Technology billionaires were at the forefront of the advance, with sustained enthusiasm around artificial intelligence driving gains in US mega-cap shares. (AI image)

Did you know that the world’s wealthiest and richest 500 people added a whopping $2.2 trillion to their wealth in 2025? The rise was a result of powerful rallies across global markets ranging from stocks and digital assets to precious metals, data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows. As a result, the aggregate net worth expanded to $11.9 trillion in 2025.Technology billionaires were at the forefront of the advance, with sustained enthusiasm around artificial intelligence driving gains in US mega-cap shares. Roughly 25% of the total increase tracked by Bloomberg’s index was generated by just eight people. Among them were Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, Alphabet co-founder Larry Page and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Even so, their share of overall gains was smaller than a year earlier, when the same group accounted for 43%.This surge got a booster shot after Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election in late 2024, while concerns over tariffs caused only a brief interruption. In April, a sharp market selloff triggered the largest single-day erosion of billionaire wealth since the pandemic, but the setback proved temporary.At the start of the year, Musk stood clearly apart as the most prominent figure among the ultra-wealthy. He stepped into the political arena in a significant way after contributing close to $300 million to Trump’s re-election bid and spent much of early 2025 in Washington, DC, leading efforts aimed at reducing government spending.By year-end, however, it was Ellison who emerged as the standout. A sharp rise in Oracle’s share price, driven by increased investment in artificial intelligence by the cloud computing firm, briefly pushed him past Musk in September to become the world’s richest person. Although Oracle stock later retreated by about 40% from its highs, Ellison remained in the spotlight due to his role in the Paramount Skydance Corp. offer, led by his son David Ellison, to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.The wealth expansion was not limited to the US. While the S&P 500 Index gained 17% for the year through December 30, it lagged behind a 22% rise in Britain’s FTSE 100 and a 29% advance in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index.Performance across other asset classes was even stronger. Precious metals delivered one of their strongest showings in decades as investors sought safety, while copper and rare earths gained strategic importance amid geopolitical tensions. This boosted the fortunes of major commodity holders such as Australian mining tycoon Gina Rinehart and Chile’s Luksic family by billions of dollars.Cryptocurrencies also appeared set to outperform equities for much of the year. Bitcoin jumped to record levels following Trump’s election victory and extended its rally after the administration rolled out policies seen as supportive of the sector. That momentum reversed sharply in October, when a steep selloff erased all earlier gains and more, sharply cutting the wealth of crypto-focused billionaires including the Winklevoss twins, Changpeng Zhao and Michael Saylor.Here is a list of 2025’s biggest winners and losers, as prepared by Bloomberg:Larry Ellison – Winner

At 81, the Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has stepped more deeply into the company’s daily operations, steering its aggressive and highly leveraged expansion into artificial intelligence infrastructure. Ellison’s personal wealth jumped sharply on September 10, rising by $89 billion in a single day after Oracle posted blockbuster quarterly results linked to its AI strategy. This marked the largest one-day increase in net worth recorded by Bloomberg’s wealth index at the time.Beyond technology, Ellison has been channeling capital into the media space, including personally backing the equity component of his son David’s $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Oracle’s ambition to play a central role in the proposed $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure initiative, along with plans to take an ownership stake in TikTok’s US business, could further influence Ellison’s fortune well into 2026 and beyond.Elon Musk – Winner

Elon Musk emerged as the largest political contributor during the 2024 election cycle and spent much of the spring in Washington, where his Department of Government Efficiency drove deep budget cuts and large-scale workforce reductions across federal agencies. That period weighed on his personal wealth, as Tesla shares came under pressure, partly reflecting consumer backlash against his political involvement.His fortunes improved after he exited the White House following a very public rift with Donald Trump. A recent insider transaction at SpaceX lifted the company’s valuation to the highest level ever for a private firm, pushing Musk’s net worth past the $600 billion mark for the first time. Separately, Tesla investors approved a revised pay package that positions him to potentially become the world’s first trillionaire, provided the electric vehicle maker achieves an ambitious set of performance milestones in the years ahead.Gina Rinehart – Winner

