Consumers in the United States who purchased Tom’s toothpaste products within the past six years may be eligible for compensation under a $2.9 million class-action settlement involving Colgate-Palmolive Company. The lawsuit alleged deceptive and misleading business practices related to the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of certain Tom’s toothpaste products, following concerns raised during a U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspection of a production facility in Sanford, Maine in May 20

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $85,000 in back wages for employees at a Texas coffee business following an investigation into violations of federal wage laws. Officials said the case involved improper handling of employee tips and misuse of a tip credit system under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The department’s Wage and Hour Division investigated Nate’s At the Buda Mill & Grain Inc, operating as Nate’s Coffee & Cocktails in Buda, Texas. The investigation found that the company allowed its general manager to participate in an employee tip pool while also claiming a tip credit, a practice prohibited under federal law. As a result, the employer is required to pay $85,197 in back wages to 36 affected workers. Federal regulations clearly state that managers and supervisors are not permitted to retain any portion of employee tips or share in tip pools when a tip credit is applied. Tips are considered the property of service workers who earn them directly from customers. Violations of these provisions can result in employers losing the ability to claim tip credits and being required to compensate workers at the full federal minimum wage. The FLSA allows employers to pay tipped employees a base wage as low as $2.13 per hour, provided that tips received bring total earnings up to at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $5.12 per hour to meet this requirement. However, strict compliance rules govern how tips are distributed and who may participate in tip pools. Labor officials emphasized that employers must ensure tipped workers receive all earnings owed and comply fully with wage and hour laws. The department encourages both workers and employers to seek guidance to better understand their rights and responsibilities under federal regulations.

The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a contentious policy backed by President Donald Trump that seeks to limit birthright citizenship, prompting strong objections from South Asian advocacy organizations that warn of widespread legal and social consequences. In an amicus brief submitted to the court, a coalition led by the South Asian American Justice Collaborative argued that the proposed restrictions could leave thousands of children born in the United States effectively stateless, creating long

WASHINGTON — The National Capital Planning Commission approved plans for a new White House ballroom on Thursday, April 2, 2026, moving forward with a major expansion proposal despite an ongoing legal dispute that could delay construction. The decision came just days after a federal judge ordered a temporary halt to certain construction activities unless Congress grants authorization for the project. According to commission officials, the approval process continued because the ruling

A once-thriving retail hub in Santa Clara, California, is rapidly emptying as redevelopment plans move forward, prompting legal action from displaced business owners who allege unfair treatment by the property’s former landlord. Two tenants from the Homestead Shopping Center — Tous les Jours bakery and Fuheng Herbs — have filed separate lawsuits against former property owner David Bider and Cypress Investments, claiming they were misled and pressured into leaving prior to the si

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a proposed $400 million ballroom at the White House, a project that involved demolishing the historic East Wing. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction requested by a preservation advocacy group, temporarily halting further work on the project. The ruling represents a significant legal setback for former President Donald Trump?

The Supreme Court of India on March 24, 2026, asked the West Bengal government if the Enforcement Directorate (ED) could approach the state police for a remedy regarding the alleged interference by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the ED’s raids on the political consultancy firm I-PAC. This comes amid growing controversy surrounding the ED's legal plea under Article 32 of the Constitution, which seeks a CBI investigation into the alleged obstruction of its raids by Mamata Banerjee and

The Supreme Court of India, in a significant judgment delivered on March 24, 2026, has reaffirmed that individuals who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism cannot retain or claim Scheduled Caste status under the law. The ruling reinforces the constitutional framework governing caste-based reservations and legal protections in India. The verdict came in an appeal challenging an earlier decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had quashed criminal proceedings filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The complainant, who was born into a Scheduled Caste but had converted to Christianity and was functioning as a pastor, had alleged caste-based abuse and assault. However, the court held that his conversion disentitled him from invoking protections meant specifically for Scheduled Castes. A bench of the Supreme Court observed that the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, clearly restricts Scheduled Caste recognition to persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism. The court described this restriction as categorical, stating that conversion to any other religion results in the immediate and complete loss of Scheduled Caste status, regardless of birth. The court further clarified that a person cannot simultaneously profess a religion outside the specified categories and claim Scheduled Caste identity for statutory benefits. It emphasized that such positions are mutually exclusive within the constitutional scheme, and no statutory protection or reservation can be extended once a person ceases to fall within the legally defined category. In its interpretation, the court also highlighted that the term “profess” implies a public declaration and active practice of a religion. This interpretation played a key role in assessing the individual’s eligibility, particularly in cases where religious identity is visibly demonstrated through roles such as clergy or religious leadership. The judgment is expected to have wide-ranging implications for individuals who convert to religions outside the constitutionally recognised framework while seeking benefits or protections linked to Scheduled Caste status. While the ruling reinforces existing legal provisions, it also brings renewed attention to ongoing debates about caste discrimination and its persistence beyond religious boundaries.

