Apple is facing its most severe talent crisis in decades as a wave of departures reshapes the company’s leadership structure and threatens its competitive position in artificial intelligence. The crisis runs deeper than executive departures;

Several dozen engineers have departed the company for OpenAI and Meta, creating a talent exodus at the iPhone maker. The scale of the exodus is unprecedented. Alan Dye, who led Apple’s user interface design for a decade, left for Meta this week to become chief design officer.

John Giannandrea, senior vice president for Machine Learning and AI Strategy, announced his retirement on December 1st after what insiders describe as a failed tenure marked by AI development struggles.

Design director Billy Sorrentino followed Dye to Meta, while dozens of engineers with expertise in audio, watch design, and robotics have made similar moves. Beyond these headline departures, Apple’s C-suite is experiencing a broader shake-up.

Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams—once considered CEO Tim Cook’s likely successor—retired in July after 27 years. CFO Luca Maestri stepped back from his role last year. General Counsel Kate Adams and environment policy chief Lisa Jackson both announced 2026 retirements.

The Wall Street Journal notes this represents Apple’s most extensive executive overhaul since Steve Jobs’ death in 2011.

Why Apple’s AI division hit hardest

The artificial intelligence team has sustained the most damaging losses. Dozens of engineers and designers have defected to competitors recently, according to WSJ’s analysis of LinkedIn profiles.

OpenAI alone recruited more than 40 Apple hardware engineers in a single month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported, many joining Jony Ive’s secretive AI device venture backed by a $6.5 billion OpenAI investment. Then, Ruoming Pang, who managed Apple’s foundation models team of approximately 100 employees,

departed for Meta in July. His team was responsible for developing the large language models powering Apple Intelligence, Genmoji, and other AI features across iPhones and Macs. Meta reportedly offered Pang a compensation package worth tens of millions annually. Jian Zhang, who spent a decade at Apple leading AI research for robotics, left for Meta’s Robotics Studio in September.

His departure came as Apple was developing tabletop robots and robotic arms for retail stores, according to industry reports.

Then in October, Ke Yang—just weeks after being appointed to lead Apple’s AI search project inspired by ChatGPT—also jumped to Meta. Yang had been tasked with making Siri competitive with conversational AI assistants, a critical project now in disarray.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Apple announced in June 2024 that it would deliver a dramatically improved Siri but postponed the entire overhaul to March 2026 after the features failed to meet quality standards.

The WSJ reports Apple is now testing Google’s Gemini chatbot to power Siri—a tacit admission that its internal AI development has stalled. This strategic uncertainty has demoralised remaining employees, with nearly a dozen members of the Foundation Models team departing alone in 2025. What’s driving talent away isn’t just money, though competitors are offering staggering sums.

Multiple sources tell Bloomberg that frustration with Apple’s conservative, bureaucratic approach to AI development has pushed researchers toward companies offering faster innovation cycles. The company’s exploration of partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic—rather than betting on in-house capabilities—has signalled to employees that their leadership lacks confidence in their work.

The Meta factor

Meta’s aggressive recruitment represents a calculated long-term strategy. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has framed the Dye hire as part of a broader vision where AI-powered glasses and devices fundamentally change human-computer interaction.

The company created a new design studio specifically for Dye, who will report directly to CTO Andrew Bosworth and lead hardware, software, and AI integration across Meta’s interfaces. But Dye’s departure reveals something unexpected: many Apple employees are celebrating.

Daring Fireball’s John Gruber, citing multiple sources within Apple, reported that designers are “giddy” about Dye leaving.

“People had given up hope that Dye would ever get squeezed out,” Gruber wrote, “and no one expected that he’d just up and leave on his own.” The reaction stems from widespread dissatisfaction with Dye’s Liquid Glass design system, which prioritised visual aesthetics over usability.

