Catch Live updates here: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/budget-2026-live-updates-nirmala-sitharaman-union-budget-highlights-income-tax-slabs-goods-cost-10505936/

*Fresh Take* | Just three days into the New Year, we had our "not on my bingo card" moment. The US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and when President Trump shared his photo, it went viral for a different reason: his Nike Tech sweatsuit. Are we using humour to cope with geopolitical uncertainties, or have we lost our ability to distinguish between spectacle and substance? Read: https://indianexpress.com/article/fresh-take/venezuela-nicolas-maduro-nike-tech-viral-meme-10460007/

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-briefing-ajit-pawar-death-10500688/ Good morning, Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader, was killed in a plane crash on Wednesday morning at Baramati airport. He was travelling to Pune on a chartered aircraft along with his security officer Vidip Jadhav, flight attendant Pinky Mali, pilot Captain Sumit Kapoor, and co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak. All five died in the crash. Eyewitnesses said Pawar was identified by his wristwatch — a detail that struck a grim chord with party workers, for whom the clock is also the symbol of the NCP. His last rites will be held today at 11 am at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati. https://www.inexp.in/mAlJuv What happened? The aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45, took off from the Mumbai airport and was airborne for around 35 minutes. It was attempting to land at Baramati, a small regional airstrip used mainly for pilot training, lacking navigational aids for low-visibility conditions. 👉 In the pilot’s final communications, he reported that the runway was not in sight, forcing a second landing attempt. The aircraft reportedly slipped and crashed into a rock. Trace the crucial 26 minutes leading up to the crash. https://www.inexp.in/YTS0QW 👉 Significantly, a Parliamentary panel had earlier warned that aviation safety oversight has failed to keep pace with the rapid expansion of private and charter aircraft operations. https://www.inexp.in/mkmPdz 👉 The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the probe. On Wednesday, investigators visited the Delhi office of VSR Aviation, the operator of the jet. Owned by two pilots, the firm has expanded rapidly in recent years. https://www.inexp.in/UIXJKp The legacy: Ajit Pawar’s political journey unfolded in the long shadow of his uncle Sharad Pawar, the founder of the Nationalist Congress Party. The son of Sharad Pawar’s elder brother, Ajit, rose swiftly under his uncle’s patronage, even as he chafed at the constraints of that inheritance. The urge to carve out an independent identity defined his career, first surfacing in 2019 and culminating decisively in 2023, when he split the NCP. https://www.inexp.in/oQyg4p 👉 In Baramati, the Pawar family stronghold, party workers and residents grieved Ajit Pawar’s death. Read Sunanda Mehta’s ground report. https://www.inexp.in/6vuH5u 👉 His death also deals a blow to the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had long leaned on Ajit Pawar to counterbalance Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. With Ajit gone, the BJP loses that leverage. https://www.inexp.in/k7AyBh 👉 The larger question now hangs over the NCP itself. Ajit Pawar’s death could pave the way for a reunification of the split factions — a scenario that would further unsettle the ruling alliance. If not, who steps in to lead the party? We break down the contenders. https://www.inexp.in/S9lgLH 👉 Finally, we revisit the corruption cases that followed Ajit Pawar, from the Rs 1,300-crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank case to the Rs 70,000-crore irrigation projects controversy linked to his tenure as Water Resources Minister. https://www.inexp.in/Ba70C6 Loksatta editor Girish Kuber writes: Ajit Pawar was a man in a hurry, even when the destination was not in sight https://www.inexp.in/scH22Y That’s all for today. Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-briefing-10472457/ Good morning, What does the day of a gig worker delivering orders look like? My colleague Soumyarendra Barik spent a day each as a delivery worker for Zomato, Blinkit and Swiggy. He earned Rs 782, completing 23 deliveries. What he found was that India's cost of convenience economy comes with long, punishing hours for precarious earnings. Read his account. https://www.inexp.in/n2p+Kg On that note, let’s get into the rest of today’s edition👇 * Toxic waters * An ‘Indo-Europe’? * How many siblings do you have? And more 🚨 *Big Story* Mumbai votes tomorrow in the much-awaited elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Asia’s richest civic body with a budget of around Rs 75,000 crore. Under the BMC’s care, however, the Mithi river flowing