iWorld
Facebook to block new political ads a week before US presidential election
KOLKATA: Amid large criticism against misinformation and allegation of meddling in elections, Facebook has decided to block all new political advertising on its platform the week before the US general election in November.
However, advertisers will be able to continue running ads they started running before the final week and adjust the targeting for those ads, but those ads will already be published transparently in Ads Library so anyone, including fact-checkers and journalists, can scrutinize them.
Facebook will also remove posts with claims that people will get Covid2019 if they take part in voting. It will attach a link to authoritative information about the virus to posts that might use to discourage voting, and it is also not going to allow this kind of content in ads. Notably, other social media platforms such as Twitter and Pinterest, have already banned political ads on the services.
“Given the unique circumstances of this election, it's especially important that people have accurate information about the many ways to vote safely, and that Covid2019 isn't used to scare people into not exercising their right to vote,” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said.
For more than two years now, Facebook has been under constant pressure from authorities across many countries on antitrust and piracy issues. The data fiasco really got murkier when the cambridge analytica scandal came out for influencing 2016 US Presidential election. However, it had been alleged for the same outside US as well including Brexit.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
