Central Ohio’s luxury real estate market closed out 2025 with several high-value residential transactions, as Franklin and Delaware counties recorded notable home sales during December. Property records show that the most expensive single-family home sold in Franklin County reached $2.45 million, while Delaware County’s top transaction closed at $1.2 million, reflecting continued demand for upscale housing across the region. In Franklin County, December’s highest-priced reside

European leaders have issued a coordinated response to renewed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, emphasizing that security in the Arctic must be addressed collectively and in full respect of international law. In a joint statement released on Tuesday, leaders from several major European nations underscored that Greenland’s status is not open to unilateral negotiation and reaffirmed the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement, si

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, January 5, alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, where both entered pleas of not guilty to charges filed against them in the United States. Addressing the court directly, Maduro asserted his position as the sitting president of Venezuela and described himself as a “prisoner of war,” claiming he was captured at his residence in Caracas. He maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and said he wished to personall

Property owners in central Ohio will see notable changes to property tax payment schedules beginning in 2026, as officials in Franklin County revise due dates and Delaware County advances the start of its billing cycle. County leaders emphasized that the adjustments are designed to improve administrative efficiency and provide taxpayers with more time to prepare payments, without altering the total amounts owed or disrupting existing payment plans.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Monday issued a sharp response following reports that United States forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, escalating already heightened tensions across Latin America. Petro’s remarks came in the wake of renewed warnings and threats from US President Donald Trump toward Venezuela, a country that has remained at the center of prolonged geopolitical friction in the region. In a message posted on social media, Petro suggested he

China has issued a strong response to recent actions taken by the United States in Venezuela, sharply criticizing what it described as unilateral behavior and calling for the immediate release of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The remarks came amid growing international attention to Washington’s role in the South American nation and broader concerns about adherence to international law and diplomatic norms. Speaking during high-level talks in Beijing with

Russian officials have sharply criticized European leaders over what they describe as inconsistent interpretations of international law, following recent statements by senior European Union figures on Venezuela’s political future. The remarks have added to growing diplomatic tensions at a time when conflicts and power struggles are reshaping global relations. Russia’s special envoy Kirill Dimitrev accused European democracies of applying selective standards when responding to in

A professional violinist has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that he was dismissed from a concert tour with actor and rapper Will Smith after reporting what he describes as a disturbing hotel room intrusion that raised serious safety and harassment concerns. The legal filing claims the termination amounted to retaliation and names both Smith and a management company connected to the tour as defendants. According to the complaint, the violinist, Brian Ki

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

Illinois will see a significant expansion of public safety and criminal justice reforms in 2026, as hundreds of new laws approved by the General Assembly take effect across the state. Among the most consequential measures are new requirements for firearm storage, expanded protections for crime victims, and updated procedures for law enforcement reporting and investigations. Lawmakers said the package of legislation reflects growing concerns about gun safety, violent crime, and gaps in service

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced a new financial incentive aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, offering cash payments and paid travel as part of a broader effort to accelerate deportations and reduce enforcement costs. The initiative, introduced ahead of the holiday season, is being framed by federal officials as a cost-effective alternative to traditional immigration enforcement measures. According to the Depar

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

Workers on Friday added President Donald Trump’s name to the exterior of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, marking the latest visible step following a recent decision by the institution’s board to adopt a new name. The change comes one day after the board voted to rename the landmark venue as the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” a move that has quickly drawn attention in Washington and beyond due to the center’s national prominence and its statutory ties to Congress. The r

The Trump administration on Thursday ordered an immediate suspension of the United States’ diversity visa lottery programme, citing national security concerns following deadly shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The directive was issued by the Department of Homeland Security after authorities confirmed that the suspect in the attacks had entered the country through the diversity visa programme, also known as the green card lottery. Homeland Security

Fresh delays in H-1B visa interviews following expanded social media screening by the United States government have left hundreds of Indian professionals stranded outside the country, creating serious uncertainty around their employment and legal status. Immigration attorneys say the extended checks have slowed consular operations significantly, pushing interview appointments months into the future and placing workers at risk of losing their jobs while waiting abroad. The US Department of St

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has signed an executive order initiating a significant change in federal marijuana policy, directing that cannabis be reclassified as a less dangerous drug under US law. The move represents one of the most notable shifts in national drug policy in recent years, although it stops short of legalizing marijuana for recreational use at the federal level. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the order would begin the process of

Bay Area cities moved quickly to strengthen security measures after reports of a deadly shooting during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, where two gunmen opened fire and killed 15 people. The incident sent shockwaves through Jewish communities worldwide and prompted heightened vigilance in cities across the United States as the Festival of Lights began. The tragedy weighed heavily on members of the Bay Area Jewish community as families and congregations gathered to mark