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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Top 5 reasons fans still love Niko Bellic more than any GTA protagonist
Source: Rockstar Games Niko Bellic, the grizzled soul of GTA IV, has remained an imposing figure in Grand Theft Auto legend even after newer games and more glamorous leads. Though Rockstar has crafted a list of legendary characters, none have resonated as deeply as Niko. His tough life, introspective humanity, and moral ambiguity make him the uncommon antihero who's remained deeply endearing after more than a decade. 1. He's the most human GTA protagonist Source: Rockstar Games Unlike the over-the-top confidence of Trevor or the cool detachment of Tommy Vercetti, Niko is grounded in real emotion. He questions his decisions, reflects on loss, and navigates life like someone genuinely scarred by his past. Fans don't just play as Niko, they feel with him. 2. His story hits harder than most Source: Rockstar Games Niko's is not a journey about fame or fortune, it's one of trying to escape trauma, seeking truth, and pursuing an American Dream that never quite arrives. His heartbreaking history as a discharged soldier also brings emotional depth no other GTA protagonist possesses so naturally. 3. Liberty City felt like his city Source: Rockstar Games While each GTA game has its defining map, GTA IV's Liberty City was intimately connected to Niko's narrative. His cold, gray realism of a city reflected his inner conflicts. Whether he was taking rides on subways, making impossible decisions, or balancing Roman's tightrope of hope, Liberty City was Niko's in a way that few worlds ever are to their protagonists. 4. His dry wit and self-reflection are notable Source: Rockstar Games Niko's not boisterous, but he's distinctive. His lines are loaded with sarcasm, world weariness, and just enough gallows humor to get by one more mission. Unlike the cartoon personas of other GTA protagonists, Niko's voice was realistic, like someone who's witnessed too much but trudges on. 5. He embodies GTA at its best Source: Rockstar Games Above all the other characters, Niko represented Rockstar's capacity for deeper storytelling. GTA IV served up a balance of crime drama and soul-searching, and that remains something the fans still look up to Niko as, the emotional apex of the series, a reminder that even in a world gone mad, storytelling still exists. In a franchise founded on mayhem, Niko Bellic is the still point, the fractured core. He didn't just carjack, he stole hearts. His legacy isn't measured in the number of missions he did or the size of his body count, but in how much he made players care. Niko added emotional depth to the series, showing that despite a world of satire and gore, there is place for vulnerability, introspection, and humanity. Fans don't just recall Niko, they carry him with them. Also Read: What if GTA 6 released on PS2? This fan trailer shows you
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ivy League dreams in limbo: Visas, verdicts & very anxious students
Live Events 'Ivy League colleges cannot survive without international students. They are the backbone of America's academic strength. This situation is temporary... it will pass.'I've been saying this often these days, more to calm the nerves of students and their parents than anything over two decades, I've watched thousands of Indian students chase the American Dream—an Ivy League degree, a high-flying job in the US and a life of global success. I've walked this journey with them—from the nervous excitement of SAT prep to nail-biting decisions on for the first time in my career, I find myself in the eye of an entirely new storm: the growing uncertainty in US college admissions for international students. And yet, I remain calm. Because I know the system is cyclical rather than permanent.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)Much of the current anxiety stems from the ongoing legal battles involving universities like Harvard. After the Donald Trump administration barred the University of Harvard from enrolling foreign students, a recent court ruling has allowed it to enrol international students, but many logistical roadblocks 20% of Indian students who have got admission to American colleges and universities this year have already got their visa. About 30% have secured interview dates. The remaining 50% are stuck—waiting for I-20 forms, which are eligibility certificates issued by a college or a university that is necessary to apply for a student visa, or struggling to find open visa slots. No new interview appointments are being issued right we are in June. The August intake is looming large and, understandably, parents are advice is simple: stay calm and have a pragmatic Plan B. Many families are now exploring alternatives like the UK and Singapore, or even returning to top Indian most students still want to hold out hope. They know—as I do—that there's still nothing quite like a US undergraduate this climate, I see three types of students:They're willing to lose a semester or even defer a year, just to make it to their dream US students are seriously weighing options in the UK, Singapore and even top Indian are watching and waiting, believing that visa processes will be realigned in there's reason to believe they will. The pressure on the US government to resolve this is mounting—economically, politically and other battle is just getting into an American college. With Common Application, AI-assisted evaluations and higher global applications, US colleges have never been more selective. Consider this: the University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate dropped from 20% in 2005 to just 5.4% in 2024. Boston University's went from 52% to 10.7%. New York University's fell from 32% to a mere 8%.More than 80% of Indian undergraduate applicants to the US are disappointed with the outcomes. Many of them feel they deserve better. But they are up against a system where nearly 35% of seats are locked up by MALDC candidates—Minorities, Athletes, Legacies, Donors and Children of Faculty and competition is only intensifying. The pipeline of Indian applicants is growing