For nearly a century, humanity has imagined a future where cars drive themselves. From early cinematic visions to ambitious lab experiments, the idea of autonomous vehicles has fascinated engineers, filmmakers, and everyday commuters alike. In 2025, that long-standing dream has finally reached public roads at scale. Driverless robotaxis are no longer experimental concepts hidden behind research labs. They are active, revenue-generating services operating in major global cities, marking a majo

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

Waymo, the self-driving technology company owned by Alphabet, may soon introduce a new digital co-passenger inside its robotaxis. The company is reportedly experimenting with integrating Google’s Gemini AI chatbot into its autonomous vehicles, allowing riders to converse with an onboard assistant that ca

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

Texas Original has opened a new medical cannabis facility that significantly expands its operational capacity as Texas continues to broaden access under the state’s Compassionate Use Program. The newly launched site, located along FM 969, represents a major step forward for the company, consolidating every stage of production under a single roof and positioning the organization for long-term growth as patient demand increases. The 75,000-square-foot facility is nearly ten times la

Snowfall in Saudi Arabia is an exceptionally rare event, but what unfolded this winter across parts of the kingdom’s northern desert regions has raised global concern. Areas such as Tabuk and nearby mountainous zones witnessed temperatures plunge below normal, desert hills coated in snow, and official weather alerts issued for conditions usually associated with colder climates. While the visuals of camels walking across snow-covered sands captured global attention, the deeper message behind

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has publicly criticised the recently concluded India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a low-quality deal that undermines New Zealand’s economic and labour interests. His remarks come just days after India and New Zealand announced the successful conclusion of FTA negotiations, which both governments claim could significantly boost bil

Sheikh Hasina has accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of losing control of Bangladesh as the country faces growing unrest, rising extremism, and weakening ties with India. The former Prime Minister said that violence has become routine and that the current administration appears unable to stop attacks targeting civilians, minorities, and institutions. Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical student leader, was shot in Dhaka on December 12 and later died from his injuries. His dea

Shocking new details have surfaced about last weekend’s mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The attack killed 15 people and left over 40 injured, including two police officers. Court documents released on Monday indicate that the accused gunmen, Sajid Akram and his father Naveed Akram, conducted specialised weapons training before carrying out the shooting. Police allege the pair practiced at

Fans attending Chicago Bears games at Soldier Field will now have a new option for verifying their age when purchasing alcohol, as the stadium begins accepting digital Illinois driver’s licenses and state identification cards stored in Apple Wallet. The update takes effect starting Saturday, coinciding with the Bears’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers, marking a significant step in the expansion of mobile identification use at major sporting venues. Illinois Secretary of Sta

Fans attending Saturday night’s primetime matchup at Soldier Field will have a new way to stay warm as the Chicago Bears introduce a distinctly local twist on a classic cold-weather beverage. A Chicago-style hot chocolate, crafted specifically for the game against the Green Bay Packers, will make its debut inside the stadium, offering supporters a combination of comfort and regional character. The beverage blends traditional hot cocoa with Jeppson’s Malört and Amaretto, creatin

The world’s richest individual added significantly to his fortune after a major legal reversal in the United States. The Delaware Supreme Court on Friday cleared Elon Musk’s long-disputed $56 billion compensation package from Tesla, overturning a lower court ruling that had invalidated the 2018 pay plan. The decision marked a pivotal moment in a case that has drawn global attention to executive compensation, corporate governance, and shareholder rights at one of the world’s most valuabl

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

Federal prosecutors have charged the founder of Irving-based Tricolor Holdings with orchestrating a years-long scheme that allegedly defrauded major lenders of nearly $1 billion, marking a dramatic collapse for a company once positioned as a key provider of auto loans to borrowers with poor credit histories. Authorities announced the charges Wednesday alongside the arrests of two former top executives and guilty pleas from two others. According to an indictment unsealed in federal c

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

A children’s costume sold through Amazon has been recalled after federal safety officials determined it contains prohibited toxic chemicals, prompting an urgent warning to parents and caregivers. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall on Dec. 11, advising consumers to immediately remove the costume from children’s access and destroy it to prevent potential harm. The recall involves SKCAIHT-branded costumes designed to resemble mermaid or princess outfit

Warner Bros Discovery has officially rejected Paramount Skydance’s massive $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid, stating that the proposal lacked credible financial backing and posed serious risks to shareholders. In a regulatory filing addressed to investors, the company’s board made it clear that Paramount’s offer could not match the certainty, stability, and financial strength presented by Netflix’s competing merger proposal. According to the board, Paramount repeatedly cl

The United States has paused a multi-billion-pound investment programme in British technology, dealing a significant setback to relations between Washington and London amid ongoing trade disagreements. The decision places the £31bn tech prosperity deal on hold, halting a package that had been presented by the UK government as a cornerstone of its economic and diplomatic strategy with the US. The agreement, unveiled during Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, was described by Pri