San Francisco state and city leaders announced a proposed legislative change Monday aimed at expanding the use of court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment as part of an effort to confront the city’s ongoing mental health crisis. The announcement was made during a morning press conference outside San Francisco City Hall, where officials described the proposal as a significant shift in how treatment for severe mental illness is handled in California. Mayor Daniel Lurie joined mem

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the 2026 tax filing season will officially begin on Monday, Jan. 26, giving taxpayers the green light to submit their 2025 individual income tax returns. The agency expects to process approximately 164 million returns during the upcoming season, with the vast majority filed electronically. Officials say new tax law provisions could lower tax liabilities for some filers and potentially increase refund amounts, while operational changes may alter

President Donald Trump’s recently announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies are expected to have a limited effect on what most Americans pay for prescription drugs, according to health policy experts who say the scope and structure of the deals leave many patients unaffected. Since Sept. 30, the Trump administration has reached agreements with 14 drugmakers in exchange for relie

India has ushered in a new phase of insurance regulation with Parliament clearing the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, a move that comes at a time when trust between insurers and policyholders is increasingly strained. For millions of Indians, insurance is ultimately judged not by policy documents or premium receipts but by the ease and fairness of claim settlement. Delays, repeated document requests, late-stage exclusions, and opaque rejections have long plag

The Union government has sought additional information from social media platform X regarding the steps taken to address obscene and sexually explicit content linked to its artificial intelligence tool, Grok, and the measures planned to prevent similar incidents in the future, according to sources familiar with the matter. The request follows a detailed response submitted by the platform, which officials have assessed as insufficient in addressing key regulatory concerns. Sources in

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

As India moves toward 2026, the political spotlight will not only be on major Assembly elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, but also on a massive churn in the Rajya Sabha. As many as 75 seats in the Upper House of Parliament are set to fall vacant across April, June and November 2026, potentially reshaping the balance of power between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA alliance. These vacancies span a wide range of states, including Uttar Pradesh,

Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan made strong and clear remarks on the state’s political future, stating that the NDA alliance must continue in power for at least the next 15 years to ensure long-term stability. Addressing the current political climate, he issued a firm warning to the opposition

Nitish Kumar has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time, solidifying his long-standing political dominance in the state. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Patna’s iconic Gandhi Maidan, a venue that has witnessed several milestone political events over the decades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony, marking his presence for the first time since skipping the 2020 oath-taking. The event drew national attention as leaders from across the National

Union Minister Giriraj Singh reacted strongly to the early trends of the 2025 Bihar Assembly election, declaring that the emerging mandate clearly belongs to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. With the NDA gaining a comfortable lead during the initial hours of counting, he insisted that the people of Bihar had rejected what he termed as jungle raj and corruption, choosing instead a government that prioritises stability and development. Singh, who represents Begusarai in the Lok Sabha,

In the run-up to the Bihar Assembly election results, 11 exit polls have given the NDA a clear majority, while Axis My India stands apart by predicting a much closer contest. According to its survey, the NDA may win between 121 and 140 seats, the Mahagathbandhan 98 to 118, and Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party between zero and two. With the majority mark set at 122, this projection puts the NDA on the edge of a tight race. Which aggregates multiple surveys, suggests the NDA will

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc during his rallies in Darbhanga, Begusarai, and Samastipur, mocking Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sonia Gandhi for allegedly promoting dynastic politics. Shah claimed that both leaders wanted to make their sons Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister but “both posts were not vacant.” His remark sparked strong reactions as the BJP intensified its campaign ahead of the Bihar Assembly electio

Thousands of demonstrators across the United States took to the streets on Saturday for the “No Kings” protests, a series of nationwide rallies denouncing President Donald Trump’s leadership and the ongoing government shutdown. The events brought a mix of political activism and festive energy to city squares, parks, and the nation’s capital, as participants called for accountability, the protection of democratic institutions, and an end to what they described as authoritarian tendenci

Thousands of Americans gathered across the country on Saturday as part of the expanding “No Kings” protests, a growing grassroots movement challenging the leadership and policies of President Donald Trump. From major metropolitan centers to smaller towns, citizens voiced their concerns over what they describe as an erosion of democratic principles, rising authoritarianism, and government overreach. The movement’s slogan, “No Kings,” symbolizes a call to uphold the constitutional bal

Amid the continuing federal government shutdown, $2.1 billion in funding designated for Chicago’s infrastructure projects has been withheld. The announcement has cast doubt on the future of several major transit improvements that were expected to reshape the city’s transportation network and provide long-term benefits to residents. This freeze on financial support will have direct consequences for projects such as the planned extension of the Red Line, which was designed to reach fur

As the 2025 Bihar elections approach, the debate over whether AIMIM should join the RJD-led Grand Alliance has sparked heated political discussions. AIMIM’s Bihar chief Akhtarul Iman created a buzz by reaching Lalu Prasad Yadav’s residence with drumbeaters and declaring the party’s willingness to join the Opposition bloc. AIMIM even offered to contest only six seats in the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region without demanding ministerial posit

CP Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, has been elected as India’s next Vice President, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar. The 68-year-old BJP veteran secured a clear victory today by polling 452 first preference votes, while Opposition-backed candidate and retired Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy managed 300 votes. The results underscored not only the NDA’s parliamentary stren