Australia’s wealthiest individual emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global push to secure access to strategically critical rare-earth minerals. Through her privately owned firm Hancock Prospecting, Rinehart has built the largest rare-earth holdings outside China, placing her at the center of an intensifying geopolitical contest over materials that underpin industries such as semiconductors and electric vehicles.Her influence has extended beyond mining. Rinehart has appeared at events hosted at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and holds an investment in Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., the listed company that operates the social media platform Truth Social. In the three months through June 30, she expanded that stake by roughly two-thirds.Donald Trump and family – Winner

Since launching his campaign for a second term, Donald Trump and his family have pursued a wide range of commercial ventures that have significantly boosted their collective wealth, reaching levels rarely seen in modern US political history. Despite a recent pullback, the family’s fortune has risen by around 70% over the past 15 months.In the period leading up to Trump’s second inauguration, he and First Lady Melania Trump promoted two memecoins branded with their names. While those tokens initially surged before retreating, the Trump-branded coin alone has contributed more than $200 million to the family’s net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Weeks before the 2024 election, Trump also helped launch the crypto platform World Liberty Financial alongside his sons. Since then, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have expanded into digital asset ventures, including cryptocurrency mining company American Bitcoin Corp.A major holding for the family, their stake in Trump Media, jumped in value in December following the announcement of a merger with nuclear fusion firm TAE Technologies, though the shares remain more than 70% below their January peak. Trump also notched a legal win in August when an appeals court overturned a $464 million civil fraud penalty, even as it upheld findings that he had violated the law by overstating the value of assets such as the Mar-a-Lago resort.Manuel Villar – Loser

Manuel Villar, who previously held the title of the Philippines’ richest individual, suffered a dramatic erosion of wealth after shares of his real estate firm, Golden MV Holdings Inc., collapsed shortly after trading resumed in November. The stock fell by more than 80% within days of the end of a six-month suspension, wiping out over $18 billion from Villar’s fortune.The trading halt had been imposed when Golden MV failed to submit financial statements following disclosures that the company had purchased a parcel of land from Villar for $93 million, only to later mark its value at over $23 billion. Adding to the pressure, Villar earlier this month exited his entire holding in water utility PrimeWater, selling the stake to retail magnate Lucio Co. PrimeWater had come under government scrutiny in July over alleged “irregularities.”Bob Pender and Mike Sabel – Loser

The long-anticipated revival in US initial public offerings suffered a setback with the underwhelming market debut of liquefied natural gas exporter Venture Global Inc. After several slow years for new listings, the company’s January IPO was widely seen as a potential catalyst for a stronger issuance pipeline, supported by a pro-business administration and a sizable backlog of deals.Ahead of the flotation, co-founders Bob Pender and Mike Sabel were expected to each hold equity stakes valued at close to $30 billion, as Venture Global was positioned to deliver the largest energy IPO in more than a decade. That optimism quickly faded. Weak investor appetite forced the company to scale back the offering, and the share price has since plunged more than 70%, weighed down by underwhelming quarterly results and the loss of a major arbitration case against BP Plc, one of its largest customers.Michael Saylor – Loser

For much of the first half of the year, Michael Saylor’s Strategy Inc. stood out as a major beneficiary of the cryptocurrency boom. Digital assets surged to record levels following Donald Trump’s election victory in November 2024 and extended those gains as the new administration implemented a series of policies supportive of the sector. Strategy was at the forefront of the so-called crypto treasury approach, accumulating large quantities of Bitcoin on its balance sheet while repeatedly issuing equity to fund further purchases.That strategy delivered outsized gains through early October, when Bitcoin reached new peaks. Momentum then reversed. A sharp pullback in the cryptocurrency triggered a steep sell-off in Strategy’s shares, which fell by more than 50%, erasing nearly $6 billion from Saylor’s wealth compared with its earlier high.Wang Xing – Loser

