TOI correspondent from Washington: In the predatory world of American artificial intelligence, where top engineers command salaries in the millions and signing bonuses rival small fortunes, Apple Inc has taken a big bite out of Microsoft and Google. The iPhone giant on Monday announced the hiring of Amar Subramanya, a Bengaluru-educated Google veteran who briefly led AI efforts at Microsoft, as its new vice president of artificial intelligence, in an effort to catch up with rivals who have sped ahead. Subramanya steps into a role vacated by the retiring John Giannandrea, inheriting oversight of Apple’s foundation models, machine learning research, and AI safety teams amid a high-stakes push to salvage its lagging AI ambitions.Subramanya’s whirlwind journey—from Alphabet’s Mountain View labs, where he helmed engineering for the Gemini AI assistant, to Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters for a five-month co-piloting stint as corporate vice president of AI, and now to sickly Siri at Apple’s Cupertino campus—epitomizes the escalating talent war gripping Silicon Valley and beyond.Also read: Apple is going back to Intel after 5-long years, what makes this important for Apple and IntelWith Microsoft poaching over 20 researchers from Google’s DeepMind unit earlier this year, including Subramanya in July, and now Apple counter-recruiting from its rivals, the US AI ecosystem has become a revolving door of elite minds, many of them immigrants like Subramanya. The migration isn’t just about prestige; it’s a battle for the intellectual capital needed to build the next generation of intelligent machines, as companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic lure defectors with million dollar windfalls, even as MAGA myopics mope about “slave labor” and “code coolies” from India and wallow in toxic gibes on X.At 46, Subramanya arrives with impeccable credentials tailored to Apple’s pain points. After earning a BE in electrical, electronics, and communications engineering from Bangalore University in 2001, he completed his PhD at the University of Washington in Seattle in 2009 with a dissertation on semi-supervised learning and graphical models, innovative techniques for training AI systems with limited labeled data — now a boon for privacy-obsessed Apple, which shuns vast user-data troves in favor of synthetic and licensed datasets.Subramanya’s graduate work also extended to practical applications in speech recognition, natural language processing (NLP), and human activity analysis. As a visiting researcher at Microsoft Research, he tackled multi-sensory fusion for robust speech systems and speaker verification, earning a prestigious Microsoft Research Graduate Fellowship in 2007. This early exposure to Big Tech’s labs foreshadowed his career, blending theory with deployment. His scholarly output includes the influential book Graph-Based Semi-Supervised Learning (co-authored with Partha Pratim Talukdar), a staple in machine learning curricula. His academic papers span entity resolution, multilingual Natural Language Processing, cross-document coreference, and audio-visual speech enhancement, underscoring his focus on scalable, multimodal systems.These foundations propelled Subramanya’s 16-year Google tenure, starting around 2009 in research roles that evolved into engineering leadership. By 2023, he was head of engineering for Gemini, Google’s multimodal powerhouse boasting up to 1.2 trillion parameters. Under his watch, teams of over 100 bridged experimental prototypes to production, integrating text, image, and video processing into Search, YouTube, and Android. Subramanya’s pivot to Microsoft in July 2025 – along with a score of gearheads including engineering lead Sonal Gupta – was a cultural reset. In a LinkedIn post that raised plenty of eyebrows, he praised the software giant’s “refreshingly low-ego yet bursting with ambition” ethos, throwing shade at Google’s high-pressure environment. As corporate VP of AI, he contributed to foundation models powering Copilot, the enterprise chatbot embedded in Office and Azure.Also read: Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, OnePlus and other smartphone companies must have this app pre-installedBoth Microsoft and Google are led by Indian-Americans – Satya Nadella and Sundar Picha- – but Subramanya’s stint outside Seattle lasted less than six months before Tim Cook lured him back to Silicon Valley.For Apple, reeling from AI stumbles, Subramanya is a strategic antidote. The company’s Apple Intelligence suite, unveiled in October 2024, has faltered: notification summaries spawned fabricated headlines, from false reports of a suspect’s suicide to premature sports victories to Netanyahu’s arrest, drawing ire and lawsuits. Siri’s promised overhaul—touted for contextual awareness and app control—languished after internal tests flopped, delaying rollout to spring 2026. Giannandrea, like Subramanya a Google import who once led Machine Intelligence, is said to have fostered research but struggled with product delivery. His 2024 paper on “large-reasoning models” critiqued AI’s simulated cognition, yet Apple’s outputs lagged. Now, with Giannandrea advising until spring, Subramanya will report to software SVP Craig Federighi, tasked with accelerating a 1-trillion-parameter in-house model while leaning on Apple’s upcoming $1 billion licensing deal with Gemini to revive Siri – delicious irony in the Apple-Google feud spanning maps to mobile.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old prodigy from Bihar, scripted cricketing history on December 2, 2025, by becoming the youngest player ever to score a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Opening against Maharashtra at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the left-hander blazed an unbeaten 108 off 60 balls, featuring seven fours and seven sixes, powering Bihar to 176/3. This explosive knock eclipsed the previous mark held by Vijay Zol and highlighted Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise, following his IPL ton earlier this year and upcoming India U19 duties at the Asia Cup in Dubai.​