rapidly. Students from second- and third-tier towns now outperform their metro-city peers, fuelled by better schools and greater has been a huge jump in high-quality institutions across India. IT diploma schools have grown from 80 in 2010 to 175+ today. A-Level schools have doubled from 100 to 200+ in the same US still offers world-class education, but the post-graduation road is no longer guaranteed. A four-year undergraduate degree now costs upwards of $400,000, while an MBA degree can cost $250,000 or only 40% of Indian students who are graduating this year have secured jobs so far. Even in high-demand fields like computer science, the number was lower than expected. Ivy League MBAs are not immune either—23% of Harvard MBA graduates were unemployed three months after graduation in 2024. At Stanford , that figure was 18%, nearly double from just two years visa uncertainty continues. Optional practical training ( OPT ) and H-1B rules for visas remain inconsistent. Standardised testing, like the SAT, is making a comeback—adding yet another layer of the stakes rise, I encourage students to redefine what success looks like. Elite institutions are fantastic platforms but they are not the only route to achievement.I often recommend Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be by Frank Bruni. It's a wake-up call for those obsessed with the end of the day, real success depends on character, curiosity and grit—not just a brand of my students are exploring Indian post-grad options like the IIMs. Indian companies increasingly value homegrown talent—those who understand the market and are hungry to build something isn't the new normal. It's a moment in flux. My message to students and parents is: stay flexible, stay informed and keep your eye on the long game. Be prepared to pivot. Don't tie your self-worth to a college name or a country's immigration path ahead demands resilience—the ability to adapt, to reinvent oneself, to embrace uncertainty. We are entering an era where resilience will matter more than résumés. That's what I tell my students when they call, worried, sometimes in tears. I remind them that uncertainty doesn't equal failure—it's just part of recent months, I have also found myself having deeper, more philosophical conversations with families which I never used to have 10 or 15 years ago. Parents are beginning to ask not just how to get in, but why they are pursuing this path in the first place. And students are more reflective. They care more about alignment—between their passions, purpose and the education they seek. It's no longer just about getting a US degree. It's about building a life that feels role is no longer just about helping them get into a college—it's about helping them think bigger, with confidence, no matter where they land. After all, the dream isn't changing. It's just getting path may no longer be straight. But for those willing to stay the course, it can still lead to something Ivy League dream is still alive—but maybe, just maybe, it's time to dream wider.(As told to Lijee Philip)
Economic Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Ivy League dreams in limbo: Visas, verdicts & very anxious students
Bloomberg Harvard University students wearing graduation gowns walk through Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29 'Ivy League colleges cannot survive without international students. They are the backbone of America's academic strength. This situation is temporary... it will pass.' I've been saying this often these days, more to calm the nerves of students and their parents than anything else. For over two decades, I've watched thousands of Indian students chase the American Dream—an Ivy League degree, a high-flying job in the US and a life of global success. I've walked this journey with them—from the nervous excitement of SAT prep to nail-biting decisions on colleges. Now, for the first time in my career, I find myself in the eye of an entirely new storm: the growing uncertainty in US college admissions for international students. And yet, I remain calm. Because I know the system is cyclical rather than permanent. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Harvard's Legal Battle Much of the current anxiety stems from the ongoing legal battles involving universities like Harvard. After the Donald Trump administration barred the University of Harvard from enrolling foreign students, a recent court ruling has allowed it to enrol international students, but many logistical roadblocks remain. Roughly 20% of Indian students who have got admission to American colleges and universities this year have already got their visa. About 30% have secured interview dates. The remaining 50% are stuck—waiting for I-20 forms, which are eligibility certificates issued by a college or a university that is necessary to apply for a student visa, or struggling to find open visa slots. No new interview appointments are being issued right now. And we are in June. The August intake is looming large and, understandably, parents are stressed. My advice is simple: stay calm and have a pragmatic Plan B. Many families are now exploring alternatives like the UK and Singapore, or even returning to top Indian universities. But most students still want to hold out hope. They know—as I do—that there's still nothing quite like a US undergraduate education. In this climate, I see three types of students: The Determined Ones: They're willing to lose a semester or even defer a year, just to make it to their dream US college. The Flexible Planners: These students are seriously weighing options in the UK, Singapore and even top Indian colleges. The Hopeful Majority: They are watching and waiting, believing that visa processes will be realigned in time. And there's reason to believe they will. The pressure on the US government to resolve this is mounting—economically, politically and diplomatically. Getting In The other battle is just getting into an American college. With Common Application, AI-assisted evaluations and higher global applications, US colleges have never been more selective. Consider this: the University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate dropped from 20% in 2005 