Ashton Kutcher’s estimated $200 million net worth has been built less through acting than through disciplined technology investing. Early stakes in Airbnb, Uber and Spotify, followed by Sound Ventures’ more than $1 billion under management, repositioned him as a serious capital allocator. Selective acting, strategic philanthropy and AI investments now reinforce a portfolio defined by scale, utility and long-term conviction.from US News Headlines, Latest USA News, US news live on Times of India https://ift.tt/u8q0z2X
A former Google engineer, Linwei Ding, has been convicted of stealing sensitive AI trade secrets, a case highlighting economic espionage concerns. Prosecutors revealed Ding transferred confidential data on Google's AI infrastructure to benefit China-linked firms. This verdict underscores the critical need to protect American technological leadership amid global competition.
A new government initiative will provide a $1,000 Trump Account for children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. This investment account, designed for long-term growth until age 18, aims to encourage early investing. Families can add their own contributions, with potential for significant growth depending on market performance and consistent funding.
The acting head of US federal cybersecurity, Madhu Gottumukkala, is under review for uploading internal government documents marked "For Official Use Only" into a public ChatGPT version. While officials state no classified information was involved and no malicious intent is alleged, the incident raises concerns given CISA's role in warning about AI data risks.
A California professor criticizes Texas' H-1B visa freeze, arguing it jeopardizes higher education's global competitiveness. He highlights renowned foreign-born scholars at UT Austin, emphasizing international talent's crucial role in research and academic excellence. Restricting these pathways, he warns, could significantly weaken US universities' long-term capacity and standing.
A VCU Health nurse was terminated after viral videos showed her advising on methods to harm and incapacitate ICE agents. The nurse suggested using syringes with anesthetics and poison ivy in water guns, and spiking drinks with laxatives. VCU Health stated the content was inappropriate and did not align with their values, initiating an investigation.
Centralia, Pennsylvania, once a thriving town, now stands as a ghost town due to an unending underground coal fire. Decades of abandonment have allowed nature to reclaim the land. Grasses, shrubs, and young trees cover former neighborhoods. Insects, birds, and small mammals have returned. This unintended nature reserve shows life's resilience even in a place deemed unsafe for human return.
Megyn Kelly faces widespread criticism for her lack of sympathy towards Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse fatally shot by federal agents. Kelly stated she doesn't feel sorry for Pretti, arguing that interfering with law enforcement operations escalates danger. Her remarks have drawn sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics questioning her empathy and religious beliefs.
While probing a marijuana-related tip, Shasta County law enforcement stumbled upon a concealed underground bunker brimming with illegal firearms. This shocking find, tied to a controversial MAGA supporter known for questioning election results, included assault rifles and a massive haul of ammunition.
Amid rising global tensions and a shrinking British Army, the idea of conscription has resurfaced in public debate, though ministers insist there are no plans to reinstate it. Experts suggest modern refusal would likely incur fines rather than imprisonment, with exemptions for essential workers and conscientious objectors. Polls show significant reluctance among younger adults, highlighting challenges if conscription were ever enforced.
Minnesota National Guard troops were seen distributing coffee and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters amid heightened tensions following a fatal shooting. Wearing reflective vests to avoid confusion with federal agents, their presence aimed to manage crowds and de-escalate the volatile situation, creating a striking contrast that fueled online debate.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asserts that tobacco companies, seeking new markets after facing smoking regulations, applied their "addiction science" to the ultra-processed food industry. He claims these companies engineered foods to maximize cravings and repeat consumption, contributing to America's obesity and chronic disease crisis. This perspective shifts the focus from individual choice to corporate influence and product design.
Texas A&M faces criticism for spending over $3.25 million on H-1B visas for hundreds of foreign workers, including non-teaching roles. Critics question this amid tech job pressures, while supporters highlight the need for specialized talent to maintain research and operations. The university's spending is compared to UT Dallas, fueling the debate.
In 2018, Anthony Akers, wanted by Washington authorities, turned a routine Facebook wanted post into a week-long online exchange. Commenting on the department’s notices with apologies, excuses, and humor, he delayed surrendering while engaging the public. Nearly a week later, he finally turned himself in, sharing a selfie outside the station. The unusual thread combined deflection, dark humor, and accountability.
Centralia, Pennsylvania, once a thriving coal town, was slowly erased by an underground fire ignited in 1962. Decades of uncontrollable flames forced residents to relocate, leaving streets empty and homes demolished. The blaze still burns today, making the town a hazardous, eerie relic. Its abandoned roads, cultural myth, and Graffiti Highway attract curiosity, a lasting reminder of industrial disaster’s enduring consequences.
Across the world, winter’s sudden freezes trigger sharp, gunshot-like cracks in trees, known as frost cracking. While branches may fall, fully “exploding” trees are extremely rare. Experts stress most cracks are harmless and self-heal, and caution that some dramatic viral videos are staged or manipulated for virality, rather than showing real danger.