Wang Xing, co-founder and chairman of Meituan, experienced a significant drop in personal wealth during 2025 as pressures mounted on China’s leading food delivery company. His net worth slid close to 31% after Meituan reported its first quarterly loss in nearly three years in November.The setback came despite a strong year for Chinese equities, with the Shanghai Composite Index rising 18%. Meituan has been weighed down by softer domestic consumer spending and intensifying competition from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and JD.com Inc. To counter slowing growth at home, the company has accelerated its push into international markets, recently expanding operations into Brazil and the Middle East.

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The cost of entourages of the actors in Bollywood has become a subject of debate recently, with several directors expressing their opinions on it. Amidst the ongoing topic, Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon have shared their thoughts on it. They clarified that their entourages are quite small. Let’s learn more about it.

Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon talk about the rising entourage cost of actors

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Vicky Kaushal expressed, “I think what we’re saying is that we haven’t seen it ourselves. We’re not denying that it isn’t true; I just haven’t seen it. I’ve only heard about it.” Kriti Sanon added to Vicky’s words, saying, “Yeah, we’ve heard about it.”During the conversation, the actors were asked what could be the possible solution for this problem. Kriti replied, “Maybe you are talking to the wrong actors.”

Vicky elaborated on what Kriti stated, adding, “Anything that burdens the film financially should be course-corrected.”He added that there are certain incidents that take place for the character and for the film. He said, “For example, if it’s a 7-to-7 schedule, it’s an action film, and my only time to train is at 5 in the morning, and the gym is in the opposite direction from the location, then having a gym on set probably helps.”The actor further shared that sometimes that kind of setup on set helps the movie. He also acknowledged the fact that every producer understands such needs. He said, “At least that’s what I believe.”

More about Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon’s projects

Vicky Kaushal will next feature in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s project ‘Love and War’, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. The film has been reportedly scheduled to release between June and August 2026.Kriti Sanon, on the other hand, will next star in ‘Cocktail 2’, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. Directed by Homi Adajania, the film has been slated to release in the second half of the year.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders crushed Dubai Capitals by 50 runs in the ILT20 2025-26 Eliminator on January 1, 2026, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Michael Pepper‘s explosive 72 guided ADKR to 158/7, while Sunil Narine‘s masterful 3/12 dismantled DC for just 108. Jason Holder‘s comical skyer no-ball became the viral moment amid the Knight Riders’ dominant win.​

Jason Holder’s unusual no-ball ball in the Eliminator frustrates batters in ILT20 2025–26

In a bizarre over during DC’s chase, Holder, ADKR’s skipper, unleashed a comical skyer that sailed way too high and wide outside off, landing near the slip cordon for a no-ball. Teammates Andre Russell and Michael Pepper stood with hands on hips, visibly annoyed at the errant delivery to Shayan Jahangir, who watched bemused as umpires signalled the free-hit. The mishap, captured on video, drew laughs online but didn’t dent Holder’s resolve—he bounced back with figures of 3/18, including key strikes to Toby Albert, Mohammad Nabi, and Muhammad Jawadullah.​​

Here’s the video:

“TV Umpire to Director, can we check the height on this one for a No Ball?” 🫣

Keep those towels handy, Knights. 🧻#DCvADKR #DPWorldILT20 #WhereTheWorldPlays #AllInForCricket pic.twitter.com/Mi43Apq7hB

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 1, 2026

Also WATCH: Shimron Hetmyer pulls off a stunning grab to dismiss Nicholas Pooran in ILT20 2025-26

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ commanding triumph over Dubai Capitals in ILT20 2026

Asked to bat first, ADKR came out with clear intent and wasted no time putting the opposition under pressure. Phil Salt and Pepper set the tone right from the start, combining aggression with smart shot selection. The pair raced to 55 inside the powerplay and brought up a century partnership in just 10.4 overs, leaving the fielding side scrambling for answers.

