August 11, 2026
Jun 19, 2026, 14:08 IST

Jun 19, 2026, 14:08 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Neymar eyes FIFA World Cup return (Image: ANI) Brazil will look to get their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign back on track when they face Haiti in their second Group C match on Friday (Local Time), with head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressing confidence that his side can overcome the shortcomings exposed in their tournament opener….

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‘No connection to Pushpa’: Rajkumar Periyasamy clears the air on Dhanush starrer ‘OM’ title controversy

‘No connection to Pushpa’: Rajkumar Periyasamy clears the air on Dhanush starrer ‘OM’ title controversy

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Rajkumar Periyasamy on Om title Following the monumental box office success of Amaran, director Rajkumar Periyasamy has officially launched his highly anticipated next venture, OM, starring powerhouse performer Dhanush. While the star-studded announcement featuring a dream ensemble cast including Mammootty, Sai Pallavi, and Sreeleela, sent shockwaves of excitement through Indian cinema, it quickly triggered intense…

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US to withdraw fighter jets, forces from Europe; is this the beginning of Trump’s ‘pulling the plug’ on NATO?

US to withdraw fighter jets, forces from Europe; is this the beginning of Trump’s ‘pulling the plug’ on NATO?

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

An American Abrams tank fires its main gun during a NATO exercise. (Image courtesy: NATO) The Pentagon has announced a six‑month review of US troop levels in Europe, signaling a shift toward reducing its military footprint and encouraging European allies to assume greater responsibility within NATO. US defense secretary Pete Hegseth told counterparts in Brussels…

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Andy Burnham wins crucial Makerfield by-election, intensifying pressure on PM Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham wins crucial Makerfield by-election, intensifying pressure on PM Keir Starmer

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Burnham victory shakes UK politics as pressure mounts on Starmer / Image – file Andy Burnham secured a decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, marking a significant moment in British politics and dramatically increasing pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.The former Labour cabinet minister and outgoing Mayor of Greater Manchester won the north-west England…

