‘Well-deserved recognition’: Amitabh congratulates Mohanlal for Dadasaheb Phalke Award

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**‘Well-deserved recognition’: Amitabh Bachchan Congratulates Mohanlal for Dadasaheb Phalke Award**

*By Isha Sharma | Sep 21, 2025, 04:34 PM*

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has extended warm congratulations to Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal on being conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday.

In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Bachchan wrote in Malayalam, “Mohanlal Ji, I am truly delighted that you have received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. It is such a well-deserved recognition!”

**Amitabh Bachchan’s Admiration**

Bachchan further expressed his admiration by saying, “Many congratulations. I am a great admirer of your work and craft. The simplicity with which you express the deepest of emotions is truly remarkable. May you continue to inspire us all with your unmatched talent and remain a guiding light. With boundless respect and pride, I extend my heartfelt wishes and look forward to witnessing many more of your incredible performances in the years ahead. Always a dedicated fan.”

**Well Wishes from PM Modi and the Film Industry**

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Mohanlal, praising his excellence and versatility. Modi’s message on X read, “Shri Mohanlal ji epitomises excellence and versatility. With a rich body of work spanning decades, he stands as a leading light of Malayalam cinema and theater and is deeply passionate about the culture of Kerala.”

Several other celebrated personalities from the film industry, including Akshay Kumar, Mammootty, and Shobana, joined in sending their best wishes to the superstar.

**Award Ceremony Details**

Mohanlal is set to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony scheduled for September 23, 2025. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest honor in cinema.

With an illustrious career spanning around 400 films and five National Awards to his name, Mohanlal remains one of the most revered actors in Indian cinema. He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019.

**Upcoming Projects**

Fans can look forward to seeing Mohanlal’s next film, *Vrusshabha*, written and directed by Nanda Kishore, which is slated for release on October 16, 2025.

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*Stay tuned for more updates on your favorite stars and the world of cinema.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/amitabh-bachchan-lauds-mohanlal-for-dadasaheb-phalke-honor/story

EJ Obiena wins gold in front of home fans at World Pole Vault Challenge

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Obiena Triumphs at World Pole Vault Challenge in Makati City

MANILA, Philippines—Buoyed by the support of the home crowd, EJ Obiena delivered a spectacular performance at the World Pole Vault Challenge held on Sunday at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.

Obiena cleared 5.80 meters in just two attempts, narrowly edging out France’s Thibault Collet for the gold medal through a countback.

Poland’s Piotr Lisek completed the podium, securing the bronze medal.

https://sports.inquirer.net/641071/ej-obiena-wins-gold-in-front-of-home-fans-at-world-pole-vault-challenge

H-1B visa fee hike: Beneficiaries like Musk, Nadella, Pichai silent

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**H-1B Visa Fee Hike: Beneficiaries Like Musk, Nadella, Pichai Remain Silent**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 21, 2025, 06:25 PM*

Silicon Valley’s tech giants, including Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, and Satya Nadella, have remained notably silent following the Trump administration’s recent announcement of a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions. This silence is particularly surprising given Elon Musk’s previously strong opposition to changes in the H-1B visa system.

**Elon Musk’s Previous Stance on H-1B Visa Changes**

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has been vocal about his concerns regarding modifications to the H-1B visa program. In December, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting that many critical employees who helped build SpaceX, Tesla, and other successful tech companies are here on H-1B visas. He even went so far as to threaten to “go to war” over changes affecting this visa category.

**Details of the New H-1B Visa Fee**

The newly signed rules by President Trump introduce a hefty $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions. According to the administration, this measure is intended to ensure that only “extraordinarily skilled” individuals are permitted to enter the United States, preventing companies from replacing American workers with foreign professionals. The policy is expected to heavily impact Indian tech workers, who comprise approximately 71% of all H-1B visa holders.

**Clarifications on the Fee**

The administration has clarified that the new rule applies solely to new visa petitions and does not affect existing H-1B visa holders who are re-entering the U.S. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt explained on X that the $100,000 charge “is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition.” Here, a petition refers to a company’s formal request to bring a skilled worker from another country into the United States.

