BIR extends tax deadlines for Cebu quake victims

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has extended the deadlines for the filing of tax returns and the payment of corresponding taxes. This extension also applies to the submission of other required documents for affected taxpayers in Cebu, which was recently hit by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake.

The relief covers taxpayers and BIR personnel under the jurisdiction of the Revenue District Office in the affected area.
https://business.inquirer.net/550967/bir-extends-tax-deadlines-for-cebu-quake-victims

High Court of Justice rejects requests to delay Zini’s appointment as Shin Bet chief

**High Court of Justice Rejects Requests to Delay Zini’s Appointment as Shin Bet Chief**

The High Court of Justice has rejected requests to delay the appointment of David Zini as the new head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). This decision follows the government’s unanimous approval of Zini’s appointment, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

David Zini, the designated head of Shin Bet, was recently seen with Ultra-Orthodox Jewish soldiers from the Hasmonean Brigade after they completed their beret march at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City on August 6, 2025.

*Photo Credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90*

By SARAH BEN-NUN
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-869531

Bihar polls: CEC defends voter list revision ahead of elections

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has recently defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar.

Addressing concerns and criticisms surrounding the exercise, CEC Kumar emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate and updated electoral rolls. The SIR aims to ensure that every eligible voter is correctly registered, thereby strengthening the democratic process in the state.

By conducting this comprehensive revision, the Election Commission seeks to eliminate duplicates, include new voters, and uphold the integrity of upcoming elections in Bihar.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/bihar-voter-list-revision-in-accordance-with-law-eci-chief/story

Delhi Govt To Celebrate Grandparents’ Day In Over 1,500 Schools Under Samagra Shiksha Scheme

New Delhi: The Delhi government is set to celebrate Grandparents’ Day in over 1,500 elementary-level schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, as per a circular issued by the Directorate of Education.

A budget of Rs 153.6 lakh has been approved by the Ministry of Education’s Project Approval Board to facilitate the event.

### About the Programme

The celebration will be organised on a pilot basis in 1,536 schools of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Each participating school will receive Rs 10,000 to conduct a day-long event.

This amount is intended to cover expenses such as refreshments for around 100 people, participation gifts for grandparents, prizes for two activities, and other miscellaneous costs.

Students will be encouraged to bring one grandparent with them to participate in the celebrations.

### Activities Planned

The event will feature various engaging activities including dance performances, crafts like making paper bags and photo frames, and games such as balloon relay races.

### Administrative Guidelines

District Urban Resource Coordinators, Cluster Resource Coordinators, and heads of schools are required to be physically present during the programme to oversee the event.

Schools have been instructed to document the celebrations through high-resolution photographs and videos. These materials must be submitted to the respective district offices and also shared on social media platforms to showcase the event.

*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/delhi-govt-to-celebrate-grandparents-day-in-over-1500-schools-under-samagra-shiksha-scheme

Federal judge temporarily blocks the Trump administration from deploying troops in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from deploying the National Guard in Portland.

U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued the order Saturday in a lawsuit brought by the state and city.

The Defense Department had announced it was placing 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard under federal control for 60 days to protect federal property at locations where protests are occurring or likely to occur, following President Trump’s description of the city as “war-ravaged.”

Oregon officials called that description ludicrous.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland has recently been the site of nightly protests, which typically drew a couple dozen people in recent weeks before the deployment was announced.
https://wsvn.com/uncategorized/federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-the-trump-administration-from-deploying-troops-in-portland/

MP News: Departments Not Giving Proper Info For Preparing Budget; Director Of Finance Wrote To Various Departments

**Lack of Cooperation from Government Departments Hampers Budget Preparation in Madhya Pradesh**

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Director of Budget has raised serious concerns over the lack of cooperation from various government departments in the ongoing budget preparation exercise.

According to officials, many departments have either failed to submit key details or have shared incomplete information, which is hampering the drafting process. The first phase of budget discussions has already been completed, and the second phase is set to begin on October 8.

