ఆ కుర్చీని మడతపెట్టి KTR ఫన్నీ స్పీచ్
Quebec Permanently Closes PEQ, Shifts to Skilled Worker Program
Quebec has announced a major overhaul of its immigration system, permanently closing the Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise, PEQ), one of the province’s most popular pathways to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and international graduates. The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) confirmed that the two main PEQ streams — the Quebec Graduates Stream and the Temporary Foreign Workers’ Stream — will officially end on November 19, 2025. Both streams had been paused since October 2024, with a temporary extension to November 30, 2025, before the closure was made permanent. The announcement on November 6 reflects Quebec’s intent to streamline immigration under a single skilled worker system.
Quebec will also phase out three permanent immigration pilot programmes targeting workers in food processing, orderlies, and the AI, IT, and visual effects sectors, with these pilots concluding on January 1, 2026. After these closures, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés, PSTQ) will become the sole pathway for skilled worker immigration in the province.
MIFI clarified that applications already submitted under the PEQ and pilot programmes will continue to be processed. Selected candidates may also include family members, such as spouses and dependent children. Within the pilot programmes, only the Francophone profile of the Artificial Intelligence Stream will accept new applications until December 31, 2025, while all other streams have reached their intake limits.
Going forward, foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in Quebec will need to declare their interest through the Arrima portal under the PSTQ framework, which will feature four streams: highly qualified and specialised skills, intermediate and manual skills, regulated professions, and exceptional talent. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, intend to live and work in Quebec, demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for three months, and complete an Attestation of Learning about Quebec Democratic Values.
Quebec’s 2025 Immigration Levels Plan sets a target of 45,000 new permanent residents, with 64% of economic admissions expected to come from temporary residents already living in Quebec. For the first time, the province also announced temporary resident targets, projecting up to 55,700 foreign workers and 68,500 international students in 2026. Policy experts note that these changes reflect Quebec’s goal to centralise and simplify its immigration system, while aligning more closely with labour market demands and French language integration.
US Immigration Fees Soar in 2025, H-1B and Visa Costs Surge
Planning to study, work, or travel to the US in 2025 is set to become significantly more expensive due to major changes in immigration rules. Visa-related costs have surged, including a one-time $100,000 fee for H-1B work petitions and several additional charges for international visitors.
The 2025 US immigration fee hike affects nearly all visa categories — from students and skilled professionals to tourists and green card applicants. The most notable change is the $100,000 H-1B petition fee, now mandatory for employers hiring foreign skilled workers under the H-1B program. This one-time fee applies only to new applicants, not renewals.
A new Visa Integrity Fee has also been introduced, applicable to all non-immigrant visas, including F-1 and J-1 student visas, B-1/B-2 tourist visas, and work-related categories. The fee was enacted under President Donald Trump’s immigration reform bill passed in July.
Work authorization costs have risen as well. The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) application fee is now $470 online and $520 for paper filings. Immigrants under asylum, TPS, or parole status, previously exempt, must now pay the full fee.
International travelers face additional charges at the border, including fees for CBP Form I-94, and increases for systems like ESTA and EVUS. The Visa Interview Waiver (Dropbox) has also been tightened: most applicants under 14 or over 79 must now attend in-person interviews, and H-1B and F-1 visa holders with recently expired visas are no longer eligible for the waiver starting September 2025.
Lastly, visa interviews must now be scheduled within the applicant’s consular district, reducing the flexibility previously available. These sweeping changes are set to make US study, work, and travel significantly more costly and procedural in 2025.
Raja Saab Delays First Single, Eyes Grand Year-End Trailer Release
Fans of Prabhas feel that Raja Saab may have missed the perfect launch window, as Ram Charan’s “Chikiri” song released just when Raja Saab’s first single was anticipated.
Arriving at an opportune moment, Chikiri became an instant hit, largely due to Ram Charan’s signature dance steps rather than the music itself. Fans believe the song filled a market gap, attracting massive attention. Some even suggest that if Raja Saab had released a single as promised by director Maruthi, the records set by Chikiri might have belonged to Raja Saab instead.
However, the Raja Saab team appears to be following a different marketing approach, opting to be “late but latest.” With all songs ready and promotional plans in place, the first single is expected to drop in ten days, followed by a grand trailer release around December 31 or New Year’s Day.
