Latest news with #P.T
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Aunt Fatima': Saudi horror game brings Gulf folklore to global fear fans
The eerie interiors in Aunt Fatima draw heavily from Gulf culture, replicating elements like incense burners, old telephones, and vintage decor from real Saudi homes/Image: Internet The Gulf is rich with folk tales, some filled with bravery and hardship, others drenched in fear. Saudi YouTuber and indie developer Abdulla Al Hamad turned to the terrifying end of that spectrum for inspiration for his first-person horror game, Aunt Fatima . The game draws from the Emirati jinn legend of Umm Al Duwais , a supernatural entity that lures and kills weak-willed men. In Aunt Fatima , players enter an empty home haunted by a similar malevolent being. Once inside, they must solve puzzles while evading the creature that lurks in the shadows. Al Hamad says he was intrigued by people's obsession with fear. 'I realised people genuinely enjoy being scared—it's fun for them,' he told local news outlet The National . 'I wanted to create something simple but effective. Horror games don't require massive development, they require just five or six core mechanics. The rest is all about creativity in the story.' About the Game Launched in October 2024, Aunt Fatima quickly gained traction as regional content creators showcased their playthroughs. It has since reached audiences in East Asia and Turkey, cultures that Al Hamad says share similar folklore roots. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cervecería Nacional CFD: Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Empieza a invertir hoy Empieza ahora Undo Played in first-person, the game immerses players into the shoes of the protagonist exploring what initially seems to be a deserted house. But it becomes clear something sinister is watching. Players must solve puzzles and navigate the space while avoiding the wrath of the ghostly Aunt Fatima. While comparisons have been made to Resident Evil 7 and Hideo Kojima's P.T. , Al Hamad says those weren't direct influences. 'I scare easily, I don't even watch horror films,' he laughs. 'But somehow, I ended up making a horror game.' Instead, his true inspiration came from his own surroundings. He based the haunted house in the game on his grandfather's home and also visited abandoned areas in Al Khobar, which locals claim are haunted. 'For example, the clock that chimes every quarter hour? That's from my grandfather's house. The telephone, rugs, bed, and lamps all of them are real details I grew up with,' he said. That authenticity gives Aunt Fatima a distinct regional identity. One scene even features a mubkhar (incense burner) on a table, filling the house with aromatic smoke which is an iconic feature in Gulf households. Despite being a solo project, Aunt Fatima includes over an hour of gameplay and is powered by Nvidia's DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) system. The AI-powered rendering enhances visuals without sacrificing performance, giving the game a polished feel that rivals major studio titles. 'To make a horror game work, you need quick reaction time, and DLSS really made that possible,' Al Hamad said. 'Seeing Aunt Fatima listed on Nvidia's site next to God of War and Marvel Rivals made me incredibly proud.' With Gulf folklore and nostalgic authenticity woven into every shadowed corner, Aunt Fatima is setting a new standard for regional horror games and is gaining international recognition while doing it.
India Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Ahmedabad Olympics bid: How city can walk the talk with International Olympic Committee
Setting all speculation to rest about which Indian city is pitching to host the Summer Olympics, a delegation, represented by Gujarat sports minister Harsh Sanghavi and Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha, met Kirsty Coventry, the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and her team in Lausanne, Switzerland, on July had reached out to the IOC last October, formally conveying its bid to host one of the future editions of the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, ideally the 2036 edition, but had not specified which city would host it. In the meantime, several Union ministers, including home minister Amit Shah, had mentioned Gujarat would be hosting the officers from Gujarat's ministry of youth affairs and sports accompanying Sanghavi for the first formal meeting with the new IOC team, Ahmedabad has now formally entered the 'continuous dialogue' process for the bidding.'The interaction was to familiarise us with the new team at IOC and for the Future Host Committee at IOC to get to know us,' an official familiar with the meeting told INDIA TODAY. The Gujarat government, in a statement, said: 'The discussions provided a platform for the Indian delegation to articulate their vision for hosting a future edition of the Olympic Games in Ahmedabad. They gained invaluable insights from the IOC regarding the requirements for the Olympic Games and its ambitions for the future of the Olympic movement.''The IOC has very well laid out procedures and the new team wants to make the future host selection process more transparent and participative,' the official said. 'We are in the process of understanding the nuances of their requirements so that our pitch addresses their concerns effectively. The IOC's future host commission is also helping us navigate this process.'advertisementQatar, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and South Africa are considered the closest competitors to India's bid, given the readiness of their sports infrastructure and economic stability. Gujarat will now start reaching out to other countries who are not bidding to host the future editions but have a say in the selection process.'India's engagement with the Olympic movement is at a transformative moment, one that goes beyond competitive sports to embrace the true spirit of Olympics, which is promoting peace, education and cultural exchange through sports. The Olympic Games in India would not just be a spectacular event but one of generational impact for all Indians,' said intends to host most of the sports at the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, which houses the country's largest Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Motera on the banks of Sabarmati river. Officials confide that discussions are underway to host events such as mountain biking in Uttarakhand, canoeing slalom in Bhopal and surfing and sailing in Goa. 'We are still putting together a plan that is practical and economically sustainable, not only for the Olympics but for the youth of the country to utilise before and after the games,' said an official, requesting next meeting with IOC, possibly with a more detailed plan, is expected in local support for the games is one of the key requirements, and to this end, the Gujarat government is investing heavily on creating sports infrastructure to foster a sports fervour in the state. To make the most of the additional infrastructure, the city will be hosting multiple international games. A week ago, the hosting rights of the 2029 World Police and Fire Games was awarded to Ahmedabad. This event will host over 10,000 athletes from more than 70 countries, representing police, fire, customs and correctional services. State officials have expressed confidence that the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games will also likely land a massive boost for sports infrastructure and air and land connectivity, along with an overall upscaling of the state's economy, Gujarat is aiming to emerge as a 'global sports superpower' in the foreseeable future. The Summer Olympics, if it comes Ahmedabad's way, will be a shining symbol of to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India enters 2036 Olympic bid: What it takes to become Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports, the key official to lead the Games