through the city is in a deplorable state, underscoring the failure of successive governments to ensure accountability. An Indian Express investigation, based on records obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, shows that the Mithi’s water quality has deteriorated sharply. The river is severely polluted, with faecal coliform levels—an indicator of sewage contamination—at 127 times the permissible limits. Over Rs 6,300 crore has been allocated for its rejuvenation, but the funds remain unspent, delaying or stalling mitigation projects. Nayonika Bose reports. https://www.inexp.in/uhfiWg Express interview: Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde sat down with The Indian Express for a chat about the upcoming polls, the Thackeray cousins’ alliance, and his own ties with the BJP-led ruling alliance. Read the full interview here. https://www.inexp.in/-bckds Need to know: Barring Mumbai, voters in 28 cities, including Thane, Navi Mumbai and Pune, will have to vote under a three or four-member ward system in the elections. This means that they must cast three or four separate votes in a single visit to the polling booth, as their wards function on a multi-corporator system to ensure adequate representation. Read our step-by-step guide. https://www.inexp.in/wevEPI ⚡ *Only in Express* German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India not only enhanced the bilateral relationship but also came at a time when both countries are navigating new realities. Europe must rethink its long-standing dependencies on Russian oil, China's supply chain, and American security guarantees, while India faces steep American tariffs and disrupted trade. Columnist C Raja Mohan writes that this could signal the beginning of a fresh strategic geography — "the Indo-Europe". https://www.inexp.in/Z3B-9y 🎧 We discuss more about the pacts signed between India and Germany in today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode. Tune in. https://www.inexp.in/urD9h8 📰 *From the Front Page* Low-stakes: US President Donald Trump warned that any country trading with Iran will face fresh 25% tariffs. The move could primarily impact China, Iran's largest trading partner. For India, however, experts suggest that the impact would be minimal, given low trade volumes. 👉 Look at the trade data and India’s investments in Iran. https://www.inexp.in/1TYDvy On notice: During the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, if an elector names the same person as their parent as six other people, they are likely to receive a notice from the Election Commission. These notices flag a “suspicion of a possible wrong connection” and ask the electors to appear for a hearing. A Trinamool Congress minister said that the voters were being harassed in this manner. https://www.inexp.in/H6evlx 📌 *Must Read* On its tail: At least 20-odd people, including four children, are believed to have been killed by a rampaging bull elephant on the tribal-dominated Jharkhand-Odisha border. While man-animal conflict isn't new in the area, the killings this time are "unlike anything seen in recent years" due to their brutality. Many have fled their homes in panic, while others have built machans for protection. Now, authorities have launched a massive hunt for the aggressive elephant, but pinpointing his location hasn't been easy. Read. https://www.inexp.in/duQeBt The way forward: Who's in control of Venezuela now? What can one make of Trump's threats against Cuba, Colombia, and Greenland? Does the US action against Nicolas Maduro embolden Russia and China? We posed these questions to former ambassador Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha, who served as India’s envoy to Venezuela between January 2007 and August 2009. Here's what he explained. https://www.inexp.in/2yhhyQ ⏳ *And Finally...* The Railways have discontinued the bandhgala as part of their uniform, dismissing it as a “colonial relic”. The bandhgala is anything but. It was among the earliest “Made in India” fashion statements to capture the global imagination, emerging from Mughal ceremonial codes, Rajput warrior aesthetics and the refined tailoring traditions of Marwar. Rinku Ghosh traces the origins and history of the bandhgala. https://www.inexp.in/hOSSED That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-briefing-10463506/ Good morning, Until now, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been solely responsible for the conservation of monuments across the country. However, in less than two weeks, the government will allow corporate donors to participate in this task. As it moves towards a public–private partnership (PPP) model, private entities will be permitted to fund heritage conservation projects. They will be able to choose their own conservation architects to preserve one of the 250 monuments listed by the Ministry of Culture. Currently, the government is in the process of empanelling