Here are top 5 news of the day:

SC takes ‘extraordinary’ step in Bengal vs EC case, judicial officers to be part of SIR duty

The Supreme Court issued what it described as an “extraordinary order,” asking the Calcutta high court to designate serving and retired judicial officers in poll-bound West Bengal as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to decide claims and objections arising from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state’s electoral rolls, according to Live Law. The Court further stated that these judicial officers would be assisted by micro-observers and state government officials, and instructed district collectors and Superintendents of Police to extend logistical assistance and security to them. Read full story

Centre slams Congress after youth wing’s shirtless march at AI Summit, blames Rahul Gandhi

The BJP-led central government criticised the Congress and targeted Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi after members of the party’s youth wing carried out what it called a “despicable” shirtless protest at the ongoing AI Summit. The reaction followed the detention of around 10 Indian Youth Congress workers, who briefly shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Exhibition Hall No. 5 at the summit venue, according to the police. Read full story

‘India diversifying oil sourcing,’ says US envoy Sergio Gor

The United States reaffirmed its position that India’s commitments on oil procurement from Russia form part of the recently finalised trade agreement between New Delhi and Washington. US envoy Sergio Gor said Washington has observed India diversifying its oil sources and noted that active talks are underway over the possible sale of Venezuelan oil to India. He added that the final trade deal is expected to be signed soon. Read full story

Women’s groups seek action against Rajasthan MLA for ‘son vs daughter’ quip

Women’s rights organisations have written to Rajasthan assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani seeking action against Bharatpur BJP MLA Bahadur Singh Koli for remarks in the House likening the BJP government’s budgets to “giving birth to a son” and Congress-era budgets to “giving birth to a daughter.” Koli claimed that “son” budgets were productive, while “daughter” budgets led to Congress losing power. Calling the analogy patriarchal and deeply regressive, the groups said it reflected an anti-women mindset. Read full story

BLA releases video claiming Pakistani army personnel in custody amid prisoner swap deadline

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has reportedly released a video allegedly showing Pakistani Army personnel in its custody as the deadline for a proposed prisoner exchange approaches. The footage, circulated on social media and shared by the Balochistan Post citing the group’s official channel, appears to show several men presenting service cards and national identity documents while identifying themselves as detained servicemen. In the video, they appeal to Pakistani authorities, saying they were formally recruited and assigned postings, and question why the authorities are allegedly not acknowledging them. Read full story