Government has scrapped early completion bonuses for highway projects in hilly regions to prioritize quality construction. New mandates require slopes to withstand a monsoon before final road work begins. Stricter geological checks and slope monitoring are now compulsory, with payments tied to stability measures. This aims to curb landslides and ensure safer, more durable infrastructure in sensitive terrains.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged states to implement e-Zero FIRs for cybercrime victims, aiming to prevent further harassment and financial loss. He emphasized the need for swift action, better coordination among agencies, and public awareness to combat rising digital fraud. The PM also reviewed progress on the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and stressed efficient infrastructure project planning using the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.

Farmers in Punjab protested the proposed India-US trade agreement, fearing it will harm domestic agriculture, labourers, and small traders. Burning effigies of leaders, they demanded the pact's cancellation, citing concerns over increased imports and unfair competition from subsidized American farmers. This opposition echoes past farm law debates, with calls for MSP guarantees and irrigation reforms.

According to sources, legal and constitutional experts attached to Parliament are currently examining the matter and are expected to provide their recommendations before a final decision is taken. Previous rulings by presiding officers in comparable situations are also being studied to ensure any decision is legally and constitutionally sound. Apart from the rebel factions of the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT), the DMK has also sought a separate seating arrangement following the collapse of its long-standing alliance with the Congress.

In a wide-ranging interview with news agency PTI, Ramesh also launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling its members «fraudulent nationalists», and labelled Prime Minister Narendra Modi «the master of falsehoods». During a rapid-fire segment, the Rajya Sabha MP was asked to give one-word responses to a series of questions. When asked to identify India's best prime minister, he replied, «undoubtedly Jawaharlal Nehru».

Political sparring intensifies as the BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of echoing Pakistan's Rafale narrative. Meanwhile, Iran has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi for late Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral ceremonies. In Kolkata, a warehouse collapse tragically claimed three lives, though 21 were rescued. Indian markets saw a significant surge, driven by global cues and trade optimism. On a brighter note, young cricketer Ashirvad Sooryavanshi impressed with a remarkable 168-run century.

«In 2014, I was supposed to get a Lok Sabha ticket, but it didn't happen, and I cried all night. It was Suvendu who supported me. Later, he joined the BJP, and we don't speak anymore because he is in a different political party. But no one can forget our personal relationship, » Mahua Moitra said.

India's junior space minister Jitendra Singh urged BRICS nations to forge a «Brics Space Economy,» emphasizing collective ambition for global economic growth. The meeting, attended by 10 countries, focused on utilizing the Brics Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation for socio-economic benefits and ensuring sustainable space activities. Discussions also covered co-development and co-creation to address global challenges and foster shared prosperity.

111 districts identified as the most vulnerable due to low irrigation footprints.

Union Minister Amit Shah has directed Nafed and NCCF to procure all pulses and oilseeds directly from farmers, eliminating middlemen and ensuring payments within 48 hours. This initiative aims to guarantee fair prices, boost pulse cultivation, and achieve self-reliance. Shah also announced a two-year deadline for this direct farmer-to-organization sales model and highlighted Nafed's new digital auction platform, scholarship program, and inventory management tools.

Maharashtra's political scene is rapidly changing, as the recent defection of six Uddhav Sena MPs to Eknath Shinde's faction under 'Operation Tiger' highlights. This trend reflects a broader pattern seen in Trinamool Congress and AAP, where the anti-defection law is being sidestepped, and parties blatantly promote shifts in loyalty. The fear of the Samajwadi Party and the NCP being the next targets in this game of defections shows the vulnerability of regional parties in this political maneuvering.