conservation architects and vetting applications from private agencies with experience in heritage conservation. Divya A has more details. https://www.inexp.in/JN+Vyv On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition👇 * Inside the I-PAC raids * The POCSO case against shooting coach * AI in courts; and more 🚨 *Big Story* High drama unfolded on Thursday as the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 10 premises linked to I-PAC, the election management firm founded by Prashant Kishor, in Kolkata and Delhi. I-PAC is currently managing the election campaign of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress for the West Bengal polls, scheduled for later this year. Searches at the residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain were “met with resistance.” According to a senior ED officer, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the premises with the state DGP and a local police contingent and carried away files, a laptop, and a mobile phone belonging to Jain. The ED said it would approach the High Court over what it termed state government interference. https://www.inexp.in/aWlSBF As it happened: Mamata travelled from Jain’s Loudon Street residence in Kolkata to the I-PAC office in Salt Lake, carrying a green plastic folder and a laptop, which she said contained crucial information related to her party. TMC supporters had already gathered there. Mamata accused the ED and the BJP of “hijacking” her party’s political strategy. Read how the five-hour drama unfolded. https://www.inexp.in/M1fsYD The charge: The searches are linked to a 2020 CBI case involving alleged coal smuggling kingpin Anup Majee alias Lala. The ED alleges Majee illegally excavated coal from Eastern Coalfields Ltd and sold it to factories, using hawala operators. One such operator is alleged to have facilitated transactions worth tens of crores of rupees to I-PAC. Deeptiman Tiwary has all the details. https://www.inexp.in/kkZDOp ‘Agencies weaponised’: Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the Narendra Modi government of selectively targeting their leaders through central agencies. The raids on I-PAC—the first against a private political consultancy firm directly involved in an ongoing election campaign—have triggered unease across the Opposition. Here’s what they had to say. https://www.inexp.in/L6JP8i ⚡ *Only in Express* A recent strike by gig workers has raised questions about their rights and the responsibilities of the companies. What’s the way forward? We asked two experts to weigh in. Himanshu, an associate professor at JNU, writes that the platforms' refusal to be identified as "employers" makes it difficult to regulate them using the existing labour laws and social protection measures. https://www.inexp.in/TzYqD0 Srinath Sridharan, a corporate advisor, writes: “Gig platforms did not create India’s informal labour tradition. They have industrialised it, digitised it and scaled it faster than our regulatory reflexes have adapted.” https://www.inexp.in/-rDO9H 📰 *From the Front Page* Threat: US President Donald Trump has greenlit a “Russia sanctions Bill” that proposes 500% tariffs on “all goods and services” imported from countries that “knowingly engage in the exchange” of Russian-origin “uranium and petroleum products”. The Bill would allow the US to push higher tariffs on India, which is already facing a steep 50% charge for its purchase of Russian oil, and could even end India's exports to the US. https://www.inexp.in/H7I1OK 🎧 We deep dive into the Russia sanctions Bill in today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode. Tune in. https://www.inexp.in/yuQ3gX I’m out: The US also announced that it was exiting more than 60 international treaties and organisations that “no longer serve American interests”. Among these were several climate-related entities, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This decision marks the US's complete disengagement with the international climate architecture, jeopardising the existing multilateral processes designed to deal with climate change. How will it impact India? Amitabh Sinha explains. https://www.inexp.in/5ZI9JI Closed doors: Days after at least eight people died due to contaminated drinking water, a fresh row is brewing in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. Two top officials, Collector Shivam Verma and Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav, attended a meeting at the RSS office, where the crisis was discussed. The Congress said the meeting reeked of “administrative impartiality,” while others raised questions over institutional protocols. https://www.inexp.in/--wJpJ 📌 *Must Read* The Faridabad police on Tuesday lodged an FIR against a national shooting coach, Ankush Bhardwaj, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor shooter. The FIR invokes section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, pertaining to aggravated penetrative sexual assault, and section 351(2) of the BNS, which deals with criminal intimidation. https://www.inexp.in/gSOkhd Also read: Who is Ankush Bhardwaj? https://www.inexp.in/tqAdUy Pioneer: Madhav Gadgil, a renowned ecologist, passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 83 after a brief illness. Nikhil Ghanekar recalls Gadgil’s biggest contributions to environmental protection and how he became the voice of Western Ghats, forests, rivers, and communities. Read. https://www.inexp.in/2vbPd5 ⏳ *And Finally...