Times of India

Microsoft has told engineers to curb AI token spending, with EVP Jay Parikh writing in an internal memo that "tokenmaxxing is not what we are optimizing for." The company has made OpenAI's cheaper GPT-5.6 the default internal model, set AI token budget targets for every division from July 2026, and given employees dashboards to track individual spend on GitHub Copilot. Some engineers were burning thousands of dollars monthly.

With Kenny Pickett stepping up as the Carolina Panthers’ new starting quarterback, he navigates the storm of social media criticism regarding his hand size. Just before the Hall of Fame game, he prepares to showcase his skills while previous starter Bryce Young watches on. A strong performance could solidify Pickett’s position as the team’s long-term solution at quarterback.

The Bombay High Court ordered social media intermediaries to remove vile and abusive online content. These posts falsely linked Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to the ethanol-blended petrol controversy. The court granted urgent interim relief to the minister against several platforms. Gadkari sought damages for fabricated and defamatory digital content, including deepfake videos. The court also directed intermediaries to furnish basic customer information of content creators.

An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced severe turbulence on Tuesday. Overhead bins were damaged and debris was scattered across the aisle. Several passengers and crew members sustained injuries during the turbulent event. The aircraft briefly lost altitude before landing safely in Delhi. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has initiated an investigation into the incident.

The Cockroach Janta Party began as a satirical online response to a statement by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant but later developed into a broader youth-led campaign. The movement has focused on issues including exam security, administrative reforms and employment-related concerns. Das became one of CJP's most visible representatives due to his background in journalism and his ability to present arguments through data, documents and legal references.

A consumer commission upheld a district forum's order for Railways to pay Rs 2 lakh compensation. The family's Amritsar trip was disrupted after train services were suspended due to a protest. Passengers were not properly informed or assisted after the train halted for hours. The commission found this omission constituted a deficiency in service by the Railways. The Railways' appeal was dismissed, confirming the compensation amount awarded.

Ajinkya Rahane believes Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri toughened Indian cricket. They instilled a fearless and aggressive approach, especially in overseas matches. India achieved significant success under their leadership during this period. Rahane expressed concern about the current Test cricket mentality and resilience. He noted a decline in the patience required for difficult match phases.

India's services sector growth slowed significantly in July, reaching its weakest pace in over four years. New business inflows expanded at the slowest rate since early 2022, driven by softer demand. Overseas demand remained relatively resilient, with export business outperforming overall sales growth. Employment growth improved modestly, while business confidence weakened to a seven-month low. Input cost inflation eased, and companies raised selling prices at the fastest pace since April.

Tamil Nadu's opposition leader M.K. Stalin criticized the TVK government's budget as a waste. He stated the budget repackaged old schemes and lacked new vision. The finance minister presented a budget aiming for a $1.5 trillion economy by 2031. Opposition parties also pointed out unfulfilled election promises and debt concerns. The budget included allocations for schools, higher education, and welfare initiatives.

Abhijeet Dipke, CJP founder, ruled out converting his organization into a political party. He stated public trust in democratic institutions has significantly eroded. Dipke emphasized the urgent need for a nationwide people's movement and public pressure. This movement aims to restore accountability and neutrality in key institutions. The CJP will continue functioning as a pressure group focusing on various national issues.

The Directorate of Government Examinations has announced the SSLC supplementary results for 2026 today. Students can now access their provisional marks memos on the official DGE Tamil Nadu website. These supplementary exams were conducted for students who needed to clear additional subjects. Applications for scanned answer scripts will be accepted on August 10 and 11. The fee for a scanned copy of an answer script is Rs 275 per subject.

Naoero, previously known as Nauru, has introduced a program that offers citizenship to individuals contributing to climate adaptation funding. The initiative focuses on securing finances necessary for relocating vital infrastructure and families further inland, in response to the increasing threats posed by rising sea levels and coastal flooding. Those who successfully navigate the rigorous application process receive a passport, emphasizing the growing trend of seeking second citizenships worldwide.

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce supports local children and families. He partnered with Kodiak to provide twenty-five thousand hot meals. Kelce also invested in Operation Breakthrough, a Kansas City nonprofit. His Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation supports youth programs and career exploration. This initiative offers practical skills and a safe space for students.

The All India Chess Federation has rescheduled the senior National Chess Championship to November 29-December 9, 2026, in Varanasi, after GM Abhijeet Gupta objected to its proposed March 2027 dates. AICF held discussions with stakeholders to come up with a solution while retaining the venue. Gupta had cited school board exams and the risk of effectively losing the 2026 edition.

Scientists discovered microplastics in every fish species sampled from the Yamuna River. Fish from Delhi's stretch showed much higher contamination than those from upstream Haryana. These plastic particles were found not only in digestive tracts but also in muscle tissues. This contamination indicates a widespread issue within the river's aquatic food chain. Addressing this requires reducing microplastic pollution from various sources.

Jana Nayagan has impressively surpassed its second week in theaters, raking in an impressive Rs 181.80 crore net in India after two weeks. As anticipated, weekday earnings have slowed for the action drama; however, Tamil Nadu continues to lead in contributions. Analysts are optimistic that the approaching weekend will provide a significant boost to ticket sales.