to just 5.4% in 2024. Boston University's went from 52% to 10.7%. New York University's fell from 32% to a mere 8%. More than 80% of Indian undergraduate applicants to the US are disappointed with the outcomes. Many of them feel they deserve better. But they are up against a system where nearly 35% of seats are locked up by MALDC candidates—Minorities, Athletes, Legacies, Donors and Children of Faculty and Administrators. The competition is only intensifying. The pipeline of Indian applicants is growing rapidly. Students from second- and third-tier towns now outperform their metro-city peers, fuelled by better schools and greater ambition. There has been a huge jump in high-quality institutions across India. IT diploma schools have grown from 80 in 2010 to 175+ today. A-Level schools have doubled from 100 to 200+ in the same period. The US still offers world-class education, but the post-graduation road is no longer guaranteed. A four-year undergraduate degree now costs upwards of $400,000, while an MBA degree can cost $250,000 or more. Yet, only 40% of Indian students who are graduating this year have secured jobs so far. Even in high-demand fields like computer science, the number was lower than expected. Ivy League MBAs are not immune either—23% of Harvard MBA graduates were unemployed three months after graduation in 2024. At Stanford, that figure was 18%, nearly double from just two years ago. Meanwhile, visa uncertainty continues. Optional practical training (OPT) and H-1B rules for visas remain inconsistent. Standardised testing, like the SAT, is making a comeback—adding yet another layer of complexity. As the stakes rise, I encourage students to redefine what success looks like. Elite institutions are fantastic platforms but they are not the only route to achievement. I often recommend Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be by Frank Bruni. It's a wake-up call for those obsessed with prestige. At the end of the day, real success depends on character, curiosity and grit—not just a brand name. Some of my students are exploring Indian post-grad options like the IIMs. Indian companies increasingly value homegrown talent—those who understand the market and are hungry to build something here. This isn't the new normal. It's a moment in flux. My message to students and parents is: stay flexible, stay informed and keep your eye on the long game. Be prepared to pivot. Don't tie your self-worth to a college name or a country's immigration policy. The path ahead demands resilience—the ability to adapt, to reinvent oneself, to embrace uncertainty. We are entering an era where resilience will matter more than résumés. That's what I tell my students when they call, worried, sometimes in tears. I remind them that uncertainty doesn't equal failure—it's just part of growth. In recent months, I have also found myself having deeper, more philosophical conversations with families which I never used to have 10 or 15 years ago. Parents are beginning to ask not just how to get in, but why they are pursuing this path in the first place. And students are more reflective. They care more about alignment—between their passions, purpose and the education they seek. It's no longer just about getting a US degree. It's about building a life that feels meaningful. My role is no longer just about helping them get into a college—it's about helping them think bigger, with confidence, no matter where they land. After all, the dream isn't changing. It's just getting smarter. The path may no longer be straight. But for those willing to stay the course, it can still lead to something extraordinary. The Ivy League dream is still alive—but maybe, just maybe, it's time to dream wider. (As told to Lijee Philip)
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Tennessee janitor went from living in his car to driving a $3 million Bugatti — here's how he invested
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. For anyone questioning the continued relevance of the American dream, the story of Sammy Poori serves as a powerful testament. Poori arrived in the U.S. as an Iranian refugee in the late 1990s, supported by a church that helped him secure a janitor job at a Nashville hospital. With little money, he managed to save up $1,000 to buy a 1989 Toyota Camry, which became his home. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) 'I parked at Wal-Mart, which was the only place at the time that was open 24 hours. I parked where employees parked so I could sleep safely. I went to a gym to take a shower and clean up and go to work,' he told USA Today via The Tennessean. Poori met his wife Ana, also an Iranian refugee, in May 2000. When she became pregnant, he decided to become his own boss, buying a "junk tow truck" and partnering with his brother-in-law to start a business. After working many 14- to 15-hour days moving cars, this entrepreneurial drive led him to launch BBB Auto Sales in 2005. Poori has also amassed an impressive multimillion-dollar roster of exotic sports cars. For example, the 2022 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport in his collection starts at well over $3 million, according to Car and Driver. Earnings from the car dealership enabled Poori to venture into real estate investments. He says he now allocates 60% of his time toward real estate and 40% to managing the dealership. You may not have the capital to be a real estate tycoon or a luxury car dealer, but you can tap into this market by investing in shares of vacation homes or rental properties through Arrived. Backed by world-class investors including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property. To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for their potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100, potentially earning quarterly dividends. For accredited investors who are looking to make a larger investment in this sector, First National Realty Partners (FNRP) offers access to institutional-quality commercial real estate deals that can allow you to passively collect distribution income. Commercial real estate has long been touted as a wise investment for adding stability to your portfolio, outperforming the S&P 500 over a 25-year period. As a private equity firm, FNRP acts as the deal leader and offers white-glove service to investors, providing expertise and doing the legwork. The team has developed relationships with the nation's largest essential-needs brands, including Kroger, Walmart, and Whole Foods, and provides insights into the best properties both on and off-market. While the FNRP takes care of sourcing new deals, you can engage with experts, explore available deals and easily make an allocation, all on FNRP's secure platform. Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Reflecting on his passion for exotic cars, Poori remarked to USA Today, 'I don't do drugs, I don't gamble, I don't do anything.' 'My only hobby is cars.' His investment in this hobby surpasses that of the typical car enthusiast. And while cars are generally seen as depreciating assets, Poori claims the exotic models in his collection have proven to be financially advantageous. 'A lot of my cars have a better return on investment than my real estate or my business,' he said. 'I don't think I have a car in my entire collection I have ever lost money on.' If you have enough passion, you can find a way to invest profitably in what you love, too. Take fine art, for instance – it has long been the secret weapon used by the richest 1% to safeguard and compound their wealth. In fact, with over $67 billion in annual transaction volume and a total estimated global value of $1.7 trillion, art represents a massive asset class, according to Deloitte. But you no longer need to spend millions at auctions to invest in art. With Masterworks, more investors can gain access to this prized asset. Instead of buying a single painting for millions of dollars at auction, you can now invest in fractional shares of blue-chip paintings by renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Basquiat and Banksy. Masterworks investors have realized representative annualized net returns like +17.6%, +17.8%, and +21.5% (among assets held for longer than one year). New offerings often sell out quickly, but you can skip the waitlist here. See important Regulation A disclosures at Access to this $22.5 trillion asset class has traditionally been limited to elite investors — until now. Here's how to become the landlord of Walmart or Whole Foods without lifting a finger Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among America's wealthiest — plus a few strategies to build that first-class portfolio This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
A millennial couple is selling their home after endless repairs to become renters again: 'The whole housing market is a scam'
Roxanne Werner and her wife, Kristina Werner, bought their Houston home in early 2022 when, like many white-collar workers, they were still working remotely and wanted more space. Buying felt relatively affordable — they paid about $390,000 for their three-bedroom house with a pool and snagged a 3.75% mortgage interest rate. But the hidden costs of homeownership quickly reared their ugly heads. First, there was a gas leak. Then, a $10,000 air conditioning repair. A costly pool leak, new garage doors, and plumbing issues came next. It felt like they're playing whack-a-mole with never-ending home maintenance. And that's all on top of their $2,600 monthly mortgage payment. "The amount we pay monthly for our mortgage is totally reasonable," said Werner, who's 38 and works in communications for local government. "But then once we moved in, it just feels like it's been one thing after another, after another, after another." So the couple, who have a combined income of about $185,000, is selling their house and going back to renting. They're not alone. Some homeowners are weighing the burdens of owning and deciding they'd prefer the flexibility and lack of liability that renting offers. This has helped push the age of the typical tenant higher, driven also by both Gen Zers and millennials renting for longer and boomers renting as they age. Rethinking the American Dream As interest rates and home prices have surged in recent years, renting has become a better deal than buying in many places — a reversal of the historic norm. Indeed, homebuyers purchasing starter homes in 50 major cities in 2024 spent over $1,000 more on housing costs each month than tenants do. There are all kinds of phantom costs associated with owning a home beyond the mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Buying and selling fees, home maintenance and repairs, insurance, and taxes can all be more than a homeowner bargained for. And unlike other major purchases, like a car, homebuyers tend to treat their home as an investment that will appreciate over time. But turning a profit on a home — or just breaking even — is far from assured. Werner and her wife, who works for the University of Houston, are looking forward to putting more money aside each month for long-term savings, vacations, dinners out, and their 11-year-old son's college fund. Buying another, lower-maintenance home feels like a bad deal now, Werner said, with interest rates around 7% and home prices elevated. "It just feels like the whole housing market is kind of a scam," Werner said. "You buy the house, you sell it, and then you make a bunch of money, but then you also want to be able to afford to buy another house." The couple listed their house for $429,000 in early May and are out of the option period with a buyer who has offered just below their asking price. Now, they're looking for a rental townhouse in a more walkable neighborhood that's closer to downtown Houston. Werner estimates that she and her wife, who works at the University of Houston, will end up spending a bit more on their future rent — they think around $2,800 — than they do on their mortgage. But they expect to spend less on their overall housing costs when they factor in repairs and maintenance, she added. Ultimately, though, Werner wants to abandon the social norms and traditions that make owning a home "synonymous" with the American Dream. "Do we mean buy a home, or do we mean that you can build any life you want to, and maybe, for some people, that doesn't mean owning a home?" she said.