* Courtrooms are solving the biggest bottleneck — recording and transcribing hearings timely and accurately — with artificial intelligence (AI). Meet TERES (or Technology Enabled ReSolution), which is now used during Constitution Bench hearings, and Adalat AI, employed in courtrooms across nine states. In fact, law firms are also using AI for research and document review. Read all about AI's expanding footprint in Indian courts. https://www.inexp.in/gRsBp2 That’s all for today, folks! Happy weekend! Sonal Gupta

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-briefing-10461333/ Good morning, Silver prices are soaring and showing no signs of slowing down. After surging more than 160% in 2025, prices jumped another 7% in just the first week of 2026. Gold, too, has been shining brightly, as households and central banks fall back on traditional safe havens amid shaky investor confidence and global trade tensions. But silver’s rally has a story of its own. Unlike gold, silver is a key component in manufacturing — from batteries to solar panels. The rise of artificial intelligence has further boosted demand, as silver is increasingly used in smart grid infrastructure and data transmission technologies. But supply isn’t keeping up with this surging demand. My colleague Siddharth Upasani explains silver’s rise in detail. https://www.inexp.in/5UJ-D1 On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition👇 * The Venezuelan oil gamble * Satellite township near Shimla * The Indian football mess; and more 🚨 *Big Story* The United States seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday as part of its effort to block sanctioned vessels and control the flow of oil from the South American country. For the first time in years, the US military has seized a Russia-flagged vessel — the Marinera. According to the US, the Marinera and the other seized tanker, M Sophia, belong to a "shadow fleet" used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. Response: The US had been chasing the Marinera for a week across the Atlantic. It had refused to be boarded last month, before changing its flag to Russia's. The tanker, reportedly empty, was also being escorted by a Russian submarine at the time of its seizure. The Russian Transport Ministry issued a statement, saying: "No state has the right to use force against ships properly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.” https://www.inexp.in/tu15WY The gamble: The US is mulling taking control of Venezuela's state-run oil company, PDVSA, according to an exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal. When the US captured the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump had stated that he intended to "fix" the broken oil industry in the country. The White House is currently meeting American oil executives to seek investments in Venezuela. However, it may be a hard sell. Anil Sasi explains why. https://www.inexp.in/Z3JNFX Also read: Maduro’s Nike sweatsuit goes viral: When memes take over and nuance dies https://www.inexp.in/wY7gB1 ⚡ *Only in Express* Alarm bells: As many as 2.89 crore electors were scratched off the draft electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh as part of the Special Intensive Revision. This comprises over 18% of the electorate, sparking concerns in the state BJP over the large number of exclusions ahead of the Assembly elections next year. The top brass has asked state leaders to target adding 200 votes in each polling booth before the final electoral roll is finalised. Lalmani Verma reports. https://www.inexp.in/CCVuf3 🎧 For the latest updates on the SIR exercise, tune in to today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode. https://www.inexp.in/33Y-Yi 📰 *From the Front Page* ‘No point’: Trump's recent remarks have caused a sense of disquiet in New Delhi, which has chosen not to respond for the time being. Trump claimed, “PM Modi came to see me, ‘Sir, may I see you please’. Yes.” He added that India had ordered 68 Apache helicopters from the US that were delayed — a claim countered by New Delhi. Meanwhile, sources told The Indian Express that the diplomatic establishment has counselled against any sharp response to the US, calling for restraint. https://www.inexp.in/jcLud7 Frenemies? Can the BJP tie up with the Congress — or the AIMIM? “Not acceptable,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as