Ahmedabad named in Olympic bid as India outlines vision and key leadership for 2036 Games 2036 Olympics India: India has officially entered the race to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad being named as the proposed host city. A high-level Indian delegation, including representatives from the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Gujarat government, and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha, recently met with International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials in Lausanne to present India's intent. This marks India's first formal move in the bid process, following Brisbane's successful selection for the 2032 Games. The delegation used the meeting to share their vision for hosting the Olympics in Ahmedabad and to gather guidance from the IOC regarding the technical and strategic requirements of staging the event. The Secretary will play a central role in Games management Among the most critical figures in India's Olympic preparations will be the Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This senior bureaucrat will be responsible for coordinating national-level planning, overseeing government investments, and liaising with international partners including the IOC. The Secretary will work in close collaboration with the IOA, the Gujarat state government, and the yet-to-be-established Local Organising Committee. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo As the top administrative official in the sports ministry, the Secretary will lead all inter-ministerial coordination and guide decisions relating to infrastructure, logistics, and legacy planning. Their role will also include reviewing policy frameworks, securing Cabinet approvals, and ensuring adherence to IOC standards throughout the planning and execution phases. Qualifications required to become Secretary of Sports To reach this position, a candidate must be a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), typically with over 20 years of experience in public administration. IAS officers are recruited through the highly competitive Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Successful candidates undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration before being posted to various state and central government departments. Over the course of their careers, these officers handle responsibilities across a range of sectors, including finance, urban development, health, and infrastructure, before reaching senior roles such as Secretary to the Government of India. Appointments to Secretary-level posts are made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, often based on experience, performance, and domain expertise. Ahmedabad's bid reflects India's Olympic vision India's bid is built around the theme of inclusivity and national pride, highlighting that hosting the Olympics would allow over 600 million young Indians to experience the Games for the first time on home soil. The bid also embraces the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—emphasising unity and global cooperation. As the IOC pauses its host city selection process to allow greater member involvement, India continues to position itself as a serious contender. With competition from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile, India's leadership—particularly the role of the Sports Secretary—will be crucial in transforming its Olympic vision into reality. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Gokulam Group invests in road restroom start-up Travlounge
Travlounge, which provides premium restroom services to travellers on road, has received an investment of ₹25 crore from Sree Gokulam Group of companies. Promoted by the Kozhikode-based Beacon Group, it has already set up units at Walayar in Palakkad and Adimali near Munnar. Travlounge's co-founder P.T. Safeer said that apart from building more units, the company would also be partnering with existing businesses that operate on the highways across the country. The services offered to travellers include hygienic toilets, cafeteria and sleeping pods. 'We have had 1.5 lakh customers so far at our Walayar unit, which became operational two years ago,' Mr. Safeer said. 'We have received a lot of interest from States outside Kerala as well, especially Tamil Nadu.' Travlounge's app was launched here by Kerala's Minister for Tourism and Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas, who said the government was also open to the idea of cooperating with the project. The start-up was seed-funded by Abdul Azeez of AZCCO Global. Gokulam's chairman Gokulam Gopalan said his company made the investment in Travlounge because the business had a lot of potential. Mamta Mohandas, brand ambassador, said she wanted to be part of the company after discovering Travlounge's maiden unit on her drive from Chennai. 'This was something travellers, especially women, badly needed in India,' the popular actress said. 'I wanted to be part of the company.'
Miami Herald
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Riders stuck on 17-story-high swings at amusement park, Colorado officials say
A 'stalled ride' stranded visitors to a Denver amusement park in midair, Colorado firefighters reported. The incident took place at Elitch Gardens on Saturday, April 26, the Denver Fire Department said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Firefighters responded to the amusement park but were ultimately not needed as operators were able to slowly lower the Star Flyers ride so visitors could get off, the agency said. No injuries were reported. The 17-story-high ride swings riders at up to 50 mph, Elitch Gardens said. About 40 people were stuck on the ride for 45 minutes, KDVR reported. 'Issue occurred at park close. The ride will go through a thorough safety inspection, as we do all rides daily. No one was evacuated from the park,' Elitch Gardens told the station in a statement. Elitch Gardens, a combination water and theme park, has '54 rides, slides and attractions,' according to the park. It is open from April to October each year. The park began in 1890 as a zoological park, with P.T. Barnum among the opening day guests, the park said.
