Arkansas man wins Powerball jackpot of $1.8 billion – second largest ever in US history

Christmas turned merry for one very lucky Powerball player in Arkansas. The ticket holder won a jaw-dropping $1.8 billion jackpot, making it one of the biggest lottery wins the United States has ever seen.

Mora Namdar, an Iranian-American, has been sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs to implement President Trump's priorities, including promoting policies that make America safer and stronger. She previously served as Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and has a background in national security and human rights.

In 2025, Kerala experienced a surge in rare and fatal brain infections, mainly caused by brain-eating amoeba. This resulted in 170 cases and 42 deaths. Factors such as climate change, poor mosquito control, and low vaccination rates contributed to the rise of Japanese encephalitis.

The idea of returning to India after building a life abroad is usually framed as a compromise, a step back, or at best, a trade-off. But for many NRIs, the real shift happens long before the boxes are unpacked. For Zeel Shah, returning to India after spending 10 years in Canada rewired her life in ways she didn’t realise.

USCIS and DHS have approved a rule to reform the H-1B visa program, benefiting high wage earners and addressing abuse by companies. Chamath Palihapitiya supports the change, acknowledging the negative impact on American workers. The new rule will prioritize skilled and well-paid applicants, replacing the random lottery.

Kim Young Dae, a prominent South Korean music critic and author, died at 48 on December 24. The cause of his death remains unknown. His final video with NCT's Haechan was released on December 19. His funeral is scheduled for December 27. Kim was known for his early recognition of BTS' potential and was a member of the Selection Committee for Korean Music Awards.

The Pentagon report to the US Congress emphasized China's "core interests" such as sovereignty claims over Taiwan and Arunachal Pradesh, territorial disputes in the South China Sea and Senkaku Islands, and efforts to strengthen ties with Pakistan. It also warned of China's attempts to prevent deepening of India-US relations due to reduced tension along the LAC.

An Indian-American student from the University of Texas at Dallas has been arrested in Collin County. The arrest comes after charges were filed that include arson at a place of worship and making a terroristic threat, The Dallas Express reported. 

TikToker Tea Tyme, real name Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, was arrested on Christmas Eve for allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian while livestreaming in November. The victim, 59-year-old Darren Lucas, was walking home from work. McCarty-Wroten was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated use of an electronic communication device.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump spent part of Christmas Eve speaking with children from across the country, joining the annual NORAD Santa Tracker calls as Santa Claus made his way around the world.

As Christmas 2025 draws near, let's spread love and joy by sending heartfelt wishes to our loved ones through WhatsApp, Facebook, or text. Take a break to be with family and reflect on the past year. Let's make this Christmas memorable with gratitude and faith. Here are 50+ Merry Christmas 2025 wishes to share and spread the holiday spirit.

Ro Khanna, Democratic Congressman, slammed far-right activist Nick Fuentes for repeatedly targeting Indian-American Republican leaders Vivek Ramaswamy and Usha Vance. Khanna condemned Fuentes’ comments targeting Ramaswamy for his Hindu faith and Indian heritage, calling the attacks “chilling.”

Indian-American leaders dominate US politics despite anti-Indian hate and online trolling in 2025. Leaders like Zohran Mamdani, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Vivek Ramaswamy, Harmeet Dhillon, and more have made significant contributions in various fields and have helped put the Indian-American community on the US politics map.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in several counties due to severe weather conditions on Christmas eve. Heavy rains and flash flood warnings were issued, with a looming threat of tornadoes. A video showed a major freeway submerged in water, prompting closures and warnings from experts to avoid flooded roadways.

The US Justice Department announced on Wednesday that federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI have uncovered more than one million additional documents 'potentially' related to Jeffrey Epstein.

A New York Times investigation has detailed how Donald Trump’s second-term presidency pulled in almost $2 billion in 2025, with several donors later gaining access or benefits from the administration. Among the more than 300 wealthy donors, at least six are Indian-origin Americans

The US decision to replace the H-1B visa lottery with a new “wage-weighted” selection system marks a major shift from the way visas have been given for years, Indian IT industry body Nasscom said on Wednesday, according to PTI.

India is making significant progress in its AI journey, with strong digital infrastructure and a growing market. The government's investment in AI development reflects their determination to become a leader in this field. Collaboration between technology providers, enterprises, and the public sector is crucial for unleashing the full potential of AI.

A Virginia family is suing Delta and KLM for $200,000 after a bed bug infestation on their flight to Serbia. The lawsuit claims they were bitten and told to stay quiet by flight attendants. Delta denies responsibility, while KLM cannot comment on the allegations.