Indian-origin tech leader Jigar Thakkar has been appointed Vice President of Amazon Quick Suite, spearheading Amazon's agentic AI workspace. With a distinguished career at Microsoft, including founding engineering for Teams, and a recent role at MSCI, Thakkar brings extensive experience to this pivotal AI initiative. His appointment highlights the growing influence of Indian talent in global tech leadership.
Five months before kickoff, the 2026 World Cup is being pulled into geopolitics, as Donald Trump’s rhetoric over Greenland strains US–Europe relations. While no European federation has committed to a boycott, politicians and football officials are openly debating withdrawal, raising the once-unthinkable prospect of a politically fractured World Cup.
Texas Republican AG candidate Aaron Reitz faced backlash for a social media post comparing Texas counties to Indian cities, sparking accusations of targeting a specific community. A Community Note highlighted a major donor, a Pakistani-American doctor indicted in a healthcare fraud case, raising questions about Reitz's campaign funding and alleged hypocrisy.
A viral video shows an eight-year-old boy, Max, crying after being called an "illegal immigrant" during a football game, despite being born in the US. His mother shared the clip to highlight the profound impact of bullying and anti-immigrant language on children, urging reflection on casual words and their lasting effects.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has condemned an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. She described the incident as "demoniac" and an attack on religious freedom, linking it to growing hostility towards faith in US politics. The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the disruption.
Far-right writer Curtis Yarvin sparked outrage by using an anti-India slur while praising India's Aadhaar biometric system over the US Social Security Number. His comments, made during a debate on outdated US identity systems and modern biometrics, drew widespread condemnation for their offensive nature, overshadowing the policy discussion.
Shri Kulkarni, an Indian-born astrophysicist from Maharashtra, has shaped modern astronomy while emerging from a family of exceptional achievers. Brother to Sudha Murty and brother-in-law to Narayana Murthy, he carried a tradition of intellectual ambition from India to Caltech, where his discoveries and instruments transformed how the universe is observed in motion.
SNL kicked off 2026 by hilariously imagining Stranger Things sequels, spin-offs, and absurd reboots. Highlights included Steve as a forever-teen drama teacher, Nancy covering the O.J. chase, Mike gossiping in Manhattan while writing a coming-of-age story about Eleven, and Ted Wheeler oblivious to Demogorgons. The sketch skewered franchise excess, viral fan obsessions like Conformity Gate, and the show’s long-running quirks, blending cringe and comedy.
Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, has resurfaced online dancing with Egyptian rapper Mohamed Ramadan for an upcoming music video. This marks her latest venture into the music industry, following previous releases and a collaboration with French Montana. The clip, filmed at Trump National Golf Club, has sparked considerable online criticism and mockery from netizens.
A Saturday Night Live sketch has folded Heated Rivalry into pop-culture shorthand, spoofing the HBO hockey romance through a Harry Potter parody packed with innuendo. With Finn Wolfhard, Ben Marshall and a surprise Jason Momoa cameo, the sketch reflects how quickly the series, already renewed for season two, has travelled from niche hit to mainstream reference point.
Mira Murati, former OpenAI CTO and founder of the $12 billion startup Thinking Machines Lab, has become one of tech’s most scrutinized figures. Public fascination spans her career, education, personal life, and net worth, prompting a surge of Google searches. Murati’s leadership, high-profile exits, and return of her founding team to OpenAI have intensified curiosity about her influence and decisions.
New York City has sued delivery app Motoclick for alleged wage theft while warning more than 60 platforms to comply with tougher worker protections by 26 January. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration says minimum pay, tipping transparency, distance limits and safety rules will be enforced, signalling a crackdown on what it calls predatory practices across the delivery economy.
Former AOC chief of staff Saikat Chakrabarti is launching a congressional bid in San Francisco, aiming to represent California's 11th District. The Indian-origin Democrat, a former Silicon Valley engineer, is positioning himself as a reform-driven challenger in a district long shaped by Nancy Pelosi, testing the future of Democratic leadership.
The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS reignited controversy after the CIA issued a rare Glomar response to a records request, refusing to confirm or deny holding information about it. While NASA insists the object is a harmless natural comet, the intelligence agency’s secrecy has fuelled speculation, amplified by Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, that the object warranted quiet scrutiny despite official reassurances.
Nearly 20 years after he vanished on a 2006 fishing trip, former Fossil, Oregon, mayor Ed Asher has been identified from skeletal remains found on a Washington beach. Forensic DNA confirmed his identity, closing a long-unsolved case. Asher, 72 at the time, had left behind a large family and a legacy of community service, finally linking his presumed drowning to certainty.
Former US envoy Nikki Haley has urged America to make China its top priority for visa restrictions, highlighting immigration and national security concerns. This statement emerges as the US prepares to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 nations, including Russia and Iran, starting January 2026, citing enhanced 'public charge' rule scrutiny.
