AUSTIN, Texas — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is scheduled to deliver a public lecture at University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, as part of a series of events marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. According to university

The race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom has shifted significantly following the abrupt exit of Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who suspended his gubernatorial campaign and announced plans to resign from Congress after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Swalwell, once viewed as a leading contender in the heavily Democratic state, made his decision public on Sunday, April 12, 2026. He later stated on Monday, April 13, 2026, that he would step down from Congress, though he did not specify a timeline. In a public statement, Swalwell denied the allegations and said he would continue to contest them, while acknowledging that his focus on the matter would hinder his ability to serve constituents effectively. The developments have reshaped an already crowded and unpredictable race ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary election. A scheduled candidate gathering in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marks the first major public appearance of the remaining contenders since Swalwell’s withdrawal. Separately, attorneys representing a woman accusing Swalwell indicated that additional allegations would be detailed the same day in Beverly Hills. With more than 50 candidates on the ballot and no clear frontrunner, political analysts suggest Swalwell’s departure may fragment his support base rather than consolidate it behind a single candidate. Democratic concerns persist that a divided vote could allow two Republican candidates to advance to the general election under California’s top-two primary system. Among Democrats, figures such as Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and Antonio Villaraigosa are seeking to gain momentum. Meanwhile, Republicans remain divided, with former President Donald Trump backing Steve Hilton, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco continues to draw support within the party. Swalwell’s exit adds uncertainty to an already volatile contest, leaving both parties navigating a rapidly evolving political landscape in one of the nation’s most consequential state elections.

Amazon has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Globalstar in a deal valued at $11.57 billion, marking a significant expansion of its satellite internet strategy as it seeks to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink network. The companies formally signed the agreement on Monday, April 13, 2026, with the transaction publicly announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The acquisition represents a major step in Amazon’s broader push into low Earth orbit connectivity under its Amazon Leo

In a major technological twist to election campaigning, actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam have introduced hologram-based outreach to connect with voters across Tamil Nadu. With elections approaching, the party is using life-sized 3D projections of Vijay to overcome the ch

​New Jersey officials have unveiled a series of new vehicles for NJ Transit as part of a long-term initiative to modernize the state’s public transportation system. The announcement took place at the Meadows Maintenance Complex in Kearny, where state leaders and transit executives presented the latest additions to the agency’s expanding fleet. Mikie Sherrill joined transit officials to

U.S. stock markets opened lower on Monday, April 13, 2026, as investor sentiment weakened following the collapse of high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran and a sharp rebound in global oil prices. The downturn reflected rising geopolitical uncertainty after talks aimed at easing tensions ended without agreement over the weekend. As of 9:40 AM ET on April 13, 2026, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.72 percent, while the S&P 500 declined 0.33 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.36 percent. At the same time, oil markets surged, with Brent crude rising nearly 6 percent to above $100 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate also climbing past the $100 mark, signaling renewed pressure on global energy markets. Market volatility increased as the CBOE Volatility Index rose to 20.61, indicating heightened investor caution. Analysts noted a shift toward a “risk-off” environment, as traders reacted to escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical channel for global oil supply. The market reaction followed the U.S. Navy’s move to begin restricting maritime activity linked to Iran after negotiations held in Islamabad failed to produce a ceasefire or nuclear agreement. The blockade targets vessels associated with Iranian ports, intensifying concerns over potential disruptions to global trade and energy flows. Despite the geopolitical strain, some analysts said the market response remained relatively contained compared to the scale of the crisis. However, the continued rise in oil prices and uncertainty over supply routes could pose longer-term risks for both equity markets and the broader global economy.  

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a commanding 57-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in an IPL 2026 clash held in Hyderabad, powered by standout performances from debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain. The match took place on Tuesday, April 13, 2026, with Hyderabad delivering a dominant all-around display.

U.S. President Donald Trump removed an AI-generated image from his account on Truth Social on Monday, April 13, 2026, after it remained online for nearly 13 hours and sparked significant backlash from segments of his political base, particularly religious conservatives. The image depicted Trump in

Shares of major U.S. software companies moved sharply higher as investors returned to a sector that has faced sustained pressure amid concerns about artificial intelligence disrupting traditional business models. Oracle led the gains, with its stock rising 11%, helping drive a broader recovery across technology equities that had experienced steep declines earlier in the year. Other prominent

NEW YORK — The Trump administration has agreed to continue flying a rainbow Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument, reversing a February decision that had sparked legal challenges and public criticism. The agreement was disclosed in court filings on Monday, February 2026, as part of an effort to resolve a lawsuit brought by LGBTQ+ advocacy and historic preservation groups. The settlement remains subject to approval by a federal judge. According to the filing, the Department o

Washington, April 13 — The Vatican issued a measured but firm response Monday after criticism from the US president targeting Pope Leo XIV, just days before the pontiff is set to embark on a high-profile visit to Africa. The remarks followed statements by the US president on April 12, in which he questioned the Pope’s stance on issues including global economic equity and migration, and criticized his broader approach to international affairs. The comments come as the Vatican prepa

A rare sighting of a “cloud jaguar” in Honduras is offering renewed hope for wildlife conservation after the elusive big cat was photographed at high altitude for the first time in a decade. The lone male jaguar was captured on camera traps on Thursday, February 6, at approximately 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) in the

