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Influencer’s 2024 travel expenses breakdown goes viral, sparking online reactions

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Sharanya Iyer shares her 2024 travel expenses, including trips to Greenland, Iceland, South Africa, and more.

Travel influencer Sharanya Iyer has taken social media by storm with a recent Instagram reel, detailing how she spent a significant portion of her Rs 50 lakh budget in 2024. A large part of this hefty sum was allocated to travel expenses, which has captured the attention of her followers and internet users alike.

In her viral video, Iyer shared an in-depth breakdown of her 2024 expenses, revealing that she spent approximately Rs 20 lakh on trips to various international destinations. Flights alone accounted for around Rs 5 lakh. Her travels included a high-budget journey to Greenland costing Rs 3 lakh, followed by three trips to Iceland at Rs 2.5 lakh. Additionally, she spent Rs 1 lakh for visits to Thailand and Laos, Rs 1.5 lakh on a trip to Madeira, and a lavish Rs 8 lakh trip to South Africa with her parents. To top it off, her “European Summer” cost an additional Rs 60,000. Interestingly, Iyer also won Rs 40,000 at a casino during her European trip, which likely helped offset some of her travel costs.

Beyond her globetrotting adventures, Iyer also spent substantial amounts on other personal expenses, including Rs 22 lakh on a new car and Rs 5 lakh on medical bills not covered by insurance. She emphasized that her breakdown did not account for daily living expenses or spending on food and beverages.

In her Instagram caption, Iyer reflected on her shift from being a frugal saver to indulging in significant purchases, with encouragement and support from her father and friends. “I used to be such an obsessive saver and spend sparingly on the ‘big’ things. 2024 changed that, and it brought me so much joy and a sense of safety in an otherwise difficult year. Here’s to more of this in 2025!” she wrote, celebrating the personal growth and happiness she found through her spending.

The video quickly garnered attention online, with viewers sharing their reactions in the comments. Many praised Iyer’s approach, with some even likening her spending habits to an investment in her happiness and experiences. Others were curious about how she could afford such a lifestyle and questioned whether her trips were sponsored. Iyer responded by clarifying that, while she does receive some sponsored opportunities, she funds a significant portion of her travel herself.

Reactions in the comment section ranged from admiration to humor, with one user writing, “I see it as an investment in your soul,” while another joked, “My middle-class mindset screaming.” Some users were critical, stating that the amount of money needed for such extensive travel should also be a subject of conversation in influencer culture. One comment humorously remarked, “Meanwhile, finance influencers are experiencing trauma after this reel.”

Sharanya Iyer’s openness about her spending habits has sparked an engaging discussion online, with many reflecting on the balance between personal enjoyment and financial responsibility. As the new year approaches, it remains to be seen how Iyer’s followers will react to her 2025 travel goals, with some already asking for tips on how to make travel more affordable.

This viral moment highlights not only the evolving role of influencers but also the ongoing conversation around spending, travel, and financial priorities.

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Tech

OpenAI launches GPT-6 Astra with major upgrades in AI reasoning, coding and computer use

OpenAI has introduced GPT-6 Astra, a new flagship AI model with advances in reasoning, coding, computer use, science and cybersecurity.

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chtagpt ASTRA

OpenAI has introduced GPT-6 Astra, a new flagship artificial intelligence model designed to handle complex reasoning, coding, computer-use tasks, scientific work and professional workflows.

The company describes Astra as its most intelligent and aligned model so far. According to OpenAI, the model combines advances in pre-training, reinforcement learning and alignment to improve its ability to perform multi-step tasks and work with computers and software.

GPT-6 Astra focuses on computer use and professional tasks

One of the key areas of improvement is computer use. OpenAI says GPT-6 Astra can perform tasks such as filling online forms, updating records, organising calendars and conducting online research.

The model can also analyse scientific data, generate plots, create websites and perform frontend quality checks. Its capabilities are intended to allow it to complete longer workflows rather than simply generate text in response to individual prompts.

OpenAI reported a 72.6% score on OSWorld 2.0, compared with 65.7% for GPT-5.6 Sol in the comparison provided by the company. It also reported a 59.3% score on Agents’ Last Exam and 92.7% on ScreenSpot-Pro.

GPT-6 Astra brings stronger coding capabilities

OpenAI says GPT-6 Astra is its strongest model for software engineering to date. The model is designed to work on complex coding tasks and can use tools to inspect software, execute code and test applications.

Astra also introduces improved context handling in Codex. According to OpenAI, the model can preserve and retrieve information from earlier context windows, helping it maintain requirements and test results during longer coding sessions.

Advances in science and mathematics

GPT-6 Astra has also been developed for scientific and mathematical applications. OpenAI says it achieved a 96% score on GPQA Diamond, a benchmark covering graduate-level questions in biology, chemistry and physics.

