Category Archives: business

business, internet, judiciary, law, technology

Supreme Court denies Google’s appeal, upholds Play Store reform order

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**Supreme Court Denies Google’s Appeal, Upholds Play Store Reform Order**

*By Mudit Dube | Oct 07, 2025, 10:30 AM*

—

**Overview**

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined Google’s request to stay a lower court’s order that mandates significant changes to its Play Store. This decision comes as Google prepares to appeal a ruling in a lawsuit filed by Epic Games, the developer behind the popular game Fortnite. The injunction, originally issued in July and upheld by a federal appeals court, aims to address alleged antitrust violations by Google.

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**Details of the Injunction**

The injunction was issued last year by U.S. District Judge James Donato. Under the order, Google is required to allow users to download rival app stores within its own Play Store. Additionally, Google must make its Play Store app catalog available to competitors.

However, these provisions are not set to take effect until July 2026. Judge Donato also ruled that Google must permit developers to include external links within apps, enabling users to bypass Google’s billing system.

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**Background of the Legal Battle**

Epic Games filed the lawsuit against Google in 2020, accusing the tech giant of violating antitrust laws through its restrictive app store policies. Epic succeeded in a jury trial held in San Francisco in 2023.

Google, meanwhile, has denied any wrongdoing. The company described Judge Donato’s order as unprecedented and warned that it could cause reputational harm, pose safety and security risks, and place Google at a competitive disadvantage if enforced.

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**Google’s Appeal Strategy**

In its Supreme Court filing, Google emphasized that the mandated changes would impact over 100 million U.S. Android users and 500,000 developers. The company plans to submit a full appeal to the Supreme Court by October 27. This could prompt the justices to consider taking up the case during their nine-month term, which began recently.

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**Epic Games’ Response and Industry Impact**

Epic Games has accused Google of using “flawed security claims” as a pretext for maintaining strict control over Android devices. The company urges the Supreme Court to allow Judge Donato’s injunction to take effect, arguing that it would foster competition, increase consumer choice, and lower prices.

In July, a three-judge panel from the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the injunction. The panel highlighted that Epic’s lawsuit presented substantial evidence that Google’s anticompetitive conduct has entrenched its dominance in the market.

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**Conclusion**

The Supreme Court’s refusal to block Judge Donato’s order marks a significant development in the ongoing antitrust battle against Google. As the legal proceedings continue, the case could reshape the landscape of app distribution and billing on Android devices, potentially benefiting both developers and consumers through increased competition and choice.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/supreme-court-rules-against-google-forcing-play-store-policy-overhauls/story

awards, business, entertainment, social media, technology

Instagram introduces ‘Ring’ award to honor top creators globally

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**Instagram Introduces ‘Ring’ Award to Honor Top Creators Globally**
*By Mudit Dube | Oct 07, 2025, 10:57 AM*

Instagram has announced a new awards program called the **’Ring’**, designed to honor the top creators on its platform. The first batch of 25 winners will be announced next week. This initiative is part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to recognize and celebrate individuals who drive cultural change and push creative boundaries.

### Judging Panel

The judging panel for the ‘Ring’ award features a diverse group of notable personalities, including Instagram head **Adam Mosseri**, director **Spike Lee**, designer **Marc Jacobs**, YouTuber **Marques Brownlee**, actress **Yara Shahidi**, and makeup artist **Pat McGrath**.

Each winner will receive a custom-designed gold ring crafted by English fashion designer **Grace Wales Bonner**. In addition, winners will have a digital golden ring displayed on their Instagram profile and the opportunity to customize a unique “Like” button for their feed posts.

### A Strategic Shift Amid Changing Creator Programs

The launch of the ‘Ring’ award coincides with Meta’s recent scaling back of creator payout programs. Earlier this year, Meta discontinued compensation for creators via ads on their profiles. In 2023, it also ended bonuses for Reels creators on both Instagram and Facebook, and affiliate marketing bonuses were shut down in 2022.

### Challenges for Creators

Creator earnings have been challenged recently, with a significant 52% drop in brand deals reported in 2024. Bank of America highlighted last year that, alongside a decline in sponsored partnerships, competition has intensified as more paid collaborations become concentrated among top-tier creators.

Despite these challenges, Instagram remains committed to celebrating its most creative users through this symbolic new award.

