NCDRC awards ₹2 cr to family after woman’s healthy kidney removed in botched surgeryNCDRC awards ₹2 cr to family after woman’s healthy kidney removed in botched surgery Published on: May 21, 2026 5:09 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi
An Australian judge fined X Corp. 650,000 Australian dollars (U.S. $465,000) on Thursday (May 21, 2026) for failing to provide information to an online safety watchdog in 2023 about how it tackled child sexual exploitation content. Federal Court Justice Michael Wheelahan also ordered the
parent on Thursday reported a 4X jump in its March quarter consolidated net profit at Rs 79 crore, compared with Rs 19 crore in the year-ago period.The Nykaa operator’s revenue from operations stood at Rs 2,648 crore in Q4 FY26, up 28% from Rs 2
Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te said on Thursday (May 21, 2026) that he would be "happy" to talk to U.S. President Donald Trump, a conversation that would break more than four decades of diplomatic protocol and risk angering China. Mr. Trump told reporters on Wednesday (May 20
Dileep Raj dies after cardiac arrest: Experts warn why relying completely on smartwatches for diagnosis is not safeKannada actor Dileep Raj’s death on May 13 has sparked concerns about over-reliance on wearable health devices. Published on: May 21
Mother documents how strangers in France reacted to her fancy Indian looks: 'I am your Devdas, you are my Paro'Pavitra Kaur's video shows her outfits and the enthusiastic reactions of strangers in France – compliments range from movie references to heartfelt exchanges. Published on: May 21
Parents’ wholesome reaction to son's Google job announcement wins hearts. WatchThe video resonated with many social media users, who flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages and emotional reactions. Updated on: May 21, 2026 4:47 PM IST By Bhavya Sukheja Share via Copy link A
Calcutta HC grants Abhishek Banerjee relief in inciting speech case till July 31The Calcutta high court on Thursday granted protection from coercive police action to Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee until July 31 in the inciting speech case Published on: May 21
Travel special: How one library became the national attraction in Finland
I was in Helsinki last month, as part of a Climate Solutions visit organised by the Finnish government. I was hoping the airport taxi driver would be chatty, that he'd tell me what to expect from the weather, at least list the good spots to eat. Ali didn't do any of that. Instead, he told me how he escaped the conflict back home in Somalia and ended up in Finland. He pointed out the Parliament building en route only because I asked. But less than a minute before the ride ended, Ali pointed to one gigantic building and said, “You should visit the public library. It's good.”
No one expects taxi drivers to recommend a library above all else. I was intrigued.
And so, I wandered there the next morning, my breath catching on the clean, frigid autumn air as I took in the sprawling three-storey ship-shaped Oodi Helsinki Central Library.
Oodi is Finnish for Ode. The library opened in 2018, the 100th year of Finland's independence. “Oodi will be a centre for people and reading, a place for democracy and learning, and a gift for the 100-year-old Republic of Finland and for the Finns,” Ritva Viljanen, jury chair and Helsinki's deputy mayor, had said.
It's so much more. It's a public space to read, create, work and relax. And for the locals, it's free.
On the first floor -- in Finland, that's the ground level -- I expected to see rows of bookshelves and some stern old lady ready to shush people. Instead, I saw a café, a warm buzz of visitors and chess tables. Every one of them was occupied with a father competing against his son, a grandfather against his grandson, friends against each other.
So, where are the books? Are they on the floor above? No luck. The second floor, Attic, had a set of 3-D printers, women brainstorming ideas in small glass cubicles, teens composing music in the studio and groups of locals playing video games in the gaming rooms. What kind of library is this? They even had a set of sewing machines that members could use to mend or embroider their clothes. Yes, for free. This is the kind of library that also lends members a drill for members who need a spot of home improvement.
The books, ultimately, are on the third floor – more than 1 lakh titles, in about 20 languages. Of course, you'll be overwhelmed. That's why there's a crew of robots doing the stacking and retrieving. They even use the elevator. Even on this floor, you're allowed to be noisy. Serious readers can head to designated silent rooms.