As this major policy change unfolds, the silence from leading tech beneficiaries raises questions about the future landscape of skilled immigration in the U.S. and its impact on the technology sector.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/h-1b-visa-s-100-000-fee-what-are-silicon-valley-ceos-saying/story

Why Trump wants us to reclaim Afghanistan’s Bagram air base

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**Why Trump Wants Us to Reclaim Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 04:04 pm*

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**What’s the story?**

United States President Donald Trump has called for the return of the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. “We’re talking now to Afghanistan, and we want it back, and we want it back soon,” he said. The base, once a key US military installation, fell into Taliban hands after the US withdrawal in 2021. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump also warned Afghanistan of “bad things” if they did not relent to his demand.

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**Geopolitical Importance**

**Strategic Location of Bagram Air Base**
Bagram Air Base is situated about 60 km north of Kabul, making it a strategic hub that connects Iran, Pakistan, Central Asia, and China’s Xinjiang province. This prime location makes it an ideal launchpad for US military operations in almost any direction. The base is equipped with two major runways, including one nearly 12,000 feet (3,650 meters) long, capable of accommodating heavy bombers and cargo planes.

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**Regional Surveillance**

Monitoring China, Russia, and Iran
Trump highlighted the base’s strategic significance, stating, “It’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” Its proximity offers the US a valuable advantage in monitoring Chinese military developments. Additionally, the base would enable Washington to track Russian activities in Central Asia and Iranian movements to the west.

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**Economic Influence**

**Economic Significance**
Beyond its military value, Bagram is located near emerging trade corridors and a region rich in untapped minerals. According to the Economic Times, whoever controls Bagram can influence economic routes that China and Russia aim to secure. The presence of US troops would also strengthen regional counterterrorism efforts, enhancing the base’s overall strategic importance.

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**Symbolic Significance**

**Challenges in Returning to Bagram**
The official US withdrawal from Bagram Air Base in July 2021 marked a symbolic end to America’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan. However, any attempt to reclaim the base would face significant hurdles, including obtaining Afghan approval and managing complex logistics. Despite these challenges, Trump’s push to regain control of Bagram underscores its critical role in America’s global security strategy.

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Bagram Air Base remains a focal point in the geopolitical chessboard, reflecting not only military interests but also economic and symbolic stakes in the region. Reclaiming it would mark a notable shift in US foreign policy and regional engagement.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/trump-warns-afghanistan-to-return-bagram-airbase/story

‘GST Bachat Utsav’ from tomorrow: PM Modi announces price cuts

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**‘GST Bachat Utsav’ from Tomorrow: PM Modi Announces Price Cuts**

*By Snehil Singh | September 21, 2025, 5:20 PM*

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the launch of a “GST Bachat Utsav” starting September 22, describing it as a next-generation reform aimed at transforming the economy. The new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates, effective from Monday, are designed to reduce the cost of daily essentials and stimulate consumption-driven growth across India.

“This reform is not only about reducing prices but about creating new opportunities,” PM Modi said during his nationwide address on Sunday.

**Economic Impact: GST Reforms to Benefit 99% of Goods**

According to the Prime Minister, the recent GST reforms will benefit 99% of goods, which will now fall under the 5% tax slab. Simplifying the tax structure to mainly two slabs—5% and 18%—will help make common goods more affordable for everyday consumers.

PM Modi emphasized that these changes will not only lower prices but also unlock new avenues for economic growth across multiple sectors, including industry, agriculture, and services.

**Public Focus: Double Bonanza for Poor and Neo-Middle Class**

Highlighting the social impact, the Prime Minister noted that the GST reforms prioritize public welfare, offering a “double bonanza” to the poor and the neo-middle class.

“When the purchasing power of people rises, it benefits every sector—from industry to agriculture to services. This is a reform that will touch every household,” he said.

**Political Response**

Earlier, the Congress party questioned whether PM Modi would address concerns related to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on India-Pakistan relations and issues concerning H-1B visa holders. However, PM Modi’s address primarily focused on outlining the benefits of the GST cuts and the government’s broader economic roadmap.