### Celebrating Creativity and Risk-Taking

Instagram describes the ‘Ring’ award as a celebration of those who are unafraid to take creative risks and forge their own paths. According to a company blog post, the award is “all about celebrating those who bring people together over their creativity, and deserve recognition.”

As Instagram continues to evolve, the ‘Ring’ award represents a fresh, meaningful way to acknowledge the platform’s cultural pioneers and their impact on the creative landscape.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/instagram-s-new-ring-award-will-honor-top-creators/story

business, economy, international, politics, war

Trump says his intervention was ‘very effective’ in India-Pakistan conflict

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US President Donald Trump on Monday described his use of tariffs as a measure to stop wars, calling them a vital tool for peacekeeping. He further asserted that his communication with India and Pakistan during their recent conflict was “very effective,” claiming his actions helped end the battle between the nuclear-armed neighbors through trade.

“Tariffs are very important for the United States. We are a peacekeeper because of tariffs. Not only do we make hundreds of billions of dollars, but we’re a peacekeeper because of tariffs,” Trump said during an Oval Office interview, according to reports by news agency PTI.

The US President emphasized that without the “power of tariffs,” multiple wars would still be ongoing. “I use tariffs to stop wars. If you look at India and Pakistan, they were ready to go at it. Seven planes were shot down. They were ready to go at it. And they are nuclear powers. And I don’t want to say exactly what I said, but what I said was very effective. They stopped. And that was based on tariffs. It was based on trade,” he added.

India, however, has consistently denied any third-party intervention in the conflict. The tensions escalated after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

Following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict. India has maintained that this cessation of hostilities resulted from direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made it clear in Parliament that no foreign leader requested India to halt Operation Sindoor.

President Trump has claimed multiple times that he ended seven wars during the second term of his administration, including conflicts involving India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, Congo and Rwanda, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Since May 10, when Trump announced via social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after a “long night” of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeatedly stated that he “helped settle” the conflict between the two countries.

Trump added that out of the seven wars he ended, at least half were due to his “ability at trade and because of tariffs.” “If I didn’t have tariffs to throw around a little bit, you would have at least four wars raging right now, with thousands of people a day being killed,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/what-i-said-was-very-effective-they-stopped-donald-trump-on-india-pakistan-conflict-23597574

business, development, science, technology

OpenAI enhances developer tools with GPT-5 Pro and Sora models

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**OpenAI Enhances Developer Tools with GPT-5 Pro and Sora Models**

*By Mudit Dube | October 7, 2025, 10:50 AM*

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**What’s the Story?**

At its recent Dev Day event, OpenAI unveiled a series of exciting API updates aimed at enriching its developer ecosystem. The major highlights include the launch of GPT-5 Pro, the company’s latest advanced language model, and Sora 2, an innovative video and audio generation model. Alongside these, OpenAI introduced an agent-building tool and the ability to integrate third-party applications directly within ChatGPT.

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**GPT-5 Pro: Targeting Finance, Legal, and Healthcare**

GPT-5 Pro is designed with high accuracy and deep reasoning capabilities, making it particularly suited for industries such as finance, legal, and healthcare. These sectors demand precision and complex problem-solving, attributes OpenAI emphasized during the announcement. CEO Sam Altman highlighted that voice interaction is quickly becoming a primary mode of AI communication, underlining the significance of enhancing voice capabilities within these new models.

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**Introducing ‘gpt-realtime mini’: Low-Latency Streaming for Voice**

To meet the increasing demand for responsive voice AI, OpenAI launched “gpt-realtime mini,” a smaller and more cost-effective version of its advanced voice model. This model offers low-latency streaming interactions for audio and speech at 70% less cost, while maintaining the same voice quality and expressiveness. This makes it ideal for applications requiring real-time, natural voice responses.

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**Sora 2: Next-Level AI-Generated Audio and Video**

OpenAI also rolled out Sora 2, the latest iteration of its audio and video generation model. Released alongside the Sora app—a TikTok-like platform featuring short AI-generated videos—Sora 2 delivers more realistic and physically consistent scenes with synchronized sound. It enhances creative control, allowing developers to craft rich audio-visual experiences with ambient sounds, soundscapes, and synchronized effects tightly integrated with visuals.

