The Times of India

Ministry of external affairs has refuted US secretary of commerce Howard Lutnick's claims regarding trade deal negotiations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Lutnick's remarks were inaccurate, highlighting multiple rounds of talks and the closeness of a deal on several occasions. He also confirmed that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump have spoken eight times in 2025.

A private bus carrying 30-35 passengers rolled off a hilly road in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district, killing at least eight people. The bus was traveling from Kupvi to Shimla when it lost control in the Haripurdhar area. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the death toll is feared to rise as several passengers sustained serious injuries.

A new analysis reveals nearly half of Indian cities grapple with chronic air pollution, a persistent issue stemming from ongoing emission sources. The National Clean Air Programme currently covers only a fraction of these severely affected urban areas, highlighting a significant gap in addressing the crisis. Experts urge targeted reforms and a broader approach to combat this widespread problem.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Modi government's foreign policy, citing alleged inconsistency and compromise of India's strategic interests. He pointed to the potential lifting of bans on Chinese companies for government contracts and PM Modi's silence on US President Donald Trump's comments regarding India's Russian oil purchases.

The Supreme Court continues hearing pleas on stray dog management. Actor Sharmila Tagore's counsel argued for science-based solutions. Lawyers debated the Animal Birth Control rules and identifying aggressive dogs. The court cautioned against romanticizing dogs in hospitals. Suggestions for identification were raised. Welfare groups stressed proper rule enforcement. The court considered constitutional limits and empathy in its interim order.

Arvind Kejriwal emphasized the need to protect small shopkeepers and traders for national progress, announcing the Punjab State Traders Commission to upgrade local markets and simplify the tax system. He criticized the negative perception of traders and the current ax terrorism under GST, vowing to free them from it if his party forms a central government.

Reliance Industries is considering resuming Venezuelan crude oil purchases if non-US buyers are permitted, awaiting regulatory clarity. Other Indian refiners like Indian Oil Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp are also open to Venezuelan oil under similar conditions. This potential shift comes as India faces pressure to reduce Russian oil imports.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra strongly advocates for Shreyas Iyer's immediate inclusion in the T20I squad. He believes Iyer is the ideal replacement for the injured Tilak Varma, emphasising the need for middle-order stability and experience ahead of a crucial white-ball calendar. Chopra sees Iyer as the most logical choice, even over other contenders like Riyan Parag.

AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha accused the BJP-led state government of trying to divert attention from key issues in Delhi, such as law and order, contaminated water, pollution and the Yamuna by circulating a fraudulent video involving LoP Atishi.

TMC leaders, including MPs, were detained protesting ED raids on I-PAC offices in Kolkata. The party alleges the raids, targeting election strategy data, are politically motivated harassment by the Union government ahead of West Bengal polls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the action, calling it a vendetta and accusing the BJP of attempting to steal party documents.

Shashi Tharoor, while respecting Jawaharlal Nehru as India's democratic founder, acknowledged his mistakes, stating the Modi government unfairly scapegoats him. He noted the 1962 China war defeat as a potential Nehru misstep, but criticized blaming him for all current issues. Tharoor also shared personal anecdotes about his writing journey and Kerala's reading culture.