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AI generated image It would not be too much of an exaggeration to say we are living in a simulation where Elon Musk rules supreme.Rockets, AI, private space, trillion-dollar valuations, Mars talk, market frenzy — the man has made the future look less like science fiction and more like a quarterly update. This week, after SpaceX’s blockbuster market debut, the simulation got another software upgrade. While many things were highlighted about Musk becoming the first trillionaire, with records tumbling, one particular stat stood out. It showed how far new tech has pushed the limits of what we may think of as conceivable wealth, when Musk outmatched the wealth of the greatest investment guru alive in just one day. This and other standout statistics are part of our weekly number wrap-up, where we put seven statistics under a close lens.When one day beats a lifetime4.8 billion was Elon Musk’s one-day wealth gain on June 15, according to Forbes data. It was larger than Warren Buffett’s estimated net worth of 6.4 billion. The difference itself was enormous: .4 billion. Musk’s one-day jump was bigger than Buffett’s entire fortune. Musk shows the wayThe trigger was SpaceX’s stock surge, with the company reportedly up 66% in three days. But the number was not just about one billionaire overtaking another. It captured the mood of this market moment.Patient capital, represented by Buffett, is still revered. The old gospel was simple. Buy well, wait long, let compounding do its quiet magic. Frontier capital is different. Rockets, AI, private space and deep tech are being priced as if tomorrow has already been delivered to the doorstep.That appetite for the future, however, is not evenly matched by strength in the real economy.China’s consumer wobbleChina’s retail sales slid 0.6% in May, reversing April’s 0.2% rise and marking the first monthly fall since December 2022. It was not a collapse, but it was a warning. China retail figuresThe wider picture was two-speed. Industrial output rose 4.5% in May from a year earlier, helped by stronger factory activity. But fixed-asset investment fell 4.1% in the first five months of 2026, showing that the recovery remains uneven.That is the China puzzle in one frame, where factories are holding up, but consumers are not showing the same confidence. This has global ramifications because China remains a central pillar of manufacturing, commodity demand and global trade. When Chinese consumers hesitate, it sends a signal well beyond Beijing.And this split between headline growth and underlying stress is also visible in the labour market, particularly in tech.Tech’s white-collar squeeze56,000+ Indian professionals from global technology companies are now actively seeking opportunities, reports Sreeradha Basu in Economic Times. A month ago, the count was just over 12,000. Six months ago, it was around 5,000. A year ago, it was under 4,000.This is not the usual ebb and flow of the hiring market. It is a sharper reset. A ET commissioned study done by specialist staffing firm Xpheno points towards a worrying trend. Tech layoff in big numbers The data covers professionals from 20 major tech companies, each of which has undertaken more than 1,000 global layoffs since January. Mid-level professionals form the largest segment at 66%. Tech hiring is also at a 28-month low. Bengaluru accounts for 36% of the surge, Hyderabad 19%, and other locations 45%.For years, tech was seen as the safest escalator for India’s middle class. Coding was a shortcut to prosperity. It promised visas, apartments, ESOP dreams and the occasional standing desk with DSMs and circling back to long-pending Jira tickets.Routine tech work is now more exposed to cost-cutting, automation and AI-led restructuring. Mid-level professionals, once the backbone of execution, are in the most uncomfortable place: too experienced to be cheap, not always specialised enough to be immune to being fired.But the AI story has a second side. It is not only cutting into white-collar comfort zones. It is also creating demand for hands-on work.AI still needs people in helmetsBlue-collar job volumes have risen 93% between early 2022 and early 2026, outpacing the 40% rise in white-collar roles, reports Rupali Mukherjee in Times of India. Salaries in these roles are up 5.7% year-on-year, compared with 4% for entry-level white-collar jobs. The data is based on information provided exclusively to TOI by talent firm Randstad after analysing over 50 million job postings. Changing nature of job demand The most striking gains are in the trades that keep the new economy physically running, electricians up 242%, HVAC technicians up 200%, and robotics technicians up 500%+.This is the overlooked reality of the AI boom. As AI gets ingrained into more and more cutting-edge tech, jobs that run the system are growing. So yes, code may drive AI. But AI also runs on electricity, equipment, shopfloors and skilled hands.That shift is also changing how students and families view older engineering streams.Civil engineering’s unexpected comebackAt the top IITs, civil engineering is showing signs of a comeback, reports Hemali Chhapia for TOI. The movement in opening and closing ranks tells the story. Civil engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar moved up by 3,204 