The highly anticipated Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 was released on December 26, receiving mixed reviews from devoted fans. While some praised the plot and a defining scene involving Will Byers coming out as gay, others deemed it as unnecessary propaganda. However, this revelation plays a crucial role in the plot as it unlocks Will's superpowers.
Alhind Air received its NOC in December 2025, but commercial operations are delayed due to difficulties in securing aircraft and financing. The airline plans to start with three ATR 72 turboprop aircraft and expand to seven. Financing is the main hurdle, despite available pre-owned aircraft.
Deepa Jewellers, a Hyderabad-based B2B gold jewellery company, has filed for a Rs 250 crore IPO. Established in 2016, it aims to use the funds for working capital and expansion. With a wide range of products and 315 loyal customers, the company recorded a revenue of Rs 1,397 crore and a net profit of Rs 40.5 crore in FY25.
The New Year symbolizes a fresh start and the opportunity to leave behind negativity and embrace optimism. 20 quotes offer inspiration and motivation for setting goals, learning from mistakes, and creating our own destiny. With intentional optimism, we can approach the future with clarity and purpose, knowing that it is in our hands.
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has launched two dedicated fleet models, Prime HB and Prime SD, to compete with Maruti Suzuki's Tour line-up. The models come with speed-limiting functionality, panic buttons, and a three-year factory warranty. They are powered by a 1.2-litre engine and offer good fuel efficiency. Optional accessories and finance options are available for fleet customers.
Indian drivers are increasingly seeing motor insurance as a necessary protection rather than just a mandatory obligation. This is evident in the 2.5x growth in EV insurance and 200% surge in premiums for these vehicles. This trend is driven by the higher adoption and ticket size of EVs, which require specialised coverage.
Ola Electric's Roadster X+ electric motorcycle, equipped with their in-house developed 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack, has received government certification. This will enable the company to start delivering the motorcycle and reach smaller markets. The 4680 Bharat Cell technology will also be used in their other two-wheeler models and for future projects.
India's crude oil imports from Russia are expected to drop sharply in December due to short-term disruptions caused by US sanctions on top Russian exporters and EU sanctions on Russian-linked product flows. However, this is seen as a temporary adjustment, with Russian imports expected to gradually recover from January.
Mohanlal's mother, Santhakumari, passed away at the age of 90 in Kochi. She had been staying with the actor for the past few months, battling neurological issues. Mohanlal was very close to his mother and had recently expressed sadness over being away from her during the lockdown. Tributes have been pouring in for Santhakumari, who was a beloved figure in the film industry.
Indian equity benchmarks ended Tuesday's trade on a subdued note, with the Nifty 50 closing flat at 25,939 and the BSE Sensex falling 20 points. However, the Nifty Bank outperformed and settled 0.41% higher, while mid- and small-cap stocks closed in the red. The markets remained range-bound, with the Nifty forming a small-bodied bullish candle and closing above its 50-DMA.
PNGRB's tariff overhaul has resulted in lower CNG and PNG prices for city gas operators, with Think Gas already announcing cuts in multiple states. This reform simplifies transportation and makes natural gas more competitive, promoting cleaner energy. Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, which is expected to improve accessibility and affordability of natural gas.
The 2025 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, hosted by SHINee's Minho, ALLDAY PROJECT's Annie, and Hwang Minhyun, will wrap up the year with a star-studded lineup and special collaborations. The event will be broadcast on December 31st, with exclusive streaming partner MUNIVERSE donating a portion of ticket sales to charity.
Emkay Global has given a 'Buy' rating to Lenskart Solutions with a target price of Rs 525, citing its market leadership, strong unit economics, and advanced technology as key factors. As India's largest eyewear retailer with a 5% market share, Lenskart operates at a scale three times larger than its closest competitor, utilizing innovative methods like remote optometry and Vision AI.
Steel Exchange India is raising Rs 700 crore through various methods, including preferential issue and public placement. The company reported a decline in profit and revenue in the September quarter. It received term loans and plans to use them for prepayment of high-cost loans.
The 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards celebrated the best in Korean variety entertainment, with Jun Hyun Moo and Jang Do Yeon as co-hosts. Despite controversies, the live event proceeded as planned, with Yoo Jae Suk winning his 9th Grand Prize. He expressed gratitude to his Hangout With Yoo co-stars and crew, and aims to reach 30 Grand Prizes.
When Shubham Goel and Ray Zhou walked out of Stanford University with degrees in hand, most graduates were busy scouting safe jobs or internships. But the duo had bigger plans. Observing the everyday frustrations faced by corporations, they co-founded Affinity, a company that would grow into a relationship intelligence powerhouse valued at over $500 million
The year 2025 witnessed a surge in the use of mental health affirmations like 'I am enough' and 'I am safe in my body' due to the growing need for positivity and self-care in a negative world. These affirmations can rewire the brain for productivity and help cope with chronic stress and declining mental health, as stated by Dr. Kamna Chhibber.