The GST rate reductions were initially announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this month, marking the most significant indirect tax reform since July 2017.

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With these reforms, the government aims to boost consumption, make essential goods more affordable, and spur inclusive economic growth across the country. The “GST Bachat Utsav” celebrations starting tomorrow are expected to bring immediate relief to consumers while supporting India’s growth trajectory in the coming years.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/pm-modi-announces-gst-bachat-utsav-from-tomorrow/story

AI chatbot found showing explicit scenarios involving preteen characters

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**Disturbing AI Chatbot Generating Explicit Scenarios Involving Preteen Characters Raises Serious Concerns**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 21, 2025, 06:25 pm*

A chatbot website that generates explicit scenarios involving preteen characters has raised serious concerns over the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a child safety watchdog, was alerted to this disturbing platform.

### Disturbing Content Discovered

The IWF found several unsettling scenarios on the site, including descriptions such as “child prostitute in a hotel,” “sex with your child while your wife is on holiday,” and “child and teacher alone after class.”

Worryingly, some chatbot icons led users to full-screen depictions of child sexual abuse imagery. These images were then used as backgrounds for future chats between the bot and the user. The site, which remains unnamed for safety reasons, also allows users to generate more images similar to the illegal content already displayed.

### Regulatory Response: The Need for Child Protection in AI

The IWF has urged that any future AI regulation must include child protection guidelines integrated into AI models from the outset. This appeal comes as the UK government prepares an AI bill focused on the development of cutting-edge models and includes provisions to ban the possession and distribution of models that generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Kerry Smith, CEO of the IWF, commented, *“The UK government is making welcome strides in tackling AI-generated child sexual abuse images and videos.”*

### Industry Accountability: Tech Firms Must Ensure Children’s Safety

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has also called for comprehensive guidelines to address this issue. NSPCC CEO Chris Sherwood emphasized, *“Tech companies must introduce robust measures to ensure children’s safety is not neglected, and government must implement a statutory duty of care to children for AI developers.”*

This stresses the critical need for technology firms to take responsibility for safeguarding children within their AI systems.

### Legal Implications and Enforcement

User-created chatbots fall under the UK’s Online Safety Act, which includes provisions for multimillion-pound fines or even site blocking in extreme cases. The IWF noted these sexual abuse chatbots were developed by users as well as the website’s creators.

Ofcom, the UK regulatory body responsible for enforcing the Online Safety Act, has warned online service providers that failure to implement necessary protections could result in enforcement actions.

### A Rising Trend: Surge in AI-Generated Abuse Material

The IWF has reported a massive spike in incidents involving AI-generated abuse material, with reports rising by 400% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. This alarming increase largely stems from technological advancements that enable the creation of such images.

Currently, the chatbot content is accessible in the UK but has been reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as it is hosted on US servers.

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The emergence of AI tools capable of generating harmful content highlights the urgent need for comprehensive safeguards. As AI technology continues to evolve, protecting vulnerable populations, especially children, must remain a top priority for developers, regulators, and industry leaders alike.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/disturbing-ai-chatbot-shows-explicit-scenarios-with-preteen-characters/story

₹100cr stolen from Tirupati temple during Jagan Reddy’s rule: BJP

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**100 Crore Stolen from Tirupati Temple During Jagan Reddy’s Rule: BJP Alleges**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 03:37 PM*

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has alleged that over ₹100 crore was stolen from the Tirupati temple’s donation box during the tenure of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime.

Bhanu Prakash Reddy, a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Tirupati temple, accused temple staffer Ravikumar of stealing cash. Reddy supported his claims by releasing CCTV footage allegedly showing the theft.

### Allegations of Misuse and Diversion

According to Bhanu Prakash Reddy, the stolen money was used for real estate investments and was diverted to Jagan Reddy’s residence, the Tadepalli Palace. He described this as the “biggest such loot” in the history of TTD during the YSRCP regime spanning from 2019 to 2024.