ranks, IIT Patna by 2,978 ranks, and IIT Roorkee by 2,454 ranks. At IIT Delhi, civil engineering opened at AIR 179 (up 2851 ranks); at IIT Bombay, at AIR 385 (up 2281 ranks). People are finally coming back to core engineering. IIT admission trendThe reasons are not hard to see. India’s infrastructure buildout is visible on the ground in expressways, metros, airports, bridges, urban redevelopment, housing, townships and industrial corridors. A better job outlook, the scale of public works and renewed interest beyond pure coding have made civil engineering more attractive than it was during the peak software rush.However, computer science remains the most coveted course. Students are not abandoning tech. They are widening the definition of what a future-ready career can look like.That brings us to the larger talent race.India rises, China still leadsIn the QS World University Rankings 2027, India has 52 ranked universities, while Mainland China has 85. India’s rise is visible, this is the country’s strongest showing since the National Education Policy came into being in 2020, and 52 institutions make India the fifth-largest contingent globally. Eighteen Indian institutions have achieved their highest-ever rankings, and 13 of them are non-IITs. But China’s lead at the top remains substantial. Comparison between India and Chinese universities China has 10 universities in the global top 200, compared with India’s 3. Peking University is China’s best-ranked university at #13, while India’s best-ranked institution, IIT Delhi, is at #118. The top-five comparison shows the gap more clearly. China’s leading universities are ranked 13, 14, 26, 36 and 47, while India’s top five are ranked 118, 134, 170, 205 and 221. China also added 13 new entrants in 2027, compared with India’s 2. India’s rise is broadening beyond the IITs, but the climb from access and scale to global research excellence is long. India has no shortage of talent, the harder task is converting it into institutions with global depth, research capital and international visibility. And that requires public spending choices, which leads to the final number.The subsidy state expandsThe week’s last big number is domestic and fiscal: ₹4.4 lakh crore.That is the total state subsidy bill in 2024-25, up from ₹1.4 lakh crore in 2015-16, roughly a 3x increase. Subsidies now account for 10.2% of revenue expenditure, compared with 7.7% in 2015-16. Subsidy-billThe sector mix is revealing. Energy accounts for 43.4% of state subsidies, agriculture 29.8%, and others 26.8%. Among the top states by subsidy as a share of total expenditure are Karnataka at 14.0%, Madhya Pradesh 13.7%, Tamil Nadu 13.6%, Punjab 13.5%, and Chhattisgarh 11.4%.Subsidies have nearly tripled even as total state expenditure rose 2.3 times over the same period. That means subsidies have grown faster than overall spending.This is the political economy behind many of the week’s other numbers. As jobs become less predictable, education becomes more competitive, infrastructure becomes central to growth, and households face pressure, states are spending more to cushion citizens and sectors. For some, subsidies are doles and freebies; for others, they are an investment in human capital. But irrespective of the framing, it is the reality of the time.The future, undeniably, is being repriced, just not evenly. So yes, perhaps we are living in a simulation. But it is not the clean, coded world of The Matrix, where you choose between a red pill and a blue pill and suddenly understand everything. This simulation is messier. The winners are moving fast. The rest of the economy is trying to catch up. And if there is a glitch in this Matrix, it is this that the future is arriving early, but not equally.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorArghya Prasun RoychowdhuryInterested in politics, policy, data and cricket.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. Should They Return to the Fold?India-U.S. Interim Trade Deal Nears Finish Line, Key U.S. Official To Visit Next Week | Watch’Priya Mitra Narendra’: Macron’s Hindi Message To Modi Caps High-Profile France VisitExplained: India’s Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re-Exam; Necessary Step or Pointless Move?Football Legend’s Kolkata Tour Mismanagement Still Under Scanner; Accountability Questions Grow123PhotostoriesFather’s Day 2026: 9 things Indian dads rarely say, but show every single dayFriday Special: How to make Bihari-Style Spicy Masala ChickenThese habits may be blocking positive energy in life; based on your birth dateFrom Batik to Block Prints: 10 incredible destinations every textile lover should visit at least once60-second money lesson: The ₹500 challenge that could help you build over ₹1 lakhDoctor explains what happens to your body when you practice yoga for 20 minutes every dayFather’s Day 2026: The funniest dad habits we all grew up with and secretly miss today8 South Indian breakfast dishes other than idli and dosaQuote of the day by Sadhguru: “If you live your life striving for the highest possibility, in that striving itself, there is liberation”; how working the hardest for achieving your ‘best’ is actual freedom5 giant aquarium fish that bring life and personality to your tank123Hot PicksJesse MarschCA TopperLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA

AI generated image It would not be too much of an exaggeration to say we are living in a simulation where Elon Musk rules supreme.Rockets, AI, private space, trillion-dollar valuations, Mars talk, market frenzy — the man has made the future look less like science fiction and more like a quarterly update. This week, after SpaceX’s blockbuster market debut, the simulation got another software upgrade. While many things were highlighted about Musk becoming the first trillionaire, with records tumbling, one particular stat stood out. It showed how far new tech has pushed the limits of what we may think of as conceivable wealth, when Musk outmatched the wealth of the greatest investment guru alive in just one day. This and other standout statistics are part of our weekly number wrap-up, where we put seven statistics under a close lens.When one day beats a lifetime$164.8 billion was Elon Musk’s one-day wealth gain on June 15, according to Forbes data. It was larger than Warren Buffett’s estimated net worth of $146.4 billion. The difference itself was enormous: $18.4 billion. Musk’s one-day jump was bigger than Buffett’s entire fortune. Musk shows the wayThe trigger was SpaceX’s stock surge, with the company reportedly up 66% in three days. But the number was not just about one billionaire overtaking another. It captured the mood of this market moment.Patient capital, represented by Buffett, is still revered. The old gospel was simple. Buy well, wait long, let compounding do its quiet magic. Frontier capital is different. Rockets, AI, private space and deep tech are being priced as if tomorrow has already been delivered to the doorstep.That appetite for the future, however, is not evenly matched by strength in the real economy.China’s consumer wobbleChina’s retail sales slid 0.6% in May, reversing April’s 0.2% rise and marking the first monthly fall since December 2022. It was not a collapse, but it was a warning. China retail figuresThe wider picture was two-speed. Industrial output rose 4.5% in May from a year earlier, helped by stronger factory activity. But fixed-asset investment fell 4.1% in the first five months of 2026, showing that the recovery remains uneven.That is the China puzzle in one frame, where factories are holding up, but consumers are not showing the same confidence. This has global ramifications because China remains a central pillar of manufacturing, commodity demand and global trade. When Chinese consumers hesitate, it sends a signal well beyond Beijing.And this split between headline growth and underlying stress is also visible in the labour market, particularly in tech.Tech’s white-collar squeeze56,000+ Indian professionals from global technology companies are now actively seeking opportunities, reports Sreeradha Basu in Economic Times. A month ago, the count was just over 12,000. Six months ago, it was around 5,000. A year ago, it was under 4,000.This is not the usual ebb and flow of the hiring market. It is a sharper reset. A ET commissioned study done by specialist staffing firm Xpheno points towards a worrying trend. Tech layoff in big numbers The data covers professionals from 20 major tech companies, each of which has undertaken more than 1,000 global layoffs since January. Mid-level professionals form the largest segment at 66%. Tech hiring is also at a 28-month low. Bengaluru accounts for 36% of the surge, Hyderabad 19%, and other locations 45%.For years, tech was seen as the safest escalator for India’s middle class. Coding was a shortcut to prosperity. It promised visas, apartments, ESOP dreams and the occasional standing desk with DSMs and circling back to long-pending Jira tickets.Routine tech work is now more exposed to cost-cutting, automation and AI-led restructuring. Mid-level professionals, once the backbone of execution, are in the most uncomfortable place: too experienced to be cheap, not always specialised enough to be immune to being fired.But the AI story has a second side. It is not only cutting into white-collar comfort zones. It is also creating demand for hands-on work.AI still needs people in helmetsBlue-collar job volumes have risen 93% between early 2022 and early 2026, outpacing the 40% rise in white-collar roles, reports Rupali Mukherjee in Times of India. Salaries in these roles are up 5.7% year-on-year, compared with 4% for entry-level white-collar jobs. The data is based on information provided exclusively to TOI by talent firm Randstad after analysing over 50 million job postings. Changing nature of job demand The most striking gains are in the trades that keep the new economy physically running, electricians up 242%, HVAC technicians up 200%, and robotics technicians up 500%+.This is the overlooked reality of the AI boom. As AI gets ingrained into more and more cutting-edge tech, jobs that run the system are growing. So yes, code may drive AI. But AI also runs on electricity, equipment, shopfloors and skilled hands.That shift is also changing how students and families view older engineering streams.Civil engineering’s unexpected comebackAt the top IITs, civil engineering is showing signs of a comeback, reports Hemali Chhapia for TOI. The movement in opening and closing ranks tells the story. Civil engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar moved up by 3,204 ranks, IIT Patna by 