he directed his party, the BJP, to break off alliances that local units had formed with the Congress (in Thane's Ambernath) and the AIMIM (in Akola's Akot). The units tied up to form a majority in the two local bodies, following last month's elections. https://www.inexp.in/44+XO8 Denied: The National Medical Commission has withdrawn permission to run an MBBS course at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) after it gave the green signal just four months ago. Officials from the institute and central health bodies say the decision appeared to be made without “due process”. https://www.inexp.in/e4To3- 📌 *Must Read* Tragic: “I never thought that caste could make a father kill his own daughter.” These were the words of Viveknanda Dhoddamani, a 22-year-old Dalit youth, whose pregnant wife, 20-year-old Manya, was allegedly killed by her family a fortnight ago. The family members are now in jail, the chief minister has promised a speedy trial, while the district to which they belong is under a security clampdown. Read all about the case that has sent shockwaves across Karnataka. https://www.inexp.in/ck3eIX At a loss: Shimla, a bustling hill city and a tourism hotspot, is struggling with congestion. The administration has planned a satellite township, Jathiya Devi, next to it to ease the burden and spread the urban growth to the surrounding rural areas. As part of this Rs 1,374-crore plan, the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority aims to acquire nine villages. However, this has sparked concerns among residents of losing their land, history and belongingness. https://www.inexp.in/0ZdqCI Let’em play: In his weekly column, MP Shashi Tharoor reflects on the controversy over the removal of Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL franchise KKR. "Bangladesh is not Pakistan... Furthermore, there is a moral question at stake. Why must sports and cricket alone bear the burden of social media outrage?" Read on. https://www.inexp.in/QZKURk ⏳ *And Finally...* The Indian men's football is a mess. Players waited for months for the domestic season, and when it was finally announced that the Indian Super League would kick off on February 14, there was more anxiety than relief. Multiple clubs have asked players to take salary cuts as the season has been truncated. Moreover, not a single bid came their way when the All India Football Federation (AIFF) floated a tender for a commercial rights partner. Mihir Vasavda reports. https://www.inexp.in/BZuqa7 That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-iran-bmc-elections-10474458/ Good morning, The India Open badminton Super 750 tournament is underway in Delhi. Some of the world's top shuttlers have gathered, but an unwelcome visitor was seen in the stands at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex on Wednesday — a monkey. Officials said that the monkey was promptly removed after it was spotted. However, the incident came just a day after a Danish player, Mia Blichfeldt, had criticised the "unhealthy" conditions in the training area, flagging the presence of pigeons and bird-poop littering. Another Danish player, Anders Antonsen, the current World No.3, shared on social media that he had pulled out of the tournament due to the "extreme pollution" in New Delhi and had been fined for it. These issues have taken the spotlight as India prepares to host the Badminton World Championships later this year. The Badminton World Federation told The Indian Express in a statement that a comprehensive review of all tournament facilities and operational processes was underway to guide improvements in preparation for the World Championships. https://www.inexp.in/1qNjJm On that note, let’s get into the rest of today’s edition👇 * Iran on the brink * BMC polls today * A historic voyage to Muscat; and more 🚨 *Big Story* Iran is witnessing its worst domestic unrest as the government cracks down on protestors, who have been demonstrating against economic hardships and the theocratic regime since December. The toll: A human rights group estimates that over 2,500 people have already been killed by security forces in the crackdown. At least 100 security personnel have also been killed during the demonstrations. Iran's judiciary chief on Wednesday signalled fast trials and executions for detained protestors. Battle-ready: Tension mounted further in the region, as US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to continue protesting, saying that "help is on its way". The US has said it would strike the Iranian establishment if it doesn't stop killing protestors, despite warnings from Tehran that it would retaliate with attacks on US bases across West Asia. 