WASHINGTON — As the holiday shopping season accelerates, consumer protection officials are warning residents to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated gift card scams. District Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a public consumer alert on Monday, cautioning shoppers about a growing form of retail fraud known as gift card draining, which has become more prevalent during peak gift-giving periods. According to Schwalb’s office, gift card draining differs from traditi

Silicon Valley’s commercial real estate sector is experiencing a period of striking contrasts, according to the latest quarterly analysis from Joint Venture Silicon Valley. The region continues to see both strong demand for leased space and a notable slowdown in new development, creating a complex environment for investors, developers, and employers. Between January and September 2025, developers added approximately 5.6 million square feet of new office and industrial space across

A 38-year-old woman doctor from Hyderabad died by suicide inside her flat after experiencing emotional distress over the rejection of her US visa application. The tragic incident came to light on Saturday morning when her domestic help alerted the family after repeated knocks at the door went unanswered. The family broke into the flat only to find her lifeless. A suicide note recovered from the scene reportedly mentioned that she had been battling deep disappointment and depression ever since

The luxury housing market in central Ohio recorded another strong month in October, with Franklin County leading high-end sales as the most expensive property reached a price of $2.4 million. Delaware County also saw significant movement in the upper tier of its residential market, where two homes tied for the top position at $1.5 million each. Together, the regions reflected a steady appetite for premium real estate across several of the area’s most sought-after communities. In F

Dublin, California — The City of Dublin is inviting residents to attend two public Zoom meetings to learn more about the proposed Sunflower Hill at Grace Pointe, a 60-unit affordable housing project designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The development, a partnership between Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), aims to provide long-term independent living opportunities while enhancing accessibility and inclusion in the Tri-Valley

Leaked internal documents have exposed a shocking revelation about Meta, suggesting the company earned an estimated $16 billion annually from scam and fraudulent advertisements across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Despite publicly claiming to prioritize user safety and ad transparency, these documents show a deep conflict between Meta’s financial gains and its enforcement of ad integrity policies. According to the leaked materials reviewed by Reuters,

Texas homeowners and landlords now have stronger legal authority to protect their properties as two new state laws officially take effect. Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 1333 are designed to stop squatters, speed up eviction proceedings, and give property owners faster access to justice. For years, Texas landlords and property managers have faced an ongoing struggle against squatters occupying vacant or abandoned homes. These unauthorized occupants have often been difficult to remove,

A wave of fraudulent text messages has resurfaced across Illinois, falsely warning residents of unpaid traffic tickets and threatening immediate penalties if payment is not made within 24 hours. The messages claim to come from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and include alarming statements about possible suspension of vehicle registration, prosecution, credit score impact, and extra toll fees. Officials have confirmed that these messages are fake and part of an ongoing scam designed t

Nvidia made history on Wednesday by becoming the first publicly traded company to achieve a market capitalization of $5 trillion, marking a defining moment in the global technology and artificial intelligence landscape. The milestone underscores the company’s rapid evolution from a graphics chip producer into the backbone of the worldwide AI revolution, firmly establishing its leadership in a sector reshaping economies and industries. The Santa Clara, California-based firm’s sto

New Jersey continues to stand out in the national housing market, once again placing several of its ZIP codes among the most expensive in the United States. According to recent real estate data, six New Jersey communities ranked within the top 100 priciest ZIP codes nationwide, reflecting the state’s sustained appeal among high-income residents and luxury homebuyers. At the forefront is Alpine in Bergen County, whose ZIP code 07620 tied for 13th place with the renowned Beverly Hil

A horrific bus accident on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route claimed 12 lives when a Volvo bus caught fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Friday. The Kaveri Travels bus, carrying around 40 passengers, began its journey from Hyderabad at midnight. Around 3:30 am, it collided with a two-wheeler near Ullindakonda on NH-44, leading to a spark that quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames. Within minutes, the fire spread throughout the AC bus, leaving passengers trapped as many

San Jose’s cooling pipeline for conventional homebuilding has put unusual emphasis on one small-scale format that continues to deliver results: accessory dwelling units. Backed by a wave of California legislation that curbed local barriers and clarified property rights, ADUs—once a niche backyard project—have evolved into a central element of the city’s growth strategy. Because they are constructed on existing lots and typically require fewer discretionary approvals than multifamily p

The San Jose metropolitan area has topped a national ranking — but for reasons that signal growing trouble for California’s housing market. According to a recent HomeAbroad report analyzing U.S. Census Bureau data, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region recorded the steepest drop in residential construction permits among the country’s 100 largest metro areas, with a staggering 68% decline over five years. In July 2020, the region issued 1,949 building permits. By July 2025,

The Deccan Derby 2025, presented by the Race2Win Foundation, was an unforgettable evening that masterfully combined the thrill of horse racing with the glamour of high fashion and the power of philanthropy. Hosted at the iconic Hyderabad Race Club, the event was a celebration of not just the prestigious Derby, but also the timeless elegance of fashion, culture, and the foundation’s unwavering commitment to social impact.

A plan to build one of Cupertino’s first 100 percent affordable housing projects, designed to support some of the community’s most vulnerable residents, has stirred opposition from neighbors concerned about safety and parking. The proposed project, located along Mary Avenue, aims to create 40 affordable homes on a 0.79-acre site. Out of these, 19 homes would be reserved for adults and families with children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, while 20 u

Indian actor Jr NTR, who has earned global attention through his performances in Telugu cinema and his recent Bollywood debut, met United States Consul General Laura Williams in Hyderabad. The meeting highlighted not only his film career but also the growing cultural and creative ties between India and the United States. Williams shared her thoughts publicly, appreciating the actor’s projects filmed in the US and underlining how such ventures contribute to economic and cultural partners

The political spotlight in Telangana is firmly on the Jubilee Hills by-election, and a surprise development has stirred fresh speculation. Former Jubilee Hills MLA P. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy’s meeting with MLC Kavitha at her residence has triggered widespread political chatter. While Vishnu Vardhan stated that his visit was only to invite her to a family event, insiders believe the Jubilee Hills by-poll was also on the agenda.

Houston, once a leader in apartment construction, is seeing a significant slowdown in 2025. According to national apartment search site RentCafe, the city is set to deliver just 14,439 new apartments in 2025 Fan alarming 37.6% drop compared to the previous year. This comes as the city, which had seen a record 49,149 new apartments in 2023-2024, grapples with higher construction costs, rising interest rates, and flat rents.

San Jose city leaders have taken a firm stand against absentee landlords who allow properties to fall into neglect and create hazards for surrounding communities. In a unanimous decision, the City Council approved a dramatic increase in daily fines for code violations tied to blighted properties, raising the penalties from $2,500 per day to as much as $20,000 per day. The cap on cumulative fines was also lifted from $100,000 to $500,000, sending what officials

A new era of student housing has arrived in Columbus with the opening of Rambler Columbus, a large-scale residential development designed specifically for Ohio State University students. The modern complex officially opened its doors on July 31 and has already begun welcoming students into a dynamic living space that blends convenience, comfort and community. Located at 222 W. Lane Avenue, just steps away from the Ohio State campus, the 407,465-square-foot deve