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

Multiple people were killed after a small private jet crashed shortly after takeoff near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, according to local law enforcement officials. The incident occurred late Thursday morning and prompted an immediate response from emergency crews and federal aviation authorities. Iredell County Chief Deputy Bill Hamby said the crash took place shortly after 10:15 a.m. local time. While authorities confirmed fatalities, officials said the exact num

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been selected for the prestigious Business Reformer of the Year award by The Economic Times, earning nationwide recognition for his push to transform the state into a major investment destination. The award highlights the renewed momentum in business policy, infrastructure development and industrial expansion under his leadership. With a strong focus on investor confidence and governance reforms, Naidu has positioned Andhra Pradesh as a key

President Donald Trump has introduced a strikingly unconventional transformation to the White House’s historical displays, turning a traditional walkway honoring former presidents into a sharply worded political statement. Along the West Colonnade near the Rose Garden, newly installed plaques beneath presidential portraits present blunt assessments of Trump’s predecessors while offering an expansive portrayal of his own record in office. The changes have drawn immediate attention from vis

Norovirus infections are increasing earlier than expected this season across the United States, with particularly elevated activity being detected in parts of the Bay Area, according to recent wastewater monitoring data. Public health experts say the early rise is being driven in part by a new variant of the virus, leaving many people without prior exposure or immunity. Data collected from wastewater surveillance systems show especially high levels of norovirus in the South Bay, Red

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

German lawmakers are widely expected to approve a defense procurement package exceeding 50 billion euros on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant military spending decisions in the country’s post-war history. The move reflects a broader shift in Germany’s security policy as the government seeks to strengthen national and allied defense capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Agenda documents for the Bundestag’s Budget Committee indicate that members are

A school bus crash in Moorestown left ten people injured Tuesday afternoon after a collision at a busy local intersection, according to authorities. The accident occurred at the intersection of Borton Landing Road and Hartford Road, an area frequently traveled by school transportation vehicles and commuters during afternoon hours. Police said the crash involved a school bus carrying students and a passenger vehicle. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene shortly after the

WASHINGTON — A symbolic farewell is being planned in the nation’s capital this weekend as residents gather to mark the end of US penny production, following the federal government’s decision to stop minting the one-cent coin. The event, scheduled for Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial, reflects a mix of civic ritual, historical reflection, and public response to a monetary change that closes a chapter stretching back more than two centuries. Organizers describe the gathering as

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

Tucker Genal, a social media content creator known for his comedy skits, challenges, and collaborative videos on TikTok, has died at the age of 31, according to authorities in Los Angeles County. The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner stated that Genal died by suicide at his residence on Thursday, December 11, 2025. No further details were disclosed by officials. Genal’s death was confirmed publicly by his brothers, Carson and Connor, through a joint message shared o

U.S. crude oil prices fell to their lowest level since May on Tuesday, deepening a prolonged downturn that has put the market on track for its weakest annual performance in seven years. The decline reflects growing concerns over a looming supply surplus and shifting expectations around geopolitical risks, particularly the possibility of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. West Texas Intermediate crude briefly dropped to $55.69 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude

Two women from New York are facing shoplifting charges after police say they stole more than $9,000 worth of merchandise from multiple stores at the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus, New Jersey. Authorities allege the thefts took place Monday afternoon and involved a coordinated effort to bypass store security systems. According to police, the suspects, identified as Jenai Crawford and Shanique Roberts, were observed moving between several retail locations inside the mall and repe

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

Thousands of cases of popular salad dressings distributed across the United States have been recalled after federal regulators identified the presence of foreign material in certain products, according to a recent enforcement report issued by the Food and Drug Administration. The recall involves products manufactured by California-based Ventura Foods and includes several well-known brands and private-label dressings sold through retail and food service channels. The recall was first