Record-breaking feat redefines youth in SMAT

Suryavanshi’s achievement at 14 years and 250 days old underscores a new era for domestic T20 cricket, where teenagers dominate headlines with fearless strokeplay. Previously struggling with scores of 14, 13, and 5 in earlier matches, he survived fielding lapses to forge a crucial 75-run stand with Ayush Loharuka (25* off 17). Maharashtra’s Arshin Kulkarni, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Vicky Ostwal claimed a wicket each, but could not stem the tide from the Rajasthan Royals sensation. This performance cements his status as a generational talent in India’s premier T20 domestic event.​

Top 5 youngest centurions in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Bihar)

Suryavanshi stunned the cricket world by becoming the youngest centurion in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history at just 14 years and 250 days. His unbeaten 108 runs off 60 balls featured a dazzling display of power hitting with 7 fours and 7 sixes. Opening the innings for Bihar against Maharashtra at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Vaibhav set the tone with fearless strokeplay against a quality bowling attack. His innings helped Bihar post a competitive 176 for three, thanks also to a crucial 75-run partnership with Ayush Loharuka. Vaibhav’s ability to score big under pressure, combined with his swift footwork and timing, underlines his immense potential. Already on the radar for India U19 and an IPL star with Rajasthan Royals, he looks poised for a spectacular international career.​

2. Vijay Zol (Maharashtra)

Before Vaibhav’s record, Zol held the title of youngest centurion in SMAT with a brilliant 109 off 63 balls at 18 years and 118 days. Zol delivered this innings for Maharashtra against Mumbai in March 2013 at Ahmedabad. Known for his elegant left-hand batting technique, Vijay combined textbook strokes with aggression to challenge a formidable Mumbai bowling line-up. His century helped Maharashtra set a strong platform in a crucial domestic league. Zol’s career extended beyond domestic cricket as he represented India at U19 levels and has gained recognition for his consistency and temperament in the middle order. His record stood for over a decade, highlighting the exceptional nature of Vaibhav’s fresh feat.​

3. Ayush Mhatre (Mumbai)

Ayush Mhatre has emerged as a sensational young talent for Mumbai with two explosive centuries in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His first ton, 110* off 53 balls at 18 years and 135 days, came against Vidarbha in Lucknow. His innings featured a blend of aggressive six-hitting and crisp boundary driving, showcasing his natural flair. Just two days later, Ayush replicated his brilliance with an unbeaten 104 off 59 balls against Andhra Pradesh, also in Lucknow. His back-to-back centuries not only highlight his consistency but also his ability to handle pressure in T20 chases. Mhatre’s performances have placed him among the youngest players globally to register multiple T20 centuries in domestic cricket. His promising talent is expected to flourish further in upcoming national and IPL opportunities.​

Also READ: Abhishek Sharma shatters multiple records against Mohammed Shami’s Bengal in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025

4. Shaik Rasheed (Andhra Pradesh) 

Shaik Rasheed made his mark as the fifth youngest centurion in SMAT when he smashed 100* off just 54 balls at age 19 years and 25 days for Andhra Pradesh against Arunachal Pradesh in Ranchi in October 2013. A dynamic right-handed batter, Rasheed’s powerful hitting and quick scoring ability earned him recognition early on in India’s domestic T20 circuit. His century laid the foundation for Andhra Pradesh’s dominant total and demonstrated a mature understanding of pacing an innings. Since then, Rasheed has been noticed for his IPL performances with Chennai Super Kings, where his aggression and composure were further on display. He represents the growing class of younger players making rapid strides in T20 formats.

