World
California Declares Diwali a State Holiday: Governor Newsom Approves AB 268, Marking Historic Recognition for the Indian Community
California has officially declared Diwali a state holiday after Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 268 into law. The move, led by Assembly member Ash Kalra, marks a historic moment of cultural recognition for the Indian community across the state.
The festival of light, Diwali, has been approved in California vide Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval of AB 268. The schools and state employees will have the power to celebrate the festival with paid leave.
It will be a big moment for more than 1 million Indians who are residing in the state of California.
🚨 US state California has officially recognised the Diwali festival as a state holiday. pic.twitter.com/0WoGmqCtCZ
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) October 8, 2025
The bill is the brainchild of Assembly member Ash Kalra, who also holds the distinction of being the first Indian American ever elected to the California Legislature.
Kalra has long championed inclusion and traditional visibility in state policy.
Reacting to the decision, kalra stated,
“This is more than just a new holiday on the calendar, it’s a recognition of the values that Diwali represents: hope over despair, light over darkness, and community over division.”
He was supported in his endeavor by Assembly member Darshana Patel, and the bill had support from both parties of the political spectrum.
Darshana Patel stated,
“California should embrace Diwali and its diversity—not keep it hidden in darkness.”
The declaration has been widely welcomed across the Indian community in the state from Silicon Valley to Sacramento.
Indian advocacy groups hailed the move and stated that it is an acknowledgement of the community’s cultural and spiritual contributions.
Well-known Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former advisor to President Biden on the AANHPI Commission Ajay Bhutoria stated,
“Today marks a radiant milestone in California’s journey toward true inclusivity,”
Bhutoria said in a statement.
“AB 268 ensures families can fully embrace traditions like lighting diyas, crafting rangoli, and sharing stories of renewal—without the shadows of work or deadlines.”
He also stated that it was recognition of the contributions made by the Indian community in the field of healthcare and technology. The community has helped to develop the spirit of resilience and multiplicity into the fabric of American excellence.
The latest directive makes California the first state on the West Coast to accord the status of state holiday for the festival of light after similar moves by the states of Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
San Jose is a city in California’s Silicon Valley, which boasts an Indian population of 4.9 million, or 20% of the total population of California.
The law was a prominent demand from Hindu American organizations, including the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus in North America.
Diwali, which is a festival of light and symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, will fall on October 20 this year.
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World
Speeding Car Caught on CCTV Hits Woman on Sidewalk During New Year’s Celebrations in Bengaluru
A young woman narrowly survived after being hit by a speeding car on a sidewalk in Bengaluru’s Sahakara Nagar on New Year’s Eve, with police probing CCTV footage amid suspicions of drunk driving.
A shocking road accident marred New Year’s Eve celebrations in Bengaluru.
A speeding car allegedly driven by a man under the influence of alcohol struck a young woman walking on the sidewalk in Sahakara Nagar.
The incident reportedly occurred around 10 PM on December 31st when a large number of people were out on the streets to welcome the New Year.
According to police officials the woman miraculously survived the horrific accident.
CCTV footage from the area shows the car suddenly swerving sharply to the left, mounting the sidewalk and hitting the pedestrian.
The impact sent her tumbling to the ground causing panic among bystanders who rushed to her aid.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining the CCTV footage to determine the exact sequence of events.
Initial reports suggest the driver may have been intoxicated at the time of the accident. Officials said this will be confirmed after medical and forensic examinations.
This incident occurred despite extensive security arrangements made across the city for New Year’s Eve.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh had earlier stated that approximately 20,000 police personnel were deployed throughout the city with a special focus on women’s safety and crowd management.
The deployment included personnel from law and order traffic police, crime units, reserve platoons, striking forces, anti-sabotage squads, anti-terror units and crime squads.
Strict surveillance was also maintained in key nightlife and celebration zones such as MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street, Indiranagar and surrounding areas.
These areas had become major hubs for celebrations on New Year’s Eve.
The streets were illuminated with decorative lights and filled with live music performances, DJs and special countdown events organized by restaurants and pubs.
Large crowds gathered late into the night prompting authorities to impose traffic restrictions and conduct regular vehicle checks.
Police officials reiterated that strict action would be taken against those violating traffic and safety regulations, especially those driving under the influence of alcohol and urged citizens to celebrate responsibly to avoid such incidents in the future.