Lebanon Rejects Normalization with Israel, Focuses on Reconstruction
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reaffirmed that normalization with Israel is out of the question, emphasizing the country’s firm stance despite ongoing regional tensions.
Speaking to Lebanese Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri stressed that all relevant parties, including Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France, and the UN, should be involved in indirect talks. He added that civilian experts could be consulted when needed, similar to the Blue Line demarcation in 2000, which involved geological and mapping specialists.
“All Israeli threats and airstrikes will not change our position on this matter,” Berri stated firmly.
Although a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in place since November 27, 2024, Israel continues occasional airstrikes along the Lebanese border, citing operations against Hezbollah threats. The Israeli military maintains forces at five main positions along the frontier.
On Saturday, three Israeli airstrikes targeting vehicles in eastern and southern Lebanon reportedly killed three people and injured 11, according to the National News Agency.
Despite these ongoing attacks, Lebanon is prioritizing postwar reconstruction. Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny said the government has completed detailed damage assessments and developed a clear reconstruction plan, though Israeli strikes have repeatedly disrupted work.
Rasamny estimated that total losses from the recent war could exceed $11 billion. Lebanon is set to receive a $250-million World Bank loan to begin rebuilding critical infrastructure, which he described as a starting point for the long reconstruction process.
Houthis Arrest Yemenis Accused of Spying for Israel in Sanaa
Yemen’s Houthi group has announced the arrest of several Yemeni nationals accused of spying for Israel in the capital city, Sanaa.
In an official statement, the Houthis alleged that the detainees had been collaborating with the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad through a Saudi-based joint operation center, which reportedly involved the intelligence services of Israel, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, according to a report by Xinhua.
The group claimed that the arrested individuals were trained to prepare intelligence reports, monitor civilian and military locations, and track the movements of Houthi leaders. However, the Houthis did not specify the number of people arrested or provide evidence supporting the espionage allegations.
The statement further said that the “confessions” of those detained would be broadcast later in the day on the group’s official satellite channel, Al-Masirah.
Sources close to the Houthis indicated that many of the detainees were employees of UN aid agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF.
This development follows the recent release of 20 foreign aid workers through mediation by Iran and Oman, after weeks of negotiations. According to UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg, at least 53 Yemeni UN employees remain in Houthi custody, along with dozens of staff from NGOs and diplomatic missions.
The latest arrests come in the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa in August, which killed a dozen members of the Houthi-run cabinet, including their military chief of staff, Mohammed Abdulkarim Al-Ghamari.
In response, the Houthis have reportedly tightened security in Sanaa and declared a general mobilization, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that the Houthis pose a threat to Israel’s existence and will be “eliminated.”
Since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, the Houthis have launched multiple missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli ports and ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians. These attacks have ceased since the Gaza ceasefire came into effect last month.
Chiranjeevi Appreciates RGV’s Shiva; RGV Offers Apology
Chiranjeevi nearly eight years ago during the release of Khaidi No.150, mocking the actor’s stills from the film. At that time, Chiranjeevi responded with grace, acknowledging RGV’s talent but expressing disappointment over his unnecessary remarks. However, it was Nagababu who reacted strongly, openly condemning RGV in defense of his brother.
Since then, there had been silence between both sides — until now. The recent re-release of Shiva has unexpectedly revived this old chapter. In a new video byte, Chiranjeevi set aside past differences and appreciated RGV for creating the iconic classic Shiva. His magnanimous gesture not only reflected his maturity but also won widespread admiration from fans and industry circles alike.
In a positive turn, RGV responded with an apology, tweeting:
“Thank you @KChiruTweets gaaru. Also, on this occasion, I want to sincerely apologise to you if I ever unintentionally offended you. Thank you once again for your large-heartedness.”
Interestingly, in his video byte, Chiranjeevi first praised Nagarjuna, referring to him as a dear friend, and only later mentioned RGV. This sequence suggests that Chiranjeevi’s gesture might have been primarily out of respect for Nagarjuna, rather than a direct attempt to reconcile with RGV.
Whether this marks a genuine patch-up between Chiranjeevi and RGV remains to be seen. If Chiranjeevi responds to RGV’s tweet, it could signify closure to their long-standing differences. Otherwise, it appears the Megastar’s message was more a token of goodwill toward Nagarjuna than a reconciliation effort with RGV.
