A 19th-century painting by renowned Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma has set a new benchmark in the global art market, selling for 1.67 billion rupees ($17.9 million) at an auction in New Delhi on Wednesday, April 2, 2026. The sale marks the highest price ever achieved for an Indian artwork, surpassing the previous record held by a work from modernist painter MF Husain. The painting, titled Yashoda and Krishna, is an oil-on-canvas masterpiece created in the 1890s, during the peak of Va

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Thursday, April 2, 2026, that he plans to sign an executive order to compensate Department of Homeland Security employees who have gone without pay during a partial federal government shutdown that has now stretched to 48 days. The announcement was made in a social media post, where the president criticized Democratic lawmakers for the ongoing impasse while thanking Republican leaders for efforts to resolve the standoff. The proposed actio

India’s government on Thursday, April 2, 2026 (IST), said there have been no discussions with Iran regarding the imposition of tolls on Indian ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing recent reports circulating amid heightened tensions in West Asia. Speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that no such proposal has been discussed between the two countries, countering speculation that had raised concerns over shipping c

The first open sale of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has revealed sharply increased prices, with some seats for the final reaching as high as $10,990, making them among the most expensive in football history. The tournament, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already drawing attention not only for its expanded format but also for rising costs faced by fans. Initial projections in the tournament bid suggested final tickets would peak at around $1,

Tesla reported its first-quarter 2026 vehicle production and delivery figures, revealing a mixed performance as deliveries fell short of expectations while showing modest year-over-year growth. The company delivered 358,023 vehicles during the quarter and produced 408,386 units, according to its latest report. Analysts had projected approximately 370,000 deliveries, while a company-compiled consensus published on Wednesday, March 26, 2026, estimated 365,645 deliveries. Following the r

The United States has lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, signaling a significant shift in diplomatic relations between the two countries. The decision follows a series of developments after US forces removed former leader Nicolás Maduro from power in a military operation in Caracas and brought him to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Rodríguez, a longtime ally of Maduro and former vice president, had been under US sanctions since 2018 ov

Gulf nations are accelerating discussions on building alternative oil and gas pipelines after Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted a critical global energy corridor, halting exports from most countries in the region and cutting off roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply. The blockade has exposed the region’s heavy dependence on the narrow maritime route, prompting officials and industry leaders to reconsider long-term infrastructure strategies. Saudi Arabia ha

LONDON — The United Kingdom on Thursday, April 2, 2026, convened a virtual meeting of foreign ministers from roughly 35 nations to address escalating disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper sharply criticizing Iran’s actions as a threat to global economic stability. Speaking in opening remarks broadcast before the closed-door session, Cooper accused Iran of “hijacking an international shipping route” and warned that such actions were effectively h

FIFA has come under heavy criticism after ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup final surged to over Rs 10 lakh in the latest sales phase, sparking widespread backlash among fans. The tournament, scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has seen rising ticket costs amid FIFA’s dynamic pricing model. Premium tickets for the final have reportedly climbed to $10,990, up from around $8,700 in an earlier phase, raising concerns over affordability for regu

Mizoram police have successfully dismantled several drug smuggling operations, seizing narcotics worth ₹25.01 crore over the past week. The drugs, primarily heroin and methamphetamine, were recovered in multiple locations across the state. One of the major operations took place on March 25, when a CID team intercepted a truck near Tuirial Bridge, Aizawl. The driver, a 23-year-old from Champhai district, was arrested. Between March 27 and 29, police seized 4.46 kg of hero

Indian boxers Vishvanath Suresh and Sachin Siwach advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 after impressive performances on Day 3 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In the men’s 50kg category, Vishvanath Suresh displayed excellent control and technique to register a dominant 5-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan’s Bekzat Ergeshov. He will next face Kazakhstan’s Sanzhar Tashkenbay, the reigning world champion, in a high-stakes quarterfinal bout. In the men’

The Allu Arjun Fans Association (AAFA) has taken a significant step in supporting the HPV vaccination drive, inspired by the words of Icon Star Allu Arjun. Allu Arjun encourages his fans to do at least one good deed every year, and AAFA has embraced this philosophy by launching awareness programs to educate the public about the importance of the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine, which can protect young girls from Cervical Cancer, is available for free to girls and women

The Heart of Tulip Country: Bollenstreek The most famous tulip-growing region is the Bollenstreek, also known as the “Bulb Region,” located between Haarlem and Leiden and stretching toward the North Sea. During peak bloom, this region becomes a patchwork of bright colors—reds, yellows, pinks, and purples arranged in perfect rows. This area attracts thousands of visitors every year. Yet, as Panis-Ringersma notes, locals are used to the flowers—it’s often the tou

A growing Ohio-based restaurant brand specializing in Southern-inspired cuisine has expanded its footprint with a new location in Gahanna, Ohio. Soul 2 Go began serving customers at its latest outlet, located at 134 N. Hamilton Road, on Friday, April 4, 2025, marking another step in the company’s regional growth strategy. The restaurant is currently operating in a soft opening phase, allowing staff to refine operations ahead of its official launch. The business has announced plans f

Scotland’s recent international break has raised fresh concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Japan and Ivory Coast. The matches, played as part of final preparations, provided manager Steve Clarke with one of his last opportunities to evaluate fringe players before finalizing his squad. Despite the importance of these fixtures, few players delivered standout performances, leaving several selection questions unresolved. Established st

Major employers across Illinois have announced plans to lay off hundreds of workers in the coming months, according to filings under the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. The law requires companies with at least 75 employees to provide a minimum of 60 days’ notice before implementing mass layoffs or facility closures, offering advance warning to workers and state officials. Among the most notable developments is the planned layoff of 101 employees a

Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma expressed deep disappointment after the national team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their third consecutive absence from the tournament. The decisive loss came on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, when Italy drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina before losing 4-1 in a penalty shootout during the play-off final. Donnarumma, who made several key saves during the match, was unable to stop any penalties as Italy’s hopes ended in heartbreak. Following the match, he admitted to being emotionally overwhelmed, saying he felt immense sadness at not being able to lead his country to the World Cup. The defeat has intensified criticism of Italian football leadership, with calls for structural changes growing louder. Italy’s continued struggles highlight a significant decline for a nation that last lifted the World Cup in 2006. Despite the setback, Donnarumma emphasized the need for resilience and unity, stating that rebuilding the team will require strength, passion, and belief.      

Delhi Capitals secured a convincing six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League matchup on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the match concluding at approximately 11:04 PM IST. The result highlighted a composed run chase led by Sameer Rizvi, who delivered a standout performance under pressure. Chasing a modest target of 142, Delhi Capitals reached 145 for four in 17.1 overs, finishing the game comfortably with nearly three overs to spare. Rizvi anchored th

he lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now complete, marking a historic expansion to 48 teams for the first time. The tournament will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from Thursday, June 11, 2026, to Sunday, July 19, 2026. The final qualifying spots were secured on Monday, March 31, 2026, following a long qualification process that began in September 2023 and included teams from six global confederations. DR Congo and Iraq were among the last nations to conf

Chelsea Football Club reported a record pre-tax loss of £262.4 million ($349.3 million) for the financial year ending Monday, June 30, 2025, the club confirmed on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The announcement comes despite a successful period on the field, where the London-based club secured two major trophies within the same 12-month span. During the reporting period, Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States and lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League title, becoming