Fall in Pleasanton is the perfect time to enjoy apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes across the Bay Area. From Livermore to Sebastopol, families can find fresh apples, fun activities, and seasonal treats. Here’s a detailed 2025 guide.   Apple Orchards And Fall Farms Around Pleasanton

A large fire tore through several homes in Paterson early Wednesday morning, damaging at least three row homes and leaving dozens of residents without shelter. Officials reported that the fire started shortly after 3 a.m. inside an apartment building on Elm Street, a residential neighborhood made up of two and three-story structures. Fire crews from Paterson and surrounding towns rushed to the scene to help battle the blaze, which spread quickly through connected row homes before it was broug

Narayanhiti Palace stands in the heart of Kathmandu, once the seat of Nepal’s monarchy and today one of the country’s most visited heritage museums. The palace, with its pink roofs and Nepali-inspired design, was not always what it looks like today. In the 1960s, King Mahendra ordered the construction of a new royal residence, replacing the older Rana-era building. American architect Benjamin Polk was tasked with designing the new palace. He combin

After six years of serving customers in Cranford, Witch Baby has officially closed the doors of its Eastman Street brick-and-mortar store. The closure, which came just before the busy holiday shopping season, reflects the mounting challenges faced by small businesses in New Jersey and beyond. Owners cited rising electricity costs and tariffs as the key reasons for the difficult decision, underscoring the financial pressures that continue to weigh heavily on independent retailers. Wi

The wave of layoffs across global technology giants shows no sign of slowing down in 2025. Microsoft, Salesforce, Oracle, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are the latest to announce large-scale workforce reductions as artificial intelligence reshapes the tech industry. Salesforce revealed plans to cut hundreds of jobs in San Francisco and Seattle, attributing the decision to its AI platform Agentforce, which is no

The wave of tech layoffs in the United States shows no signs of slowing, with Oracle and Salesforce now joining the list of companies cutting hundreds of positions across major hubs. According to regulatory filings, the two software giants will eliminate more than 500 jobs in California’s Bay Area and nearly 200 positions in the Seattle region as part of their ongoing restructuring plans. Salesforce is laying o

Scientists assumed that decision-making in mammals was controlled by a single brain region. A new study published in Nature has now challenged that long-held belief, showing that decision-making is a much more distributed process involving multiple areas of the brain. The research highlights the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus as two central hubs of decision-making. While the PFC is known for planning, ev

Onam, Kerala’s most awaited festival, is a 10-day harvest celebration filled with culture, tradition, and community spirit. This year, Onam began on Attam, August 26, and will conclude on Thiruvonam, September 5. The festival commemorates the homecoming of King Mahabali and unites Malayalis across the globe with food, games, rituals, and vibrant traditions. During these ten days, houses are thoroughly cleaned and courtyards are coated with a paste of cow dung before being decorated with intricate floral designs called pookalams. These colourful patterns welcome prosperity and joy. Families and communities gather to celebrate together, strengthening bonds and passing traditions across generations. Women usually wear the elegant kasavu saree, while men don the traditional mundu, symbolizing Kerala’s heritage. Throughout the days, various rituals and activities are organized. Vadamvali, the tug-of-war, is one of the most enjoyed competitions that involves men, women, and children participating enthusiastically. Uriyadi, a thrilling sport where blindfolded participants try to break a hanging pot, adds another layer of excitement. Rituals, Dance, Games and Feast Cultural performances are an integral part of Onam. Pulikali, also known as the tiger dance, is a must-watch street performance where men and women paint themselves as tigers and dance energetically to traditional beats. Another important highlight is Kaikottikali or Thiruvathirakali, a graceful group dance performed by women dressed in matching kasavu sarees, circling a lamp and moving in synchrony to devotional songs. Snake boat races, or Vallam Kali, are a spectacular sight during Onam, especially in Alappuzha and nearby districts. Dozens of skilled oarsmen row the majestic snake boats in rhythm to traditional boat songs called vanchipaatu, creating a breathtaking experience for spectators. In Palakkad and Wayanad, Kummatikali is performed by men wearing wooden masks and colourful attire, enacting mythological stories while entertaining crowds. The celebrations extend beyond homes and communities. Even offices, especially IT hubs in Kerala and Bengaluru, join in with festivities that include cultural ramp walks, dance performances, and dress competitions. The grand feast, Onasadhya, remains the heart of the festival. This lavish vegetarian meal, served on banana leaves, can include up to 26 or more dishes ranging from curries to payasams. It reflects Kerala’s hospitality and love for sharing food with family and friends. Onam is more than a festival; it is a cultural extravaganza that binds communities, celebrates prosperity, and keeps Kerala’s age-old traditions alive. Whether through dance, games, rituals, or food, Onam captures the true spirit of unity and joy.

