Praveenar "Veena" Singh, born April 16, 1996, in Chiang Mai, is an Indian-Thai model and beauty queen. A graduate in Russian Studies from Thammasat University, she is known for her perseverance in pageantry, having joined Miss Universe Thailand four times before finally winning the crown in 2025. She will represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2025.

Israel struck Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday, killing at least 15 people, including four journalists, Palestinian authorities said. Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor working as a cameraman was among those killed. Another Reuters contractor employed as a photographer was wounded in the strikes, the publication said.

Artificial intelligence (AI) integration goes beyond automation; it reshapes workflows, speeds up decision-making, and reduces errors. For instance, AI in supply chains predicts demand more accurately, cutting costs while boosting customer satisfaction. Measuring success requires tracking not just revenue, but also efficiency gains, employee productivity, and operational resilience.

Business operating systems (BOS) streamline processes, but ROI extends beyond revenue. Companies should track efficiency, productivity, and decision-making improvements. For example, an Indian retail chain using a BOS may cut stockouts, speed reporting, and gain customer insights. A structured ROI framework ensures BOS adoption aligns with measurable outcomes and supports long-term growth.

Fintech firms in India are driving financial inclusion with mobile banking, digital wallets, and peer-to-peer lending. They simplify payments, enable faster loans, and help small businesses access credit. Using blockchain and AI, fintechs improve security and user experience. By bridging gaps in traditional banking, they boost financial literacy and make financial services more accessible.

A revenue audit is not just financial checking it maps the entire revenue cycle to identify inefficiencies, pricing gaps, or leakage. Companies often find missed upselling opportunities, unoptimised billing systems, or customer churn patterns. By fixing these blind spots, businesses can improve profits without relying on new sales. A revenue audit provides clarity and direction for growth.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms bypass intermediaries by directly connecting buyers and sellers. From lending to e-commerce, this model reduces costs, increases transparency, and builds trust. For example, P2P lending platforms give borrowers faster access to credit while providing investors with attractive returns. By decentralising control, these platforms reshape industries.

Businesses that systematically collect and analyse customer feedback improve retention, product development, and satisfaction. Feedback channels such as surveys, focus groups, and social media listening reveal both strengths and pain points. When integrated into strategy, insights from customers lead to better PMF, efficient operations, and stronger brand loyalty.

Lead handoff is transition from marketing to sales, and poorly managed transfers cause lost opportunities. Clear documentation, shared customer insights, and timely communication ensure smoother handoff. Companies that refine this process see higher conversion rates and improved customer trust. Effective handoff strategies bridge the gap between teams, turning leads into business relationships.

Agentic AI offers autonomy and problem-solving, but scaling remains difficult. About 63% of companies struggle with costs, limited talent, and integration with legacy systems. In India, BFSI firms adopting AI agents often face compliance risks and data silos. Addressing these needs governance frameworks, reliable datasets, and specialised AI training to realise business value.

Venture building requires flexible capital structures. From bootstrapping and angel investment to venture capital and revenue-based financing, each model offers trade-offs in control, growth speed, and scalability. For example, revenue-based financing helps startup grow without equity dilution, while venture capital accelerates expansion but adds investor oversight. The right model ensures growth.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are evolving beyond digital art to represent ownership of assets like property, collectibles, and intellectual property. By recording authenticity on blockchain, NFTs eliminate duplication and create verifiable digital scarcity. Businesses exploring NFTs can unlock new revenue streams while consumers gain secure, transferable ownership.

Investment banking is moving beyond traditional models as digital platforms, AI, and blockchain reshape deal-making and client servicing. Automated risk analysis and AI-driven valuations save time while improving accuracy. Banks that adopt these tools are not just reducing costs but also delivering faster insights to clients, ensuring a stronger competitive edge in global markets.

Customer onboarding defines first impressions. Clear tutorials, personalized guidance, and timely follow-ups reduce churn and boost satisfaction. Software firms with interactive onboarding report faster adoption and fewer support requests. Strong onboarding builds confidence, loyalty, and higher customer lifetime value (CLV), turning first-time users into long-term advocates.

A blazing meteor crossed the Pleiades star cluster in Saudi Arabia. NASA astronomers were photographing the Pleiades star cluster (M45) with long exposures to reveal bright stars and surrounding blue-reflecting dust when a meteor unexpectedly streaked across the frame. The fast rock fragment produced a striking green glow due to vaporised metals.

The Indian Embassy in the US has hired Mercury Public Affairs to help its lobbying efforts and will now spend $275,000 (approximately ₹2.4 crore) per month for its overall lobbying efforts, ThePrint reported. Susie Wiles, the current Chief of Staff of President Donald Trump, was Mercury's co-chair until November 2024. This comes as Trump's tariffs have strained India-US relations.

India informed Pakistan about the flood situation in the Tawi River, extending a goodwill gesture to the nation after 'Operation Sindoor', where Pakistan-based terrorists were killed. Reports said India informed about the situation through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad since the Indus Water Treaty channels are in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in April.

A petition demanding fair sentencing for Harjinder Singh, an Indian-origin truck driver charged in a fatal crash in Florida, has gained massive response, with more than 2.6 million verified signatures in just a few days. Harjinder Singh, 28, originally from Rataul village in Tarn Taran district, was arrested after a tragic accident on August 12 in Florida.

India is concerned that a mega-dam, which China is building in Tibet, could reduce water flow in the Brahmaputra River by up to 85% during the dry season, Reuters reported. New Delhi has analysed the impact of the dam. It is estimated that the dam would let Beijing divert 40 billion cubic meters of water at an important border point.

PM Narendra Modi met Fijian PM Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka on Monday and addressed a joint press conference. "I congratulate PM Rabuka on the announcement of 'Girmit Day'. This is a tribute to our shared history," PM Modi said. 'Girmit Day' is a commemoration of the day the first Indian indentured labourers arrived in British-administered Fiji in 1879.

Cambodia's parliament passed a law to strip citizenship from people convicted of treason. The law, approved by 120 of the 125 members of the CPP-dominated National Assembly, allows the state to revoke the citizenship of anyone convicted of conspiring with foreign countries. Former PM Hun Sen had earlier said Cambodia must take action against nationals who "side with foreign nations".

Oil prices rose on Monday, with Brent up 6 cents to $67.79 and WTI up 9 cents to $63.75. The rise followed as Ukraine's drone strike cut capacity at a Russian nuclear plant and set ablaze Ust-Luga fuel export terminal. Meanwhile, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, which exports about 1,00,000 barrels daily, has been burning for four days after a drone hit.

Paramount is said to be planning employee layoffs by early November 2025 following its recent USD 8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Reports suggest the restructuring could significantly reduce the workforce, aligning with Paramount Skydance's first strategic move post-merger.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a former Mexican cartel kingpin, is expected to plead guilty to federal charges for his role in violent drug trade. He'd plead guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise. According to prosecutors, the Sinaloa cartel evolved into the largest drug trafficking organisation in world under Zambada's leadership.

Israeli PM Netanyahu said he welcomed Lebanon's "momentous decision" earlier this month to work towards the disarmament of Hezbollah by 2025 end. If Lebanon takes necessary steps to disarm Hezbollah, then Israel will pull back and respond with reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of its military presence in south Lebanon. Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected disarmament demands.