Skip a floor or two, but don't leave without visiting The Citizen's Balcony, an open-air deck on the library floor. It opens right to a view of the Parliament building across the street. A public library in prime location in a big city. That's how much the Finns value community, reading, ideas and shared resources. Oodi impressed a Somalian immigrant who'd made Helsinki his home. It certainly impressed a visiting journalist from Mumbai.
From HT Brunch, November 1, 2025
Follow us on www.instagram.com/htbrunch
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Walking around Helsinki with Miles Davis Axis Bank introduces special banking solutions for hotel and restaurant businesses Indian Jugaad Solutions That Should Win A Global Innovation Award Groww steps up wealth play via MF and portfolio management solutions Business Core Solutions Acquires Techie2Pillar to Scale Enterprise AI Execution MOVIN opens new facility in Surat to streamline logistics solutions for MSMEs HCL Technologies to acquire Hewlett Packard Enterprise telco solutions business for $160 million Advanced technological solutions will be used in organising Kumbh mela Small-cap stock under ₹50 Take Solutions hits upper circuit after Q4 results OnEMI Technology Solutions IPO subscribed 24% on Day 1
The Secrets Revealed in SpaceX’s IPO FilingDocuments related to SpaceX’s initial public offering show the company is unprofitable and CEO Elon Musk controls 85% of the vote. Updated on: May 21, 2026 2:56 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link SpaceX’s IPO filing sheds light on the finances and
49 minutes ago
Google has launched Gemini Omni, a multimodal AI model focused on cinematic video generation and conversational editing. The platform can create videos using text, images, audio and video prompts with improved realism and context awareness. Google is positioning Omni as its next big push in
49 minutes ago
Bengaluru techie builds ‘I GOT FIRED’ button amid AI layoff fears: ‘One click makes company codebase public’The images showed several labelled buttons, including “Gaslight Them,” “Decode Corporate BS,” and a red-highlighted option reading “I GOT FIRED.” Updated on: May 21
48 minutes ago
A controversial video allegedly filmed near Kedarnath Temple has gone viral on social media, triggering outrage among devotees and netizens over the behaviour of some pilgrims during the sacred Char Dham Yatra. The viral clip shows a group of men sitting and relaxing inside a tented accommodation
49 minutes ago
What your Dog’s birthdate says about their personality, according to a tarot expertJust like humans carry energetic blueprints, animals also have unique vibrations. In tarot, every birthdate can be connected to a Major Arcana energy. Read on. Updated on: May 21
49 minutes ago
Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi recently had a fun encounter with popular Punjabi singer Sukhbir in Goa. Taking to his social media account, Rakesh Bedi shared his surprise meet with the legendary Punjabi singer on his social media account, and reflected on their fun camaraderie
49 minutes ago
Textbooks for students have been printed in time for the reopening of schools in Kerala on June 1, Director of General Education N.S.K. Umesh said. Mr. Umesh was responding to fresh reports of delays in printing and binding of textbooks in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (May 19, 2026)
50 minutes ago
The recently amended National Anti-Doping Act is set to be modified again to criminalise the trafficking and distribution of prohibited substances to athletes, with suppliers facing jail terms of up to five years. The proposed changes also target medical practitioners who knowingly prescribe banned
50 minutes ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Building a smarter home? Start with these reliable smart door locks with fingerprint, Wi-Fi, and camera featuresStill carrying spare keys or checking your door twice before leaving?