Andhra Student Rajyalakshmi Dies in US After Sudden Illness
In a tragic incident, a 23-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh, Yarlagadda Rajyalakshmi, passed away in the United States on Thursday night after suddenly falling ill.
Rajyalakshmi, the daughter of Ramakrishna and Nagamani, hailed from Karamchedu in Bapatla district. After completing her engineering degree from a private college in Vijayawada, she had moved to the US to pursue her Master’s in Computer Science.
Having recently completed her MS, Rajyalakshmi was in the process of exploring job opportunities when tragedy struck. Reports suggest she had been suffering from a severe cold and had informed her family about her condition on Thursday, mentioning that she had an appointment scheduled with a doctor on November 9. Sadly, she passed away later that night.
Her family was left devastated by the sudden loss. Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambasiva Rao offered his condolences and assured that the state government would provide all necessary assistance to repatriate her body to India for the final rites.
Thiru Veer and Aishwarya Rajesh Team Up for New Film
Young sensation Thiru Veer, fresh off the success of his recent hit Pre Wedding Show, has officially begun work on his next project.
This yet-to-be-titled film will see him sharing screen space with the talented Aishwarya Rajesh, who recently captivated audiences with Sankranthiki Vasthunnam.
Marking the directorial debut of Bharat Dharshan, the film is being produced by Maheswara Reddy Mooli under the Gangaa Entertainments banner. A grand launch event was held today in Hyderabad, graced by the film’s cast, crew, and well-wishers.
Touted to be a fun-filled entertainer packed with family-friendly emotions and lively moments, the project is set to go on floors on November 19th. The technical team includes CH Kushendar as the cinematographer and Bharath Manchiraju as the music composer.
The film is planned for a simultaneous release across all South Indian languages, aiming to connect with a wide audience base.
Gatha Vaibhavam Set for Grand Release on November 14
The highly anticipated epic fantasy drama Gatha Vaibhavam, featuring SS Dushyanth and Ashika Ranganath, is gearing up for a grand theatrical release on November 14th. The buzz around the film has skyrocketed following the announcement that PrimeShow Entertainment has bagged the Telugu distribution rights.
Helmed by K Niranjan Reddy and Chaitanya Reddy, this collaboration ensures a massive release across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, North America, and Canada, placing Gatha Vaibhavam firmly in the big-league category of epic cinema.
Written and directed by Suni, and jointly produced by Suni Cinemas and Servegara Silver Screens, the film is an enchanting tale of love and destiny that transcends time and reincarnation. Set across multiple eras, it promises an immersive cinematic experience that fuses mythology, fantasy, and emotion.
Backed by a top-tier technical team — with William J David handling cinematography and Judah Sandhy composing the music — Gatha Vaibhavam is poised to deliver a visually stunning and emotionally rich spectacle that will transport audiences into a world of timeless storytelling.
సుధీర్ బాబు జటాధర ఫ్లాప్పై నిరాశ
ఘట్టమనేని ఫ్యామిలీ హీరో సుధీర్ బాబు తన కెరీర్లో ఇంకా కఠినమైన దశను ఎదుర్కొంటున్నాడు. ప్రతీ సినిమాకీ తన శక్తిమేరకు కష్టపడి, ఫిట్నెస్ విషయంలోనూ, క్యారెక్టర్ డిమాండ్కి తగ్గట్టుగా స్వయంగా మార్పులు తెచ్చుకుంటూ పనిచేస్తున్నా — ఫలితాలు మాత్రం ఆశించిన స్థాయిలో రావట్లేదు. సుధీర్ బాబు ప్రతి సినిమాలోనూ తన శ్రద్ధ, సమర్పణ ఒకేలా కనబడుతున్నా, ఆ కృషికి తగ్గ గుర్తింపు మాత్రం దక్కడం లేదు.