Google has eliminated 35 per cent of its managerial roles overseeing small teams in what is being described as one of the company’s biggest leadership shakeups in recent years. The move is part of CEO Sundar Pichai’s ongoing push to reduce bureaucracy and speed up decision-making, even as the tech giant doubles down on artificial intelligence investments. At a recent all-hands meeting, Brian Welle, Google

The Dharmasthala mass burial case has taken a dramatic twist with the arrest of complainant CN Chinnayya alias Chenna, who had earlier claimed to be a whistleblower in an alleged case of mass rapes and murders in Karnataka’s Dharmasthala village. Initially referred to as the masked man seeking witness protection, Chenna was arrested after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) concluded he had lied under oath. During detailed questioning, investi

Waiter.com, a food delivery service specializing in workplace meals, has announced a unique hiring opportunity for food enthusiasts. The company is looking for a Chief Lunch Officer, a consultant role that will focus on tasting and reviewing a variety of meals delivered to offices. The chosen applicant will visit different workplaces, sample meals, and provide thoughtful feedback that will help shape the company’s offerings for businesses and employees.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for its annual Snowbird program, an initiative that brings on seasonal snowplow drivers to ensure the state’s roads remain safe and accessible during winter storms. These drivers, referred to as Snowbirds, are responsible for clearing snow and ice from highways and interstates, helping maintain more than 45,000 lane miles statewide during the harshest months of the year. Applicants are being considered f

A devastating tragedy struck western Afghanistan when at least 79 people, including 17 children, lost their lives in a horrific bus accident in Herat province near the Iranian border. The victims were Afghan deportees who had been expelled from Iran and were traveling to Kabul when their bus collided with a motorbike and another vehicle late on Tuesday night. The crash quickly turned into a disaster when one of the vehicles, reportedly carrying fuel, caught fir

A new study reveals a surprising trend among Gen Z jobseekers 77% of them bring their parents to job interviews. This growing phenomenon shows that many Gen Z candidates are turning to their parents for help, allowing them to participate in negotiations, communicate with hiring managers, and even step in during workplace conflicts. The study, conducted by Resume Templates, sheds light on how deeply involved parents h

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on Tuesday, following a series of high-level talks by the visiting dignitary with India’s key officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The meeting focused on further strengthening bilateral ties between India and China, with an emphasis on the importance of stability and peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Harris County Commissioners Lesley Briones and Adrian Garcia are preparing to unveil their new budget priorities during a press conference this morning, with a focus on investments in public safety, health, and infrastructure. This announcement, which is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. outside Commissioners Court in downtown Houston, is expected to highlight crucial areas such as disaster preparedness, road projects, and law enforcement funding. Despite the expansive

San Ramon has been named the best place to raise a family in Contra Costa County and the second-best suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to Niche’s latest rankings. The city has consistently earned high marks due to its exceptional public schools, family-friendly environment, and overall quality of life. Based on data from the U.S. Census, the Department of Education, and crime statistics from the FBI, San Ramon stood out as a top choice for

Manulife Investment Management has successfully acquired a 183,340-square-foot Class A industrial facility in Taylor, Texas, which is fully leased by Tesla for a 10-year term. The acquisition was financed with a $32.2 million, three-year, fixed-rate loan provided by BMO. The deal was arranged by JLL, with Partners Real Estate acting as the seller. Located in the RCR Taylor Logistics Park, the warehouse is strategical

A tragic explosion at the Clairton Coke Works steel plant in Pennsylvania on Monday has claimed the life of one person, left two workers unaccounted for, and injured several others. The blast occurred at the plant located outside Pittsburgh, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting a large-scale emergency response. Authorities confirmed that the scene remains active, with rescue and investigation teams working around the clock to determine

In a major move aimed at alleviating housing challenges faced by students, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District has officially taken ownership of McClellan Terrace Apartments in Cupertino. The $65.6 million acquisition was finalized on July 31 in a strategic attempt to convert the existing 94-unit apartment complex into roughly 332 affordable student beds. While the project is touted as a game-changer for student housing access, it comes at a cost: dozens of current residents will