EB-2 and EB-3, offering relief to thousands of applicants waiting in long queues.
According to reports, the Dates for Filing for both EB-2 and EB-3 categories for India have advanced to January 15, 2015. This is a notable improvement compared to the March 2026 bulletin, where EB-2 India was set at November 1, 2014.
This progress is significant as it allows more applicants to move to the next stage of the Green Card process, including filing adjustment of status applications if eligible. The Visa Bulletin is a critical monthly update that determines when applicants can proceed with their Green Card process based on their “priority date,” which decides their position in the queue.
For Indian professionals, particularly in the IT and tech sectors, these categories often involve long waiting periods due to high demand and country-specific caps. In recent months, gradual forward movement has raised hopes among applicants. In fact, the March 2026 bulletin had already brought a major jump in the EB-2 category, advancing dates by nearly 11 months—the largest shift in recent years.
It is important to note that such progress can sometimes slow down or even reverse later in the year depending on demand. Overall, the April 2026 update brings cautious optimism for Indian Green Card applicants, many of whom have been waiting for years—or even decades—for their turn.