2,978 ranks, and IIT Roorkee by 2,454 ranks. At IIT Delhi, civil engineering opened at AIR 179 (up 2851 ranks); at IIT Bombay, at AIR 385 (up 2281 ranks). People are finally coming back to core engineering. IIT admission trendThe reasons are not hard to see. India’s infrastructure buildout is visible on the ground in expressways, metros, airports, bridges, urban redevelopment, housing, townships and industrial corridors. A better job outlook, the scale of public works and renewed interest beyond pure coding have made civil engineering more attractive than it was during the peak software rush.However, computer science remains the most coveted course. Students are not abandoning tech. They are widening the definition of what a future-ready career can look like.That brings us to the larger talent race.India rises, China still leadsIn the QS World University Rankings 2027, India has 52 ranked universities, while Mainland China has 85. India’s rise is visible, this is the country’s strongest showing since the National Education Policy came into being in 2020, and 52 institutions make India the fifth-largest contingent globally. Eighteen Indian institutions have achieved their highest-ever rankings, and 13 of them are non-IITs. But China’s lead at the top remains substantial. Comparison between India and Chinese universities China has 10 universities in the global top 200, compared with India’s 3. Peking University is China’s best-ranked university at #13, while India’s best-ranked institution, IIT Delhi, is at #118. The top-five comparison shows the gap more clearly. China’s leading universities are ranked 13, 14, 26, 36 and 47, while India’s top five are ranked 118, 134, 170, 205 and 221. China also added 13 new entrants in 2027, compared with India’s 2. India’s rise is broadening beyond the IITs, but the climb from access and scale to global research excellence is long. India has no shortage of talent, the harder task is converting it into institutions with global depth, research capital and international visibility. And that requires public spending choices, which leads to the final number.The subsidy state expandsThe week’s last big number is domestic and fiscal: ₹4.4 lakh crore.That is the total state subsidy bill in 2024-25, up from ₹1.4 lakh crore in 2015-16, roughly a 3x increase. Subsidies now account for 10.2% of revenue expenditure, compared with 7.7% in 2015-16. Subsidy-billThe sector mix is revealing. Energy accounts for 43.4% of state subsidies, agriculture 29.8%, and others 26.8%. Among the top states by subsidy as a share of total expenditure are Karnataka at 14.0%, Madhya Pradesh 13.7%, Tamil Nadu 13.6%, Punjab 13.5%, and Chhattisgarh 11.4%.Subsidies have nearly tripled even as total state expenditure rose 2.3 times over the same period. That means subsidies have grown faster than overall spending.This is the political economy behind many of the week’s other numbers. As jobs become less predictable, education becomes more competitive, infrastructure becomes central to growth, and households face pressure, states are spending more to cushion citizens and sectors. For some, subsidies are doles and freebies; for others, they are an investment in human capital. But irrespective of the framing, it is the reality of the time.The future, undeniably, is being repriced, just not evenly. So yes, perhaps we are living in a simulation. But it is not the clean, coded world of The Matrix, where you choose between a red pill and a blue pill and suddenly understand everything. This simulation is messier. The winners are moving fast. The rest of the economy is trying to catch up. And if there is a glitch in this Matrix, it is this that the future is arriving early, but not equally.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorArghya Prasun RoychowdhuryInterested in politics, policy, data and cricket.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. Should They Return to the Fold?India-U.S. Interim Trade Deal Nears Finish Line, Key U.S. Official To Visit Next Week | Watch’Priya Mitra Narendra’: Macron’s Hindi Message To Modi Caps High-Profile France VisitExplained: India’s Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re-Exam; Necessary Step or Pointless Move?Football Legend’s Kolkata Tour Mismanagement Still Under Scanner; Accountability Questions Grow123PhotostoriesFather’s Day 2026: 9 things Indian dads rarely say, but show every single dayFriday Special: How to make Bihari-Style Spicy Masala ChickenThese habits may be blocking positive energy in life; based on your birth dateFrom Batik to Block Prints: 10 incredible destinations every textile lover should visit at least once60-second money lesson: The ₹500 challenge that could help you build over ₹1 lakhDoctor explains what happens to your body when you practice yoga for 20 minutes every dayFather’s Day 2026: The funniest dad habits we all grew up with and secretly miss today8 South Indian breakfast dishes other than idli and dosaQuote of the day by Sadhguru: “If you live your life striving for the highest possibility, in that striving itself, there is liberation”; how working the hardest for achieving your ‘best’ is actual freedom5 giant aquarium fish that bring life and personality to your tank123Hot PicksJesse MarschCA TopperLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA

Vamsikrishna08 mins mins

It would not be too much of an exaggeration to say we are living in a simulation where Elon Musk rules supreme.Rockets, AI, private space, trillion-dollar valuations, Mars talk, market frenzy — the man has made the future look less like science fiction and more like a quarterly update. This week, after SpaceX’s blockbuster market…

Read More
‘Do you have the guts?’ Sreesanth challenges Harbhajan Singh to ring fight as Slapgate feud reignites

‘Do you have the guts?’ Sreesanth challenges Harbhajan Singh to ring fight as Slapgate feud reignites

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth NEW DELHI: Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth has reignited his infamous feud with Harbhajan Singh, throwing down an open challenge to the former spinner for an in-ring fight nearly two decades after the IPL’s infamous ‘Slapgate’ controversy.In explosive remarks made during an appearance on Lallantop, Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of…

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Gold price prediction: What’s the outlook for gold prices on June 19, 2026 & what should investors do? Buy on dips recommended

Gold price prediction: What’s the outlook for gold prices on June 19, 2026 & what should investors do? Buy on dips recommended

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

After a steep decline, gold has started forming higher lows on the 15-minute timeframe. (AI image) Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are showing some signs of recovery, and Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities recommends a buy on dips strategy:Gold August futures on MCX are witnessing signs of stabilization…

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NEET UG 2026 exam centre changed in Prayagraj; NTA rolls out fresh admit cards for candidates

NEET UG 2026 exam centre changed in Prayagraj; NTA rolls out fresh admit cards for candidates

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The NTA has relocated a NEET UG 2026 examination centre in Prayagraj following administrative concerns, including ongoing construction work and electricity issues. Fresh admit cards have been issued to affected candidates, while those carrying old hall tickets will also be accommodated after verification. Aspirants have been advised to check official updates and review their revised…

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‘They’re just really addictive’: ‘Supergirl’ star Milly Alcock opens up about the grounding meaning behind her 20 tattoos

‘They’re just really addictive’: ‘Supergirl’ star Milly Alcock opens up about the grounding meaning behind her 20 tattoos

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Milly Alcock talks about her 20+ tattoos and how they are extremely addictive for her. (Credit: Instagram) Milly Alcock, best known for her work in the first season of ‘House of the Dragon,’ embraces her rebellious side. From giving a new and fresh image to ‘Supergirl’ with her latest film, to rocking 20 tattoos! The…

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“Don’t send your children to the US”: Heartbroken sister urges Indian parents after brother was shot dead in a ‘Fake Pizza Delivery’ trap |

“Don’t send your children to the US”: Heartbroken sister urges Indian parents after brother was shot dead in a ‘Fake Pizza Delivery’ trap |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

For countless Indian students, studying and working in the United States represents an opportunity to build a better future. Families invest their savings, take out education loans, and place immense faith in the promise of overseas success. But for Anshul, a young BTech graduate from Telangana, that dream ended in a tragedy that has left…

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Godfather of AI says ‘AI chatbots may have consciousness’ and suggests human-only consciousness may be a myth

Godfather of AI says ‘AI chatbots may have consciousness’ and suggests human-only consciousness may be a myth

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

For generations, consciousness has been viewed as one of the defining traits that separates humans from machines. While artificial intelligence has grown increasingly capable of writing, reasoning and solving complex problems, most people still assume that genuine experience remains uniquely human. That assumption is now being challenged by one of the field’s most influential pioneers….