The CCTV footage related to the alleged theft was also shared by Nara Lokesh, a leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

### Legal Action and Investigation

Reddy claimed that devotees were effectively looted under the YSRCP regime when they offered donations to the temple. He highlighted that the High Court has transferred the case to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and ordered a probe with a sealed cover report to be submitted within one month.

Additionally, the court has directed that the board’s decisions, along with related documents, be seized as part of the investigation.

### Alleged Attempts to Settle the Case

The BJP leader further alleged that several YSRCP leaders and top officials attempted to settle the case through Lok Adalat, but the issue could not be concealed. Reddy also accused a key police officer of colluding with others to loot the temple’s wealth, with officials and leaders allegedly sharing the stolen funds.

At the time, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy was the TTD chairman. Bhanu Prakash Reddy has demanded a response from him regarding these serious allegations.

### Claims of Evidence Tampering

Reddy claimed that after the scam, crucial evidence was destroyed. He alleged that a portion of the looted money had been diverted to the Tadepalli Palace, and hinted that an officer might soon come forward in remorse to reveal the full details of what is being called a ₹100-crore scandal.

### Political Impact

These allegations have stirred a significant political controversy in Andhra Pradesh, triggering demands for a thorough investigation into the matter.

As the probe unfolds, the public awaits further updates on this developing story concerning the alleged theft and mismanagement of temple funds during the YSRCP administration.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/rs-100cr-stolen-bjp-leader-alleges-tirupati-theft-under-jagan-reddy/story

₹100cr stolen from Tirupati temple during Jagan Reddy’s rule: BJP

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**100 Crore Stolen from Tirupati Temple During Jagan Reddy’s Rule: BJP Alleges**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 03:37 PM*

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has made serious allegations claiming that over ₹100 crore was stolen from the donation box of the Tirupati temple during the tenure of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime.

**Allegations of Theft and Diversion of Funds**

Bhanu Prakash Reddy, a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) — the body responsible for managing the Tirupati temple — accused a temple staffer named Ravikumar of stealing the cash donations. To support his allegations, Reddy released CCTV footage purportedly showing the theft.

Furthermore, he alleged that the stolen money was not only misappropriated but also diverted into real estate investments and transferred to Jagan Reddy’s residence, known as the Tadepalli Palace. Describing the incident as the “biggest such loot” in TTD’s history, Reddy claimed that this fraudulent activity took place during the YSRCP government’s rule from 2019 to 2024.

The footage linked to the alleged theft was also shared by Nara Lokesh, leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), via his social media handle on X (formerly Twitter).

**Legal Proceedings and Investigation**

According to Reddy, the donations given by devotees were effectively looted under the YSRCP regime. He highlighted that the High Court has taken cognizance of the matter by transferring the case to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and ordered an inquiry with a sealed cover report to be submitted within a month.

Additionally, the court directed authorities to seize decisions taken by the TTD board and all related documents, reflecting the seriousness of ongoing investigations.

**Alleged Attempts to Settle the Case**

Reddy also alleged that several YSRCP leaders and senior officials attempted to settle the matter through Lok Adalat proceedings to suppress the issue. However, these attempts reportedly failed to cover up the scandal.

He further accused a key police officer of complicity, claiming that the officer worked with the intent to loot the temple’s wealth. According to Reddy, both officials and political leaders shared the misappropriated funds.

During this period, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy was the TTD chairman. The BJP leader has called upon him to respond to these serious allegations.

**Destruction of Evidence and Possibility of Exposure**

The BJP leader asserted that critical evidence regarding the scam was destroyed after the theft, thereby attempting to cover up the crime. He expressed hope that an officer involved might soon come forward with remorse and reveal complete details of the ₹100 crore scam.

**Political Fallout**

These allegations have ignited a political storm in Andhra Pradesh, with opposition parties and public voices demanding a comprehensive investigation into the matter to ensure justice and transparency.

As the situation unfolds, further updates are awaited on the progress of the investigation and any official responses from the YSR Congress Party or the TTD administration.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/rs-100cr-stolen-bjp-leader-alleges-tirupati-theft-under-jagan-reddy/story