49 minutes ago
The World Cup expands with more teams and games. This raises questions about quality and player fatigue. FIFA believes this growth makes the sport global. New teams debut, offering dream opportunities. Concerns exist about player health and the value of scarcity
50 minutes ago
The Longest Internet Blackout in History Is Crippling Iran’s EconomyThe government’s shutdown has been in place for nearly three months, threatening millions of jobs. Published on: May 21, 2026 5:05 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Iranians are enduring the longest and most intense internet
49 minutes ago
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa was held to a draw by Romanian Deac Bogdan-Daniel, while France’s Alireza Firouzja decided to finally call it quits in the sixth round of the Super Chess Classic, part of the Grand Chess Tour. Firouzja, who played two games despite an ankle injury
50 minutes ago
Pelé was 17 when Brazil found their World Cup soul; 12 years later they owned The Jules Rimet trophy foreverAs the 2026 World Cup approaches, memories of Pelé's impact on Brazil's football loom large. His stunning debut in 1958 to securing Jules Rimet Trophy in 1970. Updated on: May 21
50 minutes ago
Thomas Tuchel has already started contacting the England hopefuls who have not made the cut. It's the call any player dreads - because even in today's club-centric landscape, representing your country at a World Cup remains the pinnacle. Tuchel's squad will be made public on Friday
49 minutes ago
Luxury today looks very different from what it did a decade ago. For millennials and Gen Z, aspirational living is no longer centred around accumulation or ownership. Instead, it is increasingly shaped by experiences that feel immersive, emotionally rewarding and culturally meaningful
49 minutes ago
Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has brought the spotlight on a deeply personal psychological experience that affects millions: imposter syndrome. In a candid revelation at a summit in Bengaluru, the RCB star admitted, “You constantly feel like you’re never good enough – that imposter
50 minutes ago
Hindustan Unilever said it has permitted partial work-from-home arrangements and accelerated electric vehicle adoption as part of broader efforts aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity and fuel conservation, NDTV Profit learnt exclusively
49 minutes ago
Mumbaikars are set to get a peek into the world of TV show FriendsThe FRIENDS Experience, an immersive museum dedicated to the 1990s sitcom, is debuting in Mumbai on June 12-13 Published on: May 21, 2026 4:39 PM IST By HT Correspondent Share via Copy link Fans of the hit 1990s sitcom Friends in
50 minutes ago
Indian rupee recovered 61 paise on Thursday to open at 96.25 against the US dollar. On Wednesday, the rupee fell to a record low at 96.95, before recovering slightly to settle at 96.86 by the day’s end. In a major structural intervention to stabilise domestic financial markets
50 minutes ago
As India swelters under an intense heat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued repeated warnings of heat wave to severe heat wave conditions across large parts of northwest, central, and eastern India. Temperatures have soared above 45°C in several regions, with Delhi, Rajasthan
50 minutes ago
Are you feeling lonely? Know what prolonged isolation does to your brain and bodyAlways spacing out or feeling disconnected, even in a room full of people? Find out the ramifications loneliness can have on your health. Updated on: May 21, 2026 2:10 PM IST By Adrija Dey Share via Copy link The
3 hours ago
Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party?Abhijeet Dipke is a 30-year-old Indian political communication strategist and founder of the Cockroach Janata Party. Updated on: May 21, 2026 12:26 PM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link There’s a new political outfit
3 hours ago
Chip giant Nvidia on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) posted record quarterly revenue of $81.6 billion, blowing past Wall Street forecasts as insatiable demand for its artificial intelligence hardware powered another blockbuster quarter. The results for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, ending April 26
3 hours ago
Manifesting a BMW at 26 to buying it: Bengaluru techie's viral video captures parents' pure joyThe Bengaluru techie posted a video which captures what his parents thought about him buying a BMW. Updated on: May 21, 2026 12:16 PM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link A heartwarming video of a
3 hours ago
“Mexican authorities arrested the municipal president of Atlatlahucan and five other political figures in an investigation into corruption and organised crime in central Morelos state,” special prosecutor Ulises Lara said in a video message late on Wednesday
3 hours ago
Rajnath Singh, South Korean minister inaugurate Indian war memorial in SeoulMore than 2.5 million people were killed in the war between North and South Korea, backed by their respective allies. Published on: May 21, 2026 1:49 PM IST By Rahul Singh
3 hours ago
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity as soon as Thursday (May 21, 2026), two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as pressure grows from parts of his political base to increase oversight of new AI models
3 hours ago