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CM Yogi flags ‘double standards’ of Opposition as Ram Mandir SIT probe widens NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday accused the opposition of displaying ‘double standards’ over the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir donations, saying parties that had once opposed the temple’s construction were now claiming to be concerned about the interests of Ram devotees.His remarks came amid a political row over allegations of misappropriation of donation funds at the Ram Mandir, with opposition leaders demanding a probe and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh serving a legal notice on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust seeking detailed disclosures on donations and expenditure.Addressing a public gathering in Rudauli, Ayodhya, CM Yogi said, “Look at their double standards. The same Congress party that tried every possible way to prevent the construction of Lord Ram’s temple in Ayodhya is now pretending to be deeply concerned about Ayodhya. They used all their strength against it and, with great shamelessness, even submitted affidavits in the Supreme Court claiming that Lord Ram never existed.””And today, that same Congress is acting restless over Ayodhya and claiming that Ram devotees have been insulted. And look at the Samajwadi Party and its double standards as well. Today they claim Ram devotees have been insulted, but these are the same people who ordered firing on kar sevaks and used batons against those chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Now they have come forward to preach to others,” he added.”Those who fired bullets at ‘karsevaks’ and wielded lathis for chanting Jai Shri Ram are now out here giving sermons… We have set up an SIT investigation (to probe Ram Temple donation issue) at the request of the Trust. The SIT probe will make everything crystal clear. I will tell everyone that nothing should be said that hurts the sentiments of Lord Ram devotees. If anyone has any evidence, they should present it to the SIT,” he said.The chief minister also appealed to devotees not to make inflammatory statements and said the state government had already ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter at the request of the temple trust.”I would like to appeal to all Ram devotees. Regarding the reports that have emerged from Ayodhya, we have constituted an SIT investigation at the request of the trust. I can assure you that the SIT inquiry will bring out the complete truth without any doubt,” UP CM said.”At the same time, I urge all sides not to make any inflammatory remarks or statements that hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees. If anyone has documentary evidence, they should submit it to the SIT,” he added.The SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought a formal investigation into allegations that funds donated to the temple had been misused. The trust has denied any wrongdoing and said regular audits were being conducted.The three-member panel comprises Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, inspector general of police Kiran S and special secretary (finance) Neel Ratan. The team has been tasked with examining the allegations and submitting its report to the state government.The controversy began after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav referred to reports alleging that crores of rupees donated to the Ram temple were unaccounted for and called for an impartial investigation. Former SP MLA Pawan Pandey had alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations had been misappropriated.The issue gained further political attention after RJD MP Sudhakar Singh sent a legal notice to the temple trust demanding a year-wise account of donations and expenditure from 2021-22 to 2025-26, along with audited balance sheets, details of bank accounts and records of land purchases.Temple trust general secretary Champat Rai has rejected the allegations and maintained that no evidence of financial irregularities has surfaced so far.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. 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CM Yogi flags ‘double standards’ of Opposition as Ram Mandir SIT probe widens NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday accused the opposition of displaying ‘double standards’ over the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir donations, saying parties that had once opposed the temple’s construction were now claiming to be concerned about the interests of Ram devotees.His remarks came amid a political row over allegations of misappropriation of donation funds at the Ram Mandir, with opposition leaders demanding a probe and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh serving a legal notice on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust seeking detailed disclosures on donations and expenditure.Addressing a public gathering in Rudauli, Ayodhya, CM Yogi said, “Look at their double standards. The same Congress party that tried every possible way to prevent the construction of Lord Ram’s temple in Ayodhya is now pretending to be deeply concerned about Ayodhya. They used all their strength against it and, with great shamelessness, even submitted affidavits in the Supreme Court claiming that Lord Ram never existed.””And today, that same Congress is acting restless over Ayodhya and claiming that Ram devotees have been insulted. And look at the Samajwadi Party and its