The Director of Budget has written to several departments highlighting that many have not provided information on crucial budget-related issues. A few departments have submitted incomplete data. For preparing the zero budget and rolling budget, it is essential to receive comprehensive information regarding departments’ plans of action, vacant posts, and other relevant matters.

Sources revealed that despite repeated reminders, several departments are yet to furnish data on important schemes and financial requirements. The Director has warned that without complete information, it will not be possible to proceed with accurate financial planning.

In response, principal secretaries of all departments have been instructed to ensure that officers attend the upcoming round of discussions equipped with complete details. The second phase of deliberations will continue until October 30.

Following this, the budget will be reviewed at the principal secretary and ministerial levels.

[Story by Staff Reporter]
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-departments-not-giving-proper-info-for-preparing-budget-director-of-finance-wrote-to-various-departments

Using Zoho Office Suite now must for Education Ministry officials

**Education Ministry Mandates Use of Zoho Office Suite for All Official Work**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 04, 2025, 6:21 PM*

In a significant stride towards digital self-reliance, the Ministry of Education has issued a directive requiring all its officials to use the Zoho Office Suite for managing official documents. This initiative aligns with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s recent endorsement of Zoho’s messaging app, Arattai, and supports the government’s broader vision of promoting indigenous digital products.

### Embracing Atmanirbhar Bharat through Zoho

The decision reflects the government’s commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign by reducing dependence on foreign software solutions. By adopting Zoho’s homegrown office productivity tools, the Ministry aims to strengthen India’s digital sovereignty and foster the growth of domestic technology companies.

### A Bold Step in the Swadeshi Movement

According to an official memorandum from the Department of Higher Education, this move represents a “bold step in the Swadeshi movement.” The circular emphasizes that embracing Zoho not only supports the nation’s self-reliance goals but also positions India more competitively in the global digital economy. The transition is seen as a critical shift from a service-based economy toward becoming a product-oriented nation.

### What is Zoho Office Suite?

Zoho Office Suite is an integrated online platform developed by Zoho Corporation, offering a comprehensive set of tools including Zoho Writer for documents, Zoho Sheet for spreadsheets, and Zoho Show for presentations. The Ministry has instructed all officers and staff to create, edit, and share official documents exclusively via this platform, integrated seamlessly with NIC (National Informatics Centre) mail.

### Training and Support for Smooth Adoption

To ensure a smooth transition, the circular advises all officials to familiarize themselves with Zoho’s collaborative features. For any technical assistance or onboarding support, staff are encouraged to reach out to the CMIS/NIC division.

The integration of Zoho Office Suite within the NIC mail ecosystem is designed to deliver a secure, user-friendly, and collaborative environment across government departments — marking a milestone in the digital transformation of India’s education sector.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/indian-government-going-all-in-on-zoho-s-tools/story

Road transport requires visionary approach

It is heartening to learn that basic facilities such as toilets, petrol pumps, and food malls will soon be available along the Samruddhi Mahamarg. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to appoint consultants to set up these essential amenities along the route. This move should help stem commuter criticism about the current lack of such facilities on the expressway.

These amenities are not luxuries or frills; they are necessities aimed at preventing driver fatigue and reducing the risk of accidents. Fadnavis rightly suggested that while constructing any road in the future, an ecosystem should be developed in the surrounding area to support commuters’ needs.

This point is especially important as experts have highlighted the rise of residential projects, particularly high-rise towers, without adequate supporting infrastructure. Where is the ecosystem to support these developments? We need a holistic, comprehensive approach to infrastructure, ensuring that adjunct facilities are built alongside core projects.

Travelers to the West often experience highways and expressways equipped with toilets, basic stores, food and drink kiosks, or even malls conveniently located en route. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case here. Many stretches of roads lack toilets, causing discomfort and distress, and causing potential travelers to hesitate or even cancel road trips altogether.

People traveling with senior citizens, in particular, think twice before using routes that lack basic amenities. This underscores the importance of setting deadlines not only for road construction projects but also for the development of all supporting infrastructure.

A visionary approach is needed when shaping the road transport of the future. Beyond superior road quality, lighting, good signage, visibility, and safety warnings, we must also prioritize restrooms, food facilities, and fuel stops along the way.

