Apple has emerged as the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer in 2025, overtaking long-time rival Samsung in global shipments, according to the latest industry analysis. The milestone marks a significant shift in the global smartphone market, ending a 14-year period during which Samsung consistently held the top position in worldwide shipments. Industry data shows that Apple recorded the highest year-on-year growth among the top five smartphone brands, capturing a 20 percent sh

Australia has moved India into its highest-risk category for student visa applicants, a decision that will result in stricter scrutiny and longer processing timelines for thousands of prospective students. The change, implemented under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework, takes effect from January 8, 2026, and represents an out-of-cycle reclassification driven by concerns over emerging integrity risks in the student visa system. Under the revised framework, India has bee

A large new T.J. Maxx store is set to open in one of Chicago’s most active retail districts, further strengthening Lincoln Park’s position as a major shopping destination. The off-price retailer will occupy a prominent 26,000-square-foot space at 939 W. North Avenue, located at the southeast corner of North Avenue and Sheffield Avenue, according to a recent announcement from the development team behind the project. The store will serve as a key anchor tenant within a renovated c

A River North restaurant has earned national attention for its distinctive blend of design and cuisine, marking another milestone for Chicago’s evolving dining scene. Crying Tiger, which opened in October at 51 W. Hubbard St., has been named among the most beautiful new restaurants in America for 2025, according to a recently released national ranking highlighting standout hospitality spaces across the country. The restaurant was recognized for its ability to merge Chicago’s ind

Warren Buffett formally stepped down as chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway on the final day of 2025, ending a 60-year tenure that reshaped American corporate history. The transition, long anticipated by investors and company insiders, marks the close of one of the most influential leadership runs in global business. At the age of 95, Buffett will remain chairman of the holding company he transformed from a struggling textile firm into a diversified conglomerate valued at more than

Illinois is set to enter 2026 with sweeping changes to state policy as more than 200 new laws take effect at the start of the year, touching nearly every aspect of daily life. The legislation approved by lawmakers spans healthcare access, workplace protections, public safety, education standards, insurance coverage and the growing role of artificial intelligence, marking one of the most expansive legislative updates in recent years. Several of the most consequential measures focus o

Success stories in technology are often presented as clean narratives of vision, speed and inevitable triumph. An idea is born, a product is launched, and adoption follows. For students and young entrepreneurs trying to understand how innovation truly unfolds, these stories can feel motivating yet incomplete. The more useful insights frequently emerge not from success, but from missteps that expose the limits of confidence, timing and execution. That perspective was at the center of

With just days left before the December 31, 2025 deadline, taxpayers across India are being urged to check whether their PAN is linked with Aadhaar. The warning comes from the Income Tax Department, which has made it clear that failure to complete the linking process on time could lead to serious financial and tax-related disruptions. PAN Aadhaar linking is the process of connecting an ind

Gold prices are hovering near record highs across both global and domestic markets, supported by a rare convergence of powerful macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. Investors tracking precious metals are increasingly questioning whether the rally still has momentum left or if prices are nearing exhaustion after a sharp multi-year run. Market experts say the surge in gold prices is not being driven by a single trigger. Instead, a combination of safe-haven demand, aggressive centra

An Indian student from Telangana pursuing higher education in the United States has died under suspicious circumstances, triggering concern among the Indian diaspora and student communities. The deceased has been identified as Pawan Kumar Reddy, a native of Melladuppalapalli village in Nalgonda district. The incident reportedly occurred late at night while he was having dinner with his friends.

Canada and the United Kingdom emerged as dependable alternatives for Indian students seeking overseas education, especially as uncertainty around US work visas grew. Clear post-study work routes, predictable immigration rules, and relatively stable visa approval trends helped both countries attract hundreds of thousands of Indian students. However, policy changes in 2025 are reshaping that confidence and forcing students and families to reassess long-held assumptions about studying abroad.

Gold prices have surged to a new all-time high as 2025 approaches its final days, marking one of the strongest rallies ever seen in the precious metals market. Spot gold climbed to a record level above $4,500 per ounce in early Asian trade, extending a remarkable year-long run that has delivered gains of more than 70 percent so far this year. Silver and platinum have also joined the rally, underlining that the momentum is not limited to gold alone but reflects broader strength across precious

Gold and silver prices have surged to record highs as investors rush back to precious metals, turning them into one of the strongest signals of global economic anxiety. A year that began cautiously is ending with aggressive buying, driven by inflation concerns, interest rate expectations, geopolitical tensions, and fears emerging from global bond markets. On Tuesday, gold prices climbed sharply, with spot gold rising to fresh all-time highs and futures also posting strong gains. Sil

Japan’s central bank on Thursday began its final policy meeting of the year, with markets widely expecting a further increase in benchmark interest rates as officials continue the gradual shift away from years of ultra-loose monetary policy. The decision, scheduled to be announced on Friday, could mark the highest borrowing costs Japan has seen in three decades, underscoring the Bank of Japan’s determination to normalize policy amid persistent inflation pressures. Market pricing

A small family-run restaurant in Jersey City has become a standout success story in the local dining scene, driven by determination, cultural pride, and an unlikely culinary journey. Korai Kitchen, the city’s first Bangladeshi restaurant, is operated by a mother-daughter duo whose path to national recognition began without formal training or professional kitchen experience. Chef and owner Nur-E Gulshan Rahman opened Korai Kitchen alongside her daughter, Nur-E Farhana, in February

California regulators have warned Tesla that its license to sell electric vehicles in the state could be temporarily suspended early next year unless the automaker revises how it markets its self-driving technology. The warning follows a legal decision concluding that Tesla misled consumers for years by overstating the capabilities of its driver assistance systems, particularly through the use of the terms Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. In a decision released late Tuesday, an admi

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been selected for the prestigious Business Reformer of the Year award by The Economic Times, earning nationwide recognition for his push to transform the state into a major investment destination. The award highlights the renewed momentum in business policy, infrastructure development and industrial expansion under his leadership. With a strong focus on investor confidence and governance reforms, Naidu has positioned Andhra Pradesh as a key

WASHINGTON — A symbolic farewell is being planned in the nation’s capital this weekend as residents gather to mark the end of US penny production, following the federal government’s decision to stop minting the one-cent coin. The event, scheduled for Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial, reflects a mix of civic ritual, historical reflection, and public response to a monetary change that closes a chapter stretching back more than two centuries. Organizers describe the gathering as