👉 What options does the US have to engage with Iranian authorities? If diplomatic channels fail, the US could look at calibrated attacks or a ground offensive. Shubhajit Roy explains what that means for the region. https://www.inexp.in/H39HVa 👉 In our Opinion pages today, Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf analyses what it would take to overturn the regime, and why the US would have to choose a decisive response to shift the balance of power. https://www.inexp.in/zfLi4Z Meanwhile, India has issued an advisory to all nationals living in Iran to avoid protest sites. An estimated 10,000 Indians are living in Iran, who have been advised to register with the embassy and leave the country. https://www.inexp.in/MwSz-f 📰 *From the Front Page* Voting day: Mumbai is all set for a high-stakes battle as it heads to the polls after a four-year gap. Over 1.03 crore voters will cast their ballots today to elect a new general body of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The counting will be held on Friday. An undivided Shiv Sena ruled over the BMC, but the 2022 split has turned the civic polls into a contest for legacy and legitimacy. https://www.inexp.in/Hz8Sxi A total of 29 municipal corporations, including Thane, Pune and Navi Mumbai, are up for grabs. Follow live updates. https://www.inexp.in/7vgPIl Heist crew: Canada has formally requested India to extradite Preet Panesar, a 33-year-old key accused in the 2023 theft of gold valued at $20 million. The Indian Express had earlier traced Panesar to a rented house in Mohali, following which the ED had searched the premises and filed a case against him. Panesar is now learnt to have shifted to another location, also on the outskirts of Chandigarh. https://www.inexp.in/fMy49p Take a print: The Finance Ministry shifted from the North Block at Raisina Hill to the new complex, Kartavya Bhavan, last year. However, due to "significant constraints" in installing the printing press at the new premises, the Ministry will fall back on the old facility at North Block to print the final copies of the Union Budget 2026-27. https://www.inexp.in/xcjAHI 📌 *Must Read* Slick: Nearly a decade into prohibition in Bihar, liquor smugglers have turned to increasingly inventive ways to stay ahead of the enforcement agencies and slip past the checkpoints in the dry state. In the latest episode, the police found themselves taking a horse into custody in West Champaran, while the Railway Protection Force busted a consignment hidden in the engine room of a passenger train. Read. https://www.inexp.in/xaNa1I The dragon rises: China, a manufacturing powerhouse, has long had a trade surplus, i.e. its earnings through exports exceed what it pays for imports. In 2025, the trade surplus climbed to a record high of $1.2 trillion, despite the US imposing steep tariffs on China. Udit Misra explains how the Trump tariffs may have reduced China's trade surplus with the US, but did little to stop Beijing's global domination. https://www.inexp.in/6HvMDV ⏳ *And Finally...* An Indian Navy crew has scripted history, completing an arduous 17-day journey from Gujarat's Porbandar to Muscat in Oman, sailing on a "stitched ship". Their vessel was unlike any — modelled after a fifth-century ship depicted in a painting in the Ajanta caves, and built using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques. It has a stitched-plank construction that doesn't require nails or metal fasteners, and moves with square sails, trailing oars and with the help of wind, instead of engines and propellers. Read all about the voyage. https://www.inexp.in/5FGZ7X 🎧 I leave you with today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode, where we discuss the spread of superbugs in Delhi, a parasite threatening India’s edible oil industry, and the row over 10-minute deliveries. https://www.inexp.in/zyZ4SS That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-top-news-today-10465452/ *Good morning,* “ _Where is Pratik’s house?_ ” This was West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s only question for the police as she got out of her car in central Kolkata’s Loudon Street on Thursday. As the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began its searches, Banerjee arrived at the residence of political consultancy firm I-PAC’s Director Pratik Jain, from where she came out with a laptop and a green file, rushing to the I-PAC’s office – about 12 km away. Banerjee’s swift response to take on the ED and the BJP was a reminder of what she is best known for – a quintessential street fighter. A day later, she held a _padyatra_ with the TMC leadership, proving yet again that she will not shy away from hitting the streets if need be. https://www.inexp.in/A5Bwwe _With that, let’s move on to the top stories from today’s edition:_ 🚨 *Big Story* Amid protracted negotiations over the India-US trade deal, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Friday said that India missed multiple opportunities to sign the agreement and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “did not call US President Trump” after the deal had been set up in May-July