తాజాగా విడుదలైన ఆయన చిత్రం ‘జటాధర’ బాక్సాఫీస్ వద్ద పెద్దగా ప్రభావం చూపలేకపోయింది. తెలుగు, హిందీ భాషల్లో విడుదల చేయడంతో పాన్ ఇండియా రేంజ్లో చెప్పుకున్న ఈ చిత్రం ప్రేక్షకులను నిరాశపరిచింది. సుధీర్ బాబు, సోనాక్షి సిన్హా, శిల్పా శిరోద్కర్ వంటి నటీనటులు తమవంతు కష్టపడ్డా, కథలో కొత్తదనం లేకపోవడంతో సినిమా ఫెయిల్ అయింది. ప్రేక్షకుల అభిప్రాయం ప్రకారం — రొటీన్ సబ్జెక్ట్పై ఎంత కష్టపడ్డా, ఎమోషనల్ కనెక్ట్ లేకపోతే సినిమాలు నడవవు.
ఇంతకుముందు వచ్చిన ‘హరొంహర’ సినిమాకు మంచి మాటలు వచ్చినా, అది కూడా పెద్దగా కలెక్షన్లు రాబట్టలేకపోయింది. అంటే, సుధీర్ బాబు సినిమాలకు పాజిటివ్ బజ్ ఉంటుందే గానీ, ఫలితాలు మాత్రం తగిన స్థాయిలో రావడం లేదు.
‘జటాధర’ విషయంలో కూడా అదే జరిగింది. ట్రైలర్కి ప్రేక్షకులు పెద్దగా స్పందించలేదు. అరుంధతి తరహా ఫ్లేవర్ ఉన్నా, ఆ లెవల్లో థ్రిల్ లేదా ఎమోషన్ కనిపించకపోవడంతో చాలా మంది సినిమా చూడకుండానే పక్కన పెట్టేశారు. ఈ ఫలితంతో సుధీర్ బాబు సహజంగానే నిరాశ చెందినట్లు సమాచారం.
ఇక ముందు తన పంథాను కొంచెం మార్చి, ప్రేక్షకుల దృష్టిలో ఏ రకమైన కథలు ఇప్పుడు ఎక్కువ ఇంపాక్ట్ చూపిస్తున్నాయో అవే దిశగా వెళ్లాలి అనే సూచన ఇండస్ట్రీ వర్గాల్లో వినిపిస్తోంది. అయితే ఒక విషయం మాత్రం స్పష్టంగా చెప్పొచ్చు — రిజల్ట్ ఎలా ఉన్నా, తన కష్టానికి, కట్టుదిట్టమైన పనితీరుకు సుధీర్ బాబు రాజీ పడడు.
‘జటాధర’ విఫలమైందన్నా, అతడి నమ్మకం మాత్రం తగ్గలేదు. “తదుపరి ప్రయత్నం ఎలా చేస్తాడో చూడాలి” అనేది ఇప్పుడు టాలీవుడ్లోని టాక్. మరి ఈ సారి నిజంగా సుధీర్ బాబు తన కెరీర్ టర్నింగ్ పాయింట్ని క్రియేట్ చేయగలడా అనే ఆసక్తి పెరిగింది.
ఫ్యాన్స్పై రామ్ హృదయాన్ని తాకే వ్యాఖ్యలు
ఎనర్జిటిక్ స్టార్ రామ్ పోతినేని ప్రస్తుతం తన తాజా చిత్రం ‘ఆంధ్రా కింగ్’ ప్రమోషన్లతో బిజీగా ఉన్నాడు. ఈ సినిమా నవంబర్ 28న థియేటర్లలో విడుదల కానుండటంతో, రామ్ వరుసగా ఇంటర్వ్యూల్లో పాల్గొంటూ సినిమాపై ఆసక్తిని పెంచుతున్నాడు. తాజాగా ఇచ్చిన ఒక ఇంటర్వ్యూలో, యాంకర్ అడిగిన ప్రశ్నకు రామ్ ఇచ్చిన సమాధానం ఫ్యాన్స్ మనసులను తాకేలా ఉంది.
యాంకర్ అడిగిన ప్రశ్న – “తెలుగు ప్రేక్షకుల ప్రేమ పిచ్చి స్థాయిలో ఉంటుంది. టీజర్లో మీరు రామ్లా కాకుండా, ఒక ఫ్యాన్లా కనిపించారు. ఆ పాత్రలోకి వెళ్లడానికి ఏమైనా స్పెషల్ ప్రిపరేషన్ చేసారా?” అని. దానికి రామ్ ఇచ్చిన సమాధానం హృదయాన్ని తాకేలా ఉంది.