While Salt chipped in with a brisk 43, it was Pepper who held the innings together, playing a commanding knock of 72 laced with seven boundaries and three towering sixes. Just when a massive total looked on the cards, the momentum dipped as wickets fell in quick succession. Nabi triggered the slowdown with a sharp spell, picking up three wickets and conceding very little. Amid the late wobble, Holder’s unbeaten 22 off 11 balls ensured ADKR crossed to a competitive 158/7.

The chase never really found its feet. DC were rocked early as Narine weaved his magic in the powerplay, reducing them to 43 for 4 and completely shifting the balance of the match. Narine’s tight lines accounted for Shayan, who was trapped in front, before Gulbadin Naib and Navin Bidaisee followed soon after.

The pressure only intensified as Liam Livingstone and Holder joined the act, picking up regular wickets and closing every escape route. Nabi showed some resistance with a fighting 27, but once he was caught off Holder, the end came quickly. DC were bundled out for 108 in just over 16 overs. Narine’s match-winning spell earned him the Player of the Match award, as ADKR marched confidently into Qualifier 2, where MI Emirates now await.

Also WATCH: Sam Curran plucks a screamer to remove Gulbadin Naib and mimics Afghan star’s signature celebration in ILT20 2025-26

Mumbai: The state govt will soon kickstart the ‘Green Mumbai’ initiative, which is a comprehensive strategy to transform Mumbai through environmentally-friendly infrastructure and climate-conscious governance. CM Devendra Fadnavis directed officials to make sure this programme focuses on sustainable mobility, air quality improvement, and significant financial commitments to climate action. Officials said the BMC’s focus will also be on air quality and pollution control. Officials said several existing and upcoming infrastructure projects will be part of this green initiative.“Every Mumbaikar deserves clean air. We are enforcing strict accountability by monitoring over 1,000 construction sites in real time and modernising local industries with clean fuel. By tackling pollution at its source, we are ensuring that Mumbai’s rapid growth does not come at the cost of its citizens’ health,” CM Fadnavis told TOI.“We are building a Mumbai that moves faster and breathes easier. The results are already verified: traffic police surveys record a 30% drop in congestion at major hubs since the metro launch. But this is just the beginning. We are aggressively executing a comprehensive 411 km metro network. Anchored by our 33.5 km underground Aqua Line and combined with our fleet of 5,000 electric buses, we are permanently removing 4.5 lakh vehicle trips daily and eliminating 2.6 lakh tonnes of CO₂ annually. Progress and the planet must thrive together,” CM Fadnavis said.“Mumbai is pioneering ‘Climate Budgeting’ in South Asia. By committing over Rs 17,000 crore—nearly 38% of the BMC’s capital expenditure—to green initiatives, we made environmental protection a core financial priority. This is not just expenditure; it is our concrete roadmap to Net Zero 2050, ensuring that our financial planning secures our future,” CM Fadnavis said.The official pointed out that, as part of the climate budgeting and financial allocation initiative, Mumbai is the first South Asian city to institutionalise “Climate Budgeting” as a mandatory annual process, aiming for net zero by 2050.