Long before Silicon Valley's rise, American newspapers introduced the "IITian" through Dilbert's Asok, an impossibly smart, socially earnest engineer. This archetype, educated at India's IITs, highlighted corporate absurdity. Dilbert normalized the presence of immigrant engineers, making the "IIT" a signal for extreme intelligence and competence, subtly shaping perceptions ahead of their real-world prominence.
During a Michigan visit, President Trump appeared to react angrily to a heckler shouting an insult, with video showing him gesturing with an expletive and the middle finger. This incident occurs amid ongoing scrutiny over the handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a figure Trump has past associations with.
Donald Trump is seeking donations through a fundraising email. The message warns supporters of dire consequences if he faces impeachment again. It highlights potential changes to American lives if he does not meet fundraising deadlines. The email, shared online, has drawn criticism for its tone and appeal for money.
A UK High Court ruling has awarded a convicted double murderer £7,500 in damages and £234,000 in legal costs after judges found his prison segregation breached the European Convention on Human Rights. The decision has sparked political backlash in Britain, reopening debate over extremist prisoners, taxpayer-funded payouts and whether human rights law is undermining prison security and public confidence.
A 19-year-old from Mississippi faces federal arson charges for allegedly setting fire to the state's largest synagogue, Beth Israel Congregation. Investigators believe the attack, which caused extensive damage and loss of sacred items, was motivated by antisemitism. The incident highlights concerns about extremist online ideas translating into real-world violence, with authorities citing disturbing statements attributed to the suspect.
Donald Trump's 2018 tweet questioning US involvement as the "policeman of the Middle East" is resurfacing amid renewed Iran tensions and regional military actions. Users contrast his past calls to end costly foreign commitments with current US warnings to Tehran and ongoing strikes, highlighting debates over America's role in regional security.
Hollywood actors at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards wore "Be Good" pins to honor Renee Nicole Good, a poet fatally shot by ICE. The pins, seen on stars like Mark Ruffalo and Jean Smart, symbolize a call for restraint and humanity in immigration enforcement following her death. The incident has sparked protests and debate over celebrity activism at such events.
The US State Department has revoked over 100,000 visas in 2025, a record high, following President Trump's executive order for stricter vetting. This surge, impacting student, work, business, and tourist visas, is attributed to criminal activity, overstays, and enhanced screening, including a new 'continuous vetting' system.
Elon Musk announced he will seek full custody of his one-year-old son with Ashley St. Clair, citing concerns over her recent public remarks on gender identity. Musk stated St. Clair's statements suggested openness to gender transition for their child, prompting his move to protect their son's welfare.
Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, framed as a national security issue, coincides with significant investments by prominent businessmen like Ronald Lauder. Tech billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, through KoBold Metals, are also exploring the island for rare earth minerals, raising questions about strategic influence and growing American presence.
Bill Gates has gifted $7.9 billion to Melinda Gates' nonprofit, Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation, in a massive charitable transfer. This significant move, part of a post-divorce agreement, instantly elevates her foundation to one of the world's most well-funded private charities. The funds will support initiatives in mental health, reducing political violence, and women's workplace leadership.
A man was arrested near Philadelphia's Mount Moriah Cemetery with approximately 100 human skulls and other body parts, linked to weeks of grave robberies. Investigators found extensive remains, including torsos and mummified limbs, at the suspect's home and a storage unit. The motive for the desecration of the historic burial ground remains under investigation.
Barron Trump, now 19 and an NYU sophomore, is quietly taking elocution lessons to refine his speech and build confidence, according to family sources. Raised multilingual under Melania Trump’s close watch, his accent reflects his upbringing. The effort isn’t about fame, but privacy, self-definition, and preparing for a future where every word may be scrutinized.
Vivek Ramaswamy's social media departure follows a resurfaced excerpt from his book, sparking accusations of casteism. The original text, however, aimed to explain social hierarchy using personal anecdotes, not to boast. This incident highlights how social media distorts context, fueling divisive narratives and contributing to Ramaswamy's decision to step away from online platforms.
The US military’s E-4B Nightwatch, the airborne command centre designed for nuclear war and national catastrophe, was spotted on an unusual multi-city flight, prompting scrutiny. The rare public appearance drew attention to the aircraft’s role as the National Airborne Operations Center, its extreme survivability features, and its function within the US nuclear command system during worst-case scenarios.
US President Donald Trump, speaking during a White House meeting with oil executives on Venezuela, again claimed he stopped a looming India–Pakistan war, saying “eight planes were shot down” before he intervened. He argued that his role in resolving multiple conflicts, including between the nuclear-armed neighbours, made him deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, repeating assertions he has made in earlier interviews.
President Donald Trump took a call from Fox News during a New York Times interview. The interview, held in the Oval Office, was interrupted multiple times by phone calls. Trump also spoke with Colombian leader Gustavo Petro. This marked a rare extended engagement with the Times, a publication Trump has often criticized.