Apple was forced to add a “clear/tinted” preference setting in recent OS releases after users complained they couldn’t read text against translucent backgrounds—a rare admission that a major design initiative had failed. Sources describe Dye as having “no taste” and lacking fundamental understanding of user interface principles, with one designer telling Gruber:

“I swear I had conversations where I mentioned ‘key window’ and no one knew what I meant.” Apple replaced Dye with Stephen Lemay, a 26-year veteran who has contributed to every major Apple interface since 1999, including the original iPhone. Unlike Dye—who came from fashion branding at Kate Spade and the ad agency Ogilvy—Lemay is a career interaction designer known for attention to detail and craftsmanship. “I don’t think there was a better choice than Lemay,” one source told Gruber.

Succession planning accelerates under Cook

The talent crisis coincides with intensifying succession planning for Cook, who turned 65 in November and has led Apple since 2011. The Financial Times reported that Apple’s board expects Cook to step down between late January and June 2026.

though Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman disputes that timeline as premature. Both publications agree that hardware chief John Ternus has emerged as the leading internal candidate. The exodus raises questions about whether Apple’s next CEO will inherit a weakened company.

Under Cook’s leadership, Apple’s market capitalisation grew from $350 billion to $4 trillion. But the company now faces existential challenges in AI—the defining technology of the decade—while competitors raid its talent pool and morale problems persist across critical divisions.

OpenAI’s role in the departures extends beyond direct recruitment. The company’s $6.5 billion investment in Jony Ive’s design firm LoveFrom has created an alternative destination for frustrated Apple designers. Ive’s studio was already heavily staffed with ex-Apple employees, and the new hardware arm of OpenAI has been “poaching left and right” from Apple’s hardware engineering group.

to Gurman’s Power On newsletter. Now, the question arises as to whether Apple can reverse this trend. The company has brought in outside talent—hiring Amar Subramanya, who helped oversee Google’s Gemini chatbot before a brief stint at Microsoft, as vice president of AI—but recovery will require more than individual replacements. This situation requires addressing the systemic issues that drive talent away, such as uncompetitive compensation.

bureaucratic development processes, and strategic confusion about AI’s future at Apple. For Meta and OpenAI, Apple’s crisis represents opportunity. By assembling teams of experienced researchers and executives, they’re positioning themselves to challenge Apple’s dominance in consumer technology.

Representative image

" fifu-data-src="https://i0.wp.com/static.toiimg.com/thumb/msid-125808604,imgsize-12104,width-400,height-225,resizemode-72/hc-slams-hyper-technical-denial-of-benefits-to-bsf-personnel-says-earned-increment-cant-be-denied-for-1-day-gap.jpg?ssl=1" alt="HC slams ‘hyper-technical’ denial of benefits to BSF personnel; rules earned increment can’t be denied for 1-day gap" />

CHANDIGARH: A single day cannot erase a year of service, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled while deciding that a retiree cannot be deprived of an earned increment simply because his superannuation falls a few hours before it.

The court passed these orders while granting relief to a retired BSF inspector who was refused his increment only because he superannuated on the afternoon of Jun 30, 2016, just a day before the hike became due on Jul 1.

Calling the increment “a reward for service actually rendered”, the court ruled such benefits cannot be withheld on the basis of “hyper-technical” reasoning that violates constitutional equality guarantees. Justice Sandeep Moudgil passed these orders while hearing a petition filed by Rajbir Singh, a retired inspector of the BSF and a native of Bhiwani in Haryana.

The petitioner was enrolled as a constable in the BSF on Sep 5, 1979, and during his long service, earned several promotions, ultimately retiring as an inspector. Upon retirement, although the petitioner completed a full year of service from Jul 1, 2015, to Jun 30, 2016, BSF authorities denied him the annual increment due on Jul 1, 2016, solely on the ground that he retired before completion of the last day.

The petitioner was also denied encashment of 316 days of earned leave shown as lapsed, as well as retirement TA under the 7th Pay Commission, though the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) was applicable with effect from Jan 1, 2016. In his plea, the petitioner argued that denial of annual increment is illegal, arbitrary, and contrary to the settled position of law.

