Times of India

Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis warns humanity is on the cusp of Artificial General Intelligence, potentially within four years, urging immediate preparation. He views current AI agents as a societal stress test and highlights the risks of recursive self-improvement. Hassabis also criticized tech companies for laying off engineers, advocating for increased productivity instead.

Tensions flared as Iran and Israel exchanged missile and air strikes, shattering an April ceasefire and sparking fears of wider conflict. US President Trump urged an immediate halt to hostilities. The escalating attacks, involving Iranian missile barrages and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, have disrupted regional stability and rattled global energy markets, with Iraq and Syria closing airspace.

INDIA bloc leaders met, agreeing to petition the Chief Justice on electoral integrity and demanding the Education Minister's resignation over exam controversies. They also called for an all-party meeting on the economy and pledged to meet bi-monthly. Parliament coordination will continue daily during the monsoon session.

Twenty-four Indian seafarers are urgently seeking help after their vessel was reportedly attacked off Oman's coast, near the Strait of Hormuz. The Forward Seamen's Union of India has appealed to the Indian Navy and authorities for intervention amidst rising regional tensions. Details regarding the attack and the vessel remain unconfirmed by official sources.

India secured a historic innings and 300-run win against Afghanistan in the one-off Test. Debutant Manav Suthar impressed with a seven-wicket match haul. India's batsmen posted a massive total, forcing Afghanistan to follow on. This victory marks India's largest ever in Test cricket, showcasing a dominant performance.

The win surpassed India's previous biggest Test victory margin and was set up by a dominant bowling performance that saw them take 14 Afghanistan wickets on the third day.

A Delhi University professor was brutally murdered by a couple she had welcomed into her home, offering them water. The crime, stemming from a property dispute, saw the accused use forged identities and travel extensively to evade capture. Police apprehended the couple in West Bengal after a multi-state manhunt.

Following an April 8 ceasefire, Iran has rapidly rebuilt its military might, reopening vital missile and drone storage tunnels. Despite extensive US strikes, Tehran has repaired facilities, reorganized logistics, and accelerated production. With a significant portion of its arsenal intact and drone output high, Iran is leveraging this period to bolster its capabilities and influence regional dynamics.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor amused netizens with his witty responses to culinary debates on social media. He humorously critiqued an 'idli pizza' cutting style, attributing it to software engineering logic. Previously, Tharoor also defended the South Indian idli against a comparison to rasgulla, highlighting its unique preparation and culinary significance.

India's urban areas face a growing affordable housing crisis, with the deficit projected to reach 30 million units by 2030. Developers are shifting focus away from affordable homes due to land scarcity and financial viability challenges, leading to a significant drop in new affordable housing launches.

Debutant Manav Suthar starred as India bowled out Afghanistan for 152 and enforced the follow-on in the lone Test. The left-arm spinner claimed 6 for 33, recording the second-best figures by an Indian on Test debut. Sunil Gavaskar praised Suthar’s accuracy, control and skill, saying his success came from precision and smart bowling rather than pitch assistance.

Amid rising tensions, Iran launched a series of eleven missiles aimed at Israel, yet each was thwarted by the country's intricate air defense system. This episode not only reveals the prowess of Israel's military technology but also its readiness to combat any form of aerial assaults, whether from makeshift devices or sophisticated missile strikes.

A post on X by Shailendra Sharma has drawn attention to the logistical strain faced by students during competitive exams. He described rushing his daughter between two national-level tests, IISER and CUET, across 61 kilometres in Delhi-NCR within hours. The incident raises concerns about exam scheduling coordination and student convenience.

OpenAI's CFO, Sarah Friar, stressed that AI tool proficiency is now as crucial for finance professionals as spreadsheets were decades ago. She highlighted that companies are actively seeking employees skilled in AI, with demand for compute power outstripping supply. Friar also underscored the need for inclusive access to AI technologies as adoption grows.

The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Centre and CBSE regarding discrepancies in the board's On-Screen Marking system. This follows student allegations of handwriting mismatches in scanned answer sheets, raising concerns about marking irregularities. The court will hear the case on June 12.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay honoured chess prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa with Rs 50 lakh and a memento after his historic Norway Chess triumph. The 20-year-old became the first Indian to win the title, defeating Magnus Carlsen twice and D. Gukesh. After starting poorly, he staged a remarkable comeback, winning four straight games to secure the championship.

Iran has indicated the Strait of Hormuz will reopen under new conditions set by Iranian and Omani authorities, potentially including transit fees for services. This comes as oil flows remain constrained following the US-Israeli conflict.

Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot expressed hurt over Sachin Pilot's alleged failure to publicly acknowledge his role in becoming a Union minister. Gehlot also claimed a "big conspiracy" unfairly damaged his reputation during the 2022 Congress presidential race, leading to a revolt by his loyal MLAs.