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

A new chapter in Karnataka's ongoing power struggle unfolded when Pranavananda Swamiji, a prominent seer, made claims regarding the state budget. The Swamiji alleged that mutts, or Hindu monasteries, that had supported Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s bid to take over as the state’s chief minister were deliberately sidelined in the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. According to the seer, not a single rupee was allocated to these mutts, despite their vocal backing of Sh

In response to the escalating crisis in the Middle East, Russia is preparing to ship 9.5 million barrels of crude oil to India. This move comes as India faces severe supply disruptions, particularly after Iranian attacks targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route that handles 40% of India's crude imports. The current geopolitical tensions have left India vulnerable, as its crude stocks cover only about 25 days of demand, and inventories of refined products like gasoline, g

San Jose officials are calling on state regulators to withdraw newly approved gambling regulations that they say could significantly disrupt the city’s finances and threaten more than 1,000 local jobs. In a letter dated Feb. 19 and addressed to Attorney General Rob Bonta, city leaders warned that the new rules governing California’s card rooms would dramatically reduce tax revenue generated by the city’s two licensed casinos, Casino M8trix and Bay 101. According to city offici

Russia has dismissed recent U.S. threats of tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, while stating it is exploring ways to assist the Caribbean nation amid a deepening fuel shortage. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the government seeks “constructive dialogue” with the United States regarding Cuba’s critical energy needs but stressed that public disputes over the matter are being avoided. He highlighted that Russia’s current trade with Cuba is limited, reducing the likelihood o

Russia has warned that it will respond with military countermeasures if Western nations expand their security presence in Greenland, escalating tensions around the strategically important Arctic territory and widening strains between Moscow, Washington and European capitals. Speaking to Russian lawmakers on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any move to militarise Greenland or establish military capabilities that could threaten Russia would prompt trigger a proportional

Andhra Pradesh's Assembly saw an action-packed session today, marked by a brief yet intense protest from YS Jagan and his YCP MLAs. After a year of absence, the opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy made a quick entry into the Assembly, along with his party members. They began their appearance by singing the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, before immediately raising slogans during the Governor's speech. The slogans, such as "Law and order must be saved," were aimed at dra

Union Budget 2026 was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, marking her ninth consecutive budget and outlining the government’s commitment to inclusive growth. The budget is guided by three key kartavyas aimed at accelerating economic development while supporting the poor, underprivileged, and disadvantaged sections of society. While income tax payers were hoping for rebates or changes in standard deduction, the government chose to focus on indirect tax relief, healthcare afford

Union Budget 2026 is being presented live from Parliament, marking a significant moment in India’s economic calendar. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is delivering her ninth consecutive Union Budget, continuing a historic streak that reflects policy continuity and long-term fiscal planning. The budget session is being closely watched by policymakers, economists, businesses, and citizens across

The United States government entered a partial shutdown early Saturday after Congress failed to approve a full federal budget for fiscal year 2026 before the midnight deadline. While the lapse in funding has triggered formal shutdown procedures across several federal departments, congressional leaders from both parties indicated the disruption is likely to be brief, with a Senate-backed agreement expected to move through the House early next week. As a result of the missed deadline, an estim

As the Union Budget 2026 draws closer, India’s gems and jewellery industry has stepped up its demands for policy reforms aimed at reviving demand, supporting employment and improving transparency. Industry leaders believe the upcoming Budget can play a decisive role in restoring consumer confidence at a time when global trade uncertainty and high prices have made buyers cautious. With jewellery being both a cultural and economic mainstay, the sector is urging the government to adopt growth-

Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are set to resume trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the prolonged war in Ukraine, with the next round of talks scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on February 1. The development comes after the first round of discussions held last weekend failed to deliver a breakthrough, highlighting the deep divisions and complexity surrounding the conflict. Despite the absence of immediate results, the decision to continue talks reflects a shared understanding amo

The Budget Session 2026 of the Indian Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi. The opening of the session marks the beginning of one of the most significant legislative periods of the year, during which the government outlines its economic vision and policy priorities. Lawmakers from across political parties assembled as the President delivered her customary address, setting the tone for deb

New Jersey mayors are expressing deep concern following President Donald Trump’s announcement that his administration plans to terminate federal funding for sanctuary cities and states that resist his immigration policies. The move, which is expected to take effect on February 1, could have wide-ranging consequences for several municipalities across the state and has renewed debate over the balance of power between federal authority and local governance. New Jersey is home to multip

​Warships from China, Russia and Iran arrived in South African waters on Friday to participate in a week-long multinational naval exercise off the coast of Cape Town, drawing attention amid heightened global tensions and renewed scrutiny of South Africa’s foreign policy positioning. The exercise, titled “Will for Peace 2026,” is being conducted under the framework of the BRICS group of emerging economies and is scheduled to continue until next Friday. South Africa’s armed forces sa

The United States has seized a Russia-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, escalating enforcement of American sanctions and drawing attention to an unusual maritime confrontation involving Russian military assets. The vessel, originally known as Bella-1, was taken into custody on Wednesday following a coordinated operation by US civilian and military authorities acting under a federal court warrant. According to official statements, the seizure was carried out after the tanker

Russia sharply criticized the United States on Saturday following reports of a large-scale military strike on Venezuela, describing the operation as an act of armed aggression and warning that the situation risks further destabilization if restraint is not exercised. The condemnation came after a series of explosions were reported in Caracas in the early hours of the morning, raising fears of a major escalation in an already volatile geopolitical standoff. In a statement issued by t

Brookfield Zoo is offering Chicago-area residents and visitors an excellent opportunity to explore one of the region’s most popular attractions without paying an admission fee, as the zoo has announced free entry on most days throughout January and February. The expanded winter free admission schedule gives families, students, and animal enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a meaningful outdoor experience during the colder months while keeping expenses low. With a wide variety of exhibits and thousan

The Department of Government Efficiency has rejected claims that it was quietly dissolved months before the end of its contract, calling recent reports inaccurate and misleading. The agency, known for its focus on reducing federal spending and reviewing large segments of the government’s budget, responded after speculation arose regarding its operational status. A recent report had cited an unnamed United States official asserting that the department “doesn’t exist,” prompting widespr