Updates News: 15 October 2025 - 18 October 2025

November 11, 2025, 9:08 PM EST. Russia's Digital Development ministry says it has begun a 24-hour block on mobile data and SMS for anyone returning to the country from abroad or who hasn't used a SIM for 72 hours, in a test mode aimed at hindering Ukrainian drone strikes. Users receive an SMS notification, and access may be restored early by solving a captcha with telecom operators. Beeline and MegaFon reportedly warned customers; Beeline's restore link reportedly fails. The cooling-off period targets distinguishing genuine foreign SIM cards from those used to navigate drones, a policy rolled out after earlier moves to block foreign SIM data and texts for 24 hours on entry. Critics warn of potential technical glitches.

November 11, 2025, 9:06 PM EST. Valve fans are buzzing about a possible bulkier Steam Controller revival, a decade after the original shipped. A trusted insider, Brad Lynch, shared an AI-crafted mockup inspired by a prototype, promising a Steam Deck-like layout with oversized grips, dual analog sticks, a central Steam button, and signature trackpads. The design could include capacitive sensing (capsense) to gauge hand distance from the grips, enabling smoother gyro aiming without full finger tracking. If true, the reveal could arrive alongside other hardware before year's end, potentially padding Valve's holidays with a Steam Frame VR headset tie-in.

November 11, 2025, 9:02 PM EST. Exclusive: A feud over an AI-generated film pits Jeremy Renner's camp against director Yi Zhou as multi-million-dollar threats escalate. Renner's lawyer, Marty Singer, says the actor never consented to AI narration or any project beyond a Disney documentary, warning of liability for misappropriation of his name, likeness, and voice. Zhou counters with written agreement and a timeline detailing Renner's supposed participation in Stardust Futures and Chronicles of Disney, complicating the dispute with claims of consent and releases. The case highlights the broader tension between AI-generated content and rights of publicity, with implications for creators, studios, and performers amid rising calls for clearer rules, contracts, and enforcement in the era of synthetic media.

November 11, 2025, 8:56 PM EST. Bulgarian Foreign Ministry called on Russia to halt its unacceptable actions of disrupting satellite signals to European countries, posted on X. Ahead of the Radio Regulations Board (RBB) meeting, scheduled for November 10-14, Sofia condemned the disruptions that affect critical infrastructure and radionavigation satellite systems across Europe. In September, European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius said the EU will deploy additional low Earth orbit satellites to boost resilience against GPS disruptions and improve detection capabilities, signaling a broader push to safeguard satellite-based navigation.

November 11, 2025, 8:54 PM EST. SpaceX unveiled a Residential Starlink plan at $40 per month offering up to 100 Mbps. The tier is pitched for smaller households that don't need the higher throughput of pricier options. SpaceX has not specified which regions are eligible, leaving potential customers to check local availability. The launch broadens Starlink's budget-friendly lineup and could expand satellite Internet reach, though users should confirm installation requirements, any data caps, fees, and the exact service area before signing up.