last year. Lutnick’s remarks came hours before US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor arrived in India Friday night. Reacting to Lutnick’s claims, India rejected his version of events, saying “the characterisation of these discussions in the reported remarks is not accurate.” India continues to face the highest US tariffs (up to 50 per cent) despite being engaged in negotiations with Washington since February last year. So far, officials in Delhi have maintained that the trade deal is “very much alive.” https://www.inexp.in/Idy+qR The time window – May and July – as indicated by Lutnick when the India-US trade agreement could have been inked, coincided with Operation Sindoor and its fraught aftermath. During the time, US President Donald Trump had sought credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a claim that, along with an Islamabad-Washington warmth, cast a shadow on the bilateral ties. The deal couldn’t go through then as Lutnick wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call US President Donald Trump to close the deal – which he claims India was “uncomfortable” with. https://www.inexp.in/KNtP71 ⚡ *Only in Express* A dossier in April 2025 informed India’s Culture Ministry of the auction of about 349 gems that were excavated in 1898 along with Buddha’s relics from Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh. The auction in Hong Kong, for an estimated $100 million, presented a new challenge for India: the sale lay outside the country’s legal jurisdiction, time was critically short, and the issue carried deep emotional weight for India and millions of Buddhists. What followed over the next three months was an intense search for diplomatic and legal avenues, repatriation through a public-private-partnership, and the journey back home on a commercial flight. My colleague Divya A traces their nerve-wracking journey. https://www.inexp.in/OpWEOz 💡 *Express Explained* Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, key officials of the United States President Donald Trump administration shared that Greenland should be part of the US territory. While Greenland has no plans to cede the territory to the US, analysts believe that a forcible US takeover would result in the breakdown of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). While NATO is the most potent military alliance, behind its strength lies a story of wide disparity in economic and military might. And it is this disparity that Trump is exploiting at present. Is the US capable of bullying NATO? Udit Misra explains. https://www.inexp.in/VnZjiS ✍️ *Express Opinion* In our _Opinion_ section today, Pankaj Vir Gupta and Christine Mueller shed light on their architectural projects in Delhi designed to link the past with the present. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Humanyun’s Tomb Site Museum, was designed to unify the natural and the built environment, and facilitate an understanding of India’s heritage. They write: “Architecture that evokes an emotive connection with people — especially so in works designed for the public — endures as a cherished memory of our bond with a place. India’s rich historic legacy is ripe for more such interventions — buildings and gardens where people may gather, reflect on our past, and create visions for our future.” https://www.inexp.in/7ZhqXa 🎬 *Movie Review* Wondering what to watch this weekend? We’ve got you covered! _Freedom At Midnight_ is back with a new season, this time, recreating the early tumultuous years post-Independence in India, detailing crucial events and the people who made our freedom possible. Calling it one of her favourites, Shubhra Gupta, in her review of the series, writes: “The series does well to underline the rising problems between Nehru and Patel, the two men burying their differences only with Gandhi’s fast-unto-death. Would they have kissed and made up if their hands weren’t forced? It’s fascinating to speculate whether we would have had a different nation had events not rolled out the way they did…” https://www.inexp.in/xsYeD0 _*That’s it for today, have a lovely weekend!*_ *Until next time,* *Ariba*

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:*https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-india-eu-summit-10496331/ Good morning, Didn’t get the newspaper today? Don’t worry, we have got you. Dive in! Cars may not be flying yet, but could they be “talking” soon? The government is planning to launch a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) safety technology to prevent road accident deaths and reduce traffic. The system is similar to the one used in the aviation sector, where aircraft broadcast their position, speed, and altitude to nearby aircraft and ground stations. The government envisions that the V2V system on the ground could alert other vehicles to black spots, obstacles, parked cars or fog. If a car were to brake suddenly, it