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**Empowering Developers with Sora 2 API Access**

One of the key advancements is that developers can now access Sora 2’s powerful capabilities directly through the API. This means the same technology powering stunning video outputs on the Sora app is available for use in third-party applications. According to Altman, the model excels at pairing sound with visuals, going beyond speech to encompass immersive audio environments perfectly aligned with on-screen action.

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With these updates, OpenAI continues to strengthen its developer offerings, pushing the boundaries of AI-driven communication, creativity, and interactivity across multiple industries.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/openai-introduces-gpt-5-pro-and-sora-2-in-api/story

asia, business, economy, international, women

5 Philippine biz leaders on Fortune’s list of ‘Most Powerful Women’ in Asia

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MANILA, Philippines — Five women leaders in the Philippine corporate world have landed on Fortune Magazine’s list of Asia’s 100 Most Powerful Women for “leveraging regional and global volatility for business advantage.”

Among them, Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon is the top-ranking business leader from the Philippines, securing the 37th spot on the prestigious list.

Sazon is recognized for her outstanding leadership and strategic vision in steering her company through challenging times, positioning it for sustained growth and success.

https://business.inquirer.net/551151/5-philippine-biz-leaders-on-fortunes-list-of-most-powerful-women-in-asia

business, crime, entertainment

Shilpa Shetty Questioned By Mumbai EOW For 4.5 Hours At Her Residence In ₹60 Crore Fraud Case

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**Bollywood Actress Shilpa Shetty and Husband Raj Kundra Under Investigation in Rs 60 Crore Fraud Case**

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband, Raj Kundra, are currently under investigation in a Rs 60 crore fraud case. According to sources from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kundra allegedly transferred around Rs 15 crore of the total amount to a company account owned by Shetty.

**Shilpa Shetty Questioned by EOW in Rs 60 Crore Fraud Case**

In the latest development, Shilpa Shetty was questioned by EOW officials in Mumbai for over four and a half hours regarding her role and financial involvement in the case. Officials are verifying the flow of funds and the purpose behind the alleged transfers. So far, statements from five people, including Raj Kundra, have been recorded by the authorities.

**Shilpa Shetty Shares Bank Details During Interrogation**

During the interrogation, Shilpa Shetty provided information about her bank statements and shared details related to the alleged transactions that took place in the bank account of her advertising company. The police took several crucial documents from the actress, which are now under examination by the officials.

In September, the Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai Police had recorded the statement of Raj Kundra as part of the ongoing probe. Mumbai Police had issued a summon to Kundra, asking him to appear before them for investigation.

**Mumbai Police Statement**

An official update from Mumbai Police read:
“Investigations are going on against actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra in an alleged fraud case of Rs. 60 crore. A summon was issued by the Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai Police to Raj Kundra. He was asked to appear before police for the investigation.”

**Bombay High Court Denies Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra’s Phuket Travel Plea**

The couple had earlier requested permission from the Bombay High Court to travel abroad for a family vacation in Phuket, Thailand, from October 2 to 5. They cited confirmed bookings for travel and stay as part of their plea. However, the court denied their request.

Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra had filed a petition seeking a stay on the lookout notice issued by Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing. Their lawyers, Niranjan Mundargi and Keral Mehta, argued that despite a 2021 case against them, the couple had traveled abroad multiple times and returned to cooperate fully with investigations. They asserted that the couple should be allowed to travel while the current probe is ongoing.

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*This investigation continues to develop, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/shilpa-shetty-questioned-by-mumbai-eow-for-4-hours-in-60-crore-fraud-case-husband-raj-kundras-statement-also-recorded

banking, biography, business, finance, leadership

BIZ BUZZ: Xavier ‘XP’ Loinaz: Mentor of CEOs

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As Xavier P. Loinaz, affectionately known as “XP,” joined his Creator, tributes continued to pour in for the esteemed banking luminary.

XP had a remarkable career at the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), serving as CEO for 22 years and dedicating another 16 years as a board member.

During his long tenure as CEO, he mentored many other bankers who looked up to him for guidance and inspiration. His leadership left an indelible mark on the banking industry and on those who had the privilege of working with him.
https://business.inquirer.net/551036/biz-buzz-xavier-xp-loinaz-mentor-of-ceos

business, international relations, trade

India, Qatar Discuss Steps To Strengthen Trade & Investment Ties

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Doha: India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a “fruitful” meeting with his Qatar counterpart, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, in Doha on Monday to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries.