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

The strategic rivalry between the United States and China in the semiconductor sector continued to intensify throughout 2025, with export controls remaining a central instrument in what has come to be known as the global chip war. The dispute, rooted in concerns over national security, technological leadership and economic influence, significantly affected the semiconductor industry, global supply chains and investment decisions during the year. At the start of 2025, the United States maintained restrictions on the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips and related technologies to China. These controls were designed to limit Beijing’s access to cutting-edge computing capabilities that could be applied to military and surveillance technologies. US officials defended the measures as necessary to protect national security interests, but the restrictions had immediate commercial consequences for American chipmakers with strong exposure to the Chinese market. Companies producing high-performance AI chips, including industry leaders such as Nvidia, reported revenue pressures linked to reduced access to Chinese customers. The curbs also led to higher compliance costs and uncertainty over long-term market strategies. Industry executives warned that prolonged restrictions could weaken the global competitiveness of US firms while accelerating China’s efforts to develop independent semiconductor capabilities. Policy signals shifted after Donald Trump assumed the US presidency in January. His administration moved to ease certain export controls on advanced AI chips for what were described as approved customers in China. Under the revised framework, sales of Nvidia’s H200 chip were permitted, subject to conditions that included profit-sharing arrangements with the US government. The adjustments were widely interpreted as an attempt to balance national security concerns with the commercial interests of American technology companies. China responded to the US measures by criticising what it described as discriminatory semiconductor policies and urging Washington to reverse the controls. Beijing argued that the restrictions were disrupting global supply chains and undermining fair competition in the semiconductor industry. At the same time, Chinese authorities accelerated domestic initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s chip manufacturing ecosystem and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. As part of its response, China imposed export controls on several rare earth elements, materials that are essential for semiconductor production and advanced electronics. China holds a dominant position in the global rare earth supply, making these measures a powerful lever in the broader technology competition. The restrictions heightened concerns among manufacturers worldwide about material availability and supply chain resilience. The prolonged US-China chip war had ripple effects across global markets. American and allied semiconductor firms experienced volatility in revenues and share prices as companies reassessed exposure to geopolitical risk. Investment patterns shifted as manufacturers sought to diversify production and sourcing to reduce dependence on any single market. Chinese technology firms increasingly turned to domestic suppliers, accelerating efforts to replace restricted foreign components with locally developed alternatives. In parallel, the United States expanded its focus on strengthening domestic semiconductor production through subsidy programmes under the CHIPS Act. The initiative supported the construction of new fabrication plants and aimed to secure long-term technological leadership by rebuilding advanced manufacturing capacity within the country. By late 2025, both Washington and Beijing took limited steps to ease tensions, agreeing to suspend certain rare earth export controls. While the move signalled a willingness to manage escalation, the underlying competition in advanced chip technologies remained unresolved. The year underscored how deeply the semiconductor rivalry has become embedded in global trade, industrial policy and national security calculations, with lasting implications for the future of the technology sector.

The family of an Indian-origin woman living in Southern California has described a deeply distressing experience after she was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement during what was expected to be the final step of her green card process. Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur, 60, a longtime member of the Long Beach restaurant community, was taken into custody on December 1 while attending a scheduled biometric appointment connected to her application for permanent residency. Kaur has lived in the United States since 1994 and had reached the final stage of the green card process after her petition was approved through sponsorship by her US citizen daughter and son-in-law. According to her family, the appointment was meant to be a routine procedure, required before the issuance of permanent residency status. Instead, it ended with federal agents detaining her without prior notice or explanation. Her daughter, Joti Kaur, said her mother sensed something was wrong even before the appointment began. When Kaur arrived at the immigration office, several federal agents reportedly entered the building and proceeded to a back room. Shortly afterward, she was called into the same area, where agents informed her that she was being arrested. Family members maintain that Kaur has no criminal record and has complied with immigration requirements throughout her decades in the country. Joti described the arrest as traumatic, stating that her mother was placed in a van with several men and restrained with shackles on her hands and feet. The family was not immediately told where she had been taken, heightening fears during the first few hours following her detention. They later learned that she had been transferred to an immigration detention facility in Los Angeles. Conditions inside the facility have added to the family’s concern. According to Joti, her mother has been held in a crowded room with more than two dozen detainees. She has struggled to sleep due to constant lighting and noise throughout the night, including frequent crying and shouting. The prolonged uncertainty and lack of clear communication have taken an emotional toll on both Kaur and her family. The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly disclosed the reason for Kaur’s detention. Her family says they are still seeking clarity on what led to the arrest, particularly given that her green card petition had already been approved and she was nearing the completion of the process. Kaur and her husband are well known in Long Beach, where they operated Natraj Cuisine of India and Nepal for more than two decades until the Covid pandemic disrupted the restaurant industry. The couple, who raised three children in the US, are regarded by community members as hardworking and deeply rooted in the area. In recent years, Kaur had continued working in the local restaurant sector. Local elected officials have expressed concern over the case, with one congressman stating that his office is actively working to assist the family and condemning what he described as actions that instill fear among law-abiding immigrants. For the Kaurs, the episode has transformed a long-awaited immigration milestone into an ongoing ordeal, as they wait for answers and hope for her safe return home.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday, December 15, that efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine were making unprecedented progress, describing the possibility of a peace deal as “closer than ever.” His remarks came amid a series of high-level diplomatic engagements in Europe, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with key European leaders in Berlin as part of renewed international efforts to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict. Speaking t