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

A significant legal challenge to the steep increase in H-1B visa fees has suffered a major setback after a US District Court ruled that the federal government acted within its legal authority. The ruling has delivered a blow to business and employer groups that argued the move would restrict access to skilled foreign talent, even as the H-1B visa programme continues to face mounting pressure from stricter regulations and prolonged processing delays across the globe. The decision was i

Gmail users could soon see one of the most requested features finally becoming a reality. Google appears to be preparing a major update that may allow users to change their “@gmail.com” email address, something that has traditionally been permanent since the day an account was created. While Google has long allowed users with non-Gmail login emails to update their address, those using a Gmail ID have largely been locked in, until now. Interestingly, early signs suggest that India could be

Several new state laws aimed at improving worker pay, expanding health care protections, and strengthening consumer safeguards are set to take effect across Virginia on Jan. 1, marking one of the most wide-ranging policy updates in recent years. The measures touch on issues ranging from minimum wage increases to medical billing practices and digital protections for children, reflecting priorities lawmakers say are rooted in everyday concerns of residents. Political analyst Leslie Ca

Meta is preparing a major comeback to the artificial intelligence industry with two new models named Mango and Avocado, expected to launch in the first half of 2026. These models are designed to challenge the dominance of OpenAI and Google, who currently lead the AI landscape. Mango will focus on generating high-quality images and videos, while Avocado will serve as Meta’s next large language model, built for text generation, complex reasoning, and coding capabilities. Both models are being

Google has launched Gemini 3 Flash as its new default AI model across the Gemini app and Search, saying it delivers faster performance and stronger reasoning skills than previous releases. The company claims Gemini 3 Flash not only surpasses 2.5 Flash, but also comes close to matching its advanced Pro model. The move strengthens Google’s position in the competitive AI market, where OpenAI recently released GPT-5.2. With Gemini 3 Flash now becoming the primary experience for millions of user

The Occupational English Test, widely known as OET, has become one of the most recognised English-language examinations for healthcare professionals aiming to work, study or qualify in English-speaking countries. Designed specifically for the medical and health sectors, the test evaluates candidates on the type of language skills they will need in real clinical environments rather than in general communication. Managed by the Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust, a collaboration betwee

The Andhra Pradesh government is pushing forward with high-speed development to transform Vizag into one of India’s biggest AI and cloud-technology hubs. A major milestone in this journey is the AI-powered data centre project being led by Raiden Infotech, associated with Google, approved in October 2025. The initiative is expected to bring a massive USD 15 billion investment into the state over the coming years. Nearly 1 GW of data-centre capacity is planned across Vizag and Anakapalli, mak

Eli Lilly reached a historic milestone on Friday when it briefly surpassed a $1 trillion market capitalization, becoming the first health-care company in the world to enter a territory long dominated by technology giants. The company’s stock hovered near $1,048 per share during morning trading, touching the trillion-dollar threshold before pulling back slightly. It is only the second nontechnology business in the United States to reach this valuation, following Berkshire Hathaway’s climb

The Department of Education’s decision to exclude nursing from its updated definition of a “professional degree” has set off widespread concern among national nursing organizations, which argue the change could significantly restrict access to advanced nursing education and deepen the country’s ongoing workforce shortage. The redefinition comes as part of the federal government’s implementation of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping measure that r

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has urged caution as global enthusiasm for artificial intelligence continues to fuel record valuations and intense competition across the technology sector. In an interview, Pichai described the present moment as remarkable for innovation, yet marked by clear signs that investor expectations may be stretching beyond what the industry can sustain. His comments arrive at a time when comparisons to previous periods of market exuberance, particularly the late

Warren Buffett has long admitted that one of his biggest investing oversights was failing to buy shares of Google in its early years. Two decades later, that regret has turned into action. Berkshire Hathaway has disclosed a new position in Alphabet Inc valued at approximately 4.3 billion US dollars, marking one of the most notable shifts in the firm’s long-standing investment philosophy. The announcement immediately boosted market sentiment around Alphabet, with shares rising after the fili

Santa Clara County’s recently approved sales tax increase has triggered a growing conflict among its supporters, with county officials, law enforcement leaders and community advocates divided over how the revenue should be distributed. The dispute centers on Measure A, a five-eighths-cent sales tax increase approved by 57% of voters, which county leaders described as a critical source of funding for the region’s strained public hospital system. Now, disagreements over future budget alloca

Andhra Pradesh is quickly emerging as a major technology and data hub in India, with global giants like Google and Reliance investing heavily in the state. Following Google’s announcement of a Rs 87,000 crore mega data center, Reliance has now confirmed plans to establish a 1 GW AI-powered data center in Andhra Pradesh. The project will be powered by a 6 GWp solar energy initiative, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and green technology infrastructure.

​Anthropic announced plans on Wednesday to invest $50 billion in a large-scale U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure initiative, beginning with new data center projects in Texas and New York. The company said the facilities will serve as core components of its long-term strategy to accelerate research and support enterprise clients across industries that depend on high-performance AI systems. The data centers will be developed in collaboration with Fluidstack, an AI cloud platfo

Open enrollment for Covered California began Monday with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joining state and local officials in encouraging residents to enroll early in health coverage. The new enrollment period opens against a backdrop of financial uncertainty, as ongoing federal funding debates threaten to reshape the affordability of health insurance for millions across the state. This year’s enrollment marks a critical moment for the state’s health care marketplace. Covered Calif

Reports have surfaced that Google is secretly building an artificial intelligence data centre on Christmas Island, a remote Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. According to a Reuters investigation, the facility is believed to be connected to a military cloud computing deal between Google and the Australian Department of Defence. The island, strategically positioned for maritime monitoring, is said to provide an ideal location for advanced AI and surveillance infrastructure. In

A senior pharmaceutical executive collapsed during an Oval Office event where former U.S. President Donald Trump was announcing a new initiative to reduce the prices of obesity drugs. The incident caused a sudden interruption to the live broadcast of the announcement, which was centered on a major agreement between the Trump administration and leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. According to eyewitnesses, the executive, later identified as Gordon Findlay of Novo Nordisk, lost his

CVS Health has announced plans to close 16 Oak Street Health primary care clinics across the United States by the end of February 2026, citing the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen its financial position and long-term sustainability. The closures follow a comprehensive review of the company’s clinic operations and come amid a changing healthcare landscape that has placed significant pressure on medical providers. The decision arrives two years after CVS Health acquire

WASHINGTON — Thousands of District residents could soon lose critical dental and vision benefits as Washington, D.C. prepares to overhaul its Medicaid program starting January 1, 2026. The city’s decision to reduce Medicaid eligibility and transition many enrollees into a new system known as the Healthy DC Plan has sparked deep concern among healthcare providers and community advocates. The upcoming changes follow a decision to lower the income threshold for Medicaid eligibility