The Election Commission of India deleted approximately 1.85 lakh voters from the electoral rolls of Manipur and Sikkim following a Summary Revision of electoral rolls (SIR). This exercise aimed to clean up voter lists by removing duplicate entries, deceased voters, and those who shifted residences. The move ensures accurate and updated electoral rolls ahead of future elections. The process involved verification through Booth Level Officers and public claims and objections. Officials emphasized this step strengthens electoral integrity and prevents electoral fraud, ensuring only eligible citizens participate in the democratic process.

On September 2, 2017, a four-storey building collapsed in Delhi's Laxmi Nagar area, killing several people and injuring many others. Following the tragedy, ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) members stormed and vandalised the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) headquarters, demanding accountability for the collapse. They held MCD officials responsible for negligence, alleging unauthorized construction was ignored. Protesters demanded the resignation of the MCD Commissioner, accusing civic authorities of corruption and failing to enforce building safety regulations.

Lebanon's President has urgently appealed to the United States for intervention as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 7 people in Lebanon. The strikes targeted areas suspected of harboring Hezbollah militants, escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. The President condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty and called for immediate diplomatic pressure on Israel. The U.S. faces a delicate balancing act between supporting its ally Israel and addressing humanitarian concerns. International organizations have urged de-escalation to prevent a broader regional conflict.

The Tribal Affairs Ministry clarified that the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 has no provision mandating gram sabha consent for developmental or infrastructure projects. The ministry stated that while the FRA recognizes forest-dwelling tribal communities' rights over forestland, it doesn't require gram sabha approval for project clearances. This contradicts environmentalists' and tribal activists' claims who argue gram sabha consent is essential before forest diversion. The statement sparked criticism from opposition and tribal rights groups, who fear it undermines tribal autonomy and could accelerate forest land acquisition for industrial projects, weakening protections for vulnerable communities.

A massive 5-km-long traffic jam paralyzed Dhanushkodi, the iconic beach town at the southeastern tip of Tamil Nadu, as thousands of tourists flooded the area during the holiday season. The single-road access to Dhanushkodi worsened congestion, leaving vehicles stranded for hours. Visitors heading to the scenic coastline, known for its ruins and pristine beaches, faced severe delays. Police deployed personnel to manage the crowd and regulate traffic flow. Authorities urged tourists to plan visits on weekdays to avoid such gridlocks.

A major power failure at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) metro station in Pune caused significant chaos among commuters. The outage disrupted metro services, leaving passengers stranded on platforms and inside trains. Lighting and ventilation systems were affected, causing panic, especially among elderly and children. Metro authorities scrambled to restore power and evacuate passengers safely. Services were temporarily halted, leading to overcrowding and delays. Officials attributed the failure to a technical glitch and assured corrective measures would be implemented to prevent future incidents.

BJP leader Nitin Nabin reinforced PM Modi's "Naraz Fufa" (angry aunt) jibe aimed at opposition parties, particularly the INDIA alliance. PM Modi compared the opposition to a perpetually disgruntled relative who stays upset regardless of outcomes. Nabin doubled down on this remark, criticizing opposition leaders for consistently opposing government policies without constructive alternatives. The jibe targets opposition's negative politics, accusing them of prioritizing criticism over national interest, while BJP positions itself as a party focused on development and governance.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it struck a U.S. warship in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the region. The U.S. Department of Defense swiftly denied the claim, stating no American vessel was hit or damaged. The incident highlights the ongoing military friction between Tehran and Washington in the strategically vital waterway, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass. Both nations have increased naval presence in the area, raising fears of accidental escalation into broader conflict.

# Talking Peace in the Russia-Ukraine War

Diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have intensified, with multiple mediators, including the U.S., China, and Turkey, pushing for negotiations. President Trump has urged both sides toward a ceasefire, engaging directly with Putin and Zelensky. Ukraine insists on territorial integrity and sovereignty, while Russia demands NATO expansion halt and recognition of annexed regions. Zelensky has signaled openness to talks but rejects conceding land. Key challenges remain, including trust deficits and ongoing battlefield dynamics shaping leverage.

The Department of Collegiate Education has issued a strict warning to colleges against taking any punitive action on students due to delays in government scholarship disbursement. Many students were facing harassment, including denial of exam hall tickets and library access, over pending fee payments linked to delayed scholarships. The department clarified that students should not be penalized for government processing delays and directed institutions to allow them to continue academics uninterrupted until funds are released.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarked on a landmark three-day visit to Sri Lanka, marking the first such visit by an Indian Defence Minister in 38 years. The last visit was by the late R. Siva Shanker in 1987. Singh held talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and other top leaders, focusing on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, maritime security in the Indian Ocean, and countering shared security challenges. Key agreements on defence collaboration and capacity building were discussed, reinforcing India's commitment to its "Neighbourhood First" policy.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat visited a Sikh gurdwara in the UK, marking a rare and significant outreach. The gurdwara described the meeting as a "meaningful interaction," where discussions reportedly covered community harmony, cultural ties, and the shared heritage between Hindus and Sikhs. The visit aimed to strengthen relations amid political tensions and diaspora divisions. However, it sparked mixed reactions, with some Sikh groups criticizing the engagement, viewing RSS ideology as contrary to Sikh values, while others welcomed the dialogue as a positive step toward unity.

ISRO reassured its employees that the space agency is not being privatised after staff raised concerns about their future role amid growing private sector involvement in India's space programme. The anxiety emerged as the government increasingly encouraged private companies like startups under IN-SPACe to participate in space missions. ISRO Chairman clarified that the agency will continue leading critical missions, R&D, and deep space exploration, while private firms handle commercial launches. Staff feared job redundancy, but ISRO emphasized its irreplaceable role in strategic and scientific missions, stating privatisation is not on the agenda.

**Ballari MLAs Launch 'Praja Seva' Initiative**

Ballari district MLAs announced that 'Praja Seva,' a public service initiative, will serve as a model program for the entire country. The initiative aims to address citizens' grievances directly by bringing government services and welfare schemes to people's doorsteps. MLAs expressed confidence that this people-centric approach will bridge the gap between administration and citizens, ensuring efficient delivery of benefits. They urged officials to implement it effectively, making Ballari a benchmark for governance and public welfare nationwide.

ISRO has firmly denied reports suggesting its privatisation, calling such claims "completely baseless" and "incorrect." The Indian Space Research Organisation clarified that there are no plans to privatise the agency. While India has opened its space sector to private players through reforms and the creation of IN-SPACe to encourage private participation, ISRO remains a government organization. The agency continues to lead India's space missions while collaborating with private companies for manufacturing and launches, maintaining its core role in national space exploration and satellite programs.