Also READ: 10 sixes, 12 fours: CSK batter Urvil Patel smashes 31-ball century in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Tuesday said intruders and illegal immigrants have no legal right and hoped every citizen is aware of this problem in northeastern and eastern states, amplifying a concern that had prompted SC in 2005 to observe that Assam faced “external aggression and internal disturbance” due to influx of Bangladeshi migrants.Dealing with a habeas corpus plea on whereabouts of five Rohingya illegal immigrants untraceable after their detention, a plea strongly opposed by solicitor general Tushar Mehta, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took exception to petitioner Rita Manchanda’s counsel referring to Rohingyas as “refugees”.India’s poor have priority over illegal migrants: SC The CJI said the apex court was adopting a humane approach towards them. “Once these illegal migrants are in India, they claim right to food and shelter and help for their children. We have many poor people in the country. They have a right over the country’s resources, not the illegal migrants. True, the illegal migrants cannot be subjected to custodial torture,” the CJI said.SC’s remark came amid growing demand from certain quarters to recognise Rohingyas — Muslims based in the Rakhine province of Myanmar who are considered by the junta there to be Bengali intruders and not Myanmarese citizens — as refugees. There have been instances of Rohingyas trickling into West Bengal from Bangladesh where they have been living after escaping Myanmar.Mehta said in the guise of a habeas corpus petition, the petitioner seeks to know the details of process followed for deportation of Rohingya, the talks India had with countries on this issue, and disclosure of the contents of files on this issue. The bench adjourned the hearing to Dec 16, when other matters relating to Rohingya illegal migrants would be taken up.In its 2005 judgment in the Sarbananda Sonowal case, SC had said, “There can be no manner of doubt that the state of Assam is facing ‘external aggression and internal disturbance’ on account of large-scale illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals. It, therefore, becomes the duty of the Union of India to take all measures for protection of the state of Assam from such external aggression and internal disturbance as enjoined in Article 355 of the Constitution.”On May 8, a bench of Justices Kant, Dipankar Datta and N Kotiswar Singh had refused to stay purported deportation of illegal Rohingya immigrants from Delhi brushing aside fervent pleas from advocates Colin Gonsalves and Prashant Bhushan who claimed that these immigrants face genocide in Myanmar and have a right to stay in India.The bench had said the right to reside anywhere in India is available only to Indian citizens and foreigners would be dealt with in accordance with the Foreigners Act.

DoNER minister Scindia (File photo)

NEW DELHI: A day after a furore erupted over its decision to mandate pre-loading of state-run Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones, govt Tuesday said users are free to delete the application if they do not want to have it on their devices.Amidst concerns over violation of user privacy, communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasised that the fears were unfounded and added that the app was to protect the users from cyber frauds.Scindia asserted that there is no chance of snooping or call monitoring through the app. “It is our responsibility to make this app reach everyone. If you want to delete it, delete it. If you don’t want to use it, don’t register it. If you register it, it will remain active. If you don’t register it, it will be inactive,” he told reporters outside Parliament.Sanchar Saathi order is for phone makers, not users: GovtCommunications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Tuesday said mobile users were free to delete Sanchar Saathi app if they wished. However, the department of telecom’s Nov 21 order mandates the pre-installation of the app on phones under the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, and its further amendments. Not doing this will lead to action under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024 (as amended).Also, the govt order had instructed manufacturers to “ensure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application is readily visible and accessible … and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted”.However, govt sources said the phrase is a direction to manufacturers, not a restriction on users.“It simply means manufacturers must not hide, cripple or pre-install a non-functional version of the app and later claim compliance. Nowhere it has been mentioned in the above clause that the Sanchar Saathi app cannot be uninstalled by the end user. It is up to the citizen if he wants to enable and register Sanchar Saathi or wants to uninstall it. Users remain free to uninstall or delete Sanchar Saathi if they do not wish to use it, as clearly clarified by the govt,” the govt sources said.The move has already seen critics find a parallel to a similar mandate issued by the Russian govt in Aug, requiring pre-installation of state-backed messaging app, MAX.The Union communications minister said there have been more than 1.5 crore downloads of the Sanchar Saathi app, over 2.7 crore fraudulent mobile connections have been disconnected, and around 20 lakh stolen phones have been traced.Attempt to snoop on citizens, says CongCongress called the directive on installation of Sanchar Saathi app in phones as another attempt by BJP to snoop on citizens, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge citing Modi govt’s “record” of “Pegasus snooping” when it “hacked” the telephones of opposition leaders, judges, journalists and even Union ministers. Kharge said, “Why does the Govt want to know what citizens talk about with their family and friends?” Demanding a rollback , AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said, “Big Brother cannot watch us. This DoT directive is beyond unconstitutional.”Global mobile giants concerned over moveThe govt’s diktat to mobile phone makers to mandatorily pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app has raised alarm bells among top global players such as Apple, Samsung and Google. While not officially commenting on the matter, the companies are looking to take up the matter with govt representatives directly, while also raising it through industry body ICEA.“This is a violation of user privacy and also makes the devices susceptible on the cyber security front. We are concerned about this, and will take it up,” said an executive at one of the companies