“We discussed ways to increase India-Qatar bilateral trade and also reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership across trade, investment, and strategic cooperation, opening immense avenues for greater collaboration,” Piyush Goyal wrote on X.

Goyal also co-chaired the India-Qatar Ministerial Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation with H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Qatar.

“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the India-Qatar partnership by building on our strong bilateral trade. We also agreed to further intensify cooperation to achieve the trade and investment goals set by our leadership during the visit of His Highness the Amir of Qatar to India in February this year,” Goyal further stated.

During his two-day visit to Qatar, Goyal also addressed the inaugural meeting of the India-Qatar Joint Business Council, along with Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani.

“Encouraged businesses on both sides to build on our strategic partnership and cultural connect to further deepen India-Qatar economic ties, and emphasised how our robust economies provide greater synergies across various sectors for shared growth and prosperity,” the Indian minister said.

In addition to these engagements, Goyal met Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority & the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority. The minister described the discussions as productive, focusing on ways to further deepen trade, investment, and financial cooperation between India and Qatar.

Earlier, on August 28, India and Qatar held a high-level meeting in Delhi focused on enhancing Qatari investments in India, especially in sectors such as infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, transport, logistics, food processing, health, semiconductors, and finance.

These discussions aimed to advance Qatar’s commitment to invest $10 billion and open an office of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in India, a pledge made during the State visit of the Amir of the State of Qatar to India in February 2025.

In this context, both countries decided to promote further discussions for investments by QIA and other Qatari entities, focusing on key sectors, specific projects, and companies. The Qatari side indicated that they see various investment opportunities in India, given the country’s economic growth and technological development.

QIA has already made investments in several sectors in India, including retail, utilities, media, housing, healthcare, and realty. Meanwhile, the Indian community in Qatar has also invested in the country, especially in the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector.

*(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/india-qatar-discuss-steps-to-strengthen-trade-investment-ties

business, culture, history, international, religion

The ‘etrog’ wars: How the Ottoman Empire turned a sacred fruit into a global commodity

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The Etrog Wars: How the Ottoman Empire Turned a Sacred Fruit into a Global Commodity

From the groves of Corfu and Cephalonia to the orchards of Tiberias and Jaffa, the saga of the etrog under Ottoman rule reveals how a fruit became entangled in struggles of faith and trade.

Etrogim on Display

The fruit’s distinctive bumpy skin and bright color made it both a ritual object and a coveted commodity across Jewish communities.

Photo Credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

By Alex Winston

https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-869505

business, election, india, local, politics

Bihar Election 2025: AAP releases first list of candidates

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**Bihar Election 2025: AAP Releases First List of Candidates**

*By Snehil Singh | Oct 06, 2025, 05:35 PM*

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its first list of 11 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This announcement comes ahead of the Election Commission’s press conference, which confirmed that the polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the results scheduled to be declared on November 14.

**Contesting All 243 Seats Independently**

AAP plans to contest all 243 assembly seats across Bihar, aiming to replicate its electoral successes in Delhi and Punjab. The party has made it clear that it will be contesting independently, without forming alliances. State co-incharge Abhinav Rai stated, “Our alliance is with the people of Bihar. We won’t ally with any party or coalition.”

**First List of Candidates**

The 11 candidates announced include:

– Dr. Meera Singh from Begusarai
– Yogi Chaupal from Kusheshwarsthan (Darbhanga)
– Amit Kumar Singh from Taraiya (Saran)
– Bhanu Bharatiya from Kasba (Purnia)
– Shubhada Yadav from Benipatti (Madhubani)
– And others

**Focus on Governance and Development**

AAP leaders have actively highlighted the party’s governance achievements in Delhi and Punjab, particularly improvements in education, healthcare, and public welfare sectors. Bihar in-charge Ajesh Yadav emphasized, “We have an approved model of growth and governance” that they aim to implement in Bihar.

The party is also expected to announce its star campaigners soon. Prominent leaders such as Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have recently visited Bihar to engage with local voters ahead of the elections.

Stay tuned for more updates on AAP’s campaign and candidate announcements as the Bihar Assembly elections approach.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/bihar-election-2025-aap-releases-first-list-of-candidates/story