The petitioner undeniably completed a full year of service from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, and therefore acquired a vested right to receive the annual increment that was due on July 1, 2016.

It was urged that the BSF rejected the claim solely on the ground that the petitioner retired on the afternoon of Jun 30, 2016, and was thus not “on duty” on Jul 1, 2016, which is arbitrary. Opposing the plea, the central govt submitted that the petitioner had no legal right to claim it, as he retired from service a day before.

The increment could not be granted after cessation of service, as the petitioner was no longer in service when it was due.

The petitioner’s pay fixation was duly verified and certified as correct by the accounts officer, internal audit party, South Bengal Frontier, leaving no scope for alleging any pay anomaly, BSF submitted. After hearing all parties, the director directed BSF to release the revised benefits, including the increment and 7th CPC-compliant TA/DA, within four weeks of receiving the order.

Reusing cooking oil is a common practice in households and food stalls, often motivated by cost-saving or the belief that a pot of oil can be stretched across several meals. Many people assume that oil is safe to reuse if it looks clear or smells neutral.

It remains safe for frying. However, repeated heating triggers chemical changes that compromise its safety, nutrition, and cooking properties. Oils that undergo multiple heating cycles accumulate reactive compounds and lose essential nutrients.

that can influence human health over time. With fried foods remaining a staple in many diets globally, understanding the risks of reused oil and how to mitigate them is vital to sustaining both food quality and long-term wellbeing.

Repeated heating exposes oil to high temperatures, oxygen, moisture and leftover food particles, all of which accelerate chemical reactions.

Triglycerides break down into free fatty acids, antioxidants are depleted, and unsaturated fatty acids become unstable. The oil darkens, thickens, and its smoke point declines, making it more prone to burning at moderate temperatures.

Over time, sticky polymer compounds form, altering the texture and flavour of foods. These transformations occur silently; oil may appear unchanged, yet it is increasingly degraded at a molecular level, reducing nutritional value and potentially introducing harmful substances.

• Triglycerides split into free fatty acids, reducing overall oil quality and nutritional content. •

Antioxidants degrade, increasing susceptibility to oxidation and the formation of harmful by-products. • Smoke point decreases, causing oil to burn more easily and release reactive aldehydes. • Polymerisation thickens the oil,

creating residues that affect food texture and frying efficiency. • Colour darkens and unpleasant odours develop, signalling ongoing chemical breakdown. • Loss of unsaturated fatty acids diminishes heart-healthy components and increases trans-fat formation. • Residual moisture and food particles accelerate degradation with each heating cycle.

A study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition demonstrates the potential carcinogenic effects of reheated oils. The study explains that repeated heating produces reactive aldehydes, polymeric compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, all of which interact with DNA and cellular structures.

Over time, these compounds increase oxidative stress, trigger genotoxic effects and induce mutagenesis, creating a higher potential for cancer development. Both consuming foods prepared in degraded oil and inhaling fumes during cooking contribute to cumulative exposure. Evidence suggests a correlation between the long-term consumption of reheated oils and an increased risk of colon and breast cancer.

lung and prostate cancers, particularly with habitual, repeated use. • Aldehydes and reactive molecules increase with repeated heating, potentially damaging cellular DNA. • Oxidative stress rises, overwhelming antioxidant defences and promoting mutations. • Genotoxic and mutagenic effects create a higher risk of cancer over time. •

Inhalation of fumes adds to dietary exposure, affecting both cooks and those nearby. • Epidemiological studies associate long-term reheated oil consumption with colon, breast, lung and prostate cancers. • Continuous exposure is more hazardous than occasional use due to cumulative molecular damage.

How to fry safely without reusing oil

Managing risks from reheated oil requires awareness and deliberate kitchen habits. Observing signs of degradation, such as rapid smoking, dark colour, or off-odours, can prevent further use of compromised oil.

Selecting oils with higher thermal stability, heating gently, and avoiding prolonged high temperatures slows harmful reactions. Limiting deep frying to one session and reserving used oil only for lighter cooking, such as sautéing or curries, reduces exposure. Proper ventilation helps minimise the inhalation of reactive compounds, while filtering out food particles slows chemical breakdown.