Wall Street and major global equity markets began 2026 on an upbeat note on Friday, buoyed by optimism around artificial intelligence-led growth and strong gains in technology stocks, AP reported.In early trade, the S&P 500 rose 0.4 per cent, extending gains after closing 2025 with a rise of more than 16 per cent. The Nasdaq composite climbed 1 per cent, driven by advances in big technology names, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 60 points, or 0.1 per cent.Buying interest remained strong in AI-linked stocks, with Nvidia and Google-parent Alphabet rising more than 2 per cent each, amid expectations that expanding use of artificial intelligence will boost demand for chips, data centres and related infrastructure. US Treasury yields were largely steady.Global markets also opened the year on a strong footing. In Europe, London’s FTSE 100 jumped 1 per cent to an intraday record of 10,033.94, crossing the 10,000-mark for the first time. Germany’s DAX rose 0.5 per cent to 24,619.41, while France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.8 per cent to 8,213.59.The rally in London was supported by sharp gains in precious metals miners, including Fresnillo, which surged 5.7 per cent, and Anglo American, up 1.5 per cent, tracking strength in gold, silver and copper prices.“Exports from most countries have surged in recent months, and we think the near-term outlook for Asia’s export-oriented manufacturing sectors remains favorable,” Shivaan Tandon of Capital Economics said in a report, AP quoted. Asian markets were mixed to positive. South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.3 per cent to 4,309.63, led by a 7.2 per cent jump in Samsung Electronics, while SK Hynix gained 4 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rallied 2.8 per cent to 26,338.47, driven by tech stocks, with Alibaba rising 4.3 per cent and Baidu jumping 9.4 per cent after announcing plans to spin off its AI chip unit.Markets in Tokyo, Shanghai, Thailand and New Zealand were closed, while Australia’s ASX 200 edged up 0.2 per cent. India’s Sensex added 0.6 per cent, and Taiwan’s Taiex gained 1.3 per cent.US stock futures earlier signalled a positive open, with S&P 500 futures up 0.6 per cent and Dow futures higher by 0.2 per cent.Wall Street ended 2025 with strong annual gains despite a weak finish, with the S&P 500 rising 16.4 per cent for the year, the Nasdaq up 20.4 per cent and the Dow gaining 13 per cent, supported by enthusiasm around AI, solid corporate earnings and multiple interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.In commodities, silver rose 4.8 per cent after sharp volatility earlier in the week, while gold gained 1.4 per cent. US benchmark crude slipped 12 cents to $57.30 per barrel, and Brent crude eased 13 cents to $60.72 per barrel.In currency markets, the US dollar strengthened to 156.85 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1733.

Punjab: Mann government expands pregnancy care at Aam Aadmi Clinics; 10,000 women get free ultrasounds in four months

The Punjab government has expanded pregnancy-related healthcare services at Aam Aadmi Clinics, with official data showing increased use of ante-natal care across the state within four months of the rollout.According to the government, more than 10,000 pregnant women have received free ultrasound scans during this period, while around 20,000 expectant mothers are now visiting Aam Aadmi Clinics every month for pregnancy-related check-ups. The initiative aims to strengthen early detection and monitoring at the primary healthcare level amid concerns over maternal health indicators in the state.Punjab records about 4.3 lakh pregnancies annually. Government data shows that fewer than 70% of pregnant women earlier received a first antenatal check-up and less than 60% completed the recommended four visits. The state’s maternal mortality ratio stands at 90 per one lakh live births, above the national average, highlighting gaps in regular monitoring and timely referrals.Under the expanded model, Aam Aadmi Clinics now provide a range of ante-natal tests, including blood tests, sugar, thyroid, haemoglobin, HIV and syphilis screening, along with foetal heart rate assessments. Where ultrasounds are required, doctors issue referral slips that allow women to undergo scans free of cost at nearly 500 government-empanelled private diagnostic centres. The market cost of an ultrasound typically ranges between Rs 800 and Rs 2,000.Officials said the system has helped identify around 5,000 high-risk pregnancies every month, enabling follow-up and referral to higher medical facilities when needed. The government estimates that free ultrasound services alone have provided financial relief of about Rs 1 crore so far.Punjab has 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, which form the backbone of its primary healthcare network. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh said the expansion of pregnancy care through these clinics is intended to improve access to essential services closer to home and reduce the burden on larger hospitals.The government said the focus remains on improving coverage, early diagnosis and continuity of care for mothers and newborns across the state.