The company also reported a 99.9% score on ARC-AGI-3 and a 98% score on FrontierMath Tier 4. OpenAI further said Astra helped establish new results related to both unusually small and unusually large gaps between prime numbers.

These results are benchmark claims made by OpenAI and should not be interpreted as meaning that the model has achieved human-level intelligence across every area.

Cybersecurity capabilities also see a major jump

Cybersecurity is another area where Astra represents a substantial increase in capability. OpenAI says the model meets the Critical threshold for cybersecurity under its Preparedness Framework.

In the company’s testing, Astra achieved a 100% score on ExploitBench, compared with 78.5% for GPT-5.6 Sol. OpenAI also said the model discovered and used two previously unknown zero-day vulnerabilities during one evaluation and that the vulnerabilities were disclosed to their maintainers.

Because of these capabilities, OpenAI says additional safeguards have been introduced to reduce the risk of harmful cyber use.

GPT-6 Astra rollout and availability

OpenAI says GPT-6 Astra is initially rolling out to a limited group of organisations. The company plans to make it available over the following days to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise users.

The model is also being made available through the OpenAI API and AWS. Developers can access it through the API using the model identifier gpt-6-astra.

OpenAI’s API documentation lists a 1.05-million-token context window and a maximum output of 128,000 tokens for GPT-6 Astra.

Does GPT-6 Astra mean AGI has arrived?

The launch has renewed discussion around artificial general intelligence (AGI) because of Astra’s performance across a wide range of tasks. However, OpenAI’s official announcement describes GPT-6 Astra as a highly capable frontier model and does not state that the company has declared AGI achieved.

Therefore, it would be more accurate to describe Astra as a major advancement in AI capabilities rather than definitively calling its launch the arrival of AGI.

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Entertainment

Musician Bhagirath Bhatt breaks silence on Bigg Boss 20 entry, says not going

Musician and sitarist Bhagirath Bhatt has clarified that he will not participate in Bigg Boss 20, citing his preference for calm music and peaceful surroundings.

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Bhagirath Bhatt

Sitarist and music composer Bhagirath Bhatt has clarified that he will not be participating in Bigg Boss 20, putting an end to speculation about his possible entry into the reality show.

Bhatt addressed the questions he had been receiving from followers on social media and thanked them for their interest. However, he made it clear that he is not part of the upcoming season.

Bhagirath Bhatt explains why he is not joining Bigg Boss 20

In an Instagram Story, Bhatt said that he does not think he is suited to a show like Bigg Boss. He explained that his personality is more aligned with calm and peaceful surroundings.

The musician said he is not someone who can shout or create unnecessary noise and described himself as a believer in calm music. He added that peaceful music has always been a source of inspiration for him.

His clarification came after his name had been circulating in discussions about possible contestants for Bigg Boss 20.

Bhagirath Bhatt’s work in films and series

Bhagirath Bhatt is known for his work as a sitarist and music composer. According to the report, he has worked on films including Padmaavat, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Border 2.

He has also been associated with projects such as Bandish Bandits and Heeramandi.

Meanwhile, the makers of Bigg Boss 20 are yet to officially reveal the complete contestant list. The new season is scheduled to premiere on September 6 at 9 PM.

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India News

Abhinandan Varthaman retires from IAF, joins FLY91 as commercial pilot

Abhinandan Varthaman has taken premature retirement from the IAF after 22 years and reportedly joined Goa-based airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot.

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Indian Air Force fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has taken premature retirement from the force after 22 years of service and has reportedly moved to commercial aviation.

The former Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot, according to a report citing sources. The report said Varthaman joined the airline in August.

Varthaman has not made any public statement about the reported move. A spokesperson for FLY91 also declined to provide personal information about its employees, describing it as a private matter.

What is FLY91?

FLY91 is a regional airline based in Goa that began flight operations in March 2024. According to the report, the airline currently operates six ATR 72-600 aircraft and has bases in Goa and Hyderabad.

Abhinandan Varthaman’s 2019 aerial combat

Varthaman became widely known following the India-Pakistan aerial confrontation in February 2019.

After a suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 CRPF personnel, India carried out air strikes against a Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp in Balakot, according to the Indian government’s account.

The following day, the Pakistan Air Force launched a response, leading to an aerial engagement between the two sides. Varthaman, who was a Wing Commander at the time, was flying a MiG-21 when his aircraft was hit. He ejected and was subsequently captured by Pakistani forces.

According to the Indian government’s account and his Vir Chakra citation, Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 during the aerial engagement before his own aircraft was hit. He was held in Pakistan for three days and was released on the night of March 1, 2019. He sustained injuries while ejecting from his MiG-21 Bison.

He was awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, for his actions during the dogfight. The award was conferred in 2021. The award citation described him as displaying an “exceptional sense of duty”.

His reported transition to FLY91 marks a new phase in his aviation career, taking him from military fighter operations to commercial flying.

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