Incorporating these practices allows safer cooking without eliminating fried foods entirely. • Watch for darkening, burnt smell, or smoke as warning signs of degraded oil. • Choose thermally stable oils, such as refined sunflower or rice bran, for frying.

Maintain moderate frying temperatures to limit chemical reactions. • Use oil only once for deep frying and reuse sparingly for light cooking. • Filter out crumbs and residual particles to slow degradation. • Ensure kitchen ventilation to reduce exposure to harmful fumes. • Avoid mixing old oil with fresh oil, as it does not reverse existing chemical changes.

Degraded oil affects more than taste and frying efficiency; it can impact metabolic and cardiovascular health over time. Oxidised fats increase oxidative stress, strain liver functions, and elevate inflammatory markers.

Blood lipid profiles may worsen, promoting higher LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while fat deposition in the liver may accelerate, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease. The kitchen environment also contributes: repeated frying in poorly ventilated spaces allows reactive fumes to linger, exposing cooks and family members to additional chemical stress.

Over time, these cumulative dietary and environmental exposures can influence long-term health outcomes and chronic disease risk. • Regular consumption increases oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. •

Liver workload rises due to processing oxidised and polymerised fats. • Blood lipid imbalances contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. • Fat deposition in the liver may increase, promoting metabolic disorders. • Fumes from repeated frying linger in poorly ventilated kitchens, adding respiratory exposure. •

Daily exposure compounds over time, heightening long-term health risks. • Awareness of both dietary and environmental factors supports healthier cooking decisions. Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

This information should not be used for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or lifestyle change.  8 hours straight sleep vs. split sleep: Which works better for your body

Aamir Khan spoke candidly about his personal life at an event on Saturday, where he discussed his relationship with Gauri Spratt, which has lasted over two years. The actor reflected on the relationships that shaped him, including his marriages to Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao. During the session, Aamir emphasised the harmony he continues to share with both his exwives. “It shows we are decent people.

Reena is a wonderful person. We fell apart as husband and wife, but that doesn’t mean we fell apart as human beings. There’s a lot of love and respect for her in my heart. I grew up with her; she’s a fantastic person.

When we separated, we didn’t part as human beings,” he told the Hindustan Times. Regarding Kiran Rao, he added, “My feelings are the same for her.” She is a wonderful person, and we decided to part ways as husband and wife, but we are family. Reena, her parents, Kiran , and my parents – we are all actually one family.”

Aamir on finding love again: ‘I wasn’t expecting it.’

Earlier this year, on his 60th birthday, Aamir publicly introduced Gauri Spratt as his partner. Reflecting on how unexpected the relationship was, he admitted, “No, I didn’t. I had reached a point where I thought I probably would never find someone who could be my partner. I wasn’t expecting it. She brings a lot of calm and steadiness.

She is an exceptionally remarkable individual, and I consider myself exceedingly fortunate and privileged to have had the opportunity to meet her. He added that all three women—Reena, Kiran and now Gauri—have deeply impacted him. “I am very fortunate that, while my marriages didn’t work, I am still thrilled to have met Reena, Kiran, and now Gauri in my life. They have contributed to me as a person in a massive way and I look up to them in many ways.”

A look back at Aamir’s family life

Aamir married Reena Dutta in 1986, and the two share children Junaid and Ira. They parted ways in 2002 after 16 years of marriage. In 2005, he tied the knot with filmmaker Kiran Rao, and their son, Azad Rao Khan, was born in 2011.

The couple announced their separation in 2021, describing it as a transition “from marriage to friendship” while affirming their commitment to co-parenting Azad.

Who is Gauri Spratt?

Aamir introduced Gauri Spratt to the media in March 2025, revealing they had known each other for 25 years and had been dating for 18 months at the time. Gauri, who has a six-year-old son, now works with Aamir’s production house. The two are frequently spotted together at events and airports, often walking hand-in-hand.