double standards as well. Today they claim Ram devotees have been insulted, but these are the same people who ordered firing on kar sevaks and used batons against those chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Now they have come forward to preach to others,” he added.”Those who fired bullets at ‘karsevaks’ and wielded lathis for chanting Jai Shri Ram are now out here giving sermons… We have set up an SIT investigation (to probe Ram Temple donation issue) at the request of the Trust. The SIT probe will make everything crystal clear. I will tell everyone that nothing should be said that hurts the sentiments of Lord Ram devotees. If anyone has any evidence, they should present it to the SIT,” he said.The chief minister also appealed to devotees not to make inflammatory statements and said the state government had already ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter at the request of the temple trust.”I would like to appeal to all Ram devotees. Regarding the reports that have emerged from Ayodhya, we have constituted an SIT investigation at the request of the trust. I can assure you that the SIT inquiry will bring out the complete truth without any doubt,” UP CM said.”At the same time, I urge all sides not to make any inflammatory remarks or statements that hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees. If anyone has documentary evidence, they should submit it to the SIT,” he added.The SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought a formal investigation into allegations that funds donated to the temple had been misused. The trust has denied any wrongdoing and said regular audits were being conducted.The three-member panel comprises Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, inspector general of police Kiran S and special secretary (finance) Neel Ratan. The team has been tasked with examining the allegations and submitting its report to the state government.The controversy began after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav referred to reports alleging that crores of rupees donated to the Ram temple were unaccounted for and called for an impartial investigation. Former SP MLA Pawan Pandey had alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations had been misappropriated.The issue gained further political attention after RJD MP Sudhakar Singh sent a legal notice to the temple trust demanding a year-wise account of donations and expenditure from 2021-22 to 2025-26, along with audited balance sheets, details of bank accounts and records of land purchases.Temple trust general secretary Champat Rai has rejected the allegations and maintained that no evidence of financial irregularities has surfaced so far.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. Should They Return to the Fold?India-U.S. Interim Trade Deal Nears Finish Line, Key U.S. Official To Visit Next Week | Watch’Priya Mitra Narendra’: Macron’s Hindi Message To Modi Caps High-Profile France VisitExplained: India’s Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re-Exam; Necessary Step or Pointless Move?Football Legend’s Kolkata Tour Mismanagement Still Under Scanner; Accountability Questions Grow123PhotostoriesConjunctivitis cases surge during monsoon: Eye doctor shares 10 simple ways to protect your eyes and prevent infectionFather’s Day 2026: 9 things Indian dads rarely say, but show every single dayFriday Special: How to make Bihari-Style Spicy Masala ChickenThese habits may be blocking positive energy in life; based on your birth dateFrom Batik to Block Prints: 10 incredible destinations every textile lover should visit at least once60-second money lesson: The ₹500 challenge that could help you build over ₹1 lakhDoctor explains what happens to your body when you practice yoga for 20 minutes every dayFather’s Day 2026: The funniest dad habits we all grew up with and secretly miss today8 South Indian breakfast dishes other than idli and dosaQuote of the day by Sadhguru: “If you live your life striving for the highest possibility, in that striving itself, there is liberation”; how working the hardest for achieving your ‘best’ is actual freedom123Hot PicksJesse MarschCA TopperLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA

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CM Yogi flags ‘double standards’ of Opposition as Ram Mandir SIT probe widens NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday accused the opposition of displaying ‘double standards’ over the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir donations, saying parties that had once opposed the temple’s construction were now claiming to be concerned…

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‘Pakistani’ song row at annual day function lands Maharashtra school in legal trouble A case has been registered against the principal and two teachers of a school in Maharashtra’s Jalna district over allegations related to a performance held during the institution’s annual gathering earlier this year.The Partur police registered the case on Thursday against principal…

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Ram Gopal Varma is reportedly in talks to direct a definitive biopic on controversial encounter specialist Daya Nayak, going beyond his earlier association with Ab Tak Chhappan. Backed by a major studio, the project may connect to RGV’s Company universe, as ‘Syndicate’ and ‘Sarkar 4’ also remain in the pipeline. Ram Gopal Varma, who has…

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