The Supreme Court of India has granted permanent commission to women officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, following a long-standing battle for gender equality within the Indian Armed Forces. This ruling comes after nearly 15 years of legal struggles, where women officers, especially Short Service Commission Women Officers (SSCWOs), faced systemic discrimination in securing permanent commissions and promotions. The Court delivered three key rulings on March 24, 2026, recognizin

A county judge in Texas has been found guilty on two counts of money laundering, marking a major development in a high-profile campaign finance case. KP George, the first Indian-origin judge in Fort Bend County, was convicted of third-degree felony charges and now faces up to 10 years in prison. He is expected to be removed from office following his sentencing. The case traces back to financial activities between 2019 and 2022, when George was actively raising and managing campaign

The Trump administration has filed a major lawsuit against Harvard University, alleging violations of civil rights protections for Jewish and Israeli students and faculty. The case, submitted by the Department of Justice in a federal district court in Boston on March 20, 2026, accuses the university of failing to address what officials describe as widespread antisemitism and discriminatory practices on campus. According to the complaint, Harvard is alleged to have ignored repeated incidents

Pop sensation Britney Spears was arrested on March 4, 2026, on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs in Ventura County, California. The singer was detained at 9:30 pm local time and released in the early hours of March 5, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Following her release, Spears' representative addressed the incident, issuing a statement that emphasized the seriousness of the situation. The representative described the arrest as an "un

A federal judge in Miami has denied Tesla’s attempt to overturn a $243 million jury verdict stemming from a fatal 2019 crash involving the company’s Autopilot system, marking a significant legal setback for the electric vehicle manufacturer. The ruling requires Tesla to compensate the family of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides, who was killed in the collision, as well as survivor Dillon Angulo, who suffered severe injuries. In an order published Friday, US District Judge Beth Bloom stated t

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Google-owned YouTube are facing serious allegations in a closely watched trial that began Monday in California, with plaintiffs accusing the companies of deliberately designing social media platforms to be addictive for children. The case marks one of the first times a jury has been asked to directly assess whether major technology companies can be held legally responsible for the mental health consequences their products may have on you

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for California to use a newly approved congressional map that is expected to benefit Democrats in upcoming elections, rejecting an emergency appeal filed by state Republicans and backed by the Trump administration. The unsigned order, issued without explanation and with no noted dissents, leaves intact district boundaries that could alter the balance of power in several closely contested House races as the country moves toward high-stakes midterm contests

United States President Donald Trump and his two sons have filed a $10 billion civil lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service and the US Treasury Department, alleging systemic failures that allowed the unlawful disclosure of their confidential tax information. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Miami and accuses federal authorities of negligence in preventing internal misconduct that resulted in the release of sensitive financial records. According to the court filing, Tr

Family members of two Trinidadian men killed during a U.S. military strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the United States government of wrongful death and unlawful killings. The legal action, submitted Tuesday, challenges the legality of the strike and marks the first known case brought against the current administration over its expanded military campaign targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the region. The lawsuit centers on the dea

Air travelers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a valid passport will soon face an additional cost to proceed through screening. Beginning Feb. 1, the Transportation Security Administration will assess a $45 fee for passengers who rely on an alternative identity verification process to board domestic flights. Under the new policy, travelers who lack an acceptable form of identification will have the option to verify their id

India’s aviation regulator has imposed a financial penalty of Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo following a series of large-scale flight disruptions in early December 2025 that left more than three lakh passengers stranded across multiple airports. The action was taken after a detailed inquiry concluded that operational shortcomings within the airline significantly contributed to widespread cancellations and delays, triggering prolonged disruption across its network. According to the findi

Oakland has activated 18 new speed cameras across the city as part of a broader effort to address speeding and improve traffic safety on local streets. The cameras are now operational, though drivers will not immediately receive citations. City officials have implemented a 60-day grace period during which warnings will be issued instead of fines, allowing motorists time to adjust to the new enforcement system. Mayor Barbara Lee is scheduled to outline additional details of the initi