Work Front

Aamir will be seen next in a cameo in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. The spy comedy, produced by Aamir Khan Productions, marks comedian Vir Das’ directorial debut and also marks the big-screen return of Imran Khan. The film is slated to hit cinemas on January 16, 2026.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said the combined entity would position Biocon among the few global players with scale in both generics and biologics

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Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said the combined entity would position Biocon among the few global players with scale in both generics and biologics

NEW DELHI: Biocon will fully integrate its biosimilars arm, Biocon Biologics, into the parent in a deal valuing the unit at $5.5 billion. The move is aimed at creating a unified biopharma powerhouse, and strengthening its global position to lead in diabetes, oncology, and immunology

— therapeutic areas that together account for nearly 40% of global pharma revenues, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson of Biocon, said on Saturday. Biocon will acquire the remaining stake in Biocon Biologics from Serum Institute Life Sciences (Serum), Tata Capital and Activ Pine through a share swap of 70.28 Biocon shares for every 100 Biocon Biologics shares, at a price of Rs 405.78 per Biocon share.

Further, Biocon will acquire the residual stake held by Mylan (Viatris) for $815 million, split between $400 million in cash and $415 million through a share swap of 61.7 Biocon shares for every 100 Biocon Biologics shares at a price of Rs 405.78 per Biocon share. “The combined entity will offer a unique portfolio spanning biosimilars,

insulins, GLP-1 peptides and complex generics, positioning Biocon among the few global players with scale in both generics and biologics. Further, we will combine the synergies in oncology and immunology with the products in biosimilars and generics,” said Mazumdar-Shaw. As the only company operating globally with both biosimilar insulins and generic versions of complex peptides, including GLP-1s, Biocon is poised to address the rapidly expanding ‘diabesity’ market.

according to a company statement. The company’s board also approved raising additional capital of up to Rs 4,500 crore ($500 million) through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), subject to shareholder approval. The cash component payable to Viatris will primarily use the proceeds of the QIP.

After the transaction and planned fundraiser, the promoters’ stake in Biocon is expected to drop to around 44.4%. Biocon Biologics chief executive Shreehas Tambe will become CEO and managing director of the combined entity post-integration, and Kedar Upadhye will be the chief financial officer.

Biocon CEO Siddharth Mittal will transition to a group leadership role, the statement added. The swap ratios have been approved by the board based on independent valuations by EY. Explaining the move,

Mazumdar-Shaw said, “We had created Biocon Biologics as a separate entity to attract investments and for a strategic global focus on biosimilars. Over the years, we did that successfully, even acquiring Viatris’ biosimilars business for $3 billion.

But markets kept devaluing both Biocon and Biocon Biologics because of debt overhang and holding company discount. Now the board feels it’s a better decision to stay together and consolidate, as it provides us a much stronger balance sheet.”

Salman Khan surprised fans with a refreshing transformation on Saturday as he stepped out in a clean-shaven look, just a day after completing the shoot of his upcoming war drama ‘Battle of Galwan’.

The actor, who had been seen with a thick moustache for months, finally switched back to his classic smooth style, instantly grabbing attention at the Mumbai airport.

Salman unveils his post-shoot makeover

The actor was spotted at the Kalina airport surrounded by heavy security, where he greeted the paparazzi with a wave before heading inside for the security check. His new look stood out because he had maintained the moustache not only for ‘Galwan’ but also throughout the ongoing season of ‘Bigg Boss’ and during his Dabangg Tour performances.

After months of shooting and back-to-back commitments, Salman appears to be entering a calmer phase. With ‘Bigg Boss’ gearing up for its grand finale on Sunday and his milestone 60th birthday approaching on December 27, fans are thrilled to see him looking refreshed.

A glimpse into Salman’s intense ‘Galwan’ avatar

Before wrapping the film, Salman had shared a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram that immediately went viral. In the picture, he is seen peeking from behind a clapperboard marked “Scene 86 Close Up Shot 1 Take 1”, dressed in army combat fatigues complete with insignia and older camouflage patterns. A prominent wound mark on his face teased the film’s gritty, battle-heavy storyline. He captioned it “#BattleOfGalwan”.

