California officially recognizes Diwali as a public holiday

California has officially declared Diwali a public holiday, joining a growing number of states recognizing the festival of lights. The AB 268 Bill, championed by Assembly Members Ash Kalra and Dr. Darshana Patel, received overwhelming legislative support. This move acknowledges the significant Indian diaspora and promotes inclusivity within American society.

Advance tax deadline: Who pays, who is exempt and what penalty applies - explained

Indian taxpayers, brace yourselves! The second advance tax installment for FY 2025-26 is due September 15th. If your tax liability exceeds Rs 10,000, pay up to avoid a 1% monthly interest penalty. Salaried individuals with additional income beyond TDS deductions, and others, should take note. Senior citizens are exempt under specific conditions.

BMW rams bike: Accused driver sent to judicial custody - shocking details of accident emerge

Fans slam NFL’s Charlie Kirk tribute at Lambeau Field

The NFL and Green Bay Packers honored Charlie Kirk with a moment of silence before facing the Washington Commanders. Fans called it rushed and poorly executed, slamming the league for inconsistency compared to past public statements. Kirk, 31, was killed Wednesday in Utah. The tribute came as Trump vowed to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Truck runs over people in Indore, set ablaze by mob; 2 dead, several injured

ITR filing due date today: Tax department shares quick guide

The Income Tax Department advises taxpayers facing e-filing portal access issues to address local browser or device settings. Simple steps like clearing cache, using supported browsers, and disabling extensions can resolve common problems. With over 7 crore ITRs filed as the September 15 deadline approaches, the department denies any extension despite user complaints about glitches.

No more paper! Oman residents can now use digital copies of their national IDs

The Royal Oman Police now legally recognize certified electronic versions of national ID cards and driver’s licenses across Oman. Accessible via the official website, these digital documents hold the same legal status as physical copies. This change, alongside new flexible expat residence cards and extended validity for Omani IDs, reflects Oman’s ongoing commitment to digital transformation and streamlined public services.

Savannah James: LeBron’s wife goes viral — quirky video sparks buzz

Savannah James recently shared personal facts in a "Get Unready With Me" video, revealing details about her dream car and skincare routine. Meanwhile, LeBron James celebrated their wedding anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram message and a romantic dance clip. The couple, together for over two decades, marked another milestone in their enduring love story.

Emmanuel Acho backlash: Charlie Kirk remarks spark row — Joe Burrow acts

Emmanuel Acho is under fire for spreading inaccurate claims about Charlie Kirk in viral TikTok and YouTube videos, refusing to correct them even after backlash. At the same time, the Joe Burrow Foundation cut ties with Hamilton County Judge Ted Berry, removing him from its board over remarks following Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University.

New IRCTC train ticket rules: From Oct 1, Aadhaar authentication must; what it means

Starting October 1, 2025, Indian Railways will mandate Aadhaar authentication for booking reserved general tickets via IRCTC during the first 15 minutes of reservation opening.

‘We will do better’: Microsoft CEO acknowledges ‘lack of empathy’; meets with staff

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged the need to rebuild trust with employees following layoffs and a return-to-office mandate. He addressed concerns about a perceived lack of empathy and the challenges of remote work, particularly for new hires. Nadella also cautioned staff about future business challenges and the need for renewal.

UAE national day: Public holiday dates out, will residents get long weekend?

The UAE has confirmed December 2 and 3 as public holidays for National Day 2025, marking the country’s 54th anniversary. Residents are awaiting a decision on December 1, which could turn the break into a long weekend. Major celebrations are planned across all emirates, including fireworks, concerts, cultural events, and a central ceremony at a yet-to-be-announced venue.

Same input, same output: Mira Murati on AI Standards; pushes for consistency

Thinking Labs, led by Mira Murati, is tackling nondeterminism in large language models, aiming for consistent outputs regardless of server load. Researchers believe current LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini suffer from batch invariance issues, causing inconsistent answers. Their solution involves redesigning GPU kernels to ensure deterministic behavior, crucial for enterprise AI, scientific research, and model fine-tuning.

CBSE tightens board exam rules: 75% attendance; 2-year study now mandatory

The Central Board of Secondary Education strengthens rules for class 10 and 12 exams. Students now need 75% attendance. Internal assessments are compulsory. Class 10 and 12 are two-year programs. No shortcuts are allowed. These changes align with the National Education Policy 2020. Schools must follow rules or face action. The board focuses on discipline and complete learning.

What India’s data engineering boom really looks like in 2025

India’s data engineering boom in 2025 is driving the backbone of the digital economy. With market size projected to exceed USD 42 billion, demand for skilled engineers outpaces supply, pushing salaries higher. Banking, e-commerce, and healthcare lead recruitment, while Python, cloud, and database expertise dominate the skills landscape. Attrition challenges persist, but opportunities remain transformative.