California

California (Rajeev Sharma): California has temporarily halted plans to revoke nearly 17,000 commercial driving licences after a legal challenge from Sikh and immigrant rights organisations, offering short-term relief to thousands of truck and bus drivers across the state. The licences will now remain valid until March while authorities review eligibility and compliance issues. The decision follows a class-action lawsuit filed by the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus, which alleged that immigrant drivers were being disproportionately targeted despite holding valid qualifications. The groups argued that sudden licence cancellations threatened the livelihoods of drivers who depend on commercial driving for…

Sacramento (Rajeev Sharma): In a historic step toward recognizing the cultural and religious diversity of its population, California may soon become the first U.S. state to officially designate Diwali as a state holiday. The California State Legislature has passed Assembly Bill 268 (AB-268), which proposes to add Diwali — the Festival of Lights celebrated by millions across the world — to the state’s list of official holidays. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until October 12, 2025, to either sign it into law or veto it. If approved, the legislation would mark a significant…