About ‘Battle of Galwan’

‘Battle of Galwan’ is inspired by the book ‘India’s Most Fearless 3’ and brings to the screen the tense 2020 clash between Indian soldiers and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. The incident, which turned brutally physical, saw forces engage in hand-to-hand combat using sticks and stones.

The film recreates this high-stakes confrontation with Salman Khan leading the narrative in a rugged, intense avatar. Fans see this as a powerful comeback for the superstar, who is expected to headline one of his most hard-hitting roles in recent years.

Alongside Salman and Chitrangda Singh, the film features Zeyn Shaw, Heera Sohail, Abhilash Chaudhary, Vipin Bhardwaj, and Ankur Bhatia. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia with music by Himesh Reshammiya, the film is reportedly eyeing a mid-2026 theatrical release, although the official date is yet to be announced.

Supreme Court

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NEW DELHI: More than 20 years after her marriage, Rousanara Begum finally heard the words she had waited for when the Supreme Court recently ruled that a divorced Muslim woman can reclaim the wedding gifts her parents gave her at the time of marriage.

Now nearly 45, she told TOI on Saturday: “It started two decades ago. I had to fight a lot for the victory.” For her, the SC’s decision is not just a legal victory. It is the closing of a wound she has carried since 2005. Rousanara was barely married when her marital life collapsed.

According to her case records, she was married in 2005, but the relationship fell apart almost immediately. By late 2005, the first cracks had appeared. In 2008, she faced allegations of dowry harassment, mental cruelty, and being forced out of her marital home.

She returned to her parents. The talaq eventually came in 2011. She never received back the gifts her father had given her, which included 7 lakh rupees in cash and some gold from her wedding. “(Rs) Seven lakh is a lot of money for folks like us,” she said in broken Urdu. Her parents stood rock-solid behind her, unlike many families who fear the social judgement that comes with a daughter’s divorce.

However, Rousanara’s fight faced a setback at Calcutta HC, which in Jan 2024 reversed the earlier orders and denied her the right to reclaim the cash and gold her parents had given her when she married. HC ruled in favour of his divorced husband, SK Salahuddin. This prompted Rousanara to move the SC.

Through the years of litigation, Rousanara rebuilt her life even as she walked in and out of courtrooms. Today she works as a primary school teacher in a govt school, is remarried, and has two sons. For her lawyer,

Syed Mehdi Imam, it is one of the most meaningful victories he has seen. “This was a grey area. Until today, no clear judgement existed on whether the money and gold given to a bride at marriage, but kept with the groom, must be returned after divorce,” he told TOI. “I urged the court: decide this issue once and for all.” The Imam said there was hesitation in some quarters because the matter could have been misread as a religious flashpoint.

“There could potentially have been pushback from some corners,” he said. “Some feared it could flare into a religious controversy since this issue had never been adjudicated before. The sensitive nature of the issue could have led to its exaggeration. Then, finally, on Dec 2, SC placed equality and dignity at the heart of its interpretation of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act.

observing that law must be read in light of the lived experiences of women, especially in rural and small-town India, where patriarchal discrimination remains embedded. Muslim bodies have welcomed the ruling. Maulana Raziul Islam Nadwi,

national secretary of JIH and its Shari’ah Council, said, “Husband’s gifts to the wife, even if the marriage does not last, cannot be taken back under Islamic law. Women’s gifts have a different status. Shari’at gives the wife this right, unless she or her family willingly relinquishes it. There is no contradiction in the SC order.

” When the verdict came, Imam typed three words to her during the court lunch break: “Won the matter.” That night, his phone rang. She was in tears. “I am pleased,” she said. “This win is for all Muslim women like me.” For many divorced Muslim women across India, this case from rural Bengal is a precedent: one that finally clarifies that what is given to a bride at marriage is hers alone.