India

Lost Helen McNicoll Masterpiece Bought for £2,090, Resold for £174,000

A UK auction buyer named David Taylor purchased an oil painting for just £2,090 after it was incorrectly attributed, unaware of its true origins. Expert analysis later confirmed the work to be The Bean Harvest, a lost masterpiece by Canadian artist Helen McNicoll, valued at approximately £300,000. The painting was subsequently acquired by Canadian collector Pierre Lassonde for £174,000. The sale ensures the century-old artwork will return to public display. The discovery has drawn attention to the potential for significant finds at regional auction houses.

White House bars Politico reporter again despite judge's access order

Teen founder of inclusive kickball league wins $10,000 Gloria Barron Prize

Lucas Rojas, a 16-year-old, created LINKball, a kickball league aimed at bringing together students with special needs and volunteer participants. What began as a single charity match has since grown into a structured league comprising six teams. The initiative now attracts more than 40 players and 60 volunteers each season, fostering inclusivity and teamwork through sport. In recognition of his efforts, Rojas was awarded the $10,000 Gloria Barron Prize for his community impact.

Lollobrigida wins speed skating gold in Olympic record on 35th birthday at Milan 2026

Italian speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida claimed gold in the 3,000-metre event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, setting a new Olympic record in the process. The victory came on her 35th birthday, adding a personal milestone to her sporting achievement. Lollobrigida had returned to elite competition approximately 18 months after the birth of her son, Tommaso. She celebrated her win with an emotional embrace of her toddler, drawing widespread attention to her journey. Her comeback has been widely praised as a testament to perseverance and the challenges of balancing motherhood with professional sport.

Punjab Suspect Who Shot ASI Escapes Custody During Weapon Recovery Operation

A man identified as Karan, accused of shooting Assistant Sub-Inspector Jaswant Singh, escaped from police custody on Wednesday night. Officers had taken him to the Majitha area in Punjab to recover the weapon allegedly used in the attack. The shooting of ASI Jaswant Singh had taken place earlier this month in Amritsar's Rajasansi area. Karan managed to flee during the weapon recovery operation, raising concerns about the security protocols followed during such procedures.

US launches online portal to report visa fraud, misuse; tips can be submitted anonymously

Himanta Sarma Accuses Opposition of Targeting Chief Election Commissioner

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that recent political attacks on the Chief Election Commissioner are part of a coordinated opposition campaign. He alleged that so-called 'Dimaagi Naxals' are also involved in targeting the poll body chief. Sarma framed the criticism as a deliberate effort to undermine the election authority. His remarks come amid broader political tensions surrounding the Election Commission of India.

New Bridges, Tunnels and Expressways Slash Travel Times Across India

A wave of infrastructure development across India is significantly reducing travel times for commuters and long-distance travellers. Projects spanning bridges, tunnels, expressways, and railways are replacing outdated, circuitous routes with faster, more direct connections. Journey durations that once stretched to 33 hours are being cut to as few as 12, while other routes have seen travel times halved from 14 hours to 6. The upgrades address longstanding challenges posed by difficult terrain and the absence of efficient transport links. Vande Bharat train services and modern road corridors are among the key drivers of this transformation.

Mahomes' 8-Acre Missouri Estate Boasts Football Field, Golf Hole and Pool

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes owns an expansive 8-acre estate in Belton, Missouri. He purchased the property in September 2020 following the signing of his major contract extension. Construction was completed in 2023, turning the compound into a fully equipped private retreat. The estate includes a football field, indoor basketball court, a par-3 golf hole, a private pond, and a resort-style pool with a swim-up bar.

Karnataka Links Cauvery Water Release to Availability as Tamil Nadu Reports 20 TMC Deficit

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said the state will release Cauvery water only if sufficient water is available, citing reduced inflows into reservoirs. Tamil Nadu has flagged a deficit of 20 TMC and sought its rightful share of Cauvery water, pointing to crop damage caused by the ongoing shortage. The Supreme Court is currently examining Tamil Nadu's petition challenging Karnataka's assertion of drought-like conditions. Karnataka has previously released water to Tamil Nadu even during periods of low reservoir levels and drought stress. The dispute underscores the long-standing inter-state tension over Cauvery water sharing between the two southern states.

Bank Strike September 28-30: Which banks will remain operational, what services will work, salary update

Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP and Election Commission Chief of Electoral Fraud

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the Election Commission chief, alleging electoral malpractice. Gandhi used the phrase 'vote chori leads to kanoon chori' to suggest that rigging elections ultimately leads to subverting the law. He vowed that the opposition would not stay silent in the face of what he described as an assault on Indian democracy. Gandhi made clear his intent to actively resist any attempts to undermine democratic institutions in the country.

Trump and Xi to Hold Wide-Ranging Talks on Trade, AI, and Global Conflicts

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold high-stakes discussions covering a broad range of bilateral and global issues. Trade tariffs and technology, including artificial intelligence, are expected to be central topics on the agenda. The two leaders are also anticipated to address military ties, US arms sales to Taiwan, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Regional tensions in the Middle East and the growing arms race in space are additionally expected to feature in the talks.

'Vote chori, kanoon chori, sanstha chori': Rahul's triple attack on PM, Shah, CEC

'No anti-incumbency for BJP': Rahul namedrops Saddam, Kim Jong to attack govt, EC

‘Resign in 48 hours’: CJP to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, warns of another Jantar Mantar protest

Delhi HC rejects YouTuber Ajeet Bharti's anticipatory bail in SC/ST remarks case

The Delhi High Court has denied anticipatory bail to YouTuber Ajeet Bharti in connection with a case involving alleged casteist remarks. The court found that a prima facie case existed against him under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Bharti's comments were made in a public social media discussion and were considered derogatory in nature by the court. His legal counsel had argued that the SC/ST Act was not applicable given the context of provocation, but the court was not persuaded by this reasoning.

Opposition Plans Fresh Impeachment Motion Against Election Commission Chief

The Indian opposition is preparing to move an impeachment motion against the Election Commission chief, according to Congress sources. A formal notice for the motion is currently being drafted by opposition parties. The notice could be submitted in Parliament as early as next week. This marks a renewed push by the opposition, suggesting a similar attempt had been made previously.

Meta Dominates AI Glasses Market Despite Growing Privacy Concerns

Meta has established itself as the clear leader in the display-less AI smart glasses segment, capturing the majority of the market share. The company's Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have seen strong sales growth, outpacing competitors in the wearable AI space. However, the product's rise has been accompanied by notable privacy controversies and usage bans in certain locations. Despite the backlash, consumer demand for the glasses has continued to climb, reinforcing Meta's dominant position in this emerging technology category.

Saudi Arabia Issues Second Danger Warning for Mecca Within a Month

Saudi authorities have issued another potential danger warning for Mecca, marking the second such alert within a single month. The warning signals a recurring threat to one of the world's most visited religious sites. Additional alerts were simultaneously issued for other regions along Saudi Arabia's western coast. The Red Sea governorate of Yanbu was among the areas covered by the separate warnings. The back-to-back alerts suggest ongoing concern over safety conditions in the western region of the kingdom.