would send a signal to the vehicle behind to slow down before the driver sees it. My colleague Dheeraj Mishra takes a closer look at the technology and its potential rollout. https://www.inexp.in/b7-0DU On that note, let’s get into the rest of today’s edition👇 🚨 *Big Story* Top European leaders, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, were the chief guests at the Republic Day parade yesterday. Today, they will co-chair, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the India-EU summit. Here’s what’s on the agenda: 👉 The two sides will enhance their Defence and Security Partnership. On Monday, a contingent of the EU military took part in the R-Day celebrations, which von der Leyen said was a powerful symbol of deepening bilateral security cooperation. 👉 They will also sign a memorandum of understanding on facilitating the mobility of Indians to Europe. The framework would include students, researchers, seasonal workers and highly skilled professionals. https://www.inexp.in/8djH+a 👉 The two sides will announce the conclusion of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has been decades in the making. The deal would be signed later in the year after “legal scrubbing” and “internal consultations”. However, both sides have agreed to minimise the time for operationalising the FTA. https://www.inexp.in/saWwaA Crucially, the FTA comes against the backdrop of global uncertainties unleashed by US tariffs. A key driver of the deal has been the shared China challenge, as India worries about being priced out in certain sectors, while the EU has concerns over China’s dominance over critical minerals. New Delhi is yet to finalise a trade deal with the US, which has imposed steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods, straining bilateral ties. Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, has blamed US President Donald Trump, Vice-President J D Vance and White House economic adviser Peter Navarro for resisting a trade deal with India, according to his leaked recordings reported by Axios. https://www.inexp.in/xgry80 ⚡ *Only in Express* In a bid to regulate online content, the government is keen to introduce rules against obscenity. The publication or transmission of such content could attract imprisonment and/or a fine. The Centre has come up with draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026, that spell out clear red lines – such as attacks on religion or suggestive innuendos – and also propose rating digital content by age suitability. Amrita Nayak Dutta brings you the details. https://www.inexp.in/O01r8B 📰 *From the Front Page* Purge: A top Chinese military general, Zhang Youxia, has come under fire for reportedly "leaking information about the country's nuclear weapons program to the US". Zhang was placed under official investigation amid China's ongoing purge of allegedly "corrupt" military officials. Zhang has also been accused of "accepting bribes" and forming "political cliques". https://www.inexp.in/iKLYpf Zhang's ouster comes just a month after the US Pentagon flagged the removal of senior officers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in China. In October alone, nine top generals were expelled. Rishika Singh explains the purge and why the latest one stands out. https://www.inexp.in/rmQnav 📌 *Must Read* It’s all yellow: The historic gold rally is showing no signs of slowing down, and everyone from small investors like households to bigger institutions is continuing to pile in on gold. Among these big investors are central banks, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In the RBI's case, gold now makes up 17% of its forex reserves, up from 12$ a year ago. The reason, directly or indirectly, is Trump. We explain why. https://www.inexp.in/Lg3kSG No entry? The temple committees of Char Dham may pass a resolution to ban the entry of "non-Hindus" into the temple premises. A decision would be taken in the upcoming board meeting, according to Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee president Hemant Dwivedi. However, a senior office-bearer of the Board has said that the matter has not been discussed so far. https://www.inexp.in/NIoVZ- ⏳ *And Finally...* The internet is missing 2016. Some have even asserted that it was the last “best year”, despite the tumultuous politics that hit us in 2016. So, why does 2016 feel simpler than today? The answer lies in the way algorithms, which are today feeding us this nostalgia, changed the internet in 2016 into a hyper-optimised, engagement-baiting ecosystem. So, when a trend goes viral today, it’s hard to guess: did we choose it, or did the algorithm? Read on. https://www.inexp.in/+n7k-U 🎧 Before you go, do tune in to the latest ‘3 Things’ podcast episode. Today’s lineup: Pollution’s toll on athletes, a SIM card fraud, and how gangs hire shooters.https://www.inexp.in/wg5nJR That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta