MANILA, Philippines — Maddie Madayag made her comeback for Choco Mucho after a fruitful stint with Kurobe Aquafairies in the Japan V.League and Alas Pilipinas.
Though Madayag saw limited action, she made a huge impact by scoring five points. Her contributions included back-to-back kill blocks that sealed Choco Mucho’s 33-31, 26-24, 25-23 sweep of Capital1 on Tuesday night.
https://sports.inquirer.net/643389/pvl-maddie-madayag-still-adjusting-in-return-from-overseas-alas
The legendary Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York, renowned for training icons like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro, has extended a rare honour to veteran actor Shabana Azmi.
After watching her acclaimed solo play *Broken Images*, the institute’s President, Victoria Kraner, personally invited Shabana Azmi to visit the school and conduct an acting masterclass for NYU theatre students. This marks a historic moment, as Azmi is the first Indian actor ever to receive such an invitation from the institution regarded as the mecca of acting.
When this writer reached out to the incomparable Shabana Azmi in the US, she expressed surprise. She said, “How did you get to know this so quickly? Yes, I have been invited to hold a masterclass at Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. How do I react to this honour? Like I do to all recognition. Just keep working, and never stop to admire yourself. And if the recognition for your work does our country proud, then I am happy.”
Azmi was also recently seen sharing a happy moment with Robert Ellerman, Director and teacher, and Victoria Kraner, President of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
*Also Read:*
[Shabana Azmi to tour North America with her play Broken Images, written by the legendary Girish Karnad]
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/shabana-azmi-becomes-first-indian-actor-invited-conduct-acting-masterclass-lee-strasberg-theatre-film-institute-new-york/
The legendary Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York, renowned for training icons like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro, has extended a rare honour to veteran actor Shabana Azmi.
After watching her acclaimed solo play *Broken Images*, the institute’s President, Victoria Kraner, personally invited Shabana Azmi to visit the school and conduct an acting masterclass for NYU theatre students. This marks a historic moment, as Azmi is the first Indian actor ever to receive such an invitation from the institution regarded as the mecca of acting.
When this writer reached out to the incomparable Shabana Azmi in the US, she expressed surprise. “How did you get to know this so quickly? Yes, I have been invited to hold a masterclass at Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. How do I react to this honour? Like I do to all recognition: just keep working, and never stop to admire yourself. And if the recognition for your work does our country proud, then I am happy.”
Azmi was also recently seen sharing a happy moment with Robert Ellerman, Director and teacher, and Victoria Krane, President of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
**Also Read:** [Shabana Azmi to tour North America with her play Broken Images, written by the legendary Girish Karnad]
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/shabana-azmi-becomes-first-indian-actor-invited-conduct-acting-masterclass-lee-strasberg-theatre-film-institute-new-york/
The legendary Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York, renowned for training icons like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro, has extended a rare honour to veteran actor Shabana Azmi.
After watching her acclaimed solo play *Broken Images*, the institute’s President, Victoria Kraner, personally invited Shabana Azmi to visit the school and conduct an acting masterclass for NYU theatre students. This marks a historic moment, as Azmi is the first Indian actor ever to receive such an invitation from the institution regarded as the mecca of acting.
When this writer reached out to the incomparable Shabana Azmi in the US, she expressed surprise. “How did you get to know this so quickly? Yes, I have been invited to hold a masterclass at Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. How do I react to this honour? Like I do to all recognition. Just keep working, and never stop to admire yourself. And if the recognition for your work does our country proud, then I am happy.”
Azmi was also recently seen sharing a happy moment with Robert Ellerman, Director and teacher, and Victoria Kraner, President at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
**Also Read:** [Shabana Azmi to tour North America with her play Broken Images, written by the legendary Girish Karnad]
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/shabana-azmi-becomes-first-indian-actor-invited-conduct-acting-masterclass-lee-strasberg-theatre-film-institute-new-york/
A Russian lawmaker has claimed that a civil war is brewing in America, while calling Donald Trump “dumb.” Andrey Lugovoy, a member of the State Duma—the lower chamber of Russia’s parliament—argued that Moscow should take advantage of the deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats to cause a government shutdown.
In a staggering appearance on Russian state TV, Lugovoy said the differences between the two US political parties have reached a point where they are impossible to resolve, and suggested that the Kremlin should interfere. He stated that he does not consider claims of an impending civil war in America to be a conspiracy theory.
Referring to the Republicans and Democrats, Lugovoy said: “They’re currently using political repressions against each other in the most proactive way… Secondly, they will never agree about migration, we’ve heard it from their statements. Of course, we should take advantage of this unsolvable problem.”
He went on to accuse the US of meddling in Russian affairs and argued that Moscow should adopt a more politically aggressive stance.
Lugovoy is a former KGB officer suspected by the UK of involvement in the 2006 murder of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London. Litvinenko died after ingesting radioactive polonium-210, which was believed to have been administered in a cup of tea. Lugovoy has dismissed these accusations as “absurd.”
During his appearance on the state TV show *60 Minutes*, Lugovoy suggested that Russia could be more politically aggressive through outlets like its controlled news channel, Russia Today. Representing the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia—a party considered part of the country’s systemic opposition—he claimed Moscow should buy journalists and politicians abroad.
“We should plant our people into US domestic life,” Lugovoy said, adding that he was “deeply convinced” of placing operatives within the Democratic Party. “We should further pit them [Republicans and Democrats] against each other. We should take advantage of their existing differences. We should drive them not only to an economic shutdown, but a political one. We shouldn’t be shy about it.”
He continued: “They often accuse us of interfering in their elections; we say that we aren’t, we really aren’t, but we should interfere. We are developing our propagandist activities — I mean it in a positive sense — in Europe and America. We should intensify it even more.”
Commentators and guests on Russian state TV often share anti-Western messages. Earlier in his appearance, Lugovoy criticized the US President by saying that Trump “says whatever pops into his head,” and added, “Mr. Trump says things that are obviously dumb from every standpoint.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/2117945
RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—On a day meant to showcase international talent, it was the locals who delivered the drama.
ZUS Coffee and Akari opened the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday with thrilling five-set action at Ynares Center Montalban. The match kept fans on the edge of their seats, demonstrating the intense competition the league promises this season.
However, the game proceeded without their highly anticipated imports, who were sidelined by what the league hinted was a strategic move affecting the sport’s international players.
https://sports.inquirer.net/643313/pvl-zus-triumphs-even-as-pnvf-withholds-itc-approvals
**Israel ‘In Days of Critical Decision,’ Netanyahu Says, Marking Two Years Since October 7**
President Isaac Herzog described the October 7 massacre as “the day Israel’s soul was torn apart,” reflecting on the profound impact of the tragic event.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the gravity of the current moment, stating that Israel is in “days of critical decision,” as the nation marks two years since the massacre.
In a related event, Prime Minister Netanyahu attended a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, DC, on September 29, 2025. The press conference was held with then-US President Donald Trump (not pictured).
*Photo credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST*
*By JERUSALEM POST STAFF*
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869699
On October 7, 2023, this road was strewn with burned vehicles, cars riddled with bullet holes, and lifeless bodies. The scene was a stark reminder of the brutal attack when Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in the massacre of more than 1,200 people.
Fast forward to Tuesday, and all was quiet. A memorial ceremony was held at the Nova Festival to mark two years since that tragic day. The event served as a solemn remembrance of the lives lost and the resilience of those affected by the tragedy.
October 7, 2025.
Photo Credit: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90
By Seth J. Frantzman
President Isaac Herzog reflected on the tragic events of October 7, describing the massacre as “the day Israel’s soul was torn apart.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the gravity of the current moment, stating that Israel is in “days of critical decision.”
Photo credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST
In a related event, Prime Minister Netanyahu attended a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) at the White House in Washington, DC, on September 29, 2025.
— By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
**Modi Government’s Stance on Cryptocurrency in India**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 07, 2025, 04:24 PM*
**What’s the story?**
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently clarified the Indian government’s position on cryptocurrency. During his two-day visit to Doha aimed at boosting trade and investments between India and Qatar, Goyal stated that the government neither promotes nor discourages cryptocurrencies but focuses primarily on taxing them.
**Taxation Focus**
Goyal emphasized that the government intends to regulate cryptocurrencies through heavy taxation rather than imposing an outright ban. “As far as cryptocurrency, which is not backed by the Central Government, while there is no ban as such, we are taxing it very heavily,” he said. This approach is designed to protect people from getting trapped in unbacked cryptocurrencies that lack a support system.
**Digital Currency: India’s Sovereign Digital Rupee**
In addition to regulating existing cryptocurrencies, India is planning to introduce a sovereign digital currency backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). According to Goyal, the new digital rupee will possess features similar to stablecoins and will incorporate blockchain-based traceability to ensure transparency and compliance. “Our idea is that this will only make it easier to transact,” he added.
**Tax Regulations on Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs)**
India has established a clear tax framework for virtual digital assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrencies and NFTs, although it does not recognize them as legal tender. The Union Budget for 2022-23 introduced a 30% tax on income generated from the transfer of VDAs. This tax rate applies regardless of any profit or loss incurred in other transactions within the taxpayer’s portfolio. Additionally, a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) was implemented on all crypto transactions exceeding ₹10,000 starting July 1, 2022.
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This balanced stance reflects the Indian government’s cautious approach towards cryptocurrencies—regulating through taxation and planning its own sovereign digital currency, while avoiding an outright ban.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/we-are-not-encouraging-cryptocurrency-says-piyush-goyal/story