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World
Former Nickelodeon Star Tylor Chase Found Homeless on California Streets After Years Out of the Spotlight
Former Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide actor Tylor Chase was recently spotted homeless on the streets of California, sparking concern among fans. A viral video, a halted GoFundMe, and emotional reactions from his former co-stars have reignited discussions around mental health, addiction, and support for child actors.
It is the perfect example of a person falling from dizzying heights of popularity to dust. Former Nickelodeon star Tylor Chase, 36, who enamoured everyone with his portrayal as Martin Qwerly on ‘Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide’, which ran for three years from 2004 to 2007, was spotted living on the streets of Riverside, California, in an extremely dishevelled state. A fan spotted him and filmed the child star from yesteryears.
The fan could not at first believe that it was the same person and went on to confirm that he was indeed the child star from the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon series. Chase confirmed to the fan that he was indeed the same person. The video, which was shared in September, shows Chase in a pitiable and dishevelled state.
This man met former Nickelodeon child star Tylor Chase, who is now homeless, gave him money, and he revealed that Chase Bank played a role in how he ended up in his current situation pic.twitter.com/d56vB9qKgK
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) December 22, 2025
Later a GoFundMe campaign was initiated, and an amount of $1200 was raised before the creator, whose name was Citlalli Wilson, shut it down. This followed a conversation with Chase’s mother, who clarified that her son needed medical intervention instead of money.
This was outlined in a screenshot shared by Wilson in which Chase’s mother thanked him for his effort but clarified that Chase is badly in need of medical help, which he constantly refused.
She also revealed that she had bought her son numerous cell phones, which he continuously lost within one or two days. Chase’s mother also stated that she could not manage the funds for her son’s medicines on her own.
Chase’s former co-stars, including Daniel Curtis Lee, Lindsey Shaw, and Devon Werkheiser, commented about the viral video on the September 24 episode of their ‘Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide’. Lee also expressed his deep derision and questioned the need for someone to focus on the face of a person in hard times.
He added that he was angry because he was powerless and could not do anything on the matter. Lindsey Shaw, who had fought his own drug addiction in the past, stated that he saw his image in the viral video since he was also somebody like that. Chase’s co-stars have vowed that they will help him get over his bad times.
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World
“Freudian slip” Erika Kirk’s Awkward ‘Grift’ Tongue Slip at AmericaFest Sparks Viral Memes and Online Buzz
Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sparked online reactions after an awkward tongue slip while presenting the Charlie Kirk Courage Award at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest. Though quickly corrected, the moment went viral, becoming meme material and fueling social media debate.
Erika Kirk, the widow of assassinated conservative activist and the creator of the organisation Turning Point USA, often found herself at the centre of media attention for the wrong reasons. Recently, she attracted widespread attention for her embarrassing tongue slip.
Erika Kirk was felicitating Utah Valley University student Caleb Chilcutt with the Charlie Kirk Courage Award at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona.
Erika Kirk: “Despite the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk, my incredible husband, at UVU, Caleb has persisted with the same grift, excuse me, grit…”
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) December 21, 2025
This is the greatest Freudian slip of all time. pic.twitter.com/WMLhCqhnrg
During the presentation ceremony, Erika Kirsk said,
“Despite the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk, my incredible husband, Caleb has persisted with the same grift, gift, grit… It has been a long day.”
However, she quickly made amends and put the student at ease, and said,
“Trust me, you’re not a grifter, honey. It’s all good.”
The student also took the whole episode humorously and referenced the moment in his Instagram bio by christening himself as Turning Point’s favourite grifter.
Chilcutt responded humorously by referencing the moment, calling himself “Turning Point.”
However, Erika’s gaffe soon became hot meme material on social media, and users joked about if Erika had called her late husband or the student a grafter. Some even labelled the gaffe as a Freudian slip.
The four-day Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, saw participation by major MAGA and conservative personalities who addressed the panels and talked about Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy.
Just 24 hours after Erika Kirk’s gaffe, Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj appeared at AmericaFest alongside Erika Kirk. Nicki Minaj was holding Erika’s hand and later also joined in a discussion with her. Nicki Minaj was also endorsed by Vice President JD Vance, and this further added to the media buzz surrounding the event.
The platform was also used by Erika Kirk to outline her political priorities ahead of future elections. She also stated that she and her followers will help her husband’s friend JD Vance get elected in the 2028 elections. She also urged the Republicans to work to obtain control of Congress, especially in view of the upcoming midterm elections.
She also added,
“We are building the red wall. We’re going to make sure that President Trump has Congress for all four years of his current term. ”
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