“ఇది రెండు రకాలుగా ఉంటుంది. ఒకటి – కథ విన్నాక ఆ క్యారెక్టర్ కోసం హోంవర్క్ చేయడం. రెండోది – మన మనసులో ఎప్పటినుంచో నడుస్తున్న ఒక ఆలోచనకు సమాధానం ఇచ్చేలా ఒక కథ దొరకడం. ఈ సినిమా రెండో రకం” అని రామ్ చెప్పాడు.
ఫ్యాన్స్ గురించి మాట్లాడుతూ రామ్ అన్నాడు – “ఒక స్టార్కి, ఫ్యాన్కి మధ్య ఉండే బాండ్ అనేది బయటివాళ్లకు ఎప్పటికీ అర్థం కాదు. వాళ్లను ఎప్పుడూ కలవకపోయినా, ఒక ప్రత్యేకమైన అనుబంధం ఉంటుంది. నాకు ఎప్పుడూ ఈ ప్రశ్న ఉండేది – వాళ్లతో మన సంబంధం ఏమిటి? మనం వాళ్ల కోసం ఏం చేశాం? ఈ సినిమానే ఆ ప్రశ్నకు సమాధానం ఇస్తుందని నమ్ముతున్నాను. ఆ భావోద్వేగాన్ని, ఆ బంధాన్ని ఈ సినిమా అందంగా చూపిస్తుంది” అని వివరించాడు.
అంతేకాకుండా, ఇప్పటివరకు వచ్చిన ఫ్యాన్-బేస్డ్ సినిమాలు ఆ ఎమోషన్ను సరిగ్గా ఎక్స్ప్లోర్ చేయలేదని రామ్ పేర్కొన్నాడు. “ఎక్కడో ఫ్యాన్ను విలన్గా లేదా కామెడీ కోణంలో చూపించారు. కానీ స్టార్కి, ఫ్యాన్కి మధ్య ఉండే ప్యూర్ రిలేషన్షిప్ గురించి ఎవరూ నిజంగా చెప్పలేదు. ఇది ప్రపంచంలోనే అత్యంత అందమైన సంబంధం, కానీ చాలామందికి అది అర్థం కాదు” అని అన్నాడు.
తన ఆలోచనను కొనసాగిస్తూ రామ్ చెప్పాడు – “ఆ ప్రేమ ‘అన్కండిషనల్’. ఆ హీరోకు తెలియకపోయినా, అతనికోసం ఫ్యాన్ ఏదో ఒకటి చేస్తూనే ఉంటాడు. అతనికీ ఫ్యాన్ ఉన్నాడన్న విషయం తెలియకపోయినా, ఆ ప్రేమ మాత్రం నిలుస్తుంది. ఇంత అందమైన భావనను ఎవరూ ఇంతవరకు ఎందుకు చూపించలేదా అని నాకు ఆశ్చర్యంగా అనిపించింది. ఈ కథ విన్న వెంటనే ‘ఇదే మనం చెప్పాలనుకున్నది’ అని అనిపించింది” అని రామ్ ముగించాడు.
Revanth Reddy Mocks KTR’s Campaign as ‘Sree Leela’s Item Song’
Two of Telangana’s most prominent political figures, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and KTR, are once again locked in a heated verbal battle ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election. Both leaders, known for their fiery rhetoric, are leaving no opportunity to take sharp digs at each other.
In a fresh jibe, Revanth Reddy has likened KTR’s election campaign in Jubilee Hills to Sree Leela’s item song from Pushpa 2.
“Item songs in films are meant to entertain audiences — they provide visual appeal but lack depth or relevance. Similarly, KTR’s campaign in Jubilee Hills feels like a gimmick. He’s roaming the streets waving his party kanduva and dancing for attention. Is this how a leader of Telangana should behave? Every time I see his campaign, I’m reminded of that Sree Leela song,” Revanth remarked during a press interaction.
KTR, during his campaign, has been seen performing energetic hand waves and dance gestures to lift the spirits of BRS cadres. However, the Chief Minister’s comparison has turned those gestures into a point of satire, intensifying the political heat in Jubilee Hills ahead of the crucial by-election.