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.

Chicago’s newly approved budget is now in effect, introducing a series of tax changes that will be rolled out in stages throughout the year. While some measures began immediately on Jan. 1, others are scheduled to take effect in the coming weeks and months, gradually reshaping costs for consumers and businesses across the city. Among the changes that began with the start of the new year is an increase in the checkout bag tax. Shoppers now pay 15 cents per grocery bag, up from the

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

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

Mickey Lee, a former contestant on the reality television series Big Brother, has died at the age of 35 after suffering multiple cardiac arrests linked to complications from the flu, according to a statement released by her family. The announcement was shared publicly on Friday through Lee’s official Instagram account, one day after her death on Thursday. In their message, Lee’s family reflected on her impact both on and off television, describing her as a person whose authentic

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

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

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

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

US President Donald Trump has announced an ambitious plan to revive American naval dominance with the creation of a new class of heavily armed battleships named after himself. The announcement was made from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he introduced what he called the Golden Fleet, a sweeping initiative aimed at modernising and expanding the US Navy through large-scale shipbuildi

Erika Kirk, chief executive officer of Turning Point USA and widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has publicly endorsed US Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 presidential election, marking a notable moment in the early shaping of the next presidential race. The endorsement represents the first major institutional backing for Vance from within the conservative grassroots movement and signals growing consolidation of support among influential Republican-aligned organizations.

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

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has told a federal court that construction of a new White House ballroom must proceed, arguing that national security concerns and presidential authority outweigh objections raised by a historic preservation organization seeking to halt the project. The position was outlined in a detailed court filing submitted Monday in response to a lawsuit challenging the demolition of the East Wing and the planned expansion of the Executive Mansion. The la

Kolkata witnessed a rare convergence of global sporting excellence and popular culture on Saturday, December 13, as legendary footballer Lionel Messi arrived in the city as part of his three-day GOAT India tour. The visit transformed the city into a focal point of international attention, with fans, sports enthusiasts, and cultural observers closely following every development surrounding the Argentine icon’s presence. The historic Yuva Bharti stadium served as the backdrop for a series of

Ohio lawmakers advanced significant revisions to the state’s recreational marijuana framework on Tuesday as the Senate approved Senate Bill 56 following months of debate. The measure passed with a 22-7 vote and now awaits consideration from the governor. The legislation introduces new limits on public consumption, transportation, and permissible equipment while maintaining the foundation of the voter-approved recreational cannabis system. These changes come less than a year after Ohio resid

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday put a temporary halt to the State government's order that mandated one day of paid menstrual leave per month for women employees across industries. The policy, issued through a notification on November 20, extended paid menstrual leave to permanent, contractual and outsourced women workers employed in establishments covered under the Factories Act, the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, the Plantation Labour Act, the Motor Transport Workers

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

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese married his partner, Jodie Haydon, in an intimate ceremony held on Saturday at the Lodge, marking the first time a sitting Australian leader has wed while in office. The event, set against the backdrop of Canberra’s official residence, brought together close family members and a select group of friends following the final parliamentary sitting day for 2025. The couple’s decision to keep the wedding private underscored their desire for a personal