NEW DELHI: With both teams taking key positives from the series opener in Ranchi, the second ODI between India and South Africa promises another high-octane contest. The three-match ODI series now moves to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, where the hosts will look to seal the series on Wednesday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The opening clash in Ranchi lived up to expectations, with India edging out South Africa by 17 runs in a thrilling finish. The spotlight once again fell on the experienced duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who stitched a memorable 136-run stand after an early setback. Their partnership laid the foundation for a strong total, much to the delight of a packed stadium.

Batting first, India posted a commanding 349/8. Kohli was the star of the innings with a sublime 135 — his 52nd ODI century — while Rohit contributed a fluent 57. KL Rahul also chipped in with a solid 60, and Ravindra Jadeja provided valuable late runs. Despite a mini-collapse triggered by Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch, India managed to put up a competitive target.South Africa’s chase began on the back foot as Harshit Rana struck twice in two deliveries, removing Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock. Arshdeep Singh then dismissed skipper Aiden Markram to leave the visitors in trouble. The Proteas showed resilience through Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, and Dewald Brevis, who built crucial partnerships. However, Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket spell proved decisive in breaking South Africa’s rhythm. Jansen’s explosive knock and Bosch’s fifty took the match deep, keeping the contest alive until the final over, but India held their nerves to secure a 1-0 lead.As the attention shifts to Raipur, one key question remains — will weather affect the fixture?

Will rain play spoilsport in 2nd ODI in Raipur?

The good news for fans is that weather conditions are expected to remain clear. Raipur is forecast to have zero chances of rain, with temperatures ranging between 28°C during the day and dropping to 15°C at night. According to AccuWeather, cloud cover may hover around 39%, but no rainfall is expected. However, the air quality index (AQI) will likely remain in the “poor” category.With ideal playing conditions predicted, fans can expect a full game — and potentially another thrilling showdown.

India vs South Africa 2nd ODI: Squads

India: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv JurelSouth Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen

NEW DELHi: Former head coach Ravi Shastri has delivered one of his most pointed critiques yet of India’s dramatic fall in Test cricket, declaring that both players and the team management must take responsibility for the decline. The former India head coach, who oversaw the team’s successful run alongside Virat Kohli, said he is deeply hurt by the sight of a side that once dominated home and away now suffering whitewashes against New Zealand and South Africa at home.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shastri, speaking to Prabhat Khabar in a podcast teaser, was visibly frustrated while recalling India’s collapse in the Guwahati Test. “You tell me. What happened in Guwahati – from 100/1, you skip to 130/7? This team is not that bad either. They have this much talent at least. The players should take some responsibility too. You have played spin since you started playing cricket,” he said.

Asked whether he was defending new head coach Gautam Gambhir, Shastri was blunt. “I’m not protecting [him]. One hundred per cent he is responsible too. When am I saying anything otherwise?” he said. Then came his most striking comment. “Agar yeh mere saath hota, main pehla responsibility leta (Had this happened with me, I would have been the first one to take responsibility). But then, I wouldn’t have spared the players either in the team meeting.”The frustration stems from high standards Shastri’s own tenure had set. Between 2017 and 2021, India became the world’s best travelling Test side, winning two historic series in Australia, staying No. 1 for 42 months and losing only two matches at home under Kohli.

While Rahul Dravid revived the team after a slow start, leading India to home series wins and a second WTC final, that trajectory has stalled under Gambhir. India have managed just two Test series victories in 14 months — against Bangladesh and West Indies — while suffering heavy defeats in Australia and a draw in England.

Bollywood actress Mrunal Thakur has hilariously responded to the ongoing dating reports linking her to star Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer, choosing humour over confrontation to address the escalating buzz.

Fans speculate secret romance between Mrunal Thakur and Shreyas Iyer

The dating speculation had been simmering for weeks, largely driven by social-media chatter rather than any credible evidence. It originated on Reddit, where anonymous posts hinted that the actress and the Indian middle-order batter had been quietly spending time together. As these unverified claims circulated across platforms like X, Instagram and Facevook fan pages, the rumour mill picked up speed, prompting fans to draw their own conclusions.