The US Pentagon has cautioned India about China's strategy of reducing tensions along the LAC while strengthening military ties with Pakistan. The report analyzes China's increasing capabilities and their impact on regional stability. It also raises concerns about Pakistan's close military relationship with China, including the transfer of fighter jets and joint counterterror exercises.

IndiGo has successfully resumed flying over 1 million passengers every three days and is now operating 2,100-2,200 flights daily across 138 destinations. Despite challenges, the airline remains committed to connecting India with key destinations and is preparing to induct India's first Airbus A321X.

Gold remains a reliable safe haven asset during global geopolitical turmoil, as stated in the RBI's December Bulletin. A simulation-based sensitivity framework reveals that crude oil is most affected, while silver is more volatile due to industrial demand but less sensitive than oil. US Treasury securities also experience increased volatility, serving as a flight-to-safety asset during uncertainty

Vijay Thirumalai, an Indian-origin CEO, sparked online debate by addressing the disruption in H-1B visas, leaving many Indians stuck in their home country. He advised getting out of the H1B quagmire and obtaining a Green Card. Netizens had mixed reactions, criticizing the priority given to foreign workers over American citizens, highlighting the frustrations of skilled workers.

Mustard acreage sees a 4% increase in the current rabi season, with significant growth in crop area reported in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and West Bengal. Standing crop conditions are normal with low pest incidence, and if weather conditions continue, higher yields are expected.

The RBI's liquidity measures caused a rally in the bond market, with the 10-year G-Sec yield falling 9 bps to 6.54%. Plans to purchase government securities and a USD-INR buy-sell swap were announced, addressing a liquidity deficit of Rs 66,653 crore. Market participants anticipate continued rally and stable yields.

Indian Railways' capital expenditure budget to rise by 3.7% in FY27 to Rs 2.75 lakh crore. Despite high capex utilisation in H1 of FY26, full-year spending likely to be 80-85% due to project delays. Railways looking to attract investments through PPP mode for track expansion. Experts say more budgetary support needed to catch up with road infrastructure.

The New York Times has uncovered that redacted information in the Jeffrey Epstein files can be easily recovered, exposing the identities of alleged victims and survivors. While the Justice Department claims all redactions are necessary by law, concerns about privacy and political motives remain.

NHAI's second platform for highway monetisation, Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT), has received approval from SEBI as an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT). This public InvIT will allow retail and domestic investors to subscribe to the equity of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) that will acquire highway assets from NHAI.

As Christmas approaches, Americans are preparing to celebrate by visiting outlets for shopping and food. While some stores will be closed, several fast food chains, drugstores, grocery stores, and retailers will remain open on Christmas Eve. Customers are advised to check store websites or social media for specific hours.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will announce its Q3 earnings results on January 12, 2026. The company's Board of Directors will also consider declaring the third interim dividend during the scheduled meeting. TCS reported a net profit of Rs 12,075 crore in Q2 FY26, and a revenue of Rs 65,799 crore. The company's stock has gained 5.47% in the last month, but declined by 20.7% in

RBI's announcement of a Rs 2 lakh crore OMO purchase has led to a rally in bond markets, easing concerns over year-end liquidity. Benchmark 10-year yields have fallen by 8 basis points and are expected to reach 6.45-6.50%. The central bank's aggressive intervention through OMOs and a USD-INR buy-sell swap has provided comfort to market participants.

JD Vance, the US Vice President, won 84% of the vote in a straw poll at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conference, solidifying his popularity among conservative activists. He was endorsed by the CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of founder Charlie Kirk. Despite not announcing his 2024 candidacy, Vance's strong appeal within the pro-Trump and conservative base is evident.

Nissan will raise prices of its Magnite SUV by 3% in January, following other automakers in passing on increased costs to customers. This trend is seen across the industry as manufacturers try to protect margins in a difficult cost environment. Nissan also plans to introduce new models in India soon. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also announced price increases due to Forex instability.

The recently released Jeffrey Epstein files from the US Department of Justice contain emails between Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell discussing "inappropriate friends." The emails, believed to be from Andrew, date back to 2001-2002 and have sparked further scrutiny and calls for his cooperation with US investigations.

Indian stock exchanges NSE and BSE will be shut on Christmas day, December 25, 2025, with trading in equities, derivatives, and securities lending and borrowing suspended. Trading will resume on Friday, December 26, 2025. NSE has also released its holiday schedule for 2026, consisting of national and religious holidays.