American vlogger "gabhruji" has expressed deep love for India, and made a heartfelt appeal to PM Modi to grant him an Aadhaar card. He made this appeal with just 8 hours left in the country and believes India has it all and is grateful for the experiences he has had. The emotional video has gone viral, resonating with viewers who share similar sentiments and experiences.
Railway stocks, including RVNL, IRFC, RailTel, and IRCON, are on the rise with a 12% increase in share prices due to the pre-Budget rally, expected fare hikes, and increased capex allocation. The Railway Ministry's plan to launch the first Vande Bharat Sleeper for AC class travellers, improved safety indicators, and infrastructure development are also contributing to this surge.
Some of America’s richest people are quietly thinking about spending less time in California, or even leaving the state altogether, because of a proposed tax that would target billionaires. According to a report from the New York Times, among the popular names are Larry Page, the Google co-founder, and Peter Thiel, the tech investor.
Dr Vanita Rahman, an Indian who moved to the US at 13, struggled with obesity for years due to a drastic shift in lifestyle. Despite being a physician, she couldn't manage her health issues until a friend suggested a plant-based diet.
The 2025 SBS Entertainment Awards, hosted by Jun Hyun Moo, Cha Tae Hyun, and Lee Su Ji, will showcase popular variety shows like Running Man and My Little Old Boy, as well as new hits such as The Ballad of Us and My Turn. The ceremony will be broadcast live on SBS TV and may be available on Netflix and KOCOWA+. TVXQ U-KNOW's performance is also expected.
Titan's stock price has risen by 22% this year after the launch of their latest venture, the 'beYon' store, which offers lab-grown diamonds. Key brokerage firm Nuvama has maintained a 'Buy' rating on the stock, with a target price of Rs 4,672, citing the positive impact of this move.
The 2025 MBC Drama Awards will celebrate the achievements of South Korean actors and creatives on the MBC channel. Hosted by Kim Sung Joo and Lee Sun Bin, the ceremony will feature popular shows and upcoming dramas, as well as performances by K-pop group Jaurim. Despite lower ratings, hit dramas are still represented in the Best Couple Award nominees.
Gujarat Kidney, a multispeciality healthcare company, made a strong debut on the National Stock Exchange with its shares listing at a premium of 5.26% to the issue price of Rs 114. The company raised Rs 250.80 crores through its IPO, which was subscribed 5.21 times. The funds raised will be used for acquisitions, capital expenditure, and repayment of borrowings.
Indian equity indices opened flat on Monday, with NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex opening at 25,945 and 84,686 respectively. The Bank Nifty opened 0.05% lower at 58,904, while small and mid-cap stocks opened in the red. Technical analysts predict further weakness in the market, with resistance at 26,000 and support at 25,850-25,800. The advance-decline ratio was in favor of declines.
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, revealed on December 28, 2025, that the documentary The Thinking Game has crossed 200 million views on YouTube in only four weeks. The film offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look inside an artificial general intelligence, or AGI, lab and closely follows the work behind AlphaFold, the Nobel Prize–winning AI project that changed biology forever.
Abhishek Banerjee has warned Indians against assuming that Canada and Europe offer the same opportunities as the United States. He urged them not to waste time pursuing opportunities in these countries, calling them stagnant economies with limited growth prospects. “West is not a monolith,” he said, before adding, “Canada & Europe are barely half as rich as the US!”
Almost one and a half years after returning from Canada, Saswath still finds himself answering the same question again and again: "Why did you come back?" To put an end to this, the Indian professional and social media influencer decided to explain his decision in an Instagram post that many found relatable.
Gold and silver prices fell on Monday after a strong year-end rally pushed both metals to record highs, Bloomberg reported. Many traders decided to book profits, and thin holiday trading made the price swings sharper.
A day after meeting Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The meeting came at a busy moment, with Trump pushing forward his plans for the next phase of a ceasefire in Gaza as the year draws to a close.
The US Chamber of Commerce has decided to appeal a court ruling that allowed the Trump administration to move forward with a massive $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, Bloomberg reported. These visas are widely used by American technology companies to hire skilled foreign workers.
The Logitech MX Master 4 is a wireless mouse with customisable haptic feedback, an Actions Ring for app-specific shortcuts, and an 8,000 DPI sensor for accurate tracking. It can save users up to 33% of their time and has a USB-C dongle for quick pairing.
Saurabh Mukherjea, founder and CIO of Marcellus Investment Managers, advises retail investors to focus on large-cap stocks, stop F&O trading, and consider global investments. He also discusses the impact of government policies and RBI rate cuts on the Indian market, urging investors to be cautious and informed in their decisions.