Such a comprehensive plan makes the project complete, focusing not just on the vehicle or the road itself but also on the human factor—closing the loop for a safer and more comfortable commute for all.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/road-transport-requires-visionary-approach-23597113

DMV issuing newly designed CA Driver’s Licenses, ID Cards: Here’s the updated look

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Starting Wednesday, newly issued California Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards will sport a fresh new look, as the DMV announces an updated design featuring advanced security features.

According to a DMV press release, the redesigned cards highlight the one-of-a-kind beauty of the Golden State’s landscape, incorporating images of redwood trees, poppies, and the coastline. DMV Director Steve Gordon emphasized that the new design not only celebrates California’s unique scenery but also includes improved security measures and updated technology.

One significant upgrade is the addition of enhanced anti-counterfeit features, such as a digital security signature embedded in one of the back barcodes. Additionally, the new cards will no longer include a magnetic strip on the back.

The last major update to California’s driver’s licenses and ID cards took place in 2010, followed by another redesign in 2018 with the introduction of the REAL ID. Despite the changes, current driver’s licenses and ID cards will remain valid until their expiration date.

The fees remain the same for those seeking an upgraded Driver’s License or Identification Card—$45 and $35, respectively.

This update aims to provide Californians with a more secure and visually appealing form of identification that reflects the state’s natural beauty.
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/california-news/updated-california-drivers-licenses/

Mumbai News: BMC Appoints Full-Time Ward Officers In Dongri, Marine Lines, Parel And Kandivali After Long Delay

**Mumbai: Four Administrative Wards Get Full-Time Ward Officers After Long Wait**

After a prolonged wait, four out of eight administrative wards in Mumbai will finally have full-time ward officers. On Friday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration appointed new ward officials—also known as Assistant Municipal Commissioners (AMCs)—in B (Dongri), C (Marine Lines), F South (Parel), and R South (Kandivali) wards.

These appointments were made based on recommendations from the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) following exams conducted to fill vacant AMC posts. Until now, these wards were managed by acting ward officials, mostly senior engineers, who lacked formal administrative training.

### Recruitment Process Delayed by Legal Challenges

The recruitment process for 14 ward officer posts was announced by the BMC in June 2021. After the exams and document verification, the final list of candidates was prepared. However, the process was stalled for over two years due to legal petitions filed by disqualified candidates.

The Supreme Court eventually allowed the BMC to proceed with appointing shortlisted candidates. Despite this directive, delays continued, leading to a contempt petition against the BMC. Finally, the MPSC released the final list, appointment letters were issued in November 2024, and training for the new officers was completed last month.

Meanwhile, senior engineers continued to fill the roles in an acting capacity without formal administrative training, raising concerns about delays and weakened oversight in ward administration.

### New Appointments and Transfers

On Friday, the BMC issued a series of administrative orders appointing the following officials as AMCs:

– Yogesh Desai as AMC of B Ward
– Santosh Salunkhe as AMC of C Ward
– Vrushali Ingule as AMC of F South Ward
– Aarti Golekar as AMC of R South Ward

Sanjay Ingle, previously serving as the Executive Engineer and acting in charge of C Ward, and Manish Salve, acting in charge of R South Ward, were relieved of their duties and sent back to the City Engineer Department.

Additionally, the civic authorities issued transfer orders for three AMCs:

– Nitin Shukla transferred from B Ward to K East Ward (Jogeshwari, Andheri East)
– Mahesh Patil transferred from F South to S Ward (Bhandup)
– Alka Sasane, AMC of S Ward, transferred to the Market Department

### Remaining Posts to be Filled Soon

A senior civic official stated, “Of the remaining four candidates, one has yet to be relieved from their previous posting, while another is currently on maternity leave. The other two are undergoing training and will be appointed as AMCs upon completion.”

Stay updated with more news on Mumbai’s civic administration and explore exclusive, budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions by visiting: [budgetproperties.in](https://budgetproperties.in/)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-bmc-appoints-full-time-ward-officers-in-dongri-marine-lines-parel-and-kandivali-after-long-delay