Adani Power aims to increase its installed capacity to 41.87 GW by FY32, with a capital expenditure of Rs 2 lakh crore. The company is focused on meeting India's growing electricity demand through an aggressive expansion plan, while also prioritizing fuel security and job creation. This includes accelerating construction and expanding partnerships in the thermal and hydro power sectors.

India's primary market had a record year in 2025, and now the focus is on the upcoming IPOs in 2026. Companies like Bharat Coking Coal, Reliance Jio, NSE, PhonePe, Flipkart, Zepto, Oyo, boAt, Hero FinCorp, Fractal Analytics, Clean Max Enviro Energy, SBI Mutual Fund, and Prestige Hospitality Ventures are expected to hit the market. These IPOs could define the next phase of

Bombay High Court stays actions by three public sector banks seeking to declare Anil Ambani and Reliance Communications' accounts as fraud, noting that RBI's Master Directions were violated. Ambani challenged show-cause notices, arguing that the forensic audit report by BDO LLP, which was not signed by a qualified CA, cannot be relied upon.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari urges for true nationalism by reducing imports and increasing exports to combat Delhi's pollution levels. He also emphasizes the need for a shift towards alternative fuels and biofuels to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuel imports. The government has imposed strict measures under GRAP Stage-IV.

The US economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter of the year, according to a delayed report released by the Commerce Department on Tuesday. The report showed that gross domestic product, or GDP, expanded by 4.3% between July and September, far above economists’ expectations of 3.2%.

Kajaria Ceramics' shares dropped by 3.9% after the company revealed a financial fraud by its CFO at a subsidiary. Despite this, Motilal Oswal Financial Services maintained a 'Buy' rating and a target price of Rs 1,252, expecting a 19% upside in the next 12 months. The company will set aside Rs 20 crore for exceptional expenses, but 50% is recoverable. Soft demand and competition pose challenges.

The highly anticipated 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon will take place tomorrow at the Inspire Arena, with a new trio of main hosts taking over the MC duties. IVE's AN Yujin will return as the only constant host, while NCT's Jaemin and DAY6's Young K will replace her previous stage partners. The show will be broadcast live on SBS TV.

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, cousins who were estranged for 20 years, reunited for a Shiv Sena-MNS alliance ahead of the upcoming municipal corporation elections. The Eknath Shinde alliance dismissed the coming together of the Thackeray cousins as nothing more than a photo opportunity that they feel will do little to upset them.

The recently concluded India-New Zealand free trade agreement has the potential to increase India's share in New Zealand's imports, which are currently dominated by China. The FTA could open significant export growth opportunities for Indian industries such as pharmaceuticals, processed foods, electronics, machinery, vehicles, and furniture.

Indian-origin woman found dead in Toronto, police suspect intimate partner violence. The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed shock over her alleged killing and is providing assistance to her family. The victim, Himanshi Khurana, was a Toronto-based digital creator. The suspect, Abdul Ghafoori, is being searched nationwide.

Motilal Oswal has issued 'Buy' ratings on three stocks - Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company, Hero MotoCorp, and Kajaria Ceramics, with an upside potential of up to 19% from current levels. The report highlights the positive outlook on each company, including strong management response to allegations, steady growth trajectory, and potential for exports and volume growth.

Newly released US Justice Department documents have revealed that former Barclays chief executive Jes Staley and former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers were once named as executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate.

Billionbrains Garage Ventures (Groww) and Lenskart Solutions will be added to BSE Large Cap index on January 06, 2026. Tata Motors will also be included in BSE Allcap, BSE LargeCap, BSE LargeMidCap, and BSE Industrials. Groww's share price has risen 23% since listing in November, while Lenskart's has risen 16%. Both companies had successful IPOs.

Stranger Things Season 5, the final season of the hit sci-fi show, has gained immense popularity and shattered records since its premiere in 2016. As it prepares for its New Year's Eve finale, the show has created thousands of jobs and boosted the US economy by $1.4 billion. The final episodes will also be shown in movie theatres, showcasing the show's widespread impact beyond Netflix.

Variety has released a list of the 120 most powerful production houses in Hollywood, featuring executives from Netflix, Apple, and Disney. Netflix's Co-CEO Ted Sarandos tops the list, followed by NBC's Donna Langley and Paramount's David Ellison. Other notable names include YouTube's Neal Mohan, Disney's Dana Walden and Bob Iger, and Comcast's Brian Roberts.