England captain Ben Stokes speaks with coach Brendon McCullum (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

England captain Ben Stokes has strongly backed head coach Brendon McCullum ahead of the final Test of the Ashes 2025–26 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Even though England have already lost the series, Stokes made it clear that he still believes in McCullum and feels their partnership is very important for the team’s future.Stokes said he has no doubts about wanting McCullum to continue as England’s head coach. At the same time, he accepted that losing the Ashes means both of them must take a hard look at what has gone wrong and find ways to improve the team.

Speaking before the Sydney Test, Stokes said, “There is no doubt in my mind that Brendon and I are the right people to carry on doing this for the near future. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have worked with Brendon. I cannot see there being someone else who I could take this team with from where we are now to even bigger heights.”He added that the responsibility lies with both the captain and the coach to raise the team’s level. “So for us as captain and coach, when we do have the time off, we need to put our heads together and go, What is it that we think we need to do to go to the next level?’’ Stokes said.Brendon McCullum took charge of England’s men’s Test team in May 2022. His appointment marked the beginning of the aggressive and positive style of play known as “Bazball.” The approach brought quick success, and in 2024, McCullum was named England’s all-format coach. He officially began handling both Test and white-ball teams in January 2025.Under Stokes and McCullum, England made a strong start. They won 10 of their first 11 Test matches together, which raised expectations. However, results have been inconsistent since then. In their last 34 Tests, England have won 16 and lost 16, with two matches ending in draws. They have also failed to win a major five-Test series against traditional rivals Australia or India.In the ongoing Ashes series, England are trailing Australia 3-1. While the trophy is already out of reach, England will be keen to finish the tour on a positive note. The final Test begins on January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Stokes and his team will be aiming for a victory.

GHAZIABAD: The latest flashpoint in a bitter family feud was the decision of former Indian Air Force officer Yogesh Kumar to sell his house. “Kumar had asked both his sons to vacate the house,” said Loni ACP Siddharth Gautam, setting off a chain of events that ended in his murder the day after Christmas.Police have identified the killers as a Kaushambi-based constable, Naveen Kumar, and a 32-year-old man from Bulandshahr, both hired by Kumar’s sons, Nitesh and Guddu. The two sons allegedly provided the hitmen with Rs 5 lakh to carry out the attack. Naveen Kumar and the sons are currently absconding. The Bulandshahr man, who had a criminal past as a juvenile, has been arrested.The arrested man had been convicted in the infamous 2008 Barari massacre, in which he killed seven members of his uncle’s family, including a pregnant aunt and a two-year-old cousin. At the time, he was just 15 and sent to a correction home, while his father, the main accused, was sentenced to death in 2016. He has been living in Ghaziabad for several years and was a neighbour of Kumar in Ashok Vihar, Loni.Police said the accused had a personal grudge against Kumar, including disputes over feeding stray dogs in the locality, which made him an easy target for Nitesh and Guddu’s plan.Kumar had retired as an assistant warrant officer on July 31 last year. Police said the sons were motivated by a desire to access their father’s “hefty savings” and feared losing control over the property.According to police, the murder was meticulously planned. CCTV footage showed the accused and Naveen riding a Hero Xtreme bike on the day of the crime, their faces masked. Although the bike’s number plate had been removed, police traced its owner, who revealed it had been borrowed “to go shopping.” The accused was arrested from his residence, where he lives with his wife and two children. Naveen and the sons remain at large.ACP Gautam detailed the attack: “Nitesh and Guddu planned the murder with the accused on the terrace of Kumar’s house. The accused knew Naveen, who is a UP Police constable but had been on leave since August 2025. On the day of the murder, the accused hit Kumar with an iron rod. When Kumar fell to the ground, Naveen shot him in the head first. The accused fired a second bullet.” The attack occurred just 50 meters from Kumar’s house.An FIR has been registered at Loni police station, invoking murder charges along with sections of the Arms Act. Police are continuing the investigation to apprehend the remaining accused and probe whether the attack was premeditated or influenced by other disputes.