This isn’t the first time Mrunal has been at the receiving end of speculative gossip. Earlier this year, she was linked to actor Dhanush after an enthusiastic online exchange and their appearance together at a film premiere. Though the conversation went viral, no official statement confirming or denying any connection was released by either party. The actress has consistently maintained her stance of keeping personal matters out of the public domain.

Mrunal Thakur’s smart and graceful response to the dating buzz

Mrunal’s recent Instagram post has been widely praised for its tact and humour. Rather than fuelling the gossip cycle, she chose a relaxed, relatable moment with her mother to convey that she remains unfazed by rumours.

“They talk, we laugh. P.S. Rumours are free PR and I love free stuff!” she captioned her post. The witty line immediately caught fans’ attention and was widely interpreted as her way of shutting down speculation without issuing a direct denial or confirmation.

The post not only diffused the chatter but also showcased Mrunal’s composed, humorous approach to public scrutiny.

Also READ: Virat Kohli fans troll actress Mrunal Thakur over dig at star cricketer’s wife Anushka Sharma

Entertainment commentators noted that such light-hearted responses are increasingly becoming the preferred way for celebrities to address speculation without inviting more attention. By neither confirming nor denying the rumours about Shreyas, Mrunal maintained her privacy while subtly signalling that she does not take the speculation seriously.

Shreyas Iyer remains silent amid growing speculation

On the cricketing side, Shreyas Iyer has not commented on the rumours either. Focused on his rehabilitation for a spleen injury sustained during the Australia tour, the batter has maintained complete silence on the matter. His non-engagement has also prevented the rumours from escalating further.

Fans of both public figures have reacted positively to the subtle handling of the situation, applauding the maturity displayed by Mrunal. Several social-media users expressed that the actress’s humorous approach was a refreshing change from the typical cycle of aggressive denials or prolonged silence.

Also READ: Who is Edin Rose? The Dubai-born actress madly in love with Shreyas Iyer

Big Short investor Michael Burry has cast doubt on Tesla’s lofty valuation and warned that CEO Elon Musk’s newly approved $1 trillion compensation package could place even more strain on shareholder returns. In a weekend post on his Substack newsletter, Burry wrote that the electric-vehicle maker’s market value is “ridiculously overvalued” and has been “for a good long time”. His critique focuses largely on how Tesla and other tech firms account for stock-based compensation, which he believes distorts the way investors perceive true profitability.

Michael Burry says dilution is eating into Tesla’s real worth

Burry explained that Tesla’s share count increases by roughly 3.6% each year because the company routinely awards employees significant amounts of stock. Since Tesla does not buy back shares to counterbalance these awards, existing shareholders effectively own a smaller slice of the company each year.He shared a chart with his subscribers to illustrate how this steady dilution can erode a company’s present value, especially over long periods. According to Burry, when the real cost of stock-based compensation is fully considered, Tesla’s valuation looks much less defensible than its headline numbers suggest.He also pointed to Musk’s newly approved pay package as a major accelerant. The plan, which passed with 75% shareholder support, could give Musk tens or even hundreds of millions of new Tesla shares if performance targets are met. This could take Musk’s personal stake from 15% to roughly 29%, reducing the ownership percentage of every other shareholder.“Dilution is certain to continue,” Burry wrote, adding that this structural issue is a core reason he believes Tesla’s market value is disconnected from reality.

A broader critique of tech’s accounting habits

Burry directed part of his criticism at the wider technology industry. He said many tech companies remove stock-based compensation from their “adjusted” earnings results, creating a version of profitability that overlooks a major recurring expense. He argued that companies such as Tesla, Amazon and Palantir routinely benefit from this practice because it makes their financial performance appear healthier than it truly is.He reinforced his point by referencing Warren Buffett, who has long argued that stock-based pay is a real cost to shareholders and should never be treated as an optional footnote.

Market reaction and mixed sentiment

Tesla’s share price dipped slightly after Burry’s comments circulated, although the stock is still up more than 6% this year. Tesla remains valued at about $1.43 trillion.Burry also commented on Tesla’s shifting identity. He said the company’s strongest supporters have changed their narrative repeatedly over the years, moving from electric vehicles to autonomous driving and now to humanoid robots. In his view, this frequent repositioning reflects a company that is constantly searching for its next big justification for growth.The remarks were published on Burry’s newly launched Substack, Cassandra Unchained, which he started after deregistering Scion Asset Management. Many of his recent posts focus on what he believes are emerging bubbles in multiple sectors, particularly artificial intelligence.