Priya Nair, the first female CEO of Hindustan Unilever, emphasizes the importance of finding one's purpose for success. She plans to tackle challenges such as slow growth and increased competition by targeting high-demand areas, volume growth, and niche categories.
Syngenta Group aims to expand its digital platform, 'Cropwise Grower', to support India's smallholder farmers by providing access to latest technologies, market prices, and agronomist services. The platform has been customized for Indian farmers and currently has a userbase of 2.38 million, with plans to expand into Andhra Pradesh.
Indian IT firms are embracing AI and outcome-based delivery, with top-tier firms leading the change and mid-sized players using acquisitions. This reflects a sector-wide reset as revenue growth slows and clients demand productivity gains. Coforge's acquisition of Encora boosts their revenue and solidifies the shift towards AI-driven digital engineering.
The BSE's futures and options segment has seen a rise in daily premium turnover, despite strict regulations from Sebi. This is due to the popularity of Sensex contracts and the addition of institutional clients. In contrast, the NSE has experienced a decrease in premium turnover.
The aviation industry in 2026 will witness a boost in infrastructure with the launch of Noida and Navi Mumbai International Airports, easing congestion in Delhi and Mumbai. Airlines can add more flights and expand their networks, but success depends on factors like airline adoption, passenger behavior, and investments in air traffic management, safety oversight, and skilled manpower.
Informatica, a US-based software company, is aiding Indian enterprises in tackling the issue of dependable and top-notch data for their AI initiatives. With a significant presence in India for 22 years, Informatica views India as a crucial market for development and advancement.
In 2025, despite concerns about valuations, select stocks in the finance and e-commerce sectors have emerged as top wealth creators in the Nifty Midcap 100. L&T Finance leads with a 119% return, followed by Aditya Birla Capital (89.6%), Muthoot Finance (81%), AU Small Finance Bank (77.55%), and FSN E-Commerce Ventures (62.47%). These companies have seen an increase in net profit and revenue
IndiGo Airlines will increase allowances for pilots and cabin crew from January 1 to address disruptions caused by a pilot shortage. Layover and deadhead allowances will be raised, with other components seeing increases of up to Rs 2,000. The move comes after the airline cancelled 4,000 flights in December, impacting its financial outlook.
In 2025, Trump 2.0 caused disruption in the global economy by imposing tariffs on major trading partners. China and India had different experiences, with India facing punitive tariffs and delays in a trade agreement.
IIT Delhi has announced that its students have received 1,275 job offers, including pre-placement offers, from top recruiters like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. This is a slight increase from last year, with 27 recruiters making double-digit offers. Over 300 PPOs were received this year, a 33% increase from last year.
The recent increase in winter crop sowing and strong monsoon rains has led to a rise in imports of soil nutrients, ensuring sufficient supply of fertilizers. However, this may impact the subsidy bill and cause a shortage of urea in some regions. The government is also relying on imports for other fertilizer variants, such as DAP, NPK, and MOP. The low retail price of urea is a concern.
Coforge's acquisition of Encora, its largest in history, will reshape its scale, margin profile, and balance sheet. The task at hand is to successfully integrate a business almost half its size, revive Encora's growth, and address funding concerns. Analysts support the strategic move but stress the significance of successful execution.
India's high reliance on imports and growing demand for petrochemicals have prompted local companies to boost their production capacity. Despite expected increases in PP and PVC capacity, profits will hinge on cost efficiency, global demand, and government aid.
In 2025, the RBI implemented changes to its regulatory approach, simplifying guidelines and focusing on governance. These changes reduced costs for banks and maintained financial stability. With a new governor, the RBI aimed to boost growth by streamlining regulations and consolidating over 8,000 regulations.
In November, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) saw a 6.7% growth, fueled by a rise in manufacturing, consumer demand, and a recovery in mining. The festive season led to a surge in manufacturing, particularly in the consumer goods segment which grew by 8.5%. The positive trend is expected to continue due to low inflation and GST rate changes, with all six sectors experiencing growth.
As the countdown to New Year's Day 2026 begins, there is a lot of exciting content on OTT platforms for those staying in. From the finale of Stranger Things Season 5 to the digital premiere of Haq and the release of Love from 9 to 5, there's something for everyone. K-drama fans can also enjoy My Korean Boyfriend, and Eko, a Malayalam mystery thriller, arrives on December 31.
The 2025 Seoulcon APAN Star Awards, co-hosted by Kim Seung Woo and Park Sun Young, announced winners before the live ceremony. Park Bo Gum and IU were among the nominees, and the event was broadcasted on TVN and TVING. Popular actors graced the red carpet, and last year's Daesang winner Kim Tae Ri was honored. IU received this year's Daesang award.