Scottie Scheffler delivered an impressive late surge at the Masters Tournament but ultimately fell one shot short, finishing second behind Rory McIlroy at Augusta National Golf Club. Despite posting back-to-back bogey-free rounds over the weekend, Scheffler expressed concerns about course conditions that he believes impacted his chances. Scheffler, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, pointed specifically to differences in course setup between rounds. He noted that conditions during his Thursday afternoon start were significantly more challenging, while the greens appeared softer later on Friday, benefiting players in later groups. Scheffler, who teed off early Friday, carded a two-over 74 and lost critical ground on the leaderboard. He said the variation in firmness between Thursday and Friday created an uneven playing field, though he acknowledged that changing weather is part of the sport. Windy conditions on Thursday contributed to tougher scoring, while calmer conditions and softer greens later Friday allowed several players, including McIlroy, to post low rounds. McIlroy capitalized with a seven-under 65 on Friday afternoon, building a lead that proved decisive. Scheffler rebounded with a seven-under round on Saturday and mounted a strong charge Sunday, nearly closing the gap with a late run of birdie opportunities. However, a missed putt in the final stretch ended his comeback bid. Scheffler said his Friday round “hurt the most” in terms of his chances to win, emphasizing that he was unable to take advantage of more favorable scoring conditions seen later in the day. Even so, his performance marked a historic achievement, becoming the first player since 1942 to record consecutive bogey-free rounds on a Masters weekend. While disappointed with the outcome, Scheffler’s finish reinforced his consistency at the highest level, as he pushed one of golf’s biggest stars to the final hole in one of the sport’s most prestigious events.  

Former NFL first-round draft pick Paxton Lynch has suffered a season-ending knee injury while attempting a professional comeback in arena football, dealing another setback to his football career. Lynch, who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, was playing for the Colorado Spartans in the National Arena League ahead of the 2026 season when he sustained a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The injury occurred during his third game with the

Famous singer Mangli has strongly denied any involvement in the ongoing microfinance case, clarifying that neither she nor her brother has any connection with the matter. Speaking at a press conference today, Mangli expressed her emotions and shed tears as she refuted the allegations circulating in the media. She stated that music is her world, and she has no greed for money. Mangli further accused lawyer Subbu of filing the case against her purely for publicity and to gain attentio

The ISDE India Edition 2026, a two-day international conference on esophageal cancer, was inaugurated on April 10, 2026, by Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna, Chairman & Managing Trustee of NBTRMCF, at The Westin Hyderabad, Madhapur. This is the first time the conference is being held in India, emphasizing the country’s growing role in esophageal cancer research and clinical expertise. The conference, in association with the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute

A large protest by factory workers in Noida turned violent, with protesters vandalizing vehicles and throwing stones while police tried to control the situation. The protest took place in Phase 2 of Noida, an area home to several factories. Workers are demanding a salary increase and better benefits. As the situation escalated, police reinforcements were called in to prevent further unrest, and the protests caused heavy traffic congestion on key roads in Noida on Monday morning. The

In a highly anticipated final at the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships, Ayush Shetty's dream of winning India's first men's singles gold in over six decades was dashed by the reigning world champion from China. Shetty, despite his best efforts, couldn’t find his rhythm against the Chinese player’s superior performance. The match ended with a convincing 8-21, 10-21 scoreline in favor of the Chinese champion, who displayed clinical precision throughout the match. This result furth

In the wake of a failed peace negotiation between the United States and Iran in Pakistan, US President Donald Trump announced a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which would come into effect at 10 AM on 13th April 2026. Speaking outside Air Force One, Trump stated that Iran is in a "very bad shape," emphasizing that the United States had a superior understanding of the situation. Despite the 21-hour long talks between the two nations, no agreement was reached, particularly on the issue of Ira

AUSTIN, Texas — City officials in Austin are evaluating new regulations that could limit the sale of e-cigarettes and synthetic nicotine products near schools and daycare centers, as part of an effort to reduce youth exposure to tobacco-related products. The proposal follows a 2025 City Council resolution directing city staff to explore policy options aimed at protecting minors. During a Public Health Committee meeting held in early 2026, Austin Public Health (APH) reported that approximately 600 retailers currently operate within 1,000 feet of schools or daycare facilities. The agency recommended a zoning ordinance change that would apply only to new businesses, allowing existing retailers to continue operating under a “grandfather” provision. City officials noted that state law requires compensation if an existing business loses its land-use rights, which influenced the recommendation to limit the policy’s scope to future establishments. The proposal would also exempt large food retailers exceeding 12,000 square feet to avoid creating gaps in access to essential goods in certain neighborhoods. APH further suggested expanding the ordinance to include all nicotine and tobacco products, rather than focusing solely on e-cigarettes or synthetic alternatives. Officials say this broader approach would help address emerging products and reduce regulatory loopholes over time. Local business owners have expressed concern about the potential impact on retail operations and expansion opportunities. Some argue that strict age verification practices are already in place and that specialty vape shops are not the primary source of underage access. Others point to challenges in finding commercial spaces that meet distance requirements from schools or childcare centers. City Council has not yet scheduled a final vote on the proposal. Additional public hearings and discussions are expected to take place in the fall of 2026 as officials gather input from stakeholders and evaluate the broader implications of the policy.